Royale With Cheese is a new EP from Swedish hip hop group, Bobby Royale. Featuring iconic artists like Henry Bowers and Akem, this release is slick and stylish. The songs have a classic and old school vibe, with smooth, analog-like backing tracks that wouldn’t seem out of place in the 70s or early 90s. They’re all good, but one of the standout songs is Everyday People, a melodic and soulful jam that’s absolutely dazzling. The vocal performances are stellar throughout (both in the singing and rapping department). Another notable track is Cheddar, memorable for its imaginatively rhythmic backing and creative structure. What makes this EP so impressive is the way it incorporates a retro aesthetic, and then adds layers of songwriting complexity, transforming the music into something much more advanced, almost futuristic. Royale With Cheese blends technical ability with aesthetic sensibility. It’s the ultimate artistic combination. It’s also fun, fresh and supremely danceable.

For more info:

Believe It is a brand new EP from artist, Bri Causey. Blending elements of hip hop, R&B and even classical, this highly imaginative and avant garde release is instantly memorable. Against a backdrop of some of the classiest beats you’ll hear in 2020, Bri Causey’s vocal style is conversational and reflective. She can actually sing as well. She delivers her lyrical lines with dynamic flair, squeezing the maximum musical goodness out of every word.

The tracks often oscillate between quiet contemplation and energized intensity, and Bri’s introspective lyrics are genuinely thought provoking. The backing music is often ambient and ethereal, as the beats slowly but powerfully kick into high gear. My favorite track on the EP is the delightfully haunting, Do You Know. It combines excellent songwriting with a capable performance and a spiritual mystique. All in all, this is a solid EP, and Bri Causey has established her own distinctive style within a crowded genre.

For more info:

https://music.apple.com/us/album/believe-it-ep/1542891099
http://www.instagram.com/o.thatsbri
https://youtube.com/channel/UCe9zP1ovGIyhs0TV10hUFeQ

Released under the label of Cloudy Records, Face Mask is a new single from artist, DJ MSK. This ambient jam offers up a creatively packaged yet straightforward public health message advising people to wear masks. It’s a dance track, with the primary lyrical content consisting of the phrase, “Wear your face mask. I ain’t gonna say it again.” The EDM-style backing beat is chill and occasionally features some futuristically groovin’ melodies. I’ve reviewed a few COVID inspired songs over the past year, but this one is unique in that the title of the track, the content and even the artist’s moniker all appear to be pandemic related. Musically, Face Mask can stand on its own as an electronic dance track. It just so happens to also contain a valuable public service announcement.

For more info:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4d4W2E1xIZRPaVgQSyRbAy?si=vFLyn_BgRgq_0v7SeYC68A

I’m Someone Else is a new single from Swedish-based multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter, Karolina Beijer. Sentimental and inspiring, the song should resonate with anyone grappling with their feelings of self-worth. Presented lyrically as a kind of confession or inner monologue, I’m Someone Else centers around the concept of personal identity. It’s about taking a chance with “a different way of handling things,” by letting the people who care about you in rather than continuing to push them away. It’s clearly a very personal subject for the artist, who is in fact courageously letting us in on her struggles just by releasing this song into the world for us to appreciate.

Musically, Karolina Beijer’s vocal performance is energizing and melodic. She really has a strong voice, which is enhanced by layering effects, effectively increasing her power level. The piano/synth driven backing ranges from delicately quaint to exhilarating as the mix kicks into high gear. Blending expressions of empathy, afflicted sincerity and hopefulness, I’m Someone Else is a song that will tug on your heartstrings a bit and hopefully influence its target audience in a very tangible way.

For more info:

http://www.instagram.com/karolinabeijermusic/
http://www.facebook.com/karolinabeijermusic/

HURT is a new music video from artist, Paul Pedana. Slated for official release on December 20, the video is said to have been in production for nearly two years, and an emotional labor that represents the end of an era for the artist. Taken from Paul’s album, A Sole Existence Reflects Eternity (which was nominated for best album at the 2019 Independent Music Awards), the song itself is a cover of a Johnny Cash classic (which was also covered by Nine Inch Nails). Paul’s performance is brimming with sincerity and emotional depth. His delivery has a spiritual and intensely personal quality, as he confronts deeply entrenched feelings of pain and perseverance. He has led a truly remarkable life, having survived being run over by a bus as a teenager to emerge as a talented and resilient artist.

The video effectively juxtaposes extremely high quality footage of Paul performing against a river backdrop, with simulated home video-style flashbacks of significant and consequential events in his life. The excellent sonic clarity amplifies the track’s lyrical expressions of sensitivity and vulnerability Both musically and visually, the song is deeply moving.

For more info:

https://paulpedana.com/

Nebula’s Lace is one of three recent singles released by the SUGAR BITES. Representing avant garde indie rock at its finest, the song starts out with a quaint and sentimental, neo-folk vibe, featuring the quietly entrancing vocals of Nina Kicia. About halfway through, the track shapeshifts into into a more alternative rocking, earthshattering jam, with charismatic singer Mateja Jovancic belting out lyrics at the top of his lungs against a backdrop of assertive guitars. This Jekyll and Hyde like effect creates a song that is both melodically beautiful and jarringly engaging.

Another recent song, charmingly titled Piss Stained Tissue, is more of a straightforward alternative rock jam. The mix is robust and has a classic sound. Delivered with style, tonal creativity and delightful angst, the vocals on this track particularly shine. They really give the song its identity. The guitars and bass are powerful, maintaining a healthy balance of distortion and crunch.

