Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding Deliver Trance Anthem With “Miracle”

Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding are 3/3 with their latest trance collaboration “Miracle”. It’s been nearly a decade since the hitmakers dropped a song together, their last being “Outside”, a euphoric cut from Harris 2014 project Motion. “Miracle” is brimming with 90s nostalgia as Harris supplies the sparking synths and throbbing bass on the rave ready production.

Goulding’s angelic vocals compliment the  relentless trance beat and I can’t wait to hear this song get mixed with Snap!, Real McCoy and the rest of the dance gems in the 90s era. Calvin has a busy 2023 in the works with a return to Coachella and new music influenced by his uptempo trance upbringing. Fingers crossed he finds time to drop the visuals for his collaboration with Tinashe and Normani. I haven’t forgotten about “New To You” Mr. Harris!

Kelela Takes Us To The Psychedelic Dancefloor Of Our Dreams On “Contact”

Kelela gives us another vibe to immerse ourselves in with “Contact”, the fourth single off her highly anticipated album Raven, dropping on February 10th. With each song, I find myself lost in a dark, crowded room with Kelela’s hypotonic sounds blaring through the speakers. The Take Me Apart songstress has mastered the art of making dance music that offers the listeners a sanctuary to escape. “Contact” commands your full attention as Kelela’s silky vocals embrace the relentless house beat produced by LSDXOXO.

Kelela announced her second studio album Raven back in September setting the tone for a project that’s meant to provide space for the Black femme queer collective to love, heal, scream, learn, dance and feel every emotion as we empower ourselves in spite of a system that succeeds when we’re at our lowest. In an interview with Dazed, Kelela highlights the inspirations and personal work that was the catalyst for creating this body of work and the dedication can be felt in these initial glimpses of a project five years in the making. Kelela helped usher in a wave of Black women that deserve to be honored for their musical contributions. Her debut album Take Me Apart that dropped in 2017 still sounds like the future and is the foundation for the genre blurring that’s happening with artists like Ravyn Lenae, Mahalia, NAO and Amber Mark to name a few. These artists carry the torch of genre bending Black artists that can never be placed in a box. It’s so satisfying to see an artist fully in her element create music that heals. 

Kelela's production, layered storytelling and atmospheric feel of each record is a breath of fresh air and a reminder there shouldn’t be a rush to drop music that’s meant to be lived with and potentially become timeless. “Contact” reminds me of my early days in New York anticipating a moment to escape in packed gay clubs around the city. Dancing to distract myself from whatever problem was prevalent at the time. Basking in a moment with someone special that made a crowded dance floor feel intimate. Mentally preparing for the rest of Raven to become my soundtrack for 2023.

Rebecca Black's New Single "Crumbs" Is A Glorious Redemption

Rebecca Black is currently eating all your faves up and you probably have no idea. “Crumbs” is the latest single from Black’s forthcoming debut album Let Her Burn and it’s a liberating affair that belongs on the sweatiest of dance floors and the top of every pop playlist with taste. Hearing “Crumbs” feels like musical escapism as the brilliant production glitches, throbs and matches the sexy energy burgeoning from Ms. Black. This song would fit nicely between a Britney Blackout cut and a Janet Damita Jo dance number, Rebeccca’s pop influences alongside her chaotic blend of electronic, dance, hyperpop sounds like heaven. 

“Crumbs” is the first of three singles leading up to the album and offers up a dark contrast to the dreamy “Look At You” and most recent indie vibe “Sick To My Stomach”. Rebecca’s production choices are versatile and showcase her refreshing songwriting. Black has utilized her viral fame to support her growing artistry and it’ll be dope to see if the mainstream can accept an artist that’s working hard to carve out a lane for herself and deliver a meaningful body of work. Fans of Charli XCX, Muna, Poppy and Slayyyter should add “Crumbs” to their rotation (if they haven’t already joined the Rebecca Black wave).

Libianca’s “People” is an Anthem For Life’s Last Call

Libianca blessed us with an emotionally potent record titled “People” before 2022 came to a close and it continues to keep me locked in its therapeutic trance.

“I’ve been drinking more alcohol for the past 5 days, did you check on me?”

Libianca ponders on the slow moving, afrobeats conversation starter. Humans dependence on a vice isn’t new but with so many platforms to communicate sometimes it’s still a challenge to let people see when you’re hurting. Libianca’s songwriting and soothing vocals commanded me to listen and genuinely check in with myself the first time I heard a snippet of this song on TikTok and since the full track dropped, it hasn’t left my mind.

When an artist can share something this raw and somehow still make you want to dance, not only do they have a hit but they’ve fully tapped into the magic in music. Songs like this can heal and I hope whoever listens take a second to process how they feel when they hear “People”. Are the tequila shots celebratory or a means to getting through the night?

Justine Skye Already Dropped Your Favorite Song...

Justine Skye’s 2014 single “Collide” has become a sleeper hit thanks to TikTok. Listening to “Collide” in 2023,  I’m instantly taken back to aesthetically pleasing Tumblr blogs, physical Complex magazines and Skye’s star on the rise with her switch in labels from Atlantic Records to Roc Nation. “Collide” felt like a reintroduction to a growing artist offering dreamy R&B cuts with the perfect 808s to compliment Justine’s commanding vocals. The Brooklyn native utilized her talent and social status to become an internet star and I’m still holding out for the mainstream world to pay attention to the multiple projects Skye has blessed us with, each filled with potential hits that can easily fit into R&B rotation today. 

