NOW and THEN R & B

Music's Journey PodcastINTERVIEW #204w/ R & B Singer/Songwriter/ Producer Ann VriendHosted by Kim CyrPresented by NOW and THEN Magazinewww.musicsjourney.comhttps://www.nowandthenmagazine.comMusic's Journey INTERVIEW #201 w/R & B Singer/Songwriter Ann Vriend's Latest Single and Video ‘’If You Were Here''Ann VriendNew Single‘’If You Were Here''feat. Jory KinjoMusic's Journey INTERVIEW #201Music's Journey Interview #204 w/ R & B Singer/Songwriter Ann Vriend New Single and Video ‘’If You Were Here''Canadian artist AV (Ann Vriend) is an internationally recognized singer-songwriter, musician, and producer, whose effortless blend of Blues, Roots, and Soul has recently landed her a nomination in the Keyboardist of the Year category at the 2023 Maple Blues Awards at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre in January. Her latest album, "Everybody Matters", has sold thousands of units worldwide to date, ranked #28 on Alberta's CKUA Radio Network's Top 100 Albums of 2022, and reached #20 on the Earshot National Chart. AV performed at the event that took place at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre Theatre on Monday, January 30th, 2023.   AV has twice been the recipient of the Cobalt Music Prize at the Maple Blues Awards, an annual event celebrating Blues music across the country and honouring outstanding achievements in the field.With radio play around the world and on commercial radio in Germany, currently sitting at #2 on VHR's "International Hits", AV's soulful, socially focused project is continuing to have an impact across the globe. The two-time "Cobalt Music Prize" winner at the Maple Blues Awards has also taken home the "R&B/Soul Recording of the Year" Award at the Edmonton Music Awards and has played some of the world's most coveted music festivals, including SXSW and Reeperbhan, along with having her music featured in Elle Magazine, CBC Radio, CTV, and Global News.As AV prepared to take the stage at the 2023 Maple Blues Awards in Toronto at the end of January, she had just released a brand new video for "If You Were Here" from "Everybody Matters" - a soulful and haunting ballad that features AV's powerful, longing vocals alongside the rich and rough-edged voice and bass playing of well-known Calgary artist Jory Kinjo. Kinjo has toured with B.B. King and a long stream of other legendary Blues artists, as well as many well-known Ska and Reggae groups. Music's Journey INTERVIEW #204 w/ R & B Singer/Songwriter Ann Vriend New Single and Video ‘’If You Were Here''AV - Wish You Were Here Official Music VideoAbout "If You Were Here":“If You Were Here”, is a lonely, haunting, Blues duet based on a wordless chorus sung in harmony about longing, wandering, and what keeps people in relationships. Originally released in 2012, the song was co-written with Canadian singer-songwriter Matt Epp while at a Folk Alliance conference in Memphis. The tune was initially penned in dedication to Jeff Buckley, who drowned in the arm of the Mississippi River AV and Epp could view from the conference hotel. The stand out, somber harmonies for the track were crafted in the hotel stairwell, where the natural reverb and constant stream of musicians chiming in as they went past was the initial musical inspiration for the song's vocal hook; a long stream of people wandering in hope of finding something more.From AV: "My first tour since the pandemic was in Western Europe, and many audience members told me it was their first outing and concert in more than 2 years. You could see the toll that being apart from other people had taken, but also a new-found appreciation and joy of being together socially again. Many refugees were in the audience, being billeted with families who'd taken them in due to the war in the Ukraine. Many of the refugees were teenagers and young adults, away from their parents and families, and though they were grateful for the hospitality, the stress of the war and being apart from people they loved was very evident. People really seemed to connect then to this haunting duet about being apart.  For me the song mirrored what I felt myself; after such a long hiatus of not touring and performing with the people who have become close friends, and not seeing so many people on the road, many of whom also have become close. But also it resonated back home; as I live in a neighborhood in Edmonton that has a high population of displaced people:  recent refugees from war torn or dangerous countries world-wide, as well as Indigenous people who have been moved time and time again since colonialism began.  