Team Captain is a new single from hip hop artist, Wonyay. Backed by a light, synth-driven beat, Wonyay demonstrates a commanding vocal presence as he delivers one lyrical gem after another. Seriously, this guy’s voice is huge! He has a natural charisma as a performer. His roaringly jovial vocals blend humorous wit with genuine emotion and an action packed vibe. As the song progresses you really get a feel for how impressive the flow is and how well everything is structured. I don’t want to give anything away, but there are a number of clever lines and zingers in this jam. Team Captain is ideal for late night pool parties but could also be enjoyed on a relaxing, contemplative drive home from work or school. Admittedly, I had never heard of Wonyay before this release, but he has genuine skills as a rapper. Definitely some big time potential here.

For more info:

https://music.apple.com/us/album/team-captain/1577883094?i=1577883366

I’m So Broke is a new single from Central Illinois-based hip hop artist, Nahash Wizdom, and appears on his new album, Grown Folks Muzik. As the title hints at, I’m So Broke references the financial hardship many have experienced as result of the pandemic and these rather precarious times we live in. The song is refreshingly honest and emotionally deep. It really does represent an inspiring anthem of the common person’s struggle and perseverance in difficult circumstances.

Nahash Wizdom gives a down to Earth performance that’s brimming with empathy and hits all the right marks as he calls for people to continue to take chances, roll the dice and make the most of life. Musically, the track has a nice, melodic flow. and Nahash Wizdom proves to be a capable vocalist. You really have to see the video to fully appreciate the song though. The visual narrative is well put together and successfully reinforces the song’s central themes.

For more info:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdJkt0SvE_Q

Weirdo is a new single from an up and coming artist/rapper known as Spacely, (who’s also into self-recording, mixing and mastering). The backing beat for this track is surreal and futuristic. Its artful serenity blends with a haunting intensity to create a darkly meditative atmosphere. Honestly, this is one of the more musically appealing beats I’ve heard in recent memory. Delicate instrumentals and backing vocals are interwoven in a very sophisticated way.

Spacely’s delivery is poetic and reflective as he talks about living his life as a unique person with unconventional proclivities. He has a pointed, deliberate flow and an almost mathematical sense of timing. His lyrics are pretty clever, and he demonstrates some depth as a writer, by avoiding hip hop cliches. With this song Spacely does establish himself as a “weirdo” in all the most artistically flattering ways. Weirdo is currently available on all major platforms, but you can also stream it on Spotify below.

For more info:

https://music.apple.com/us/album/weirdo/1580370670?i=1580370671

Released just a few days ago, Left L.A. is a new single from Stephen Jacques’s upcoming album, Soul Hydraulics. The song offers up commentary on the superficial plasticity and slickness of life in Los Angeles, which I can personally relate to as someone who once lived there. Stephen Jacques employs terms like “deals” and “mergers” to emphasize the inhuman commodification of the LA cultural experience. Musically, the song is touching and sentimental, with its delicate melodies and euphoric hooks. The songwriting is beautifully sincere, containing a fluid structure and coherent narrative. The recording is polished the old fashioned way, with a clean mix and gritty emotion, rather than surgically processed. The lamentation of Los Angeles as a superficial and heartless entertainment hub may not be a new theme, but Stephen Jacques gives a presentation that keeps it as real as ever.

For more info:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boxofmoxie.net
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jacquesstephenr
Website: http://www.boxofmoxie.net
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/stephen-jacques-429639698/left-la

Soul Hydraulics is a new album from Richmond-based artist, Stephen Jacques. Scheduled for an official release date of Sept. 3rd, 2021. This alt-rock collection is rich with flavorful guitar melodies, while expressive vocals lend the songs passion and sensitivity. The audio production it top quality but still manages to leave room for the sound’s organic appeal. Tracks like Come to Me Marie have a timeless rock’n’roll feel. One could just as easily imagine Buddy Holly performing some of these gems. Jet Fighter is one of the more rocking tunes and really gets the juices flowing. This album is totally professional on every level, while retaining its artistic credibility. There’s no shortage of the human spirit on Soul Hydraulics.

