Category Archives: Reviews

5 Reasons to Listen to “Please Save The Space Bees”

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In case you’re not yet acquainted with Please Save The Space Bees, here’s some brief background info from the artists themselves:

Scott Wood has been in the broadcasting industry for years in Vancouver, Canada. After interviewing countless bands and artists, networking with professionals he decided to use his attained skills and expertise in the field pursue his vision of creating a podcast.

It’s an entertainment sci-fi drama punctuated with subtle commentary on modern issues; “Implants” of several characters are a fusion of the newness-obsolete smartphone technology and Elon Musk’s Neuro-link, soul capturing Ghost-in-the-Shell metaphysics, threat of GMO monoculturing entire planets, cloning ethics & the hyper elite vs political effectiveness rebellion naming a few.

Initially, I had thought this might be some kind of environmental activist podcast dedicated to raising awareness to our declining bee population and the effect its having on our ecosystem. This isn’t that kind of show at all (but someone out there should start such a podcast if they haven’t already). Having said that, Please Save The Space Bees is actually fantastic, and here are a few reasons you should check it out:

1. It’s an actual series. Unlike 95% of current podcasts, Please Save The Space Bees does not consist of people sitting around pontificating about current events. The best way to describe it is that it’s like a 21st century, futuristic audiobook, reminiscent of classic sci-fi radio programs like War of the Worlds. The plots are accessible and easy to get into into, even without being familiar with much of the backstory.

2. It’s action packed. Not a single second is wasted. Nonstop quick witted conversational dialogue hits you from start to finish. The editing style is punchy and to the point. Brimming with subtle humor and occasional sarcasm, this show is never boring and will hold the interest of even those with micro attention spans. The social commentary isn’t heavy handed, but it’s there if you listen for it. There are plenty of “spaced-out” sound effects to level up the ambiance as well.

3. The production quality is very high. This isn’t just some dudes blabbling away into an old Radio Shack omnidirectional microphone (not that there is anything wrong with that) and pots and pans sound effects. Audio and production are pretty much at the level of what you’d expect from something from big budget Adult Swim shows like Aqua Teen Hunger Force. I have no idea what it is costing these people to produce Please Save The Space Bees, but they are getting their money’s worth and then some. Excellent audio clarity, mixing and editing all around.

4. It’s epic. There are apparently 15 people involved in this project, as one might suspect from hearing the myriad of different voices on the show (male and female.) It’s almost unheard of for that many people to be dedicated to an indie audio production like this.

5. It’s free. As far as I can tell, this podcast is available for anyone to listen to on multiple streaming platforms, with no paywall. I listened to a couple of episodes with no issues. It’s actually kind of surprising, because clearly a lot of work and effort has gone into these productions, from some highly talented people. Episodes are available in explicit versions (which include mild profanity etc) and clean versions (for the kiddies!).

For more info:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/dark-matter-podcasts/id1495280732

DJ Ažurely – The Glow Up

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The Glow Up is a new single from New England-based artist, DJ Ažurely (sometimes credited as AŽ’). This is a rather creative indie EDM effort, which frequently alternates in style and pacing, while remaining cohesive musically. The song functions as a kind of vocally driven, cascading collage of emotions, with a vocal performance that’s convincingly heartfelt and impressively dynamic. Backing music consists mainly of a light house beat, ethereal synths and even a bit of rock. Layered backup vocals also constitute an ambient “instrumental” component of the song. Oscillating between high energy and soft spoken expressiveness, The Glow Up is bursting with passion throughout.

