Free Slave is a new album from artist, Only1Tipy. This 5 song EP features intense, cinematic backing beats, saturated with deep reverb for atmospheric effect. A pattern emerges where tracks begin with an artfully haunting intro that quickly builds before the music impacts with its full force. Once the action gets going, these songs have a real nice kick to them. Only1Tipy’s delivery is passionate, and he has the vocal presence of a natural orator. His lyrics delve deeply into the realm of emotion, both the personal and that of a broader community. Carefully Layered and strategically placed backing vocals give the album an ambiance that’s akin to a ministry or public gathering. The music is melodic and much more spiritually surreal than what one typically hears in this genre. The tone is just very emotive and cerebral. Production quality is up to par, as the recordings are very clear, and no abrasive elements can be detected in the mix. While the music is pleasant to listen to, Free Slave is also a sincere and inspirational album which will resonate internally with target audiences.
HOLLYWOODis a new single from MOSHUP, a recording artist and producer who originally hails from Dominican Republic. This ultramodern track takes indie “future funk” into the 21st century. With a tight, punchy, and often minimalist beat, this music is more potent and vigorous than EDM but also more high tech than standard hip hop fare. A compact sound with dreamlike synths occasionally adding some atmosphere to the background, this jam is very full and satisfying. The lyrical delivery is on point, blending stylistic elements of rap and funk. Vocal layering is employed successfully, giving the track some added complexity and creating a party-like ambiance. HOLLYWOOD is pop friendly, an instant club crowd pleaser that’s highly danceworthy.
Shock Combat HD is a new album from hip hop artist, SC. A true “full album,” this release contains over 20 action packed tracks. SC’s gentlemanly style and assertive delivery consistently carries these songs. The beats are smooth and synth driven, with the production emphasizing audio clarity and sonic appeal. One might think that an album which features such a high quantity of tracks must be sacrificing something on the quality front. Surprisingly though, that’s not the case here. Every single one of these songs is produced and performed to a high standard, with a meticulous attention to detail. There’s a plethora of original lyrical content and a great deal of variety in terms of distinctive backing music.
SC has a cool, nonabrasive voice which is just naturally pleasing to listen to. He doesn’t even need to try very hard. His delivery style is mellow but engaging. Occasionally he amps it up a few notches, but SC never really shouts or comes across like he has something to prove. Not too soft and not too hard, he blends a businesslike professionalism with a touch of sincerity and sentimentality. He’s also a fairly talented poet and doesn’t try to get cute or clever with the word games like some amateur rappers would. This guy is definitely in tune with his romantic emotions and willing to express them as well. He’s not shy in revealing his vulnerabilities and his struggles. Frequently, it feels like we are listening to a man talking out loud, working through the thoughts in his head right along with him.
Sometimes when you see a picture of an artist wearing a suit and shades on an album cover, it appears as though they’re simply posturing or attempting to present a classy image of themselves for marketing purposes. With SC though, the collar and the cuffs match. This music actually is quite exquisite and intellectually elevated. I have a couple of favorite tracks that stood out to me. Get Away is a melodic and ambient jam. The beat is quietly mesmerizing and just has a lot of charm. I think this is probably my favorite song on this album. Another song worth mentioning is My Heart ( The After School Special). In addition to having a great title, this track is highly imaginative, with a powerful intro. Female backing vocals/samples provide an ethereal atmosphere for SC’s lyrics to flow through. The whole thing is very dreamlike. All in all, Shock Combat HD is an excellent album that exceeded my expectations. In my position, I get to hear zillions of indie hop albums of varying degrees of quality, and I’m genuinely impressed by this release. I’d recommend you give it a listen. You will not even believe how good this is.
Funky Sunday is a new single from artist, Rawle the doll. This collaborative effort also features the vocals of gairsandGod. These two work well together, serving up a vivacious and cohesive sound. While the title hints at the style, there’s more than just funk incorporated into this jam. Funky Sunday employs some killer vintage guitar tones, and the music is just very lively and groovin’ all around. Rawle the doll strikes me as a guy who can just pick up a guitar and rock out at a moment’s notice. gairsandGod’s vocals are full of personality and blend splendidly into the mix. The production has a stylish, old school analog quality to it. Sonically it just sounds very approachable and organic. This track is surprisingly very catchy, and the funky melody gets stuck in your head after only one or two listens. These dudes can really lay it down and seem to have a knack for writing fun and flavorful tunes.
Moving Forward is a new album from Colorado-based band, Lola Rising. This 6 song EP consists of finely crafted, island folk rock music. The sound is organic and deeply melodic, offering up a bright, colorful ambiance that blends elements of reggae, rock and folk. These are songs that make you want to learn the words and sing along. They emit positive vibes and are just very welcoming. The band members come across as seasoned musicians, demonstrating professionalism without pretension in their performance. There are no smoke and mirrors employed in this production, as vocals and instrumentals shine through clearly, with minimal processing. The singing is particularly excellent and soulful, this being one of those genres like R&B or lounge where you just can’t fake it. Moving Forward is spiritually upbeat, musically fun and comes with a hearty dose of humanity.
All I Need is a new single from hip hop artist and songwriter J.Drive. This track is very professional, and one realizes right away that the performance is of major label quality. One thing that distinguishes J.Drive from many rappers is that he can actually carry a tune. He sings pretty well in fact. In addition to being very tight with the beat, his delivery is fluid and pleasantly melodic. He maintains a moderately intense pacing throughout, his voice in lockstep with the music the entire way. You start to wonder if this guy will ever have to come up for air. He really demonstrates great timing and breath control.
The backing music is energetic and brightly ethereal, while the beat is crisp and formidable. This is a no-nonsense, pure precision, high caliber hip hop jam. At a runtime of roughly 3:31, All I Need cultivates a concise, compact and dynamic sound, making the most of every second of the recording. There’s no phony hype or slick packaging surrounding this release. All of the talent and energy has apparently gone into the substance of the music, and on that front, J.Drive (as well as Dillygotitbumpin and King Atiim) has delivered the goods.
Time Travel is a new techno EP from artist DJ Kazo, set to be released on April 24th, courtesy of Dark Web Records. A 24 year old Latvian artist currently based in Ireland, DJ Kazo blends elements of traditional trance with acid techno, adding in a bit of contemporary flair for good measure. The songs have a dark energy and have a maintain a consistent, subtle intensity througout. This music penetrates and hypnotizes with a laser like focus. I would describe the sound as retro-futuristic, as it reminds me of a lot of early 90s techno (the best era in my opinion) I listened to when I was in high school, yet the artistic vision in these songs is forward thinking, and the production quality is up to 21st century standards. The vibe here is a little more “cyberpunk” and a tad darker than the cute, “bright and fuzzy” sound that I associate with most contemporary EDM music. There’s considerably more intellectual depth and emotional range in these recordings. The EP only contains 3 tracks (a 3P!) but still manages to pack plenty of heat. Psychically speaking, this music has a high power level. Finally, a DJ with skills and good taste.
YB Linkz Mixtape is a new release from hip hop artist, YB Linkz (formerly known as just “Linkz”). This EP features an ensemble of guest artists, including A.Vinchi, K.Reef, Koko Banx, Swelly OD, Kenni, Heavy Thought and Yun Nostra. This all-star cast combines forces to create a hip hop Voltron of chill. The songs are more melodic than the average hip hop jams out there, as YB Linkz has cultivated his own unique style, one which blends a variety of musical genres with his own fascinating backstory.
YB Linkz was born in Brooklyn to a musician father (reportedly signed to Universal Records) and cultivated an interest in making music from an early age. After a few unlucky breaks in the music industry, he ended up doing a stint in the Marine Corps of all places. To make a long story short, after going through some stuff, getting out of the marines and finally getting a couple of releases and party jams under his belt, he’s come out with this self titled mixtape.
The tracks utilize some very high quality beats, mostly synth driven. Along with the vocal effects and editing, a futuristic, almost “trip hop” atmosphere is created. It’s very smooth and ambient. My Life’s a Party may seem like a common title for a hip hop song, but I can assure you this is unlike most rap music you’ve heard. It has a very deep and hauntingly industrial sound. In a similar vein, Got What You Want blends a smooth, retro synth beat with contemporary charisma and a modern edge. The music flows creatively and contributing performers add a distinctive flavor to each track. All of these people can rap, and YB Linkz’s devotion to his collaborative associates and friends is admirable. They each get their shot at the limelight in these recordings, and the finished product has a more polished and complete sound as a result. For his part, YB Linkz has an assertive delivery and transforms his voice into a melodic musical instrument in its own right. This is a solid mixtape. YB Linkz clearly has passion and is absolutely driven when it comes to making music. Stay tuned for more from this guy.
Don’t Play is a new single from Capo Corleone. The song also features B. Gullie and is a prelude to these two artists’ upcoming collaborative, effort Hawallywood. Blending hip hop with a plethora of other stylistic influences, Don’t Play stand out as having a unique sound. The groovy, unconventional beat is fronted by dual rap vocals. The lyrical delivery has subtle rock’n’roll and funk qualities to it, but the tone is very crisp and straightforward hip hop. Really excellent production on this track, perhaps partially owing to the artist’s background as a music industry executive. There’s effective usage of vocal layering, and everything sits cozily in the overall mix. Don’t Play is cool, catchy and keeps it classy at all times.
Nadie Se Entera is a new single from Puerto Rican artist, Raymon G. Also featuring Ralfy Haze, this track packs in quite a bit of intrigue and suspense into its modest runtime. The song is in a style known as “Urbano Latino” (which I am unfamiliar with, but one can quickly pick up on the vibe). Nadie Se Entera deals with the conflicting emotions experienced by a man and a woman who are having affairs behind each other’s backs. The lyrics are completely in Spanish, and the vocals are delivered in slightly hushed tones, as if whispering a secret in musical form. Synth driven beats take on a slightly futuristic character, while maintaining recognizably latin American undertones. As the complex narrative intellectually enhances the song, the music is vivacious and approachable enough for the average person to dance to it. Nadie Se Entera is brimming with sensual tension.
