Trapikal Gawd is a new (and first) full length album from 1st Klase. Featuring 16 tracks and an ensemble of supporting guest performers (including Trinidad Ghost, Nico Banks, Sykaflo, Hey Choppi, Coutain, and Ding Dong), the album could be described as the ideal, “end of summer” collection for 2020. The sound combines trap, hip hop, and R&B musical genres with an island/Caribbean ambiance. In terms of delivery, the skill level is high across the board. Each performer brings a particular flavor to the mix and the vocals are tight with the beat. There’s some very meticulous timing on display here that strikes me as natural. As the fabulous cover art implies, the music is more fun and melodic than typical hip hop oriented releases. Clever and witty lyrics are backed by fresh and tropically fruity beats. In fact, the backing music is so good, this could just as easily work as an instrumental album. You wouldn’t want to miss out on the vocal talent though. This is some of the best rhyming you’re ever going to hear.
No Love is a new single from artist, Taj. Taj has plans to launch a website for his upcoming brand, I.M.O.B. (I’m My Own Boss) Global, where he will have merch available and release various projects. This particular jam incorporates vocal effects processing to strategically transform the voice at various points, giving it an instrumental quality for effect. Musically, No Love blends elements of R&B and hip hop with a slightly tropical vibe. The beat has colorful chime to it and is layered with vocal harmonies. For his part, Taj gives a sincere and heartfelt performance as he offers up sentimental social commentary relevant to current affairs. The video for this track is professionally shot and features some fantastic murals as scenic backdrops.
Blacklight Invasion is a new single from Sepsiss, a New England-based, female fronted heavy metal band. Taken from the group’s upcoming album, Almost 11, the track combines classic metal vocals with formidable guitars and a slick 21st century rhythm. The pacing of the song may be moderate, but the impact is ample. While the vocals maintain a delightfully demonic quality, they’re also quite melodic for this style of music. Charismatic lead vocalist Melissa Wolfe belts out the lyrics with equal parts electricity and angst. The mix is full and rich, achieving a cozy balance between euphorically bright and broodingly dark tones. The overall atmosphere is hypnotic and pulls you in with its shadowy magic. Blacklight Invasion is a respectable metal entry and intrigued listeners will be eagerly awaiting the release of the full album
The CHiLDREN is a new single from Kilo House, a well known trap artist from California (and alumni of the Icon Collective College of Music). A man of eclectic tastes, he cites his influences as ranging from Blink 182 to Borgore.
High octane beats and laser-like synths hit with pulsating intensity in this powerhouse jam. This bad boy will get your heart racing and keep the spice flowing all night. The ambiance is dark and sinister (reflecting Kilo’s background in the deathcore genre) but the underlying current is playful, and the song doesn’t take itself too seriously. It just offers up some casual electro-horrorism for your enjoyment. Though I’d recommend cranking this track up to experience the “full blare” of The CHiLDREN, one should take some time to appreciate the sonic subtleties and dynamicism of the beat. The song also makes sparse yet strategic use of voice samples, which add a touch of dystopian atmospheric flavor to the mix. Ultimately, The CHiLDrEN makes the most of its concise 2:27 runtime, packing quite a loaded serving of fruit punch into its cup. Speed and action-oriented bass make this track a compact pocket party favorite. Enjoy!
Little Secrets is a new album from singer/songwriter Brian Erickson. Slated for release on September 18, 2020 (courtesy of Mint 400 Records and Aqualung Records), this album is simply dazzling. It was recorded during the COVID-19, with classic homemade LP’s like Paul McCartney’s Ram and Clean by Soccer Mommy serving as the artistic inspiration. There’s nothing cheap or “homebrew” about the audio quality though, which is sonically phenomenal. When most (indie-minded) people think of home recordings, they imagine something along the lines of the late Daniel Johnston’s albums, flawed, raw and somewhat abrasive recordings that capture your heart with their authentic charm and unappreciated songwriting genius. Brian Erickson’s Little Secrets contains all of the positive characteristics but without any of the negatives.
Musically, the best way to describe the sound is that it’s bright and sparkling indie pop, in the spirit of Ben Folds or Of Montreal. Brian humbly categorizes it as “old fashioned,” but really it just represents a time when music was more authentic and performers could actually sing without relying on all kinds of post-production tinkering and gimmickry. It has that 1960s-70s songwriter quality to it, but also resembles the early-2000s indie revival which flourished before the current wave of over-processed corporate pop swallowed everything whole and never looked back.
Organic guitars and subtle synths blend with daydreamy reverb to cultivate the ideal ecosystem for Brian’s voice, which ultimately carries the album. Brian Erickson’s vocals are pristine. This guy can sing better than any contemporary indie pop musician I’ve ever known. Tracks such as Hit or Miss (not to be confused with the viral Tik Tok meme) actually remind me a lot of Simon and Garfunkel’s music. The sentimentally innocent yet sunshiny afternoon ambiance really hits the 60s’-70’s bubblegum pop sweet spot. Indeed, it wouldn’t be a stretch to think of Brian Erickson as a sort of “one-man Partridge Family.”
Seriously though, this is so good. The title track Little Secrets is a surefire hit. My personal favorite song on this album is the ethereal gem, Mall Madness, which also manages to successfully incorporate a hint of twang in its outro. Some singles which appear on here like Another Unfinished Novel and Shore Towns are already available on major streaming platforms for your listening pleasure. Rumor has it, that Brian Erickson will be performing a virtual concert on the evening of the album’s official release (Friday Sept 18), so mark your calendars and save the date.
