Toxic is a new single from New Orleans-based alternative hip hop artist, Rockstar Marcus. Backed by an ambient beat, this jam is smooth and surreal. The visual effects in the video enhance the musical atmosphere, giving it a dreamlike quality. Rockstar Marcus’s lyrical delivery is sincere and sentimental, as he ponders the toxicity of his relationship. He’s just very reflective.

With expressions of longing and vulnerability, this is ultimately a romantic song. This track almost has an emo vibe. Musically, the synth-driven backing is very pleasant to listen to and is somewhat calming, while the beat still has enough kick to it to keep things lively. It’s refreshing to see hip hop like this that’s willing to explore artful sensitivity and tap into a broader range of emotions.

For more info:

https://smarturl.it/toxicworld

The Ninth Dimension is a new album from FLVRWLF, a band comprised of Los Angeles-based rapper/producer Myka 9 and Silicon Valley-based producer, Freematik. Both of these artists are long time veterans of the music scene and have many projects under their belt. This album is slated to for official release on 4/20 but is available for pre-order in the meantime.

Bold and experimental, the songs blend elements of hip hop, rock, thrash and even industrial. The vocals are entrancing and avant garde, with snippets of poetic narration interweaving with traditional hip hop delivery. Meditatively hypnotic, the voices really pull you in. The backing music is trippy and futuristic. At times, it almost has a mechanical feel, as though you’re listening to the inner working of a haunted spaceship. The Ninth Dimension an intriguing album aesthetically. My favorite track on here is Escape! which creatively incorporates some exotic motifs and sound effects to create a mini-masterpiece.

For more info:

https://flavorwolf.bandcamp.com/album/the-ninth-dimension
Twitter Myka 9: http://www.twitter.com/myka9
Twitter Freematik: http://www.twitter.com/freematik

2020 is a new single from Ramona + the Riot. From the album Law of Contagion, this single is majestic and hauntingly beautiful. The vocals are positively enchanting. Really this is one of the best singers I’ve ever heard, and the entire band seems to be comprised of all-stars. This track could almost be a James Bond theme song. It’s just very powerful and the audio clarity is delicious. 2020 has a jazzy, lounge-like ambiance, and if this were being performed live, the audience would be captivated by the song’s magnetic energy. This is top-tier. You’ll be hearing more about this band, I guarantee it.

For more info:

https://www.itsramona.com/
https://www.facebook.com/BOOKRAMONA/

Solo is a new single from artist, Arnold Mitchem. An established and well-known musician on many fronts, one interesting tidbit about Arnold is that he has also written songs for television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This latest release, Solo, melodically blends elements of rock, Americana and blues. Driven by groovin’ guitars and a charismatic vocal duet, the song features a strong lyrical narrative about a relationship going awry, with the woman going off on her own and the man presumably dealing with the new reality of being alone. Musically, the performances are phenomenal. This is pure professionalism in songwriting. It is solid from a technical standpoint, but Arnold Mitchem also brings a genuine sensitivity into the song. Great stuff.

For more info:

https://www.arnoldmitchem.com/
https://www.facebook.com/mitchemarnold5/

i hate, or leonard is a new album from KL GRAY (the name for a collaboration between producer KLJ and Layne Gray.) This slick opening tracks, waiting for the moon (fool in line) features one of the coolest beats I’ve ever heard in a hip hop jam. It has a retro-futuristic, almost video game music quality to it. My other favorite songs on here are olympus [mt] and floor, i’ve become. This is like old school hip hop but with a fresh and experimental twist.

In terms of delivery, the flow is very fluid and the ambiance is smooth. This is an artfully classic release that’s musically very pleasant to listen to. The vibe is chill, but it keeps a brisk enough pace to always keep things exciting. KL GRAY definitely has some skills, and I dig the aesthetic.

For more info:

New York-based singer/songwriter and model, Chrystal Copland has a new self-titled EP out. The songs on this release are beautifully haunting. Against a guitar driven backdrop, Chrystal’s sentimental yet confident voice captivates on tracks like Run (No One Will Save You). Her vocal style finds just the right balance between avant garde and pop appeal. She goes beyond the superficial layers of emotion and isn’t afraid to explore the darker aspects of her inner monologue. Other songs like I’m Not Broken feature a modestly paced synth backing.

