In an era of amalgamated genres, it’s rare to find something so sheer, and indisputable, as to be unitarily defined. But such as the case with Conceptz’ “Drippin And Drownin,” which is nothing short of the purest evolution of Hip Hop, and unabashed in that designation. Brothers, HighRowGlyphFix and Short Fuze comprise the duo known as Conceptz. Over the last 9 years, they have steadily ascended in the industry, somehow…
“Underneath the ground we’ll be safe and warm / Underneath the ground far below the storm / We’ll hide in the dark and we’ll rise when the world is reborn.” These are some of the words Jeremy Rice sings in the new single “Underneath the Ground,” and they unmistakably channel the feel of a pandemic-era world waiting to come to life once more. The insularity of the harmony through which…
Ian Bouras’ A Blind Painter’s Guide to Coloring Breath is one of the young year’s most interesting releases yet for a number of reasons. The eight songs on this release are demos; circumstances dictated the nature of this release. Bouras, under optimal circumstances, would have polished and further developed these tracks, but Bouras spent the bulk of 2020 as a patient in various psychiatric hospitals. Bouras experienced considerable difficulties reacquainting himself with…
Vianchi has returned with his follow up single, to the ever so slightly morbid, “Die [Alone].” “Overdose” is a stylish and sensual dedication to being so lovesick that we indulge to the point of excess. Too much of a good thing can be reductive, and Vianchi is walking a fine line on “Overdose.” It’s said that love can be a drug, and the character in Vianchi’s, “Overdose” is chasing the…
Anyone can be loud and proud about it. If you’ve got the right stack of amplifiers and a sense of adventure, you can produce sounds as big as mountains whilst utilizing the natural ambience to get people’s attention from a great distance, but to manipulate raw tonal energy into something that feels emotional and tangible to the average person – as Phantom Wave do in their new album Wilds – takes a…
Sophomore albums can be ever tougher than virgin efforts are, but you’d never guess as much from taking a peek at the seamlessness of Bobby Dove’s Hopeless Romantic. Although created with much of the same stylish color their first record was, Dove’s follow-up to Thunderchild is a lot more personal, and you needn’t look much further than the LP’s title cut and lead music video to understand what I mean. They’re a singer/songwriter…
Thomas Deil’s Runnin’ immediately starts with an assertive set of vocals that allow sweeping synths and a booming bass line to come on in. Effortlessly linking together pop, modern EDM and even hints of R&B, the track will be able to rise up the charts. The production of the track is immaculate in that the instrumentation and vox build each other up instead of work at cross-purposes. The dynamism of…
You can always tell when an artist is truly invested in the music they’re making, and after giving “Love to the Moon” a listen just this week, I think it’s obvious that Raquel Kiaraa is the real deal. Kiaraa’s honeysweet vocal and old timey harmonies are two of the biggest reasons why “Love to the Moon” feels familiar and fun at the same time, but looking even closer allows for…
DICI is on the scene with his debut self-titled EP. His multi-dimensional, multi-cultural influences are imbued into these rap tracks. Born and raised in Milan, Italy to an American father and Japanese mother, DICI is now living in Miami, Florida. DICI also recruits producer Guiseppe D, a New Yorker for these stunning songs. Imagine being 17 and having the tools to convey your innermost thoughts, as well as find the…
“The One That I Love” is one of those tracks that listeners of all bents will be able to appreciate. The song is effortlessly able to cross over between country, rap, and pop in a way we’ve not heard since Big & Rich or Bubba Sparxxx. Billy D. Rice’s contribution to the country-rap genre is considerable in that it moors 1970s and 1980s-infused guitar with some killer rap lines (contributed…
Pennan Brae’s “Passing Fad” has a 1970s rock style, granted it by the killer guitar work and the on-point drums encountered in the first minute or so of the track. The dreamy vocals that Pennan lays down here stand over the instrumental fray. When Brae’s voice takes a break, a sizzling guitar line in the vein of Lynyrd Skynyrd builds up to some fantastic effect. Coming back into focus, Pennan’s…
Niko Brim’s “BONITA” is a track that has it all. There’s a rap flow that is sublimely confident, a sizzling backing instrumentation that marries together horns with dreamier elements, and a booming bass beat that will blow out listeners’ speakers. Niko Brim’s flow here builds up the approach of Jeezy and the Clipse, all while spinning in his own style. BONITA is able to eat, shoot, and leave all in…
Estani’s “Droughts In The Ocean” has an utterly timeless sound to it that ensures that it would work as well in 1995 as it does in 2021. This is due not only to Estani’s amazing vocal range but to the taut instrumentation that plays behind her. Sizzling, soulful horns act as a secondary vocal element, while keys adds a good amount of repetition to the track. The song’s constituent elements…
Silvertung’s “You’re Fine” is a hard-rocking track that is able to link together a wide tradition of performers like Seether and Papa Roach into a chugging, intense effort. Booming guitars, splashing drums, and assertive vox all combine to pull fans from their seats. Silvertung showcases considerable ability during this single as the act can stop and start on a dime. The drum / guitar back and forth pushes each to…
GS11’s “Flex” has a bit of Atlanta (Yung Joc, Guerrilla Zoe) and New Orleans bounce whipped up with a bit of late-nineties Missy Elliott as the sprinkles on the sundae. Repetition of the titular phrase will burn the single deep into listeners’ brains. The featured lines incorporated here by the Plug Daughter does a lot to both switch up the song while keeping the same frantic pace. The video for…
Frank Hugo’s Count It Up immediately hits listeners over their heads with a assertive, intense flow. Full of boasts and intensity, Frank Hugo is able to make a bold statement with his latest. Instead of solely laying out his claims and assets, Frank Hugo is able to impress with intricate lyrics and a speed in delivery that is hard to achieve. What he is able to do here in Count…
48 Ratchet, the latest effort from Maribased1, may be his biggest hit yet. This is because he’s able to put forth a catchy lyrical flow and a similarly bouncy backing beat out from the onset. The feature laid down here by Beat King provides a secondary set of vocals to the cut, ensuring that there’s enough vitality in 48 Ratchet to keep fans coming out on the dance floor. The…
Kailey Nicole’s “Aim A Little Higher” is an inspiring track that showcases the value of self-worth. The track deftly mixes together the female-led country of the 1990s with the contemporary fare of performers like Maren Morris and Gabby Barrett. There’s a lot more to Kailey Nicole on this track; her voice is able to stay confident and just pops with each subsequent phrase she utters. The backing band here refreshes…
Valentine, the new effort from Grey DeLisle, has a traditional / folk feel to it. Grey needs little more accompaniment during this effort than a set of strings. The vocals laid down here build upon the work of luminaries like Dolly Parton and Joni Mitchell. The story that is told during Valentine is something that anyone that has lost their lover (for any sort of reason) will be able to…
AV Super Sunshine’s “Super Cool” is some seriously eclectic fare. It’s an impossible task to point out each of the distinct styles and genres that are blended together here. The sweeping synths present at points are reminiscent to those in The Cars and Gary Numan’s arsenal, while the dreamy vocals will appease fans of Guster and Muse. There’s a bit of new wave here, hints of alt-rock, and a whole…