There are many shelters in my neighborhood of many varieties, so daily I see a flow of people wandering past my window, many with all their belongings in bags or in shopping carts, and it's especially hard for folks in the winter.So, for all these reasons I wanted to sing this song again right now, because though it is a song about loneliness and separation and longing it is also a duet-- and it is about human connection that I hope transcends past barriers, politics, and passports and reminds us of our commonality and humanity." - AVHere is a part of my interview with singer-songwriter Ann Vriend.KC: What were your influences musically in your life that impacted the kind of songwriter you wanted to be?AV: Hard to say in retrospect because I was just a kid but probably a major contributing factor that I was read to a lot from a very young age, by especially my dad, probably got an ear for storytelling and language through that. And also I started music lessons quite young, and chord progressions and melodies have always come fairly easily to me— of course songwriting is storytelling put to music, so it kind of combines that.  There was never really a conscious decision to become a songwriter— I was just always doing it.  But listening to what other songwriters were doing— I would try to see if I could write in their style, so that inadvertently affected my own songwriting style, I am sure.KC: Do you remember a song that you heard that stands out in your mind that made you want to write and pursue music as your career?AV: There isn’t a certain song.  But I did see a band at a club in Edmonton at a “battle of the bands” contest, and I LOVED the band that was the winning band— a funk band— and I found out that they were attending this music school in town, and I told my roommate that night that I needed to go to a music school where I could meet and play with people like that.  So the next day I lined up an audition and said that if I got in I would drop out of university— the audition went horribly but something I got in anyway, and at that school— Grant MacEwan College (now a university) was really a major critical changing point in my life. I had to face a lot about myself in learning how to be a performer, and of course, learned a LOT about music.  But by the end of the 2-year program, there was no turning back— I had the bug and I did meet a ton of musicians, many of whom I work with to this day.KC: When you started this journey in music, everyone has a set idea of what they thought success is to them.  What was that idea for you at the beginning of your career and has the idea of success changed for you today?AV: Oh man that is a great question.  I think, like many if not most people, at first I had this idea in my mind at first that it is this glamorous life of fame and adoration because of course that’s what we see in the media and magazines.  When you actually get into it and start paying your dues at the bottom you rapidly learn it is not like that for the vast majority of musicians lol. Which disillusions a lot of people. This is why the ones who stick with it I think have to define success differently than that.  A friend of mine who’s an AMAZING musician once posted something when she won one of her many (deserved) awards that mentioned “external gratification.”  And that term really made me think.  I realized unless I was happy MYSELF about what I was producing— in the studio and on stage— I would always be seeking things from other people and that that is such an insecure, terrifying space to live in because of course no one has control over that— or at least I don’t.  So since then, I’ve just been trying to really be proud of what I do, regardless of what other people have to say about it— and weirdly that has resulted in things going better than when I actually was trying to obtain accolades or approval or money or things like that.  So— I’m sticking with that approach :)KC: With your parents encouraging you to have a voice, caring about your surroundings, your communities around you…tell us about drawing on those inspirations for writing and how the gospel and soul styles of African American culture and 70’s folk/pop that stuck with you as the kind of music you wanted to be… AV: Well musically I think the emotions and rhythms of that music put together with some amazingly strong singers can’t really be topped.  So that’s the first thing.  But also of course the injustices and struggles that are told in soul and RnB are ones that people all over can relate to more or fewer degrees— definitely, my own neighborhood has a lot of struggles that are similar and so my love of the music and listening to social commentaries like Superbly by Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye, Aretha, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone— basically pretty much all soul artists — it just seemed to go together.  70s folk/pop artists from the colonial side were also kind of coming to terms with their own materialist culture and starting to question things like the Vietnam war and other things like that— beginning to realize some of the propaganda they had been fed.  So— growing up on that music made it seem normal to be a writer and thinker who questioned the status quo, I guess.KC:  This album is almost completely self-written. The album features you and only three other musicians that appear in this project. Tell us about deciding to do a project completely stripped down …uti

