01/08/2025

LYFE FRIDAY | AUG 1, 2025

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Bradley Simpson collabs with Ateez’s Hongjoong

I N an industry full of strategised collaborations, it is rare to see two big names from different continents unite their talents after crossing paths almost by chance. But that is exactly what Bradley Simpson did shortly after releasing his solo album The Panic Years – he connected with Hongjoong of K-pop superstars Ateez. The result is a new version of one of the album’s key songs Almost . Hongjoong naturally brings his own fresh take to the track by reworking its second verse with new Korean lyrics and adding to Bradley’s topline with his own distinctive backing harmonies. “It was a very organic process. Hongjoong posted Almost on his stories and we started to chat and he sent over a verse literally two weeks later. It has been really interesting working with an artiste who comes from a different style of music to me and hearing a song that is on the album slightly reimagined. I have always loved collaborating and had a similar experience reworking Favourite Band with Nieve Ella,” Simpson said. “I have admired Simpson’s music for a while, so when I shared one of his songs and he reached out, it was such a great surprise. Everything came together really naturally – the way he approached the track made it easy for me to find where I fit. Our styles are different, but that made it even more exciting. I love stepping into new sounds and challenges, and it was especially fun working with someone who shares a similar energy and passion for music, even if we come from different backgrounds,” Hongjoong added. On the live front, Simpson has just completed a tour of Asia as special guest to Henry Moodie. Next up is a run of high-profile UK festival dates, including Boardmasters (Aug 10) and Victorious (Aug 24). His touring in support of The Panic Years has seen him play sold-out shows across the UK, Europe, North America and Australia. o Artistes join voices for new version of Almost

Pop singer Jessia drops new single Therapy & Yoga cover art. POP artiste Jessia returns with her new single Therapy & Yoga , which showcases a confident new chapter in Jessia’s evolution as an artiste. Radiating self-love, independence and unapologetic energy, Therapy & Yoga pairs Jessia’s signature emotional honesty with a catchy pop sound. It is an anthem that celebrates choosing yourself and leaving behind what no longer serves you. With this track, Jessia drives home a clear message: sometimes the best revenge is thriving. With over 500 million streams to her name, Jessia has built a reputation for crafting emotionally charged anthems that pair unfiltered honesty with undeniable hooks. Her music is raw and unapologetic, creating a space where fans feel seen, understood and celebrated. Since her viral breakout in 2021, Jessia has taken the music industry by storm. Her viral hit I’m Not Pretty became an anthem of self-acceptance, capturing the attention of millions, including Grammy-nominated artiste Bebe Rexha, who joined Jessia for a remix of the song. This success paved the way for her debut EP How Are You? , which earned her the prestigious Breakthrough Artist Award at the 2022 Juno Awards. She then joined OneRepublic for an electrifying tour across Asia in 2023, performing in major cities throughout the region, including Hong Kong, Manila, Jakarta, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Taipei. 2024 marked a turning point in Jessia’s career. She took full creative control of her project, independently releasing her sophomore EP Okay With Every Part , which has garnered over 20 million streams to date. She then closed out the year with her first-ever headline tour. With Therapy & Yoga , Jessia sets the stage for a fearless new era of bold, unfiltered pop anthems and proves that empowerment can sound just as good as it feels.

The duo’s new song is called Almost .

James Vickery releases All In

R&B artiste James Vickery has released his brand-new single All In , taken from his forthcoming studio album James , which will be released on Sept 12 on Red Bull Records. Steeped in intense t 12 on

all the ways I am gonna entice this girl. Looking at it is funny, because in the verses I am talking smack, but in the choruses the real me comes out and it gets super wholesome and pure. I am ‘All In’, I am not going anywhere I promise,” Vickery explained. All In follows Vickery’s recent singles Right Side, Butter and Hotel Lobby . Joining forces with longtime collaborator JD Reid (Mahalia, Mabel, Sinead Harnett), producer Larrance Dopson (Kendrick Lamar, Ella Mai, Justin Timberlake) and Grammy-nominated LA songwriter-composer Jonah Christian (Beyonce, Normani, Tems), Vickery’s new album is a remarkably assured statement – one that introduces a whole new sound to his audience. ou an no Vi s H c

groove and melody, All In sees James deliver a hit of upbeat R&B that shows off the sheer scale of his highly impressive vocal range. It is a style that not only his fans have gotten to know and love, but one that is enticing new listeners across the globe. “This is one of the few times I have had so much fun making and singing a w . w

All In cover art.

song. I think you can tell in the writing. I am basically talking crud for the entire song, saying

The song pairs emotional honesty with catchy pop.

Vickery’s Hotel Lobby has received widespread acclaim.