All the Latest Music News on Nagamag

Keep your pants on, because Ian Abel’s newest single “Right Hand Man” dropped on Feb 10th, 2022 and it’s the quirky, gay hyperpop smash the world needs right now.

“Right Hand Man” is a cheery, taunting pop tune, with tongue-in-cheek lyrics, punchy synths, and an infectious earworm of a chorus. It’s naughty, effervescent and fun, all in one.

“Imagine you’re getting a drink at a sunny gay resort and you spot a cute stranger flirting with your man,” says Abel. “Then imagine you don’t even care: that’s what this song is about.”

“Right Hand Man” is accompanied by a low-concept music video following a big juicy butt as it walks around the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of New York City, bouncing from bar to bar, meeting up with friends, and even getting some light fondling action.

“These days I think we can also use entertainment that lightens the mood and doesn’t take itself too seriously,” says Abel. “I certainly don’t.”

https://ianabelmusic.com/

Ian Abel (pronounced “able”) is, at the bottom of it all, a queer comic book nerd with a heart of gold. With an oh-so-smooth velvety voice and sensual, psychedelic electro-pop arrangements, he’s like if Sam Smith met Robyn or Jessie Ware met James Blake, all with a side of Peter Gabriel. He’s not just your standard indie voice.

https://twitter.com/ianabelmusic

For well over a decade, Ian has been an artist and performer. He has performed around the world and with greats like Nile Rodgers, Jimmy Fallon, and the SNL band. He has sung onstage at Carnegie Hall, on Chinese national television, and in festivals in Sun Valley, New York, and Edinburgh. Currently, Ian resides in New York City, where he hopes to get back to performing live soon.

https://www.facebook.com/ianabelmusic/

He released his debut EP “Icarus” in 2016, and his songs and videos have been featured on Howl & Echoes, Wolf In a Suit, Clout, Indietronica, Milk Crater, Mystic Sons, and Spotify’s Fresh Finds.

https://www.instagram.com/ianabelmusic/

It's mysterious and powerful track. Feels like a ritual. Cinematic tribal-style drums and organic instruments gives the track very earthly vibe yet the electronic sounds gives an interesting twist. One listener said that this could be straight from the Christopher Nolan's movie.

https://ampl.ink/wkz8J

https://www.instagram.com/avalonskies/

https://www.instagram.com/perqx_

Downtempo pop trio GIVVEN's single, 'Losing Colours', out today via Bias Beach Records.

https://lnk.to/GIVVEN-LosingColours

International trio GIVVEN has released their latest single, ‘Losing Colours’ on the 10th of February. The single is the title track for their upcoming audiovisual EP which will be released on the 24th of March via Bias Beach Records. The EP will feature three unique songs with music videos shot in the beautiful landscapes of Iceland, the first of which, ‘Taking On Water’, was already released and accompanied by a gloomy blue-tinted video. One-third of the trio is Adrian Held, part of the renowned Klangkarussell duo. GIVVEN released their hit debut single, ‘Ghostkeeper’ with Klangkarussell in early 2020 which has reached over 6,6 million views to date, followed by several more singles which would collect over 50 million plays across platforms with support across a wide variety of international publications and radio stations.

The trio is comprised of Adrian Held who is from Austria and based in Berlin, Germany, Jordan Haller who is also from Austria and currently based in Toronto, Canada and Nikodem Milewski who is from Poland and based in Vienna. Nikodem Milewski is also responsible for mixing and mastering the EP and has previously worked with the likes of Robin Schulz and Gryffin, amongst others.

In the early stages of the GIVVEN project, the band used the likes of Jai Paul for inspiration however, more recently they’ve begun to also turn to the works of Bon Iver and James Blake. In turn, their own texturally rich sound will find itself at home next to the laidback likes of Chet Faker, Son Lux and James Blake.

The trio take lush textures and paint them against a backdrop of grief, finding ways to layer the metaphorically monochromatic grey emotion against a rolling bassline and vocal echoing remnants. Acoustic elements lend a gentle tone while the spacey, soaring choruses convey the raw pain found within the lyrics.

