- Words Notion Staff
- Photo credit Jonnie Chambers for Notion 85
In Notion Now: Week 19, hear new music from Saweetie, RAY BLK, Little Simz, Franc Moody, kezia and NAYANA IZ, Matilda Mann, YONAKA, joan and more.
"Fast (Motion)" by Saweetie
"Icy" rapper Saweetie is gearing up for the release of her debut album 'Pretty B*tch Music' with another cut. On the addictive new single "Fast (Motion)", Saweetie lets us know that she's getting her bag and she's not taking her foot off the gas anytime soon.
"Woman" by Little Simz & Cleo Sol
The second taste of the U.K. rapper’s forthcoming album 'Sometimes I Might Be Introvert' has dropped, and what a stunning, celebratory anthem it is! Featuring vocals from Cleo Sol, Little Simz said: "I love it when I see women doing their thing and looking flawless; I’m here for that! It’s empowering, it’s inspiring; I wanted to say thank you and I wanted to celebrate them.”
"Dark Skinned" by RAY BLK
While some of us spent lockdown baking banana bread and playing Sims, RAY BLK was writing and recording her long-awaited debut album. On her glorious new track, "Dark Skinned", RAY speaks on the obstacles she's faced as a Black, dark skinned woman. “It's about being told no and always remembering to tell yourself yes", she said.
"Call Me a Saint" by YONAKA
YONAKA's empowering self-produced new single "Call Me a Saint" speaks on lead vocalist Theresa's battle with anxiety. "I want to praise anyone for making it to the next day and fighting through it. We are slaves to our brains and the strength it takes to keep it together and keep moving is another level," she shared.
"Tired of Waiting" by Franc Moody
London warehouse funk collective, Franc Moody, drop another taste of their upcoming EP, 'House of FM', whilst capturing our mood as we count down the days until the clubs re-open on new tune "Tired of Waiting". "We wanted the tune to sound like a runaway train that never loses momentum", the band reveal.
"south!" by kezia & NAYANA IZ
Tanzanian-American singer, songwriter, and guitarist kezia, links with London's NAYANA IZ for a hypnotic new single about liberty and consent. "hat’s my dicksucking anthem! In a world where black women are uninvitedly sexualised, we need to take ownership of feeling strong and cemented in our sexuality", kezia revealed.
"Wait, I Lied" by Alfie Templeman
After months of drip-feeding us a plethora of bops, teenage musical genius, Alfie Templeman, has finally dropped his long-awaited album 'Forever Isn't Long Enough'. Not a single skip.
"Lost In Space (feat. SG Lewis)" by Folamour
French musician, Folamour, recruits SG Lewis for this vibey new track that happened "unexpectedly". The third single from his upcoming album, SG Lewis shedded more light on the collab, posting on Instagram: "My friend [Folamour] asked me to sing on a song of his (the first time I’ve sang on someone else’s production!)... Making this song was so much fun and I’m super excited to be a part of Folamour’s amazing album".
"My Point of You" by Matilda Mann
A short but super sweet new track from angelic-voiced London singer-songwriter, Matilda Mann. “I wrote 'My Point Of You' about watching a friend of mine start doing all the things she loves doing again, after being with someone who slowly changed her. Growing back into yourself, and knowing you don’t need that person to make you happy, is the best part of a breakup. You’re coming back, they’re not", she said.
"so good" by joan
Arkansas duo joan serve up a Y2K boyband vibe on their upbeat new bop "so good". It's About being around someone that just makes your life feel good. It’s about wishing that person was there your whole life, because you didn’t realise how good it could be", the pair say. The single is the first track from two upcoming EPs due this year.
"Close to You" by Bklava
Two-step UKG princess, Bklava, further cements herself as a big name to watch with new groover, "Close to You". Posting on Instagram, Bklava said: "Wrote this last year in the depth of lockdown 1.0 and reflected on my single life and the moment I realised I felt independent, free and in control of my mind. When I was ready to start dating, I knew I was the best version of my best self and happy to be in or out of a situationship and just felt happy in my skin, my body and mind".
"Won't Hold Back" by Star.One
Brotherly production duo, Star.One, may be known for their grime, UKG and house tunes, but they had a pounding summertime dancefloor in mind with irresistible new number "Won't Hold Back".
"Break My Heart (feat. Travis Barker" by Bebe Rexha
Bebe Rexha unleashes her anticipated sophomore album, 'Better Mistakes', featuring new tracks including this collab with Travis Barker. Bebe said: "It’s everything I’ve always wanted an album to be. I’m not holding anything back about my life and who I am. I felt like all of this time and work allowed me to say everything I needed to. I hope you all love it as much as I do. It really is Bebe fucking Rexha.”
"Bodybag" by chloe moriondo
chloe moriondo continues her 'Blood Bunny' era with new gruesome yet oddly romantic new track, "Bodybag", on which she struggles over a love-hate relationship. Packed with nostalgic, Y2K-vibe pop-rock soundscapes perfect for singing into a hairbrush in front of the mirror, you'll be belting out the "I wanna keep you in a cage and watch you sleep for ages" in no time.
"Keep Dancing" by Wilkinson & Amber Van Day
The second release on his own new imprint Sleepless Music, dance music titan, Wilkinson, drops the irresistible slice of D&B euphoria, combining the soaring vocals of Amber Van Day with the infectious “keep dancing” vocal sample and the most invigorating of breakdowns.
"Ego" by IYAMAH
'Rootsy soul' artist, IYAMAH, drops her 'Tough Love' project, including new track "Ego", a delicious bop about a self-involved lover. ""The concept of ‘Tough Love’ is like the conflict between the angel and devil.” “Love and pain, wanting one thing but knowing you need the other. Throughout the EP it’s a conversation about the dialogue on relationships, and the sound flicks between raw and more produced to represent the old and new", she explained.
"Good Times to Come" by Dan D'Lion
Genre-bending artist, Dan D'Lion, has good times on his mind in this new single. It's part of his new project, 'FRUITION', which features collabs with Delilah Montagu, Channel Tres and Feder. Traversing soft keyboard ballads to bouncy, weird synths, it aptly showcases Dan's musical dexterity.
"Who's Your Money On? (Plastic House)" by Inhaler
Irish four-piece, Inhaler, continue to carve out their sound and place in our hearts with new single "Who's Your Money On? (Plastic House)". It's a taste of the band's upcoming debut album, 'It Won't Always Be Like This', out in July.
"Games (feat. FABER)" by Waze
Waze and FABER aren't playing any "Games" with their latest release, which is a made-for-the-clubs dance banger. The first solo release from Waze (of Waze & Odyssey), he's making sure all eyes are on him.
"I'd Rather Be Here" by Dylan Fraser
Scottish artist Dylan Fraser juggles with the push and pull of teenage life as he reflects on a formative relationship in this new single. He says it's "about someone who meant a lot to me but wasn’t necessarily good for my mental state. There was a lot of negativity and it was really starting to wear me down. It put me in a tricky situation, as when you care so deeply for someone, it can sometimes feel better to stay in a shitty situation than to address it head on out of fear of losing that person".
"Balcony" by Dayglow
Dayglow has today released the latest synth-laden preview of his forthcoming 'Harmony House' album. "I wanted to make a song that felt like The Cure, Broncho, and the Mario Kart Soundtrack huddled up", Dayglow said of the new song.
"Tomb for Rockets" by Feng Suave
Super-chill Amsterdam duo, Feng Suave, drop this breezy new tune. Toeing the line between ‘70s soul and modern indie-pop, the new single follows the band's 2020 EP 'Warping Youth'.
"A-O-K" by Tai Verdes
Tai Verdes returns with another mood-boosting dose of sonic sunshine in the form of "A-O-K". On the new single, Tai affirms that the rain clouds will part, no matter how terrible the day is, and we'll all be ok. Dry your eyes and crank this up!
"Sere - Remix" by Spinall, Fireboy DML & 6LACK
Spinall recruits Fireboy DML and 6LACK for a remix of the upbeat, instantly-danceable "Sere".
"Describe My Life" by Jimothy Lacoste
The forever enigmatic Jimothy Lacoste has announced a forthcoming EP 'Jimothy’s House Party Package 1', while also unveiling new single "Describe My Life". Featuring a slick old-school UKG beat, Jimothy is here to show he's serious.
