Now It's On

Video Spotlight: Faithless "I Need Someone"

One of the musical highlights for me in 2020 was the return of the legendary Faithless. Ten years after their last, and supposed final release, Rollo and Sister Bliss released All Blessed, the seventh Faithless album. Things were a little different this time around as Maxi Jazz was not involved with this release, although he does get a special thank you in the album credits for "passing the baton" to a number of younger vocalists and rappers that grace All Blessed, with Suli Breaks being the most prominent. Also missing for the first time on a Faithless album was Rollo's sister Dido who has sung at least one song on every prior Faithless full length. Dido did however feature on Rollo's 2019 solo album The Last Summer, released under the name R+, and if you are a Faithless fan and have not heard this album yet, I implore you to do so. It ranked as my favorite release of 2019. 

So All Blessed marked a new era of Faithless but the one thing that has not changed are the great songs, of which there are many here. The two featuring vocalist Nathan Ball especially stand out, first single "Synthesizer" and the latest release from the album, "I Need Someone". Also featuring Caleb Femi, this one jumped out at first listen as primed for remixes and a single release. The song's universal message of needing love and human connection is emphasized in the new video just released to accompany it. Dancers from across the globe are interspersed in between clips of protests, calls for action, equality and peace, something this band has stood for from the start. It's a powerful video for a new Faithless classic.

Official Website of Faithless

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Purchase All Blessed from the Faithless Official Online Store

Stream/Download/Purchase All Blessed from Apple Music

Stream All Blessed on Spotify

Video Spotlight: Dido "Give You Up"

A new album from Dido was the first pleasant surprise of the 2019 music year. Nearly twenty years after the release of No Angel she is set to return with the release of Still On My Mind, her fifth album and first since 2013, on March 8th. There have been a couple of teaser tracks released, including the stunning "Hurricanes", and now the first proper single and video are here for the lovely ballad "Give You Up". It's a classic Dido breakup song and she's looking and sounding as beautiful as ever in the Sophie Muller directed video. I will, of course, have a full review of the new album upon release, as well as coverage of the Toronto concert from her upcoming tour, my first time seeing Dido in close to twenty years. In the meantime, enjoy the new video below.     

Single Spotlight: Jessica Hernandez "Baby"

Jess is back! I've been a huge supporter of Detroit's own Jessica Hernandez since I first saw her perform a solo set back in 2010 in Ferndale as an opening act. Upon hearing THAT VOICE, and picking myself up off the floor because of it, I made sure to watch out for any local shows Hernandez had planned. That led me to see her fronting her band The Deltas all over town and I still have the posts and a lot of great memories of sweaty, packed shows to prove it.    

A lot has happened in the nine years since I first saw Jessica Hernandez play in metro Detroit. There was a much deserved major label deal that she rightfully walked away from, two fantastic albums on Instinct Records, a performance on David Letterman's show that left the legendary host fawning and raving afterwards, countless tours across the country and a growing fan base. But more important than all of those professional accomplishments, there was her marriage to Kyle Straka of the band The Growlers and the couple's first child, Stella Jean.

It is Stella that is the inspiration for Hernandez' first new music since becoming a new mom, the funked up, discofied and so aptly named "Baby". Hernandez describes the new single as a look at how much becoming a parent changes you, but it is also a celebration of still being able to have a career as a woman in music with her "baby by my side." Of course it's a jam, would you expect anything else from Jessica Hernandez? And of course the Kate Hollowell directed video to accompany "Baby" features Stella at the end in an adorable cameo. 2019 is already off to a great start, there is new Jessica Hernandez music in the world. And it's always an honor to feature it here at Now It's On.          

Official Website of Jessica Hernandez

Follow Jessica Hernandez on Twitter

Purchase "Baby" from Amazon.com

Purchase "Baby" from iTunes

Stream "Baby" on Spotify

Single Spotlight: Fossil Collective "Waves"

I swear I was just thinking last week about what had ever become of Fossil Collective. The English duo had one of my favorite albums of 2013 with their debut Tell Where I Lie and had pretty much disappeared since their 2016 EP Flux. The universe quickly answered my question when an e-mail popped up in my inbox from the band touting their new single. 

"Waves" is the band's first new music in two years. No word yet if it is part of a larger project or just a one-off, but here is hoping that long-awaited sophomore album is in the cards for this year. "Waves" sees the duo add some light electronics to their melodic folk/rock sound and also serves as proof they have not lost their talent for beautiful vocal harmonies. Just listen to that chorus. There is a striking new video also accompanying the single that I'm happy to share here. A sincere welcome back to Fossil Collective!

