Category Archives: Reviews

King C.P – The Evolution

Webp.net-resizeimage

The Evolution is a new album from hip hop artist, King C.P The sound has a dreamlike quality, with an ambient backing and deep reverb. King C.P’s delivery style is reflective, and the flow mostly takes on a “stream of consciousness” form. This is truly a full length album, filled with substantive content and emotional introspection. Musically, it’s much more ethereal than typical hip hop releases, with synth-driven beats that could double as “chillwave” tracks. King C.P’s vocals are clear and free of any unnecessary processing. The reverb and delay effects that are employed merely enhance the listenability of his mellow and naturally pleasant tone. The Evolution is a solid effort that feels very satisfying.

For more info:

https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-evolution/1507768740
https://www.instagram.com/kingc.p/

Bobby Royale – Fever Pitch

Attachment_1592160620

Fever Pitch is a new single from Bobby Royale. Featuring a fast, fresh and funkified sound, this lively jam is infectiously groovy. Blending elements of gold age hip hop, funk, R&B and maybe even a bit of disco, Fever Pitch is professionally performed and meticulously constructed. The vocal delivery remains tight with the complex beat throughout, even when reaching impressive speeds. The horns add a nice touch, giving the track a classic, organic and sophisticated aura, reminiscent of a lot of the seasoned ska and funk bands I would see in the early 90s as a teenager. Honestly, these are really good musicians that know what they’re doing. I recommend you check out the video for this song as well. It’s a high quality production, well edited and entertaining from start to finish.

For more info:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBzCOp1OMzaQLBXYfKRZMtw

BLOOODHOUND – HOPE

Screenshot 2020-06-16 at 3.27.58 AM

HOPE is a new album from Australian-based artist and producer, BLOOODHOUND. This avant garde gem features ambient synths, light beats and a plethora of samples and snippets to create an eerily entrancing atmosphere. Each song cohesively blends into the next, and before you realized it, you’ve listened all the way through. I don’t want to give too much away, but there’s a recording sample of a famous 911 call that is utilized creatively as a motif. The best way to describe this album is that it’s uncomfortably beautiful. The sound is is very pretty, yet suspense and unease lurk just beneath. What distinguishes HOPE from many experimental and eccentric recordings is that the artist here demonstrates a surprisingly coherent structure and narrative vision, however subtle. There’s a method to the madness. I love it.

For more info:

https://lnk.to/H0PE

Layla Kilolu – In Memory of You

kilolu

In Memory of You is a new album from Honolulu-based artist Layla Kilolu. Intended to honor her exes, the sound is surprisingly upbeat and energetic. This isn’t funeral procession music. Featuring ambient, futuristic synths and bright vocals, the style balances neatly between EDM and pop. Layla’s voice has a naturally sweet tone that manages to convey innocence, vulnerability and sincerity. She can actually sing pretty well, too. Perhaps what’s greatest about the album is that though these songs are about her exes, she never comes across as particularly bitter. This isn’t just someone rattling off a laundry list of grievances. In fact,the track No Games deals with the games men and women play with each other. In Memory of You covers the healthy, full range of emotions one feels as relationships come and go over the years. The production is high quality, and the mix does a nice job of allowing Layla’s vocals to drive the emotional action. This is a touching release that still contains enough electricity to fire up a dance floor if necessary.

For ore info:

Gianluca Gallo – Susanna

gianluca

Susanna is a new single from Italian singer, composer and music producer, Gianluca Gallo. This catchy track combines orchestral/big band elements with Eurodance, lounge and even disco. The horn driven beat adds a distinctive dimension to the song. Infectious and sophisticated, this jam will induce you to put on your best dancing suit (or dress). Beautiful, reverb drenched vocals (which alternate between male and female) give this song a stylishly mod vibe. Susanna incorporates the best of retro while retaining its appeal to 21st century audiences through recording quality and musicianship. Everything about this release is professional and meticulously put together. Gianluca Gallo proves himself to be a seasoned musical craftsman with this fun, clean and classy tune.

