Down the Drain is a new single from Clara Zimm. This delightfully haunting track entrances with its exotic charm. While Clara is obviously a gifted vocalist at the technical level, it’s her cadence and avant garde delivery style that gives the song its mesmerizing appeal. Her performance is jazzy and soulful, and the way the backing vocals are strategically layered just makes this a class act. It’s almost like a 21st century lounge tune. It’s dark, passionate and has that sultry spirit. Clara keeps things quaint and mellow in some parts of the song, but in those moments where she reveals her voice’s true power level, your jaw will drop to the floor. This is a terrific recording. It’s mainstream audience friendly while having enough substance and cutting edge appeal to retain artistic credibility.

For more info:

https://soundcloud.com/user-993074495
https://www.instagram.com/clarazimm/

I Deserve Better is a new single from artist, Chaylyn. This heartfelt and sentimental track features a dreamlike piano/synth backing. The ambiance is very theatrical, almost like you’d hear in a dramatic sequence of a romantic film. Chaylyn can actually sing, and her voice is the driving force that carries the entire song. There’s nothing flashy here and no production gimmickry, just naturally beautiful vocals.

In terms of performance, Chaylyn demonstrates the kind of purity and genuine expressiveness that money just can’t buy. As the title implies, I Deserve Better is characterized by a relentless romantic longing and an underlying touch of angst. It’s bitter sweet, but more of the latter than the former. Ultimately the song encourages empowerment and self-affirmation through honesty. For those of us on the outside, listening to this jam is like finding someone’s break-up letter to their significant and reading it to ourselves. The production is studio quality and ready for prime time. I Deserve Better deserves a spot on the charts, and Chaylyn has what it takes to go far in this industry.

For more info:

https://linktr.ee/chaylyn

No Tomorrow is a new single from Louisiana-based hip hop artist, A1 DA DAWG. He lists his primary (current) influences as being Rick Ross & Drake, but when he was younger was originally inspired by artists like Cash Money and No limit. This latest track from A1 DA DAWG has an ambient, mellow and even philosophical vibe. It features a bright summertime beat that’s chill and melodic. A1 DA DAWG’s delivery style is natural and easy going. He’s very effective without coming across as trying too hard. The lyrics blend mundane aspects of daily life with deeper thoughts about life. This is done quite well, and the lyrics themselves contain some choice lines. The video for this jam is brand new and is set to a warehouse backdrop a lot of colorful graffiti visuals. Follow A1 DA DAWG on social media to keep up to date with his latest releases and shows.

For more info:

https://instagram.com/a1dadawg87?igshid=1agpdczxtde6w

https://twitter.com/dadawgway

Fxxx you too is a new single from San Diego-based (originally from Las Vegas) artist, PICOxlemonlarry. First thing you’ll notice about this jam is that the beat is groovy and super chill. The recording style may be lo-fi and PICOxlemonlarry doesn’t waste time with a lot of slick packaging and marketing, but the musical substance speaks for itself. Despite the confrontational title, this track is actually pretty mellow and relaxing. Musically, it’s quite melodic and the lyrics are surprisingly catchy. PICOxlemonlarry’s vocal delivery and cadence sets up the hooks nicely. As an artist, he cites some of his primary influences as being Miles Davis, Lauryn Hill, Mac Miller and Wu-Tang clan.

This song doesn’t merely consist of “rhymes.” There’s some creative songwriting structure here, and sonically the music is just very pleasing to listen to. This is one of the better backing beats I’ve heard on a hip hop song. It gives the track more of a classic, smooth ambiance. Fxxx you too is an enjoyable and avant garde cut. PICOxlemonlarry has an EP called Adulting that’s slated for release in October of this year.

For more info:

https://soundcloud.com/chaison-pico-125534700/fxxx-you-too

Playology is an upcoming EP from ErMonii. In addition to being an artist, ErMonii is also a music producer, audio engineer and the CEO of a music production company (The Product LLC). He has a pretty decent following already. Some of his releases have over 40,000 plays on Spotify. His jams often feature exquisite and ambient beats, fronted by passionate and expressive vocals. The sound is ethereal and the vibe is inspirational. You can tell he really puts his heart into creating and performing these jams. The preview tracks for Playology are tantalizing and crisp, with backing beats containing some slick synth sounds. In terms of lyrical delivery, he really has a solid flow and gets on a roll when he’s rapping. Other times he opts for a more intimate and sentimental approach. There’s a lot of artistic versatility here, and plenty of creative variety in his catalog, as ErMonii is something of a jack of all trades. Playology will be one to watch for.

