Yinis a new EP from Jersey City-based hip hop artist, Cocaine. If you’re in need of an end of summer pick-me-up, these jams will hit the spot. The beats are crisp, and the mix has a very polished feel. Tracks like Pinyata feature a robust bass with rich, deep synths. The song Closed-In-19 appears to be reference to the contemporary “COVID-19” pandemic and its cultural effects.

Cocaine’s delivery style is assertive and charismatic. His pacing alternates between mellow and quick-witted, while the tone is consistently confident and reflective. One thing he does very effectively is utilize his voice as a kind of instrumental backing vocal, incorporating subtle sounds and well-timed repetition to accentuate the beat. Cocaine reveals that he wants his rap to appeal to all kinds of people, basically anyone who loves hip hop. This EP can definitely be appreciated by anyone. It’s compact and punchy, with the production quality calibrating the tracks for maximum impact.

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Flamefarmer is a new album from artist Demon Mine. Blending elements of death metal, trip hop, downtempo, house and glitch, Demon Mine refers to his genre as “tank music.” The songs on this album feature delightfully eerie synths, which have almost a late 1970s sci-fi quality to them (the gold standard of synthesizer sound in my opinion). Tracks like Cactus Wind convey a futuristic, desolate desert vibe. I’m from Arizona, and this song (whether intentionally or not) authentically captures the “feeling” of driving through the desert alone at night. Another notable jam is Twist Top, which acts a powerful, psychic sonic wave. It’s melodic and intense and you can just feel it beaming into your brain.

The ambiance of this album is dark and subtly suspenseful. At the same time, the music is quite enjoyable and even calming at times. My favorite song on here (aside from the stellar opening track) is probably Mr. Midnight. Not only does it have a nifty little glitch/chiptune intro, but the beat is shape-shiftingly dynamic. Alternating from robust pulsepounder to Castlevania-style castle music, this fun-filled track keeps you guessing. Thematically, Flamefarmer is consistent in its identity while incorporating enough musical variety to offer a satisfying listening experience.

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On And On is a new single from artist, OSF Profit. The track combines pop, R&B and hip hop to create a fresh and catchy sound. The backing music incorporates piano, while the beat has a summertime, slightly tropical vibe. The lyrics oscillate between romantic sentimentalism and youthful angst. OSF Profit’s vocals are honest and expressive. He really lays it all out there. The timing in his delivery is quite good, and his light, melodic tone matches up well with the ambiance of the music. There’s some nice backup vocal layering in the mix, which gives the track an enhanced, ethereal quality. The beat has a peppy, casual bounce, which balances the bittersweet lyrics quite well. On And On is a decent jam musically, but just as importantly, it seems like the artist was able to get a lot off his chest.

For more info:

https://www.instagram.com/osf_profit/

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Big Talk is a new single from hp hop artist, Ace Drucci. The backing music is exotic and has an almost retro film quality to it. It’s pretty rare to hear a hip hop jam incorporate wind instruments, and it’s done masterfully here. The hauntingly charming beat juxtaposes beautifully with Ace Drucci’s robust delivery. Seriously, his rhymes are tight with the beat and on point like geometry. The actual beat itself has a potent thump to it. There’s an interlude which showcases the impressive skills of “Blue Da_Artist,” whose assertive, no-nonsense style demonstrates a readiness to handle biz at a moment’s notice. There’s obviously lots of rap talent on display here, and the creative “new agey” musicality elevates the track into something uniquely avant garde and memorable. Big Talk is grand.

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DIE FOR NO REASON is a new single from New York-based hip hop artist, Aze Hi. The song takes a profound stand against senseless violence, reminding people of the consequences. Aze Hi’s delivery is passionate and he demonstrates a sincere appeal to humanity. The lyrics often come across as personal, implying he has experienced the loss of people he cares about to these kinds of tragedies. As far as the musical aspect, Aze Hi is a solid rapper who clearly has some rhyming experience under his belt. He goes hard, while maintaining a sentimental realism that many performers lack. The beat is crisp, while the chime-like synths create an almost heavenly, ethereal ambiance. This is really just a great heartfelt hip hop song, and the video features some excellent views of the New York area.

For more info:

https://www.facebook.com/michael.gould.9231

Project One is an album from Germany-based artist, HitRocker. Don’t be fooled by generic and intentionally mechanical song titles like Project 1.1, Project 1.2, etc. The jams on this album are lively and dynamic to the max. Thought the titles appear nearly uniform in style, the actual EDM songs each have their own recognizable and distinct identity. There’s nothing monotonous in these hot EDM cuts. This is some of the best electronic club music out there.

