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.
Chris Sunfield’s second single “Predator” is an abrupt about-face following his sunshine pop debut “The Little Things”. Predator is a provocative poison pen letter to romantic predators, exposing their psychopathic and Machiavellian ways. The lyrics, with their reptilian metaphors, serve to validate anyone who’s been harmed by toxic narcissists, and to warn others about their predatorial charms. Musically, the song is a multi-layered wall of retro sounds with progressive house stylings and a vintage, analog, R&B vibe. Sunfield sings, and plays all guitars, bass, and keyboards. Producer Michael Hanson (Glass Tiger) plays drums while fellow Radar Love Records artist Vicky Rai handles backing vocals. The crowning moment is an acid-tinged rap by Dynamic (a.k.a. Ya Favourite Lightskin) that dials up the tension before ushering in a climax of musical dialogue among the various predator and prey players.
Indiana based quartet Everything We’re Not is a band with a simple mission statement – to play music that they love. Luckily, they are also playing music that we think YOU will love – a compelling mix of emo, pop-punk and alternative rock brimming with musicality and clever, witty lyrics. Pulling from influences like The Maine, Blink 182, The Wonder Years and Jimmy Eat World, the band is clearly able to write music that evokes the best of the genre, while still sounding exactly like themselves.
“Let It Go” features legendary Say Anything vocalist Max Bemis and is an absolute earworm of a song. Upbeat guitar riffs permeate the track, with a driving performance from the rhythm section that keeps the song hurtling forward without going off the rails. Bemis lends his usual magic to the track, but Everything We’re Not lead vocalist Jonathan Newton is no slouch – his high flying vocal performance is the star of this track, with a crystal clear voice and impressive range that makes him one of the brightest up and coming storytellers in pop-punk.
Lu’s irresistibly warm timbre sits alongside luscious electronic R&B infused instrumentals, delivering a rich tapestry of sound that ebbs and flows through an introspective journey of pain, self-discovery and empowerment.
The track opens with vocals twisting in and out of some delightfully distorted synth chords, before hitting a poignant catchy chorus, where a lucid, spacey bass line joins the dots between the song’s jazzy hip-hop beats and Lu’s rich, alluring voice.
Lu said about the single “The title British Daisy stems from the typically British trait of putting on a brave face, instead of saying what we mean and acknowledging the fact that we are all fragile. After being in an unhealthy relationship in which my self-worth was slowly eroding, this song talks through the fight to break out of a bad relationship and the bad habits they leave us with. ‘British Daisy’ speaks of a time where I found myself daydreaming of a life where I was happier, but didn’t have the strength to make it happen.”
Lu’s breathy, jazzy tones rest beautifully between soul and R&B. The artist grew-up in a home filled with music, listening to everything from the classic soul/jazz maestros of the 50’s and 60’s, like Nina Simone and Sam Cooke, to noughties RnB and Hip Hop outfits such as Outkast, Eminem, Rihanna and Amy Winehouse, this is where her love for songwriting and melody truly began. Since then, her contemporary influences have aligned with the times, citing Little Simz, Anderson Paak, Maverick Sabre and the Blue Note Re: imagined album as huge sources of inspiration.
Lu began writing her own songs at the age of 11, having joined the school choir and taken up singing lessons she quickly progressed into musical theatre, but at 19 realised that it wasn’t quite the right fit and subsequently, made the switch to creating and performing contemporary music.
The young artist recently graduated from the London branch of the BIMM Institute (British and Irish Modern Music Institute) and set to work on her debut EP ‘Notes to self’. It is a body of work that radiates warmth and a magnetic energy, woven together in a narrative that tells of the vulnerability and the solitary venture of self-discovery as a young woman. The 2020 pandemic hit just before the EP was completed and live dates were cancelled, but Lu used that time productively to complete the finishing touches remotely and concentrate on her songwriting. The result is a collection of musically detailed, immaculately produced treats.
