Neo-Soul quintet, LYRAS, proudly unveiled their debut single “Don’t Keep Me Awake” on 2 October, quickly winning the hearts, minds and ears of music fans with their dreamy vocals and smooth jazz sound.

Featuring an impressive variety of instrumentation, the song takes the listener on an immersive journey; playfully meandering through a multitude of phases that blend seamlessly, demonstrating both a great deal of creativity and superb musicianship. This should come as no surprise when looking at the resumes of the band: lead vocalist Ada Francis was shortlisted in 2019 as an ‘Emerging Scottish Artist’ by the Quaich Project, whilst multiple LYRAS members have held residencies at the prestigious Sage Gateshead and their Summer Studios Programme.

Hailing from Newcastle upon Tyne, LYRAS are incredibly refreshing. Their music is an aural delight, and their presence in the north east music scene helps to demonstrate the diversity of artists here in northern England. This is particularly relevant, reminding us all of the cultural value of musicians. Summed up, we adore the debut from LYRAS and look forward to hearing more from this incredibly promising group.