“’Faster’ is about being stuck in your head about anything and everything,” adds mercury’s frontperson Maddie Kerr. “I often try to make sense of everything that I’ve ever experienced and sometimes that’s more overwhelming than the actual experience. It’s about not being able to let go.”

The post Mercury returns with new single ‘Faster’ appeared first on She Makes Music.

Following up the grungey ‘Swarm The Hive Mind’ and melancholic slow-burn ‘What You Want Me To Say,’ ‘The Fly’ showcases a gloomy post-rock side of the rising artist’s sonic arsenal.

“It’s abstractly about a lot of things,” says Maddie Kerr, the architect behind the Nashville-based indie project. “Winning, making mistakes, losing, obsessive love, overthinking love, and being hurt by it.”

The post mercury caps off a trilogy of new songs with ‘The Fly’ appeared first on She Makes Music.

Horsegirl is announcing their new record Phonetics On And On, produced by Cate Le Bon. The meditative lead single ‘2468’ is out now. ‘2468’ comes with a music video directed by Eliza Callahan and choreographed by Alexa West, and it encapsulates the deadpan fun of Horsegirl’s music. They’re also revealing a handful of US tour dates for this spring. [via Stereogum]

Lambrini Girls (Phoebe Lunny and Lilly Macieira) share new single ‘Love’ from their much anticipated debut album Who Let The Dogs Out releasing January 10 via City Slang. With their headline tour next year moving quickly, they also announce a string of intimate record in-store performance to join the records release. The band say of the single, “‘Love’ isn’t a critique on real affection—it’s about mistaking toxicity for love. Like a moth drawn to a flame, unable to discern between warmth that soothes and a fire that burns you, and getting pissed off about it. It’s an embrace full of sharp edges, a kiss that stings. Poison pretending to be sweet, venom dressed up as nectar. When love is learned through chaos, pain feels like connection. It’s the cycle of chasing affection through suffering and holding on because you’ve never known anything else. It’s about the bitterness and resentment from trying to find something, only to realise it remains elusive. What this song conveys isn’t love at all; in fact, it’s very opposite.”

Zac Dov Wiesel directs a dazzling Y2K-inspired promo for Audrey Nuna. The video for ‘Mine’ features a clever central hook, hopping between an austere, industrial performance and a silver-tinged utopia, dripping with retrofuturistic excess. Diving fully into early 2000’s aesthetics – namely Frutiger Aero, which is characterised by shiny, glossy textures and dreamlike futurism – the video sees Nuna cross over into different virtual worlds with the same dynamic performance and arresting style. Brilliant work from the creative team, who capture an iconic aesthetic through a contemporary lens. [via Promonews]

Last month, Colombian artist Ela Minus announced her new album,DIA, out January 17 via Domino, and released the “swaying, cathartic dance anthem” (Brooklyn Vegan) ‘BROKEN.’ Now, Ela unveils ‘UPWARDS,’ presenting Ela relishing in pure pop splendor. An unabashed and addictive theme song for safeguarding yourself, your body, and your soul, ‘UPWARDS’ is unforgettable on first listen. It is propelled by an unrelenting pulse and sharp refrain, as Ela chants over and over “I’d love to save you / but you’ve got to save yourself,” all while aggressive and busy synths bounce underneath, feeling like lasers waging a war against the song itself. The “UPWARDS” video, which sees Ela collaborating with directors Albert Estruch & Marc Sancho (of Querida), creates a unique visual and auditory experience by featuring Ela in the center of a circle with her instruments, surrounded by cameras and screens that capture and show different angles of the action in real time.

Multi-Platinum global pop superstar Kesha has lifted the curtain on the long-awaited official music video for her blockbuster hit single, ‘JOYRIDE.’ Directed by Dimitri Basil (Kylie Minogue, Vance Joy), Cooper Roussel (Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Miami Horror), and Laura Gorun (Joywave, Kings of Leon), the action-packed visual – which sees Kesha racing through the desert in an explosive car chase with evil baddies in hot pursuit – is available now.

Raissa, the multilingual, multinational artist poised for global superstardom, releases her Cute Threat EP on Neon Gold Records. Born in Spain and raised across the globe in cities like Beijing, Sydney, Kuala Lumpur, and London, Raissa embodies a rich tapestry of influences. From antique Gothic literature to vintage anime, her creativity draws from a vast well of inspiration. Now based in Los Angeles, she channels this unique background into a collection of songs that are as emotionally vulnerable as they are empowering. The title track, ‘Cute Threat,’ encapsulates the EP’s essence. With industrial production and biting lyrics like “I’m not your big baby,” the song is a masterclass in contrast. The playful harmonies, including irresistible “lalalas,” juxtapose with the aggressive tone of the lyrics, creating a dynamic and unforgettable listening experience. Reminiscent of Charli XCX, Raissa blends punk energy with sugary aesthetics, making this the perfect centerpiece of the EP and a testament to her ability to challenge expectations while delivering an irresistibly catchy bop. [via Staged Haze]

mercury, the rising Tennessee-based artist born Maddie Kerr, has returned with her brand new single ‘Swarm The Hive Mind’. Marking the first release since her ambitious EP and short film Together We Are One, You And I earlier this year – the track serves as a reunion with coveted indie rock producer Alex Farrar (MJ Lenderman, Snail Mail), stacked with walls of guitars and sludgy timbres. “’Swarm The Hive Mind’ is about breaking out of a box; questioning and sometimes going off track of how everyone else thinks, lives, and acts,” says Maddie. “It’s easy to get stuck in hive-minded thinking, and it’s important to see things from all angles and veer off from what seems normal sometimes.” ‘Swarm The Hive Mind’ is an apt second chapter to the sound Kerr captured on Together We Are One, You And I, a three-track project comprised of ‘Born in Early May,’ ‘Special,’ and ‘Crick’ and produced by Farrar. An experimental voyage of grief, pain, and loss, the trio of songs oscillates between grunge and iridescent indie rock as they wander through the depths of human suffering and emerge resilient. Infinite black voids, spiritual iconography, and the scarlet glow of embers and flames define the EP’s companion short film, following Kerr and a cast of characters from different walks of life through narrative vignettes, contemporary dance, and poetic abstractions.

LUNA gives us ‘Personal Torture’ from her upcoming album, No Rest. The single focuses on the way that LUNA has held herself back in life. She has been her own enemy, essentially, but now, she knows that she can also be the one who makes things right. The electronica beats and 80s-inspired synth reflect her new mindset, their uplifting sounds paving the way for change. You can see how this all plays out in the music video below. About ‘Personal Torture,’ LUNA shares, “‘Personal Torture’ is a moment of honesty and clarity, a raw snapshot of what it means to reclaim yourself. I wrote it in Stockholm, feeling a thousand miles from my comfort zone yet closer to myself than ever. There was this storm of realization, like I’d been spinning in circles, tied to expectations and illusions that weren’t even mine. I thought I had it all—but really, I was caught in my own ‘personal torture.’ This track is about stepping out of that spiral, flipping the table on what no longer serves, and finally putting yourself first. We all have our own ‘personal tortures,’ those battles and expectations that we sometimes don’t even notice we’re carrying. I hope this song resonates with you, that it gives you the courage to look at what holds you back and start letting go. ‘Personal Torture’ opens the journey of ‘No Rest,’ my upcoming album, where each song peels back another layer of what it’s taken to find my voice. Here’s to choosing ourselves, even when it’s the hardest thing to do. So tell me, what’s the one thing you’d let go of if you could?” [via Melodic Mag]

Chi, the genre-defying UK artist and high-fashion model, is back, and she’s brought an electrifying new single to shake things up. ‘Spiderwick’—a sonic juggernaut blending alternative punk with raw, electrifying intensity—cements Chi’s reputation as a fearless creative force. This highly anticipated track is more than music; it’s a statement. With ‘Spiderwick’, Chi plunges into uncharted territory, delivering a bold production that feels both surreal and visceral. Her dynamic vocals cut through the track’s boundary-pushing soundscape, creating an experience that’s impossible to ignore. This is Chi at her most unapologetic—her signature rawness intact, her ambition cranked to 11. But Chi doesn’t just stop at the sound. She’s unveiled a jaw-dropping visual accompaniment that takes the song’s narrative to the next level. The avant-garde video is an explosion of vivid storytelling and cutting-edge style, inviting fans into a universe that’s uniquely hers. It’s a kaleidoscopic ride that showcases her dual mastery of music and aesthetics, proving yet again why she’s one to watch. [via Static]

There are few bands that have made as much of a statement with their debut single that Austin’s Farmer’s Wife, who took aim at their home state’s deeply unlikeable Governor with 2022’s ‘Greg Abbott’s Maxi Pad.’ After keeping the momentum going with last September’s grungy There’s a Monster EP and a pair of singles released earlier this year, the group’s currently gaining traction as they tour the US as the opening act for Cloud Nothings, who are midway through touring in support of the tenth anniversary of their 2014 album Here and Nowhere Else. And speaking of monsters, Farmer’s Wife is returning with a new music video for their EP’s lead single ‘Swarm,’ which sets the ominously simmering alt-rock cut to an old-school horror visual involving a dollhouse, a huge spider, and some clear inspiration from Mary Shelley. “In an evil lair below the dollhouse, [vocalist Molly Masson] combines pig guts, glitter, and boy hair to create Jaelyn-stein, the ultimate monster to trap more victims: Derek, Jude, and Jacob,” the band shares in a statement, lending a bit of narrative cohesion to the clip. “With the help of Molly’s giant tarantula, Jaelyn-stein chases the boys throughout the house, Scooby-Doo-style. Within the lair, the boys transform into animal-human hybrids, causing an explosion. ‘Swarm’ finds its intense melodic finale with a visual that matches: flames, destruction, and [our] deepest, darkest fears.” [via FLOOD]

The post appeared first on She Makes Music.

Chika is back with ‘Requiem for a Dream,’ her first new single since 2021. Produced by Chika with Thurst and Derek Dixie, the track’s instrumental mixes UK drill with a tender vocal sample to match the Grammy-nominated artist’s seamless transitions between rapping and singing over the course of just over two minutes. “The thought of mortality keep me alive,” the Alabama native raps on the first verse. “Game of the fittest/ I wanna survive.” Switching gears for the chorus, she sings, “Darkness can go away/ I’m alright with pretending that all’s well/ My world’s not ending/ We’ll be okay.” [via Consequence]

Haviah Mighty is back with a new single, ‘Huh,’ a dancey, breakup track which places the Canadian rapper’s knack for emotional expression at the center of a ready-for-the-club beat. Taking stylistic cues from dancehall, ‘Huh’ balances Haviah’s hard-hitting flow with moments of bubbling, rhythmic goodness. As the lyrics “It’s a shame you let me down/ the way you did” shine through glitched-out vocal processing, the underlying pulse of the backbeat chugs on, creating a symbolic tension of sorts. “‘Huh’ is a tale of disappointment following the narration of a desperate lover who is losing the love of their life, and vowing to change to reverse it all,” Haviah explained in a press statement. “Desperate to go back to how it was, they’re taking responsibility for the incompatibility, and suffering a mind/body separation of sorts where their mind is wrapped up in the traumatic loss, unable to escape, but their body is free and has been let loose. They are living in two spaces, two worlds, and trying to return to perceived ‘stability,’ where ironically, what they want to return to, is the most unstable thing in their life.”

Next month, Atlanta rapper Mercury will release an EP called heaven — it follows last year’s fear mercury EP. Now, Mercury has shared a NIY5H-directed video for the title track, which was produced by Laila. “‘Heaven’ is basically a song about getting lit, having fun, and being sexy,” Mercury said in a statement about the jittery cut. “I made it for the girlies and the gays but hopefully everyone shake they ass to it.” [via Stereogum]

It’s Kenzo B‘s moment right now. The 19-year-old New York City rapper has attracted accolades (including a GEN F profile) for her charismatic take on drill, chiefly defined by a flow that whirls and slices like a tornado of razor blades. As with every breakout moment, time is of the essence, which is why on her new single ‘BFFR’ (or, “Be Fuckin’ For Real”), Kenzo makes it clear that she’s not going to waste a second by speaking around any touchy subjects. “Yeah I said it, so what?,” a voice repeats as the song begins, with a steady string of handclaps the first indication of its strong bounce influence. Before long, the beat becomes cross-regional with guitar stabs that recall Nas’s ‘Made You Look,’ indicating that Kenzo’s not abandoning the sound of her city just yet. Skipping over the beat with the dexterity of an Olympic jump roper, Kenzo has the ferocity of someone who knows they’ve won the battle before it’s even begun. [via The FADER]

Rising hip-hop star Carla Rae, widely known as “The CEO,” is set to captivate the music world once again with her latest hit single, ‘Been Dat,’ featuring Sonyae Blu. This empowering anthem is making waves across the industry, uniting boss chicks everywhere and solidifying Carla’s status as a force to be reckoned with. ‘Been Dat’ is a powerful track that exemplifies Carla’s signature style and undeniable talent. With its infectious rhythm and captivating lyrics, the song invites listeners into Carla’s world, where resilience and determination reign supreme. This single is undoubtedly a must-listen for anyone who appreciates the essence of authentic hip-hop music. However, Carla’s impact reaches far beyond her music. She has become renowned for her entrepreneurial spirit and her dedication to empowering women in the industry. With her own record label, Carla is on a mission to revolutionize the game and create opportunities for fellow artists. [via Earmilk]

The post appeared first on She Makes Music.

London wordsmith ENNY returns with new single ‘Champagne Problems’. The rapper’s excellent single ‘Peng Black Girls’ blew up at the end of 2020, with a further remix – featuring Jorja Smith – seeming to underline her arrival. Amid a flurry of hype ENNY shared her debut project in 2021, the excellent Under Twenty Five. Taking a moment to catch her breath, ENNY breaks her silence on a new single. Out now, ‘Champagne Problems’ is as personal as ever, except the framework has shifted a little – tackling her viral fame, she re-asserts that she doesn’t have all the answers. With witty word play – we learn she likes her gin on the rocks – the caramel-smooth production comes from Beat Butcha and Tala, with some additional work from Will Yanez. ENNY comments… “The problems I’ve had this year aren’t last year’s problems but they’re problems nevertheless. I call them ‘Champagne Problems’, because they are definitely the problems I would’ve rather had two years ago. With this track, it’s nice to just get back to freestyling and rapping as an art.” The video for ‘Champagne Problems’ is a stark, stylish black and white affair, shot in and around ENNY’s local community in Thamesmead, South London. Directed by Jean-Sébastien Degni, you can tap in below. [via Clash]

Manchester-based star IAMDDB is back with a bang with her brand new track ‘F*cked Uppp’. The song is full of heat as IAMDDB rages, hyping herself up, condemning the toxicity of the industry and firing shots at men who disrespect women. She also takes the opportunity to remind any haters that she is THAT girl, preaching “I love my enemies, I know they be preeing secretly, they love my energy”. [via GRM Daily]

Atlanta rapper Mercury already stirred up buzz this year with her Tabula Rasa mixtape, and now she has announced a new EP, FearMercury, due December 7. The first single is ‘Freddie,’ and it’s a brief, catchy, melodic rap song that’s fueled by a sample of Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.’ Mercury said, “‘Freddie’ is just a fun song I made because I wanted to dance. It makes me feel like when I first heard the original. When I was making this project, I really just wanted to try something new,” she continued.” I’ve been really into drill recently, and my homie Nak [Na-Kel Smith] introduced me to [‘Freddie’ producer FearDorian], and I sent him a bunch of songs that I really loved listening to.” [via Brooklyn Vegan]

Check out more new hip-hop and rap made by women and non-binary artists via the playlist below!

The post appeared first on She Makes Music.

Artist, producer, multi-instrumentalist Becca Starr releases ‘Tides’ into the world. This track is about an underlying suspicion of authority and religion, surrounding a concern close to Becca’s heart – Climate change. Exploring themes of guilt, anger and activism. Packed with groove-laden beats, in-voking a Trible battle cry that could be used by climate activists, that then leads into melancholic vo-cals haunting the chorus, with Becca bringing her rapping skills to the forefront in explosive fashion.

