KNOW is a new single from North Carolina based artists, Micah Thomas and IGOTEM (with Thomas being from Fayetteville and IGOTEM from Lumberton). This track combines elements of hip hop and R&B, and offers an elevated listening experience. With a classically refined, smooth and — at times — surprisingly futuristic backing, this song sets the stage for some impresssive rapping. The performers do deliver on that front as well. The timing and clarity are both on point, but what I especially admire in their performance is how they tackle long monologues without needing to come up for air. It’s not that difficult to rap a few clever lines and hold it together, but the way they manage to “get on a roll” and go on for extended periods demonstrates some real talent. The skill level here is high and the beat is especially tight. KNOW is a classy, reflective and emotionally intense song which also seems to promote spirituality.

For more info:

Micah Thomas Instagram: officialmicahthomas
IGOTEM Instagram: Sunlightemoji

Blue is a new single from Los Angeles-based artist, Jozsef James (he’s originally from Australia). I absolutely love this song, and not just because blue is my favorite color also. The music has a very retro, early ’90s aquatic feel to it, both in presentation and instrumentation. It reminds me a lot of the kind of music you’d hear during an upscale club/cocktail party or beach volleyball scene in a cool sumertime Cinemax flick. The production is very advanced however. This is “yacht rock” for the 21st century. There’s really not enough good things I can say about this jam. It’s stylish. It’s fresh. It’s cutting edge. Blue is meticulously constructed to perfection and a work of art. This is the sort of music I wish they played on the radio instead of the garbage they actually do.

For more info:

http://www.jozsefjames.com

It Sounds Better With Your Eyes Closed is a new EP from Topeka, KS based artist 1Day. Okay first off, this album is wild. The brightly retrofuturistic intro is beautiful and clear. The ethereal vibe really sets things up nicely for the 2nd track Bar=Magic!, a jam which totally rocks and has elements of pop punk and emo. Then things calm down a bit with the aptly titled Truce, a smooth and loungy track that taps into sentimental reflection. There’s actually quite a bit of musical variety on here for it just being an EP. Lock Down is a powerful, radio ready jam, with a delightfully creepy, attention grabbing opening. The vocal performance is quite good, and I have to say this is my favorite song on the album. 1Day’s fanbase refer to themselves as “DayMakers.” Well, count me among them. It Sounds Better With Your Eyes Closed is teriffic. It sounds good, period.

For more info:

https://www.1dayofmusic.org/

Already Know is a new single from Berkeley-based hip hop artist, Yungshulgin. He’s 20 years old and originally from Cali, Columbia. Sound wise, Already Know is a smooth and mellow party jam you can vibe out to. The song makes creative use of vocal layering to give the track a conversational feel. Yungshulgin’s delivery is laid back and has a naturally pleasant tone. While the backing music is very chill and ambient, this track still has a solid beat and a decent kick to it. I have to say actually the intro is pretty groovin’. The overall mood of the song fits well with the title. Yungshulgin doesn’t try to sound like he’s trying to prove anything or act grandiose. He knows that you Already Know. Be sure to check out the track on Soundcloud below.

For more info:

https://soundcloud.com/user-736448156/already-know

CEO is a new single from hip hop artist, Philly Blocks. This biztastic jam features top of the line production and a solid, straightforward vocal performance. The title isn’t so much to be taken literally (even though it’s great to make a lot of money and be rich). Rather it’s more about adopting a CEO mentality, handling your business and taking charge of your life. In that sense it is a somewhat motivational song, while his other recent track Days of Our Lives centered around nostalgia. Philly’s assertive and confident delivery is backed up by genuine skills. This guy has a good, natural flow and structuret to his cadence. The video is excellent visually and is well edited. The setting isn’t exactly one where you’d expect to find a CEO hanging out, but that serves to emphasize the song’s message of “finding your inner boss.” CEO is a cool release, and this artist continues to produce high level output.

For more info:

http://www.twitter.com/PhillyBlocks
http://www.instagram.com/PhillyBlocks

https://music.apple.com/us/album/ceo/1503823938?i=1503823942

Can’t Stop is a new single from Charleston based hip hop outfit, Bando Brothaz. Featuring Cash First and powered by Powered By Fever Boy Ent & Stack Promotions ATL, this pimp tight track is a danceable, crowd pleaser. The lyrics cultivate a slick and high rollin’ aesthetic as the listener can visualize the lavish scenery. There is some processing on the vocals here and there, which normally I’m not a huge fan of, but the way it is alternated here is structurally effective, creating an instrumental effect and helping to distinguish performers. Where this song really excels is in the timing. The delivery is tight with with the beat to a mathematically precise degree. These guys really do have skills, and they manage to work their sound work cohesively without egos getting in the way. As the title indicates, the action here never stops moving. This is a lively and vibrant party track that will also potentially motivate you to go after whatever it is you want.

