Reviews

Names Not Andy – Trifilin

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Trifilin is a new track from hip hop artist, “Names Not Andy,” taken from his cleverly titled upcoming album, thepits.exe. Trifilin is largely a jam about authenticity. The artist calls out those he deems as false friends and fair weather acquaintances who only come around when they need something. The backing music on this track is really rad. It has some “Asian” vibes, but honestly I can’t quite place it. It really gives the song a bit of character and distinguishes it from other hip hop music. Names Not Andy’s delivery is crisp and assertive. He manages to come off strangely likable even while aggressively berating the fake friends around them. Trifilin is much more creative than the average rap song that comes across my desk.

For more info:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/trifilin-single/1450118487
https://open.spotify.com/album/3pNmDnBcWJoO4GAEnsW6H8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG5C2vK_Irc

Reviews

Kroissenbrunner & Jamit – Masala Bazaar

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Masala Bazaar is a novel new electronic music track. It’s a collaborative effort from Jamit (who provided the arrangement) and Kroissenbrunner (who resides in South Africa and contributed the sounds.) The vocals are in Zulu language but apparently represent the names of various spices. Masala Bazaar is a palatable jam all right. The song’s retrofuturistic beat combines with flavorfully subliminal vocals to to function as a kind of musical morse code. The pacing on this track is fast enough for a high energy dance party, but the tone is mellow enough to hypnotize you on a long drive. I’ve reviewed multiple jams from Jamit, and each one has delivered in its low-key unassuming style. Just quality electronic music without any hype or attitude.

For more info:

https://jamitjames.bandcamp.com/track/masala-bazaar

Reviews

Tanya Nolan – Love Ya

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Love Ya constitutes the first major release of 2019 for artist Tanya Nolan. Featuring Kirko Bangz, this heartfelt jam really demonstrates the prowess of Tanya’s vocals. Her confident delivery and the effortless way she seems to belt out these lyrics makes it almost look easy. Tanya’s vocal performance on this song is so strong it would have even impressed Simon Cowell. Her powerful voice simply drives the action here, all the way through.

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Love Ya is a soulful / pop / r&b style song, notable for a lyrical depth and narrative that’s refreshingly substantive for this style of music. The track deals with couples struggling through their relationship issues. Romantic parties articulate their grievances and frustrations. In one instance, ultimately there’s a realization that the girl must shut this person out of her life, even while she freely admits she still loves him just the same. Rapper Kirko Bangz takes on a role in a hip hop interlude as a romantic interests, where he acknowledges he can never be all that she wants him to be. The video for this song is impressive not just because of the production but because it manages to deal us an engaging story of how love endures hardship. A lot of people clearly worked very hard on this track, and it shows.

Fore more info:

Website: https://tanyanolan.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tanyanolan.net

Twitter @tanyanolan
Instagram iamtanyanolan

Reviews

Kendra Black – This Love

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This Love is a new single from New York City based singer, songwriter and producer, Kendra Black. The top tier production on this track and impressive pop vocals make this song just about as good as any major label hit currently playing on the radio. With her simple, stylish look and polished performance, Kendra has the contemporary pop music aesthetic down to a T. It’s really just a matter of whether this jam or her new album The Fire receives enough exposure in the right circles. On this single, Kendra has demonstrates a dynamic, full voice and sings with passion over a high energy synth backing that’s ripe for the dance floor.

For more info:

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4NPzE25xSrHifyqcM6Uc5l
Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/kendrablackmusic
Website:
http://www.kendrablackmusic.com/

Reviews

Jamar – Beat It Up

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Beat It Up is a new single from DC based rapper Jamar. It’s from his upcoming EP, Room Service, which he worked on throughout college. Beat It Up actually has excellent backing music. The beat has an uplifting sparkle to it, regardless of whether or not the listener engages with the lyrics. Jamar has a decent flow and appears to have had some vocal training. Most importantly his vocal tone and style matches the music. This song has a very 90s hip hop / pop feel to it. The video features Jamar training in a boxing gym, but I’m not quite sure the song is about boxing if you catch my drift.

