All the Latest Music News on Nagamag
The Latest
All Nagamag’s online magazine music articles in one place. Here you will find our latest posts and whole back catalog of articles.
Etana – Young Gifted And Black
“Sunny Jamaican day under the sound waves and the positive vibrations of Reggae. A story is told and a thought is hidden in this bright track. It more than ever fills everything with its kind and warm atmosphere.”
“Солнечный ямайский день в оглушительном рёве волн и позитивными вибрациями Reggae. В этом солнечном треке рассказана история, вложена мысль и он с лихвой заполняет всё нутро своей доброй и тёплой атмосферой.”
-Nagamag.com
https://onerpm.link/celebratingnina
The seven track EP features as many female artists revisiting songs written or previously covered by Simone, with exquisitely crafted one-drop reggae rhythms further embellishing Simone’s category-defying sonics” Billboard
“Nina Simone is a great black woman who have made significant contributions, she inspired many through her song and story. I certainly think it’s important to note her and contribution and her role in the civil rights movement. When teaching about Dr Martin Luther King, it’s important to note that music played a big role in influencing black people to join and fight for equality.” Etana
“This project is significant because it’s a reminder to the Black Woman of the role she plays in self-identity. It was my absolute pleasure working with Stephen on this one.” Queen Ifrica
Multi-GRAMMY Award-winner Stephen Marley has released his new EP ‘Celebrating Nina: Reggae Tribute To Nina Simone’ via Ghetto Youths Intl, available now everywhere.Co-produced by Paul Fakhourie, mix and mastered by legendary Errol Brown, who was also Bob Marley’s engineer, this EP the biggest Reggae Blues collaboration of 2022 has arrived, as Stephen Marley celebrates Nina Simone, in a Reggae style. This new EP has seven tracks as an ode to some of Nina’s greatest hits. Stephen has been building anticipation for this release for some time. Riding on the high of single releases like Queen Ifrica’s Four Women in April of 2021, and Etana’s Young Gifted And Black in February of this year. Stephen himself has described the EP as a “tribute to the legendary American jazz singer, composer, pianist and arranger Nina Simone.” These tracks have given the audience a mere taste of what the EP has to offer but now it’s finally here.
Nina Simone, legally known as Eunice Kathleen Waymon is one of America’s most legendary singer, songwriter, and musical arranger. Outside of her music, she is most known for her role as a civil rights activist during the separatist and racist 60 & 70s. Stephen Marley has never shied away from his musical appreciation for Nina. Producing songs for himself such as Father of The Man featuring Wyclef Jean and a classic Nina sample from her iconic Keeper Of The Flame hit. “I’m such a huge fan of her work” Mentions Stephen Marley during a Musicme interview in 2017.
Now, many years later, this appreciation has blossomed into an entire EP, paying tribute to Nina’s musical genius. “This project is about preserving Nina Simone’s legacy, passing it on to younger generations, including my children, because you don’t often find music this substantial. When we started this project, we reached out to Nina’s daughter (Lisa Simone Kelly) and to the Nina Simone Foundation to establish a connection; we want to donate a portion of proceeds to the things that she was all about.”
As we celebrate International Women’s month, Celebrating Nina: Reggae Tribute to Nina Simone highlights the strength, power, and resilience of women. With tracks from artists like Terri Walker who does a beautiful rendition of Nina’s 1961s No Good Man. Maya Azucena makes an appearance with her take on 1971s Mr. Bojangles. Joss Stone chimes in with Here Comes The Sun, Melanie Fiona inspires with her version of Don’t Explain and Cedella Marley honors the well-known 1964 hit Misunderstood. Speaking to Billboard Magazine, Patricia Meschino, Marley shared that he chose to work exclusively with female artists on this project because “our queens deserve recognition as the mothers of creation. These are beautiful, strong women and their voices do Nina’s work and reggae solid.”
https://www.facebook.com/OneEtana
PAYFONE – Day & Night
“"Payfone" unfold their creativity in this explosive House production. The deep and hypnotic bass pull you like strong magnet into its atmospheric field and the different voices can keep echoing in your head.”
-Nagamag.com
Production duo Payfone debut on Defected with ‘Day & Night’, demonstrating their strictly authentic sound that demands all elements of a record to be 100 percent original. Producers with a distinctive sonic aesthetic, an evocative top line, provided by regular collaborator Louis Howard Jones who featured on standout record ‘Paradise’, is offset with a bass-led groove and chunky snare to add a hint of moodiness to the vocal house cut. With just the right amount of 2010s deep house nostalgia to keep ‘Day & Night’ fresh for contemporary listeners, this winning formula has worked well so far for Phil Passera and Jimmy Day. Following releases on influential US imprint Golf Channel and a recent remix on Defected’s sub-label DFTD, ‘Day & Night’ continues to cement their reputation as one of electronic music’s most intriguing acts while exhibiting the trademark Payfone sound.
https://www.facebook.com/payfonedisco
Markus Lehmann-Horn – Escape Attempt
“A gloomy, tension-inducing track, whose enchanting and hypnotizing atmosphere, captures your attention. Its orchestral sound and chorales can leave an indelible impression. Strong, rich and emotional work!”
“Мрачный, нагнетающий тревогу и беспокойство трек, чья пугающая, но в то же время чарующая, гипнотизирующая атмосфера, фокусирует на себе всё внимание. Оркестровая музыка и хоралы производят неизгладимое впечатление. Сильная, насыщенная и эмоциональная работа!”
-Nagamag.com
Soundtrack to "Forgotten Border", the formal deadliest Easter-Bloc border in the world.
Daniel Ochoa – Amiga
“Latin jazz will always have a place in the world. One of the original romantic languages really shines in this piece. The instrumental portion is on point without missing a beat. A mature well crafted sound. ”
-Nagamag.com
Tommy Alexander – My Dear
“Spend the next few minutes with "Tommy Alexander" and his warm song. Selected Folk sound and friendly lyrics, which can calm even the most worried mind. Trust your enjoyment in the hands of this talented artist and the sweet chords of his acoustic guitar.”
-Nagamag.com
https://www.facebook.com/tommyalexanderband/
Holly Fitzgerald – Kaleidoscope
“Its delicate yet grand intro opened the door and set the stage for her skillful voice. The layers of the piece come together very well and showcase its balanced feel. She builds the mood and is followed meticulously by the entire musical ensemble involved. ”
-Nagamag.com
Born and raised in the West Midlands of England, singer-songwriter Holly Fitzgerald grew up listening to the famous rock bands of the area mixed with her family's jazz and soul collection. Holly Fitzgerald's early introduction to a wider variety of genres is partially what influences her work today, and the unmistakeable sound that combines genres into one rich texture. As a teenager Fitzgerald fronted several rock bands, popular in the local areas, they went on to win regional talent competitions. However Fitzgerald, inspired by the huge voices in her family's soul collection, began to study the voice as an instrument, learning to control and manipulate her voice into any style. This led to her creation of the goose-bump inducing cries in the final chorus of her latest single, Kaleidoscope. After exploring her Midlands rock roots, Fitzgerald went on to study music as a degree at Manchester Metropolitan University. It was here that she began writing and developing as a soloist. After experimenting with the contemporary and avant-garde, Fitzgerald found herself drawn to a warm and slightly aged grand piano, where she started writing in the emotional, honest and raw style we hear today from singles 'Time' and 'Kaleidoscope'. After releasing her latest single, Holly Fitzgerald has headed back in to the studio, to work on her upcoming EP release (date to be confirmed).
https://www.facebook.com/HollyFitzgeraldMusic/
Elijah Harvey – Everything You Need
“Brightens its room with a bold and beautiful intro. We enjoy that funky bassline punctuated by the natural rhythms of a slowed down drumbeat. It resonates its vocally rich texture and sensual ways. ”
-Nagamag.com
https://www.instagram.com/IamElijahHarvey
BoyWithUke – IDGAF (feat. blackbear)
“When someone dissapoints you in personal life, just leave them behind. This is the main idea of “IDGAF”; a Lo-fi Pop single with fast lyrics and specific character. If you feel down or even misunderstood, this is an ideal choice for your mood recovery.”
