South African rapper LUUKHANYO’s debut album, ‘LUCKY UU,’ moves through R&B, soul, funk and jazz. In this exclusive commentary, he talks about the making of key tracks from the project, sharing how the tracks “Hii ROLLER” and “The Midnight Wanderer” mask complex lyrics with “groovy” music. The track “Open Casket” is a meditation on material success and “the things that really matter” in life. Lead single “Venture” was inspired by the death of a beloved cousin, he says, noting it’s about being a Black South African in a post-apartheid world. “All the emotion just surfaced,” he explains. Throughout his debut album, LUUKHANYO wanted to “tell my story in hopes that we can make room for other people to tell their story, and help create a world where we understand each other.” Listen now.

Voice Notes: LUUKHANYO on "The Midnight Wanderer"

Voice Notes: LUUKHANYO on "Venture"

Voice Notes: LUUKHANYO on "Hii ROLLER"

Voice Notes: LUUKHANYO on "Birth Of Dawn"

Voice Notes: LUUKHANYO on "Sweet Renegade"

Voice Notes: LUUKHANYO on "Open Casket"

Texas rock band Midlake return with their sixth studio album, ‘A Bridge to Far.’ In this exclusive commentary, frontman Eric Pulido discusses their moody, earthy sound and breaks down key tracks. “The Ghouls” sets the tone, and is about the bandmates comparing notes on their future goals, while “Guardians” features a duet with Grammy winner Madison Cunningham. The track “Days Gone By,” rooted in a three-part harmony that “harkened back to older days,” is “a celebration of the simple yet amazing elements life can bring on a daily basis,” Eric says. Elsewhere, “Eyes Full of Animal,” which channels Neil Young, is “a recognition of an animalistic nature that exists in we humans, and how it can create a divide.” Listen now.

Voice Notes: Midlake on "Eyes Full Of Animal"

Voice Notes: Midlake on "A Bridge To Far"

Voice Notes: Midlake on "Days Gone By"

Voice Notes: Midlake on "The Ghouls"

SoundCloud Stories elevates artists’ creative journeys, spotlights vibrant music communities and gives a behind-the-scenes look at the defining sounds of today and tomorrow. Original content includes the Sound Advice interview series, exclusive track-by-track artist commentary on Voice Notes, and the Weekly Download playlist, which highlights essential scenes and groundbreaking artists.

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