Music's Journey Podcast  INTERVIEW #124   w/ Juno Award Winning R&B Singer/Songwriter  'Sean Jones'  Hosted by Kim Cyr  www.musicsjourney.com  https://www.nowandthenmagazine.com  Music's Journey Podcast INTERVIEW w/ JUNO Award-Winning R&B Singer/Songwriter Sean Jones Releases New Album “Weekend Lover”  Sean Jones  New Album  ''Weekend Lover''  Music's Journey Podcast INTERVIEW w/ JUNO Award-Winning R&B Singer/Songwriter Sean Jones Releases New Album “Weekend Lover”  TORONTO, ON – JUNO award-winning R&B singer-songwriter Sean Jones is back with a brand-new album titled Weekend Lover. The album features a set of songs that are reminiscent of 90’s R&B and will be released November 5 via all streaming platforms.   Produced by Murray Daigle (Keshia Chante, Serena Ryder, BRDGS), the album has something for everyone with its mix of fast and mid-tempo tracks and just the right amount of awesome slow jams added to the mix. Love Will, a bass-heavy mixture of classic house and 90’s R&B, written by Jones, Daigle, and Adrian X, was the first release from the album and speaks to the theme of love in a real and honest way.   “I am so excited about this record. This album is a coming home of sorts for me. While I have truly enjoyed creating and performing music in multiple genres over the years, 90's R&B has always been my first love. This record is just an extension of my heart. There is no filler. Every song is special and unique in its own way. And the tunes will undoubtedly take you back in time. Murray and I made sure to add in just enough modern-day elements to keep this fresh and in line with the sound of music today. I am super proud of this body of work. If you are a lover of 90's R&B I can most certainly guarantee that you will not be disappointed.”   Opening with the album's title track, listeners are immediately transported to a nostalgic scene of young lust and seduction. “Weekend Lover” is a throwback anthem that sets the album’s tone, bringing it back to Sean’s roller-skating days. “Drink” is an infectious earworm and this entrancing track flutters through the materialistic wonders of life, and lands on the remaining fact that staying grounded in what is really important - the human connection - is the key to living a meaningful life.   Weekend Lover has been in the works for quite some time, a fact that is especially evident with “Hooked”, the song marking the halfway point of the album, featuring a rhythmic guitar progression that was written by Sean back in 2010. It took just over a decade for Sean to find the right melody and lyrics to accompany the track, preciseness that is indicative of the singer-songwriter’s dedication to his craft.   In 2015, Sean became the first artist to secure a solo summer residency at the historic Casa Loma in downtown Toronto. The Monday night revue titled Soul in The City gave Jones and his nine-piece band, The Righteous Echo, the chance to showcase his original songs as well as their take on popular old-school R&B and soul hits. The show would also give emerging artists a stage to share their talents.   The night's overwhelming success led to WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline, handpicking Sean to create a musical experience for the passengers aboard their flights. For the project titled, The WestJet Boarding Sessions, Jones recorded new versions of classic Canadian hits such as These Eyes by The Guess Who, The Weight by The Band, and Angel by Sarah McLachlan and flew across Canada to interview some of these cherished musical icons.   “Growing up, my parents played all the classics, Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, The Supremes... the list goes on and on. I loved all of it then and to this day. However, the music of the late ‘80s and ‘90s is what sparked my interest in performing. There was something about the musical energy of that time. The R&B/Pop songs were infectious and well written. I was truly missing that vibe and started writing songs in that vein. It’s taken a couple of years to finish, but I’m excited to start sharing it with everyone.”   