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FYI

Sylo Nozra: Why R U Back?

Emotionally expressive vocals chart a volatile relationship.

Sylo Nozra: Why R U Back?

By Kerry Doole

Sylo Nozra -  “Why R U Back? (Sony Music): The Toronto-based singer-songwriter released the wistful video for his new single Why R U Back? this week.


Inspired by the sunny California coast, the clip, shot on film in San Francisco and directed/edited by Martin Klapperbein, mirrors the ups and downs of a tempestuous relationship.

"Love is such a visual language, so for this video, we tried to f*ck the visuals up to match how I've felt f*cked up in relationships,” said Nozra in a label press release.

The song, written in collaboration with producer, Xander (Meek Mill, Lil Durk), fits right into the current vogue for R&B-inflected pop, and Nozra's vocals are suitable emotionally expressive.

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Raised in Toronto by religious Korean parents, his contemporary sound reflects that city more than an overt K-Pop influence.

His music has charted strongly on Spotify and Apple, and last year's hit single FOMO saw major sync placements in Netflix’s On My Block and CBC’s Kim’s Convenience.  His songwriting skills have placed him in studios amongst Grammy-winning/nominated songwriters like Ambré (H.E.R., Kehlani) and Jeff Gitelman (Anderson .Paak, H.E.R., Usher) and producer Maths Time Joy (Mahalia, Snakehips, Kevin Garrett). A talent to watch.

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Publicity: Samantha Taus, Sony Music 

Management: Muk Posh

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Bill Gilliland

Bill Gilliland

FYI

Obituaries: Toronto Record Label Pioneer Bill Gilliland, Global Music Trailblazer Dan Storper of Putumayo

This week we also acknowledge the passing of Sugar Hill Records owner Barry Poss, and top U.S. booking agent Dave Shapiro and former drummer Daniel Williams, who both died in a tragic plane crash.

Bill (William) Gilliland, a Toronto record label head, producer and music entrepreneur, died on May 17, at age 88.

An official death notice called him "a visionary force in Canadian music. A true architect of the country’s music landscape, Bill’s career spanned more than four decades, shaping the sounds of generations and launching the careers of many iconic artists."

Gilliland first made a mark with Arc Records, a subsidiary of Arc Sound Company Ltd. that was established in Toronto in 1958 by Philip G. Anderson. Gilliland and Anderson co-founded Arc Records in 1959 and purchased the Precision Pressing Co. in 1961. Under the direction of Anderson, its president, and vice president Gilliland, Arc Records entered into a contract with US Hit Records and released a series of pop singles albums under the name Hit Parade (1963–64) that specialized in regional artists and tribute albums.

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