RYNO – Who We Are (acoustic)

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Who We Are is a new song from RYNO (the name for the musical project of Ryan Jacob Doyle.) This is apparently an acoustic version of the song which also appears on RYNO’s album, The Pervade Collection. I could already tell I was going to like this jam due to the retro-futuristic cover art, but the music did not disappoint. Who We Are has a very uplifting tone. Hopefulness and and optimism emanate from every facet of this recording. Ryan can actually sing quite well, which is a good thing because the song’s focus is basically structured around the vocals and the message. He’s clearly a multi-instrumentalist though, too, the type that can master almost any instrument. He could make a version of this song with nothing but a kazoo and some bongo drums, and you just know it would still sound like the work of a trained professional.

The best way I could describe this track in its current form is that it’s like if you were to take the feel good vibes of EDM and combine them with a slightly different musical style, such as pop or adult contemporary. Who We Are is powerful and passionately performed. I could honestly imagine this being played at the olympics or something. I highly recommend checking out this artist’s other songs as well. This guy is very versatile musically and has something for just about everyone.

For more info:

Website: https://www.rynomusic.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1j7ZroyPw3isFSh6QmoLgD

Kfir – Drama Queen

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Drama Queen is a new jam from New York based performance artist, “Kfir.” The song is a pop / dance number that mesmerizes with style and fashionability. The well choreographed framework of Drama Queen is impressive enough, but what stands out is the supreme vocal performance. Seriously, I’m not going to name any names, but there are major label pop stars whom are mass promoted to the public, and they cannot sing at anywhere near the level of Kfir. Really great stage presence and charisma on display here as well…confidence with the talent to back it up. No idea where they’ll ultimately end up, but this artist is going places. Be sure and check out the vid for this song for the “full effect.”

For more info:

Website: https://www.kfir.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kfirmusic/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7ePhw1fYhs

Dar.Ra – Diamonds N The Shadows

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Diamonds N The Shadows, a new single from Dar.Ra, is really something. It represents a kind of avant garde fusion between 80’s and early 90s rock with electronic music and contemporary cultural relevance. The song offers a subtle commentary on the suburban “rat race” humans live out, reminiscent of Calhoun’s famous mice experiments. We are all bascially studied as manipulated market research subjects. The music itself is awesome and badass. Really authentic electronic rock that wouldn’t seem out of place on The Lost Boys soundtrack. As a bonus, this jam also comes in a variety of mixes (future retro, acid head, and full cut.) Each of these mixes are sufficiently unique and dynamic to make you question whether you’re even listening to the same song.

The videos for these variants (yes, there are separate re-edited vids for each) are creative, rad and memorable. Aside from being a great way to avoid a photo radar ticket, driving around in those animal masks must have made these vids fun to shoot. They are definitely a cut above what I’ve come to expect from “indie” productions. Aesthetically and musically, Diamonds N The Shadows seems like a throwback to another time, yet still manages to be as relevant as ever.

For more info:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dar.Ra7/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyT6Mj5IbEt68McjEnWMsTA

The Adjustment Bureau – Sick4U

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Sick4U is a new album from “The Adjustment Bureau.” Set for limited advance release on March 29th by Diac Immortal Records (on Traxsource, Beatport and Spotify,) it includes four funky, futurist mixes from artists Ben Rebel, QdEarl, and Man From Object: R525L. Femi.x makes an appearance as well. The mixes are darkly ambient, taking the listener on a hypnotic musical journey. The recurring motif is the sample “I was sick for you,” which contributes to the overall feeling of a surreal, underworld atmosphere. Space Invader Mix is probably the most futuristic of the bunch, with its punchy, polyphonic synth styled backing. The house beats in general are refreshingly minimalist, taking on an almost tribal characteristic when they’re on their own.

Production on this release is impressive. Everything is just so polished and well done, professionalism without excess. What I really like about this album though is how it manages to be thought provoking (not an easy task for dance tracks with few words.) Seriously though, listening to these songs I felt like I was meditating. They’re just very contemplative. I recommend you check this release out when it becomes available next week.

For more info:
https://www.instagram.com/adjustmentbureaumusic/

Six Mile Grove – Million Birds

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Million Birds is a new album from Minnesota band, Six Mile Grove. One lesson I’ve learned over the years is that this style of music, which blends elements of roots, country,and rock’n’roll is difficult to classify to anyone’s satisfaction. A band once angrily wrote to me after I reviewed them and insisted that they were “not a country band, they were “a blue and roots Americana band!” Six Mile Grove’s music similarly blurs the line between genres, and the result is awesome. Million Birds is really good. It’s mellow, emotive rock’n’roll with vintage, 1950’s vibes and a bit of backwater goodness. The singer reminds me a bit of Buddy Holly (both in vocal tone and appearance.) The performances on this album are excellent all around. This is honestly some of the best music I’ve ever heard from an “indie” band. In a just world or a different time, their song Not My Fault would be a top ten hit. Unfortunately we live right now though, so bands like this have to go through a lot of hoops just to be heard by anyone. The good news is that now you know about this album and get to listen to it. Million Birds is authentic, avant garde and evokes a sense of nostalgic innocence from beginning to end.

