The rapidly ascendant, LA-via-Hampshire, British Cambodian pop star Liza Owen shares an epic new single titled “JOSIE” via Epic Records.
Following singles, “Why Aren’t We Having Sex?”, “Getting Good” and “Starry Eyed”, “JOSIE” is yet another formidable addition to her musical arsenal – a soaring and anthemic ballad, albeit one underscored by dark lyrics about a friendship gone sour. Once again, Liza flexes her distinctively genre-bending style and taste, with her powerful vocals and wildly infectious take on modern pop further cementing her as one to watch this year.
Liza further explains, “JOSIE was born out of a conversation in the car on the way to the studio. I was recounting a story about some recent drama in my relationship regarding an ex of my partners. I was telling my friends & co writers Ali Tamposi & Paul Phamous that ‘Josie ‘ was back in town… the rest is history”
“JOSIE” also comes accompanied by a gorgeously widescreen video directed by Aisha Schliessler and shot, appropriately, in one seamless take at the Sunset Hollywood Villa – a staple Bond movie location. At once sweet, strange and oh so slightly sinister – that is Liza Owen to a tee.
Rising German-Australian musician / composer Evan Klar is poised to announce a brand new release with the arrival of ‘Illusions’, lifted from the forthcoming EP due this summer through cult Berlin label Grönland Records.
Drawing on a myriad of influences from house, pop, soul and trap, ‘Illusions‘, produced by power-house duo Kilian & Jo(Tujamo, Cro, Majan), is an effervescent, addictive slice of alt-pop bliss, offering us the perfect respite we all need right now. Evan says: ‘This is one of my more ambitious pop-centric releases to date, I call it ‘Cloud trap with a heavy dose of Vitamin D’, a screamingly catchy spark towards self confession and happiness.”
Currently residing between Berlin and Melbourne by way of Singapore, the self-confessed pop addict spends all his time producing music for both himself and other artists and claims his “confusing identity” fuels his approach to making pop music.
Evan’s nomadic lifestyle led him across Europe plying his trade as a session musician for Primary One, Charlie XCX, and Alex Metric, including appearances at Glastonbury, Big Chill, and The Great Escape Festival. Evan ultimately felt disconnected when playing other’s music, and decided to pursue his own path. “Pop music keeps me young and happy, it kinda reminds me of playing with lego as a kid” – his approach seemingly carefree but his writing often deeply personal and inquisitive.
2020 was an exciting year for Evan Klar, signing with Groenland Records / Monchique, to release of his first single ‘I do’ with radio support from Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. ‘I do’ was followed by three further releases: ‘Figure it out’ (over 3 million streams) in collaboration with artist and producer Novaa, as well as ‘Make the Most of This’ and ‘Costume Shop’. Coupled with his refreshing self-made approach to music, Evan Klar has accumulated over 160.000 monthly Spotify listeners through a turbulent year. ‘Illusions’ is Klar’s first release of 2021 and the beginning of much more to come.
It is that time of the day when you start to feel drained and are just looking for the perfect indie-rock anthem to unwind with as you lick your wounds – enter band Giant Sky. Giant Sky’s latest single ‘Snow’ via Bloody Sunset Records is sure to be a godsend for sure. This London-based band wrote this song about isolation and the effect that it can have on one’s relationships and mental health.
Lyrics like “The world goes crazy, but you and I remain the same/ There’s no way that I can go into the void of my own” spreads a message of light & connection in times of darkness. One can easily fold and let physical isolation rob you of your sanity and happiness. Giant Sky’s ‘Snow’ reminds one that no true connection is ever lost if it is real.
In these challenging & limiting times, the band needs to connect to their fans in other ways. They have urged fans to support their Kickstarter campaignon socials, which includes exclusive band merch: “f you were considering getting our EP or album on release, here’s a better way to do it – supporting the campaign gets you limited edition versions, t-shirts, mentions in vinyl sleeves… check it out! We know it’s a weird time, but if you want to support new music this is a great way to do it. “
The ‘Hindsight’ EP finds a band casting one eye back to the funk-fuelled melodies and discofied rhythms of yesteryear, with its other fixed on a fresh, finessed and floor-filling vision for the post-Pandemic generation.
Take their previous track “Silver”, with all its clipped French-touch grooves, elastic disco basslines and glittering retro synthesizers. Intended as a beacon of hope and a paean to eternal youth; it’s a mirror-ball speckled marvel, destined to shine in the darkest of dance-halls as the new era of nightlife and all its endless possibilities beckon.
A fitting entry to their new ‘Hindsight’ EP, Barley Passable say of “Silver”:
“Keeping with the theme of our first EP ‘Hindsight’, “Silver” is written in the context of us looking back on feeling self love and confidence, both things we wish came around more often and stay longer in our lives. With us both fresh out of school and in the books studying at the time; writing, releasing and playing music helped us escape and feel unbreakable. It was like when we were away from our studies we were finally able to shine like silver and do what we were meant to do. We wanted to capture and tell the world of this feeling of invincibility and coolness that can go unseen when things just feel right. When we feel “Silver”, we stay young and people sure know it.”
Released this Spring, the ‘Hindsight’ EP follows a succession of deeply irresistible releases from the aspiring Aussie duo. Making waves with early singles “All I Have” and “Whether or Not” in 2020, the band continued their winning streak with “Step Inside” and recent single “Turnaround”; both of which appear on the EP. ‘Hindsight’ also features two brand new bonus tracks, the sensual slow-dance of “Forget” and the cinematic closer “For Now”.
Reflecting on the new EP, the duo of Kai Ollmann (guitars, vox) and Davy Brown (keyboards, vox) say:
“Hindsight is all too human. Often painfully, hindsight pulls the past into the now and helps one to see that looking back on even the most negative of situations can push growth and momentum. This EP is our way of returning to various scenes over the last few years, from the first time we met, and speaking to these situations, as they still run on repeat in our minds. It is a constant reminder telling us to remember exactly who we are, to trust our heads and to be passionate and happy. Most importantly we hope it does the same for all who listen.”
Written, recorded and produced by Barley Passable at their studio in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, additional contributions come from Callum Hulme (drums), James Christowski (production) and Zino Mikorey (mastering).
Making waves with each new release they put their name to, the ‘Hindsight’ EP consolidates Barley Passable’s retro-futuristic pop in one place and confirms them as one of 2021’s brightest emerging talents.
