Sicko is a new EP from trap metal artist SLUG THE SICKO. He’s a enigmatic performer who leaves a lot to the imagination, which I like. Very little is known about him other than he’s been creating music for about 4 years. The songs on the EP are dark and hypnotic, with backing music that takes on mechanical and industrial sound characteristics. It’s like you’re overhearing performance art at an abandoned haunted factory in the rust belt. The vocals utilize a 90’s style metallic horror-like processing, reminiscent of Folk Implosion’s Daddy Never Understood and Natural One. An expressive anger dominates the delivery and emotional ambiance, though the track Like You departs from this, demonstrating a softer and more vulnerable side. Overall, this is a good creative effort. The artist’s personality really manifests itself in the music. I think this would make a good cassette release.

For more info:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/67P76eXVhhP5PEqJRE06L0?si=mIQCX5atR8Wy0whXQqydJA

I Love You Close is a new single from San Francisco based artist, Rae du Soleil. The sound is a unique blend of lounge and alternative neo-folk. Her vocal tone reminds me a bit of The Cranberries. She delivers the romantically driven lyrics with a soft assertiveness and heartfelt sincerity. Though the mix is relatively minimalist, the song is complex in its structure and layout. There are a lot of hidden musical surprises that crop up for the listener. Some of the “Flight of the Conchords” style guitar hooks on the track are really nice. Somehow Rae manages to say “I love you” in a million different ways in this song it never gets old.

For more info:

https://www.raedusoleil.com/
https://www.instagram.com/raedusol/
https://twitter.com/raedusol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrIz7-sMVZA

It Never Ends is a new single from a Pennsylvania based artist known as TheWolfPrinceKane. The best way to describe the sound is that it’s like if you combined emo vocals with Super Nintendo style “chiptune” synths and a mellow backbeat. It works quite well, actually. This song is super catchy and well written. The lyrics largely consist of chronicling the mundane daily struggle of life and lamenting the lack of money. Yet, this jam is strangely uplifting. The synth tones are really nice and could probably stand on their own as an instrumental, but this artist does have the perfect voice for this style of music. TheWolfPrinceKane may not expend a lot of energy on hyping himself up or carefully crafting an image through tedious marketing material, but when it comes to quality music, he does deliver.

For more info:

https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/thewolfprincekane2

Star is a new single from French born singer/songwriter Estelle California. She changed her last name to “California” after moving to Oakland and falling in love with the state. With extensing training in opera, piano and saxophone, she demonstrates her musical prowess on this recording. The song has a beautfully dark and salacious ambiance. The exotic melody and chorus payoff is reminiscent of classic James Bond intro songs like those of Shirley Bassey. There’s a classy, lounge atmosphere
to this track. It’s very intimate yet builds with passionate energy. Toward the end, the track lets loose with some groovy guitar riffs. Estelle establishes herself as a musical force with this instant classic.

For more info:

https://www.facebook.com/estellecalifornia/
https://www.instagram.com/estellecalifornia/

Get Down is a new single from the artist/producer known as Gual. The nu-disco synthpop beat blends with charismatic female vocals to create a vibrant dance experience. The tone is bright and infectiously energetic while the lyrics playfully coax the listener to move. This song really captures the authentic disco sound but has enough contemporary flare and top notch production so as to not appear dated or campy. It can fit nicely into an EDM set. The music has a nice bounce to it and the mix makes effective use or harmony and vocal layering to increase the sensation that action is coming from all directions. This is a solid jam.

For more info:

https://www.gual.info/
http://instagram.com/djgual

Magic (Connie’s Song) is a new single from Toronto based R&B artist Queen Pepper. The song appears on her latest full-length album True Stories, Vol. 1. Her soft and delicate vocals carry the song against a colorful and lightly ambient musical backdrop. The singer demonstrates an impressively dynamic range as her voice does maneuvers others can only dream of. The sound comes through with brilliant clarity and without any abrasive processing. I haven’t really heard an indie R&B song in a while that was this pristine and innocent. This release is quietly sentimental and the work of a true professional.

For more info:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thequeenpepper/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thequeenpepper_
Website: https://www.queenpepper.com/

Prophesied is a new EP from Oklahome metal outfit, IF IT BLEEDS IT DIES. The songs have delightfully demonic vibes. A fast and deliberate drum beat combines with authoritative guitars to deliver a classic metal sound. The tone is unapologetically dark, sucking the listener deep into the hellish vortex we all yearn for. Suffice to say, these guys are pretty talented and have a solid grasp on the genre. The vocals are reminiscent of the evil djinn character in the Wishmaster film series. With track titles like Blasphemous and Black Heart, you get the idea. As I’ve come to expect with metal musicians, the members play their instruments with meticulous precision and don’t cut corners. The doomsday ambiance isn’t holding them back from putting on a good clean show. Overall, I found Prophesied to be strangely energizing and hypnotic, kind of like a loud musical seance. IF IT BLEEDS IT DIES is a band that has definitely summoned something with this crisp release.

For more info:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/ifitbleedsitdies/prophesied

Neon Dreams is a new single from Long Island based electric violinist and artist, Asher Laub. The song impressively combines elements of classical and EDM in a way that I’ve not quite ever seen done before. This surreal instrumental feat dazzles and amazes from start to finish. With the pace alternating from quiet and contemplative to high octane pulsepounding, this track takes the listener on a precision tooled melodic roller coaster ride. This jam is an excellent avant garne pop example of what a classicial musician can produce if they infuse a little creativity into their projects. Asher Laub is a performer who has found his niche.

For more info:

https://www.asherlaub.com
https://www.instagram.com/asherlaub
https://www.twitter.com/asherlaub