-Nagamag.com
Today, singer, songwriter, and producer BoyWithUke uncovers a new single entitled “IDGAF” [feat. blackbear] accompanied by the official video. The song paves the way for his anxiously awaited full-length debut album, Serotonin Dreams [Republic Records], on Friday, April 15, 2022.
Listen to “IDGAF” HERE and watch the video HERE. Pre-order/Pre-save Serotonin Dreams HERE.
https://boywithuke.lnk.to/SeratoninDreams
On the track and working with blackbear, BoyWithUke said: “‘IDGAF’ was so exciting to make for me. hearing all the components of the song merge together to make the tune was so much fun, and on top of that, i was able to work with such a talented guy like blackbear. i’m just so excited to show people what i can do.”
The music video picks up right where the “Long Drives” music video leaves off, as BoyWithUke finds himself heartbroken after being misled by someone he met online. Check out the first installment of the story in the “Long Drives” video here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIILsSmS_nA
Already making a name for himself with nearly 700 million streams to date with just two songs out (“Toxic” and “Long Drives”), the new Serotonin Dreams album is highly anticipated and will feature collaborations with mxmtoon, Powfu, and more.
Speaking of “Toxic,” it just vaulted into the Top 15 at Alternative Radio and currently sits at #12 on the chart while already reaching nearly 680 million global streams to date. Meanwhile, his showstopping performance of the single as part of the Genius Open Mic series has emerged as the platform’s second highest-viewed Genius video to date with over 40 million views and counting. Not to mention, he has officially surpassed 1 million subscribers on YouTube and is approaching 4 million TikTok followers.
In addition, “Long Drives” shows no signs of stopping or slowing down. Not only has it amassed nearly 30 million global streams, but it has also racked up over 14 million YouTube views on the music video. Ones To Watch recently raved, “with his face hidden behind an LED faceplate, we may not know who BoyWithUke is, but one thing we know for certain is that he’s poised to be the next big thing.” Indie Shuffle noted, “the sadness of this track is electric, it surprises and enthralls,” and added, “‘Long Drives’ makes melancholy easy to listen to and utterly impactful in the space of alt-pop joy.”
In the wake of Serotonin Dreams’ arrival, BoyWithUke will embark on a much-anticipated global headline tour this spring. His headline tour begins on April 19th at Heaven in London; then he will visit multiple countries across Europe and conclude the tour in the US on May 10th at The Roxy in Los Angeles and May 12th at Bowery Ballroom in New York. The headline tour will be followed by a slew of dates supporting AJR on their upcoming North American tour this summer, which kicks off in May and includes shows in Nashville, Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and more. Check out the full list of upcoming dates below.
Get your fill of Serotonin Dreams from BoyWithUke.
https://www.instagram.com/boywithuke/?hl=en
YEOMAN – REMEMBER
“This song has not only a unique atmosphere, but also an excellent presentation of sound. Beautiful verses, sensual chorus, fine solo and a state of absolute peace. The vocals also emphasize the semantic message of the whole composition.”
“Песня обладает не только атмосферой, но и невероятно красивой подачей материала. Красивые куплеты, чувственный припев, отличное соло и состояние полного умиротворения. Вокал подчеркивает смысловой посыл композиции.”
-Nagamag.com
https://www.instagram.com/yeoman_music/
Ethan Gontar – Wildest Dreams Ft. Shay Vagner
“Music that you admire and enrich your heart with it, filling yourself with light and warmth. Deep sound layers, beautiful instrumentation and vocals from -Ethan Gontar & Shay Vagner-. Original, catchy and sensual sound.”
“Музыка, которой восхищаешься и обогащаешь своё сердце, наполняя его светом и теплом. Глубокие слои, красивая инструментальная составляющая и вокалы -Ethan Gontar & Shay Vagner-. Оригинальная, красивая, цепляющая и чувственная музыка.”
-Nagamag.com
The song describes a relationship that wasn’t mutual, the woman didn’t feel the same way as the man did.
The man feels that the woman doesn’t give him the love he deserves, and it’s making him weak, and everything suddenly seems so weird.
He starts to recollect all of the wildest dreams that came true and the ones that they planned for the future to come.
He talks about the deep connection that they had, his strong feelings that dont align with hers.
https://www.facebook.com/EthanGontarOfficial