NME Award
What NME said: “It’s packed with their unique brand of undefinable, genre-bending indie-jazz, plus the hip-hop-influenced sound that they’ve tinkered with since their 2017 arrival, but there’s a decidedly pop edge this time around. There are songs on this mixtape that deserve to be right up there in the UK charts. Whether it’s the funky ‘Nice Guys’, the wonky ‘Earth’ or the tongue-in-cheek ‘Dead Celebrities’, there’s proof here that Easy Life are becoming some of Britain’s most astute and witty songwriters.” Read more
Key track: ‘Dead Celebrities’
Emma-Jean Thackray – ‘Rain Dance’
Who: Leeds-raised, London-based player, composer and arranger of jazz to move your mind, body and soul.
These artists made memorable first statements with their debut albums
14th December 2020
Debut album releases are not best-suited for pandemics. The releases ought to be celebrated out on the road, scrambling from city to city for in-store gigs and signings, or at the live shows and festivals in the ensuing months. More than ever, a release-week boost is crucial to supporting emerging artists and establishing a career.
This lot have been creative, though. They’ve spun the situation into positives with live-streamed gigs, virtual record signings and listening parties on social media to celebrate the fruits of their labour. And they deserve to be celebrated.