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July 25, 2024 GABRIEL SEIZE SHARES ‘BEAUTIFUL LIE’ ALONG WITH BREATHTAKING VIDEO

GABRIEL SEIZE SHARES ‘BEAUTIFUL LIE’ ALONG WITH BREATHTAKING VIDEO

Multi-talented French artist Gabriel Seize released his debut EP Prologue on May 10th via his own imprint Gabriel Seize Music. The EP is an ode to his love for synths, nostalgia and all things retro. In the 6-track EP Gabriel dives into his arsenal of vintage synths, as he explores themes associated with 16-bit video games and electronic music loops. Gabriel combines electronic music, 3D visuals, storytelling, and vocals to create an unforgettable experience for his audience.

‘Beautiful Lie’ was co-written with Belgian writer Adeline Deieudonné, and pays homage to The Truman Show and the book Les Murailles de Samaris by Schuiten and Peeters. The track cleverly blends a cinematic narrative with societal critique, while Gabriel’s powerhouse vocals steal the show. ‘Beautiful Lie’ is mostly sung in French, with Gabriel including snippets of English throughout. 

The music video is a cinematic visual feast, as the viewer is transported into an alternate dystopian reality with the use of 3D visuals. Gabriel is seen driving a spaceship-like vehicle through stunning desert landscapes that use parts of the human body as natural landforms like mountains. As the music video progresses, the illusion of this surreal beauty is slowly stripped away as the viewer gets a more accurate view of Gabriel’s eerie reality. 

Watch the music video for ‘Beautiful Lie’ below:

Prologue EP Tracklist

1. Falling Softly 

2. Beautiful Lie

3. My Video Game

4. Plastic Life

5. Sex Appeal

6. Gold Eyes

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July 19, 2024 Neacal unveils single ‘The Bell’ alongside thrilling music video

Neacal unveils single ‘The Bell’ alongside thrilling music video

Singer-songwriter, musician, producer and composer Neacal, is the emerging solo chamber pop project of a musician based in Belgrade, Serbia. His debut single ‘The Bell’ released on July 19th, 2024 via Neacal Music and premiered on tastemaker CLASH Magazine. His musical journey began as the founder of one of the most well-known instrumental progressive/post-rock bands from Eastern Europe, boasting nearly 5 million streams across platforms, tours across Europe and Asia, along with writing original soundtracks for numerous video games. 

‘The Bell’ was written, produced and mixed by Neacal, with co-mixing by Ivan Lubianyi and mastering by the revered Ian Shepherd (Deep Purple, New Order). Neacal has been a composer for over 16 years, mostly specialising in instrumental music. He has redefined his sound, crafting orchestral pop songs as a means to navigate through trauma and reinvent his musical language.

‘The Bell’ features twirling piano motifs which create movement and prepare for a cascading array of delightful melodies. It’s contrasted by a rich, velvety voice and builds to a full-bodied ending that leaves the listener grasping for more.

The music video is eerie and ominous, with Neacal donning a stoic facial expression throughout. Shot in a natural landscape, the video features lush greenery, rustic abandoned buildings, and gloomy skies. With Neacal as the focal point throughout, he’s seen in various settings taking part in seemingly random activities like wandering aimlessly, throwing stones, removing a blindfold and hanging upside down from a tree. All of this brilliantly expands on the theme of confinement and the illusion of powerlessness, which form the foundation of the track. The video ends with Neacal standing among an expansive field of grass, while the sky cracks open with lightning and thunder symbolising his breakthrough. 

Neacal shared: “’The Bell’ is a song of a then suppressed part of myself that came to recognise its own power. A fraction of me which I buried deep down and hadn’t been in contact with since the beginning of my cognition was slowly getting stronger throughout the period when this album was created… and the “prison” holding this inmate started to slowly crumble. In ‘The Bell’, the prisoner explores the inevitable escape, and it realises its agency—it knows that the change that is to come will take place not just when the barrier is weak enough, but when the prisoner will apply the pressure as well, leading on the charge with other demons kept locked at the time.”