In her latest video, ‘PBC’ rapper Flo Milli channels her inner supermodel, rocking various fashions and delivering confident walks on floating runways. Directed by Amber Park, ‘PBC,’ which stands for “pretty, Black, cute,” is a next-level visual showcasing Milli’s ability to deliver fire bars while looking spectacular in a variety of clothes. Some of her looks include a black and white one-piece garment with long leather gloves and matching pumps, a red pearl snap shirt with matching pants and a long wig, and a cut green leather suit with a tight hood encasing her head. [via UPROXX]

Maliibu Miitch releases her first track of 2022 today, and ‘Letter To My Ex’ is a highly personal song for the Bronx rapper. It lays out what happens when a relationship sours beyond repair. Maliibu says, “Relationships have many facets.  I’ve written about the good ones, and here is the other side of that.” [via Hip Hop Magz]

Queen Millz has offloaded her new drill banger, ‘Real One’. Millz easily slides through on the jumpy drill instrumental, rapping about wanting romance and a man to treat her right with a rememberable hook. ‘Real One’ comes complete with a loved-up music video showcasing Queen Millz cosy with her lover. [via GRM Daily]

Trina really deserves more. The Miami icon has been so good for so long, that it seems as though her consistency gets her overlooked. She’s also well-known for extending her platform to younger female rappers, blessing them with both her encouragement and her cosign. Rappers whose careers she’s helped include City Girls, LightSkinKeisha and Tokyo Jetz. Fortunately, it seems at least some of the popular ladies she’s assisted remember her help and are willing to return the favor. On her latest single, ‘Clap,’ Trina reunites with Latto for a frenzied strip club anthem that finds the two rappers playing femme fatale, stressing both their beauty and their danger. I guess you could say that the song’s a warning that looks kill. In her verse, Latto goes from demanding a check for her attention to threatening, “If I reach inside this Birkin, bitch, you better duck.” On the energetic hook, the two encourage their strip club counterparts to make their backsides clap to make that money. [via UPROXX]

Young M.A has shared a new track and video titled ‘Aye Day Pay Day’ alongside the release of an NFT capsule that celebrates her career. The new song finds the Brooklyn rapper riding an aqueous beat by Amadeus, Buda & Grandz, and MadeByMarz with characteristic confidence. Watch its Marc Diamond-directed visual treatment below. [via The FADER]

Buzzworl’s Madame Molly is back with an all-new single dubbed ‘Henny No Chase’. On this new drop from Madame Molly we get a taste of her versatility as she delivers a melodic chorus, as well as slick bar-heavy verses. The flexing we hear on the song is extended to the accompanying visuals where Molly gets glammed up for a quick photoshoot. [via GRM Daily]

Atlanta force Mercury has shared her new project tabula rasa in full. Arriving in a blaze of hype, Mercury released a string of singles, gaining some high profile co-signs in the process. With Drake shouting her out, Mercury then took a step back, opting to find focus over following the headlines. New 10 track project tabula rasa is more considered as a result, matching the raucous Southern hip-hop she grew up with alongside what she terms “swag music…” A project that embodies personal evolution, tabula rasa is marked by a search for truth. Mercury comments… “To me, tabula rasa feels like the beginning of change. This project just shows different aspects of me and I really feel like I’ve grown with this project and found myself with it. I’m excited for everyone to experience it in their own way.” Alongside this, Mercury has shared the video for tabula rasa track ‘RASTA PASTA’ – produced by the Frank Ocean co-signed 454, it exemplifies her creativity. [via Clash]

Rico Nasty released her excellent album Nightmare Vacation at the end of 2020, and since then, she’s been steadily cranking out one-off singles: ‘Magic,’ ‘Buss,’ the Flo Milli collab ‘Money.’ Rico, who performed with Doja Cat at Coachella this past weekend, is reportedly gearing up to release a new mixtape. Now, she’s dropped another new single, a collaboration with ascendant Atanta rapper Bktherula. Rico has a bunch of different styles, and the new track ‘Vaderz’ returns her to the frantic, punk-influenced SoundCloud rap that helped make her famous in the first place. The song jams a whole lot of jagged energy into two minutes, and Rico and Bktherula have great on-record chemistry. The two of them trade off lines, matching each other’s energy and lining up with each other’s punchlines. Bktherula: “That ho bananers if she thought I was green and insane like Invader Zim.” Rico: “No Hannah Montaner/ This ain’t no double life, bitch, it’s really the way that I live.” Check out the hectic lo-fi ‘Vaderz’ video below. [via Stereogum]

The post appeared first on She Makes Music.