For more info:

Twitter:
https://Twitter.com/JamarThePrince
Instagram:
https://Instagram.com/JamarThePrince
Facebook:
https://Facebook.com/JamarThePrince/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cotK_5YPLg

Reviews

Sun J. – DILLI (Delhi) – Khatarnaak

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I’ve been doing this a long time, and I freely admit I had no idea there was such a budding young hip hop scene in India. Much of it is being fueled by a collective known as “Khatarnaak,” which was founded by an artist known as Sun J. One of his latest singles is DILLI (a slang for New Delhi.) Sun J’s delivery is quick and his tone is gritty and street-like. The song is essentially Sun J’s representation of the city he identifies with. Also interesting is how hip hop is adapted here to create a distinctly Indian sound, thus lending itself to a newly recognizable, emerging sub-genre of hip hop. Sun J’s a talented rapper and does a fine job of representing the region musically and I suspect there will be a growing respect for hip hop produced by artists in that part of the world.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sunjofficial
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1qWHipj6Do32r1svYs7woV
Website: http://www.khatarnaak.com/

Reviews

Dominique Mathurin – Love is Contagious

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Dominique Mathurin’s Love is Contagious is a reimagined version of the 90’s hit song by Taja Sevelle. Dominique has licensed and remade the song here in her own image. One major element which distinguishes this version is that it is mostly guitar driven, whereas the original was more of a bubblegum synthpop jam. The guitars give this song a twangy kind of avant garde, R&B pop sensibility. It’s just so much more groovin’ and has a very elegant, classy vibe. In terms of vocals, this song has a very high level of difficulty and Dominique somehow manages to pull it off. Granted, contemporary production makes it easier to produce this kind of music and conceal flaws, but I promise these parts are not easy to sing. Do not try this at home. Most remakes and cover versions of songs do not live up to the quality of the original, but this one does and in the process evolves its own personality. The combination of a clear artistic vision and Dominique Mathurin’s all out vocal performance is ultimately what gets it there.

For more info:

https://soundcloud.com/dominiquemathurin/love-is-contagious

Reviews

Roddie Mira – Better Off

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Better Off is a new single from international artist, Roddie Mira. Already a well established musician (having opened for iconic groups like Wu-Tang Clan) his most recent big break came when a recent release was used in a German Mcdonalds commercial. It isn’t difficult to see why he’s achieving some commercial success. As his performance on Better Off demonstrates, this guy can sing. He has a smooth, soulful R&B style and is able to hit notes on the higher side. It particular his vocals make great use of alternating harmonies with dynamic solo parts. You just can’t fake this style of music. Either you can pull it off or you can’t, and Roddie most definitely can. The backing music is a laid back, charming beat with some contemplative piano and synth vibes. A lot of times when I hear this type of song, I mention how it is good enough to stand alone as just an instrumental / dance track. In this case though, even if there were no instrumentals, beat or musical backing of any kind, Roddie Mira’s vocals could stand on their own. He could release an acapella version of this jam, and it would still be good. His voice is just incredibly versatile. One wonders what the limits are to what it can do.

For more info:

http://www.roddiemira.com/

Reviews

idkanymore – Consequences (featuring Austin Hull)

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Consequences is a new jam from “idkanymore,” a singer/producer duo (Nicklaus Grassett & Alexander Conway) based out of Arizona/Delaware. The group is currently signed to Higher Reign Music Group. Consequences blends ambient synth music with hip hop to create a dreamy, almost haunting mood. I guess you could classify this music as darkpop or maybe even “chillhop.” The best way to describe it is that this is music you could meditate to while on the dance floor. The keen combination of rap lyrics, EDM ambiance and synthwave pacing results in a genre classification defying concoction that works. These guys are ambitious, and I have a feeling we’ll be hearing a lot more from them.

For more info:
https://facebook.com/idkanymoretunes
https://soundcloud.com/idkanymoretunes
https://austinhull.com/

Reviews

Arasa – Leads (feat. Chaotrope, Michan & Nuzulia)

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Leads classifies itself as a “depression awareness song.” It is largely an instrumental track, featuring some exquisite piano work to complement the ambient backing beat and light guitar sound. There are a few lyrics and lovely vocalizations, but since the singing does not appear to be in English it’s difficult for me to translate the meaning. However, the musical tone manages to convey a sense of empathy and comfort. One doesn’t need to understand the complete context in order to feel the effects of the song on an emotional level. While it is listed as “lofi” I have to mention that the production quality is much better than what one would expect a from lofi track such as vintage Daniel Johnston. This recording is very professional and particularly well mixed.

The video is a powerful piece of performance art which deals with strong themes, such as depression, loss and even death. The masks worn by the subjects in the video seem to be a metaphor illustrating how depression and painful thoughts are often concealed behind a jovial appearing personality and cheery facade. This song ultimately helps people recognize the importance making others comfortable about sharing their hidden emotions and fears before it is too late.

For more info:

https://www.instagram.com/arasa.id/
https://www.facebook.com/fachrulhasanmusic
https://arasa.id/leads/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwztpiddeW8