PICK OF THE WEEK: GEEJAY - 'FLOWERS'

With the release of their first single ‘Horizon’ back in February of this year, UK soul sensation GEEJAY caught our attention and have held it tightly ever since. Fresh onto the music scene and already boasting supporting gigs with Plan B and Joel Baker (not to mention an unforgettable performance with us at The Soul Tree this Summer), Gina and Jacob are absolutely killing it with their live performances and late-night jam sessions. Their on-stage chemistry is a must-see for all you music lovers, but for now we are happy to introduce you to today’s ‘Pick of the Week’, FLOWERS, which you can feast your ears on without catching a live show. 

The track is an innovatively-reworked classic, and the result is a blossoming ballad packed with powerful vocals and vintage melodies. Sweet Female Attitudes ‘Flowers’ is sampled, stripped back and infused with elements of neo-soul, modern jazz and urban hip-hop in a way that only the most talented of musicians know how, and the unique rendition works absolutely perfectly.

Just seconds into the track we are introduced to bouncy beats and old-school intrumentalism that is typical of Jacob’s intriguing style of production. Gina’s vocals are both powerful and beautifully controlled from kick-off and remain so throughout, at times becoming raspy in all the right ways. Catering to a wide audience yet maintaining authenticity, ‘Flowers’ hold a perfect balance between attitude and romance. The combination of lyrics, melodies and vocals are a match made in heaven, highlighting the pairs unique talent and undeniable chemistry. 

In ‘Flowers’, the pair work together to create a groove that is unstoppable, and a track that is unmissable. Catch it here

TRIBUTE: MAC MILLER

A little over a month ago saw the release of 'Swimming', which would become the last album ever released in the short lifetime of rapper, singer, and record producer Mac Miller. A ground-breaking album and arguably his best one yet, 'Swimming' reveals a vulnerability in Mac which he openly explores through painfully real lyrics and unveiled vocals. The themes we hear throughout are packed full of heartbreak, however the talented young rapper succeeds in delivering every song with a sense of zen that spellbinds his audience, and a cheeky boyish charm that wins our hearts entirely.

In this self-produced final record Mac showcases every angle of his musical talent, with his before-unheard vocals playing as big a part as the spoken prose that kicked off his career in early 2010. Wistful soul sounds echo throughout allowing for easy breathing while funky beats bounce in and out in an attempt to uplift, making the listening experience of 'Swimming' an emotional rollercoaster on which we become warped.

To those who have followed Mac Miller from day one, 'Swimming', although not without sadness, felt undoubtedly like the start of something really special in terms of Millers career. No different to his previous work, the album highlights the well-respected singers amiable dedication to always bettering himself and his music. Now, the album represents a different kind of special.

It represents the successful career of a well-deserving star. It represents the human behind the celebrity. It represents the songs we will always sing and the ones we'll never hear. It represents the legacy left behind by a life cut short, and most of all, it serves as a precious gift to us from an angel flying high.

"Take my time to finish, mind my business

A life ain't a life 'til you live it

I was digging me a hole big enough to bury my soul

Weight of the world, I gotta carry my own

My own, with these songs I can carry you home

I'm right here when you're scared and alone."

Written by Aoife Chaney

PICK OF THE WEEK: JAEL

JAEL is a singer-songwriter and UK-based wordsmith with a soulful voice amongst jazzy and Afro-beat instrumentation. Her music is a mixture of soft and upbeat, intertwined with a clear and soothing voice which makes Jael an artist suited as 'anytime music'.

Here is a snippet of her performing a version of Bob Marley’s ‘Is This Love’ which played at the We Welcome Party back in March earlier this year.

Jael can also be found featuring on Boadi’s track, ‘Grow’ which is well worth a listen. 

Her debut EP ‘ODYSSEY’ will be out on all platform in the coming days! For more, follow JAEL at @jaelthevoice.

PICK OF THE WEEK: CLEO SOL - 'WHY DON'T YOU'

Having experienced some success in the music industry as a teen, West London soul singer Cleo Sol returns from her hiatus with a newfound maturity which shines through her comeback track "Why Don't You", proving to us that her time is, without a doubt, now.

Beautifully crafted and flawlessly executed, "Why Don't You" introduces the listener to an ultimate chill vibe the second the first drum beats. The instrumentation unfolds to become nothing short of an orchestrated masterpiece, with the introduction of a sweet and almost eerie string sound that soothes while it chills.

Cleo's lyrics are beautifully downbeat and painfully real, softened by some sweet harmonies dancing in the background. The mood is lifted a little into the second half of the track when she picks up the pace and educates us with her words-

"So I try every day and I grow a little bit

Read a little more so I can educate my fears

Reap for my soul and cleanse my spirit

Pray cus I'm ready for the bloom of the sea

Peace and serenity is all that I need"

A track packed with life lessons and the rawest of honesty, "Why Don't You” is tangible proof of Cleo Sol's growth as a credible artist. Every single listen provokes a heartfelt experience which stays with us after the final beats have faded away.

Written by Aoife Chaney