In this week’s installment of What’s Going On, I’ve got some major musical goodies in store! The latest releases from The Struts, BAD CHILD, Janeel Mills, Seprona, and the return of Mick Jagger. There’s something here for everyone. As always, if you dig what you’re hearing, be sure to stream and follow these artists.
Mick Jagger – I don’t think any of us had rock icon Mick Jagger releasing a new single on our 2021 bingo cards but here we are. Produced by longtime Rolling Stones collaborator Matt Clifford, the absolute belter of a tune was written by Jagger while he was in lockdown and features fellow rocker Dave Grohl joining on drums, guitar, and bass. “Eazy Sleazy” is a sneering and satirical look back on the crazy year we’ve all experienced, poking fun at lockdown life. Sharing his excitement on recording a song with Mick Jagger, Dave Grohl says: “It’s hard to put into words what recording this song with Sir Mick means to me. It’s beyond a dream come true. Just when I thought life couldn’t get any crazier……and it’s the song of the summer, without a doubt!!”
Listen to Mick Jagger’s new single “Eazy Sleazy” with Dave Grohl below.
Janeel Mills – From Jamaica to the World, Janeel Mills is a star on the rise. Having previously sung back-up for artists such as Nadine Sutherland, Julian Marley, George Nooks and Junior Kelly, the talented singer is stepping out of the background and into the spotlight with her debut single “In The Ghetto.” Drawing from the influence of the Roots Reggae sound but also incorporating pop/R&B, “In The Ghetto” is an uplifting anthem about the power of determination. Explaining what inspired the song, Janeel says: “I just want to remind people that it really doesn’t matter where you come from, it could be ghetto, uptown, roundtown, country, as long as you have the drive and will to succeed, you can do it. For me, ghetto is just a state of mind, there’s a lot of talented youths in the inner city that just need a chance. Just a chance to show people what they are capable of!”
Listen to Janeel Mills’ new single “In The Ghetto” below.
Seprona – Liverpool band Seprona are out with “Phone Me Back”, their brand new single. “Phone Me Back” is a relatable tale of the morning after a drunken argument and all the angst that that entails. The brilliant five-piece brings the energy that we’ve come to love from Liverpudlian bands of the past with a catchy modern pop sensibility. Explaining what the song is all about, the band says: “The song is written about someone getting drunk and ended up arguing with someone they like over something stupid. So, they stormed off in a mood and how they are struggling to deal with all the mixed feelings that would go along with that situation. They regret it almost immediately as soon as they calm down a little bit but they’ve already left so they’re constantly phoning the person to apologize but they aren’t answering.” Add Seprona to your list of bands to watch in 2021!
Listen to Seprona’s new single “Phone Me Back” below.
BAD CHILD – Canadian singer-songwriter BAD CHILD is out now with his haunting new single “Rouge”, the latest release from his debut album Free Trial. BAD CHILD’s single “$1,000,000” was previously featured on What’s Going On and the difference between the tracks is like night and day. “Rouge” is a vulnerable ballad that is guaranteed to hit listeners right in the heartstrings. Beautiful and tortured, BAD CHILD’s vocal performance is so emotive and shows just how multi-faceted he is. On what “Rouge” means to him, BAD CHILD says: “When I wrote ‘Rouge’ I really wanted to create a vignette of my experiences surrounding love and loss. From romance to family, I wanted it to be a nebulous status of a song that is reminiscent of an airplane terminal or a bus station.”
Listen to BAD CHILD’s new single “Rouge” below.
The Struts – British rockers The Struts are back with another great collaboration! And this time, they’ve got pop progeny Paris Jackson in tow. “Low Key in Love” is a passionate glam rock duet that sees Struts frontman Luke Spiller exchanging vocals with the promising young singer-songwriter. Inspired by a date night at a ’70s themed bar in Los Angeles, the song is dripping in that vibe. Further explaining how “Low Key in Love” came to be, Spiller says: “When we decided to explore the idea of a duet, I thought back to that night and remembered that Paris played a brilliant acoustic set. Something inside was telling me that everything happened for a reason, so I decided to message her. I’m convinced some things are just written in the stars. Bringing in Paris just gave the song a whole new dimension and really brings the story to life. She is beautiful and brilliant. A star.”
Listen to The Struts’ new single “Low Key in Love” ft. Paris Jackson below.