For more info:

https://www.instagram.com/iamazurely/

Bailey Jehl, Ruben Gausel Torkelsen – I Would

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I Would is a new single from Nashville based pop singer/songwriter Bailey Jehl and EDM producer Ruben Gausel Torkelsen (who grew up in Norway.) Things blend together quite nicely in this unlikely collaboration. The audio mix is clean and professional, with Bailey’s innocent vocals backed by light guitars and a minimalist beat. Various synthlike elements appear (often unexpectedly) which emotionally accentuate the track at strategic and climactic points. The result is that I Would retains the credibly organic “singer/songwriter” sound, while distinguishing itself with a 21st century spark that gives the music a bit of a polished edge. This aspect makes the song more pop accessible and allows it to break away from genre stereotypes. For her part, Bailey has a lovely, natural voice that seems tailor made for indie pop, and every delicate detail of it is audibly emphasized in the mix. I Would is a very well balanced song, as Ruben keeps the EDM elements in check and wisely utilizes them to complement the organic sound rather than compete with it. On a collaborative effort like this, it’s tough to know who’s responsible for what creative choice, but there’s a lot of talent apparent in the final product here, and that’s what counts.

For more info:

Erik Cain – Ready or Not

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Ready or Not is an album from Erik Cain, an independent hip-hop artist originally from huntsville, AL. Erik cites his influences as J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and Chance the Rapper. His songs are vocally driven, with a delivery fueled by pure passion. Many rappers are willing to show an emotional side every now and then, but this guy really pours his heart and soul into every line. Some tracks like Heart Gold feature a minimalist piano backing, while others have a groovy, almost ’70s style retro record player vibe. Every stage of the music, from performance to production is extremely professional in quality, something listeners will sense almost immediately. It’s a clean, flawless and sonically pleasing album with a lot of variety. What separates it from mere “pop” is really the substance. There’s real concrete stuff here and Erik is willing to dive deep into his emotions. Nothing superficial or cliche to be found in these recordings. A crowded genre, hip hop is becoming an increasingly difficult category to standout in. However, with this release, Erik Cain proves his music is truly a cut above. He has what it takes to go all the way.

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For more info:

https://ffm.to/erikcainmusic

Quantum Thought – Entrepreneur

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Entrepreneur is a single from Sacramento based hip hop artist, Quantum Thought (real name Ricky Canady.) He refers to his unique style of rap as “Scarred Poetry.” The backing music has a peppy pace and impactful intensity as Quantum Thought delivers his lines a charismatic and somewhat motivational fashion. With Entrepreneur, he poetically conveys that he’s overcome hardships ready to handle biz at all times. The track features some spacelike synths which you come at you epic style, setting the tone for Quantum’s larger than life vocal presence and go-getter vibe. This isn’t your standard “slam” poetry hip hop. This guy really does have a different style.

For more info:

Junior Love – Can’t Stop

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Can’t Stop is a new single from Junior Love, a pop singer/songwriter and poet based in Monroe, LA. This smooth boppin’ jam has a warm analog quality and features lively vocals. Groovy guitars and a relaxed beat provide the backdrop for Junior’s emotionally expressive voice. You can feel the vivacious energy in this song, which Junior casually describes as “your body’s very own chemical reaction to the feeling of love,” clarifying that often times it isn’t really love but “infatuation,” and “a state of limerence.” Whatever the vibe, Junior lays it all out there, as this song is filled with melodic passion. Musically, it has a very carefree 90’s feel to it. Similarly, his other release Do Ya (not to be confused with Outkast’s Hey Ya) is described as a “90’s inspired garage house track.” It has that subtle tape hiss/noise, which accentuates the retro ambiance. The light and funky backing music and casual atmosphere combine with Junior’s dynamic vocals which bounce around like a cool superball. This is a fun tune that isn’t shy about showing a little sincere affection. Both of these tracks are a prelude to his upcming concept album, 10 Hours to Mexico.

For more info:

Trevah – Memories

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Memories is a new single from Trevah, an up and coming hip hop artist who was originally born in Windhoek, Namibia. Having grown up in Ontario and spent time in Toronto, Trevah began rapping when he was just 8 years old. His other primary interest was basketball. “I used to be like Kobe in high school,” he says, looking back on his playing days. As far as his musical pursuits, He made his first beats and started recording at the age of 13. “I got my mom to buy some equipment and then I started recording real heavy, in my room, when I was like 16. I was just playin’ with it.” His first mixtape The Road to Glory was released in 2017 and racked up over 100,000 streams on Soundcloud. Trevah’s unique sound was influenced by his formative experiences in Toronto at a young age. “My first time out of town – when I was like 12 or 13 – was Toronto. So that was like when first Drake came out, Lil Wayne was doing his thing, all the those rappers was on something I kinda attached myself to that in middle school.” Trevah claims that he gets a lot of attention because of his unique style; “A lot of people say I got my own sound. I ain’t never really got no comparisons. When people hear my music, they be like, ‘He got his own lil sound.’”

