MAAD – Black Ice
Black Ice is the newest single from MAAD. The track refreshes the R&B style of artists like Rihanna and Beyonce with a lush instrumentation. This backing beat recalls the eighties with thick synths and assertive percussion.
Category: Music Reviews
3n1gma by E.A.L Axner
3n1gma by E.A.L Axner begins with Phantom, a very deliberate electronic meets techno effort that sets the stage for everything that is to follow on 3n1gma. Burning Red at Horizon builds off of the framework of Rockit-era Herbie Hancock and late-era Kraftwerk. E.A.L Axner is able to create a cogent narrative with the songs on 3n1gma that creates as deep and engrossing of a story as artists that are vocal heavy.
Newborn – Newborn EP
Runaround begins Newborn’s self-titled EP, and the rock that issues forth here ties together grunge, Britpop, and alternative rock something that is hooky, musically deep, and will stand up to repeat listening. Our favorite part of this introductory effort has to be the bass line that is weaved through; this creates a perfect counterpoint to the more pensive and echoing vocal/drum dynamic. The band whips itself into a fury at…
LUCE ‘New Mercedes’
New Mercedes is a hard-hitting rap track that has enough of a nod to EDM that fans of both styles will be able to find something they can appreciate. LUCE has a gritty yet hooky delivery during New Mercedes. This flow works perfectly with the immaculate production of the track’s backing beat.
Kim Vogels – Call of The Wild
Kim Vogels’ Call of The Wild begins with a sultry, smoky set of vocals laid down by Kim that are paralleled with a deliberate drum beat and an emotive horn. These three elements make for an outwardly-uncomplicated track that is considerably deeper than one would think.
G Matthews – “Chasing Happy”
G Matthews – “Chasing Happy” begins with an emotive arrangement that cohesively ties together guitar, drums, and bass. When the vocals begin, they build off of the framework laid down by Bif Naked, No Doubt and Paramore.
We The Wild – From the Cities We Fled
Still Asunder is the introductory effort on We The Wild’s newest album From the Cities We Fled, an effort that immediately ensures that listeners take notice. With equal amounts metalcore, emotive rock, and impassioned punk, We The Wild is able to kick ass and take names. The band keeps the momentum high with Exodus and Decay. The track soars on multiple vocals, intense guitar work, and chugging drums that resound loudly…
Dj Battle Ft. Lexy Panterra – Twerk Lesson
Dj Battle is able to create a hooky, bassy EDM track in Twerk Lesson. The effort is able to crossover to pop and R&B radio nicely, with a vibrant set of vocals laid down by Lexy Panterra.
Anita Ward – Another Bad Mistake
Anita Ward (the mastermind behind the disco classic “Ring My Bell”) has created a new track that will get listeners up and on the dance floor. On Another Bad Mistake, Ward is able to create a dance track that looks back to the days of disco while having a rapid tempo and a hard-hitting beat that works perfectly on EDM stations. The track is lead not only by Ward’s inimitable…
Johnny Maxwell – Numb
On Numb, Johnny Maxwell is able to link together R&B, reggae, and EDM into an infectious track. A flawless production allows Maxwell’s inimitable vocals and the sweeping synths ample space to shine alone. These elements combine to create a carefree track that has wheels well beyond the autumn months.
Magic Trick – Other Man’s Blues
Magic Trick’s leader, Tim Cohen (also frontman of The Fresh and Onlys), is a man who relishes in the sounds bygone times; the ’60s through the ’80s to be precise. He and his group of revolving guest musicians revert back to eras when communes engaged in informal singalongs, and the spirit of being free and young was spreading to make the world forget its political problems and social tensions. Each…
Alok Pathak – Butterfly
Alok Pathak starts out his latest album Butterfly with Johnny, a rock track that takes equal amounts of 1990s alternatives and the pop-rock of the 1960s and 1970s for influences. A lush instrumentation and epic sound to the introductory track means that listeners will be on the edges of their seats. Where Do U Belong slows things down and showcases the technical skill of Pathak’s playing. The emotion in each guitar…
AVIDYA “The Human Struggle”
AVIDYA showcases some powerful vocals on her current outing, “The Human Struggle”. Hints of Sarah McLachlan and Bjork are threaded through AVIDYA’s inimitable voice, while darkly emotive instrumentation gradually coalesce into a shuffling, shambling fury. The track rises and falls in a fashion not unlike the titular experience.
Bill Wren – Road to Chiang Mai
Bill Wren begins his latest album Road to Chiang Mai with a hopeful, inspiring composition. Enchanted Kingdom (feat. Frank Ralls) possesses a wonderful dichotomy of new and old, organic and electronic, that makes for a wholly engrossing track that will have listeners on the edges of their seats. The narrative quality of this instrumental composition is as rich and intricate as vocal-lead bands with the added benefit of allowing each…
Ember Atom – What You Came For
Ember Atom is able to create a catchy rock track in their latest single, What You Came For. The call and response of the guitars and vocals push each element to a higher plateau, while the on-point drums do much to keep order in the single.
Charlie Star – Payroll
An intense, focused sort of rap, Charlie Star is able to break free of the issues that present themselves when artists have such a laser-like focus on their success. The crisp production and shifts in tempo are precisely what is needed to keep listeners focused in to Payroll, Charlie Star’s latest single.
Melbourne’s Nostalgia goes soulful with “Freak”
Melbourne, Australia’s Nostalgia does an erogenous, sexy R&B track that deftly takes up hints of EDM and ambient to create something building off of the blueprint laid down by The Weeknd and Frank Ocean. Hints of 808s & Heartbreak-era Kanye can be heard threaded through the production. Nostalgia’s Freak is a track that could easily make it onto R&B or pop rotation; the starkly brilliant production that represents the framework…
Xaye FoxX – Sensual Ft. Nitty Scott MC
Sensual is a laid-back rap track that will impress through intricate wordplay and a stellar dynamic between the vocal and instrumental sides. Where the outward sound of Sensual feels pretty light and airy, there is considerable depth that bubbles just below the surface. Hints of R&B, reggae, and even classical guitar can be discerned here.
Dræmings – The Eternal Lonesome (CD)
Sumerian Records are one of my favorite modern metal record labels and its founder Ash Avildsen has a keen eye for up and coming artists. Veritable modern metal juggernauts like Periphery, Animals as Leaders, Veil of Maya, Born of Osiris, etc. have been pushed into the limelight by Sumerian Records and they have instantly become crowd favorites in the metal scene. So when Sumerian signed Dræmings, I was admittedly confused.…
Madame Mayhem – Monster
Madame Mayhem’s Monster is a powerful hard rock / metal track that utilizes hints of goth and industrial to create something richly emotive. The track deftly blends the bright voice of Madame Mayhem with intricate guitar lines, a thick and ropy bass line, and drum fills for days.