RUEL RELEASES MESMERIZING NEW SONG “WILD GUESS”

Australian pop-sensation Ruel returns with his new track “Wild Guess” available now via Giant Music – Listen HERE. “Wild Guess” showcases a raw, stripped-back vulnerability that highlights the emotional depth of Ruel’s evolving sound. The track is co-written by Ruel, Leroy Clampitt (Justin Bieber, Madison Beer) and Dan Wilson (Adele, Taylor Swift), and produced by the multitalented duo. The track is the latest taste off Ruel’s forthcoming sophomore album Kicking My Feet due October 17, 2025 and will be premiering via New Music Daily on Apple Music, accompanied by a FaceTime interview with Zane Lowe. The album is available for pre-order HERE.

 

With soft, folk-inspired vocals and bare acoustic textures, “Wild Guess” gently captures the slow unraveling of a relationship and the quiet ache of not fully understanding why it ended. “I’m not so sure / but I’m taking a wild guess / you’re slipping away from me,” Ruel sings with acceptance. The track unfolds patiently, mirroring the emotional distance between two people, before arriving at the bittersweet realization in the chorus: “It’s been a wild ride, but I won’t be your baby anymore,” embracing the cold truth that sometimes the best things have to end.

“Wild Guess” is the third release off Ruel’s forthcoming record and follows the bluesy “The Suburbs” and lead single “I Can Die Now.” Kicking My Feet marks the start of a new era for Ruel; one that feels creatively liberated, emotionally nuanced, and sonically bolder than ever. After relocating from Sydney to Los Angeles and signing with Giant Music, Ruel immersed himself in a new creative ecosystem and began building the album from the ground up.

I knew I wanted to push myself on this new album, but it wasn’t until I had to finalise the track list that I realised I’d actually made over 200 songs for Kicking My Feet – Ruel

He worked closely with some of the industry’s most celebrated and genre-shaping producers, including Julian Bunetta (Sabrina Carpenter, One Direction), Joel Little (Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams), Kenny Beats (Dominic Fike, Ed Sheeran), Dan Wilson (Adele, Taylor Swift, Chris Stapleton), and longtime collaborator M-Phazes (Eminem, Kehlani, Ruel’s debut album). Together, they crafted a record that is sonically adventurous and deeply personal, blending pop, alt and R&B, into a cohesive, modern sound. The result is a genre-blurring, emotionally relatable album that reflects Ruel’s evolution as both a person and an artist.

Australia’s pop prodigy Ruel is growing up and it shows on his highly anticipated sophomore album Kicking My Feet, available Oct 17th via Giant Music. Pop’s newest It Boy has been on the rise since he was a teenager, adorning his studio walls are an ever-growing collection of platinum plaques and award statues from the likes of RIAA, MTV, ARIA and Nickelodeon. 

He has amassed over three billion streams, sold out multiple world tours and regularly attends fashion shows at the invitation of luxury haute couture such as Louis Vuitton and Hermès. Away from the runway, Ruel’s admiration for unique, highly conceptualised style can be seen in his editorials with Prada and Fendi, and through his extensive list of features on the pages of Vogue, GQ, NME and The Face. Around the world, eyes have been keenly watching Ruel’s career ascent; notably by Sir Elton John and Zane Lowe, both of whom have sung the praises of the UK-born, Sydney-raised talent, calling him a "superstar." 

Kicking My Feet showcases the 22-year-old’s sharpened songwriting as he explores the innocence and embarrassment of being young and in love, as the album title teases. Alongside frequent collaborator M-Phazes, the album has Ruel expanding his roster of creative partners, including Dan Wilson, Joel Little, Kenny Beats and Julian Bunetta. The experimentation with his sound and artistry, has Ruel evolving himself into a bolder musician on an unmissable trajectory. 

