We Speak Music

colby! Delivers Masterful Tune ‘Gone To Bed’

Published

8 months ago

August 16, 2024

If you haven’t heard of colby! yet, it’s time to get familiar.

This emerging artist from Fort Worth, Texas, is quickly making a name for herself in the music scene with her unique blend of alternative pop and deeply personal storytelling.

Her journey to this point is nothing short of inspiring—diagnosed with severe dyslexia at age eight, colby! spent years in intensive therapy just to learn how to read. But instead of letting this hold her back, she found her refuge in the creative arts, turning her struggles into songs that resonate with listeners, colby! mentions, “My goal is to create music that people can scream in their car to, providing an escape from discouraging situations.”

Colby! started writing music with her brother, RJ Johnson, when she was just 14. RJ, a Berklee College of Music grad, recognized his sister’s talent early on, and together, they started creating music that’s both raw and relatable. The two have a special bond that shines through in their work, with colby! being a songwriter and collaborator for RJ’s songwriting seminars, in addition to being his voice for his vocal production course, His teachers were so impressed with their teamwork that they exclaimed, “I want to be the first to buy y’all’s first album!”

Fast forward to 2024, and colby! is on the brink of something big, “Gone To Bed” is a hauntingly beautiful track that shows off colby!’s talent for blending atmospheric sounds with heartfelt lyrics. Drawing inspiration from legends like Fiona Apple, Amy Winehouse, and Lily Allen, colby! manages to carve out a sound that’s all her own. Some have compared her style to artists like Lorde and Billie Eilish, but there’s a certain freshness to her music that makes it stand out. It’s clear that colby! isn’t just following trends—she’s creating something new.

This is just the beginning. With her six-track EP set to drop in November 2024, colby! is gearing up to take her music to the next level. If “Gone To Bed” is any indication, we’re in for a treat. So, if you’re into alternative pop with a side of real, raw emotion, keep an eye on colby! She’s definitely one to watch.

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We Speak Music

Waz-u drops ambient gem ‘Vermillion’ ft. Lilyg

Published

17 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Don Reed

London-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Waz-u returns with his second album, Preludes: Dusk Psalms, set for release on 16 May 2025 via independent label Biodiversity. The 15-track record further refines the artistic depth of his debut, blending electronic textures and classical compositional techniques in an intricate, immersive listening experience.

Ahead of the album release, Waz-u is dropping an exclusive vocal version of ‘Vermillion: G Major’ from the album, accompanied by its original instrumental version. ‘Vermillion’ with Lilyg will be released on 18 April 2025, evoking intimate indie-folk and pop and follows the release of a vocal version of ‘Lament’ with Tom Norrington. ‘The singles are a way to give a voice to the atmosphere of the record and to lyrically encapsulate some of the themes explored,’ explains Waz-u. ‘Lily and Tom are good friends of mine and have both been listening to early iterations of these preludes – it felt right to involve them directly on this record.’

‘Preludes: Dusk Psalms’ marks a new branch of Waz-u’s emerging sound, guided by the duality of tradition and innovation. Combining his musical roots in early ‘90s dub techno and classical music, the album weaves carefully layered synthesizers and electronics to evoke the ambience of sacred music — from the gentle timbres of a choir or an organ to the quiet, open, and reverberating spaces of a church. Also featured throughout the album is experimental musician G9 LUV, who creates textures and drones by bowing his bass guitar, resulting in cello-like sounds. The release follows Waz-u’s 2024 debut LP, Prayer For Dawn, which merged dub, techno, and electronica in an exploration of the ritualistic traditions associated with both organized religion and dance.

Bringing the album’s themes to life, Waz-u will celebrate the release of Preludes: Dusk Psalms with a special performance at Our Holy Redeemer in Clerkenwell, London on 14 May 2025. Set against the church’s resonant acoustics, the event will feature live performance arrangements, including a choir, with further details to be announced soon.