For more info:

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/stephen-jacques-429639698
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boxofmoxie.net
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jacquesstephenr
Website: http://www.boxofmoxie.net

Gasoline is a new single from hip hop artist, Sammie Blaze. This crisp new jam has one of the most colorful and far out beats I’ve ever heard. It really has a great “super ball-like” bounce to it. For his part, Sammie Blaze has a catchy and fresh delivery style. His voice is mellow but engaging, while the backing vocals enhance the rhythmic flow of the track and give things a conversational vibe. Even though many hip hop songs incorporate weed as the subject matter, Gasoline authentically captures the atmosphere and surrealism of the experience through the music itself. This is an impressive release, with creative songwriting, quality production and an above-average performance.

For more info:

https://soundbirth.lnk.to/SammieBlaze-Gasoline
https://music.apple.com/us/album/gasoline-single/1576386962

Mr Anyone is a new single from Posh, an Italian alternative rock band that is currently based in Dusseldorf, Germany. This group emerged way back in 2001 and was prominent throughout the 2000s, even having represented Italy at the international Midem Festival in Cannes, France in 2007. After a hiatus, the band recently made a comeback with their single, Running Up That Hill. Their latest track, Mr Anyone is slated for an official release on August 9th. This enchanting song features excellent technical guitar melodies, while the vocals cultivate a mesmerizing and darkly hypnotic ambiance.

The instrumentals are almost more reminiscent of hard rock, as the musicianship on this release is much more precise and advanced that what is typically associated with alternative music. However, the atmospheric spirit is entirely alternative with its lyrical commentary and tone. The mix is full and rich with sonic intensity, with the guitars driving the action. Their rhythmic loudness combines with the mantra-like vocals to entrance the listener. This is a professional recording, pretty much the equivalent to that of a major label release. Posh has already established themselves historically in the genre, but this new release should net them a new generation of fans who may not be familiar their music. The comeback is well underway.

For more info:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/official_posh_band/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Poshband
Website: https://officialposhband.wixsite.com/posh
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Gipfn4WVUVKTBYyKPQ3u3

Monsters Under My Bed is a new single from artist, Son of Satan. This ambient track blends elements of hip hop with an entrancing mantra that’s quite catchy. When Son of Satan bursts into hip hop verse, the intensity revs up, and the song really kicks into high gear. As a rapper, he demonstrates some genuine skill. His crisp delivery elevates the track into something beyond a mere novelty or experimental jam. From a structural perspective Monsters Under My Bed balances a sense of foreboding with suspense and high octane action. The build up is very well orchestrated. This is one of those songs where you can’t really predict what it’s going to be like just by glancing at the cover, but regardless of what listeners might be envisioning, the music delivers in execution. Monsters Under My Bed is an engaging and delightfully eerie treat.

For more info:

https://music.apple.com/us/album/monsters-under-my-bed/1579534268?i=1579534269

Now’s the Time is a new single from Carla Marie McKrell and Joe Vulpis. This colorfully sentimental adult contemporary track is uplifting and professionally performed. It’s all about sharing and compassion, as the “now’s the time” the title refers to is the time to help those who are in need. There are elements of spirituality as well. The song contains some really euphoric hooks and chord progressions, quite literally delivering the feel good vibes embodied in the lyrics. Now’s the Time is one of those memorably classic “anthem” type songs which (if it becomes globally popular) can define a particular era. It’s rare to see such positivity and humanizing spirit in contemporary mainstream-friendly music but here it is. The song is passionate and gentle at the same time.

For more info:

https://www.apmusicgroup.com/
https://carlamckrell.com/

The title track of their EP of the same name, Hate Is A Special Feeling is a new single from Reseda-based band, Electric Peace. This rockin’ jam subtly offers up social commentary while guitars and vocals reverberate into the worldly abyss. With choice lines “the gift of hate feels good when you masturbate,” you can’t really go wrong. It helps also that the music is quite good. The persistent question of “are they being ironic or aren’t they?” gives the song an added sense of mystique. The repetitive nature of the chorus makes this song extra catchy, and you will quickly find yourself absorbing the mantra and singing along. This is a solid single, which blends shades of psychedelia with Gen-X style cynicism. Love it.

For more info:

https://www.electricpeace.band/
https://www.facebook.com/barredrecords/
https://soundcloud.com/user-598529730