Sound Selects: August/September
By April Izzard (@april.izzxrd)
1. Scribz Riley - Mandy
Release Date - 25th August
Scribz Riley is a newcomer from East London, who has gained serious traction with his first releases. His second track Impress Me featured the notorious and chart-topping rapper, Headie One and has racked up over 1,700,000 plays on Spotify since its release in May. Now, he’s back on a solo ting with Mandy…
It is a tune that provides serious summer vibes with its uptempo beat. Scribz sings with a soft drawl that complements the production; an amalgamation of uptempo RnB and Afrobeats. Although the production creates an air of carefree happiness, it masks the fact that Mandy tells a well-known tale: the demise of a romantic relationship.
Sribz perfectly portrays the trappings of dating in today’s society with the build-up and breakdown of intense yet short-lived romances. It’s wholly relatable. Plus, it’s a serious bop! Scribz Riley’s effortlessness is notably unique and he has serious power behind his talent, so he is one to keep a close eye on over the next year.
2. Knucks - Thames
Release Date - 21st August
The second single from Knucks’ latest album, London Class, Thames is a perfect presentation of his effortless flow and tongue-in-cheek rhymes. Thames follows on from Fuxked Up released back in July, which featured UK cult favourite, Sam Wise.
Thames features a sultry saxophone, which elevates the playful drumbeat, co-produced by DotInc. This kind of production works well with Knucks’ rhythm and flow, as he is known for his elite delivery and slick wordplay. So, a jazzy saxophone only adds to the vibes.
This song serves as a confident reminder that Knucks is intentional with his movements and won’t compromise his integrity for the sake of selling out. He’s not bothered about proving himself to anyone, it’s a ‘what you see is what you get’ situation.
Thames is a strong selection for a second single, as the flirtatious production and Knucks’ slickness draws us right back. And, in my opinion, Knucks is hugely under appreciated in the UK music scene and deserves way more recognition.
3. Alamay, KNWGD - Miirror
Release Date - 7th August
Alamay is an ethereal-sounding 19-year-old, whose sound could be loosely compared to Sabrina Claudio or Ravyn Lenae when she first came onto the scene with her LP Aurora (2019).
Miirror is her first release since this project and she moved away from the alternative neo-soul sound to reveal something a little more alt-pop. To be honest, though, it is quite hard to define the style that Alamay wants to encapsulate under one sub-genre, which actually makes Miirror uniquely enticing.
The lyrics are simple and tell a generic story of a night spent alone with a new crush but they are repackaged in an elusively seductive way when sung in Alamay’s gentle tone. KNWGD’s soulful vocals kick in halfway through to add a conversational element, too, as if we are listening to a back-and-forth between two new lovers. Lovers who are yet to become fully familiar with one another.
The simplicity of Miirror makes it catchy and shows a new side to Alamay, who has a lot of potential. I reckon that she will start to harness her sound over the next couple of years, so she should stay on people’s radars.