Sundays Finest: Sarah Klang - Loved Ones - Ary - Sipprell - Terra Lightfoot

Sarah Klang - Strangers.

Background - Sarah Klang is an artist that immediately encapsulates you with her voice, an utterly fascinating universe. Since releasing debut single ”Sleep” last year (a track that quickly made it on to Spotify’s taste maker list Fresh Finds) she’s teamed up with producer Kevin Andersson (Troubled Tracks) in native Gothenburg, Sweden. The first result from this collaboration is ”Strangers” – a beautiful next step for Sarah.

- I wrote ”Strangers” during my last days in Gothenburg prior to leaving for Stockholm. It’s about a old relationship that ended. It was hard hanging around in the same town, bump into each other. You know, when you know everything about a person; the dark sides and the bright sides. It’s not so much about missing someone, more about having shared it all and then suddenly act like you don’t know each other.

When you listen to ”Strangers” you get images of old reel tape recordings in your head. Inspiration is found in old brides dresses, Barbra Streisand, ambient electronica, 80’s dads and plastic flowers.

2016 saw Sarah hit the road in Sweden – doing both headline shows and opening slot for acts like Matt Corby. Spring 2017 sees her performing at Swedish festivals for the first time in her career, with Where’s The Music in Norrköping and Umeå Open coming up first. Facebook here.

Sarah Klang has a melodic and passionate voice that is accompanied by a gentle soundtrack and choral harmonies on 'Strangers'. There is something of an Americana feel to the song, something Scandinavians seem to produce on a par with artists the other side of the Atlantic.

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Loved Ones - End Of An Error.

Background - It is said that a change is as good as a rest, so when it comes to Liverpool quartet Loved One’s re-emergence, coupled with their shift in musical direction, things can only bode well for the swell of new material they are set to release in 2017.

Releasing themselves from the lo-fi and ambient rock of their debut album “The Merry Monarch” – having spent much of their recent time involved in soundtrack work - the forthcoming full length “Harness” sets its stall out as a move into an eclectic, but no less focused, sphere of operation. The album’s first single “End Of An Error” offers a first look into what they’ve been working on.

With this track we get a sense of the record’s more anxious moments and themes of escapism, which conspire here to erupt into a dilating and expansive chorus. Lead singer Nik Glover comments; “We tried to turn our traditional song structure on its head in End of an Error, piling all the melodies into the verse and letting the chorus speed past with hardly any vocals. It's a song about naive teenage love and regret, and why sometimes ripping up all your memories of a relationship is better than trying to hold on to it.” Facebook here.

'End Of An Error' has a sense of urgency about it. Vocals are anxious to convey their message and the band provide a soundtrack that gives a feeling of being in a hurry. It's a splendid and original piece that as mentioned above, seem to bode well for the 'anxiously' awaited new material.

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Ary - Childhood Dreams.

Background - Trondheim-raised, and now Oslo based Ary (real name Ariadne Loinsworth) has been carefully plotting her career path for the past 12 months or so. Debut single ‘Higher’ was released via prestigious electronic label Eskimo Recordings in 2015 and was quickly A-listed by NRK P3 in Norway. That collaboration with fellow Norwegian producer and artist Carl Louis proved to be a fruitful one, with their follow up effort together, 'Telescope’, following a similar trajectory to the P3 A-list.

Following this early success in her home country, new single ‘Childhood Dreams’ stands as an impressive, and exciting step forward - undoubtedly holding the potential to break through to an international audience. Premiered by Julie Adenuga on Beats 1 - lyrically the track deals with Ary’s thoughts on her own development as an artist; how she’s grown as a songwriter and performer. Speaking a little more on the lyrical themes of the new single she said: "The song represents the balance between love, safety and ambition. How I remembered looking back to my childhood dreams, and comparing my expectations to my reality.”

In a recent vote to select a top ten “Ones To Watch", a group of 38 Norwegian insiders comprised of taste makers, festival bookers and music journalists were unanimous in their praise; they all agreed Ary is the most promising new artist to come out of Norway this year. Many foresee a bright future for her, and she might just be exactly what this industry needs. Facebook here.

'Childhood Dreams' begins with a minimalist electro pop soundtrack enabling Ary to take full advantage of utilising her delightful vocals. The song builds into a fuller sound, the hooks dig deeper, this is one very catchy number.

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Sipprell - Trust Issues.

Background - South London singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sipprell returns with her new track ‘Trust Issues. Beautifully stripped back and soulful, the track was written and produced by Sipprell herself, with additional production by Maths Times Joy.

‘Trust Issues’ follows the stunning track ‘Journey’, produced by Ragz Originale (Skepta, Dej Loaf, Girli), and ‘Broken Ground’ a collaboration with HW&W Recordings’ Melo-Zed, or Radar Radio DJ Ralph Hardy’s new compilation ‘Growing Pains 2’. ‘Trust Issues’ is Sipprell’s first release of the year, which has already seen her perform at The Roundhouse in London, supporting Little Simz at her ‘Welcome To Wonderland: The Experience’ festival.

Since the release of her debut EP ‘Letter D’, Sipprell has garnered radio and press support from the likes of BBC Radio 1Xtra, The Fader, Complex and The 405. Sipprell’s honey textured vocals and honest songwriting continue to enamour taste makers, and see her make waves in 2017 and beyond. Twitter here.

Another artist who can rely on their vocals to deliver both a dreamy and melodic feel, Sipprell also adds a layer of atmosphere on 'Trust Issues', a beautiful and natural acoustic wonder.

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Terra Lightfoot – Lily's Fair (Live).

Background - The new Terra Lightfoot live album "Live In Concert", is out now on Sonic Unyon. Since the release of her acclaimed album 'Every Time My Mind Runs Wild', the soulful roots rocker has wowed audiences across North America, the UK and Europe, playing hundreds of live dates in venues from cafés to coliseums and everywhere in between.

As part of that touring, she collaborated with the National Academy Orchestra of Canada to present those songs in dynamic orchestral arrangements that gave fans an amazing chance to experience the performer’s talent, charm and emotional power as never before.

Those collaborations were staged for two intimate hour-long shows on one memorable night at McMaster University’s LIVELab, joined by special guest John-Angus MacDonald of The Trews. The entire set was recorded and is now seeing release as Live In Concert — a special Valentine from the artist to her fans. Only a handful were able to watch first-hand as Lightfoot and the NAO revisited the sweeping orchestral treatment of songs off her sensational sophomore album. Live In Concert is a fresh chance to discover the remarkable talent that critics have been buzzing about. Website here, Facebook here.

I do wish more artists would release original live material or as the case is here, develop their music further with the National Academy Orchestra of Canada. It gives the featured song 'Lily's Fair' a fresh and imaginative direction. Looking forward to hearing the whole concert.

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