TENNIN – Take A Ride (Feat St3ph)

TENNIN

Take A Ride (Feat St3ph) is a new single from rising French artist, TENNIN. It’s actually a new version of her recently released track of the same name. This time she combines forces with UK rapper, ST3PH to create a sound that blends alternative pop, R&B, trip hop and hip hop. Featuring an exotic beat and dynamic song structure, this jam well choreographed and invigorating. TENNIN’s an excellent vocalist, and her voice is charismatic and emotionally expressive. Refreshingly, the recording has great clarity, allowing the listener to appreciate the intricate details and sensitivity in her delivery, which would probably been lost to over-processing in most contemporary hip hop/R&B songs. Also, her voice is stylishly unique and recognizable with its subtle accent. She reminds me a bit of the popular 80s and 90s R&B vocalists I grew up watching on Mtv and VH1, who were all incredibly talented.

picture tennin3

For his part, rapper St3ph’s natural flow and exquisite timing add a critical dimension to the track. Everything balances neatly and juxtaposes well in this collaboration. None of the puzzle pieces seem out of of place. The action is quick, and there’s never a dull moment. We Take A Ride is definitely a chart-worthy song. It’s only a matter of time. TENNIN is also working on a new EP, which is tentatively slated to be released in early 2021.

For more info:

http://www.worldoftennin.com/
https://www.instagram.com/tenninmusic/

Xwisdom – Truth Grenade

truth

Truth Grenade is a recent single from UK-based hip hop artist, Xwisdom. He’s released 3 albums already, and a 4th is currently in the works. True to its title, Truth Grenade hits hard and fast, clocking in with a runtime of just over a minute. Blended with a crisp and prominent beat, the backing music is colorful and melodic, featuring an earthy, video game overworld-like ambiance. Xwisdom has a conversational, stream-of-consciousness style delivery that flows evenly.

His voice takes on a cheeky and pleasantly nonchalant tone as he casually relates common sense facts and expresses positive sentiments. The sound is much more “musical” than most hip hop, partially due to the vibrant melodies in the music itself but also as a result of Xwisdom’s delivery, which has a naturally poetic quality. The artist comes off as unassuming and sincere, almost innocent. There is something instantly likable about his personality. He has a fairly well established youtube channel, with vids on a wide variety of subjects (not just music related.) It’s worth checking out. Keep your eyes peeled for his upcoming album, Harmony. XWisdom’s a prolific artist, so if you blink, you might miss it.

For more info:


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL-dYXWZd_BIbifjABFZ3OQ

Kaleidanoyse – Pasttime(s)

pasttimes

Pasttime(s) is a new single from artist, Kaleidanoyse (the name for the musical project of Aureus Nova Solis). The artist has a unique series called Remnants, where he revisits tracks from his most recent album to create a remix/b-side. He does this in the final quarter of each year. In the case of Pasttime(s), it is a “remnant” release relating to the album, Kaleidanoyse V.

The song blends elements of jazz, dance, classical, ambient and new age to form an abstract and avant garde sound. The ambiance is meditative and hypnotic in a way that’s creative and original. I honestly haven’t heard anything quite like this. “Kaleidanoyse” really is an appropriate moniker, as the music really does resemble a kind of kaleidoscopic collage. There’s a slightly mystical and futuristic quality, reminiscent of retro science fiction. However, this aspect combines with an organic and nature-oriented vibe. There’s even a jazzy, quiet urban nightlife component thrown into the mix as well. From a musical perspective, it’s all very melodic and well put together. The sound can be both relaxing and provocative, depending on what the listener chooses to get out of the experience. Pasttime(s) is top notch mood music. It’s artistically comprehensive without coming off as pretentious. I’d recommend this to anyone who wants to enjoy music on a deeper, spiritual level.

For more info:

https://ampl.ink/yPYZQ

William Wood – STAY!

New Project (44)

STAY! is a new single from artist, William Wood. This high energy pop/rock song has already managed to get played on BBC radio, and its easy to see why. The production quality is top notch, mainstream friendly and on the level that’s on par with what one would expect from high budget, major label releases. William Wood goes about as far as you could go with an indie jam.

The beat is tight, and there’s some decent bass. Rockin’ guitars give the sound a nice, assertive kick and help to differentiate the vibe from something like EDM. This is one of those fast paced pop tracks with euphoric action coming from all directions. The mix is full and bright and provides perfect party atmosphere. William Wood is a capable singer, but just as importantly, his performance is brimming with enthusiasm, affable personality and casual charisma. Lyrically, this is a romantic song featuring a passionate appeal to rekindle passions with a former crush/partner. The presentation though is fun, and upbeat. There’s nothing dreary here. Ultimately, the specific subject matter of the song won’t matter much to the people on the dance floor, who will be too busy going wild and singing along. STAY! is a solid release that knows exactly the kind of song it wants to be and succeeds in getting there.

For more info:

https://musics.link/williamwoodstay1

Wölframandhartiger – Giving It 54%

a0570294308_16

Giving It 54% is the debut cassette album from Springfield Missouri-based band, Wölframandhartiger. The artists describe themselves as “two professional thumb wrestlers.” I don’t know much about the sport, but the manual dexterity involved should at least theoretically translate to some interesting music. In addition to digital format, Giving It 54% available as a limited run cassette (which firmly establishes the release’s indie cred).

With song titles like Mothman Prophecies and Castor Troy(named after Nicholas Cage’s iconic character from the 90’s film, Face/Off), you just can’t go wrong. The album is filled with these kinds of clever pop culture references, which are incorporated rather artfully. Containing 14 fun-filled tracks, there’s quite a bit of material on this release, too much to cover in this space. Musically, the songs blend elements from a wide variety of genres. They include synthwave, rock (various flavors), alternative, country, spoken word poetry, etc. My favorite track on the album is Representative, a peppy and melodic indie pop gem. The song features a voiceover portrayal of a disgruntled customer speaking with a customer service representative over the phone.

