Bringing story, sentiment and authenticity back to hip hop, leading with scene-by-scene depictions of real-life experiences, hardship, and empowerment – founder of Ill Abstract Minds Traé Scott delivers the project of his life this summer, with the depth and dynamic of The Art.
Rebecca Cullen
Fresh summer vibes bring together reggae and rap, as BGS WOP delivers a rhythmically addictive new anthem, for the sharp bars and carefree genre-fusion of No Speed Limit.
Stylistically unique in everything from the string solos to the spacious whispered verses and the hugely celebratory hook crescendos, Little Gold Spark is more of a massive gold spark, in terms of its sonic brightness and the absolute energy and bravado of Melissa’s faultless vocal range.
Something sonically consuming, energising and colourful – an uplifting bounce of a track, with a circus-like energy, and seductive spoken vocals from a French duo with a uniquely creative approach to music.
Soul-funk aspirations and a live band arrangement back up empowering sentiments and smooth, stylish vocals from Lael Summer – The Lael Project delivers a classic but fresh fusion of traits, for the timeless new single It’s About Soul.
Delivering a summertime floor-filler that perfectly blends the euphoric escapism of EDM with a clear and catchy pop sentiment and sound, cmon3tta presents a lush fusion of layers, melodies, rhythms and synths, for the immersive new single Checkm8.
Representing everything that made rock and roll so impactful, timeless, and popular – DownTown Mystic continue their quest as one of the the genre’s hardest working ensembles, with the launch of yet another EP. Mystic Highway Road Trip compiles six original songs, and features a tightly woven group of talented musicians, to promise a playlist … Continued
Crisp country grooves and reverb-drenched vocals set an ambient, uplifting vibe, as catchy country melodies and lush harmonies lay down a unique fusion of Afrikaans and Western music, for Country in Afrikaans.
It’s come to my attention that there may well be something in the way we view or listen to music, the applied perspective, that heavily changes the way it affects us. Something about pretending this is an old band from the 90s, and you’re just getting into the history of the genre, gifts it a whole new power.
Sometimes there’s a perfect chemical balance to a new song, which you can’t really predict or describe before you’ve heard it. In this case, we take an eighties synthwave rhythm and groove, unmistakable vocals and a revealing, vulnerable story, along with a hugely uplifting but heartbroken chorus. The result is something that feels cleanly mixed, … Continued
Genuinely one of the easiest albums to get into this summer, Triptimein is cinematic but non-intrusive – Enagee’s humility is massively refreshing, and the world-music fusion of traits found throughout these indie-electronic compositions is both evocative and soothing in its quiet consideration of the world and the role of the self.
UK songwriter and artist Thomas Carter delivers a fearlessly unique alt-folk sound and song, with the fragility and passion of Sympathy.