 Instagram // TikTok // YouTube // Facebook

Snakehips and Tkay Maidza Join Forces on Multi-Genre Hit “Show Me The Money”

 

Out now via Helix Records! Stream / Buy HERE Press Shots HERE Artwork HERE

Internationally acclaimed British production-and-DJ duo Snakehips have teamed up with award-winning, Pitchfork-approved artist Tkay Maidza for their newest offering: “Show Me the Money”. The latest single to be taken from Snakehips’ upcoming debut album, it finds Snakehips’ deep, propulsive production underscoring elastic, acrobatic flows from Maidza. The two acts display a natural synergy that unifies their talent into a bubbling hit, which received its first spin by the revered radio DJ Clara Amfo on her BBC Radio 1 show on Thursday evening.   Tkay says of the single, “Recently I’ve been into manifesting and self-growth and I felt like it would be cool to make a song that is very pro ‘getting your bag’. I wanted it to be from a more positive outlook; it’s fine if you want to achieve your goals and you don’t have time for other people to waste. I’ve been a huge fan of Snakehips for a long time now so I’m really glad we got to finally work on this together.”   Tkay Maidza has established herself as one of the most exciting voices in alternative hip-hop, R&B, and dance and has toured the world with renowned artists such as 2022 runs with Billie Eillish and Dua Lipa, as well as Mark Ronson, Charli XCX, Rita Ora, RL Grime and Troye Sivan, among others. Tkay has earned acclaim in the form of a BET Awards nomination, an MTV EMA win, and several collaborations with companies such as Saint Laurent, Stella McCartney, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Pandora, and Coca-Cola. Her Last Year Was Weird EP trilogy saw her image splashed on billboards in New York’s Times Square, profiles written everywhere from Pitchfork to British Vogue, and her songs included on the 2020 FIFA Soundtrack. In 2022, Riot Games enlisted Tkay and BloodPop to pen the anthem “Never Stop Me” for League of Legends: Wild Rift Icons Global Championship. For the holiday season 2022, Tkay released “Nights In December” to rave reviews and 2023 promises to be a stellar year with several high profile features coming alongside her own album and global tour.   “Show Me The Money'' is the most recent single that will feature on Snakehips’ highly anticipated debut album, never worry, which is slated to arrive in the coming months. The genre-blending project will feature their hit collaboration “Who’s Gonna Love You Tonight” with Tinashe, “All Around The World” which boasts a flowing vocal from rapper/songwriter Duckwrth, “WATER.” featuring Los-Angeles based talent Bryce Vine, and “Solitude” featuring Lucky Daye and BIA which just hit the top 5 at US Dance radio. Their most exciting project to date, the album will be packed full of Snakehips’ signature groove within a fuzzy mesh of boundary-pushing R&B, hip hop, and dance music. Working with superstars like Anderson .Paak, H.E.R and Davido has helped cement Snakehips as global tastemakers with an ear for the sound of tomorrow. Their catalogue of hits include lush and sultry “On & On’,” dreamy single ”Days With You’,” mega-hit ”All My Friends’ (ft. Tinashe and Chance The Rapper)”, pop banger “Cruel” featuring ZAYN, and 4-track EP Forever (Pt. II).

CONNECT WITH SNAKEHIPS  WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK  CONNECT WITH TKAY MAIDZA FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK

For more information, contact mabuhay@blackstar.space

THE OFW CHRISTMAS SONG OF THE YEAR BY EMERGING ARTISTS MEG ZURBITO AND EEVEE’S ENZO VILLEGAS WILL MAKE YOU MISS YOUR LOVED ONES

Meg Zurbito has been known for writing relatable songs that appeal to the audience's loneliness such as Panandalian, Paalam, KNDMN, and her latest track Sakali. Enzo Villegas is another songwriter that can invoke the feeling of sadness in his own right as he is the brains behind eevee’s songs such as Nakakamiss, Sana Masaya Ka Na, and their newest release Saan Tayo Nawala. The two joined forces to do what they do best: write music and break our hearts with their new collaboration, produced by Ivory Music & Video, entitled Siyempre.

The two artists have been supportive of each other’s music as they are present when one of them has a guesting or a gig. However, this is the first time they actually sat down and wrote music together. This experience was captured and is out now on Ivory Music and Video’s YouTube account here https://youtu.be/U85AXWRuav8. In the video, you can see how they exchanged ideas as they craft the song Siyempre.

The song talks about the sadness of spending Christmas away from your loved one. The song’s title Siyempre can be heard after the singer narrates how they are celebrating holidays while wishing their significant other was with them. The word Siyempre translates to “of course” which affirms the singer’s feeling of longing.

This successful collaboration is a first for both artists and it opens up possibilities for more collaborations not just with each other but with other artists.

Meg and Enzo writing the song Siyempre

Meg and Enzo writing the song Siyempre

"Siyempre'' is now available on all streaming platforms. Subscribe to Meg Zurbito and eevee’s social media channels. For updates, visit Ivory Music & Video’s website.

