SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "CHERISH" - Shay Lia /// "2 REAL" - Chrystal

Today's post is dedicated to all the R&B and Female Artist lovers searching for a breath of fresh air. These two ladies have already caught our attention last year and are now bringing their new sounds into 2018. Here's Shay Lia and Chrystal.

The Canada-based Djiboutian/French vocalist/lyricist Shay Lia already took my carousel by storm last year with the summery groove "What's Your Problem?", her fantastic collaboration with the mighty Kaytranada. The multi-talented Haitian-Canadian dj is also responsible for producing the silky "Cherish" - Lia's classy 80's flavoured neo-soul ballad which lyrically expresses the singer's take-on the Syrian Refugee crisis. One to watch for 2018, big time!

Chrystal is a vocalist/producer from Bolton whose debut single "Waves" I was completed hooked on about 6 months ago. Signed to 37 Adventures - an independent London-based record label, the singer has just released her brand new single, the irresistibly catchy "2 Real". This bouncy R&B gem was produced by by Nao and Bonzai collaborator John Calvert.

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SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "L'INDIEN" /// "LA NUIT" - Juliette Armanet

Juliette Armanet has been carrying the duties of a French Pop ambassador across Europe in a classy, elegant, quintessentially French way ever since I have fallen in love with "L'Amour en Solitaire" which I found on Colette's "French Kiss" compilation back in 2014... Armanet's debut album, the exquisite "Petite Amie" has just been re-released in a generous deluxe format with 4 bonus tracks. The release is accompanied by a delectably disco-kitsch video for "L'Indien" directed by Pablo Padovani. One of the 4 new bonus tracks is the marvellous retro-chic ballad "La Nuit" which you can also enjoy below.

I am completely re-falling in love with this sublime record as I type this. Magnifique!

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CHOON OF THE DAY: "PUSHIN'" - Sink Ya Teeth

I was honoured to have the Norwich synth-pop duo Sink Ya Teeth cherry-pick this Perfect Party Playlist exclusively for my blog 2 weeks ago and now Maria Uzor and Gemma Cullingford are releasing their much anticipated brand new single "Pushin'". The pulsating track is an energy-fuelled fusion of synth-disco, post-punk and electro-pop. Meaty bass lines, throbbing beats, untamed vocals, retro-sounding synthesisers - a signature sonic cocktail à la Sink Ya Teeth. Raw and contagious.

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Crème de la crème: TOP 25 BEST OF JANUARY 2018

Exclusive artwork: Les Cullinan Designs

25 (N) "Matahari" - L'Impératrice (microqlima)

24 (23) "Paradox Garage" - FaltyDL (Aus Music)

23 (N) "To Be Continued." - Seven Davis Jr. (Secret Angels)

22 (N) "Filthy" - Justin Timberlake (RCA Records)

21 (N) "Yellow Dust" - Miink (self-released)

20 (N) "Not Long Ago" - Onra (All City Records)

19 (N) "Pearly Gates" - U.S. Girls ft. James Baley (4AD)

18 (N) "Shivers" - L.A. Law (Burger Records)

17 (N) "A Part of Us" - Fever Ray ft. Tami T (Rabid)

16 (N) "Surface to Air" - Django Django ft. Self Esteem (Because Music)

15 (N) "Lost Phoenix" - Josh Caffe (Night Sheen)

14 (N) "Niki" - Perez (Etoile Distante)

13 (N) "Sylvia Says" - Charlotte Gainsbourg (Because Music)

12 (N) "Sticky" - Ravyn Lenae (Atlantic)

11 (N) "Feel Me" - Sassy 009 (Hard Up)

10 (N) "Bird of Prey" - Dita von Teese feat. Sébastien Tellier (Record Makers)

9 (N) "Nothing New" - Charlotte Day Wilson (self-released)

8 (5) "Arisen My Senses" - Björk (One Little Indian)

7 (N) "Lune est l'Autre" - Vendredi sur Mer (Profil de Face)

6 (N) "Limelight" - Nightwave (Fool's Gold Records)

5 (N) "A State Nearby" - NTEIBINT & Σtella (Eskimo Recrdings/N.E.W.S.)

4 (N) "Everything" - Lisa Stansfield (Edel)

3 (N) "Down Delay" - Midnight Magic (Soul Clap)

2 (N) "It Makes You Forget (Itgehane)" - Peggy Gou (Ninja Tune)

1 (N) "Find a Way" - Blissful (Vitund)

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