- Words Notion Staff
- Photography Talie Eigeland for Notion
In Notion Now: Week 34, hear new music from GRACEY, Cleo Sol, King Promise and Headie One, M1llionz, Remi Wolf, Tiwa Savage and Amaarae, YUNGBLUD, Jelani Blackman and many more.
"What A Waste" by GRACEY
GRACEY has once again nailed it with this relatable, euphoric pop bop about post-breakup feelings. She explained: “I wrote ‘What A Waste’ in the first raw moments of a recent break-up, when all I felt was the initial loss. Everyone goes through that gut punch of disappointment and frustration at the beginning, when you’re looking back at the time, love and energy you put into something that no longer exists and you feel like you wasted your time. Luckily it’s just a moment that passes and there’s lots to look forward to on the other side, but those initial emotions are still valid. Hopefully this will help others going through something similar.”
"Don't Let Me Fall" by Cleo Sol
Just the most beautiful song in every sense of the word, Cleo Sol sings with such delicate tenderness that it almost makes time stand still.
"Ring My Line (feat. Headie One)" by King Promise
King Promise has teamed up with Headie One for a sizzling new single perfect for those end-of-summer vibes. King Promise said: “This song is one of the realest I ever wrote. It’s a Big record & linking with headie on this one was only right. Two Ghanaians making the motherland proud globally. Did it for the culture & made a bop!”
"Never Enough" by Disclosure
The title track from the iconic electronic duo's new project was the last to be shared as they dropped a new single every day this week in the lead up to the full collection today. The whole record is truly Disclosure at their best. Give it a spin and you'll see exactly what we mean.
"Regular Bag" by M1llionz
Birmingham rapper and Notion 88 cover star, M1llionz, is back with brand new single and freestyle "Regular Bag’" alongside a striking visual that is the first ever drill freestyle to be shot on film. It’s also the fourth track lifted from his forthcoming debut mixtape ‘Provisional Licence’, set for release on 17th September.
"My Sister (feat. Jorja Smith)" by Shaybo
'Queen of the South' Shaybo and superstar Jorja Smith address domestic violence in the powerful, raw new single "My Sister". Shaybo aka Queen of the South returns with yet another offering. On it, Shaybo speaks up about the importance of leaving a harmful relationship instead of ignoring red flags.
"Tales By Moonlight" by Tiwa Savage and Amaarae
Afrobeat star Tiwa Savage makes a return with “Tales By Moonlight,” which features Amaarae. It's the first official single from her new EP, 'Water & Garri', which she described as her " most spiritual journey through music so far.”
“Quiet On Set” by Remi Wolf
Having just announced her debut album 'juno', which is due in October, Remi Wolf has dropped two new standout efforts “Quiet On Set” and “Grumpy Old Man,” both of which will be on the record. The former is as bubbly, witty, and slightly manic as ever. She said: "Every song on this record is a vivid snapshot into what was going on in my life and mindset the day I wrote each one."
"fleabag" by YUNGBLUD
Another riotous number from Northern lad-turned-supertstar YUNGBLUD, "fleabag" is as defiant as ever. He said: “I wrote ‘Fleabag’ in a really dark time of my life, when a lot of people around me had an expectation about what I should be. To tell you the truth, it’s about being fucking gutted about people judging me and trying to tear me down. I felt so alienated, I felt so alone. “When everybody else has an expectation of what you should be or have their own version of your truth it messes with your brain because you start to think, ‘Maybe they’re right, maybe they do know what’s best for me, maybe I should change who I am.'"
"Guilty (feat. Kelly Kiara)" by Morrisson
East London rapper Morrisson has dropped his EP ‘Guilty’, with collabs with some of the UK’s best and brightest talent including Aitch, Loski and Jordan, plus heavyweight production from Harry James, Steel Banglez, Bkay and more. This one sees him link with singer Kelly Kiara.
"Bubblin" by Jelani Blackman
One of Notion's Ones To Watch this year, rapper and musician Jelani Blackman, treats us to a lively, bouncy single about pent-up energy. “I was actually Bubblin when I recorded this tune. Was in lockdown and had to record in my studio at home. The next day there was a letter through the door with a noise complaint ‘cos I was on such a wave. That‘s the whole mood of the song for me,” Jelani explains.
