Star is a new single from French born singer/songwriter Estelle California. She changed her last name to “California” after moving to Oakland and falling in love with the state. With extensing training in opera, piano and saxophone, she demonstrates her musical prowess on this recording. The song has a beautfully dark and salacious ambiance. The exotic melody and chorus payoff is reminiscent of classic James Bond intro songs like those of Shirley Bassey. There’s a classy, lounge atmosphere
to this track. It’s very intimate yet builds with passionate energy. Toward the end, the track lets loose with some groovy guitar riffs. Estelle establishes herself as a musical force with this instant classic.

For more info:

https://www.facebook.com/estellecalifornia/
https://www.instagram.com/estellecalifornia/

Get Down is a new single from the artist/producer known as Gual. The nu-disco synthpop beat blends with charismatic female vocals to create a vibrant dance experience. The tone is bright and infectiously energetic while the lyrics playfully coax the listener to move. This song really captures the authentic disco sound but has enough contemporary flare and top notch production so as to not appear dated or campy. It can fit nicely into an EDM set. The music has a nice bounce to it and the mix makes effective use or harmony and vocal layering to increase the sensation that action is coming from all directions. This is a solid jam.

For more info:

https://www.gual.info/
http://instagram.com/djgual

Prophesied is a new EP from Oklahome metal outfit, IF IT BLEEDS IT DIES. The songs have delightfully demonic vibes. A fast and deliberate drum beat combines with authoritative guitars to deliver a classic metal sound. The tone is unapologetically dark, sucking the listener deep into the hellish vortex we all yearn for. Suffice to say, these guys are pretty talented and have a solid grasp on the genre. The vocals are reminiscent of the evil djinn character in the Wishmaster film series. With track titles like Blasphemous and Black Heart, you get the idea. As I’ve come to expect with metal musicians, the members play their instruments with meticulous precision and don’t cut corners. The doomsday ambiance isn’t holding them back from putting on a good clean show. Overall, I found Prophesied to be strangely energizing and hypnotic, kind of like a loud musical seance. IF IT BLEEDS IT DIES is a band that has definitely summoned something with this crisp release.

For more info:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/ifitbleedsitdies/prophesied

Neon Dreams is a new single from Long Island based electric violinist and artist, Asher Laub. The song impressively combines elements of classical and EDM in a way that I’ve not quite ever seen done before. This surreal instrumental feat dazzles and amazes from start to finish. With the pace alternating from quiet and contemplative to high octane pulsepounding, this track takes the listener on a precision tooled melodic roller coaster ride. This jam is an excellent avant garne pop example of what a classicial musician can produce if they infuse a little creativity into their projects. Asher Laub is a performer who has found his niche.

For more info:

https://www.asherlaub.com
https://www.instagram.com/asherlaub
https://www.twitter.com/asherlaub

Emotionless is a new single from Phoenix based R&B pop artist Midxnite. His style combines elements of hip hop, R&B and traditional South Asian melodies. Despite the title, the song does in fact deal with emotions and longing. With it’s measured pacing and quietly passionate lyrics, the track delves into the struggle of trying to repair a troubled relationship. Emotionless reads like a personal love letter that the artist has chosen to share with everyone, and we the listeners play the role of spectators wondering just how it will all turn out. You’ve got to hand it to Midxnite for being willing to lay it all out there and creating such a sincere and thoughtful song. The subject matter is also something many of us will find relatable.

For more info:

http://instagram.com/midxnite
http://twitter.com/onlymidxnite

STEAM is a new album from hip hop artist “St Geo.” His mellow pace and articulate delivery style channels the spirit of the golden age of 90’s hip hop greats. The music has a very old school vibe that’s solid on fundamentals. Lyrically, St. Geo dives into deep depths exploring contemporary social issues and his personal experiences with social isolation. The songs don’t just consist of rapping though. There’s occasionally R&B style singing intertwined in the content. All around, there’s a lot of substance packed into STEAM. My favorite jam on this album is probably Strobe Light, with its ambient beat and an excellent emotive performance.

For more info:

https://www.instagram.com/_st.geo/?hl=en
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5bgR6nq8TvNt2CyKcLvnhn

Let Me Come Home is a new single from OneUp Duo, a musical pairing (and real life couple) recently known for appearing on season 15 of The Voice. The largely minimalist pop song is piano driven on the backend and fronted by some incredibe vocal performances. It’s easy to see how these guys secured a spot on The Voice. As someone who has reviewed a zillion indie artists, the skill level on display here really stands out. Setting aside the technical aspect, the lyrics are delivered with intense passion and emotion. The group has a marketable backstory, but that only gets you so far. Fortunately, the vocal talent these guys have should take them the rest of the way.

For more info:

http://instagram.com/oneupduo

Times When I Know You’ll Watch the Sky is a new album from Forest Robots (the musical project of Fran Dominguez), scheduled to be released offically on November 1, 2019. However, you can pre-order it on Bandcamp here.

For those unfamiliar with Forest Robots’s style, it basically combines elements of orchestral futurist music (synthwave, etc) with the organic ambiance of nature in various forms. In opting for seasonal themes, the first two albums dealt with spring and summer. while the latest, Times When I Know You’ll Watch the Sky, pays homage to fall. The songs on this album typically feature a brisk and breezy analog style intro that often sounds somewhere in between record player crackle and a gust of forest wind. It’s a highly effective precursor to when the beat kicks in and envelops you in the enchanted musical ambiance.

When most people think of “nature” music, they imagine new age style stuff that you would hear playing in the background at a store that sells incense and crystals. This isn’t like that. It’s not mellow meditation music. It’s fun, upbeat and you can dance to most of these jams. Yet, the vibe is still cerebral enough to where you could enjoy some contemplative reflection if that’s what you’re looking to get out of it.

Another way this album plays against type is with it’s focus on the sky and the stars. Though the theme is autumn, you won’t find cliches about pumpkin spice and raking leaves. The titles of the tracks mostly relate to the moon, the sun, the rain etc. The emphasis is on what’s happening in the sky (and beyond). This keeps with the space/futurist/nature combination that’s central to the artist’s brand. The tracks are all instrumental of course, so the titles serve as clues to what is being conveyed.

The more I listen to it, the more I think this album would work well as a soundtrack to some kind of role playing adventure video game that takes place in a forest and mountain setting. Bright, lively and emotive, the songs also have an eerie and suspenseful component to them (Of Rivers And Rivers Of Light being a good example of this). All in all, this album is an avant garde and refined near-masterpiece that has me looking forward to what’s in store for winter.

I should also mention that there’s an accompanying film being released in tandem with this album, titled All Things Grow Faint With Great Adorn In Autumn. I recommend viewing it for the full listening experience. Influenced by the work of David Lynch and Salvidor Dali, the surreal visualizations supplied will allow your mind to dive deeper into the music for those who are willing to go there.

For more info:

Website: https://www.forestrobots.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/forestrobots/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestrobots/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/forestrobots