Blending elements of house, “deep house” and traditional EDM, HitRocker cultivates a state-of-the-art, quasi-futuristic sound. The vocals lend these tracks pop sensibilities and add another dimension to the recordings, which was a pleasant surprise. The mixes maintain a sonic clarity that would make even the the most discriminating audiophile blush. Project One is high intensity dance music, and it will get your neurons firing. It’s worth noting that HitRocker has already released a sequel album, imaginatively titled, Project Two. It is every bit as good as the first one. I recommend listeners check it out.

For more info:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/hitrocker/project-one-8
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/hitrocker/project-two-3

Black and White is a new single from artist, A1aska. Born and raised in Alaska, the artist chose the name “A1aska” because while he was in the military, people always seemed surprised when they found out where he was from. So it became a casual nickname and later an artist moniker. While he has only been releasing music for the last year or so, A1aska has 10 years experience making electronic music, dating back to his high school days.

This latest track reveals his true power level. Black and White is a high octane, futuristic dance track that blends various elements of EDM and synthpop. Subtly dark energy and an aura of mystery radiate from this radical jam, which has a polished, almost industrial sound. The mix is rich and robust, brimming with intensity, while the synths are absolutely pristine. Though this is primarily an instrumental track, there are lyrical phrases which accentuate the song’s ambiance, and which are also quite catchy in a hypnotic sort of way. In fact, I would go as far as to say this song could become a hit, as it practically programs the lyrical mantras into your brain. This is an excellent release. In addition to being thought provoking, Black and White is a well-crafted piece of musical machinery.

For more info:

https://soundcloud.com/a1askamusic/black-and-white

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHdN87zR2jQ

409 is a new single from hip hop artist, Kid Condo. Not to be confused with the classic Beach Boys’ song of the same name, this is a solid and straightforward rap jam. “Kid Condo” is one of the more memorable artist monikers I’ve seen. As a rapper, Kid Condo has a stream-of-consciousness delivery style and raps with an almost emo intensity in his voice. It’s lively and engaging. The lyrics are refreshing in the way they combine youthful angst and bravado with vulnerability. The subtle sensitivity will surely resonate with listeners of a certain age. Apparently this is the first song this artist has ever released. There’s definitely some potential there. The beat has a nice kick to it, and the backing music features ambient synths that spread out the mix evenly. Kid Condo is just getting started, but I have a feeling we’ll be hearing more from this guy.

For more info:

https://linktr.ee/kidcondo

Love is a new single from Los Angeles-based music producer, Lawrence Qualls and features Steven Spradley. Co-written by J. Blu, this classic neo-soul jam features a bright and creatively melodic musical backing. Sonically, it’s quite pleasing in its colorful, collage-like form. The song is ultimately carried by the exquisite vocals of international soul singer, Steven Spradley. His voice is dynamic and emotive, displaying an impressive range in both tone and feeling. He is also a superb singer technically, making it look way easier than it really is. Musically, the term “soul” gets thrown around a lot, but in my opinion this music is truly soulful, as it is performed with incredible heart and with an energy that derives from some place even deeper.

Qualls provides an excellent musical framework for this track to be successful. The songwriting structure is simple yet brilliant in its emphasis of certain elements, while the mix sets the stage for the song’s invigorating ambiance. In these relatively uncertain times, the song brings out the better part of humanity and makes for an uplifting experience. There’s a lot of talent here, and everyone involved is clearly a veteran in their respective musical discipline. Lawrence Qualls has a full length album coming out, The Adventures of BoogaloodaGod, which is slated for release on 12-25-20. The title is certainly intriguing, and I have no doubt the album itself will be top-tier.

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Girl is a new single from Baltimore-based indie duo, Waterplanet. The song is from their new EP, Never Far. Frankly, this is psychedelic indie folk pop/rock at its finest. The song centers around a “stupid” girl (not to be confused with the 90s classic by the band, Garbage) who is described with afflicted sincerity and an endearing bitterness. The lyrics are actually somewhat thought provoking. Is this self-reflection, a tale of a relationship/friendship gone sour, of resilient women overcoming obstacles, or a combination of the above?

By almost any conceivable metric, Girl is an indie gem. The vocals of Millie Landrum are beautiful and sensitive, even as they powerfully drive the action. Her voice reminds me a bit of Juliana Hatfield or maybe the singer from The Cucumbers. Musically, the track has about as close as you can get to an authentic 60s sound. The backing music is perfect and has a Velvet Underground vibe. I actually miss the 90s and early 2000s when there were a plethora of indie bands recreating this style. I love it.

For more info:

http://www.waterplanetband.com
https://www.facebook.com/waterplanetband
https://waterplanet.bandcamp.com