Higher Love is the debut album from artist, Spring 84 and was produced by Hap Records. As one might ascertain from the title, the songs are inspired by love. Spring 84 claims that her “passion for music began at the age of two.” Also featuring the musical contributions of Kevin Nelson, the tracks have no shortage of sentimentality. Spring 84’s vocals are tender, romantic and saturated with sincerity. While some songs have a mellow and smooth ambiance, tracks like Your Love Is So Good venture into energetic synthpop territory. Blending elements of dance music, R&B and pop, the common factor in this album is the theme of love, which is presented in a positive and optimistic fashion. Spring 84 is a true believer in the power of romance, and she conveys it in her voice throughout these forthright recordings.

For more info:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Ms.Spring84/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mzbUxkgENqulHlRPetlfzEZQFwA55GQpU

Corona Virus Rap (a parody of Vanilla Ice’s iconic track, Ice Ice Baby) is a freshly released song from accomplished actress and filmmaker, Giovannie Espiritu. She has a lot of impressive credits under her belt, which include brief roles on generation-defining shows like Gilmore Girls. Giovannie also is known for An Introvert’s World, a Little Mermaid parody which went viral when YouTube Star Tessa Netting allegedly stole the lyrics to it. Being a recluse and a misanthrope myself, I found that An Introvert’s World hit pretty close to home.

Giovannie Espiritu’s Corona Virus Rap was made in response to Vanilla Ice’s cancellation of his latest concert this weekend. The event had been somewhat controversial because such gatherings are obviously discouraged during the pandemic. While Giovannie considers herself more of a writer and comedian than a musician, I have to say that she actually can rap pretty well. She maintains a surprisingly good flow, and her timing is on point. The chorus: Try to be nice, nice baby, stay home is catchy and strangely sensual. Musically, the song is probably better than the original, but that isn’t necessarily saying much. The lyrics have a satirical and comedic element,and Vanilla Ice is always an easy target to make fun of, but the underlying message hits on something more important. A lot of people seem unable to externalize the effects of the coronavirus, focusing instead on their own “individual” risk. As Giovannie points out though, wearing a mask and staying home is also about preventing the illness from spreading to other people you may care about. Wearing is caring. The song manages to incorporate some informative pamphlets, blending them in with the humorous content. There’s not much else to say. It’s a simple track with straightforward, sound advice. Stay home, and if you must go anywhere, mask up.

For more info:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CCNHWE-pqIF/

March ’20 is a new EP from Italy-based artist, ClaT (real name: Claudio Tagliabue). The songs were inspired by songwriting and recording experiments he conducted on a long weekend during the lockdown earlier this year (one of the tracks is literally titled Quarantine). Rather than a depressing and somber ambiance, these songs actually rock pretty hard, as assertive guitars and pulsating beats drive much of the action. Deterioration, a retro-futuristic, a synth driven jam that sounds like it belongs on a George A. Romero film soundtrack, is positively invigorating. Blending elements of rock, punk, synth pop, alternative and new wave, this EP brings everything together cohesively, packing quite a punch into its brief runtime. Given that it was the product of an artist experimenting during odd conditions, it sounds surprisingly professional. This is like one of those old indie records you stumble upon in a thrift store and it turns out to be a gem. March ’20 is powerful and compact. It’s a great example of what can be achieved by combining musical talent with total focus on a project.

For more info:

https://clatcomo.bandcamp.com/

JIVE JIVE is a new EP from New York-based artist Corbin Canvas. The songs have a groovy, retro-futuristic vibe. Backed by soulful beats that proceed at a danceable pace, Corbin’s fresh and quick-witted vocals flow smoothly throughout. His voice has a natural charisma, while the lyrics are catchy, clever and occasionally humorous. The synth and sample-driven music is very polished, demanding a strong vocal performance, (which Corbin indeed delivers). Basically, this recording offers an interestingly futuristic blend of hip hop, house, and soul, with some Caribbean elements thrown in. I’ve reviewed thousands of releases, and I haven’t really heard anything quite like this before. That alone makes JIVE JIVE worth listening to, but it helps that it’s also very good.

For more info:

https://corbincanvas.bandcamp.com/releases

Dead Wrong is a new album from artist, Demise. It’s slated to be released on July 17th, but the “presave” link is available below. The songs blend elements of hip hop, alternative and emo to create a distinctive, unconventional sound. Matching with the backing music, Demise’s vocal delivery is hauntingly melodic. He also makes creative use of harmonies, particularly on tracks like In My Room (not to be confused with the Beach Boys classic).

Thematically, the tracks combine subject matter like romance, heartbreak, death and demonry. There’s a dark sincerity that gives the album a personal touch. The affliction and angst sound persuasively real, to the extent the listener almost feels like a voyeur listening to recordings that are meant to be heard by someone else specifically. The unease is part of the album’s charm. The synth-driven backing music is wonderful, and one could really zone out to it if this were strictly an instrumental release. My favorite song on here is Living Dead which fully embodies the spirit of emo and which made me nostalgic for MySpace era emo culture and the associated musical acts. This album wears its ripped out heart on its sleeve. Cool stuff.

