“Rising Australian rapper Tkay Maidza has inked a deal with legendary British indie label 4AD, currently home to artists like Grimes, The National, and Big Thief. It’s not a common destination for fledgling rappers, but Maidza, who recently collaborated with Baltimore experimentalist JPEGMAFIA, is no ordinary hip-hop artist. For proof of her refreshing approach to the genre, fans won’t have to look beyond her banging new single “Shook”.
On the track, Maidza can be heard rapping with an elastic flow over a distinctly Missy Elliott-esque beat. The sonic parallel isn’t purely coincidental, either; “Shook” was actually produced by Dan Farber, who helmed the instrumental for Lizzo’s “Tempo” single featuring Elliott herself. Maidza’s cadence during the verse is also slightly reminiscent of Gwen Stefani’s 2004 hit “Hollaback Girl” — a favorite of hers — which further links Maidza with early 2000s pop and hip-hop aesthetics.
However, Maidza has a composed delivery that ramps up to a breathlessly intense surge by the song’s end, putting her in a lane that’s entirely her own. Watching her deliver the sleek hook — “I came, I don’t play by the book” — while shimmying between smoldering car wreckage in the song’s video is a total treat.
Watch the clip below, which was directed by Jenna Marsh, known for her work with Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Dua Lipa, and Nicki Minaj. There are currently no plans for a new album, the follow-up to 2016’s Tkay, but this new record deal is a good indication that plenty more is to come from the 23-year-old up-and-comer."- consequenceofsound.net/2020/05/stream-tkay-maidza-shook-new-song/
The 15-track record is a cohesive body of work which offers a detailed look at Callum’s tumultuous journey through life so far. Wearing his heart on his sleeve, this album is driven by the personal experiences which have shaped him into the person he is today.
Opening with the rip-roaring (no pun intended) ‘Mouth of a Tiger’, the track sets a feel-good pace for the record and instantly captivates the listener. Armed with an infectious hook, the track builds towards a change of pace which exquisitely leads into the next song, Callum’s debut single ‘We Are Stars’. Still as magical three years on from its release, ‘We Are Stars’ remains the perfect embodiment of Callum’s artistry as he expertly combines poignant lyrics with a gentle melody and soaring vocals.
Callum’s vocals continue to be the focus on the guitar-led ‘Bonfires’ especially during the anthemic chorus, whilst ‘Nothing Hurts Like You’ shifts towards a more soulful approach, with the singer-songwriter opening up about the heartache he experienced when his decade-long relationship with his hometown girlfriend came to an end.
‘Easter Road’ delves into Callum’s upbringing as he pays homage to the gritty, working-class Edinburgh he grew up in. Laced with nostalgia, the lyrics paint a realistic picture of his childhood and the singer-songwriter enlightens us that no matter where he ends up, “there’s something, keeps pullin’ me back, it’s in my blood stream, this is who I am”.
The tempo picks up on ‘Man Behind The Sun’, a pop-rock anthem which wouldn’t sound out of place on a James Morrison or George Ezra album. Armed with a breezy chorus, this track was made for playing at full volume during long car journeys with the windows wound down.
‘Some Heroes Don’t Wear Capes’ is one of the album’s standout offerings and sees Callum at his rawest. An emotional tribute to his dad who brought him up on his own for some years of his childhood, the production takes a back seat on ‘Some Heroes Don’t Wear Capes’ as Callum’s emotional lyrics and haunting vocal delivery take centre stage. Callum truly excels on this deeply personal offering, and whilst the song relates to Callum’s relationship with his dad, there’s no doubt that ‘Some Heroes Don’t Wear Capes’ will resonate with many people in their own different ways during the current climate.
Because some superheroes won’t ever fly away
They keep it all together even when they’ve made mistakes
They’re just ordinary people fighting all their demons away
‘Cause some heroes don’t wear capes
Callum revealed that his album title was inspired by a conversation he had with his brother. When he asked what he was going to do with his life, Callum expressed his desire to write songs and play to thousands of people one day, however, his brother replied “‘Callum, things like that don’t happen to people like us“. The album’s title track gives Callum the opportunity to prove exactly why he is destined to fulfil his dreams. Accompanied solely by an acoustic guitar, the stripped back production once again highlights Callum’s heartfelt lyrics and charming vocals. Whilst Callum sings that “no one ever kicks up a fuss for people like us”, this song, and the album in its entirety, perfectly showcases why Callum Beattie should be the name on everyone’s lips.
The album is completed by the short and sweet ‘Secrets’, which plays heavily on the artist’s distinct Scottish accent. By this point, Callum feels like an old friend to the listener and this track perfectly rounds off the album with a warm embrace.
People Like Us is an impressive debut album which is deep-rooted in emotion. Offering every inch of his soul on both uplifting radio-ready pop records and raw, heartfelt ballads, Callum is without doubt a versatile and exciting artist with a stunning future ahead of him." - celebmix.com/album-review-callum-beattie-people-like-us/
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