Watch the music video for ‘The Bell’ below:

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July 17, 2024 Enchantress I’MMORTAL Shares ‘KILLED U IN A DREAM’ Video

Enchantress I’MMORTAL Shares ‘KILLED U IN A DREAM’ Video

I’MMORTAL, an avant-pop artist straddling New York and London, unveiled a mesmerising music video for her third single, ‘KILLED U IN A DREAM’, on 7 June under her label, Immortality. Initially from California, I’MMORTAL honed her musical talents in orchestras and high school productions. Praised by Metal Magazine, this release comes after her debut tech-house track, ‘Versace Spaceship’, and the electropop hit ‘Supervillain’, which received accolades from CLASH Magazine and Earmilk. Despite being a newcomer, her first two singles have amassed 50,000 streams, with an ever-increasing audience and playlist features. I’MMORTAL‘s EDM-driven sound is enhanced by her audio-visual synesthesia, blending imaginative beats with vibrant visuals that delve into themes of mortality, rebirth, and her AAPI heritage.

The music video for ‘KILLED U IN A DREAM’ unfolds as a mesmerising fever dream, where I’MMORTAL embodies a dark, almost divine presence. Directed by the acclaimed PXKRW, known for their expertise in creating hypnotic, hyper-realistic dreamscapes and alternate realities, the video is a hauntingly surreal experience. It immerses viewers in a mystical realm where themes of destruction, death, and renewal are vividly explored. The visuals, bathed in dim light and punctuated by fleeting flashes, evoke a disorienting yet compelling atmosphere. I’MMORTAL captivates with her entrancing movements and evocative gestures, drawing audiences deeper into her enigmatic and fantastical world. The video masterfully blends dark aesthetics with immersive storytelling, showcasing I’MMORTAL‘s distinctive artistic vision and leaving a profound impact on viewers.

I’MMORTAL shared: “This music video is a reflection of the concept metamorphosis. I had the wonderful chance to collaborate with the directing duo PXKRW over the span of a couple months. Since the song is about rebirth, PXKRW fleshed out the concept to encapsulate this supernatural being undergoing a very raw transformation. PXKRW wanted to create a performance-based video with stunning styling and makeup to compliment their signature VFX. The styling and makeup was very intentional to the metamorphosis theme, as we wanted there to be a stark difference between the initial white dress look and the final black dress look. My personal favorite was the second neo-baby bump look, which combined with PXKRW’s VFX genius ultimately became a representation of the chrysalis stage of metamorphosis. This was also the first time I did a movement-based project, and I spent a lot of time working with the movement director (Donna Kim) to put intention behind the movement. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone in a good way, and I feel inspired to learn more about movement for future projects!”

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July 5, 2024 Q&A with Sonic Storyteller Raquel Kiaraa

Q&A with Sonic Storyteller Raquel Kiaraa

We sat down with singer songwriter Raquel Kiaraa to chat about her thoughts on the music industry, what success looks like to her as well as what we can expect from her in future. Raquel released her profound single ‘Swim in our Ocean’ on June 28th via Sono Rak Corp. The track is a powerful pop-rock anthem to unleash your imagination to and grab life by the horns. So far, she has received attention from renowned publications like Billboard, Rolling Stone and CLASH Mag, and has garnered over 2 million streams across platforms.

What are some of your earliest memories of music?

Some of my earliest and most cherished memories of music are tied to my parents, who both had a profound love for it, though their tastes were worlds apart. My dad introduced me to Leonard Cohen, whose hauntingly beautiful lyrics and melodies inspired and shaped my musical journey. One of my fondest memories of him is coming downstairs on a Sunday morning, seeing him with his headphones on, completely lost in the music, and rocking out to The Beatles ‘Baby You Can Drive My Car’. His passion and admiration for music was infectious. He also took me to every great concert, to name a few, Guns and Roses, Bon Jovi, Cold Play, U2, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Kings of Leon, Elton John, Tina Turner, and Cher.

My mom, on the other hand, was the epitome of cool and hip. She loved Toni Braxton, Deborah Cox, Michael Jackson, and Madonna. She loved R&B, hip hop, and soulful singers. I can still picture her dancing her heart out, hitting those high notes to Whitney Houston or Ani DiFranco, or even rapping along to the beats of her favorite hip hop tracks. She was the mom all my friends wanted to hang out with because she let us listen to the music their parents wouldn’t allow. Her love for music was vibrant and inclusive, making every moment special.

