- Words Notion Staff
In Notion Now: Week 17, Zoe Wees, Little Simz, Jorja Smith, Wolf Alice, Unknown T, M1llionz and TSB, Tinashe, Smoothboi Ezra, Sports Team and more have released new tunes.
"Ghost" by Zoe Wees
Ahead of her debut EP, 'Golden Wings', arriving on 21 May, Zoe Wees shares the moving single, "Ghost". “‘Ghost’ was written about letting someone get too close, even if you know they can hurt you,” explains Zoe. “It’s about the feeling of being vulnerable to that person in a way that could basically destroy your life”.
"Introvert" by Little Simz
Little Simz has returned from her hiatus with a bang. Her powerful new track is the first offering from forthcoming album ’Sometimes I might Be Introvert’. The urgent new track is an anthemic rallying cry that speaks on faith, social justice, political corruption and grappling with success.
"Gone" by Jorja Smith
Jorja Smith gives us another taste of her upcoming project, 'Be Right Back', with the pensive new single "Gone". "There’s something about being able to write about one thing and for it to mean so many different things to others. I love that this song, well any of my songs really, will be interpreted in different ways, depending on the experiences of the people listening. This one is just me asking why people have to be taken from us”, Jorja says.
"Smile" by Wolf Alice
Four-piece rockers, Wolf Alice, drop the heavy and hypnotic single "Smile". It's the second single taken from their upcoming new album 'Blue Weekend', out 11 June. The new song is about the assumptions people make about others, and was created with the intention of playing it live. “This is one of the songs we wrote thinking that we would play it live,” Ellie Rowsell stated. “I miss that feeling of singing on stage. It’s like screaming into a pillow or something — you can get away with being more nasty. There’s a whole other part of me missing.”
"Jagged Edge (feat. Unknown T & M1llionz)" by TSB
Building his name as a producer for some of the UK's rap elite, including Stormzy, Headie One, J Hus, Dave and more, TSB now steps into the spotlight for a collab with Unknown T and M1llionz. Sampling 2003 hit "Walked Outta Heaven" by US group Jagged Edge, TSB’s debut track is the first drill love song, with themes of love and relationships combined with R&B melodies and UK drill sonics. "Sampling 2003 hit ‘Walked Outta Heaven’ by US group Jagged Edge, TSB’s debut track is the first drill love song, with themes of love and relationships combined with R&B melodies and UK drill sonics. “I’ve always loved the idea of bringing different worlds of music together in a way that makes sense. R & Drill? Jagged Edge is exactly that. There’s two sides to every story", TSB said.
"Love Line (with Tinashe)" by Shift K3Y
An irresistible dance-pop number from Shift K3Y and Tinashe, this new tune is catchy as hell. A confident bop about a girl who finds the strength to ignore the booty calls of a time-wasting boy, it's one many of us can surely relate to.
"Trouble - Spotify Singles" by Aluna, Michael Brun and Alicai Harley
Aluna teams up with Michael Brun and Alicai Harley for this dancehall-infused electro-pop number, "Trouble" is about a connection with someone you can’t stay away from because your bodies are innately connected.
"Stuck" by Smoothboi Ezra
Non-binary artist Smoothboi Ezra is building a name for themselves with their emotive songwriting, and "Stuck" is further testament to that skill. “‘Stuck’ is a song about being in a relationship with someone you care a lot about but you know it’s not going to work out. It’s an unsaid mutual agreement that you can feel the relationship ending but you’re both waiting on the other person to end it", they explain.
"Siena" by Bicep & Clara La San
Bicep treat fans to a deluxe edition of their 'Iles' album, featuring three brand-new tracks. The electronic duo have once again recruited Clara La San for "Siena". “This track took many forms in the demo stage including much more melodic versions and multiple vocal directions. In the end, a much more restrained track felt best, letting Clara's vocals shine. We're both excited to develop this and explore the other versions in our live shows”, Bicep said.
"Happy (God's Own Country)" by Sports Team
Raucous six-piece Sports Team have dropped this summer-of-hope-anthem, bottling the infectious spirit they've become renowned for. It's the first new music from the band since the release of their critically acclaimed, Mercury nominated, debut album 'Deep Down Happy'.
"Worth It" by Amber Mark
Amber Mark opens up about imposter syndrome and her struggles with self-worth on this rousing new single. “We are our own worst critics, and I feel at times we are the hardest on ourselves. I wrote this song as a mantra to myself in order to lift my spirits in situations where I feel worthless. Whether someone has put you down or you’ve done it to yourself this song is meant to help you pick yourself up again and remind you just how worthy you are of happiness", she said.
"If You Care" by Q
Rising Florida based producer, singer and multi-instrumentalist Q continues to mesmerise with this gooey, funk-laden new track, which shows off his vocal range to a tee.
"Tell Me It's True" by Gorgon City
Production duo, Gorgon City, are back with the crescendoing dance number, "Tell Me It's True". Laden with vocal chops, house piano and euphoric drops, the pair show us they're here to stay. They've also announced their third album, 'Olympia', which is due 25 June.
"About a Breakup" by salem ilese
salem ilese is here to remind you that your ex isn't worth it with new single "About a Breakup". With angelic vocals and candyfloss pop production, salem sings that "The world's too f*cked to cry about a breakup". She's not wrong.
"Broke Boyz (feat. DreamDoll)" by Shaybo and DreamDoll
Queen Of The South, Shaybo, links with New York star, DreamDoll, for this confident anthem where they show everyone just who's in charge. The playful rap track features a jumpy beat and quotable lines such as "Look at my swag / Look at my drip / Look at my ice, look at my wrist / Look at my ass, look at my tits / I told you before I ain't a basic bitch".
"In My Mind" by Mysie
Ivor Novello Rising Star, Mysie, shares the stunning new single "In My Mind", another lyrically whip-smart track about “the prospect of lust”, and the yearning to be with someone you shouldn’t want to be with.
"Free At Least" by Noomi
Rapidly rising Swedish artist, Noomi, has dropped the stripped-back new single "Free At Least", taken from her newly announced debut EP ‘Life Aqua’. Dealing with ambivalence, “It’s an emotional tug-of-war between letting in or pushing away, between wanting to but not daring to, of that very first time you really let down your guard for someone and you share those amazingly intense, but somewhat claustrophobic first 24 hours like inside a cocoon breathing the same air in and out until you’re all intertwined", Noomi states.
"Irrational (feat. Adekunle Gold) - Remix" by Shay Lia
Shay Lia partners up with Nigerian star Adekunle Gold for an irresistible remix of "Irrational", which originally featured on her 2020 EP, 'Solaris'. “I have been a huge, passionate fan of Adekunle Gold for a long time and it was an honour to work with him on this remix. He was my dream collaboration for this. It’s not often that your dream becomes reality so I’m very grateful! I’m on a journey with my sound so having great minds around me is so necessary", Shay Lia shared.
"Where the Bodies are Buried" by Liz Lawrence
While the title may be morbid, Liz Lawrence's new single is upbeat and even dance-inducing. Written during a lockdown heatwave, Liz explains of the song: "The nation's temper was boiling over. It felt, for a moment, like the existing power structures might be coming down, and that was scary and exciting. All that horror and rage, but we were stuck inside, crashing against the domestic. It's Carrie meets Corrie, basically".