For more info:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=GLUwzXnRaRk

Blame It on the Goat is a new album from Denver-based artist, White Devil. Supposedly the album is technically still in demo form and waiting on some post-production finishing touches, but I would have never guessed that from listening to it. It sounds very professional as far as avant garde and experimental releases go. I’m not even sure how I wuld classify this music as it blends elements of electronic, hip hop, and metal in creatively interesting ways. It’s kind of like a darker, and more socially provocative version of Treasure Mammal. As you might ascertain from looking at the album cover, the ambiance is delightfully demonic and intentionally creepy. The songs are very collage-like, utilizing a range of samples and vocal processing effects. Of course, actual guitars and drums are being played, and lyrics are being sung/rhymed/spoken as well.

Most of these tracks are highly entertaining and occasionally humorous, but they still maintain their edge and offer a kind of abstract form of social commentary. There are racial themes being subtly explored in these songs (even in the title). The artist mostly leaves the interpretation for the listener, but songs like let’s face it (the word) demonstrate his refreshing commitment to simply dealing with these subjects openly and honestly, one way or the other. One could easily visualize this album being staged as a performance art piece.

It must be noted the actual backing music is quite enjoyable, too. The styles range from rocking to smooth beats to 80’s aerobics dance music, all of it performed up to par. Blame It on the Goat will absolutely get your attention. My favorite song on here is definitely white sour. I can’t really explain why, but you’ll understand when you listen to it. It’s just epic.

For more info:

https://whitedevil333.bandcamp.com/album/blame-it-on-the-goat

https://soundcloud.com/user-791444273

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_Vurdk1D3k

Let’s Party Let’s Roll is a new single from DJ Kosho, a trailblazing pioneer of the West Coast Breaks scene and original founder of Club RED in Los Angeles in 2000 (until 2009). He also ran Club RED San Francisco from 2009 to 2010 and more recently founded iRED Recordings in 2016.

As the title suggests, Let’s Party Let’s Roll is characterized by its nonstop, pulsating dance party energy. It’s not all “laser light show music” though, as the retrofuturistic synth backing is thick, funky and contains a mildly booming (when it really kicks in) percussive bass. This jam hits hard and hits fast. DJ Kosho’s lyrics spare no time for anything that isn’t party centric, and as he demonstrates in the amazing music video associated with this song, the man himself is ready to bust a move at all times. It’s easy to see why this guy is a longtime veteran of the club scene. He’s good at what he does and clearly enjoys being a part of the action. I like how down to Earth he is too, unlike so many artists and DJs whose music videos project some phony “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” image. DJ Kosho walks the walk! Let’s Party Let’s Roll is actually pretty catchy, too. I listened to it like 3 or 4 times as I was writing this, and it’s stuck my head now. That’s usually a good sign.

For more info:

Instagram: @djkosho @iredrecordings
website: www.iredrecordings.com www.djkosho.com

The Line is a new single from Matthew And The Arrogant Sea (a well known indie band from Denton, TX that has been around since 2001). There’s actually a film called Nosebleeders which documents this band’s early days. It’s available on the their website, makeamericaweirdagain.com

For an indie production, The Line sounds highly refined. This isn’t a Lo-Fi or homebrew recording, just a crystal clean and non-abrasive sound, probably better than what comes out of most contemporary major label studios. Performance wise, you really get the sense right off the bat that these are seasoned professionals who have been playing their instruments for a long time. It’s difficult to even classify this style of music because it isn’t trying too hard to fit into any niche or “project an image.” This is honestly just good old fashioned, avant garde indie rock, with maybe a hint of alternative and a touch of twang. The pacing is mellow, and the ambiance is brimming with reflective sentimentality. Don’t be fooled by the subdued and contemplative atmosphere, the guitars still rock, and the singer passionately belts out the lyrics with the best of his peers. Musical intensity slowly builds as the song plays, correlating with the escalation in emotion. Overall, this is a very artful and effective song. There’s not much more to say about it, as it’s obvious these guys know what they’re doing. Just trust me, it’s good.

For the full effect, I recommend watching the video for This Line, which was shot on location at The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO and was directed by acclaimed director, Cole Mitchek. This excellent video is visually stunning and creatively edited. I can see why they wanted to use this historic setting, which looks like something out of The Shining.

Matthew And The Arrogant Sea is also set to release a new EP next month titled A series of dreams #2 —But..Who are you now? I suggest you check it out.

For more info:

Typical Glo is a new single from up and coming hip hop/pop artist Wynter Glo. Born in Germany and raised in Texas, Wynter Glo lives up to her moniker as this jam radiates with pure unadulterated energy. Her performance is characterized by a vibrant and no-nonsense delivery. Backed by a futuristic, synth driven beat, her lyrics are catchy and expressed in a well-timed fashion which subconsciously encourages listeners to sing along. The action moves at a moderate and deliberate pace, all the while brimming with determined intensity. Typical Glo has a slight edge to it, yet will appeal to pop sensibilities. This artist is all about getting things done and putting first things first.

For more info:

TWITTER (@ItzWynterGlo): https://twitter.com/ItzWynterGlo

INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/wynterglo/?hl=en
FACEBOOK – https://m.facebook.com/ItzWynterGlo/
‎APPLE MUSIC- https://music.apple.com/us/artist/wynter-glo/1465150679