Waterfall is a new album from Fish in a Birdcage (the musical project of Dustan Townsend). First off, I simply cannot stress enough how good this is. Stylewise, it’s like if you blended indie pop/folk with something more classical. It almost reminds me of the kind of music you’d hear in a classic animated musical or an Olympic figure skating championship.

The songs are primarily vocal driven, and Dustan Townsend is a phenomenal singer. You won’t find a bunch of autotune or smoke and mirrors on this release. Brimming with sensitivity and humble charisma, this guy’s voice is one that could breeze through even the most intimidating theatrical audition. The best way I could describe it is that he sounds like a more refined Jack White. He also plays the mandocello or cello on these recordings, which partially accounts for the album’s classical ambiance. It’s also worth noting that talented artists like Kristina Helene, Thomas Kinzel and Moritz Behm contribute stellar vocals as well as some violin to these recordings.

It’s hard to believe that Townsend wrote Waterfall while living in a 33 foot bus he refers to as “Stanly the Adventure Bus,” as the album sounds so professional and flawless that one might be forgiven to assume it was made with a one million dollar budget in a platinum plated recording studio. The songs themselves are indeed magical and exciting, exploring themes that are reflective and delicate. The vibe is brimming with imagination and a child-like sense of wonder, while at the same time demonstrating mature musical prowess. While most of the tracks organically ethereal, fantasy quality, songs like Rule #21 Momento Mori have more of an exotic, rhythmic character. I highly recommend checking out the stop motion animation video (embedded below) for one of the the artist’s previous jams, Rule #4 – Fish in a Birdcage, which perfect encapsulates the spirit of the music and is quite frankly a masterpiece.

For more info:

https://www.fishinabirdcage.com/

https://open.spotify.com/album/4RX7OLRicCMQ4ORUJTQVTm?si=iFK0H2YVQMSy3OiRrzT9PQ

Waste No Time is a new single from hip hop artist, Don Gritty. He cites 2 Pac, Jay-Z, and DMX as being among is primary influences. True to form, the song gets right into the action. Don Gritty maintains a hard hitting yet down to Earth style as he confronts his fears and personal pain, ultimately promoting a positive message of perseverance. There are elements of romance in the lyrics as well. He shows how music and the creative process can be therapeutic. Musically the song has a fresh beat with a robust bass. Don Gritty does’t try to get too flashy, but his lyrical delivery is on point, and the content feels meaningful. This is a decent jam that cuts a little deeper emotionally than most contemporary hip hop.

For more info:

In My Soul is a new single from Los Angeles-based artist, Joseph Nevels. Sincere and heartfelt, the song subtly reflects on the US political scene, in what has been a rather tumultuous year. A law school graduate, Joseph Nevels demonstrates he can sing quite well. His vocals drive the action, combining strong technical skills with pure passion and are expressed with fine sensitivity. The recording quality is excellent, as we are able to appreciate every emotional nuance and sonic detail in the mix. In My Soul is a topical and socially conscious song that is musically enjoyable and performed at a high level.

For more info:

Royale With Cheese is a new EP from Swedish hip hop group, Bobby Royale. Featuring iconic artists like Henry Bowers and Akem, this release is slick and stylish. The songs have a classic and old school vibe, with smooth, analog-like backing tracks that wouldn’t seem out of place in the 70s or early 90s. They’re all good, but one of the standout songs is Everyday People, a melodic and soulful jam that’s absolutely dazzling. The vocal performances are stellar throughout (both in the singing and rapping department). Another notable track is Cheddar, memorable for its imaginatively rhythmic backing and creative structure. What makes this EP so impressive is the way it incorporates a retro aesthetic, and then adds layers of songwriting complexity, transforming the music into something much more advanced, almost futuristic. Royale With Cheese blends technical ability with aesthetic sensibility. It’s the ultimate artistic combination. It’s also fun, fresh and supremely danceable.

For more info:

Believe It is a brand new EP from artist, Bri Causey. Blending elements of hip hop, R&B and even classical, this highly imaginative and avant garde release is instantly memorable. Against a backdrop of some of the classiest beats you’ll hear in 2020, Bri Causey’s vocal style is conversational and reflective. She can actually sing as well. She delivers her lyrical lines with dynamic flair, squeezing the maximum musical goodness out of every word.

The tracks often oscillate between quiet contemplation and energized intensity, and Bri’s introspective lyrics are genuinely thought provoking. The backing music is often ambient and ethereal, as the beats slowly but powerfully kick into high gear. My favorite track on the EP is the delightfully haunting, Do You Know. It combines excellent songwriting with a capable performance and a spiritual mystique. All in all, this is a solid EP, and Bri Causey has established her own distinctive style within a crowded genre.

For more info:

https://music.apple.com/us/album/believe-it-ep/1542891099
http://www.instagram.com/o.thatsbri
https://youtube.com/channel/UCe9zP1ovGIyhs0TV10hUFeQ

Released under the label of Cloudy Records, Face Mask is a new single from artist, DJ MSK. This ambient jam offers up a creatively packaged yet straightforward public health message advising people to wear masks. It’s a dance track, with the primary lyrical content consisting of the phrase, “Wear your face mask. I ain’t gonna say it again.” The EDM-style backing beat is chill and occasionally features some futuristically groovin’ melodies. I’ve reviewed a few COVID inspired songs over the past year, but this one is unique in that the title of the track, the content and even the artist’s moniker all appear to be pandemic related. Musically, Face Mask can stand on its own as an electronic dance track. It just so happens to also contain a valuable public service announcement.

