Reviews

Hendrix – Release (Episode 2)

ianhendrix

Release is the name of the second single by musical artist and former marine, Ian Hendrix. The song features Katie Shorey (a notable singer formerly signed to Interscope Records) on vocals. Produced by Robert Heibach and Ian Hendrix at Del Oro Music Studios, the song presents as a kind of fantasy electronique musical adventure. Beautifully and passionately sung yet deeply enigmatic lyrics which occasionally express despair (and take a turn for the dark) are backed by a vibrant and action packed synthpop beat. The bleak atmosphere is transcended by the emotionally moving vocals and surreal tone. This dynamic gives the track a duality, but it goes beyond that.

This musical “release” (it’s awkward getting used to the fact the title of the song is also Release) corresponds with a video series, with this track being associated with Episode 2. It makes more sense in this context, since we realize what we’re experiencing is part of something greater. This is only a portion of a long journey, with all the ups and downs that entails. Judging by the story depicted in the video, this is the “down” part of the adventure when prospects aren’t looking so hot. Still we find ourselves entertaining a sliver of hope that the young protagonist will find that “release” they’re seeking from the dire predicament they are currently caught up in. Though the video tells a story of the solitary survivor of a spacecraft crash landing on some desolate, desert planet, it’s likely that the song is not meant to be merely a scifi-fantasy soundtrack accessory. Rather it’s intended to be applicable to equivalent emotional experiences we encounter in our earthbound lives right here, as we appeal for a release from the pressures imposed on us and those we’ve place on ourselves.

Release is an excellent song, which lives up to its cinematically epic presentation. Ian Hendrix and everyone else who worked on this project should be proud. The anime-like story material in this series is actually quite engaging, and after watching the first two video episodes, I find myself anticipating Episode 3.

For more info:

https://hendrixmusic.net/
https://katieshorey.com/

Reviews

TonAsh – How It Go

tonash

How It Go is a new jam from TonAsh, a hip hop artist whose hometown is listed as Nassau, Bahamas. There are definitely some Caribbeann vibes detectable in his delivery, which help to enhance the song. TonAsh maintains a swift vocal pacing throughout without missing a beat (true to the philosophy he articulates in the song, “Stoppin’s not an option. I don’t have no brakes.”) The word “go” is the essence of what this track is about: It’s always go time for the artist, whose ready to bust a move in all facets of life at all times. His mind is always racing and on the go. TonAsh understands that nobody cares about or remembers someone who doesn’t take risks. Whether you agree or not, unlike a lot of indie rappers, TonAsh actually has a decent flow and demonstrates some solid rapping ability.

Overall, this track is pretty pimp tight, and the video imagery juxtaposes well with the lyrical content. The frequently reappearing “car” motif serving as a metaphor for TonAsh’s “Go” ethos. Be sure and check out this guy’s social media for updates on his other projects. He has a lot of other musical projects out there in the works.

For more info:

Instagram: @KingTA242
FB: @TonAsh242
Twitter: @KingTonAsh
Soundcloud @ https://soundcloud.com/tonash-1

Reviews

Cplus – Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend

clifton

Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend, a new track from Oklahoma City based artist Cplus (real name Clifton Johnson.) Having opened for such acts such as Joe, Usher, Tony Terry, and Mint Condition, Cplus is an established talent who knows his way around a microphone. Seriously, this guy’s got a voice so shimmering, it shines. His vocal delivery is smooth, dynamic and laid back while still conveying a few layers of emotion for its intended audience. Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend is a vocal driven, minimalist pop / R&B song that’s sure to turn a few heads. A guitarist, pianist and singer, Cplus has a lot of tools at his disposal, but ultimately his voice turns out to be all that’s required to make this track work, and it works magically.

For more info:

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/cplus/272448338
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4uk29j5K8hIVCVj8q4OfUz

Reviews

Malea – HERO

Malea

HERO is a new release from Malea, a Los Angeles based artist. A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, Malea’s professional training has clearly paid off here. HERO is like a 21st century synthpop version of one of those classic opening James Bond intro songs. Yes, it’s that good. Malea’s vocal performance is stellar and backed by a sparkling, ethereal synth backing track. I could envision this song being part of some kind of epic Las Vegas dance and light show. HERO is passionate, powerful and beautiful, a melodic tour de force. Malea is well known and already has a couple of Billboard hits under her belt. Based on what I’ve heard here, I predict nothing but good things for her.

For more info:

Website: http://malea.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malea/

Reviews

Kid Fre$h – BAG SZN

bag-szn-2

BAG SZN is a new single from Texas based rapper, Kid Fre$h. The song is a high octane track, fueled by Kid Fre$h’s energetic and fast paced delivery. The backing music is hypnotically entrancing and theatrical, but Kid’s Southern styled rhymes take center stage. This dude can definitely flow and BAG SZN has the juice to liven up a dance floor. I constantly find myself amazed by just how many talented indie rappers there are. Production on this single is impressive as well, achieving great clarity and punch without Mickey Mousing around with effects too much. This song is fresh all right.

