Ben Howard returns with his 4th album, Collections From The Whiteout, produced alongside Aaron Dessner (The National). The foreboding darkness that coated Ben’s second record I Forget Where We Were and thinly veiled its follow up Noonday Dream, isn’t so evident on Collections. These are songs written from headlines scanned, or news stories scrolled past, providing inspiration for a selection of vivid narrative snapshots – the death of amateur sailor Donald Crowhurst (Crowhurst’s Meme); Russian fraudster Anna Sorokin (Sorry Kid); the man who stole and crashed a plane in Seattle (The Strange Last Flight Of Richard Russell); and the dismembered body a friend of his father found in a suitcase floating along the Thames (Finders Keepers). Alongside them, the personal anecdotes from the same scattered period living between Paris, Devon and Spain. Yussef Dayes features, as does Kate Stables (This Is The Kit), James Krivchenia (Big Thief), Kyle Keegan (Hiss Golden Messenger), and Dessner. Thomas Bartlett, St. Vincent’s go-to pianist, and Rob Moose, a long-standing arranger of strings for Bon Iver, are also present. Long-term guitarist to Ben’s band, Mickey Smith (A Blaze of Feather), remains a reassuring constant. It’s a sonic adventure that continues this nagging suggestion that Ben is one of the UK’s most inventive and naturally talented songwriters. CFTW is his latest opus, and arguably his most fully realised to date.

ME Records is a digital music label founded by Romagna Sasabone—a versatile artist, performer, and producer with roots in genres such as Dance, Pop, R&B, Urban, Rock, Gospel, and New Age music.

Romagna, began her professional journey as a signed artist with EMI Records in 2005. She gained invaluable experience navigating the multifaceted music industry, from recording and production to performing with her band, R.O.O.O.M, on some of Europe’s most renowned festival stages. Driven by a passion for creative independence, she founded ME Records in 2008, turning it into a hub for innovative collaborations with singers, DJs, and rappers worldwide.

Romy has produced and written songs for other artists and contributed her talents to numerous international artists and projects. As a singer, songwriter, producer, and performer, she embodies the spirit of resilience and artistry, having overcome personal challenges to pursue her life’s mission: using music as a source of healing and inspiration.

“Music has been my remedy during tough times,” says Romagna “I hope my songs can guide and uplift others, as they have done for me.” Through ME Records, she continues to create anthems that reflect the beauty and complexity of life, empowering listeners to see the world through a lens of possibility and hope.

Multidisciplinary artist. Expression through movement and music. Sensually satisfying visuals and sounds. Follow at @ruby_burton for more.

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