Sean continues his long-time working relationship with manager Laura van Leest of Bellefair Artists and will spend the better part of 2022 promoting the new album, performing select shows across Canada, and continuing to grow his acting resume with Hero Artists.   Sean Jones - Weekend Lover Track Listing   Weekend Lover   1. Rub   2. Drink   3. She Is   4. Body To Love   5. Love Come Down   6. My Love   7. Hooked   8. Black Diamond   9. Puttin In Work   10. All Fall Down (feat. Storry)   11. Sweet Wine   12. Make Love   13. Love Will   14. I Do  Music's Journey Podcast INTERVIEW w/ JUNO Award-Winning R&B Singer/Songwriter Sean Jones Releases New Album “Weekend Lover”  SEAN JONES - WEEKEND LOVER (OFFICIAL VIDEO)  Sean Jones - Love Will  WestJet Boarding Sessions Ep. 1: Sean Jones WestJet Boarding Sessions with Sean Jones ABOUT SEAN JONES   Sean Jones is a JUNO award-winning R&B singer/songwriter determined to bring a fresh and contemporary vibe to the classic soul sound that has inspired him in the past. His 200+ live renditions of soulful ballads, funky R&B workouts, and original material have consistently left audiences breathless. Sean has enjoyed a distinguished career that has seen him perform on the shores of Monaco, in the islands of Hawaii, at London’s historic Trafalgar Square, at New York’s Carnegie Hall, and The Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Centre. Most recently, Sean has had the honour of opening for Ellen DeGeneres at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC, and Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON.  Music's Journey Podcast INTERVIEW w/ JUNO Award-Winning R&B Singer/Songwriter Sean Jones Releases New Album “Weekend Lover”  Follow Sean Jones  Website  Twitter  Facebook  Instagram  YouTube  Spotify  Apple

Rashida Z   ''More''       Rashida, the name meaning righteous; wise; knows her own way is the true description and introduction of the great independent artist Rashida Z. Emit Radio describes Rashida Z’s sound as a mix of the late, great Whitney Houston merged with Alicia Keys in the R&B category of Adult Contemporary with a hint of pop.  Prolific songwriting is her claim to fame and it is evident the moment you hear her thought provoking, unapologetically honest lyrics intertwined with her original, hitmaker style that makes her melodies so memorable and will have you singing along right away.        Rashida Z’s new song “Colorblind” has been described by music industry professionals as a “Hit and a Half”. With its racially inclusive lyrics, Colorblind is a stunner reminiscent of music that is fit for the big screen. Colorblind is Produced by Branden Burch who also Produced India Arie’s “There’s Hope” and her latest “He’s Got That Magic”. As if that was not enough Colorblind is topped off with a hint of music royalty with Andrew Debarge from the beloved Debarge family on guitar.        Rashida Z’s songs receives daily radio airplay and  have been played on major broadcast radio stations within the United States, with Beasley Media Group’s WPEG Power 98 in Charlotte NC being the first to play her song Colorblind that is truly fit for these racially unstable times. The DJ at Power 98 described Colorblind as “Dope” and a song that “caught him off guard”. He played it on air within a few days of receiving it. Recently making the Hot Adult Contemporary Charts Spotify Playlist, this song is becoming a favorite of many listeners.  Communique Magazine of the Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia Area featured Rashida Z and the lyrics to her song Colorblind in their latest August 2020 Special Youth Edition Issue as a tool to help bring understanding in the discussion with kids aged 8-18 about the complexities of racial tension in our world. Her song "Ask Me Again" is an R&B smasher and her latest ballad "More" is an honest and vulnerable "tell all" about a relationship that although everything seems right, marriage does not seem like it will happen, which relates to the statistics of so many couples in relationships but not married today.   Taking nothing for granted, her focus with her music is to touch hearts, change minds, tell the truth through song with the intention that her music relates to every person who is experiencing life and all of its complexities and to put life changing music to our everyday experiences. Rashida Z says, “We’re all going through similar situations in one way or another and I want my music to be an outlet that people can use to make this grand gift of life a little more understandable and meaningful.”   Watch Colorblind Watch More Here You can check out Rashida Z’s latest releases anywhere digital music is streamed, downloaded and sold.   Also, find out more about her and her music at www.borntowritesongs.com    Instagram  Facebook   Facebook2

Savannah Ré   "Where You Are"   Toronto R&B artist and songwriter Savannah Ré has released the first single from her much anticipated debut EP Opia today. A flawless blend of Ré’s expressive honey-hued vocals and the intoxicating vibe of the Boi-1da/Allen Ritter beat, “Where You Are” showcases the effortless runs and intimate songwriting Savannah Re’s artistry is known for. Written by Savannah Ré and Marcus Semaj (dvsn, Snoh Aalegra) and produced by Grammy Award winning producers Boi-1da (Drake, Eminem, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar) and Allen Ritter (Cardi B, Kanye West, Rhianna, Travis Scott), "Where You Are" serves as the follow-up to her recent releases "DVP" and 2019's "Best Is Yet To Come" which was selected as one of the 100 Best Songs of the Year by Apple Music. Of the song, Savannah Ré says:  "Where You Are" truly feels like the beginning of my story. “Best Is Yet To Come” was the intro and this record here is the start of the conversation. We started the song in L.A. at Record Plant recording studios and it was just such an amazing experience. I still get nervous every time I work with Boi-1da even though he’s the nicest human being ever. It’s honestly been a dream of mine to also work with Allen Ritter so it was all just so surreal. “WYA” is about my own experience of having to be away from my man, literally in different countries, for sometimes months at a time. Marcus Semaj helped me paint the full picture and we brought forward something that is so real and relatable. It’s actually wild that this song was pre-quarantine because it’s almost eerie how relevant it is now." "Savannah Ré has released a flawless blend of Ré’s expressive honey-hued vocals and the intoxicating vibe of the Boi-1da/Allen Ritter beat, “Where You Are” showcasing the effortless runs a.nd intimate songwriting Savannah Re’s artistry is known for. Incredible singer/songer that has it all to run with the best in her genre''.- NOW and THEN Magazine    Follow Savannah Ré:  Website Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Spotify Apple   

  MALACHI  "Out Of My Reach"  Toronto’s newest up-and-coming R&B artist MALACHI reveals the striking new music video for his standout single, “Out Of My Reach.” The track was featured on his debut EP, Right Now released last month.  Growing up on the outskirts of Toronto, 22-year-old rising artist MALACHI, spent his childhood surrounded by music of all genres. From his Trinidadian-born father’s reggae career to his mother’s favourite R&B singers like Mary J. Blige, Aaliyah and Destiny’s Child, music was always part of his environment. At the age of four, he began grounding himself in music when his grandmother had him join their church's gospel choir.  In 2019, MALACHI took the world by storm with his debut mixtape, Bread Winner, and a number of stand out singles including, “Son of a Gun,” “We Don’t Mind,” “I Got You,” “San Fernando Wine,” and his major label debut, “Right Now.”  The video release of "Out Of My Reach" solidifies MALACHI’s upward trajectory, as he continues to set his sights on breaking through to the R&B music scene and beyond.  Spending the last three years in the studio, Malachi took his songwriting, arranging, and vocal work to the next level, readying for the right moment to release the outpouring of their creativity. Malachi has done just that.  It's killer! On the new EP, MALACHI notes: “This is the first body of work I ever created so these songs will always feel special to me. I poured my life experiences from that time into these songs. I’ve been sharing pieces of it up until now. This is the bookend to the first chapter. And I’m most excited for ‘Out Of My Reach’ to finally be released. It’s my most different song sonically and one of my personal favourites.”  Right Now arrives as a genre bending collection of songs that showcase MALACHI’s undeniable vocal strength and songwriting abilities. From the incredible piano ballad, “Soul Is Mine,” to the upbeat “I Got You,” each track draws on the diverse range of musical influences that lead to MALACHI’s distinct sound and style.  Right Now – Tracklist:  Soul  San Fernando Wine  Right Now  Out Of My Reach  I Got You  We Don’t Mind  Aquafina Follow MALACHI:  INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Canadian Artist Emanuel Debuts New Single with Help from Idris Elba   Emanuel  Debut Single  ''Need You''  :  Idris Elba-curated video for rising Canadian artist Emanuel's debut single "Need You"   Rising Canadian R&B star Emanuel shares the video for his debut single “Need You” today. Hours after the track’s release last week, Golden Globe-winning actor, musician and producer—and friend and supporter of Emanuel—Idris Elba OBE started the collaborative social media campaign #NeedYou2020, encouraging people to send in imagery documenting how they were coping with self-isolation with the intention to create an “inspirational collage.”   