For more info:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4d4W2E1xIZRPaVgQSyRbAy?si=vFLyn_BgRgq_0v7SeYC68A

I’m Someone Else is a new single from Swedish-based multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter, Karolina Beijer. Sentimental and inspiring, the song should resonate with anyone grappling with their feelings of self-worth. Presented lyrically as a kind of confession or inner monologue, I’m Someone Else centers around the concept of personal identity. It’s about taking a chance with “a different way of handling things,” by letting the people who care about you in rather than continuing to push them away. It’s clearly a very personal subject for the artist, who is in fact courageously letting us in on her struggles just by releasing this song into the world for us to appreciate.

Musically, Karolina Beijer’s vocal performance is energizing and melodic. She really has a strong voice, which is enhanced by layering effects, effectively increasing her power level. The piano/synth driven backing ranges from delicately quaint to exhilarating as the mix kicks into high gear. Blending expressions of empathy, afflicted sincerity and hopefulness, I’m Someone Else is a song that will tug on your heartstrings a bit and hopefully influence its target audience in a very tangible way.

For more info:

http://www.instagram.com/karolinabeijermusic/
http://www.facebook.com/karolinabeijermusic/

HURT is a new music video from artist, Paul Pedana. Slated for official release on December 20, the video is said to have been in production for nearly two years, and an emotional labor that represents the end of an era for the artist. Taken from Paul’s album, A Sole Existence Reflects Eternity (which was nominated for best album at the 2019 Independent Music Awards), the song itself is a cover of a Johnny Cash classic (which was also covered by Nine Inch Nails). Paul’s performance is brimming with sincerity and emotional depth. His delivery has a spiritual and intensely personal quality, as he confronts deeply entrenched feelings of pain and perseverance. He has led a truly remarkable life, having survived being run over by a bus as a teenager to emerge as a talented and resilient artist.

The video effectively juxtaposes extremely high quality footage of Paul performing against a river backdrop, with simulated home video-style flashbacks of significant and consequential events in his life. The excellent sonic clarity amplifies the track’s lyrical expressions of sensitivity and vulnerability Both musically and visually, the song is deeply moving.

For more info:

https://paulpedana.com/

Nebula’s Lace is one of three recent singles released by the SUGAR BITES. Representing avant garde indie rock at its finest, the song starts out with a quaint and sentimental, neo-folk vibe, featuring the quietly entrancing vocals of Nina Kicia. About halfway through, the track shapeshifts into into a more alternative rocking, earthshattering jam, with charismatic singer Mateja Jovancic belting out lyrics at the top of his lungs against a backdrop of assertive guitars. This Jekyll and Hyde like effect creates a song that is both melodically beautiful and jarringly engaging.

Another recent song, charmingly titled Piss Stained Tissue, is more of a straightforward alternative rock jam. The mix is robust and has a classic sound. Delivered with style, tonal creativity and delightful angst, the vocals on this track particularly shine. They really give the song its identity. The guitars and bass are powerful, maintaining a healthy balance of distortion and crunch.

The third recent single the a groovy and vaguely psychedelic number, TRAM 81. The best way I can describe it is it’s like if you were to combine The Velvet Underground with a heavier rock’n’roll sound. This song even manages to incorporate some radical synths, enhancing the mix and intensifying the ambiance.

All three of these songs are good, but they are also unique to one another, as the SUGAR BITES demonstrate experimental and musical range while leaving their distinct artistic imprint on each of the tracks.

For more info:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5i3O0TkhBiKvoeRFv_PKCQ

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5fEnQiOZZ5um24IioJf1FM

Hypermode is a new album from hip hop artist, SC4Real. This release contains 20 invigorating and dynamic tracks. Featuring retro-futuristic synths and a worldly ambiance, the presentation is simply epic. The mix is fresh and loud, hitting hard right from the opening bell. The audio quality is excellent as well. It’s tough to even overstate just how melodic and cool the synth-driven beats are. They’re so entrancing they almost make you forget this a hip hop album and not the Flash Gordon soundtrack. They’re just very theatrical and powerful.

Though the pacing varies from track to track, the sound is very action oriented and maintains a consistent level of intensity. Listening to these recordings is like hooking yourself up to a brain boost machine. You have to be ready absorb all the energy. He does leave some room for a chill mode though. Some songs like Now Or Never have an ambient and ethereal vibe, while other jams like Alive have more of a smooth and classically groovin’ aesthetic. The euphoria inducing Cool Talk is one of the standout tracks musically.

SC4Real has an impressively disciplined and focused delivery. His pacing is modest, and he doesn’t try to show off or get too flashy. There is still plenty of passion there though. His creative usage of vocal layering and backup vocals enhances the recordings by a factor of 3. Rebel Forever is a good example of a track that is catchy and hypnotic, owing to SC4Real’s strategic lyrical repetition and the power of suggestion. The final song on the album, Big Dog, with its instantly memorable “background bark,” is a surprising sleeper hit and has the potential to be a viral sensation. Yeah that’s right, you’ll want to listen to this album all the way through.

There have been so many stellar indie hip hop releases in 2020, that saying “this is one of the best hip hop albums of the year” is starting to sound like a cliche. However, Hypermode is very good. This is the kind of music that major labels should be putting out. It’s not even about getting back to basics or anything. Hypermode is a solid and complex 21st century release, that is actually ahead of its time.

For more info:

https://tidal.com/album/155073569
https://music.apple.com/us/album/hypermode/1531554659