I Know is a new single from Irish indie artist, Doojzie. Stylishly blending elements of alternative and pop, the song has an enchanting, almost hypnotic ambiance. Against an eloquent and melodic synth backdrop, Doojzie’s vocals are sincerely captivating. He has a natural voice for synthpop, with just the right level of expressiveness and sentimentality. His performance has real personality and it’s own distinctive flair. It helps that he can actually sing, too.

Musically, the flow is smooth and has a futuristic “lounge” quality to the atmosphere. Like any decent pop song, the lyrics are catchy and through a combination of repetition and magnetism, the hooks really get stuck in your head. Personally, I think I know is one of those rare birds that potentially could have both indie and mainstream appeal. The colorful melodies and professionalism of the production will resonate with audiences of any type, while the song’s mysterious aura and organic subtleties allow it to retain its avant garde credibility.

For more info:

https://doojzie.com/

Me is a new EP from hip hop artist, Big Meep. The tracks on this release are bright, upbeat and rich with melody. BigMeep’s vocals are dynamic and delivered with a delightful bounce. One of the best jams on this release is Daydreams, with its soulful, sparkling back beat and pop sensibilities. BigMeep’s performance on this song and others manages the perfect balance of confidence, charm and technical skill. One thing that stands out about this EP is the carefree and optimistic tone. The peppy and somewhat inspirational complexion of the songs will be sure to lift your spirits a bit.

Being a child of the 80’s, my favorite track on here is obviously FraggelRocked, which effectively utilizes a sample from the theme song of the classic HBO show, Fraggle Rock. It’s also reflective of the innocent and playful atmosphere exemplified here. This whole album is refreshingly creative. There are artistic surprised around every corner. It’s fun to listen to but also incorporates substantive themes relating to being comfortable and confident with who we are. I had no idea what to expect, but it turns out that Me is one of the best indie hip hop releases I’ve reviewed this year.

For more info:

Egyptian Dreams is a new single from hip hop artist, J DaVon Harris. The title proves to be appropriate, as the backing beat indeed has a dreamlike and ethereal quality, with its modest paced-rhythm reinforcing the “mood” of the track. Some of the vocal effects are artistically effective to this end as well.

For his part, J DaVon Harris gives a charismatic and reflective performance. Unlike many rappers, he can actually sing pretty well, and his melodic delivery often incorporates strategic harmonies. His delivery style is conversational and contemplative. It’s laid back and chill, but his vocal presence is also commanding enough to assert itself and give the song a layer of intensity. The production is crystal clear and professional. There isn’t a bunch of autotune or unnecessary processing. Egyptian Dreams is an intelligent release that’s creatively structured, well-executed and sonically satisfying.

For more info:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6XkrdAeIcPbbE2PfPRLYie?si=CceY5YDiTJKjEH1XGe4VnA&dl_branch=1&nd=1

Evolution is a new single from hip hop group, D.U.Nx.G. (D.U. Next Generation). This groovy and flavorful jam is awesome. With its laid back style and fresh backing music, it has the feel of a an old school, classic hip hop song. The lyrical delivery is smooth and flows artfully, without ever coming off as overly assertive of tryhard. We’re treated to talent and personality from start to finish. I highly recommend the video, with has a retro quality and could have appeared on Yo! Mtv Raps back in the day. Evolution is top quality, and I feel like a lot of other artists could learn from these guys how to craft a timeless and pristine hip hop song.

For more info:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dunxgdigitalundergroundnextgeneration1/evolution
https://www.instagram.com/dunxgeneration/

Rocky Gibraltar is a new single from Echo Messenger (the musical project of James Bracken). This peppy, synth-driven track is surreal and action packed. Though this has plenty of contemporary flair, it wouldn’t seem out of place on an 80’s film soundtrack like The Wraith or The Lost Boys. This is synth rock music at its best, featuring mesmerizing melodies, with a slightly dark edge and an engaging intensity.The guitars really amp up the vibe. In fact, this song does a nice job of keeping things dynamic by constantly changing/evolving throughout. The vocals still manage to be kind of catchy despite allowing the instrumentals to take such a prominent position in the mix. Rocky Gibraltar is just a rad song, that’s well-produced and hits all the marks.

For more info:

https://echomessengersongs.com/
https://twitter.com/echomessengers
https://www.instagram.com/echomessengers/

Goodbye is a new album from artist, Molly Jenson. This impressive release manages to be both cutting edge and beautiful. The retro-futuristic synths are some of the best I’ve ever heard and render this song an instant classic. Against a relatively dark, ambient and dreamlike backdrop, Molly’s vocals shine, living up to the stellar instrumentals that frame her voice. She’s an excellent singer and just has one of those voices that seems built for avant garde, indie pop. Having said that, this album definitely has potential to have mainstream appeal, particularly with audiences that enjoy artists like Bjork, ABBA or Sinead O’Connor, though Molly has carved out her own distinctive style. Goodbye demonstrates that Molly Jenson is one of the more promising singer/songwriters of her generation.

For more info:

www.mollyjenson.com
www.instagram.com/mollyjay
www.facebook.com/mollyjenson

The Greatest Show is a new album from Arienne Hearts Charlie. Scheduled for an official release of September 17, the songs on this release feature romantic themes. Blending elements of R&B with exotic guitar melodies, the music has a very intimate and personal quality to it. Heartfelt expressions are central to both the performances and the overarching tone. The vocals and guitar are conveyed with delicate sensitivity. My favorite track on the album is Solitude, which has a jazzy and almost classical lounge feel. Overall, The Greatest Show is an emotionally evocative and musically satisfying work.

For more info:

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

Hasjasjeen is a new single from artist, hendren (real name Marty T. Zwart). Blending elements of R&B and stylishly avant garde, melancholic pop, this thought provoking track is a true indie gem. Subtle, dreamlike vocals are backed by futuristic synths, a crisp beat and groovy basslines (credited to Robert-Jan Zwart). This song is just very well-crafted and artistically precise, the extent of which can be further appreciated by watching the accompanying music video. The ambiance is slightly dark and abstract, while the pacing is peppy and energizing. Hasjasjeen is more than just a mere jam. It’s a full on, meditative and ethereal, virtual reality experience. The track is set to appear on hendren’s debut album, Hendren 1, which is being released in September of this year.

For more info:

Sunset Heart is a new song from Australian acoustic guitarist and composer, Alan Gogoll (who was recently named Acoustic Guitarist of the Year by Guitar World and Guitar Player magazine). This acoustic instrumental piece appears on his latest EP, EP Wombat’s Lullaby. Written while Alan was living in France, Sunset Heart is rich with delightfully bright melodies and colorful detail. The ambiance has a nostalgic innocence to it. Musically, it’s very advanced, yet it retains a youthful spirit. The audio quality is such that listeners are treated to every delicate detail in the audio.

Artfully condense, Sunset Heart packs a plethora of sparkling notes within its brief runtime, and there’s a beat that enters into the equation as the emotive action builds. It’s worth mentioning that Alan is known for having pioneered a two-handed simultaneous artificial harmonics technique he has called “Bell Harmonics.” He brings that same creative spirit to Sunset Heart, a beautiful and authentic track.

For more info:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/alangogoll/wombats-lullaby