We Speak Music
Phonseca release pulsating “Staring At The Sea”
Phonseca is a Synthpop/Ambient/Electronica project, which brings together Bristol’s much respected keys/synth player Matthew O’Connor and brilliant Swedish vocalist Kristina Sheppard.
Matthew has a rich musical background, bringing his talent to bands across the musical spectrum from House to Shoegaze, Psyche to Soundtrack, Electronica, Britpop and Rock. Both touring and featuring on albums released on labels as diverse as Rocket Recordings, Invada Records and Dishy Recordings, his creative input has featured on many projects. Inevitably the urge to form a more personal musical landscape saw him starting to write his own music. This began the process which resulted in “Between A Dream”, the debut Phonseca album, which came out in 2019.
The album was championed in the UK on BBC Radio 6 Music by both Gideon Coe and Steve Lamacq. With Steve Lamacq featuring it in his “Recommends” show. It also picked up lots of airplay and excellent reviews around the world. Matthew’s classical piano training has an influence on his work. In addition to Phonseca, he has composed Library Music where his work has been synched on primetime TV like BBC1’s – The One Show, Channel 5 programs and National TV in most of Europe. This was the catalyst for first writing with Kristina, initially working on songs for a Disney project which followed a chance meeting at a wedding fayre, where they had stalls directly opposite each other. Since its release, the pair have spent the past few years promoting the debut album while writing/recording the second “Everything Lasts Forever”, which is now ready for release via Old Bad Habits Label.
The first taster of the new album is heartfelt, pulsating, all-out pop single “Staring At The Sea”. The track is a declaration of love and wasting no time with a sense of urgency. The track’s wide-eyed cinematic pop sentiments feel immediately familiar as Matthew’s 80s style drum machines and synth moods combine with Kristina’s soaring vocals for epic effect. The lyrics of the song follow the very relatable theme of ultimately two friends falling for each other and Kristina switches to Swedish language in the middle section which adds an intriguing touch. In its original form this was one of the first songs Phonseca ever wrote together in their “Disney Sessions”.
“I was asked by a Library Music company to write some positive upbeat songs for a Disney video, sadly it wasn’t accepted, but thankfully we kept it, sat on it for a while and tweaked it to become one of our best pop songs so far and an obvious single”, explains Matthew. “We acknowledge the genius of Prefrab Sprout’s Paddy McAloon in the opening lyric who I’m a big fan of. It’s also one of the songs that shows off Kristina’s vocals. I also wanted the talking bit to be in Swedish, to give the track an otherworldly feel”, he further adds.
We Speak Music
Waz-u drops ambient gem ‘Vermillion’ ft. Lilyg

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.

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