Wet Leg release new song “Ur Mum”

The right amount of silly and strange, off-beam and familiar” Mojo 4*

“This album is an unashamedly goofy celebration of fun, sex and romance, but also a bittersweet commentary on the price of pleasure, the cruel downside of love and the trials of being twentysomething women in 21st-century Britain” Uncut 8/10

“They’re one of those new bands whose sound and aesthetic seem to have arrived fully formed, promising exciting if totally unpredictable things to come” The New York Times

“Riotously smart debut” Record Collector 4*

“A breath of fresh air” The Independent

“2022 is going to be their year” Clash

“Immensely charming” Stereogum

“One of 2022’s most anticipated debuts” Metro

“Dizzyingly perfect” NME

“The most exciting new band on the planet have made the most exciting new album on the planet” Dork

 

On Friday, Isle of Wight’s Wet Leg will release their eagerly anticipated self-titled debut album. Since unleashing their first single in June last year, things have moved at lightning speed for Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers – from selling out all their live shows in minutes, performing on US TV three times, being crowned number 2 in BBC’s Sound of 2022 to racking up 40M global streams and 9M YouTube views as well as been touted, most recently, by Dave Grohl, Lorde and Jack White. Before all twelve tracks from Wet Leg are revealed, today the duo share new song “Ur Mum”.

 

“Ur Mum” opens with a spectacular insult lobbed in the direction of an ex-boyfriend: "When I think about what you've become, I feel sorry for your mum" but the song also nods to outgrowing the slow pace of life and small town energy of the island: “When the lights go down on this fucking town, I know it's time to go" and results in Rhian letting out her “longest and loudest scream” for 11.02 seconds. Teasdale says of the song: “I was pretty angry at way things had gone in this particular dynamic. It’s just a diss song I wrote to make myself feel better. It worked.”

 

Watch the video for “Ur Mum” here.

Stream “Ur Mum” here.

 

The video directed by Lava La Rue who says: “The Ur Mum video was all about bringing the viewer into the Wet Leg world - sprinkling details throughout the visual that not only reference at least 4 songs off the album but also plenty of inside jokes within the band too. Artistically it shows where the aesthetic of American indie films like Napoleon Dynamite fit perfectly in the scape of rural British settings - this concept first came to me when the band took me to IOW for the first time - I saw the connection and it all clicked into place.”

 

The band have just completed an extensive round of touring in North America including roadblock SXSW showcases, an Academy Awards pre party for YSL, performing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and The Late Late Show with James Corden.

 

They’ve also confirmed their UK touring plans for November including 2 dates at London’s O2 Forum which are already sold out. Fresh from their appearance at BBC 6 Music Festival on the weekend, they’ve been announced for Radio 1’s Big Weekender in May and also as the only addition to Radio 1’s Brit List.

 

“Ur Mum” artwork:

Listen to Wet Leg’s previous singles: “Chaise Longue”, “Wet Dream”, “Too Late Now”, “Oh No” and “Angelica”.

 

Wet Leg is available to pre-order on exclusive clear vinyl (with a 7” of two non-album tracks) via the band’s webstore, standard vinyl, cassette, CD and digitally. A variety of merch (T-shirt, print) is available as a pre-order bundle too. Pre-order: Wet Leg Store | Digital

 

Upcoming live dates

Thursday 7th April – Banquet @ PRYZM, Kingston (early & late) – sold out

Friday 8th April - Rough Trade East, London (matinee & evening) – sold out

Saturday 9th April – Resident, Brighton – sold out

Sunday 10th April - Rough Trade, Bristol – sold out

Monday 11th April - Rough Trade, Nottingham – sold out

Tuesday 12th April – HMV, Birmingham – sold out

13th April - Bear Tree Records out-store at The Foundry, Sheffield – sold out

16^th April – Newcastle University, Newcastle – sold out

17^th April – The Mash House, Edinburgh – sold out

19^th April – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds – sold out

20^th April – Gorilla, Manchester – sold out

21^st April – Trinity Centre, Bristol – sold out

23^rd April – o2 Institute, Birmingham – sold out

24^th April – Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich – sold out

26^th April – Electric Ballroom, London – sold out

27^th April – The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth – sold out