Speaking of the single, GIVVEN tell us: "We're incredibly proud of ‘Losing Colours’. From the writing to production, it all took months to dial in and get perfect but we think you can really feel the time and love we put into this one when you listen to the track. Every little detail in lyrics and melody and sound design was meticulously thought out and dialled in. For the vocal production, I was inspired by a song called "Stories" by "Refs" and how they automated the formant shifting of their vocals in the second verse. I thought that was such a cool way to play with vocal delivery so I took the concept and built on it a little and brought that to the verses of ‘Losing Colours’ to give the vocals a new way to twist and turn and kind of keep the listener off-balance."

Losing Colours EP Tracklist:

1. Taking On Water

2. Losing Colours

3. Doubts

https://www.instagram.com/wearegivven/

https://www.instagram.com/humming.birdxyz/

Fairytale Embrace is an introspective song that highlights the differences between the real and the imaginary. Partially inspired by a sculpture of two figures by the French artist, Rodin, called “Eternal Springtime,” the lyrics explore the tension between two people viewing the sculpture and how someone’s perception differs from one’s self-image.

https://www.remigoodemusic.com/

https://www.instagram.com/_remigoode_/

Remi Goode is a trained classical guitarist and choral singer turned alternative folk/pop singer-songwriter. Singing and playing 80’s contemporary folk music since the age of eight, the 22-year-old artist has an old soul and a tendency to keep it simple. Remi embraces the diversity of her influences and asserts her originality by writing with honesty and introspection. She leans into the contradictions between unedited emotion and constant rationalization, walking the line between classical complexity and humble folk tunes. Although Remi released an EP, Muziek, at age 16, she is currently working on independently recording and releasing her first full-length album, which represents the artist she has become. She values collaboration highly, completing the entire project with the help of her band in Tempe, AZ. Her longtime musical partner and producer, Gabe Lehrer, has been there for every step of the way since age 13. Remi’s debut album, Don’t Drive Me Home, is expected in fall 2022.

https://singing.rickiayela.com/gUMF

This song is primarily about suffering from depression and obsessive thoughts

https://www.instagram.com/rickiayela

https://www.instagram.com/captains.of.industry/

https://www.instagram.com/iamyniq/

https://twitter.com/iamYNIQ

Yannique Barker, writer, artist, producer, director, and entertainment executive, p/k/a “YNIQ,” (an abbreviation for his name “Yannique”) started creating music when he was 16. Starting with free-styling over hip-hop instrumentals, he quickly learned how to assemble beats and convert his handwritten notes into songs. He and his parents later relocated to Miami after he transferred from the University of Southern California’s (USC) School of Film and Cinematography to the University of Miami, where he graduated with degrees in Communications and Psychology.

Eventually, opportunities in music arose in South Beach and YNIQ was fortunate to work with multi-Grammy winner and songwriter Poo Bear (Usher, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, and others). In the Miami music scene, he was later introduced to one of the most successful producers, Scott Storch. Here, YNIQ observed both Poo Bear and Storch who, both individually and collectively, have recorded and produced superstars such as Beyoncé, 50 Cent, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Mario, Ludacris, Chris Brown, and Fat Joe, to name a few. Receiving a first-hand education in songwriting and production, YNIQ later teamed with multi-Grammy winning DJ and producer Vinny Venditto (Pitbull, Eminem, Don Omar, Nikki Minaj, and 2 Chainz) and began producing his own material after having watched and learning from some of the best in their respective elements.

Today, YNIQ has executive produced on several multi-genre albums and published over 150 songs commercially. His new single, “Rich Forever,” will be released in November 2021. He is also set to release his EP, “The Little Things,” in January 2022. Look for YNIQ and his future music and video projects coming throughout 2022.

Riku Rajamaa´s fourth single, Safety Pin, is a perfect benchmark for the vibes of the on going season. The pulsating beat, flowing harmony and above it all a comforting story is a a great match.

https://www.facebook.com/rikurajamaaofficial/

The subtle and excellent mood of the song is fitting satisfyingly in the darkening days. The elegant production is organic with a hint of modern twist as a signature from the artist. Also the uplifting yet reassuring chorus is embracing the world with the sound and harmonies.

https://www.instagram.com/rickriku/