Within 24 hours, over 3,000 submissions for the collaborative video had been sent in from people around the globe with a final total of over 4,500 entries from over 20 countries. By creating this collaborative call to action, Elba and Emanuel let the world direct: a moving, honest expression of humanity’s deep need for connection. Emanuel’s stirring vocals and the compelling images create a sense of union in a distanced world.  “Need You” is the first single from Emanuel’s forthcoming debut EP, ALT THERAPY—Session 1: Disillusion, set for release this spring via Universal Music Canada. Writing from the perspective of a first-generation Canadian, Emanuel celebrates freedom, hope, and love through the ancient tradition of songwriting. With four generations of musicians in his family history, Emanuel has a deep respect for the connection and therapeutic power of music. Like his grandfather and great-grandfathers before him, he uses the medium of music to share his stories.  Follow Emanuel:   Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Aretha Franklin & Mary J. Blige feat. The Harlem Boys Choir   ''Never Gonna Break My Faith''   Aretha Franklin’s “Never Gonna Break My Faith” has dropped as a solo version via RCA Records, RCA Inspiration, and Legacy Recordings. The previously unreleased track features the Boys Choir of Harlem.  The spiritually uplifting and soulful track inspires hope and to remain resolute in the world’s uprising against systemic racism and police brutality. The lyrics ring as true today as they did more than a decade ago when it was written.    “You can lie to a child with a smiling face/Tell me that color ain’t about a race,” the late Queen of Soul belts on the chorus. “You can cast the first stone, you can break my bones/But you’re never gonna break/You’re never gonna break my/Faith and hope ain’t yours to give/Truth and liberty are mine to live/Steal a crown from a king, break an angel’s wings/But you’re never gonna break, never gonna break my faith.”  ."Never Gonna Break My Faith" originally was released as a duet with Mary J. Blige on the soundtrack to 2006's "Bobby," about the life of Robert F. Kennedy. It earned Franklin a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance — her 18th and final win.   In a statement, Clive Davis called Franklin's vocals "chilling" and said the song deserves to become an anthem.   “The world is very different now. Change is everywhere and each of us, hopefully, is doing the best he or she can to move forward and make the change as positive as possible,” said Davis, whose history with Franklin dated back decades. "Everyone should hear this record."   Franklin died in August 2018 at 76. "Respect," a biopic about the Detroit icon starring Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, is currently due out Dec. 25.  Written by Kim Cyr-Goodyear  MORE DETAILS:   FACEBOOK: /arethafranklin  TWITTER: /arethafranklin  YOUTUBE: /arethafranklin  INSTAGRAM: /arethafranklin  arethafranklin.net

''TALK'' An R&B innovator wonders what it all means on the follow-up to his great debut.   Khalid tries to tackle one of the most difficult tasks in love, defining the relationship, on his infectious new song, “Talk,” which features production from the British duo Disclosure.  “Talk” boasts a bouncy beat of crisp drums and elastic synths that spring between Khalid’s tender croon. “I’ve never felt like this before,” Khalid sings, “I apologize if I’m moving too far/Can’t we just talk? Can’t we just talk?/Figure out where we’re going.”  Per Billboard, “Talk” is the first song from Khalid’s next record, which is expected to arrive in April. In a statement, Khalid said, “This album is the culmination of all of the growth and experiences I have gathered over the past two remarkable years. I have been in the studio pouring my soul and spirit to create a body of work that I hope speaks to each and every one of you.” Hearing a lonely American teen sing softly and sweetly about coming of age — barely out of high school, with his adolescent weed-booze-and romance fantasia freshly intact — is what made Khalid Robinson a crucial fire-starter of the new R&B movement.  