14^th May – Point Ephemere, Paris – sold out

15^th May – Le Nuits Botanique @ Botanique Rotonde, Brussels

16^th May – Jaki, Cologne

19^th May – Doornroosje, Nijmegen

20^th May – Rotown, Rotterdam – sold out

21^st May – London Calling @ Paradiso, Amsterdam

23^rd May – Milla, Munich

24^th May – Milla, Munich – sold out

25^th May – Berghain/Kantine, Berlin – sold out

28^th May – Neighbourhood Weekender @ Victoria Park, Warrington

16^th June – Isle of Wight Festival, Newport

23^rd June – The Louisiana, Bristol – Independent Venue Week/sold out

9^th July – TRNSMT @ Glasgow Green, Glasgow

25^th August – Rickshaw Theatre, Vancouver – sold out

23^rd October – Strom, Munich

25^th October – Magazzini Generali, Milan

            26^th October – Mascotte, Zurich

29^th October – Mojo Club, Hamburg

4^th November – Trix, Antwerp

5^th November – Vera, Groningen

6^th November - Astra Kulturehaus, Berlin

7^th November – Kantine, Cologne

9^th November – Elysee Montmartre, Paris

10^th November – Rockhal Club, Esch-sur-alzette

11^th November – Paradiso Noord, Amsterdam

13^th November – UEA, Norwich – sold out

14^th November - O2 Academy Bristol, Bristol – sold out

15^th November – O2 Academy Liverpool, Liverpool – sold out

17^th November - SWG3, Glasgow – sold out

18^th November - Leeds Beckett Students Union, Leeds – sold out

19^th November - O2 Ritz, Manchester – sold out

21^st November - O2 Institute, Birmingham

23^rd November - O2 Forum Kentish Town, London – sold out

24^th November - O2 Forum Kentish Town, London – sold out

25^th November – Rock City, Nottingham – sold out

27^th November – Limelight, Belfast

28^th November – Academy, Dublin

Tickets

 

Wet Leg have partnered with PLUS1 on their November UK tour so that £1 from every ticket goes to War Child to protect, educate and stand up for the rights of children caught up in war. www.warchild.org.uk

                                               

Wet Leg Online:

Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Twitter

ASHE SHARES NEW TRACK AND MUSIC VIDEO “ME WITHOUT YOU”

Ashe has shared “Me Without You,” the latest new track to be revealed from her forthcoming anticipated debut album Ashlyn, out May 7th on Mom + Pop Music. Stream/download it HERE and watch the striking new music video HERE.  “Me Without You” was co-written by: Ashe, Leroy “Big Taste” Clampitt (Justin Bieber, Lennon Stella) and Casey Smith, who also collaborated with Ashe on her monster hit “Moral of the Story” which has amassed 758 million streams to date.   

“Me Without You” is a Beatles-esque piece of baroque pop that unfolds as an anthem of self-discovery, backing Ashe’s rhapsodic vocal work with lavish string orchestration.   Flashes of classic Beach Boys influences can be heard in Ashe’s angelic layered vocals. The song is an empowering anthem displaying Ashe’s growth and evolution both artistically and personally.

 

Ashe explains, “’Me Without You’ is my follow up to ‘Moral Of The Story.’ It's saying you thought that I needed you to be who I am. There is my past relationship...I had multiple people... You know, assumed that I needed them in my life to feel confident or to be me and "Me Without You" is just this record that's like, ‘Ooh, I am so good on my own.’”

 

The colorful music video was directed by Jason Lester (LAUV & Conan Gray, Sabrina Carpenter) with creative direction by Ashe. The clip sees Ashe in a speakeasy-style bar, dancing barefoot on broken glass and leaving behind traces of blood seemingly unfazed.  Throughout the clip she’s flounced by a quartet of string players miming as Ashe drifts in and out of various scenes.  Thematically the video conveys the underlying message that no matter where you go, you carry your past and memories with you.

 

Additional notable tracks revealed from Ashe’s forthcoming new album include "When I'm Older,"  "I'm Fine," and “Till Forever Falls Apart,” Ashe’s acclaimed collaboration with FINNEAS which has amassed 40 million streams since its March release. Ashlyn also features both versions of “Moral of the Story” including the most recent reimagined collaboration with Niall Horan. Pre-order the album HERE and watch the album trailer HERE. 