For more info:

http://www.ermonii.com
https://tidal.com/browse/artist/10596190?play=true
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ermonii/1442108815

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7hw2u2fTBUkV4w4NlwCpe1?nd=1&nd=1

In The Hills of California is a new album from Santa Barbara-based artist, Clay Rodgers. This album is interesting in that it actually contains a narrative storyline. Basically, it’s about an individual who ventures into the San Ynez mountains looking for people who have gone there for various reasons (to commit suicide, find themselves, indulge in their addictions, etc). Musically, the sound has an indie, experimental jazz sound. It’s very organic, and almost seems like it’s from another time period. The vibe is cool and swanky, with elements of folkish psychedelia. My favorite track on here is A Silent Hill Weeps which has a 1960s quality comparable to that of groups like The 5th Dimension, (only with thematically darker undertones). Also notable is the multi-part epic, Another Bend In the Road, which spans three full tracks. I review all kinds of music, but this album probably comes closest to what I actually listen to in real life. In The Hills of California is authentic, soulful, and just an all around great work of art.

For more info:

https://linktr.ee/ClayRodgers
https://www.instagram.com/clay_rodgers_4/

Just Another Tuesday is a new single from hip hop artist, Santa Sallet. This song has one of the coolest retro-futuristic synth beats I’ve ever heard. It almost sounds like something you’d hear on a 70’s scifi soundtrack. The intro is really attention grabbing and will instantly pique your interest with its subtle and mysterious vibe. Inspired during a freestyle session with a friend while driving home one ordinary afternoon, this jam offers up catchy lyrics and precise timing. The flow is tight and rhythmically hypnotic. Santa Sallet makes rapping look easy, as he blends casual confidence with subtle humor and entrepreneurial spirit. He spits out gold bar rhymes like he’s got a vault full of them to spare. Sallet has a natural talent for songwriting and a good ear for “beat aesthetics” as well. Just Another Tuesday is a prime example of how great songs can materialize out of seemingly mundane events in our daily lives, if we are willing to seize the creative moment.

For more info:

https://www.santasallet.com/
https://song.link/k3tJMBtRhcXDj
https://www.instagram.com/santasallet/

The Noise Militia #38/76 is a new single from renowned artist “Steve Lieberman the Gangsta Rabbi.” This guy is an indie legend and one of the most prolific songwriters of all time, with a catalog of underground releases that spans several decades. This particular track is apparently over 23 hours long (which would make it the longest song ever). I didn’t have time to listen to the entire thing, but any jam which features a flute rendition of the theme song from Leave It To Beaver is a winner as far as I’m concerned. Steve is a multi-instrumentalist, so we’re treated to quite a pleasant variety of sound. Often times this track functions as an organic collage, with a thick and entrancing blend of noise and creative musicality. It’s like listening to those delightful radio waves emanating from deep in the cosmos as you turn the dial on your walkie talkie.

Lieberman has created a new sub-genre here, with what he describes as a “fusion of military music and noise punk.” That’s actually a pretty accurate characterization. The ambiance of The Noise Militia #38/76 is basically like a musical cauldron, consisting of marching music vibes, radio static, brainwaves, punk rock and morse code. It’s a creative and strangely inspirational release. If you don’t have any big plans this weekend and are up for a marathon, maybe you can listen to this epic in one sitting to achieve the full effect. This song has the potential to open a stargate.

For more info:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Lieberman

Knights is a new single from Black Note Graffiti, a well-known band that has toured extensively (from Hollywood to NYC) and worked with some heavy hitters in the music industry. This song rocks. The vibe is both energizing and confrontational. In what could be construed as a chess metaphor, phrases like “We’re taking over your knights!” are asserted confidently throughout the track. The guitars are robust and crisp, fronted by full-throated vocals. Seriously, the vocals are powerful and also solid from a technical standpoint. Tone-wise the sound falls somewhere in between screamo and the classic hard rock/metal of the late 80s and early 1990s. It’s all very clean and well-structured, indicative of polished musicians who know what they’re doing and aren’t just weekend warriors looking to make some noise. There’s excellent cohesion in these performances, enhanced by a professional mix and a pretty rad album cover.

For more info:

http://blacknotegraffiti.com/
https://www.instagram.com/blacknotegraffiti/
https://twitter.com/blacknotegraffi

First Date is a new single from Louisiana-based artist, Sk8way 10thousand. With influences ranging from Blink182 to Lil Wayne, Sk8way has a creative and unpredictable style. Blending elements of hip hop, R&B, and emo, the song is loaded to the brim with passion and fresh beats. Featuring a fun-filled and exciting Valentine’s Day party vibe, First Date is largely driven by Sk8away’s vocals. His distinctive voice maintains a relatively high pitch and when combined with the sentimental lyrical content, often fits as much within the realm of emo or pop punk as it does hip hop. The song actually rocks in an innovative, experimental kind of way. It’s quite catchy, too. Sk8way has an unassuming and unpretentious style, yet still manages to muster enough low-key charisma hold the listener’s attention. He comes across as instantly likable and the type of performer you really want to root for. There’s genuine sensitivity in his songwriting. I suspect his music will get even more interesting and refined as his budding young career progresses.

For more info:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4xTo9cGvCFF9qcWQmtayYj

https://soundcloud.com/humble-kid-574910313/first-date

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukDtPhjxkv0