Ondi – Empty Pages

Maryland-native, Ethiopian producer/artist Heno. unveils the striking music video to ‘IDCAS’, a highlight from his latest project ‘Death Ain’t That Bad’. Directed, filmed and edited by UnkleLuc (who’s worked with the likes of Young Thug, Lil Uzi Vert, Denzel Curry, Kenny Mason and more), the bold, dizzying clip perfectly mirrors the track’s hard-hitting and powerful aesthetic which sees Heno. lay down his rapid fire verses. Watch the clip to the right and be sure to give ‘Death Ain’t That Bad’ a spin too.

Montreal-based duo Ouri and Helena Deland aka Hildegard share sprawling single ‘Jour 1’, which is lifted from their forthcoming self-titled debut album which was created over an eight day period. Named after the day it was created (“Jour 1” translates to “Day 1”), the enrapturing single boasts a killer club beat that is topped off with Deland’s sweet yet hazy vocals to create an entirely immersive atmosphere. Check out the track and it’s accompanying self-directed music video to the right and keep an eye out for the debut project which drops on June 4th.

Following up her cover of Pixies’ ‘Where Is My Mind?’ for 4AD’s 40th anniversary compilation album ‘Bills & Aches & Blues’ last month, Australian singer, songwriter and rapper Tkay Maidza unleashes new single ‘Syrup’. Produced by Dan Farber, the single sees Maidza channel her inner Optimus Prime as she spits her sweet yet spicy words over the hard-hitting, bass-heavy beat. Check out the stellar track to the right and keep an eye out for more from Tkay Maidza.

North London-based artist Joviale follows up 2019’s ‘Crisis’ EP with enchanting, groove-inflected new single ‘Blow!’. Lifted from Joviale’s forthcoming new project titled ‘Hurricane Belle’ (which is co-produced by Bullion), ‘Blow!’ features the artist’s unique, mournful musings traipse across the lo-fi, jazz-inflected grooves. A marvelous introduction to ‘Hurricane Belle’ which is out next month, ‘Blow!’ is completed with a vivid self-directed music video which you can enjoy to the right.

Fresh off the release of ‘THEY DON’T LIKE ME’, L.A.-based bedroom pop producer SEB unveils shimmering new single ‘Coney Island’. Lifted from his forthcoming EP titled ‘IT’S OKAY, WE’RE DREAMING’, the dazzling cut boasts a hazy, summery soundscape that masks SEB’s exploration of darker themes where he reflects on his “mental health struggles and everything that comes with that”. Stream ‘Coney Island’ to the right and look out for ‘IT’S OKAY, WE’RE DREAMING’ which is out later this year.

Philadelphia-based songwriter and producer Body Meat (aka Christopher Taylor) drops his spectacular new EP ‘Year of the Orc’. Featuring previously released singles ‘ULTIMA’ and ‘4700’, the seven-track project exemplifies the artist’s impeccably intricate and genre-defying sound as glitchy, shape shifting soundscapes are topped up by equally morphing vocals that keep you on your toes at all times. With ‘Year of the Orc’, Body Meat serves up one of the year’s most refreshing and singular projects you’ll hear this year – stream it in full here.

Mexico City-based artist and COLORS alumna Girl Ultra (aka Mariana de Miguel) teases her forthcoming EP with the release of sensational new single ‘rosas (dímelo)’. Threading together her signature R&B inflections with nuances of Mexican bolero and those rich, sultry tones, ‘rosas (dímelo)’ arrives with a fiery music video directed by Cole Santiago. With the follow up to 2019’s ‘Nuevos Aires’ just around the corner, check out ‘rosas (dímelo)’ to the right.

After a string of single releases throughout 2020 Chinese-American singer/songwriter kaz moon shares the first song from his forthcoming new project in the form of ‘Furious’. Serving as an “abstract breakup song”, ‘Furious’ sees the rising artist lay down a soothing soundscape of soft drums and gentle guitars to allow his feather soft tones to glide across with ease. Stream ‘Furious’ here and keep an eye out for more from kaz moon later this year.

Montreal-based artist SKIIFALL teams up with London native Knucks on delicate yet hard-hitting new single ‘Ting Tun Up Part II’. Soundtracked by a gorgeous piano loop laced with a stunning saxophone solo courtesy of Venna to weave through YAMA//SATO-produced beat, ‘Ting Tun Up Part II’ sees the two artists showcase their own unique, but complementary delivery styles. Check out the track and its accompanying music video which is directed by Don’t grow up too Fast and Dir. LX to the right.

Japanese four-piece CHAI share bouncy new single ‘Nobody Knows We Are Fun’ which is taken from their forthcoming album ‘WINK’. Accompanied by an equally playful music video directed by Hideto Hotta, the track sees the quartet (comprising MANA, KANA, YUNA and YUUKI) deliver another intoxicating and catchy number as lead vocalist MANA’s delicate tones glide across the buoyant soundscape. Check out ‘Nobody Knows We Are Fun’ to the right and keep an eye out for ‘WINK’ which drops May 21st.

