We Speak Music

Phil Mac releases Halloween hip-hop banger ‘Shiftin’

Published

2 hours ago

October 18, 2024

Don Reed

In Phil Mac’s insane new video for new banger ‘Shiftin’, which is set for release on 23^rd Oct, a joker inspired dark clown represents the Bristol rapper’s demons, addictions, depressions and fears. Teased at the end of his last video for ‘Follow’, where the clown appeared in a crowd at the very end, the video deals with how the dark side of ourselves may always be hiding in the shadows, whilst we strive to better ourselves in life. The track is out now via Stray Cat Records.

“Shiftin is a track I wrote a little while back, around a time which was involving me going thru a lot of pain and growth thru self reflection, breakdown in relationships, drink and drug abuse”, explains Phil. “I’ve also been wanting to better myself but also I find it hard scratching the surface of who I am as a person, and how I struggle with just living life, but I’ve always been striving to better myself and face up to some of the difficulties I face in order to overcome and learn about myself, acknowledging setbacks and mistakes”, he further reveals.

The heavy hitting track twists with menacing paranoid moods as Phil spits tightly wound rhymes about his trials and tribulations battling to shake free and find a way through his pain. CMHDVisuals created the ‘Shiftin’ video, which features Milo Mooney in the role of the dark clown, Alex Greenwood as an ex-girlfriend and Phil up-front laying down his fierce bars, with Phil and the clown coming together at the end of the video on the Christmas steps to represent acknowledgment of the darkness. It’s a fun eerie horror show in time for Halloween that also portrays some of the real darkness that Phil has been through and how he’s trying to see that pain is a gift:

“I’ll always continue to seek freedom from my demons, but I’ll also be accepting that they are there. I know this journey of life we are all on is a path of ups and down. Challenges will always present themselves and life will not always be plain sailing, this track reminds me of that, life is always moving, but I’ve also realised… even when it doesn’t seem like it, pain can be a gift, and there is always a lot to learn from the difficulties we face in life. We are always Shiftin!!”.

Phil Mac plays ‘Sober Spaces’ in Bristol on 9^th November.

‘Shiftin’ is out 16^th October via Stray Cat Records.

‘Shiftin’ video is out 23^rd October.

We Speak Music

LLOREN captures the raw, transformative energy of chasing dreams in the heart of LA with new single!

Published

1 hour ago

October 18, 2024

Don Reed

After years of making cinematic music for film & TV, British pop singer and former “The Voice” finalist LLOREN is limbering up to release her dream pop debut album “It’s Always Sunny in LA” very soon.

https://open.spotify.com/track/6py2lyAW3CFq1CIbfY4tEX?si=b73d31a34a1a4c6e

But first she is dropping a huge new single “Last Star In LA”. In a similar brand of dreampop as Sweden’s LÉON, “Last Star in LA” is a love letter to the city that has shaped Lloren’s music career, from writing her best songs, meeting her favourite collaborators, to landing syncs (30+) in trailers, TV shows and ads (latest for Kay Jewelers). “Last Star in LA” captures the raw, transformative energy of chasing dreams in the heart of LA.

“The song is just a love letter to the city! I wanted it to sound like a love song, but if you listen closely, you can hear it’s got a double meaning”, says LLOREN. Produced by Daniel Pashman (Little Monarch, Gold Brother, Ellee Duke), the track brings all the cinematic feels and tugs on the heartstrings from the outset with its instantly memorable hook and big nostalgic stadium pop atmospheres.

The track follows a string of recent singles which have seen LLOREN featured by prestigious music tastemakers The Line Of Best Fit, gain airplay from BBC Radio 2’s Angela Griffin and Radio X’s John Kennedy, interviewed by Diva Magazine and Celebmix and the video for her track “Like This” won a Telly Award in the US, as well as also being nominated for a prestigious Leo Award in Canada.

Grey’s Anatomy, The L Word, 1923, Wish, The Company You Keep, Made In Chelsea, Love Island UK and Love Island USA are just some of the many sync credits LLOREN has amassed to date, which have steadily proved her rich, versatile vocal and powerful contemporary inspired compositions to be a cut above the rest. And in “Last Star In LA” we see this combination in its full glory, as LLOREN weaves her magical honey-like vocals around an 80’s style production backdrop, that feels spacious and contemplative yet kicks the listener heavily in the heart with a big dose of yearning emotions.

LLOREN was recently invited to join American artist Fleurie on her first European tour. During the tour, she also caught the eyes of promoters who invited her back to open for household names Johannes Oerding and Michael Patrick Kelly and an audience of 10000 people. In the UK, LLOREN is no stranger to the annual PRIDE celebrations having played both Manchester and London where she headlined the women’s stage and has entertained crowds over 10000. She has also toured with Canadian artist Mauvey with whom she collaborated with on the track ‘Pillow’, performing it at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend as well as the Isle Of Wight Festival 2023.