As I write this, I’m currently in Europe for a wedding in Florence. I thought it would be nice to do a little homage to European artists for today’s segment. We’ve got artists from Norway, UK and Ireland today. All with distinct sounds and vibes.
Gogogogo - Sofi O
I recently came across this artist a few months back and I’m so glad I did. In just two releases, the Norwegian songstress has crafted a super unique sound. I would describe it as experimental electronic R&B that has hints of Lauryn Hill vocals. What immediately stood out to me was that I have not heard this type of sound before which excites me, a lot. Her visuals are also super sick and style on point which makes her that much doper. If you dig this song, definitely check out her live version which is also awesome.
City in Love - Aki Oke
The creativity of this kid is bonkers. From what I can gather it’s a brother duo. The singer has another indie project under the name Will Joseph Cook which is equally as dope but in a different lane. Aki Oke is his electronic project which goes super hard. I first discovered the song through a stop motion music video that popped up on my explore page which chronicles him partying with his friends. It’s really well done and compliments the energy and vibe of the song perfectly. There’s nothing better than watching a visual that enhances the experience of the song. You can watch a preview of it here. I’m really excited to see how this project develops considering there’s only two songs out at the moment.
Open Your Eyes - MOIO
This laid-back tune weaves a groovy bassline with jazzy guitar licks and smooth falsetto vocals, creating a soulful soundscape that's both intimate and expansive. It's a sonic journey that invites listeners to pause and truly engage with the music.
Accompanying the single is MOIO's first-ever music video, directed by Robert Brass. The visuals complement the song's vibe, adding another layer to the storytelling. As MOIO expressed on Instagram, "I love this one with my heart and soul.”
Beyond his solo work, MOIO has been making waves as part of the Dublin-formed Chamomile Records collective, collaborating with artists like Aby Coulibaly and his older brother Monjola. I would highest suggest you check out Monjola that kid is going to be a star, ferrrrsure. The collective is known not only for their music but also for organizing 'Chamomile Club' events which provides a platform for local musicians and artists to showcase their talents in a show format.
I’m rooting for this kid!
Quote of the Day
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Video of the Day
If you aren’t familiar with FKJ aka French Kiwi Juice, here is your introduction. He is an incredible multi instrumentalist from Tours, France. His first big break was back in 2017 when he released a fully improvised song titled “Tadow” with fellow musician Masego. Unless you’ve been living under a rock with regard to music you have most likely seen a clip of that moment. You can watch the magic they created here. Him and Masego had only met a few days prior and had instant chemistry. However, the video below is a collaboration he did with the meditation app, Calm. It was shot inside his super groovy treehouse studio in the Philippines. The only word needed to describe this video is beautiful. I start my mornings with this video at least once a week and you should too. Words won’t do it justice, just watch and enjoy his magical piano playing. You can thank me later.
Photo of the Day
This is an image by Blake Wood of the late, great Amy Winehouse while on vacation in St. Lucia. The two developed an extremely close relationship leading up to her untimely death in 2011. He’s probably one of the only people in the world who has such intimate photos of Winehouse.
This image, though, speaks volumes to me for a couple of reasons. First, I see the sand she’s buried in as symbolic of her addiction, slowly consuming her. It was shot at the end of 2008, just two and a half years before her death and during the height of her career. The way she’s upside down in the frame gives this haunting sense that she’s drowning. Her body and the entire right side of the photograph is in shadow, while rays of sunshine beam across her face foreshadowing the little life she has left. Her eyes are closed, arms flailing… it looks like she’s lost control.
Maybe I’m reading into it, but a photo always tells a thousand words. What do you think?
How am I doing on these newsletters? Are you enjoying them? Learning anything new? Would love to from you in the comments!