Haven’t Been There is a new single from Los Angeles based producer and singer/songwriter, Manny J. Moreno. The song is from his upcoming album, Where Do We Go From Here, and is scheduled to be released officially on September 18, 2020. Manny is highly experienced in music and production and for a while even owned a recording studio on the Sunset Strip, (in a building had once been Charlie Chaplin’s home!)
As the title implies, Haven’t Been There is actually a sentimental song about a father hoping to reestablish his relationship with his daughter. He expresses remorse over having not been around for some the the important events in her life as she’s grown up. Musically, the song features delightfully meticulous guitar playing, setting the tone and creating a solid framework for the track. Manny’s recording experience comes into play here, as you can really hear the stylistic subtleties and details in the notes. The vocals are heartfelt and sincere, with Manny laying it all out there. His capable voice gets the job done. What makes Haven’t Been There powerful is the emotional realism. This is further enhanced by watching the video, which consists of a montage of family photos that put faces to the lyrics and bring them to life. This a great father-daughter bonding song but will resonate with anyone who might be looking to reconnect with family members and loved ones in almost any context.
Playful Secrets is a new single from artist, Fin. A 28 year old active duty member of the Army, Fin creates music with the goal of empowering people who may be dealing with issues like anxiety, family addictions or the pain of losing a love one (Fin cites his deceased his father as being an inspiration for his artistic endeavors). These are all delicate subjects to tackle, but the tone of Playful Secrets is empathetic and uplifting in the way it encourages people to face their demons and free themselves, while at the same time recognizing the struggle and emotions people typically face along the way. It is a very honest and complex song that explores these issues from a variety of angles, speaking a language its target audience will understand.
Musically, Playful Secrets features a crisp, unconventionally structured beat that’s memorable and cutting edge. The vocals are passionate and dynamic. The song’s biggest strength though is in the lyrics, which are elaborate and thought provoking. Nothing superficial here. This track digs much deeper than what is typical of the genre. Playful Secrets is a strong track that conducts itself with credible sincerity.
Midafternoon Melancholy is a new single from Belgium-based artist, Wild Other. At a runtime of just 1:29, this track is short and sweet. It’s beautiful, actually. As the title suggests, the song features a sentimental, rainy-day atmosphere. A warm analog tone, and subtle background noise give the track an organic, vintage character. The music is minimalist yet effective and creating the artistic framing. When you hear it, you understand the sound the artist is going for. This is like listening to an old 45 record gem. It’s right up there with the best love songs on classic indie film soundtracks. Ultimately, Midafternoon Melancholy is vocally driven, and the voice on the recording is indeed excellent. The vocals, which manage to be both technically terrific and creatively avant-garde, carry this song far beyond its meager runtime. The lyrics deal with the subject of loneliness and longing in a very sincere way. I recommend watching the video for this song, as it visually captures the essence of the music accurately. This song is wonderful. I just love it.
I Like Girls is a new single from artist, Jimmy Spittz. His interest in downtempo “coffee shop” beats and elevator-style music was apparently inspired by his trips to the city of Chicago, though he credits his faith in God as the spiritual influence behind much of his work. The song features smooth groovin’ lounge music with a beat that has a robust kick to it. The vibe is jazzy, and the recording it well-polished. There’s a classy, almost 70’s retro quality to the melody, while the bass affirms the track’s 21st century identity. Stylishly romantic, I Like Girls is both vibrant and sensual. In what could be described as an abstract, artistically impressive feat, it manages to cultivate its intended ambiance through instrumentals alone.
This is one of those songs that would be great to hear on vinyl. It’s the perfect record to play at an evening cocktail party. The music is versatile enough that you could either get your dance on to this jam or listen to it while winding down on the sofa with a glass of wine. I Like Girls is simply stellar, and Jimmy Spittz has established himself as a promising young master of this genre.
The NOW Project is a new EP from hip hop/soul recording artist, Danielle Blaiq. This release is much more advanced than standard musical fare in that it contains an actual storyline/narrative. It chronicles the experiences of an intelligent young woman who becomes romantically involved with a therapist. The songs represent the emotional highs and lows she experiences during the relationship. This avant-garde and intellectual effort isn’t without its musical charms either. Danielle Blaiq is a formidable vocalist, really a gifted singer. In addition to demonstrating a high technical skill level, her voice is also dynamic and emotionally expressive. The recording is very clean and clear. There are no production tricks or obfuscating effects. We are allowed to appreciate the album’s natural greatness and beauty in its full capacity.
In terms of content, the album could best be described as a kind of audio diary (that just so happens to be musically enjoyable). We as invited eavesdroppers are privy to the intensely personal thoughts and feelings associated with the relationship. Danielle takes listeners on the journey and confides in us along the way. My favorite parts of the album are when she drifts into thoughtful, spoken word monologues, which slowly build and culminate in euphoric musical spectacles. The best example of this can be found on the track Here Now, and is truly powerful. There’s a lot of material and lyrical substance packed into this album, so I would urge readers to check it out for themselves. I guarantee you will find things here which resonate with you and treat yourself to some well-performed music in the process.
