PINEWOOD – ‘Riverbank’

Close your eyes while you’re listening to ‘Riverbank’, by Pinewood, and perhaps like me you’ll find yourself by the river, laying back on the red and black checked wool blanket, sated by a much too large yet incredibly delicious picnic lunch. You soon find yourself floating along, whether it be in a boat or somehow along a light summer breeze; you speed up, some rapids below you – but nothing will mar this perfect day. The atmospheric folk tune is filled to capacity with a plethora of ethereal vocals, strings plucked tenderly, and a rhythm that mimics the ebb of the water.

Teenear Sees ‘Dolla Signs’ feat. Aliya Janell & Tallie Dance

Now signed to Slip-N-Slide Records, Miami’s Teenear has been honing her craft since the age of 3, when she started participating in pageants, talent shows, and singing in Church. She started uploading covers to YouTube at the age of 15, and she released her debut single, ‘Friday Night’, featuring rapper Sage The Gemini, in 2015. She’s kept up the rhythm with more singles since then, and with trailblazers like Mariah Carey, Brandy, Aaliyah, and Beyoncé as influences, there’s no doubt this star is shooting for the moon.

MSC Jay feat Rell – ‘Take You There’

Saint Helena Island in South Carolina has a population of slightly more than 8000 people. Growing up, MSC Jay therefore had to find hobbies to occupy his time, and these always centred around music and sports. When he wasn’t on the field or the ball courts, he was writing raps, and taking on any feedback he got. MSC Jay used constructive criticism to hone his lyrical format and musical style, and actively studied his rap influences, became a businessman, and never gave up.