For more info:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/demise3/dead-wrong

Quarantine Season is a new mixtape from Miami-based artist, Remydmc. Blending elements of hip hop, R&B and pop, the release emits positive vibes, as he chronicles the weeks spent in quarantine. After being laid off from his full time job at Carnival Cruise Line, Remydmc has been able to fully immerse himself is musical pursuits. The songs are honest and introspective. The artist examines his own emotions and tries to work through his experiences, with a focus on learning and moving forward. Featuring some chill beats and unexpectedly creative inserts (Rick and Morty samples, etc), the music is mellow and the pacing is moderate. The beat is still thick enough to get down to though, balancing nicely with the personal interludes. Delivery wise, Remydmc has a decent flow and keeps the action fluid. This mixtape is structured almost like a diary. Decades from now, releases like Quarantine Season will make for interesting time capsules. I wish this guy luck. He maintains a good attitude in the face of adversary and demonstrates some splendid skills on these recordings.

For more info:

https://soundcloud.com/remydmc

Lovesick is new EP from singer/songwriter, Shyeta. The artist has an impressive background in music, having recorded her first song Fake Friends at the age of just 12 and subsequently worked with several labels as a teenager. The album stands out for its professionalism. Shyeta has clearly dedicated a lot of time and energy into learning about and mastering her craft, right down to the fundamentals. She doesn’t rely on any flashy marketing or smoke and mirrors production gimmickry. Her vocals are reminiscent of icons like Brandy and Whitney Houston, not just in tone (though she does actually sound a bit like Brandy) but in the quality of the singing. While many contemporary Pop/R&B style artists put the focus on image and packaging, Shyeta’s performances are rich with talent and substance. There’s real passion here. In the title track, Lovesick it’s amazing the way she really belts out the lyrics with everything she’s got.

There’s a nice variety of beats and backing music, not just standard stuff either. The music for Suicide 8002738255 has a vintage, psychedelic quality to it. One of my other favorite tracks is Rebirth which has an almost “fairy tale” kind of vibe. Shyeta’s voice is what makes this album as good as it is though. Very few artists will ever be able to perform at the same level as their heroes and influences. Shyeta is an exception, and this album proves it. Lovesick helps to reestablish the high standards that were once the hallmark of this genre.

For more info:

https://linktr.ee/Shyeta

Lovesick (Youtube Playlist)

Milk Tea is a new single from John 6, Street Mike & Mackinskey. Comprising of a lawyer, a doctor, and a geologist, the artists responsible for this flavorful jam all hail from The Philippines. The song is in Tagalog, but fortunately I was supplied with an English translation of the lyrics. As the title suggests,Milk Tea is a playful track dealing with the exploding popularity of bubble/boba tea among young Filipino urban professionals. It will be relatable to many Americans as well, given that the beverage has become fairly popular here among a variety of demographics.

The song also deals with the value of friendship, and how the experience of getting bubble tea is a relaxing social outing as much of a thirst quenching one. It’s like going out for drinks with your pals but without the hangover. The musical vibe is chill, and you don’t even need to understand the words to enjoy the track. The light, synth-driven beat and casually quick vocal delivery give the song a tropically futuristic and slightly hypnotic ambiance. Production quality is clean, providing for maximum clarity. Milk Tea is a cool track with a creative premise that’s well executed.

For more info:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/john6andstreetmikeandmackinskey/milk-tea

Hurt Di Innocent is a new single from artist, Kisko Amar-I. This emotionally charged release offers social commentary and expresses support for the George Floyd related protests. The track combines elements of reggae with a little bit of rock and dance hall. The intro is pretty groovy, and the backing music features a light beat. Kisko Amar-I’s vocals drive the song, which makes sense given that there’s a social message that’s being emphasized. He utilizes his voice creatively, transforming it into an instrument in its own right through layering and tonal changes. The pacing is mellow and focused, but he does demonstrate he has the ability deliver at an impressive speed a few times in the song, (something which is also evident if you check out his other recordings). Hurt Di Innocent is a passionate and socially relevant jam that encapsulates the spirit of the age we live in.

For more info:

http://www.kiskoamari.com/

Never Sober is a new album from hip hop artist, Von Ba$$. This release contains over 40 minutes worth of flavorful jams. Featuring occasional guest artists, lyrically rich content and a wide variety of distinct beats, it’s a true “full album.” Songs like Crunch Time hit with fresh, summertime liveliness, while other tracks like 2-3 Zone have more of a sentimental vibe. There’s something for everyone in this multi-dimensional epic.

Von Ba$$’s delivery is laid back and reflective, as he relates stories, makes plans for the evening and sometimes calls people out without ever losing his composure. He analyzes and reflects on various situations in his life, often with a nod to nostalgia. The backing music is smooth and mellow for the most part, but the moderately paced beats have enough punch to them to keep the party rolling. My favorite song on here is probably Fucked Up, which has one of the better intros you’ll hear in a hip hop song. Combining quantity and quality, Never Sober delivers the goods.

For more info:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/vonba/never-sober