Hip-hop/R&B artist Luv Troi followed the release of his single “ODOYK” with a music video on April 2. The track is a lead single off his upcoming mixtape MANIA, releasing April 20, and has a unique take on love and lust in a relationship. Luv Troi created “ODOYK” in May of 2020, after getting the beat from Los Angeles producer, Fletch. “I would have never guessed when making it that “ODOYK” would be a lead single for MANIA,” says Luv Troi.

Featured on the critically acclaimed Swedish blog PopMuzik, the song describes the most intense part of having a crush. Yaniza says, “I wrote it when I was completely enamored with someone who I was pretty sure was not into me, but as the song says ‘either way I gotta say I’ve fallen’.” From happiness and excitement to a crash of unreciprocated feelings, a crush gone wrong can take people on emotional rollercoasters, and Yaniza has written about it all.

To sit with stillness – however uncomfortable it may be, with all possible emotions coming up – is a necessary part of being a human being, and even more necessary to be creative. Quarantine has been a forced opportunity to explore that stillness.

Sasha Smith is a self-made artist born in San Sebastián in the Basque Country in Northern Spain. Smith was brought up speaking English at home, Spanish while playing in the street, and Basque at school. “I’m a mix of all these different cultures that come from my family and where I’ve lived,” says Smith. “I have family spread out across the globe, from Australia to Argentina.” After receiving his first electric guitar at the age of 13, Smith was hooked. He fell into the craft of songwriting and felt deeply inspired by legends like John Frusciante.

“Holding On” follows the November 2020 release of “POWER” – Andreas Moe’s interpretation of the Kanye West hit – and provides listeners with a taste of what is to come on his 2021 EP. As a five-time Platinum-certified songwriter, Moe has worked with artists around the world such as Avicii, John De Sohn, Tiesto, Cheat Codes, Omi & Sabrina Carpenter. Having opened for artists like Gabrielle Aplin, Kodaline and for John Mayer during The Search For Everything Tour performing at the famed O2 Arena in London and the Stockholm Globe Arena, Moe is an experienced performer – garnering millions of fans worldwide. In December 2019, Andreas Moe was invited to perform at the Avicii tribute concert in Stockholm alongside international stars including Rita Ora, David Guetta & Kygo in front of a 60,000 strong audience.

Alternative indie duo Moon Rise City have released their empowering new single “Crawling Slowly” on January 8. The song was written to provide solace to those going through a difficult time and provide them with the courage to find what’s best for them. “It’s about hearing your inner truth, the pull between following your head or your heart, right and wrong, fight or flight,” says Moon Rise City. The song touches on a toxic relationship and how a person can feel entranced by the ups and downs. “Behind your darkness, I’m in heaven,” member Lauren Tracy sings with a sultry, alluring voice. “Crawling slowly, but somehow I’m falling down.”