Ghanaian Hip-Hop and drill artist Yaw Tog bursts onto the scene with his superb debut EP ‘TIME’. Including the standout remix of ‘Sore’ which features Stormzy and Kwesi Arthur, the brilliant six-track project captures the young artist’s fiery and vivid verses over equally explosive beats that serve as the perfect backdrop. From the high octane atmospherics of opener ‘BOYZ’ to the mellow vibes of title-track ‘TIME’ and ‘Fake Ex’, the EP places Yaw Tog as an exciting prospect and one to watch over the coming years.

Toronto-based songwriter, poet and COLORS alum Mustafa announces his long-awaited debut album with the release of powerful new single and video ‘Ali’. Serving as the follow up to last year’s ‘Stay Alive‘ and ‘Air Forces‘ (which Mustafa performed for COLORS this past year), ‘Ali’ arrives with an equally spiritual and emotive music video which sees the artist take the helm behind the camera for the first time. Listen and watch ‘Ali’ to the right and keep an eye out for the album ‘When Smoke Rises’ which drops on May 28th.

Consider yourself introduced to Nigerian drill artist psiv (pronounced “PS-four”) and his exceptional debut EP ‘Welcome to the 234’. Over the course of the five-track project, the rising artist takes a deep dive into the harsh realities and complexities of life in Nigeria over powerful beats produced by the likes of Verse III, A2R Beatz, Mydus and Houdini Child. A poignant body of work that paints a picture of the glory and gore of the Nigerian experience, ‘Welcome to the 234’ well and truly puts psiv at the forefront of Nigerian drill music. Stream the EP in full to the right.

Nineteen year-old Perth-based artist MALi JO$E unleashes stellar new single ‘PORTALS’ which is produced by long-time collaborator OJC43. The single follows a series of equally impressive cuts from last year which include ‘This Could Be You’, ‘Squad’ and ‘Ladybird’ and arrives alongside an atmospheric music video. Check out ‘PORTALS’ here, which sees the young rapper reflect on “the feeling of uncertainty about the future”.

Maltese producer Yasmin Kuymizakis aka JOON reminds us of the ‘Good Times’ with sparkling and ever so groovy new single. Serving as a taste of her forthcoming debut album which is out later this year via Italian’s Do It Better, ‘Good Times’ is a swirling funk-fest that sees the artist team up with Johnny Jewel on production to create a dazzling synth-laden extravaganza. Check out ‘Good Times’ to the right – it’s a bop from start to finish.

South-East London based artist Joel Culpepper takes our breath away on dazzling new single ‘Thought About You’ which is produced by Shawn Lee. Lifted from his forthcoming and highly anticipated debut album ‘Sgt Culpepper’, the groove-inflected track packs quite a punch as the powerful beat and stylish bassline are topped up with Culpepper’s incredible falsetto-laden tones. Swoon the soulful psychedelia of ‘Thought About You’ here and keep an eye out for ‘Sgt Culpepper’ which is set to drop on July 23rd.

Brixton-based Turkish artist emir taha serves up lush soundscapes and melodic songwriting on new EP ‘Hoppa pt. 2’. Featuring previous offerings ‘Baka Baka’, ‘Mileage’, ‘Kendi Yoluna’ and ‘Bad Reception’, the six-track project sees the emerging talent expand on last year’s equally impressive ‘Hoppa pt. 1’ project. Packed with intricate arrangements that wonderfully blend Turkish influences with slick contemporary instrumentation, ‘Hoppa pt 2.’ is one of the most refreshing projects you’ll hear this year. Stream it in full here.

Ex-NFL pro EXUM follows up his exceptional debut single ‘Dark Kept Secret’ with hyper-charged new offering ‘Bad Chick Bad Dude’. Accompanied by a superb self-directed music video, the fiery track boasts a playful, bass-heavy beat that is perfectly juxtaposed by EXUM’s hard-hitting delivery that brings to mind the likes of JPEGMAFIA and Tyler, the Creator. With ‘Dark Kept Secret’ and now ‘Bad Chick Bad Dude’, EXUM has shown why he’s one to watch – catch the track and its visual accompaniment here.

Norwegian-Indian multidisciplinary artist Suchi Ahuja aka SUCHI pairs drum & bass with Norwegian folk music on striking cut ‘Gula i Deg’. Aching to be played at clubs and fill dance floors around the world, the explosive singles sees SUCHI lays down a killer composition of sweltering electronics that are interspersed with Sami vocalist Mari Boine captivating tone. Check out the single to the right, it’s a stomper from start to finish!

Chinese/Australian avant-garde composer Mindy Meng Wang 王萌 and Melbourne-based artist Tim Shiel team up for mesmerising new EP ‘Nervous Energy 一触即发’. Over the course of the project’s four expansive tracks, the two artists present wonderfully striking and seamlessly fluid blends of sounds that invite and invigorate from start to finish. From opener ‘Sleeping Tiger On The Bund 蓄势待发’ to closing cut ‘My Love Is Not What It Was 嗔念’, the EP is a blissfully vibrant and soothing experience from start to finish. Stream it in full to the right.