 

Purchase "Waves" from Amazon.com

Purchase "Waves" from iTunes 

Video Spotlight: Sepalot "Hard Rain"

German electronic music producer Sepalot is preparing for the release of his fifth album Hide&, due out March 24th. This will be the first part of a full length project called Hide&Seek, as Sepalot displays his grasp on both music to get you on the dance floor, as well as music to chill out to. As the curator of his own club nights and radio program, to the placement of his music in movies, trailers, television shows and ad campaigns, Sepalot has a busy 2017 ahead.

On the chilled side of things is "Hard Rain", the first song on the nine track album and the new video I'm happy to feature here. This is a live performance of the track, even more laid back than the album version, featuring Angela Aux on vocals and bass with Sepalot on keys, turntable and more. It's a fantastic piece of downtempo electronic.  

Video Spotlight: matt pond PA "Force Of Nature"

Matt Pond is a favorite here at Now It's On. Not just for the music he has released, both solo and with his group matt pond PA, but also for his determination and spirit in the face of an ever changing music industry that is less and less friendly to the artist. Pond has been at this since 1998 and with eleven albums and numerous EP's under his belt, soldiers on despite flirtations with major labels that didn't work out, and experiences with indie labels that were even worse.

Now Pond is in control of his destiny with his own label 131 Records, which released the wonderful Winter Lives last year, one of my favorite albums of 2016. Just released is the music video for my favorite track on that album "Force Of Nature", and its timing couldn't be more perfect. It's an incredibly uplifting song and Pond himself says of the video and song, "While I don't encourage the recklessness of our filmic endeavors, I do believe we should fight for the simple principles of love and understanding." A sentiment I fully endorse.   

Video Spotlight: Emancipator "Ocelot"

With his new album fast approaching, Emancipator has released the first video off of Seven Seas and it's a stunner. As gorgeous as the track "Ocelot" is, the video may be even more so. I'm always appreciative when a video suits a song, and here we have a perfect fit created by the directing duo known as 20X20. With fall and winter fast approaching, what better time for a new album from one of the best in the downtempo electronic game. Emancipator's Seven Seas releases September 25th on Loci Records.   

Video Spotlight: JR JR "Gone"

So they've changed their name from Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. to just JR JR but what hasn't changed are the perfect pieces of pop music Josh Epstein and Daniel Zott create. Their new album, also called JR JR is out September 25th on Warner Bros. and here is the first single and video, "Gone". It's yet another instantly catchy pop song, melodic, danceable and featuring the incomparable whistling talents of Epstein. And the video is out of this world, a parade of dancing lower torsos and funky leg moves directed by Los Pérez. Love the concept, love the song. Can't wait for that third full length.

Video Spotlight: Findlay Brown "Mountain Falls For The Sea"

It has been over five years since Findlay Brown's last album, 2010's Love Will Find You which was one of my favorites of that year. An album steeped in the sounds of 50's and 60's rockers like Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison, it was a rather radical departure from the folk leanings of his debut.

Brown is finally set to return this year with the release of his third album Slow Light on September 4th. If this new video is any indication, the Brooklyn based but York, England born singer-songwriter is revisiting the quieter, acoustic folk of his first album. "Mountain Falls For The Sea" is a gorgeous, sparse ballad, just an acoustic guitar and Brown's gentle vocal. It's a beautiful love song, brought to life by an equally beautiful video shot over two days in East London and the East Coast of England by award winning UK director Liam St. Pierre. The video traces a day in the life of two childhood friends as they journey from their apartment complex to the wide open sea. This is heartfelt, moving stuff.   

Artist Spotlight: Kagoule

This track, barely clocking in at three minutes, caught my attention when it arrived in my inbox. Then it was time to read the bio on the band to find out how many years they've toiled to perfect this sound, only to find out Kagoule consists of three teenagers from Nottingham that have been friends since childhood. They've been named an Artist to Watch by Rolling Stone magazine and their debut album Urth just arrived this past Friday, August 21st.

The trio consists of Cai Burns, Lucy Hatter and Lawrence English and they draw on numerous influences from Bikini Kill and early Smashing Pumpkins to Fugazi. Signed to Earache Records, a label more known for its roster of metal bands, Kagoule have seen their profile rise with radio play in the UK, coverage in numerous major music magazines and a performance at Glastonbury, to name a few highlights. 

Featured here is new single "Centralwing", a raw sounding track that still boasts a chorus that instantly hooked me. It sounds like something I would've heard on alternative rock radio in the 90's. And below, check out their new self-made video for album track "Made Of Concrete". And yes, they pretty much just sit there for three minutes while the song plays. If that isn't a proper rock & roll attitude, I don't know what is. Kagoule is set to make their American debut this September with a couple of shows in New York.

Official Website of Kagoule

Kagoule on Facebook

Follow Kagoule on Twitter

Purchase Urth from Amazon.com (Currently only available as a Digital Download in the U.S.)