We Speak Music

NJ’s own Zach Kyle drops new single/new album

Published

7 months ago

October 10, 2024

Emcee Zach Kyle brings it back with the release of his new single “Nostalgia.” The young NY transplant takes us on a dream-like train-of-thought narrative coupled with a shifting soundscape (produced by Ray Janes) of ghostly keys and bombastic drums.

Taken from the #SWAG LP (Out on Oct 10^th) Kyle said of the project “the concept of the album is me trying to find a balance between my current life in New York City versus my upbringing in suburban New Jersey. The first few tracks are more ignorant and turnt because I feel that’s who I turn into when I hit the city; A more “swagged out” version of myself, whereas my life in Jersey feels a lot more ‘real.’

Speaking on the track he added “‘Nostalgia’ serves as a turning point in the album, where the music starts to become more personal and representative of my Jersey life. Throughout this track, I’m using more obscure, yet deeply personal imagery to represent the beginning of me opening up to the listener. There’s a lot of references throughout the track to things that are nostalgic to me, such as trips to the Hamptons with my friends, memories with girls, but the main point of nostalgia being touched on is summer camp. Growing up as one of the only black kids in my very white and very suburban town, summer camp was the first place I felt in my life I was truly free to express myself without any judgement and be accepted with open arms. I wanted to make a song that felt like that feeling of being there and being young and energetic and excited to start your day.”

Though barely out of his teens, Zach Kyle has extensive first-hand history with hip-hop partly due to proximity to his father, DJ Jay-Ef whose creative friends include Masta Ace, Wordsworth & Planet Asia. Over the past few years Kyle has been prolific releasing two previous albums, Autonomy and Shangri-La as well as several EP’s and numerous singles.

More Info: https://www.instagram.com/zachkyle/

We Speak Music

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

Published

13 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.