If you’re late to the Justine Skye bandwagon lemme introduce you to some of my favorite cuts from her discography so you can beat TikTok to the next viral sensation:

Emotionally Unavailable (2015) - This project definitely made me pay attention to Justine Skye’s momentum as a legitimate artist beyond her notoriety as an internet socialite:

“I’m Yours”: A now nostalgic, feel good record about falling in love with someone new. 

“A Train”:  If I was in New York in 2015 this song would’ve been on repeat on my train ride back from a hookup with a toxic situationship that I couldn’t shake. 

8 Ounces (2016) - Can we discuss how fucking iconic Justine Skye is for tapping The Dream and Tricky Stewart to produce and write this EP? Such a fun and left leaning R&B project that was ahead of it’s time and showcased Skye’s range as an artist:

“Tonight”/“Jezebel”: “Tonight” is a brooding, sexy interlude that still makes The Dream stan within me scream. As it effortlessly transitions to the biting kiss off “Jezebel”, you can’t deny young Skye ATE this up!

“Still”: The melody on this one is addictive and Skye’s vocal delivery compliments it beautifully. 

Ultraviolet (2018)  - When Justine dropped this you couldn’t tell me she wasn’t about to be a MF popstar. The music industry really dropped the ball on properly supporting young Black women in that era (and now). Skye and Tinashe instantly come to mind when I think about the potential they were showcasing to be the new generation of mainstream Black hitmakers:

“Goodlove”: BOP! Still hits and needs to be rediscovered in 2023.

“Back For More”: Justine and Jeremih made a very special record. The Nelly “Flap Your Wings” sample is unexpected and adds a fresh sound to the collaboration. 

“Heaven”: Listen to the opening lines and tell me you didn’t automatically fall in love with the song…

Bare With Me (2020) - Now I was pissed when this perfect EP turned album dropped and it was still crickets. Blending R&B, Afropop and Afrobeat influences, Justine was ahead of the trend in the States (We know internationally both genres have respectively dominated for decades). I would love to see the mainstream discover this project in this era: 

“Secrets”: P2J and Ari PenSmith brings this bop to life with their playful production and expertise in the Afrobeats genre. Justine floats on this song and I love hearing her own her power on this song.

“Too Much”: Obsessed with the delivery of this song. Justine slid on the song and her confidence shines all over the bright, rhythmic production. 

Space & Time (2021) Timbaland executive produced Skye’s second album Space & Time and you can hear how tuned in both artists were with each other. This project began in 2020 as a creative outlet during the pandemic and it showcases their love for R&B and timeless music:

“Intruded”: In a perfect world this song would be a modern R&B classic. The girlies with their fingers on the pulse of today’s music got to experience this swoon-worthy record. 

“Do It Right”: The chorus got IT

You know me, ain't the only one I see

Ain't the only one I need here

But if you play your cards right, hmm

Baby, you're mine, only for the night

Can you do what I like?

Wanna know if you can do it right, yeah

Shygirl's New Single 'Nike' Needs To Be On Your Rotation

Shygirl is preparing to bless the girls with her long awaited debut album ‘Nymph’ and we just got a taste of the new era with “Nike”, a subtle bop that has Shygirl talking her shit and simply telling you to do it like Nike. The production reminds me of Q-Tip’s 90s hit “Breathe And Stop” and a nice change of pace from Shygirl’s usual underground sound. “Nike” is the fourth single from ‘Nymph’ and has me ready to experience the full journey we’re about to embark on when the project drops on September 30th.

With a list of heavy hitters on the production side (Sega Bodega, BloodPop, Mura Masa and Goldstein to name a few) expect an experimental range of sounds from electronic dance, club pop, grime to industrial. Artists like Shygirl can really help listeners get introduced to dope talent that thrives outside of the Hot 100 charts. While we’re here check out a couple of my faves from the South London baddie and stream the fuck out of “Nike” immediately after.

Stream “Nike” below:

My Fave Shygirl Songs:

GloRilla is 'Blessed' and Highly Favored On New Single

GloRilla’s music feels like sharing a couple shots of Don Julio with your favorite people in the middle of a lit spot. Every time I hear her on a hard beat my energy is elevated and I’m mentally restraining myself from utilizing my Meg knees if the occasion doesn’t call for it. “Blessed” is the Memphis rapper’s latest offering and the slow burners is laced with gems in every bar;

Rather give the people hope, it's pointless to be givin' fucks
Cuban round my neck, look like my opps when they be linkin' up

The baddies and men comfortable with their masculinity can easily vibe to this record and Yo Gotti adds a solid verse at the end complimenting his newest signee’s unapologetic energy. Get into GloRilla’s next viral hit.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/2DNOQSfV9U1Wen1uffsdeP?si=-s5T1XmrTNKQUUA3X5GSmg

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/blessed/1642612029?i=1642612034