“Joy as an act of resistance”. That phrase has been coursing around Jack Garratt’s head recently. That state of mind has birthed a markedly new chapter for his sound, one that’s positive, urgent, and vibrant, bursting with colour and fun. Released 3 months into the pandemic, Garratt’s last album 'Love, Death & Dancing' wasn’t plain sailing. His diary, previously filled with tour dates and live shows, remained completely blank, and he was also going through a divorce. His new sound is a reclamation of his joy and an unapologetic expression of himself: technicoloured, joyful and celebratory. It’s also aimed squarely at the dancefloor; disco-funk, Daft Punk-esque vocal chops and zig-zagging basslines. This sonic direction has provided the perfect opportunity for him to hone his DJing skills, creating his own edits and flips of iconic tracks that he can mix his tracks into. Amid the obstacles that life has thrown at him lately, Garratt remains in a state of optimism – and that shimmering dance music is here to soundtrack all of that. “You can't avoid feelings, you can't avoid negative things happening to you, they will happen,” he says. “And it’s not as easy as just going, you know, c’est la vie, life goes on. No, it fucking sucks. Things hurt. Why not take that and put it into a funky song that makes you want to dance. Let's dance while the world is
ending!”
Ava Lily
Hailing from Bristol and later making London her musical playground, Ava Lily has always been intertwined with music. From her earliest memories of playing the piano to writing melodies that capture raw emotions, Ava has always used music as her expressive outlet. Her cover of 'I Can’t Make You Love Me' caught the attention of the music maestro, Naughty Boy. This serendipitous moment catapulted her into a collaboration whirlwind, signing with Virgin EMI and teaming up with iconic artists like Emeli Sande and James Arthur. Her versatility shined when she co-wrote 'Common' for ZAYN’s 'Icarus Falls' album. As she embarks on this new phase of her career as an independent artist, she's more than ready to share her own musical tales with the world. Ava Lily’s musical canvas is painted with candid lyricism complemented by her soulful vocals. It’s not just music; it's an invitation into her world. She invites listeners to journey with her, offering a melodic embrace to anyone willing to delve deep into the heart of genuine, empowered songwriting. Ava Lily threads honesty into every song, beckoning listeners to truly feel every word.
