Waiting for Your Call is a new track from Plastic DJ, a Barcelona based DJ / producer. The song is a mellow, dreamy experience which at first seems like it will be an instrumental dance track but incorporates vocals partway through the song. The beat asserts itself in the mix like a backbone and vaguely resembles the drumbeat of a marching band. It gives structure to the ambient synths. In line with the song’s subject matter. The synths themselves have the quality of tones from a retro-futuristic telephone. The vocals are hypnotic and stoic, expressing a yearning which may never be fulfilled. Clocking in at nearly 7 minutes, Waiting for Your Call is an aesthetically captivating enough song that the listener won’t mind waiting along with you.
Never Let You Down is a new single from “Chase the Jaguar.” the indie rock musical project of brothers David and Sebastian Fox. The song is off their upcoming album, which is currently in the making. The two brothers are trained classical guitarists who’ve toured extensively throughout Europe, but as Chase the Jaguar the main focus is on their passion for minimalist indie rock.
Above all things, Never Let You Down is a vocal driven song. The voices are at the forefront of the mix, so much so that they could almost stand alone as a spoken word, indie opera track. We are obviously dealing with a very good singer here though, who is able to carry the recording with ease. Nearly unthinkable high notes are reached on this recording that would physically impossible for most people. Don’t try this at home, folks! The backing consists of light guitars and a mid paced, anchoring beat. The tone is very ambient and contemplative, slightly reassuring and soothing but with enough energy have a bit of a kick. Creative vocal layering features heavily as well, with the backup vocalizations forming a synth-like “instrumental” element of their own.
The title of this song offers a hint to the ambiguous subject matter. The message David is conveying lyrically is that even though he may be going through a rough time (which his concerned loved one can sense,) he urges his friend / loved one to pretend that everything is fine, giving reassurance that he ultimately won’t let him down. In a famous song Hey Jealousy by the Gin Blossoms, there’s a line which goes If you don’t expect too much from me, then you might not be let down. The theme there is similar, but in that song the singer is merely hinting that they’re capable of exceeding expectations if their loved one is willing to set them low enough. In Chase the Jaguar’s Never Let You Down, the request is of a different nature. It’s as if he’s just asking for space to deal with some things on his own, believing the storm will all blow over without the added pressures of concerned people wanting to help or fix things (whether or not this will turn out to be the case remains to be seen.) We only have his word to go by, after all.
This is a powerful and emotive song. The complex narrative will resonate with listeners who yearn for more than cookie cutter solutions and predictability. The music has cross-genre appeal, certainly appreciable by anyone who enjoys indie rock (a huge demographic as it is,) but also of interest to adult-contemporary fans or people outside the rock sphere altogether.
Chase the Jaguar has released other music, but Never Let You Down is their first single associated with M.E.G. Records (in tandem with Florida’s Neurodisc Records.) I recommend you check it out, as well as the duo’s other songs.
Marton Juhasz’s new full length album Discovery is something else. The poignantly haunting intro track, Sea of Uncertainty, clues the listener in to the fact that this is going to be a record which is a cut above the average recording, both intellectually and musically. The Curve has a more jazzy vibe as the aesthetic of the album begins to take shape. The music can be described as similar to what one would hear on a 1960’s film soundtrack. In fact, if you were to watch an older movie with this playing in the background, it would not seem out of place at all. The sound here is classy, jazzy and cerebral, with hints of abstract psychedelia. There’s expert musicianmanship on display here at all levels, from vocals all the way on down. Songs like Little Prayer and Spellbound have elements of contemporary flavor to remind you when and where you are. My favorite song on this album is Camels in the Sky, which is majestic and memorable. I don’t usually give overly gushing reviews, but this release is absolutely flawless, manifesting as a perfect storm of style, substance and professionalism.
Lies is a new song from MMFB (real name Marco Basso,) a Swiss based DJ, musician, composer and producer. It’s a lively dance / pop track which is brimming with upbeat energy despite dealing with the sensitive topic of calling someone out for “lies.” It features EDM styled beats and synths mixed with dynamic vocals that carry a hint of sass. Lyrically, Lies takes the subject to task for dishonest behavior, laying out a clear and concise confrontation, while at the same time expressing a frustrated for the person to let go and tell the truth. Ultimately this is a club party jam, but the vocals carry more of a pop flair, like if Prince had been an EDM star.
Production on this track is of professional quality, and it’s well mixed, with neither the vocals or the beat too far out front. Despite the title and subject matter, Lies will leave you feeling refreshed, like you’ve just let loose and finally got something off your chest. This artist has a number of other releases, and I recommend you check them out.
Mix in a Water is an ambient new jam from “Flo,” a Toronto, Canada based producer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. The title of the song is accurate in that this funky musical concoction has tropical vibes and a bit of that surreal, beachy keen sound. It’s music for a futuristic Weekend at Bernies. The midi-like synths and subdued vocals give the track a delightful underwater pool party feel. Mix in a Water is hip. It’s groovin. It’s cool, refreshing music, and it’s comin’ to a deserted island rave near you. Apparently Flo has some new stuff lined up for March so be on the lookout for that as well.
Ain’t Givin’ In, a new single from German music producer Echo Lair, is a defiant musical statement where the artist rails takes a stand addressing many of the cultural and political pressures of contemporary society. His charismatic vocal presence drives the action against a smooth groovin’ backdrop. Echo Lair is an impressive lyricist, managing to pack a lot of substance into an average length song and then delivering the words with passion and timing. This isn’t a frivolous kickback jam or recreational chit chat rap about hooking up with women and taking fun pills. Rather, this song commits itself completely to the subject of social change. It’s more of an “anthem” really, a wake up call. Ain’t Givin’ In is like like a monologue plea encouraging positive action. It’s also a well-produced hip hop song that someone could probably still enjoy even if the message doesn’t resonate with them 100%.
19 year old musical prodigy Stephon Foster is back from a two year hiatus with this “comeback” single, Boy, I Quit. It’s a smooth and heartfelt R&B jam with a quick enough pace and crisp enough beat that you can still dance to it. Passionate emotions are cloaked within the songs laid back ambiance, as deep seated feelings brim just below the surface. Like the cover art and title suggests, this single is essentially a love / break up / last chance letter to someone, but really it can be a metaphor for almost any situation where you might me ready to give up on something or someone, even yourself. The assertive, life affirming message is delivered in a very lovely and non-aggressive musical tone. The song is very bright actually and doesn’t come off as depressing at all. Stephon has a pretty voice that’s easy on the ears. I’ve often said that R&B / pop is one of the most difficult genres to sing (except maybe opera) because of all the fluctuations and dynamicism required within individual words. The artist manages to pull it off here. Evoking feelings of empathy and understanding, Boy, I Quit is a respectable second act for Foster and lest we not forget…Stephon is only 19 years old. There will be plenty more in store for the future.
This sort of thing is my bag, baby. No Clashing Egos is a full length album from a musical project known as hooyoosay (they prefer not to be referred to as a band or be credited individually.) The music speaks for itself though. The album is quirky, fun, and avant garde. Unlike a lot of experimental music artists, these guys can actually play their instruments, sing and put together some really impressive arrangements. They remind me of a bit of The Aquabats, if you were to replace the SoCal ska element with a roots Americana vibe. These songs are also a little bit more artistic and abstract. It’s like if you combined 1940s-1950s stage musical acts with contemporary synths, beats and a hodgepodge of other instruments. No two songs on this album are the same, which ultimately makes genre classification challenging. There’s an endearing mix of comedy and sincerity in the lyrics, in the same way that dialogue in a play or a song and dance number in a musical can present as “goofy” but still convey genuine emotions and explore substantive themes. As the title implies, No Clashing Egos disarms and dazzles the listener with its whimsical innocence. My favorite song on this album is Mountain Air, which is a 60’s style psychedelic, indie pop masterpiece. These guys (and girls) are great. I love this!
Still Alive is the latest record from singer/songwriter Fred Argir. A prolific artist, this marks Argir’s 6th album release in just 8 years. The music is guitar driven, classic alternative combined with with blues and gritty rock’n’roll vocals. You get the idea right away with the statement-making first track, The World Isn’t Round. It’s much heavier than what one would expect from a solo “singer/songwriter” album. This isn’t a folk acoustic night at the local coffee bar. This is rockin’ and practically grunge. Other songs like The Meditation are a more mellow, providing a dark and brooding ambiance. You have to listen poke around a bit to find them, but tucked away on this album are some thrilling guitar solos. I also really like the mix on this release. The vocals aren’t too far out front, and the recording doesn’t sound overly polished. It really does sound like authentic alternative rock, as good as you’ll ever find it.
San Diego based, Houston born hip hop artist Lew Houston has a new jam out called Safe. He has a southern style for sure, with a crisp, clear delivery and a “very matter of fact” way of speaking. The song features some choice lines, such as Last place cause you’re too soft, sandman get booed off, red nose like Rudolph… The track mostly has a slow, chill beat, though Houston occasionally picks up the delivery pace at certain moments for maximum effect. Production on this track is very good for an indie hip hop song. One thing I really like about it is that Houston doesn’t use a ton of processing and annoying effects on his vocals the way many rappers do. He demonstrates solid vocal presence, and I get the sense this guy is all about handlin biz.
