On The Stereo #62

Willie Jones: The happy union between modern country music and hip hop

Our recent collection of new releases features Willie Jones, Courtney Marie Andrews, Hi Frisco, Birdmask, Naeem, Kaia Vieira and more

KAIA VIEIRA
The Care Giver
It’s probably no surprise that, from our base in Bristol, our ears prick up when a song comes along which evokes trip hop’s glory days. Such is the case with The Care Giver by Kaia Vieira, bringing to mind peak Massive Attack.

HI FRISCO
Gold
Henry Eastham and Felix Rashman of Hi Frisco know how to make a racket, one which is all the more powerful due to the fact that there’s only two of them. New single Gold packs a punch with its bursts of guitar and thundering drumbeat.

COURTNEY MARIE ANDREWS
It Must Be Someone Else’s Fault
Heartfelt and introspective honesty is exactly what we’ve come to expect from singer-songwriter Courtney Marie Andrews and the poignant It Must Be Someone Else’s Fault continues that tradition.

THE ELLA SISTERS
Cars
Twins Maren and Charlotte are The Ella Sisters and their new song Cars only cements Norway’s place as the home of captivating pop. Like peak Sigrid, but with the added attack of the sister’s powerful harmonies, this is catchy as hell.

WILLIE JONES
Back Porch
The happy union between modern country music and hip hop continues on Willie Jones’ new single Back Porch. Co-written by Jones, Nick Autry and Michael Lotten, the loose groove and laid-back feel are perfect for the start of summer.

BIRDMASK
Set Me On Fire
Church organ, choral backing vocals and fervent blasts of drumming help to scorch the earth on Birdmask’s new song Set Me On Fire. Comparisons with Hozier are understandable, there’s similar passion and raw emotion on display here.

LUCIA & THE BEST BOYS
Let Go
Let Go by Glaswegian four-piece Lucia & The Best Boys is alluringly beautiful dream-pop which conveys both strength and vulnerability. The song’s steady and moderate pacing lends it a meditative quality.

JJ WILDE
Funeral For A Lover
Funeral For A Lover is a raw and emotional ballad from Canadian songwriter JJ Wilde. It only takes a few bars to realise how deeply personal the song’s subject matter must be, every bit of hurt can be heard.

NAEEM
Stone Harbor
A heartfelt love song laid down over quite a simple backdrop of beats and musical flourishes, N/A/E/E/M’s Stone Harbor gets its message across without the need for production gimmickry and is all the more impactful for it.

ARMAAN MALIK
Next 2 Me
Anyone who has been separated from a loved one during lockdown will empathise with the sentiment expressed by Armaan Malik on his latest single, Next 2 Me. It’s also a pop gem which will appeal to fans of Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran.

Listen to these songs and other On The Stereo selections via the Songwriting Magazine Spotify #ONTHESTEREO playlist.

Words: Duncan Haskell

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