May 18, 2023
Anyone within the hip-hop scene knows the name, DJ Khalil. He gained popularity for both his music-producing and DJing skills. The other day, Sonical.ly had a chance to sit down and talk with DJ Khal
Read more
May 7, 2023
Copyright infringement cases are very much on the rise in the music industry. Recently, Ed Sheeran was on the receiving end of one. Fortunately for him and the music industry as a whole, he won. Who
Read more.png)
April 28, 2023
Artificial Intelligence (aka AI) is not a new thing. It has been used for various purposes like social media algorithms and Siri on your phone. However, for the first time, AI is being used in
Read more.png)
April 28, 2023
From Kidz Bop idol to R&B and pop singer, Kiana Ledé has fully planted herself within the music industry. The release of her latest single “Jealous” featuring Ella Mai adds to her growing achievements
Read more.png)
April 23, 2023
In the past few years, the K-pop culture has experienced a number of suicides, which has devastated the Korean entertainment industry. Sulli from f(x), Jonghyun from SHINee, Goo Hara from KARA, and
Read more.png)
April 20, 2023
Since SZA has released her latest album ‘SOS’, it has made a lot of buzz in the music industry. The album has received positive reviews for its combination of R&B, pop, and hip-hop and featured.....
Read more
April 20, 2023
With K-pop bands like BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE, and SEVENTEEN, Korean music has been on the rise over the past ten years. But Korea’s music culture doesn’t stop there....
Read more
April 8, 2023
In October 2019, member of the K-pop group Monsta X, WONHO, faced allegations of drug usage, resulting in his departure from the group. Fans were disheartened by the news of him leaving and wondered..
Read more
April 1, 2023
Songwriters, composers, and publishers have long been underpaid when it comes to the live concert industry. However, a successful court case may be the first step to changing that.....
Read more
March 28, 2023
Society has always placed a high value on music. As technology starts to become more part of our lives, social media and music platforms have become more and more prominent in the music business....
Read more
March 28, 2023
The Latin GRAMMY Awards are changing it up this year for songwriters! On March 21, 2023, The Latin Recording Academy released a press release announcing various additions and changes to the awards...
Read more.png)
Lava La Rue, former Dork cover star and acclaimed London-based artist, has announced the release of their debut album, STARFACE, set to drop on June 21st, 2024, via Dirty Hit. This announcement is accompanied by the release of a new single, “Push N Shuv,” offering a tantalizing glimpse into the much-anticipated album.
A Five-Year Journey Culminates in 'Push N Shuv'
The lead single, “Push N Shuv,” is a track that Lava La Rue wrote five years ago, pre-COVID, at the age of 21. Reflecting on the song's journey, Lava shares, “I wrote ‘Push N Shuv’ 5 years ago before COVID (the vocals you hear on the song are still my 21-year-old voice) and I knew when I wrote it in 2019 that if I made an album, that’s what I wanted it to sound like. It’s literally been years in the making and honing in on that sound and it only feels fitting that this is the song that I announce the album with.”
The single, produced by Karma Kid (known for his work with Dua Lipa, Aminé, and Shygirl), pays affectionate homage to iconic ‘80s new-wavers Tom Tom Club. It features a bubbly funk groove reminiscent of “Genius of Love,” with colorful instrumentals including flute loops, old-school synths, subtle horns, and an active bass line anchoring the track’s tumultuous romance.
Visual and Sonic Extravaganza
Accompanying the single is a vibrant music video co-directed by Lava La Rue and Claryn Chong, produced by MrMr Films. The video embraces a ‘70s/‘80s aesthetic, evoking infomercials and late-night talk shows through a retro-grainy lens. It culminates with Lava’s STARFACE alter ego donning a helmet and reaching out towards a spaceship, hinting at a continuing story with a “TO BE CONTINUED” message.
The Concept Behind STARFACE
STARFACE is a conceptual psychedelic sci-fi romance album that follows the journey of a gender-fluid musical space alien sent to Earth to study human self-destructiveness. This thematic exploration adds depth to the album, promising an immersive experience beyond conventional music storytelling.
Lava La Rue describes STARFACE as their most personal and ambitious project to date, bridging their past and future musical identities. The album is expected to resonate with fans of alternative indie and psychedelic rock, featuring collaborations with artists such as Cuco, Audrey Nuna, and tendai.
Lava La Rue's Artistic Evolution
Lava La Rue's artistic vision extends beyond music; they have directed creative projects for the Tate Modern, headed talks at the BFI, and creatively directed a live TV performance for the 2023 Brit Awards.
With STARFACE, Lava La Rue is set to embark on an epic sci-fi-inspired adventure, exploring what it means to be human through a diverse range of genres, from funk and dance to alt-rock. This debut album marks a significant milestone in their career, signaling their arrival as a major force in the music industry.