Gianluca Gallo

For more info:

Forrest Hill – River of Stars

Webp.net-resizeimage

River of Stars is a new album from singer/songwriter, Forrest Hill. The songs combine elements of folk, pop and alternative rock to cultivate a catchy, contemporary incarnation of a classic sound. Musically, the style strikes me as reminiscent of vintage Simon and Garfunkel (in their more upbeat and polished moments). Tracks like Million Miles and New Horizon are characterized by an organic euphoria. This album impresses on all fronts. Production is clean and clear, with a quality level exceeding that of most major labels. Hill is also an excellent singer, successfully taking vocal risks that many would not even have the courage to attempt in this genre. The songwriting and instrumentation form a complex ecosystem, which the artist makes the most of. Dynamic, melodic and memorable, this is just an excellent release. Absolutely fantastic.

For more info:

https://forrestofficial.com/
https://www.facebook.com/forrestofficial/
https://twitter.com/fhillofficial

Maki – Atlas Hacked

altas

Atlas Hacked is a new album from Seattle-based artist, Maki. A lot of releases can be vaguely classified as “avant garde” or “experimental,” but this one truly is. Featuring eerily ambient synths and provocative monologues, the songs make for an enjoyable listen but will also nudge you out of your comfort zone. While some tracks like Are You Normal are vocally driven and deal with the shattering of sacred cows, songs such as Lights Out convey their themes in a more abstract and instrumentally theatrical fashion. The overall pacing is light and meditative, yet offset by a persistent cinematic intensity. One might expect an experimental, artistic project like this to be a Lo-Fi production endeavor, yet the recording quality is highly professional. These mixes are as good as anything you’d hear on a contemporary film soundtrack.

The album does a good job of calling out fakeness in various forms, while leaving things open enough to interpretation that it forces the listener to think about these things for themselves, rather than just soak in the artist’s ideology. This is honestly one of the more creative and interesting releases I’ve heard this year. It communicates its message at its own frequency, and it’s up to you to decide whether to tune in or just chill and enjoy the ambiance. Atlas Hacked is a meditative album for people willing to venture into the less comfortable corners of their mind.

For more info:

http://atlashacked.natalisgroup.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFYgWx92CRq1I9Duo_3GBqA

Nasir Da Great – Never Fall Apart

nasir

Never Fall Apart is a new single from Atlanta-based hip hop artist, Nasir Da Great. His lyrical delivery is tight and crisp, while maintaining a fluid, conversational flow. He has a very sincere, stream of consciousness style. Refreshingly, the song is brimming with hopeful and optimistic messaging. It’s all about overcoming adversity and keeping together the people and things which are truly important. The video for this jam is visually stunning, with very high quality images and settings which prominently feature young people in various settings, just active and loving life. Everyone in the video is smiling and having a ball. Never Fall Apart is a solid, homegrown hip hop song that will brighten up your spirits and leave a pleasant aftertaste.

For more info:

https://www.instagram.com/nasirdagreat8

Rex Rayne – Power Pack

powerpack

Power Pack is a new EP from hip hop artist, Rex Rayne. Inspired by Rex’s recent visit to Asia, this compact 2-track mini album. The songs are punchy and melodic, with quick pacing and a concise beat. This is futuristic hip hop that retains a bit of an edge. Rex’s delivery is harmonious and dynamic, managing to assert itself without overwhelming the ultra fresh backing beat in the mix. Power Pack is actually a very apt title, as the tracks hit you with an electric jolt. It’s pure unadulterated energy in the form of a neat little musical package.

For more info:

https://www.instagram.com/nuevo_x/

Chuckola – How Do I Begin

chuckula

How Do I Begin is a new single and music video from artist, Chuckola. In this heartfelt track, he reflects on the toll the pandemic has taken on people’s lives. Apparently, the artist even lost one of his own relatives to the illness. Though the tone is somber and sentimental, How Do I Begin ultimately carves out a positive and hopeful message, as Chuckola aims for a way to pick up the pieces and get on with life. From a musical standpoint, he pours his heart into his vocals, which provide the pulse of the song. The pacing is mellow and the backing consists of minimalist synths. Overall, I think How Do I Begin captures the mood of a lot of exhausted people out there looking to get back into the swing of things.

For more info:

https://www.facebook.com/ChuckolaMusic/
https://www.instagram.com/c23musik/