For more info:

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/lamarcus.d.mckinney
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkidfresh_/

Reviews

Willow Raye – Deja Vu

willowraye

Pop artist Willow Raye’s new single Deja Vu (part of an upcoming EP) attracts with it’s delicately magnetic vocals and dazzles with its retro electro backing beat. The dreamlike ambiance is enhanced with 16-bit styled sound effects, distinguishing this from standard Top40 pop fare. A tasteful delve into romance and lust, this track has potential to resonate with a wide audience. It helps of course that Willow is a teriffic looking girl. Musically and aesthetically, she has all the ingredients to follow in the footsteps of established indie pop artists like Halsey. A solid music video and some persistence would propel this talented girl to the level she needs to be.

For more info:

https://www.instagram.com/willowraye/

Reviews

Remmeh – Same as Money (prod. by lifesamatrix)

remmeh

Sweden based, fledgling 22 year old rapper “Remmeh” has a new jam out called Same as Money. Remmeh’s freestyle roots are apparent in his stream of consciousness connected lyrical delivery. His vocal tone is unique for a rapper, almost wavelike and calmly surreal. At times he even sacrfices word clarity in order to manipulate his voice into a kind of instrument of its own. The content of the song deals with how he is feeling when people are talking behind his back. That may sound simple enough, but Remmeh lays the story all out in a very complex and abstract way, as if one were to wake up and attempt to write down a crazy dream they just had. It’s like listening to a conversation play out among characters in someone’s head.

Refreshingly, with this song Remmeh opts for depth, substance and ambiance instead of empty flashiness. You get the sense that this guy’s music is heartfelt. Usually when I get press releases or bios from indie rappers they typically include a lot of bluster about how amazing and important and famous they are. Remmeh on the other hand merely described himself as a “struggling” young rapper. That kind of humbly genuine personality comes through in the song as well and makes for an artist you want to root for. Is this guy an amazing singer? No, but his voice is still pleasant to listen to. Same as Money also features a thematic piano backing, which blends quite well into the breezy atmosphere of the song.

https://soundcloud.com/rremmeh/same-as-money-may-prod-by-lifesamatrix

Reviews

Jay Gudda – Dead Wait

jaygudda

Hip hop artist Jay Gudda’s Dead Wait serves as a prime example of how a song can thrive creatively without extravagant budgets or lavish overproduction. This jam is raw, confrontational and darkly engaging. It is also pretty damn good. The video for this release is unique in that it appears to be filmed from the perspective of a dead body, a recently vanquished corpse being dragged around the room along with the brooding backing beat. It’s an effective touch, giving the listener/viewer the feeling that they’re actually there at the scene and part of something seedy that may have just went down. It transcends mere “voyeurism,” by bringing the listener directly into the action (and thus the song) from the get go. It’s not all serious biz here though, with occasional eerily comedic gems such as: “I can see the hate especially, secondly, I can see they try to steal my recipe.” Jay Gudda displays some real skills with this bad boy, both technically and creatively.

For more info:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhoIsJayGudda
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whoisjaygudda
Website: www.whoisjaygudda.com

Reviews

The Vics – Fourth and Clay

Album Art

Fourth and Clay is a new single from Pittsburgh (actually California, PA) based band, The Vics. The group already has a couple of solid albums under their belt: a self-titled full-length and an EP, Sparrow. The current single seems like it may be part of a run up to something big.

A guitar driven, indie rock jam, Fourth and Clay has elements of blues, refined to a very clear and polished sound. It has a very classy, blues club feel to it. The vocals are really excellent, far better than that of the average indie rock band. Stylistically, they give off a kind of “lounge singer” vibe. In fact, if these guys had been around in the 90’s I could have easily seen them going in a slightly different direction and maybe getting into the swing revival craze. Anyway, the musiciansmanship on Fourth and Clay is stellar: swanky guitars, subdued backing vocals and a well chosen sample. It’s hard to get much better than a combo consisting of style, technical ability and professionalism. The Vics have got it all.

For more info:

https://thevicsofficial.bandcamp.com/
http://www.facebook.com/thevics

Reviews

The Driver Music – Sound Paintings

soundpaintings

Sound Paintings is a new album from The Driver Music (the name used for the musical project of Mr. Douglas, an Oakland / San Francisco Bay Area based producer and DJ.) The collage-like dance tracks have a groovin’ bohemian vibe, with stylish, laid back mixes offering a soulfully haunting evening aesthetic. One interesting component of this album is that it incorporates short and punchy backing vocalizations / synthesized sounds into many of the songs to enhance the timing rhythm effect. The track All I Need is a great example of this.

The Driver Music blends elements of hip hop, house, funk, and even hippie psychedelia to create interesting eclectic genre conglomerations, even within individual songs. In that sense, Sound Paintings really is an apt title for this release, as the artist paints a cohesive, mixed media musical picture, combining all the compatibible pieces at his disposal, including his performing self. My favorite tracks on this album are Blue 7 (a vocal masterpiece) and especially Real Like, which has a delightfully eerie backing and a retro 90’s hip hop feel.

For more info:

https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/thedrivermusic2
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m3IKS51nuKYZXFwVXsYgj92uxjYTpooMU
https://artists.spotify.com/c/artist/4polAhXxKq8O7B4yqh4jPe/profile