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. SargeantJohn Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered independent music,…
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 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 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. SargeantJohn Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered independent music, PC…
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 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. SargeantJohn Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered independent music, PC hardware, consumer tech,…
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. SargeantJohn Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has…
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…
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. SargeantJohn Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine,…
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’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. SargeantJohn Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered independent music, PC…
Belgium, home to arguably the best waffles, arguably the best beer, and certainly, the best deathgrind band in the world, Aborted. It seems that the Lords of Gore decided to turn the crazy dial to maximum insanity on the 12 track, 43-minute carnivorous abomination that is their newest record, Retrogore. Saif Shaikh
KORR-A’s Cali Love is an eclectic sort of pop track, with KORR-A building off the framework of Lil Mama, Fergie, and Gwen Stefani. A robust set of horns and thick EDM/dubstep beats keep things interesting from beginning to end. KORR-A’s vocals rise and fall, cutting like a knife and caressing listeners’ ears within the space of a few seconds. SargeantJohn Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and…
Blue Helix creates a tremendously emotive rock track with Aliens, blending together vocals that are inspiring with splashy drums and sizzling guitars. The extended instrumental interlude at the three-minute mark keeps the energy high and listeners on the edges of their seats, giving fans some idea of the power of Blue Helix. SargeantJohn Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has…
Time to Run is a powerful cross-over track that touches upon R&B, dubstep, indie-rock, and industrial genres. The supersonic vocals laid down here by SONIA stand out, ensuring that the track can stand up to high rotation on radio. The titular effort on the Lucky Stars EP tells a tremendous story, further bolstered by bold synths and picture-perfect percussion. Hints of Morcheeba, Massive Attack, AWOLNATION, and Christina Aguilera; the distinct sides…
You cannot talk about German melodic death metal and metalcore and not mention the two giants, Caliban and Heaven Shall Burn. We are lucky to see stellar new releases from both bands. Gravity by Caliban is already on my lists of must-listen albums, and HSB’s new banger Wanderer proves to be another favorite for a long time to come. Saif Shaikh
Oh boy, this one yanked me straight back to my high school days. I grew up as a melodic death metal and metalcore fanboy, and the German dudes in Caliban were always a staple on my playlist. To tell you the truth, in my earnest effort to be a trve metalhead, Caliban were one of the unfortunate bands to fall through the cracks, but when I was asked to…
Ed Sterling Stone’s Treat Her Like A Lady is an effort that brings together jazz, R&B, and even a hint of soul and funk into a cohesive entity. This instrumental track showcases a wife array of emotions through Ed’s passionate guitar work. SargeantJohn Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered independent music, PC hardware, consumer tech, and gaming culture…
Hotel Carcass is the first track on Who’s Listening to Van Gogh’s Ear, the debut album from Jack of None. The track has the dark emotion of The Cure, hints of twee-pop, and bits and bobs of electronic, ambient, and jazz stylings. The sheer depth of this initial composition ensures that listeners will be on the edges of their seats, having no idea where Jack of None will ultimately take them.…
of Montreal create a track that looks back to Emotional Rescue-era Rolling Stones, linking the sound with hints of Franz Ferdinand and Momus. The twinkling instrumentation, shuffling beat, and echo is used to great impact. SargeantJohn Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered independent music, PC hardware, consumer tech, and gaming culture since 1998. With over 25 years of…