His new single Memories speaks for itself. You can tell he really has spent a lot of time fine tuning his recording skills, because the mix is crisp and clear, and the sonic qualities are just very pleasing to the ear. He’s not afraid to put his voice out front, and his delivery is solid enough to carry the song. The track is enhanced by strategically placed backing vocals and a synth driven back beat. Memories is a surprisingly moving and sentimental song, lyrically blending elements of nostalgia, family, love and ambition. Quietly powerful, this jam is professionally put together and hovering just under the radar, ready to be found.

For more info:

https://linktr.ee/Trevah

Dre Da Playa – Trappin’ After Sunset

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Trappin’ After Sunset is a new full length album from hip hop artist, Dre Da Playa. What’s uniue about Dre Da Playa is that he doesn’t rely on presets, samples and drum machines. Rather, he actually plays instruments (guitars and drums) to create the beats himself. As you might imagine, this results in a very exotic and organic sound, with the backing music taking on a refreshingly groovy and ethereal feel for a hip hop release. Dre has a relaxed and laid back delivery but still cranks up the gears every now and then to rhyme at an impressive pace. The songs are generally upbeat and cultivate a casually chill vibe. What I find most impressive about Trappin’ After Sunset are the distinctive and atmospheric song intros. Musically, they set the mood for the album’s “after dark” ambiance, with The Flow being my favorite example. Dre also demonstrates some solid rhyming chops, particularly on the track Crush Tonight. Overall this album is a decent release with good songwriting and a capable performance. The artist gets bonus points for creating the backing music the old fashioned way, which not only enhances the sound but lends the album an authentic personality.

For more info:

Shalom Kolontarov – Titanic

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Titanic is a new single from artist, Shalom Kolontarov. To say “artist” is an understatement. This guy is an Actor/Singer/Producer/Director and all around performer extraordinaire. His song Titanic is a memorable and avant garde “instant classic,” with the potential to go viral if a video is made for the track. The song is done in a spoken word, performance art style with a light musical backing and subtle hip hop vibes. Not just a gargantuan metaphor, this jam is literally about the Titanic (the actual ship) as Shalom (speaking as the character Jack) relays a brief version of a story loosely borrowed from the plot of the 1997 film. He meets Rose on the Titanic and she agrees to pose nude for him because he wants to “sketch her naked body.” Jack ends up having sex with her and decides he wants to marry her. Subsequently he dies when the ship hits the iceberg, while she survives. That’s it. Now people can just listen to this jam and won’t even have to sit through a three hour movie. Shalom’s deadpan delivery is highly effective, and his accent definitely adds something to the ambiance. I think people would go wild for a live performance of this. It’s totally worth the price of admission.

For more info:

https://www.shalomstopics.com/

Love, Logan – where is logii?

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where is logii? is a new album from Niskayuna based artist “Love, Logan.” The album has a delightfully organic feel to it, with the groovy intro giving off some folkish, psychedelic vibes. Subsequent tracks blend a variety of genres, incorporating elements of pop, hip hop and synth to create a very experimental and avant garde ambiance. Both artistically unique and approachable, these songs can be appreciated by a broad spectrum of the population. There really is a ton of instrumental versaitility on display here. In every track we are introduced to new, unexpected sounds in the mix (and sometimes even new voices). Some songs are quiet and meditative, while others have enough of a beat to venture into the realm of danceability. All in all, where is logii? is an intriguing and enjoyable release.

For more info:

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mUVxF86E8dItljEwyXgA9-N5dzschwiw0