The presentation in Giving It 54% is creative and entertaining. While the artists obviously like to have fun and don’t take themselves too seriously, the humor works in this album because the music is actually enjoyable and the skill level is there. I’d recommend this to anyone who likes quirky and offbeat music. Those who pick up on the random references will appreciate it more, but there’s something for everyone. Giving It 54% is performance art in compact cassette form.

For more info:

https://wolframandhartiger.bandcamp.com/album/giving-it-54

ST1XX- Body (Ft. KZ $ L X M)

image

Body (Ft. KZ $ L X M) is a new single from artist, ST1XX. Blending elements of R&B and hip hop, the song is backed by a chill, synth-driven beat. The music has an exotic, almost dreamlike “trip hop” quality, which distinguishes it from more standard hip hop and R&B. The pacing is mellow, and the vibe is relaxed for much of the track, while there are moments where the action really amps up, and we’re treated to some solid rhymes. The vocal delivery style is versatile and melodic, ranging from casual to exciting. It’s a collaborative effort, and everyone adds their own unique flavor to the sound with their contribution. The melody becomes quite catchy after a couple of listens as well. This single has a dreamy musical flow, and the beat has a nice boom to it. I would imagine this jam would sound even better in the car with the bass cranked up.

For more info:

Terry Blade – Black Hurts

blade

Black Hurts is a new single from Chicago-based singer/songwriter, Terry Blade. Blending elements of R&B, soul, blues and folk, the song has a very organic and timeless feel. If I had encountered this song in the wild, I might assume I was listening to a classic recording. The guitar tone is rich with vintage warmth and sonic subtleties that instantly resonate. I used to work in the amplifier business, and I’ve met musicians who spent years (and many thousands of dollars) seeking out the kind of quality tone presented in this jam. Ultimately though, Terry Blade’s vocals are what fuel the song. An accomplished and award-winning artist, Terry sings with passion and sincerity about the Black experience. He doesn’t shy away from expressions of pain and vulnerability. This is a sentimental, sensitive and serious song, backed by music that is artistically constructed and has a stylishly groovy vibe.

For more info:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/terryblade/black-hurts

Nemizzo – 5G (Ft. Santa Sallet)

Webp.net-resizeimage (9)

5G (Ft. Santa Sallet) is a new single from hip hop artist, Nemizzo. This collaborative effort is ambitious and worldly, utilizing 5G technology as a metaphoric motif throughout the song. The synth-driven backing music is wavy and entrancing. As expected, the vocal delivery is solid, as both of these artists are known for their professionalism. The lyrics are witty (ie. Mike Tyson references) and exquisite, spoken with a hypnotic tone that thematically correlates with the song’s vibe.

5G has a relatively chill ambiance while still maintaining its cutting edge appeal and business-like aspirations. Some of the musical effects are really cool and genuinely original. Conceptually, I think this track is highly marketable and could potentially be a breakout song. The performances are top notch and definitely 5G tier.

For more info:

https://www.santasallet.com/

Pulse – Adjusting the Space

600x600bf

Adjusting the Space is a new release from Austrian cyberpunk metal band, Pulse. Aesthetically and musically, this might be one of the most futuristic albums ever made. Blending elements of industrial, cutting edge synth rock, metal and EDM, the sound is impressive and formidable. It’s actually very difficult to bring together all of these genres coherently, but these guys have made it look easy. The band’s name is actually very appropriate, as this high octane music is brimming with pulsating intensity. This is like a 21st century space opera. It’s pretty much the opposite of “chillwave.” Songs like Points of Nibiru and Star Light have a theatrical, electric energy, but every track will get your heart beating. Thematically, the songs are dark and honest. Rich with imagery and provocative imagination, the lyrics will really confront you. The artists do not shy away from the morbid or uncomfortable. They face it head on.

Webp.net-resizeimage (8)

Everything on this album is meticulously well put together. The production has incredible sonic clarity, on the level of a studio film or video game soundtrack. Unlike many other industrial music oriented releases, which tend to have a mechanical feel, the synths here are beautifully melodic, while the vocal and guitar performances provide the emotional depth and dramatic flair of great metal. Adjusting the Space is a polished, powerful album, and it really will take your mind on an intense journey.

For more info:

https://www.pulse-galaxy.com
https://www.facebook.com/pulseaustria/

Fam Band – Pushin’ On (feat. Frankly Speaking)

famband

Pushin’ On (feat. Frankly Speaking) is a new single from Fam Band, an Ohio-based duo. It’s difficult to classify this kind of jam. It blends elements of alternative, rock and hip hop, with a trace of Americana thrown in for good measure. The best way I could describe it is its like if you combined Modest Mouse with rap music and gave it a more classic, rock’n’roll sound. It’s worth noting that the rap on this track isn’t merely an afterthought to give the son a creative spark. The timing and delivery are phenomenal, and some of the greatest indie rapping you’ll ever hear is tucked away in this song.

I’ve reviewed releases from this outfit before, and one thing I recall is that the vocals were pretty excellent. The singing portions of this single once again demonstrate great technical ability. It’s not just that these guys are good singers, but the vocals are delivered creatively. They’re able to achieve sounds and tones with their voices that most people simply are not capable of. Musically, the song is colorful, and the melodies sparkle as Pushin’ On presses forward with its theme of spirit and determination.

For more info:

http://www.famband.co