His rough voice and its melancholy ache were the vocal equivalent of a furrowed brow; his breezy, surprisingly lo-fi music provided a mix of ’80s synth-soul and blissful beats. Khalid’s debut album, 2017’s “American Teen,” was an exquisite vision of the same “quiet storm” Smokey Robinson sang about in 1975. Replace Smokey’s pillow talk with Khalid’s obsession with immediate connection, Internet camaraderie, cellphone photo albums and Uber hookups, then add in the folly, frolic and fragility of what it means to be a teen, and you got a modern, multi-platinum artist hinting at the past but racing into the future. A gifted artist with a searching voice that can suggest a stoner Sam Cooke, Khalid further developed his pop chops on last year’s Suncity EP, nodding to reggaeton and Coldplay-esque melody. That wide-ranging talent is on display all over his second LP. The best moments recall American Teen’s airy feel and warm charisma. “Talk,” produced by U.K. house duo -Disclosure, is a gorgeously bloopy synth-soul strut; on “Right Back,” Khalid extends an invitation to hang at the beach, over a sparkling track that smoothly interpolates Big Pun’s Nineties classic “Still Not a Player.” The credits to Free Spirit include Norse hitmakers Stargate, and Portugal. The Man producer John Hill. Yet despite some noteworthy cameos — John Mayer on the feathery disco tune “Outta My Head,” Father John Misty assisting on production for the maudlin “Heaven” — the LP isn’t overly burdened by the bold-faced guest spots you’d expect on a follow-up by an artist coming off a Top 10 debut. Instead, it gets tripped up by a different sophomore pitfall: Now that he isn’t an underdog, Khalid lapses into a little too much new-star introspection, exploring an ivory-tower aloneness that can recall the Weeknd’s goth-‘n’-B. On “My Bad,” he tries to stir some drama out of missing your texts because he was working too late at the studio, with nothing to ease his angst but some limpid George Benson guitar flicks. Elsewhere, why-me reflections like “Alive” and “Hundred” feel like solo late-night Uber rides into the dark heart of the soul.  The self-examining gloom gets thicker as the record proceeds. But Khalid remains a sympathetic guy; see “Self,”where he shifts from bluesy grumble to flighty falsetto as he observes, “My raw emotion make me less of a man?” turning self-doubt into a critique of phony masculinity. That openness also comes through on the bonus track “Saturday Nights,” also on Suncity; Khalid’s voice vaults beautifully as he sings to a girl with a rough home life and a job she hates. It’s a sweet song with a classic message: Growing up is hard to do. Free Spirit reminds us just how weird it can be. ''Free Spirit'' Movie Trailer Follow Khalid, go to: Website Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

7 rings   New Single From   Ariana Grande   Ariana Grande's "7 rings" is the latest follow up to smash hits "thank u, next" & "breathin".   Sweetener World Tour includes the Canadian dates below:   April 1 - Montreal, QC - Bell Centre   April 3 - Toronto, ON - Scotiabank Arena   April 25 - Edmonton, AB - Rogers Place   April 27 - Vancouver, BC - Rogers Arena  Website  Facebook  Twitter  Instagram  YouTube

Gesaffelstein & The Weeknd (guess-ahf-uhl-stine)  Lost in the Fire  In DJ Gesaffelstein's latest release, a collaboration with the Canadian crooner, 'The Weeknd', he shows off his ability to make both something soulful and pop-ready. As usual, the music has a fantastic melody, while delivering some of the most unapologetic lyrics you would hear come out of the mouth of a R&B singer.  The Weeknd is already hyping up Chapter 6, a new album that’s reportedly “coming soon.” “Being in Toronto these past two days, I haven’t been this inspired in years,” he told a crowd in November. Watch the official video, directed by Manu Cossu, below    OUT OF THE BOX SUPPORT:  KiSS 92.5 / Toronto KiSS 104.9 / Vancouver  MORE DETAILS:  FACEBOOK: /gesaffelsteinmusic INSTAGRAM: /gesaffelstein YOUTUBE: /GesaffelsteinChannel gesaffelstein.com

Bad Bunny  MIA (feat. Drake)  Today, iconic Latin trap and reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny releases a brand new single and video entitled “MIA (feat. Drake)” (Pronounced “Me-Ah”).  See the official video here!  Follow Bad Bunny Online  Facebook | Instagram

Bad Bunny  MIA (feat. Drake)  Today, iconic Latin trap and reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny releases a brand new single and video entitled “MIA (feat. Drake)” (Pronounced “Me-Ah”).  See the official video here!  Follow Bad Bunny Online  Facebook | Instagram

Bad Bunny  MIA (feat. Drake)  Today, iconic Latin trap and reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny releases a brand new single and video entitled “MIA (feat. Drake)” (Pronounced “Me-Ah”).  See the official video here!  Follow Bad Bunny Online  Facebook | Instagram