We’re only 3/4 of the way through 2021, and artist Van Hechter has already had a wildly productive year. In a time where it’s becoming increasingly difficult to get music played on the radio, he’s managed to get a substantial amount of airplay for a number of recent singles from his EP, Love Elastic. Songs such as I Believe, I Am, and Love Elastic (the title track) have all earned their spots on the indie charts this year, with I Am still remaining in rotation even now.

The core of Van Hechter’s following primarily consists of 17 to 27 year-olds and is concentrated in cities like Chicago, Detroit, NYC, Philadelphia and Miami. Listeners from these vibrant metropolises seem to be drawn to his smooth, groovin’ melodies, expressive performance and humanistic themes. One of Van Hechter’s other recent jams, Back in Vogue, is an anti-Tinder/anti-Grindr song. This pro-social track takes aim at the impersonal and transactional nature of 21st century dating and appeals for a return to organic, in person interactions, with lines like Remember a time before phones, darling?? We used to cruise in person- face to face. The bulk of Van Hechter’s audience may have been too young to personally recall such experiences, but the emptiness and superficiality of contemporary dating have many people yearning for them just the same.

Clearly, great care has gone into the production, performance and writing of Van Hechter’s songs. They each have their own individual energy, while retaining the same level of quality. This explains why so many songs on the same album have independently achieved their own success. Van Hechter’s music stands out for its vitality in an industry that has become increasingly mechanical and sterile. 2021 has been a prolific year for this artist, and the party’s not even over yet.

For more info:

Back in Vogue video by Rabz Visuals;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG_fas_2U1c

Since i Meet You is a new single from Montreal-based artist Alain B. Alain is responsible for crafting the instrumentals, while the vocals are performed by Olha Lishchyshyn. The style defies simple classification, but for the sake of description for the reader, one could say that this music blends elements of synthwave, pop and EDM. Colorful synth melodies and brightly delightful vocals give Since i Meet You its vibrant, upbeat ambiance. Brimming with positive energy, the song has a euphoric quality.

Olha Lishchyshyn is really a gifted singer, and her voice brings the vision to life. The beat has a peppy pace, and the synth sounds have a nive retro-futuristic, superball bounce. You really can’t ask for much more than this. Since i Meet You is enjoyable on multiple levels and will activate your pulse for the evening.

For more info:

https://www.reverbnation.com/alainbremix/song/32894522-since-i-meet-you

MIS/MATCH is a new single from artist, Truth the Young God. Blending elements of pop, hip hop and R&B, this is an emotionally powerful track. Truth (aka Truth the Young God) delivers his lines with honesty and passion. As one might ascertain from the title, the song presumably deals with a romantic relationship that turned out to be a mismatch. The lyrics are almost like a letter being directed toward the other other party of the relationship, but it’s also really just Truth reflecting back on the situation and coming to terms with his own feelings in his head. It’s a very personal and cerebral song.

Truth the Young God is actually a decent singer, and the editing effectively makes use of vocal layering, which contributes to the track’s dreamlike, contemplative atmosphere. The synth-driven backing beat is ethereal and gives off a really chill vibe. MIS/MATCH is solid enough song musically, but it works on an artistic level because the content is so viscerally real. Be sure and check out the video to experience the full effect of this jam.

For more info:

https://music.apple.com/us/album/mis-match/1520376742?i=1520376752

The Devil’s Work is a new single from hip hop artist, Keenan Layne. This fully self produced track is super slick and oozing with style. The backing beat is fresh, features jazzy, piano driven melodies, reminiscent of golden age hip hop. The recording also utilizes a subtle record crackle/cassette tape hiss artifact in the mix, which adds a little bit of analog flavor to the ambiance.

In terms of vocal delivery, Keenan has a nice, melodic flow and his voice projects just the right level of energy for this song. His voice is sonically very pleasant to listen to, and he raps with emotive sincerity. His performance upbeat and even has an inspirational quality. Combined with exquisite piano arrangements, vintage audio samples/snippets give The Devil’s Work an avant garde sensibility. This is what high end hip hop sounds like, and it’s done very well here. Keenan Layne is set to release an EP this November, so keep your eyes peeled for that.