The relatively minimalist mix gives the music an almost spoken-word poetry quality at times. Chrystal’s voice is pleasant enough to listen to that it can stand completely on its own. The music is just a bonus. Her lyrics are reflective, abstract and refreshingly honest. This is a terrific little EP, and Chrystal Copland has a genuinely unique sound.

For more info:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7iZQ55cuqEWfzvm113Xf6h?si=FIEFuC9-SAqcczzgjhj08A

MR.HEISMAN (Woodson Tribute) is a new single from Christian Brothers (a duo comprised of rapper Sean Chris &
producer/engineer King Mega). This release is a tribute to Charles Woodson, an NFL legend who was recently inducted into the pro-football hall of fame. As the title implies, he also won the Heisman Trophy in 1997 while playing for the University of Michigan.

The song itself blends elements of hip hop and R&B, with the lyrics effectively incorporating football related lingo. The backing music is is smoothly ambient and downright dreamy. It perfectly captures the surreal atmosphere of sports stardom and a playing career that’s so remarkable it almost feels like a vivid dream. A groovy and upbeat jam, MR.HEISMAN is also worthy homage to one of the NFL’s most memorable athletes.

For more info:

https://music.apple.com/us/album/mr-heisman-woodson-tribute-feat-sean-chris/1557216463?i=1557216464

Hetzer is a new single from German band, Soziales Hetzwerk. This Deutsch Rock/Punk release is a precursor to the upcoming album, Provokateur (which has purportedly been made with “support from musicians all over the world”). The lyrics Hetzer are entirely in German, but the song rocks so hard that the music will resonate with anyone.

Invigorating guitars combine with an assertive vocals and a robust drum beat to create an intensely enjoyable sound. The action is powerful and the pace will get your adrenaline going. Definitely not for the feeble or faint of heart. From a technical standpoint, the musicianship is excellent, clean and meticulous, especially for this metal-adjacent genre. While much of the focus is on the guitars, it’s worth noticing that the vocals are impressively melodic, making effective use of harmonies.The performances are solid. Hetzer is a strong release that will immediately grab your attention and hold it throughout the duration of the song.

For more info:

https://www.soziales-hetzwerk.at/

Highopes is a new single from 30ROLLIE, a Puerto Rican hip hop artist from New Jersey. This release is part of an upcoming project called BENJIWRLD (presumably an homage to 30ROLLIE’s late brother, Benji). In Highopes, the artist gives a couple of shoutouts to Benji, but this particular song was also inspired by 30ROLLIE getting off probation for a stabbing incident and successfully beating a weapons charge.

30ROLLIE has a stream of consciousness delivery style that’s lively, fresh and upbeat. He actually has a unique vocal technique and utilizes his voice in creatively distinctive ways. This guy really does have his own sound. The lyrics are reflective and 30ROLLIE isn’t afraid to get personal sometimes. Overall, his demeanor presents as one of resilience and determination. The beat is crisp and the backing music provides a chill atmosphere. The production has great clarity and is much better than what you would expect for an “indie” hip hop jam. Highopes is a worthy single, musically and artistically.

For more info:

Projection is a new album from Los Angeles-based rock band, Slow Burning Car. This group has apparently released four previous albums together (and also toured internationally), which explains why the sound is tight and cohesive. The guitars are assertive and polished, providing a robust framework for the songs.

At first glance it might seem to be a rather straightforward LA rock, but there is a lot of creativity employed with the vocal delivery and effects. Ultimately, this gives the album an avant garde quality, and the overall aesthetic is slightly futuristic. The lyrics are peppered with biting social commentary and occasional humor. My favorite track is probably The Quantum Mariner, a masterpiece in songwriting that is performed to equal perfection. Projection is a top-tier release, artistically and technically superior to almost anything being produced on major labels today.

For more info:

http://www.slowburningcar.com/
https://www.facebook.com/SlowBurningCar
https://www.youtube.com/user/SlowBurningCar