For more info:

https://sixmilegrove.com/home
https://www.facebook.com/sixmilegrove
https://open.spotify.com/artist/04dW6eif4sGWMOpvXupUF8
https://itunes.apple.com/artist/sixmilegrove

Eric Abel – Two Young Kids

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Two Young Kids is the third single from Atlanta based artist, Eric Abel. It blends elements of EDM, pop, and R&B to create an ambiance which is both contemplative and energetic at the same time. The song touches upon the bittersweet nostalgia for young love, which is interesting because Eric still appears to be quite young himself. I can relate to this though because I’ve always been a nostalgic person. In fact, when I was a junior in high school I was already nostalgic for the things I did as a freshman.

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The mellow backing beat for Two Young Kids is on the slower side for most EDM, but still on the danceable side. The music though is bright and strangely uplifting. Abel’s vocals are passionate and emotive. This kind of music is difficult to sing well, but his voice gets the job done and conveys a believable sincerity. This song really goes beyond a stroll down memory lane. The lyrics paint a picture not just of someone merely reflecting on the past but actively seekling to rekindle what was lost. He’s not just talking to himself here, but reaching out to see if the other person might feel the same way. We can only speculate as to whether or not the feeling is mutual, but simply by expressing himself, the song’s prtotagonist has dealt with the past in a way that he can begin to move forward.

For more info:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4g5FmftybZgEeKxCtfyrgJ
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ericabelmusic
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/abel.35/
Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpgownWu-J3Td_QZ1nQBtpg?

Ero Seagull – The Gospel

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The Gospel is a song Ero Seagull (an artist who won the judges’ round in The Peoples Music Awards in 2011.) What makes The Gospel interesting is that it blends hip hop and EDM with a religious message, a combination we don’t see to oftem. The song is also rich with content, managing to pack an incredible amount of lyrics in its 3:10 run time. Seagull’s delivery is dynamic and funky, at times reminiscent of a slam poet. It has a very old school hip hop vibe against a nice backdrop of futuristic synth beats. There’s a good chance listeners will engage with the material of this track because it is well presented. Ero Seagull is set to release her debut album, Evolution. Stay tuned and check it out.

For more info:

http://www.eroseagull.com/

Stephon Foster – Snake

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Snake is the second single slated for inclusion on Stephon Foster’s upcoming album. Stephon remains coy about the title of the new album, preferring to preserve a bit of the suspense. However, Snake is a song which certainly cuts right to the heart of the matter. The track deals with the theme of calling out and removing toxic people from our lives. Stephon’s “tell it like it is” vocal delivery gives this song a feeling of empowerment, almost like it’s part of a motivational, self-help dance cassette. A combination of the reptitive use of the term “snake” and an impressively complex musical framework make this jam quite catchy.

Pretty much anyone could relate to this song, whether we’re the naive person with a loved one taking advantage of us, or we’re the concerned friend trying to convince someone we care about to remove a toxic person from their life, or even if we’re the snake itself. At one time or another, most us have will have played out one of these roles, and some of us may have even experienced all three.

Once again, we have Stephon’s charismatic personality and entertaining vocal presence elevating the song’s appeal. Songwriting and production here is very nice, and in particular the vocal layering is done quite exquisitely. One thing I really enjoy about this artist’s work is the passion in the lyrics. You get the sense when listening that these songs are inspired by genuine experiences and events. They are actually about something that actually happened or someone that really exists. That ups the intensity factor for the listener. We engage with the material, because we know it’s personal and real. Cutting toxic people out of our lives is an ongoing battle, as we must remain vigilant to prevent others from slithering their way in.

For more info:

Hro Palyan – White China

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White China is a single from Hro Palyan, an Armenian-American hip hop artist based in Granada Hills, CA. He definitely has the west coast rap style down pat. The track contains smooth delivery of expicit, occasionally humorous lyrics, while still maintaining a respectable seriousness. Production is slick, definitely radio quality. The backing synth beat provides an “edge of the seat” ambiance of high drama, which contrasts well artistically with Palyan’s casual yet calmly serious demeanor. Maybe it’s just me, but this artist seems really marketable. He has a somewhat unique aesthetic and personal brand. White China is a very good hip hop song, one which has charting potential and is lyrically accessible enough to have mainstream pop appeal.

For more info:

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/stillHRO
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/stillhro/
Official Website:
https://www.hropalyan.com/

Hen-Dawg – Better Days

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Better Days is a new single from Hen-Dawg, a Vermont raised musician / producer who is currently based in North Carolina. The track is a very unique hip hop jam in that utilizes an ethereal, ambient almost dreamy backing music rather than just basic or traditional beats. The music really blends well with the nostalgic theme of the song as Hen-Dawg looks back at the old times dwells on some of his bittersweet memories and wonders where it all went. Finally, in a bit of a plot twist he looks toward the future with a realization that the better days are ahead.

Hen-Dawg’s delivery comes across as unconventional and displays a refreshing sincerity not normally found in these types of songs. His lyrical creativity is apparent throughout the song, as he consistently takes the listener in clever and unexpected directions rhyme-wise. Check out Hen-Dawg’s website for more info on this and other upcoming releases.

For more info:

https://www.hennessydawg.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy0-XlJuzHw