For more info:

Like You’re In A Dream is a new album from singer/songwriter, Damon Mitchell. Technically it’s not due for official release until Oct 22nd 2021, but we’ve managed to get a sneak peek. Backed by eloquent and colorfully melodic guitars, the songs are largely driven by the vocals. The artist’s website describes his sound as “Beatles meets Death Cab For Cutie,” though some of these tracks have elements of Americana. It has a clean, contemporary vibe with a touch of soul. Damon Mitchell has an impressive voice and is able to carry the action all the way. There’s a genuine charisma in his performance, but he also manages to deliver his lines with an expressive sensitivity and “down to Earth” tone. The title track is a great example of how catchy the songs are. The lyrics make effective use of repetition, and I guarantee you these songs will get stuck in your head.

For more info:

https://www.instagram.com/thedamonmitchell
https://www.facebook.com/TheDamonMitchell
https://twitter.com/_damonmitchell

16 Bit (from the album Back From the Dead) is a new single from artist, Catfish Walkin. As the title implies, the song incorporates “chiptune” style, old school video game music, creatively blending it hip hop vocals. Musically this is one of the better hip hop jams I’ve encountered in recent memory. The backing isn’t merely a bunch of blips and beeps, it consists of rich, elaborate array of sounds and is positively symphonic. For his part, Catfish Walkin delivers a lively performance and brings an “MC” kind of energy to the track. This is a retro party song for sure, one should also appreciate how sophisticated the arrangements are. 16 Bit is a winner.

For more info:

https://www.facebook.com/CatfishWalkin/
https://www.instagram.com/thecatfishwalkin/

No. 5 is a new album from Solomon King & The Chosen. The music has a groovin’, authentic 60’s/70’s rock’n’roll sound. Against a backdrop of delightfully swanky guitar melodies, Solomon King’s vocals are reminiscent of icons like Lou Reed, as they feature rich lyrical monologues, delivered in a storytelling fashion. Aquatic reverb adds some depth to the mix and the production in general does a nice job of accurately achieving the sound from its desired time period. If it weren’t for the excellent audio clarity, one would literally think they were listening to a recording from the early 1970’s. My favorite song on the album is Devils Candy, which could be described musically as The Velvet Underground meets Johnny Cash. No. 5 is a terrific little album that offers up the time-tested combo of talent and good taste.

For more info:

https://www.solomonkingmusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/solomonkingmusicinc
https://www.instagram.com/solomonkingtc/

Alien Invasion is a new electronika album from artist, William Kalfelz (aka Wusik.) The sound proves to be quite sophisticated, blending avant garde and futuristic elements. Polished compositions give the music a cinematic quality, and the chronological narrative arc makes this release function as a kind of science fiction film soundtrack. In fact, someone saw this album somewhere they might assume it actually is a soundtrack to a real movie.

The tracks feature a lot of instrumental variety and structural creativity. This isn’t just techno or synthwave. Part 04 – Come to Us is one of the most striking songs. It incorporates noise, analog-like artifacts and cultivates a rather haunting ambiance. Part 16 – Slow Drive Avenue combines industrial/mechanical sounds with a majestic synth beat, juxtaposing an electrifying energy with the coldness of advanced machinery. Alien Invasion is a comprehensive and highly professional album that tells a tale. If you allow yourself the privilege of getting lost in these recordings, they will activate your imagination, and you can vividly picture the story unfold while you’re dancing.

For more info:

https://www.kalfelz.com/

I’m So Proud Of You is the debut single from a new band called The Great Survivors. Blending elements of alternative rock and metal, the track makes a solid first impression. A robust guitar backing provides the song’s foundational framework while angsty, dynamic vocals maintain the listeners’ attention. The singer’s voice is expressive and through its various sounds functions as its own kind of additional instrument. I’m So Proud Of You is actually fairly unique and refreshing for contemporary music. Its organic tone and somewhat anti-social attitude gives it an almost 90’s indie feel. I imagine this would be a good band to see live. The lyrics are performed creatively, with an entertaining level of energy, and the no-nonsense guitars rock from start to finish.

For more info:

Puff Puff Pass is a new single and music video from indie artist, Doojzie. This guy knows the formula on how to write and perform a good pop song. The guitar-driven beat has an organic, almost folkish feel and really sets the tone for Doojzie’s sentimental and sincere vocal delivery. The title phrase “Puff Puff Pass” also features as an incredibly catchy chorus and hook. This is not because of the words, but the creatively melodic way in which Doojzie conveys them. Cultivating an atmosphere of community and celebration (evident both in the lyrics and the video) Doojzie once again demonstrates his commitment to channeling musical energy in a positive direction. This video is really a work of professionalism, and Doojzie proves himself to be a serious musician.

For more info:

https://doojzie.com/