obylx, one of our favourite musicians to keep track of, has provided another of his monthly releases. ‘Climb’ (released like clockwork on the 1st) displays yet another layer of the producer’s diversity. Compared to old-school names such as Supertramp, The Beatles and the modern stylings of TameImpala, the single once again provides a little glimmer of hope for its listeners.
“When self-imposed rules and expectations actually hold you back in a situation where you could be flourishing without them.” – obylx shares the inspiration behind the single.
Of course, we won’t publicly admit that we’re planning our Christmas playlist just yet but let’s just say, this single is just made for cheerful scenes. Family, egg nog and twinkling fairy lights spring to mind immediately. Santa, is that you?
The new single follows up on the recently released albums opening track <<‘Allison Something>> and is one of the two tracks she featured on from Air’s multi-platinum album Moon Safari. The story goes that Beth and Air members Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel all lived in Montmartre; Nicolas was my neighbour, but I didn’t know him, says Beth. Hirsch was working on her own EP with Nouvelle Vague’s Marc Collin at the studio of Étienne Wersinger, cult French producer known for his work with Air, Nouvelle Vague and Camille. One morning Godin was there sitting on the couch I asked him if he was in music and he replied, ‘Yes, I am. Actually, my partner and I are putting out a record, and we’d like you to be on it, she recalls.
They showed me a couple of tracks and I happened to really like them. You could just tell their sense of melody was so strong. I felt very drawn to it. Hirsch went on to write the lyrics and melody of All I Need. At the request of the band, she also composed another track for the album, You Make It Easy. Moon Safari went on to sell an estimated two million copies around the world, and ‘All I Need‘ became its third single, after ‘Sexy Boy’ and ‘Kelly Watch The Stars.’
People have offered or suggested to me over the years to remix it, and I’ve never really jumped on board,she says while working in the studio with ELIOT two years ago in Greece, he mentioned he’d really like to remix ‘All I Need’ and showed me the sketch. I thought ‘This is so cool, let’s just do this.’
Beth Hirsch rose to fame as a consequence of her collaborations with French duo Air on that critically acclaimed debut album Moon Safari, as well as making a significant contribution to the album as lead vocalist/co-writer on two of the record’s key moments, the hit single All I Need and You Make It Easy, she also performed live around the world as part of Airs live touring band.
Her sultry and haunting vocals were also key on a duet with Senegalese singer Wasis Diop. Everything was included in the soundtrack for the acclaimed remake of the classic movie, The Thomas Crowne Affair. Signed to !K7 Records Hirsch released her debut solo album, the acoustic Early Days in 2000, followed by the Pitchfork-approved electronic Titles & Idols in 2001. After a series of collaborations with artists including Pale 3, Jakatta and D*Note, Hirsch released her third solo album Wholehearted in 2007.
With All I Need (ELIOT’s Cosmic Remix)Beth Hirsch proves her vocals are an essential part of what made the song a timeless piece of music.
Jesse Hite is an American artist living in France as a musician, producer, and singer-songwriter. He began writing songs at an early age, yet only now he is releasing his own music into the world. His experience exploring and living on the West Coast of America, travels through Asia and Europe, and time spent living in France has taken his lyrics and songwriting to a whole new level and depth. He has combined those experiences inside the studio and molded them into a piece of art for all music lovers to enjoy. His dream is to make his music available for everyone around the world to listen to. He wants to share his honest experiences through his intricate storytelling-like song style. Jesse has been influenced by many artists and genres, most notably the likes of the Arctic Monkeys, John Mayer, Matt Corby, and LCD Soundsystem. His songs are groovy, atmospheric wonders with poppy hooks and deep stories.
New single I’m Glad You Called Me is loaded with an all-around 80s vibe. The striking synths, backbeat drums, and layered vocals give this song a fresh pop sound influenced by some of the greatest 80s legends. For those who like The Weekend, Future Islands, and The Killers.
British singer and songwriter Maddox Jones has released his solo debut EP, Headspace, via Radikal/ Quattro Records.
The 5-track EP follow up on a string of singles, the recently released after party anthem My House and the kaleidoscopic Headspace– the EP’s title track and Maddox Jones’ first release as a solo artist which received praise from likes of American Songwriter, SPIN, Complete Music Update and ItsAll Indie, among others.
While fronting a band is never an easy task – and Jones had his fair share of experience playing and collaborating with other artists – standing alone and allowing his deepest emotions to flow through some of the most personal songs he has ever written allowed him to explore a variety of sounds and emotions. Free from any restrictions, this new creative process allowed the talented artist to develop a vulnerable body of work while exploring a more diverse sound palette. The result is a personal journey through hedonism, love, loss and the pain of growing up, all echoed by Maddox’s honest vocals.
With each self-penned song on Headspace Jones vocals, explore a full range of emotions; from the soft crooners opening to the addictive anthemic refrain of My House, via the funky-influences of Dancing Feels Good, to the powerfully haunting chorus of No More Ghosts, the talented songwriter takes the listener into his personal journey. It’s the story of a search for deep connection. Connection to others, to yourself and to a deeper meaning in life, explains Jones. It’s about authenticity and vulnerability, going after the things we truly want. Going all-in with everything to lose, saying goodbye to old habits and outdated versions of yourself along the way, but with faith and belief in everything there is to gain, he enthuses.
Written by Maddox Jones, recorded and produced in a single day with close friend and producer Dave Crawford, opener Headspace moves through an initial sparse production to a complex synth-washed pop number, before turning into a hands-in-the-air, eyes-closed soundscape, while Maddox builds his warm tenor to a propulsive chorus. The song says Jones is about meaningful connection and the deep, true, unconditional love we are all yearning for. Second track, My House – co-written with Dave Crawford and produced by former Daytona LightsLouis Souyave – is a complex anthemic-pop number, one that explores Jones personal journey through adulthood, encompassing different genres and styles and effectively representing the multifaceted sound of the upcoming EP.
Halfway through the EP, the Stranger Things inspired nostalgic synth-pop anthem More Than This, a track Maddox Jones wrote with longtime friend and future pop artist Adal, searches for reconnection with the forgotten dreams and endless possibilities of youth, explains Jones. Their first collaborative tracks Youth received Notion magazine seal of approval, while this latest effort wouldn’t sound out of place on the soundtrack of a Netflix teen rom-com.
Following track Dancing Feels Good, co-written and produced with Harry Tarlton who has also worked with artists including Tom Misch and Lianne La Havas explores an inner battle over that someone or something that you know is bad for you, but sometimes feels too good to resist, says Jones. Built around Tarlton’s infectious Nile Rodgers influenced funky guitars and bassline, it reveals Jones ability to encompass different genres and vocal styles.
Closing the EP, No More Ghosts is an ambitious ballad and in Jones own words, it’s a heartfelt and haunting goodbye, finally making peace and letting go of something or someone that has been a major part of your life. It was inspired by a scene in the Netflix series You where Joe Goldberg says, There are no more ghosts in this bed. It’s a good contender for one of the best breakup songs of the year and the perfect song to close the EP.
With Headspace Maddox Jones shows he is a bold artist, armed with vulnerable poeticism and equipped with a naturally impressive voiceprint.
