ALBUM REVIEW | 'Characters' - Flo Perlin

Characters from singer-songwriter Flo Perlin is a release not to be missed.

Each track is a part of a puzzle, and that puzzle is a project about self. An album about introspection, we learn about Perlin as she learns about herself. And there is a lot to learn. From busking around the world to becoming an ordained Buddhist nun in Myanmar to unexpectedly finding her life changed when diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, Perlin, who has Iraqi and Belarisuan heritage, has a lot of stories to tell, as well as family stories, too - track 'Baghdad' explores her family's roots, the sort of lives they led and how that impacted on her own life, a tale of what if. 

Characters opens with 'Slowly Unfold' and it is the perfect choice for an opener as it immediately sets the tone. This is what is so great with this album - each song belongs, there's no filler and no words are wasted. And 'Slowly Unfold' lets the listener know what lies ahead, as Perlin sings about a painter who learns about life through her art, which is exactly what Characters is about. The painter 'painted pictures of the stories that were never told' much like how Perlin is about to express herself through music.

'Back in Time' is about childhood, and how childhood has changed over the years. A 90s kid, Perlin grew up in the generation when playing outside with other kids was typical. It was a simpler time, and the nostalgia for that care-free time in her life seeps through. 

Following is 'Hold Up Your Head Child'. Despite the title, this one is not about childhood but, rather, was written by Perlin after years spent in and out of hospital for her autoimmune disease. To have this track after 'Back in Time' is a powerful juxtaposition, as it highlights life's struggles, struggles that most children would never think about it, contrasting with the pure innocence of childhood.

'Words' is about, well, words and how difficult they can be to get right, something that I think everyone can relate to - 'sometimes I talk, though I don't understand.' And 'Pine' is about objects, and how they can stir memories and provide comfort, as explored through Perlin's own love for Pine trees.

'Blue Is The Color' continues the theme of nature, connecting this thread with previous themes of relationships with others, as well as with ones self with the imagery of roots. 

The closing track 'Move Through The Waves' is especially striking, as its the only number on which Perlin plays the piano, the instrument on which she first started writing music on at the age of just nine. Its a track that brings things full circle, as she reflects on the characters within herself. Given the stories she's told and explored throughout the rest of the album, it seems fitting to end here.

Out this Friday, Characters is a fine collection of songs - be sure to check it out.

- 4TRUK.

NEWS | Manny Blu Releases “Valet” Feat. Brittany Kennell

Canada’s genre-bending, Country-Punk founder Manny Blu brings fans another glimpse into his upcoming DEViL EP with the release of the collection’s first ballad 'Valet', alongside fellow Montrealer and SiriusXM Top of the Country finalist Brittany Kennell. 

While definitely one of the most traditional country-sounding songs found on DEViL, Blu continues to push his punk-inspired mentality forward by embracing the fact that an acoustic country ballad is the perfect, unexpected addition to the EP tracklist.

'I’m so excited I got to work with a fellow Canadian artist Brittany Kennell on 'Valet',' said Blu on the release. 'Canada's country music fans have been there since day one for me. This is the most traditional country song on the EP and it reminds me of growing up there and watching Shania Twain achieve global success. It only made sense to have an incredible female artist like Britt on it with me. I’m so humbled she came onboard and made 'Valet' what it is.' 

Kennell is also having quite the year. In addition to her spot on Top of the Country she has just released her new track 'Bought the T-Shirt' that fans will find on her debut album coming out in September 2021. 

'It’s funny because I moved back to Montreal from Nashville when Manny made his move down to Nashville from Montreal - we totally swapped places,' said Kennell. 'I couldn’t be happier that we somehow still connected and got to record this song together. Nashville has an incredible collaborative community and I’m so excited Manny and I get to bring that to Montreal and Canada too.'

Written by international heavy-hitters Aaron Eshuis, Ryan Beaver, Ryan Hurd, and Joe Clemmons 'Valet' was an easy song choice for Blu as it speaks to his own personal journey over the past year. After reconnecting with an old girlfriend while spending 2020’s quarantine back home in Montreal, Blu returned to his home in Nashville and dreamed of the days when the borders would open so he could bring her down and showcase the life he built. 'Valet' tells the story of a couple falling in love while experiencing some of the most cherished Nashville spots, romanticising the place that Blu now calls home.