"RANI" by NAYANA IZ
Notion's One To Watch for 2021, NAYANA IZ returns with new single “Rani’. Techno stabs and a heavy bassline paired with hard-hitting bars, nods to halcyon Boy In Da Corner era Dizzee. The track is named after Nayana’s mother and means “queen” in Hindi.
"The Mission" by Bakar
An anthemic new tune from Bakar’s that he explains is "about the want and need for a better future, especially for 1st generation kids of immigrant backgrounds - telling our stories is so important. I’m trying to represent and reclaim my Islamic faith for a new progressive generation. This is ultimately about peace but so often our symbols and flags have been hijacked for the wrong purposes. I see what’s happening in Kabul this week and pray for the people there.”
"Call Me Back (feat. Knucks)" by KAM-BU
South London's KAM-BU drops his 'BLACK ON BLACK' EP, and teams up with Knucks for this new tune. "I wanted this EP to retain a UK sound, I wanted to capture the grittiness & essence of London, the constant rush of city of life that we are all accustom to. As well as making sure my identity is embedded into each song ‘black on black’ pays tribute to my heritage & the journey I’ve been on and how it all came to be" KAM-BU explained.
"Nobody Else (feat. Kasien)" by MORGAN
Channeling an upbeat Afro-swing and R&B energy, MORGAN explained of her new single: "When Kasien and I got in we knew we wanted to write a song that everyone could hopefully take some positive energy from and remind people that we should all love ourselves; and treat our mind and bodies with the respect it deserves."
"Love Me" by Juls & Niniola
British-Ghanaian artist, producer + DJ Juls links with Niniola for full-bodied new single "Love Me". You can just imagine the vibes when this is played live.
"Clouds" by Jordan Rakei
The third single to be released from Jordan Rakei's third studio album, 'What We Call Life', this track sees Rakei reflect on his own mixed heritage (his father is a Pacific Islander, his mother white) and the privileges that his light skin has afforded him in Western society. “That whole movement [on race and discrimination] made me think about this a lot, and then therapy enabled me to write about it,” he says. “I’d never been that open about this in the past.”
"Radio" by Everyone You Know
Genre-bending brothers, Everyone You Know, are back with new banger that's set to appear on their 'Just For The Times' EP, due in October. They shared: "This tune is us paying homage to the late 90’s/early 2000’s garage scene".
"Adidas" by Finn Askew
“I wanted to make a song where by the end of listening to the song for the first time you’d know the chorus word for word”, Finn Askew said of his new single. Showcasing a new musical direction for the rising artist, "Adidas" is the latest offering from Askew's upcoming EP.
"After Midnight (1AM)" by Lola Young
South London star-on-the-rise, Lola Young, shares her 'After Midnight' EP. This is Lola Young at her most honest as she tells the story of one night in her life, tracing the hours between midnight and 5 a.m, moving from confidence to vulnerability and mania.
"Harmonies" by Wavy The Creator & WurlD
Multidisciplinary Nigerian artist Wavy the Creator has linked up with WurlD on new single "Harmonies". Wavy describes the track as “an Afro-futuristic sound, that is sexy, sultry, provocative yet a classy declaration of intimacy between two people”.
"Supersonic" by Dylan Fraser
Scottish newcomer and alt/pop up-and-comer, Dylan Fraser, has dropped his new track "Supersonic", which features some Prodigy-esque production. It sees Dylan channel his anxieties and thought process.
"NOT COPS" by DeBe.
Northampton rapper DeBe returns with his witty, hard-hitting bars and thumping bass production on "NOT COPS". "I had reached a point in life where everything I was doing was just becoming a joke’. DeBe explains. "The dramas that come along with leading a life on the roads began to outweigh the benefits and my conscience kicked in”.
"Psychadelic Views (feat. IDK)" by Sad Night Dynamite
Another dive down the rabbit-hole that is Sad Night Dynamite, "Psychedelic Views" features IDK against trap beats and Morricone-esque scores. It was inspired by Archie and Josh of Sad Night Dynamite's time in a disused pub near where they grew up in Glastonbury during lockdown. Delirious, they dreamt "of another hotel, far away, somewhere in the sun - which is where the song is set.”
