Global Artists Spotlight: Mamak Khadem, Ben Kessler, Milky Chance And More

Léon the Singer – “One Night Stand”

Montpellier-based artist Léon the Singer aka Léon Barande sings about his time in Berlin and his overindulgences in the latest single “One Night Stand.” Over buoyant electronic production, Léon sings in a fanciful vocal style borrowed from Sixties doo-wop songs. Part of his upcoming album The Noise Beside Your Thoughts (releasing on February 22nd), the artist talks about the track: “I wanted to write songs that didn’t exist, songs I wish I had when I was discovering my sexuality and identity growing up, fun pop songs that just speak to me and to anyone who’s listening.”

Mamak Khadem – “Entangled”

Tehran-bred, Los Angeles-based Iranian artist Mamak Khadem has a powerful new song adapting the poetry of Moulana Jalaledin Rumi with “Entangled.” The seasoned singer—who has worked with master composer Hans Zimmer for the score of 1997 movie The Peacemaker —delivers undulating vocals over hair-raising string arrangements. Featuring a mournful, equally eerie music video by Iranian cinematographer Sam Javadi, “Entangled” is “addressing women in today’s world from an alarmed feminist perspective,” according to the song’s description. The song is from Khadem’s upcoming album Remembrance that will be out on February 25th via Six Degrees Records. The artist’s first single “Across the Oceans” featured Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

Who Shot Scott – “FLMTHRWRRR”

On Iraqi-origin, Auckland-based alternative hip-hop artist Who Shot Scott aka Zaidoon Nasir’s latest single “FLMTHRWRRR,” there’s an ephemeral side on show. He flitters between Daft Punk and The Weeknd-style synth-pop mystique and hard-hitting rap. Who Shot Scott pushes forward on the back of his debut 2021 EP Mercy, as well as chaotic, energetic songs like “Love We’ll Never Know.”

Ben Kessler – “April”

Philadelphia-bred, Nashville-based producer and singer-songwriter Ben Kessler shows off his R&B/pop streak as well as his previously acclaimed chasmic, emotive electronic production on “April.” His first release of the year recalls the likes of Flume as well as Kevin Garrett and Bon Iver and James Blake. Released via Kessler’s own label VYB, “April” address self-change in the face of love lost.

Drax Project – “Crazy”

Heady funk and shimmering pop come to the front on New Zealand act Drax Project’s new song “Crazy.” Produced by Los Angeles duo Grey (whose credits include Hailee Steinfeld’s “Starving” ft. Zedd in 2016), there’s an unshakeable quality to “Crazy.” The music video too mirrors the energy of “club funk” artists of the Eighties, including Rick James, Morris Day and Cameo. With an EP schedule for release in March, Drax Project have been lucky to have played stadiums in New Zealand when the pandemic was taking root in other parts of the world in 2020. “Focusing more on recording than releasing has made sense. With more positive signs that the world is starting to open up again, it feels like the right time to start letting out some of the records we’ve been working on,” the band add in a statement.

Matty Reynolds – “bed head fever”

U.S.-based singer-songwriter Matt Reynolds’ latest offering is the jangly acoustic guitar ditty “bed head fever.” The track includes vociferous guitar strumming, pumping percussive parts as well as Reynolds’ gritty vocals. 

Milky Chance – “Unknown Song” ft. Paulina Eisenberg

German-based indie outfit Milky Chance team up with singer-songwriter Paulina Eisenberg on the dynamic “Unknown Song.” The indie-rock/folk song features some scrumptious vocal harmonies, hooky instrumental sections and slick songwriting.