Kaleigh’s “Fading” is one of the most compelling songs we’ve heard this month. This is because Kaleigh defies genre conventions in the creation of some of the most unique music we’ve heard. Nods to EDM, pop, and even industrial can be heard here. The frenetic tempo of Fading will immediately draw attention as well as get listeners out on the dance floor. The focused sound of Fading is a modern-day…
Inma Mira’s Indecisión is a fun track that effortlessly move through pop, iindie-pop, and a timeless singer-songwriter style. Mira’s vocals soar over the track, taking up the standards of performers like Shakira and Bjork. The instrumentation on Indecisión – musically complex arrangements, spot-on drumming, and a whimsical sound – pushes Mira’s vocals to a higher plateau. The gradual increase in tempo portends a much more chaotic and musically intense sound; Mira’s…
On “Burning Fire”, Pragnya Wakhlu is able to marry together a traditional sound with a more current and contemporary approach. The richness of the arrangement speaks to anyone listening in, no matter their familiarity with what Wakhlu is saying. There is a powerful harmony that is crafted here; multiple voices add considerable gravity and reverence to the two-minute mark of the single. Repetition is also used to a good degree,…
We’ve dug the Florida rap scene since 2 Live Crew was cutting their first works in the 1980s. P. Chace keeps the name of Florida rap pristine with his new single “NBA (Nothing But A$$)”. The single features a flow from the inimitable Trina, but P. Chace’s got that indescribable sort of quality that sets NBA off from other current rap tracks. Trina comes in, hits hard, and adds further…
Kolade Olamide Ayodeji’s Trap in the Night is an infectious effort that will immediately tattoo its melodies and strong female vocals into the minds and hearts of listeners. The backing beat ties together electronic, pop, and R&B styles into something that draws upon the last twenty years of music while being wholly unique. A brief instrumental part at the 2:30 part is precisely what Ayodeji needs to build the momentum…
Colette Kavanagh’s “Once In A Lifetime” is a song that builds into a completely engaging, dramatic effort. The dynamic between the guitar and vocals builds upon The Carpenters and Carole King. Hints of Nicole Britt and Sheryl Crow can be discerned here, but Colette brings enough of herself to Once In A Lifetime that fans will be devouring every word. The instrumentation swells into something engrossing at the 2:45 mark; Kavanagh…
Baddest is a track that showcases Twista’s immense skill. Where fans will undoubtedly remember the rapid-fire flow that marked Twista’s first few recordings, Baddest is a track that works through the back and forth of the distinct styles of both performers. This slow/fast sound of the single is a great way to keep fans firmly on the edges of their seats. Zaytoven’s production here allows these disparate elements to…
Xavier White’s Sudden Change ties together R&B and EDM to make a track perfect for the sunny summer months. The dichotomy between the music and White’s vocals is fantastic, with hints of Diplo and Avicii infused into the backing beat.
Cold Roses’ “Staying Alive Ain’t Easy” is a touching, compelling sort of rock that ties together influences as wide-ranging as Coldplay, Goo Goo Dolls, and Matchbox 20. The emotive sound of the vocals is matched well by the taut instrumentation. Punchy drums, emphatic pianos, and a completeness are given by the bass during this single. The quick tempo of the track will bounce around listeners’ minds long after the single…
Shaheed and DJ Supreme’s “Glorious Day” a rap track that looks back to the sunny days of 1990s California Rap, using soul samples to create a sweeping sound. The taut flow of Shaheed is high-energy while thoughtful in terms of subject matter, interacting with the picture-perfect beat that plays in the back. The single is something that will be blaring out of windows through the summer, while having enough in…
Jase Harley creates a catchy effort in Between the Lines. The inclusion of . Chris Lee to the track adds further variety to an already deep sort of R&B groove, which blends together electronic, trap, and drill styles. The harmonies that are achieved during Between the Lines adds in the same fashion to the overall spirit of the effort.
Founded by former Starlight Mints frontman Allan Vest and his wife Barb, doubleVee is just as quirky as you’d hoped they would be, based on his track record.
Sonny Hunter has released an amazing new Christian rock song called “Times in Life”. It’s a hard rock song that has a message. The song kinda reminds one of the hard Christian rock released in the late 90’s, similar sounding to Creed’s early album “My Own Prison” but with a modern twist. The song is well composed, the instrumentation and vocals line up nicely to make a well rounded recording.…
Indeed has released a seasonal for the summer months in their Peach Bum IPA. The beer pours with a brownish-orange coloration and a small amount of off-white head. I feel that the inclusion of peaches into the mix does well to push the beer towards the New England style of IPAs, while the brewery includes enough of the way of a traditional hop bite to make Peach Bum a great…
Ashley Lanzoni’s cover of the Meghan Trainor track “Lips Are Movin” spins the source material in a bold new fashion. Increasing the tempo a bit, I feel that the energy given the Lanzoni version makes for a track that will get listeners up on the dance floor. While there are some changes that are present in this version, there is enough of the original present to appease those that are…
MusicByKip’s “Without U” is a track that draws heavily on the pop-rock of artists like Mr. Mister and Stevie Winwood. An orchestral, sometimes prog-infused sound distinguishes Without U from other singles released this year. We’re particularly impressed by Kip’s vocals which do more than just provide the narrative content – they actually add considerably to the overall harmony of the single. A backing instrumentation bring together hints of 1980s country…
Astroblue Express’ Quarter to Somewhere begins with Calling On Alice, an ethereal track that blends together equal amounts of Bjork, White Town, and Massive Attack. The female vocals bring together ambient, goth, and indie rock styles in a way that we have never heard.
Today, we are talking with Ayhan Sahin, who owns Young Pals Music. How is life and the label treating you this week? Everything is great! We are excited about the beginning of summer with lots of musical activities at our label. The most exciting one being the new dance promotion we are starting for the Randy Jones’ single “Hard Times.” More than 6 internationally acclaimed DJs contributed their take of…
Venice, CA-based band The Dustbowl Revival roll deep; like Arcade Fire deep. But all eight members clearly serve a vital role as the band has managed to turn in one of the most exciting records in years regardless of genre by deftly mixing soul, Americana, swing, bluegrass and the funkiest brass heard outside of the French Quarter.
Elia’s “Time to Rise” is a touching track that is really a multi-media experience; one needs to watch the video (under the jump) to see the beautiful visuals that accompany Elia’s vocals. The track is wholly unique, with vocals placed at the fore. These vocals pull double duty in that they both weave a story and contribute to the overall harmonies of the single. Time To Rise is a track…