Blu’s previously announced DEViL EP will debut on August 20th and features five songs written by some of Nashville’s most esteemed writers including Ryan Beaver, Jessi Alexander, JT Harding, Brinley Addington, Anthony Smith, HARDY, Craig Wiseman, Aaron Eshuis, Joe Clemmons and Logan Wall. Centring around testaments of love and self-reflection, the forthcoming release will provide fans a look into what Blu has been experiencing this past year, both personally and professionally. Blu describes the EP as 'an ensemble of songs that have a variety of skill sets and sides of me as an artist that I haven’t shown before, and is probably the most complete project I’ve released to date. I think DEViL has elements that call back to what I’ve released before and what I have coming next.'

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For more information about Manny and DEViL, visit mannyblumusic.com.

NEWS | Cassadee Pope Performs 'What The Stars See' on Kelly Clarkson Show and Announces Title of Upcoming Album 'THRIVE'

On yesterday's (7/7) episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Cassadee Pope announced the title of her upcoming album, Thrive, due out this Fall. 

Pope also performed her current single from the album, 'What The Stars See,' alongside one of the track’s female collaborators, Lindsay Ell. The celestially captivating video was directed by Matthew Paskert (Taillight) and was filmed at the jaw-dropping planetarium at Adventure Science Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

'I’ve been a fan of Kelly’s since her first audition on American Idol. To have been invited to her show is such an honor and I’m so glad her show is where I officially make my album announcement,' says Pope. 'I wanted to name the album Thrive because that word explodes with empowerment and endurance. The title track talks about not just surviving something but thriving from it, and I’m at a point in my life where I can see how the hard times were necessary. I also feel so unapologetically me in this new project which makes me thrive in every sense of the word!'

Thrive is Pope’s ninth career album that blends pop-punk melodies, from the inception of her career with band 'Hey Monday', with the Country storytelling that overflows from her heart. The two worlds collide into a harmonious collection of songs that best represent where Cassadee is at this stage in her life: happy, confident, and healthy. Cassadee’s powerhouse vocals come alive stronger than ever with masterful direction from producers Nick Wheeler (All-American Rejects) and Karen Fairchild (Little Big Town) – role models who represent the best from eras of her own musical journey.

On Friday, July 9th, Pope will release her second single from Thrive, 'Say It First'. The track written by Pope, Ross Copperman, and Heather Morgan, is an angsty look at pulling the plug on a relationship and taking the difficult role of 'bad guy,' even when you both know it’s come to an end and making the decision to 'Say It First' - PRE-SAVE HERE.

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For more information about Cassadee and her upcoming album, visit cassadeepope.com.

NEWS | Drake Milligan's Self-Titled Debut EP Set For July 23rd

Country music newcomer Drake Milligan is set to release his debut EP, Drake Milligan, on Friday, July 23rd. The announcement of his self-titled debut is accompanied by the official announcement of Drake as the newest artist signed to BBR Music Group / Stoney Creek Records. 

Pre-save/pre-add the self-titled EP HERE.

'The greatest pleasure of creating this EP was getting a masterclass in country music from the best songwriters, musicians, producers and engineers that Nashville has to offer,' says Drake. 'I hope y’all will have as much fun listening to these songs as I had making them!'

The songs on the EP represent Drake’s sound as old school in a new way. The way he carries himself is well beyond his years. An old soul. Through his manner and music, he re-creates vintage with a modern twist. He co-wrote every song on the EP, tapping into different themes for each to showcase his songwriting talent and vocal chops. While the upbeat tracks showcase Drake’s ability to entertain, it’s the heartfelt ballads where his deep, smooth as silk vocals really shine.

Co-writing every song was explicitly important to Drake for the EP to express exactly the kind of artist he wanted to be. In the trouble-drowning, alcohol-soaked 'Over Drinkin’ Under Thinkin', the Texas native layers the fiddle and steel, while on the upbeat, rebellious track 'Sounds Like Somethin’ I’d Do', he reignites the lost art of fast talking.

In the ballad, 'Don’t Look Down', he eloquently paints a picture of falling in love on a dance floor, defying gravity thanks to the honky-tonk’s trusty old jukebox, while 'She' is a beautifully simple but emotive depiction of a lovesick boy, listing off everything he loves about a girl.

Now 23, Drake moved from Fort Worth, Texas to Nashville, Tennessee at only 19 years old. Armed with an appreciation for the history of Country music, a standout voice and charisma, he listened intently in his co-writes and recording sessions — where prolific songwriters taught him how to tell a story, legendary producers taught him how to use the mics and studio as a vehicle for his voice, seasoned musicians were willing to back the new guy, and his country music heroes shared insightful advice on how to seamlessly shift from the studio and the stage.

Wisdom instilled, he’s finally ready to present himself to the world.

Co-produced by the award-winning industry icon Tony Brown and songwriter/producer Brandon Hood, Drake Milligan’s debut self-titled EP is due out July 23rd. 

