above & beyond

peak music (pt. II)

sweetly selected | Jun 2025

seeeyuh

Ken Carson - Get Off

LONG LIVE MY ANGELS - LY

On debut album ‘While I'm Distracted’, London-based New Zealander Arjuna Oakes draws inspiration from contemporary soul and jazz, touches of global folk, electronica, modern classical, and post-rock, with dynamic arrangements and production. ‘While I'm Distracted’ is an album about fighting for your innocence and right to be a vulnerable and honest human. Arjuna’s songwriting explores themes of identity, depression, existentialism, social media, loss of innocence, and finding hope for the future through artistic expression.

“I'm obsessed with albums,” says Arjuna. “I've made seven EPs, but needed time to tackle a full length record. I was using the EPs to learn the craft of how to make a great album, much like a director will make short films before they make a feature. I wanted to take the listener on a journey and spark their imagination. Hopefully the album expresses complex emotions, rather than having an intellectual concept. I'd rather ask questions than answer them”.

Across the album, Arjuna performs vocals, piano, keyboards, synths, production, and wrote the string arrangements. He’s joined by Harrison Scholes on bass, Jo Jenkins and Andre Smith on guitar, Sam Notman on drums, Louisa Williamson on saxophone, Nathan Haines on flute, Kate King on french horn, Leah Thomas on clarinet, Hilary Hayes and Emma Colligan on violin, Chris Van Der Zee on viola, Charley Davenport on cello, Zane Hawkins on percussion, James Macewan on trumpet, and additional production by Callum Mower.

Following the release of his debut EP ‘The Watcher’ in 2019, Arjuna has released various  projects including ‘First Nights’ and ‘Final Days’ (collaborations with longtime friend and co-producer Serebii), released by LA-based record label Innovative Leisure (BADBADNOTGOOD, Allah-Las). ‘First Nights’ debuted at  #5  on KCRW’s top 30 Albums chart with play on BBC 6 Music and BBC 1Xtra. He recently performed for the New Zealand Olympic team in Paris, supported Nathan Haines at The Jazz Cafe, and played sold out shows at 91 Living Room and Servant Jazz Quarters in London.

While I'm Distracted

Won't Let This World Break My Heart

LifeAfterDogShit

Close Friends

hazy demo

moon song

Edward 40 handz (prod.Sham)

anniversaire

running on empty (prod. revel da vinci & opraah)

Stream 'Cicada' now : https://lnkfi.re/cicada-funkynotes-billa-qause

Swedish producer Funky Notes joins forces with Greek beatmaker Billa Qause on ‘Cicada’, a smooth lo-fi track blending soulful guitar riffs and groovy basslines. Known for his laid-back sound, Funky Notes has racked up over 10 million streams with hits like ‘Sims’ and ‘In Love Again’. Billa Qause, whose track ‘Urban Oasis’ surpassed 2 million streams, brings his signature jazz-infused vibe. Together, they craft a nostalgic, summery atmosphere perfect for fans of mellow, jazzy beats.

Cicada

Funky Notes & Billa Qause - Cicada

TIMELESS SPACE // Confidence and Hope Are Timeless  >>SPECIAL EDITION<<
@docfritz // All Musical Stuff, Rhythm Design & Percussion
@patrick-mautner // Fantastic Timeless Guitar 
Composed, Arranged, Artwork, Mix & Production by DOCFRITZ @ OESJ 
© 2025 // All Rights Reserved by DOCFRITZ @ OESJ

TIMELESS SPACE

TIMELESS SPACE ft. Patrick Mautner

This is a collaboration with my friend xian3 https://on.soundcloud.com/QOm69lt9nGrn7W0dEL from SoundCloud. His original track had a rock flavor, but I halved the BPM and reimagined it with a tropical jungle vibe. I also got help from mozawa_*  https://on.soundcloud.com/CsHi8jD7VOjfujT9Dq on the percussion tracks. 
You can check out Xian3’s original version. https://on.soundcloud.com/U65g2z6R8LhU8NJ5N4

’Miss Terious’

Basically we're all the same Gifted with a body and a brain And a heart that beats us through all those ways Through glorious nights and fatal days
Still there's something...mysterious
We have changed the world so much In different ways we lost the touch But we don't want to take the blame There's no reason in this game Basically...
Still there's something...mysterious
Working hard in all different ways Winter, spring, summer and fall All the time again and again To deny who is to blame Basically...
Still there's something...mysterious
Still there' something more above A mysterious thing called love

Lyrics and Music by xian3
Percussion tracks by mozawa_*
Composition,Arrangement and Sampling collage by Synline.

Art by Henri Rousseau ’ Snake Charmer’

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kevin abstract