The third recent single the a groovy and vaguely psychedelic number, TRAM 81. The best way I can describe it is it’s like if you were to combine The Velvet Underground with a heavier rock’n’roll sound. This song even manages to incorporate some radical synths, enhancing the mix and intensifying the ambiance.

All three of these songs are good, but they are also unique to one another, as the SUGAR BITES demonstrate experimental and musical range while leaving their distinct artistic imprint on each of the tracks.

For more info:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5i3O0TkhBiKvoeRFv_PKCQ

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5fEnQiOZZ5um24IioJf1FM

Hypermode is a new album from hip hop artist, SC4Real. This release contains 20 invigorating and dynamic tracks. Featuring retro-futuristic synths and a worldly ambiance, the presentation is simply epic. The mix is fresh and loud, hitting hard right from the opening bell. The audio quality is excellent as well. It’s tough to even overstate just how melodic and cool the synth-driven beats are. They’re so entrancing they almost make you forget this a hip hop album and not the Flash Gordon soundtrack. They’re just very theatrical and powerful.

Though the pacing varies from track to track, the sound is very action oriented and maintains a consistent level of intensity. Listening to these recordings is like hooking yourself up to a brain boost machine. You have to be ready absorb all the energy. He does leave some room for a chill mode though. Some songs like Now Or Never have an ambient and ethereal vibe, while other jams like Alive have more of a smooth and classically groovin’ aesthetic. The euphoria inducing Cool Talk is one of the standout tracks musically.

SC4Real has an impressively disciplined and focused delivery. His pacing is modest, and he doesn’t try to show off or get too flashy. There is still plenty of passion there though. His creative usage of vocal layering and backup vocals enhances the recordings by a factor of 3. Rebel Forever is a good example of a track that is catchy and hypnotic, owing to SC4Real’s strategic lyrical repetition and the power of suggestion. The final song on the album, Big Dog, with its instantly memorable “background bark,” is a surprising sleeper hit and has the potential to be a viral sensation. Yeah that’s right, you’ll want to listen to this album all the way through.

There have been so many stellar indie hip hop releases in 2020, that saying “this is one of the best hip hop albums of the year” is starting to sound like a cliche. However, Hypermode is very good. This is the kind of music that major labels should be putting out. It’s not even about getting back to basics or anything. Hypermode is a solid and complex 21st century release, that is actually ahead of its time.

For more info:

https://tidal.com/album/155073569
https://music.apple.com/us/album/hypermode/1531554659

My Imaginary Reality is a new album from hip hop artist, NEZA (Chris Cotman). It was produced by well-known Baltimore producer “Ojizz OnTheTrak.” A true full album, this release contains a whopping 20 tracks. The album shines on multiple levels. NEZA’s spoken word poetry could easily stand on its own, but the songs broaden their appeal as they smoothly transition into lively, high octane hip hop jams. The space-like synth driven beats, sonic clarity and reflective lyrics give the album an ethereal ambiance. NEZA’s lyrical delivery blends elements of personal philosophy with passion as his tone oscillates between contemplative musing and charismatic intensity.

The production quality definitely enhances the release. There’s nothing abrasive in the mix and all the levels are where they should be. The recording hits the sweet spot in the frequency range and is just very pleasing to the ear, which is totally necessary in this style of hip hop. One of my favorite tracks is Bark at the Moon Talk Show, which is a conversational, experimental and truly entertaining gem. Other songs like Indigo feature some really cool beats and will electrify a dance floor. There’s a lot of variety on this album. Just when you think you’ve got the sound pinned down, NEZA pulls something new out of his hat. It’s a wild ride from start to finish.

For more info:

instagram.com/neza_omg
twitter.com/neza_omg
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mK1S234xwjzNw8uBDOkEaQp9s0HmsbKLo

Smoke and Mirrors is a new album from London-based indie pop band, Hyde Out. Featuring organic guitars, impassioned vocals and jazzy synths, the songs have a sophisticated and professional feel. The recording is very polished and the sonic clarity is excellent, particularly with the vocals. The singer is quite impressive actually, and his voice reminds me a bit of Arthur Lee. It’s dynamic, emotive and just carries really well. The lyrics are brimming with depth and substantive commentary about relationships and the human experience. They’re both abstract and specific, containing all sorts of curious details and references to places and people I’m not familiar with, such as in the peppy and melodically beautiful track, Meadvale Road.

The musicianship throughout the album is impressive. Most indie pop albums get by on charm and authenticity. Smoke and Mirrors has those qualities and will appeal on that level, but you will also simply be amazed by how spectacular it is musically. I recommend you check out the band’s videos as well. They’re highly creative, presenting more like short arthouse films than mere music vids.

For more info:

http://hydeoutband.com/
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/hydeout/smoke-and-mirrors

From My Brain To You is a new album from hip hop artist, Flippin’ Gothic Fabp. The jams on this release feature hypnotic, retro synth arrangements, which serve as an ideal musical backdrop for Flippin’ Gothic Fabp’s smooth and intriguing vocals. The ambiance is entrancing and the music is just very pleasant to listen to. I have to say that the synths are just awesome. They have an analog quality and give the beats a classic film soundtrack vibe and slightly haunting feel. On some songs like Rocky Rap -N- Swing and Bubble Sound Pop the beat is more pronounced, and the bass is a bit more “thumpin.'” As the title suggests, this is a very cerebral hip hop album. It’s experimental and avant garde. The artist is not afraid to take chances, yet the music still retains all the appeal associated with its hip hop identity.

For more info:

http://www.X-CaladePromotionz.com
http://www.instagram.com/therealfabp
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n0i2SAzcFuVUxvv9sGd_Sm6NB1eqy_4I4