A marriage between modern electronic music and its roots, DejaVilla’s sound is a 2021 blend of dancehall, reggae, and contemporary electro-soul. Capitalizing on a busy year, the duo made up of Sarah Couch and David Marston unveil the final single taken from their forthcoming album Castle With a View. The new dancehall joint “Uptown Rebel” calls on the help of fellow Jamaican artist Yaksta. Together, the trio explores themes of class division and unchained love. The story follows the “Uptown Rebel” herself and a boy from the other side of town her parents don’t approve of. Smashing socio-economic tropes and the emotional consequences of class division, “Uptown Rebel” is an electrifying listen with a powerful, Romeo and Juliet-esque message to match.
Music
SICKICK - NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
MusicCommentWith his newest single “I Can Feel It” hitting #1 on the iTunes chart, masked artist SICKICK is set to embark on his first-ever tour of North America in 2022. The producer, vocalist, and DJ has quickly amassed millions of fans and followers with his hit remixes of Adele and Phil Collins that he plays in real-time on his live drumming, microphone, and synth setup. Though his identity is a mystery, SICKICK’s charisma shines through in his versatile, inventive re-interpretations of artists old and new. His remix of Madonna’s 1998 release “Frozen” instantly became one of the most memorable sounds on social media, only to be topped by his remix of “Walking On The Moon” by Bruno Mars. SICKICK has released many of his own original singles, including “Mind Games,” which currently sits at 25 million streams on Spotify. With support from Justin Bieber, Timbaland, Coldplay, Doja Cat, and Steve Aoki, SICKICK has steadily made a name for himself globally with his unique mix of hip hop, pop, and EDM that he calls “sickhop”. Through his music, the multi-talented creative overcame the fear and anxiety that once held him back by fully expressing himself as SICKICK. Now, as he prepares to play his upcoming North American tour, SICKICK shows no signs of stopping the movement he’s created.
Tickets for SICKICK’s THE SICKMIX TOUR are on sale now via sickickmusic.com.
ELASKIA - BETTER
Music, Original MixCommentElaskia’s new single “Better” is a harmonious pop track worth the replay. A mellow listen stitched together by the thread of her crystalline voice, this sweet-sounding listen is as reflective as it is easy on the ear. Under a danceable beat, Elaskia’s empowering lyrics are guided by an unwavering dedication to discovering and preserving her own self-worth. A timeless, wistful listen that shimmies through a dreamy electro-pop cadence, “Better” is only one of many timeless gems embedded into Elaskia’s growing catalog. “I wrote this about realising your own worth even when someone else doesn't. I think some people confuse self-worth with being selfish and this is the exact opposite of that. It's about knowing what you deserve and not being afraid to stand up for that.” -Elaskia
JOSH PAN - FLOAT
Music, Original MixCommentAt the heels of his recent "go with the fire" and its accompanying music video, Josh Pan returns to 88rising for "float." A producer, songwriter, vocalist, DJ and multi-instrumentalist, Josh Pan is a jack-of-all-trades. Never sticking to any singular genre or conventional style, Josh Pan constantly reinvents the wheel of what artistic breadth can and should be. His latest single "float" is a unique reflection of just that. Exploring universally felt motifs of loss and desperation, Josh Pan's "float" chronicles grief and reconciliation. Textural synth patterns best characterize the single swathed in Pan's elegant vocal charm. Buoyant lyrical performance, reminiscent of the tracks title, carries the 3-minute and 42-second track to fruition. A sonic display of Josh Pan's diverse musical talents and songwriting skills, "float" is the exciting follow-up to Pan's "go with the fire."
NURKO W/ CHANDLER LEIGHTON - DISAPPEARING NOW
Music, Original MixCommentReturning to the release radar after his recent single with William Black, “Worth It,” esteemed DJ and producer Nurko is back with the first single off of his upcoming EP, due for release early of next year. The new single “Disappearing Now” sees Nurko teaming up with Chandler Leighton for vocals, serving listeners a taste of what’s in store for his EP. “Disappearing Now” serves as another massive offering from the highly talented producer, showcasing his rapturous and euphoric sound fans know and love. The emotive cut surrounds Chandler Leighton’s diaphanous vocals, flaunting a cinematic soundscape rife with subtle experimentation. Creating an ethereal and immersive sound experience, Nurko delivers a highly explosive production, laden with ambient textures and layered synths that build in intensity throughout the track’s almost five-minute-long run-time. Melodic sensibilities and intricate sound design elements come together to represent the best of what Nurko has to offer in “Disappearing Now.”
CASUAL T - INTOXICATED
Music, Original MixCommentA buzzing new track from blossoming DJ/Producer Casual T, “Intoxicated” is a must-listen, future-forward single that tugs at the heartstrings. Electronic xylophones charm listeners before Casual T blends powerful feminine vocals with a syncopated drop. True to its name, the intoxicating single is at once passionate and mellifluous as it utilizes both the powerful and calming elements of dance music. The song’s vocals and instrumentals harmonize in sync to create a cinematic, orchestral listening experience. Dominating the central Texas dance music scene, Casual T goes above and beyond with each release. With a successful 2021 under his belt, fans are eager to see what 2022 will bring for the multi-talented creator.
MOGUAI - ADVENTURES OF BABYLON (FEAT. DISSOLUT)
Music, Original MixCommentSince the 90s, MOGUAI has long established himself as one of the most internationally-renowned DJs and producers out of Germany; spanning two decades, the electronic pioneer has delivered Gold and Platinum-winning productions. Enlisting the help of blossoming German duo Dissolut, MOGUAI and Dissolut unveil their reggae-powered collaboration “Adventures of Babylon.” A deep house romp with industrial accents and a prominent patois touch, "Adventures of Babylon" is a righteous juxtaposition between genre and sound.
NICOLAS - LEFT THE PARTY
Music, Original MixCommentBuzzing producer NICOLAS returns to the forefront of emerging experimental talent with his daring new cut “Left The Party.” The explorative track is a fraction of his recent 6-track What Will Be Left of Us? EP which surveys textured landscapes of distorted synths, gritty 808s, and future-forward vocals. “Left The Party” is an industrial groove infused with a tangible bounce and edgy vocal samples. Geometric rhythm patterns whisp through a chromatic digital beat that moves with a nonchalant urgency. A luminous listen from first note to last, “Left The Party” is an integral facet of the many moving parts that make up What Will Be Left of Us?.
[PREMIERE] CLOVO - GIRLS
Original Mix, PREMIERE, MusicCommentGold Coast starlet clovo is Australia’s freshest alt-pop act on the rise. The brainchild of Chloe Magee, clovo stands for radical feminism and liberation. Likened to the pioneering sounds of Grimes and Billie Eilish, clovo draws inspiration from greatness. Although she boasts a familiar sound, clovo is an inimitable force in the pop landscape. Her debut single, aptly-titled “Girls” is a haunting cut dedicated to the unifying force of female empowerment. Combating abusers, “Girls” ruthlessly hexes those who dare disrespect the divine force of womanhood. Her cerebral voice echos through narcotic pop instrumentals to present a message so profound it leaves a lingering taste of rebellion long after its final sweeping crescendo. An unfettered call to action, “girls” is a unifying anthem with sophisticated soundscapes and a revolutionary mantra to boot.
