After the impressive “How Would It Feel,” released earlier this year, London-based artist, songwriter, and producer LYVES returns with “Change.” The gorgeous piano ballad, which is the title track and lead single off her forthcoming sophomore EP, was co-produced by Dave Okumu.

“Collaborating with Dave on the production was a magical experience,” LYVES stated. “He really understood and witnessed what I was singing about and how I wanted to convey this emotional story. This song feels incredibly vulnerable yet also powerful and menacing all at once, so I wanted to really imbue these emotions and the journey across them. Dave’s presence and beautiful musical contributions felt like a gift and infused a sense of protection over the music. I felt very seen by him.”

Before adding:

“It is a very personal narrative of my experience reaching rock bottom following the ending of an important relationship. The devastation I felt was like no other I had experienced before, but in completely losing myself, I also found that staying stuck in denial only perpetuated the suffering further. It’s a song about reaching acceptance after months of living in false hope of reconciliation. It tells the story of how learning to accept and embrace change after so much resistance became my saving grace.”

Watch the accompanying-visuals below.

Writing music is the highest expression of life. That’s why we follow new and upcoming artist like US youngster Gabe Gill on his urban but intimate spiked “Carousel EP”. Listen to opener “Soft Hit” and get into his vibe. The Swedish Brynäs brothers are on a winning streak with there newest single “Information.” Soulful and piercing as freshly melted ice. It perfectly echoes Omar Apollo‘s vibes on “Ignorin” or the floating vocals of Kwamie Liv on “Sweet Like Brandy.”

Power pop star Femme Royale is an emerging star that breaks every sound barrier with her debut single “How Bad.”

Get sweaty with Brasilian duo BALAKO who fuse together their love for old skool disco and tropical grooves on popping new track “Jungle Music!”

Discover Mama Kokomo, an experimental and dreamy trio concocting noisy waves of soothing sounds on “Primavera Feel.” Debuting out of the volcanic frost comes Icelandic duo Omotrack and their avant-poppy electro tune “Hippo Trip.”

Lastly, Farao is back with the dense “The Ghost Ship,” a tune about “losing your sense of direction” while Hoodlem charms us with the deep sounds of “Last Night.”

If you want to drink a bit more until you get tipsy, you should check him on Facebook and Soundcloud, and follow his regular posts on our site.

Creating a steady mixture in between mesmerizing R&B vibes and pop catchy choruses, the artist brings the best of her sound to launch her new universe. While continuing the path she installed with her debut EP “Like Water”, she continues to evolve to somewhere bigger and universal. About her new track, Lyves explained:

[su_quote]I wrote “Cover Me” around 3 years ago, but it ended up as a lost, unfinished demo until I came across it again by accident this year while writing in Devon. Hearing it after so long re-ignited how I first felt writing it and led me to finish the song. I feel the song speaks about the tug and pull in relationships – that internal conflict that can arise between wanting stability and security vs independence.[/su_quote]

You can follow Lyves over Facebook, Twitter and Soundcloud.

During this summer, she was on the road with Coldplay during their “A Head Full of Dreams” tour and had some time to refine her music, going further into the electronic-R&B genre, sharping her lyrics and getting darker. About the track, she stated:

[su_quote]”Holding Back” is about the realisation that, although time passes, some things can take a little longer to move through… it’s about the process of letting go.[/su_quote]

“Holding Back” is the first single, that will be followed in October by “Cover Me”. Lyves is currently working on her debut album. You can for now follow her over Facebook, Twitter and Soundcloud.

[su_spacer]
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/250675854″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
[su_spacer]

The release opens with “Darkest Hour”, and is undisputedly some of Lyves’ (Francesca Bergami) best work so far. The music developed during a time of immense personal change for Ms. Bergami. It feels like an idea that was allowed to mature, mulled over and perfected, rather than feelings spewed about across a page. She retreated from her home of London to take refuge in a small Italian village, where she found the isolation and peace of mind to create a truly soulful musical experience.

[su_spacer]

Lyves debut “Like Water EP” is exploratory, and the risk pays off. She lets you into her world, and you come out better for it.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/293496598″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
[su_spacer]

The soundscape is exploratory, but the risk pays off. There’s some electric guitar infused into “No Love”, providing a solid baseline to follow. “Darkest Hour” sees Lyves combine classical piano components with a layer of synths, sounds that often work against each other when not expertly crafted. “Free” is the last track on the EP, and hasn’t been heard prior to this release. It’s definitely the most exploratory track of the freshman EP, and doesn’t pan out as nicely as the other three pieces. The beat is overly experimental and feels distracting, almost artificial. The boldness is appreciated, though – it’s nice to see an emerging artist willing to take some risks.

[su_spacer]
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/303636472″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
[su_spacer]

The lyrics fit the soulful style of the tracks. In “No Love”, Francesca sings, “As we lay here lovers in arms, I can feel your fear, can this love be true”. She elects to discuss a side of love many don’t care to focus on: fear. It’s not an easy thing to admit to yourself, let alone to another person. Her captivating voice draws the listener in, capturing the listener in an emotional net. Even if it’s just for a few fleeting minutes, Lyves lets you into her world, and you come out better for it.

[su_spacer]
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/303636309″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
[su_spacer]

It’s a release with emotion and soul. There are elements of electronica, synth pop, even hints of alt rock at times. Lyves has started off 2017 the right way, with a great EP we should all take some time to enjoy.

[su_spacer]

This EP was sent to us via HumanHuman where we randomly pick once a week an album or EP to review. Want to know more about how to submit music? Check our dedicated page!

“No Love” takes everyone who listen on an emotional rollercoaster of love and the sad end of some relationships. The production is minimalist and allows Lyves’ voice to shine through coupled with the singer’s refined lyricism capturing the intricacy of human relationships.

Francesca’s early years were musically influenced by the likes of Tupac and Seal. It was later on her music taste became diffused with electronic music from the likes of Moby, Boards of Canada and Enya. She explained:

[su_quote]

My mother used to play Enya and I always thought it was corny as a teenager but somehow it captured my attention and I think that really influenced the way I produce music.

[/su_quote]

You can follow Lyves on Twitter, Facebook and Soundcloud.