 

2021 is proving to be an exciting year for Ashe.   She was just named a YouTube Music Artist on the Rise, YouTube’s emerging artist program that champions breaking talent and rising stars. Ashe is also nominated for iHeart Music Awards Best New Rock/Alternative Rock Artist 2021 (the awards are on May 27^th).  Her meteoric rise includes amassing a million Instagram followers, over 9.5 million monthly Spotify listeners and one million TikTok followers and earning the admiration of legendary artists like Brian Wilson (one of Ashe’s personal heroes).  A graduate from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Ashe’s touring resume includes performances at Coachella with Big Gigantic, and opening slots for Lewis Capaldi, The Chainsmokers, LAUV and more.  

Follow Ashe:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

PORTER ROBINSON’S SECRET SKY FESTIVAL RETURNS APRIL 24TH

 

Acclaimed vocalist, songwriter and producer Porter Robinson’s livestream festival Secret Sky will return April 24th. This year’s lineup, curated by Porter, features artists from across the world including Baauer, BoysNoize, End of the World, Imanu B2B Buunshin, James Ivy, Kero Kero Bonito, Laxcity, Masakatsu Takagi, No Rome, Rezz, Salute, Serph, Swardy, Wave Racer and Yvette Young. Porter’s headline set marks the first time he will perform music from his highly anticipated new album Nurture, out April 23rd via Mom+Pop. See the full line-up and register to attend here. 

Porter, in partnership with Active Theory, has designed and built a custom, digital, VR-optimized festival grounds inspired by massive online multiplayer experiences and Porter's favorite indie art games. Users will embody Secret Sky themed avatars and experience the festival with thousands of attendees in real time, with features such as live voice chat, multiple explorable environments, and a landscape modifying "party mode". The festival uses Active Theory's Dreamwave technology—previously seen at last year's Secret Sky Festival and Sundance Film Festival— and includes new and improved features such as WebXR support and live-stream stage integration.

The event will stream on YouTube, Twitch, Oculus VR, Android TV (via RAD TV), PlayStation (via RAD TV) and Diplo’s Revolution on SiriusXM. The event is free to the public, and Porter is encouraging fans to donate to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund via YouTube and Twitch.

Presented by Goldenvoice, Brownies & Lemonade and Slush Management, the 2021 installment follows last year’s much-lauded debut early in Covid lockdown, a 14-hour livestream event that featured sets by G Jones, Jai Wolf, Kizuna AI, Madeon, San Holo, A. G. Cook, Anamanaguchi and others. The livestream attracted more than 4 million viewers, with the Youtube chat peaking at 8,813 messages per second.

During Secret Sky, Postmates—the leader in delivering nearly anything on-demand—will host a virtual festival booth featuring free delivery on all orders using the code SECRETSKY so that virtual festival goers can complement the music with food and drinks from their favorite local restaurant. Offer is valid from April 24th at 10 A.M. PDT to April 25th at 6 A.M. PDT with a basket size of $10 or more. To order visit Postmates.com or download Postmates on iOS or Android.

Secret Sky will be available on Oculus Quest. On April 24th, users can head into VR and visit secretskyfest.com in the Oculus Browser app to enter the Digital Auditorium. To purchase an Oculus Quest 2 headset, visit oculus.com/quest-2 or visit your local retailer. Additional sponsors include Magic: The Gathering and Red Bull.

Nurture, Porter’s first full length in seven years, features much-lauded singles “Musician,” “Look At The Sky,” Mirror,” “Get Your Wish” and “Something Comforting.

Nurture spans a highly challenging period in Porter’s life when he felt creatively crippled, but ultimately serves as a testament to the hope and perseverance that pulled him out of the darkest moments. On Nurture, Porter returns to the piano and his singing voice as foundations, creating an intimate album that champions vulnerability while paying homage to the struggles that pushed him to grow, blending live instruments, digital synths, artificially pitched vocals, chopped samples and cozy ambience.

At age 18, the North Carolina-based producer and songwriter burst onto the scene with a complex, bombastic brand of electro-house. Following the major success of his 2014 debut album Worlds, Porter released the RIAA Gold single “Shelter” with Madeon in 2016, followed by a Shelter Live Tour spanning 43 dates and four continents. The following year, Porter began releasing music under a new alias, Virtual Self, which lead to his first Grammy nomination for the BBC Radio 1 hit single “Ghost Voices.” In 2019, Porter created his own music festival Second Sky in partnership with Coachella-promoter Goldenvoice, a two-day event that sold out all 30,000 tickets in a single day and will return to the San Francisco Bay Area soon.