The way my parents loved and shared music remains incredibly special to me. Their diverse tastes and the joy they found in music have deeply influenced who I am as an artist today. They taught me that music is a universal language, capable of expressing the deepest emotions and connecting people across different walks of life.

Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?

Both are essential parts of my journey, but there’s something profoundly magical about performing live. Studio work is where I wrestle with my demons, where I shape and mold raw emotions into something tangible. But performing live? That’s where the alchemy happens. The connection with the audience, the shared energy, the raw vulnerability of baring my soul on stage – it’s an irreplaceable experience. It’s where my music truly comes alive.

As a musician, it becomes apparent that there is a huge difference between the art and the business. Is there anything about the music scene that you would personally change?

The music industry often feels like a battlefield where art and commerce clash. If I could change one thing, it would be to create more spaces where the purity of art isn’t compromised by the demands of business. Artists should have the freedom to create without constantly battling the pressures of marketability. The music scene needs more genuine support for artistic integrity over commercial success.

What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?

The most memorable response I’ve had to my music has to be from my parents when they listened to my second album. I showed them every song, and by the end of it, they were blown away. They couldn’t believe it was me. My dad, being his brutally honest self, said, “You remember the story about Milli Vanilli, right? This is you singing, really you, by yourself? You need to sing me something a cappella. I need to know this is, in fact, you.”

I appreciate their honesty because it keeps me grounded. So, I sang a cappella for them, and the look of awe on their faces was unforgettable. It was a testament to how far I’ve come. Proving to my parents that I’m made for this means the world to me because they’ve seen me struggle with music from the very beginning and have been there through all my growth. Showing them – and the world – what practice and hard work can achieve is incredibly inspiring. It’s a powerful reminder that with dedication, anything is possible.

If you could put together a radio show, what kind of music would you play?

I’d play music that moves the soul – everything from haunting ballads and gritty rock anthems to soulful blues and introspective indie tracks. It would be a space for songs that tell a story, that speak to the human experience in all its beautiful, messy complexity.

What would you like to achieve with your music? What does success look like to you?

Success, to me, is found in this very moment. Over the past six years, I’ve learned music from the ground up, and watching it unfold in ways that inspire me has been an incredible journey. I have the gift of writing; seeing my parents in complete awe of what I’ve accomplished is one of my biggest successes. They remember a time when I couldn’t carry a note or a tune, and now, I’ve created an album with a second on the way. I’ve released music that people are responding to – it’s out there, and I’m doing it.

Some people have all the talent in the world but never do anything with it. For me, success is about making it happen, putting my work out there, practicing my vocals every day, honing my songwriting skills, and writing music consistently. It’s knowing, with confidence, that I can do this. The true success is recognising that I am limitless, believing in my potential, and watching that belief come to life. It’s wild to me, and I’m genuinely proud of it. Not many people pick up something new in their 30s and run with it, but I’ve broken through those self-imposed limitations.

My purpose in this world is to inspire people, make them believe in their goals, do what they think they can’t, and face their fears. This is my greatest success – knowing that my journey can ignite that spark in others. Nothing feels better than seeing where I am now and knowing where I’ll be in the next few years. That excitement, that drive, is what fuels me. So, what I want to achieve with my music is more than just success; it’s about creating a legacy of inspiration and empowerment.

One last nugget of info you can’t wait to share with your fans?

One last nugget of info I can’t wait to share with my fans: My second album is set to be released in early 2025, and it’s a project I’m incredibly proud of. This year, I’ll be dropping three new singles, including Swim in Our Oceanwhich has already been released. The music video for it will premiere at the end of July.

I’ve realised that I’m deeply drawn to love and all its intricacies – the good, the bad, and the ugly. My greatest storytelling comes from love. This album is a culmination of years of relationships, each one finding its place in the music. I write and create through the lens of love, heartbreak, betrayal, and the beauty and darkness that come with it. It’s something that flows naturally for me, and I want my fans to get ready for the ultimate love-writing album.

I love the writing, the sound, and the intensity of this album. I’ve blended my pop, rock, and disco influences to create something that brings out all the moves. Writing about the melancholy and joy of love will never go out of style. Love – whether we’re wanting it, hating it, buried beneath it, or immersed in it – connects us all on every level. It’s something people will always want to sing along with. So come along with me on this wild journey of love in all its forms and complexities. I cannot wait for you to experience it – truly, madly, deeply.

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