It All Started in the Garden is a new album from American singer-songwriter, Dick Aven. He’s also apparently a multi-genre saxophone player and multi-instrumentalist. Needless to say, this album rules. The songs have kind of a classic, 1960s vibe, with elements of folk rock, Americana and psychedelia. The music is just very organic. Production quality is quite good. The mix is nice and bright, and Dick Aven’s vocals project clearly. His performance is brimming with substance and emotional sincerity. My favorite track on the album is No Clue, which features a rich lyrical narrative and colorful melody.
Future Famous is a new album from NYC-based artist Goldilocks. Blending elements of reggaeton, pop, and hip hop, the sound is uniquely satisfying. There’s a lot of variety, as each song leans more toward one style than another. One of the songs that strikes as having obvious potential is Cherry. It’s catchy, fresh and has a surreal backing track. Goldilocks gives a charismatic performance that combines assertive qualities with emotion and sincerity.
The songs on here are surprisingly complex and dynamic. There are many layers and components to these songs, and it’s impressive how well everything comes together. The stylish and structural finesse of this album cannot be understated. My favorite jam is probably Slide My Way, with its reggae vibes and bilingual lyrics. This album is set to be officially released on May 28. In the meantime, I recommend checking out Cherry on Spotify to get a taste of what’s in store..
Twerkin’ For the Berkin is a new single from Certified Flip and Bob Boyz. Blending elements of hip hop and pop, this collaborative effort is catchy and vibrant. Bop Boyz have been around since 2011 and have demonstrated a knack for cranking out chart-worthy jams, with releases like Car Full of White Girls and We Created a Monster. The minimalist piano-driven beat in Twerkin’ For the Berkin serves as a backdrop for the song’s money shot chorus. The repetitive lyrics really get stuck in your brain, making this party track an instant sing-a-long classic. The vocal delivery is smooth and fresh, while the beat backs enough heat to keep the action on the dance floor moving. Twerkin’ For the Berkin is just one of those songs that is just primed to go viral. These guys understand the recipe for creating a hit song.
Cliffside is a new single from Central New Jersey-based artist, Lonerkid. Originally, from Syracuse, NY, Lonerkid blends elements of hip hop, pop, emo and R&B. Thematically, his music is heavily influenced by experiences with past relationships. The of lyrics in Cliffside deal with heartbreak and spirituality. Lonerkid puts a new twist on these subjects, as he expresses his thoughts with rich, emotional detail. As the title implies, the song’s narrative involves an individual standing on the edge of a cliff, perhaps considering jumping and just ending it all. He reflects on a recently ended relationship and ponders where it all went wrong. Though the music has more of a hip hop and R&B sound, the spirit of this jam is pure emo.
Crafting a narrative that’s both engaging and coherent, Lonerkid proves himself to be an excellent lyricist. The catchy hooks and competent structure demonstrate that he knows how to make a decent pop song. This isn’t amateurish at all. Nor is it someone just blurting out their deepest darkest thoughts like some teenager’s diary. There’s is a method to Lonerkid’s sadness and despair. He doesn’t neglect any aspect of the song. The production is solid, and this is just very well put together. Despite the content, this isn’t really depressing to listen to. Cliffside has a mellow and chill vibe, that is enjoyable and somewhat meditative. This guy has genuine songwriting skills and could gain traction if he makes the right connections and catches a few breaks.
Here’s a new freestyle mini-jam released by UK-based hip hop artist, Wagner, on his Instagram. It appears to be part of his recurring “Freestyle Friday” series. He maintains a reliable flow throughout and his delivery is surprisingly melodic. The sounds is actually a lot more musical than typical freestyles, which often have more of a spoken-word slam poetry vibe. He demonstrates a good sense of timing. There’s some potential here, as Wagner gives an impressive performance for this being an impromptu Instagram upload. He could really start releasing these as complete tracks. Keep your eyes peeled for more Freestyle Friday action from this artist.
Get Gangsta is a new single from hip hop artist, Blvd Gerard. A man who describes himself as a “hustler to the bone,” Blvd Gerard delivers this crisp track and surprisingly groovin’ track. The backing music features some sweet retro organ music and slick bass, giving this jam a distinctive sound. If it weren’t for the rapping, this song wouldn’t seem out of place on the soundtrack of a typical 1970s action movie. Blvd Gerard’s lyrical flow is fresh and lively. He creatively employs some interesting vocal effects which boost the song’s entertainment value and thicken up the mix nicely. This is a good, solid single. Blvd Gerard proves himself to be both a worthy performer and an artistically inventive songwriter. This guy has some style.
12 over 6 is a new single from New Zealand-based artist, Rosegang. This unique blend of Spanish-style guitars and smooth hip hop makes for a memorable listening experience. Rosegang’s no-nonsense delivery style juxtaposes nicely with the exotic musical backdrop. Authenticity and “being real” are heavily emphasized themes in the lyrics, indicating that the artist places a high value on those attributes. He also talks about the struggles of life and the importance of perseverance in overcoming personal adversity.
Musically, this is a melodic and almost relaxing song. The backing music is smooth and emits tropical vibes. Rosegang’s passionate and expressive vocals give the song an added emotional jolt. He demonstrates a commanding stage presence and proves to be a capable rapper. 12 over 6 is a flavorful jam, Rosegang has carved out a distinctive hip hop niche for himself here.
Star is a new single from artist, Katrin Butt. The track is available in both German and English language versions. This is a lively, upbeat jam with groovin’ guitars and friendly vocals. Katrin really does have a cool singing style. There’s a lot of personality in her voice as provides poetic monologues and melodically hip, atmospheric vocals. Musically, it makes for a classic, 1960s lounge ambiance. Though it has a fun and casual vibe, Star is also an empowering song, as Katrin’s performance beams with confidence. Not to mention, with lyrical gems like “I drive my golden Cadillac to the party with Steven Spielberg,” you can’t really go wrong. The backing music features some great vintage guitar tones and keeps the action rocking.
The Shadow is a new single from Nashville-based duo, Drifters In Vellichor. Interestingly, the band originally formed in California in 2005 as a trio called AutoDefe. This slightly dark and surreal track actually does have a hint of California desert vibes. Technically it’s indie rock, but it has a somewhat brooding and sinister feel. Spiritually, it’s closer to modestly paced metal but with more sultry and metaphysical undertones. The recording is polished and slick. These guys definitely have production down, and the performances are really clean. There’s a lot going on musically, even for a rather minimalist mix. The sound is surprisingly dynamic and never boring. It’s just very “alive.” The charismatic vocals are especially good, and provide The Shadow with much of its emotional character.
Shackles is a new single from Seattle-based electronic duo, Sugar Addikt. This isn’t your typical indie pop pairing though, as Sugar Addikt is actually a mother and son teaming up to make music. Shackles boasts an avant garde ambiance, which combines with energizing synth beats to create an exotic sound. Poetic, spoken word monologues enhance the song’s artistic flair, while building toward climactic choruses. This futuristic jam is highly danceable and psychically intense. This single is from a 5-song EP, Phoenix. The song Shackles fits within a broader narrative arc of the album, stressing that the first step to removing shackles is recognizing that they are largely of our own making, a product of our current mental state.
