In this week’s edition of What’s Going On, I’m back with a slate of new songs for you to enjoy as you kick off 2021. Surprisingly, 2020 turned out to be a strong music year and I’m curious to hear what sounds this year will have in store for all of us. This week, I’ve got music from Ringo Starr, Zedd, Melanie Durrant, Sheppard and Jude the Obscure. As always, if you dig what you’re hearing, be sure to stream and follow these artists.
Ringo Starr – Iconic drummer for the Beatles, Ringo Starr is out with his new single “Here’s To The Nights” and he’s got backup. On this Dianne Warren-penned track, Starr is joined by Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh, Corinne Bailey Rae, Eric Burton of Black Pumas, Sheryl Crow, FINNEAS, Dave Grohl, Ben Harper, Lenny Kravitz, Jenny Lewis, Steve Lukather, Chris Stapleton and Yola. While that might sound like overkill, I assure you – it works. It’s the sort of song that will instantly put a smile on your face as you reminisce about nights out with dear friends. “Here’s To The Nights” is the lead single from Ringo Starr’s forthcoming EP Zoom In which is due out on March 19 via Universal.
Listen to Ringo Starr’s new single ‘Here’s To The Night’s below.
Zedd – World-renowned DJ & producer Zedd worked with rising UK superstar Griff on his new single “Inside Out.” Zedd burst onto the scene with his song “Clarity” back in 2012 and he hasn’t slowed since. “Inside Out” sees him team up with Chinese/Jamaican pop singer-songwriter Griff who has been tapped as an artist to watch by outlets such as Vogue and NME. The song has already racked up 9.6 million streams on Spotify, guaranteeing that it’s a song you’ll be hearing a lot of in 2021. Griff’s vocals transform what could wrongly be dismissed as a piece of EDM fluff into something so much more.
Listen to Zedd’s new single ‘Inside Out’ ft. Griff below.
Sheppard – Australian pop band Sheppard are flying high with “Learning to Fly,” their uplifting new single. The band consisting of the Sheppard siblings – Amy, George and Emma – are gearing up for the release of their third album Kaleidoscope Eyes, due out on February 26. A dance banger with a driving insistent beat, the lyrics of “Learning to Fly” speak to getting back to joy and wonder which is the perfect message for starting a new year. On the meaning behind their new single, George Sheppard says: “‘Learning to Fly’ is a tune about getting back in touch with our inner child: remembering that sense of wonder that we used to feel when the world was new, and figuring out how to get it back.”
Listen to Sheppard’s new single ‘Learning to Fly’ below.
Melanie Durrant – One of Toronto’s best voices, Melanie Durrant is back! Her new single “Ride With Me” can best be described as rock & soul. More indie-pop than the R&B that listeners are used to hearing from Durrant, “Ride With Me” showcases her versatility and that she can conquer any sound. On the change in sound, the veteran vocalist explains: “I’m not the type to get boxed into one musical lane. It’s not about genres, it’s about good music, timeless music. I love rock and roll, and ‘Ride with Me’ allowed me to mesh some of that direction into my signature soul style.” One thing’s for sure, we can’t wait to see what 2021 has in store for Melanie Durrant.
Listen to Melanie Durrant’s new single ‘Ride With Me’ below.
Jude the Obscure – Dreamy, jazzy and with a sound all his own, Jude the Obscure is making his mark with his new single “Moments” which also serves as the title track of his new EP. The South Manchester singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist seamlessly blends jazz, hip-hop and pop sensibilities into a sound that is making him the poster boy for neo-jazz in the UK. “Moments” is a groove and you’ll find that the piano, trumpets and vocal melodies will quickly get stuck in your head. On what “Moments” is all about, Jude explains: “It’s an anthem of resilience and perseverance – surviving your early twenties with ambition, aspiration and sanity intact is no easy feat. One way or another, we all find ways to cope with what’s going on around us, now more than ever.”
Listen to Jude the Obscure’s new single ‘Moments’ below.