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For more information about Drake and his upcoming EP, visit drakemilligan.com.

NEWS | Cory Marks Releases Official Music Video For 'Blame It On The Double (Country Mix'

Fresh off the release of his Nashville Mornings EP via Better Noise Music, acclaimed country-rocker Cory Marks just dropped the official music video for 'Blame It On The Double (Country Mix)', the new banjo-backed version of his foot-stomping collaboration with Tyler Connolly of Theory of a Deadman. 

The visual shows Marks and Connolly each having a one-man party in their respective studio sessions for the song’s recording, while connected virtually to share the festive spirit.

The video embodies the carefree vibe of 'Blame It On The Double', which has already garnered critical praise from the likes of Billboard, American Songwriter, Sounds Like Nashville and more this year. This new country mix offers the perfect soundtrack for reckless summer nights, highlighting Marks’ ability to infectiously blend the parts of both country and rock.

On Nashville Mornings, Marks also pays tribute to his music idol Merle Haggard with a stunning acoustic live cover of 'If I Could Only Fly'. Rounding out the project’s track listing are three songs from Cory’s debut album Who I Am, including a captivating live version of the title track and a previously unreleased solo version of 'Out in the Rain'. The full track listing can be found below. The Nashville Mornings EP is now available for stream or purchase across digital platforms HERE.

Marks recently announced that he will be joining Connolly and the rest of Theory of a Deadman on their North American tour starting in September.

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For more information about Cory and upcoming tour dates visit corymarks.com.

NEWS | Yola Releases Sex-Positive Video For New Single 'Starlight'

Yola has released the official music video for 'Starlight', a smouldering slice of symphonic soul and the latest single from her anthemic new album, Stand For Myself, due for release via Easy Eye Sound on July 30, 2021. 

Yola has also confirmed an intimate stripped back in-store set at Rough Trade Bristol for August 15th, tickets are on sale here.

The romantic visual is directed by Ford Fairchild. Set against a beautiful late night neon cityscape, we watch and wait until we witness Yola’s moment of connection. Discussing the video, Yola stated, 'I wanted to put something into the world that showed people what my dating life is like now. I’m currently single, yes, but I’m not neglected or some soulless sex robot. The volume of media dedicated to showing dark skinned Black women having a nice normal time in romantic situations, be it true love or just dating, is still lacking in my opinion.'

Discussing the sex positive message behind the song, Yola stated, ''Starlight' is a song about looking for positive physical, sexual and human connections at every level of your journey towards love.' 

'The world seems to attach a negative trope of cold heartlessness to the concept of any sexual connection that isn’t marriage, this song looks through a lens of warmth specifically when it comes to sex positivity. Understanding the necessity of every stage of connection and that it is possible for every stage of your journey in love, sex and connection to be nurturing. Temporary or transitory doesn’t have to be meaningless or miserable. In the right situations every connection can teach us something valuable about who we are, what we want and what is healthy.'

Yola will return to the UK in August for homecoming shows including a special intimate set at Rough Trade Bristol on August 15th, with more activity tba. 

Yola recently performed at Love Rock’s annual charity event in New York alongside Gary Clark Jr and Bon Jovi and will be one of few artists to perform at both Newport Folk and Newport Jazz in the same year, when she joins the lineup of both events this summer. She will also be performing dates with Chris Stapleton on his rescheduled tour in 2021 and will headline The Ryman Auditorium in 2022. 

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For more information and tickets on the upcoming shows visit: iamyola.com.

CHECK OUT | 'Baghdad' - Flo Perlin

 

Folk singer-songwriter Flo Perlin is a storyteller, and it is her wonderful way with words that will see her transcend genre and appeal to many.  

A London local with Iraqi and Belarusian heritage, Perlin has travelled the world, busking and determined to learn more about where she came from, and this sort of experience is evident on 'Baghdad', a song very much about family history. 

Perlin's enchanting voice tells a tale of what if. She sings about family in Baghdad, her grandparents, evoking feelings of childhood innocence through references to things  like favorite sweets before bringing in the stark contrasting image of war-torn feet. Its simple yet powerful, establishing the idea of the lives that were lived, the lives that were left and what her own life could've been like.

Baghdad' is taken from Characters, Perlin's upcoming album released on July 16th, and it's easy to see how this one fits into a project about understanding herself. This is about heritage and family, the two intrinsically linked and explored in this track right here. And if 'Baghdad' is anything to go by, the album is going to be absolutely stellar.

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For more information about Flo and her upcoming album, visit floperlin.com.