Shruggin’ Off The Feelings is a new album from New Chums, an indie rock’n’roll band from Phoenix, Arizona. Given that I’ve lived most of live in the Phoenix area, I have a special appreciation for the local scenery on display in the video (which is professionally shot) for the track, The Ride. The music is just classic indie rock, with robust guitars and an organic sound. The production quality is solid, without detracting from the artistic cred of the performances. There are some pretty groovin’ rhythmic interludes, with elements of rockabilly or 1950s style. I don’t keep up as much with indie music in the valley like I used to, but this is definitely one of the better up and coming Phoenix bands. Keep you eyes peeled for Shruggin’ Off The Feelings, which is schedule for official release on June 4th, 2021.

For more info:

https://newchumsband.com/
https://www.facebook.com/newchumsband/
https://twitter.com/newchumsband

Grudge is a new single from artist, Gozie Ukaga. Blending elements of pop, hip hop, and chill, this synth-backed track packs a lot of musical variety into its brief, two minute runtime. Against the backdrop of a futuristic beat, the lyrics have a confessional quality, as the artist ruminates on why a relationship has gone sour. Gozie Ukaga gives a sincere performance. We can sense in his voice that he really does feel the emotions he’s expressing. Style-wise this is actually a pretty unique pop song, with an atmospheric backing creatively juxtaposed with fairly straightforward, sentimental pop vocals. This is good stuff, real and personal.

For more info:

https://gozieukaga.com/
https://www.facebook.com/PlantainPapi/
https://twitter.com/gozieukaga

Moving Time is a new album from soul, funk and gospel-infused R&B group, The DK Effect. Featuring a bright and colorful sound, this release is an absolute classic. It has a soulful spirit, with delightful melodies and stellar vocal performances. This almost feels like it’s from another era. If you randomly heard this without knowing it was a contemporary release, you might assume this was a record that went solid gold back in the day.

It’s almost impossible to overstate just how good these recordings are. The songs are rich and full of life. The backing music consists of everything from smooth, groovy rhythms to inspirational gospel tracks. The mix does a great job of showcasing the real star attractions, which are the powerful voices that carry these songs.

For more info:

https://www.facebook.com/theDKEff/
https://thedkeffect.hearnow.com/moving-time-2

Location is a new single from DMV hip hop artist, King Ceekay. This jam has a dreamlike and surreal vibe, with King Ceekay’s delivery fluidly interweaving with the ambient backing. This artist’s style is refreshingly melodic and musical. He doesn’t merely “rap” but makes the effort to actually sing his rhymes. The result is a recording which may have achieve significant crossover appeal with R&B and pop. King Ceekay has mastered the art of the single. He’s been releasing them left and right, while his debut mixtape has racked up more than 250k global streams. The video for Location is professional and (true to its title) features some terrific urban scenery. The cinematography is well-done, and King Ceekay gets a chance to demonstrate his lively stage presence.

For more info:

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

Tik Tik Boom is a new single from TRUF, a hip hop artist from Carson, CA. Combining classic West Coast rap with blues and R&B. this track is robust and hard hitting. TRUF has a charismatic presence and no-nonsense delivery style. His voice has an authoritative quality, while maintaining a consistent flow throughout. He gives a lively performance that balances leisure with professionalism. The chorus phrase is catchy, and with a little bit of strategic marketing, one could easily see this jam becoming a viral sensation.

Musically, TRUF really does manage to capture the tone of classic California hip hop, with a production is slick and polished. This is honestly legit enough to be put out on a major label. The video for this track is entertaining, utilizing actors and creatively interweaving a narrative/storyline. TRUF is currently working on over 30 songs in preparation for the release of a commercial LP.

or more info:

MKED, Vol. I is the debut EP of MKED (the project of Milwaukee-based artist, Mike Dentice.) The collection of songs is the result of a collaborative effort between Mike and a diverse group of artists from around the country. I actually grew up on the east side of Milwaukee (I attended grade school in Shorewood), so the tribute song Back to Milwaukee is relatable on a personal level. Sonically, these tracks have elements of pop, rock, R&B and electronic music. The colorful and upbeat jam, Wake the Dead has an almost EDM vibe. It’s synth-driven, bright and features some electrifying vocals.

The songs on here are well-written, with catchy, pop friendly hooks. MKED, Vol. I is a high quality production. Despite there being a multitude of artists working on it remotely, the EP remains impressively cohesive, both musically and thematically. This is definitely a working formula. Keep it up.

For more info:

http://mked.hearnow.com

WorkHard is a new single from artist, C.Garrett. This hip hop jam features colorful melodies and an exotic vibe. The ambient, retro-futuristic backing music is smooth, and C.Garrett has a legitimately unique style. Combining spoken word poetry with singing and rapping, his delivery is very sincere. He has a knack for writing catchy, clever lyrics, and a couple of the rhymes made me chuckle a bit.

C.Garrett also makes use of some interesting vocal effects in certain parts of the song, transforming his voice into an instrument in its own right. He doesn’t merely “rap.” He actually gives an all out performance with his voice. This is artistic hip hop. It’s cool to see someone willing to experiment like this with sound and structure. There’s a good energy here. Humble, sincere and creative, this guy really makes you want to root for him.

For more info:

https://music.apple.com/us/album/workhard/1563859325?i=1563859568

Love & Conflict is a new album from New York-based singer-songwriter, actress, and producer, Martha Walsh. Lively, and dynamic, this release is on another level. Blending elements of jazz, lounge, R&B, soul, and disco, it’s difficult to even classify the sound. The songs are very complex, containing a lot of different musical components, yet everything is extremely well-choreographed.

Martha Walsh is an iconic vocalist, and her voice is truly powerful. She sings with remarkable passion and spirit, while also managing to express a more vulnerable side on songs like Roaring Free. The opening track Glamour Flows really sparkles. Another notable track is the sweet and soulful, Honey My Friend. This album is rich with musical variety, all of which is exquisitely performed. Pretty much every song on here is worthy of an award.

For more info:

https://www.facebook.com/themarthawash

New Horizon (feat. Craig Sayer) is a new single from emo-positive singer-songwriter, Meghan Pulles. Delicate and inspirational, this track is brimming with optimistic vibes. The piano-driven verses have a light, minimalistic feel, setting things up for the climactic moments, which feature full, bright, and downright euphoric mixes. Even with the production being as high end as it is, the music has a very avant garde and organic quality. There’s something very pure about this song. Meghan’s a terrific singer, and the sincerity in her voice alone is enough to lift your spirits.

For more info:

https://www.meghanpulles.com/
https://www.facebook.com/megpulles
https://www.instagram.com/meghanpulles/

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Redemption Road is a new album from songwriter, Greg Smith. Featuring meticulous guitar playing and sentimental vocals, the songs often have a soft, folkish rock quality. This music is reflective and poetic, but still has plenty of adult contemporary rock’n’roll spirit. Some tracks like Redemption Redux – Redux contain piano elements, which cultivate a delightfully haunting ambiance. Redemption Road is an intensely personal album. Both the performance and lyrics are rich with illustrious detail. It’s like listening to someone’s diary. Greg Smith is an accomplished musician, and this release is professional in every way possible.

For more info:

https://gregsmith.net/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/51VX2pprSlHhLrJkV9AvmS?si=_xz19HoiT2i0ULSBbG3ALg