Year One is everything its title implies and then some, a musical masterpiece standing tall on the strength of intention and self-reflection. Intimacy and universal sentiments walk hand in hand, and the music uplifts and breaks hearts all at once. An absolute must-hear this summer.
Albums
Legendary multi-platinum rockers Candlebox launch their exclusive live tour edition of their album The Long Goodbye this summer, to coincide with their special guest appearance on Bush’s Loaded project, and it’s a fiercely intoxicating collection of absolute gems.
Zyxon Ebenflow Neuman – a musician and podcast creator employing both passion and work ethic when it comes to original content. Inside Sri (Sun) is an EP that showcases the conscious and expressive nature of his music, but perhaps more importantly, encapsulates the expressive freedom and flow of his approach to all things creative.
Committed to authenticity in its personal story telling and the clear emotional depth of E.J’s voice, this album devotes itself to unity and truth by way of the revealing complexities of the heart and soul.
The work feels devoted to its story, this prolonged melodic venture of changing emotions – rather than simply a showcase of the quickness and skill of a pianist. That approach is rare these days, and allows the album to ignite its rightful spark within the first few moments of listening.
This is the style The Rubicon have mastered, and these songs are arguably the best of the best in terms of their commitment and authenticity in the creative realm. Feel the uplift, the warmth, the honesty and heart, enjoy the genre-free expression and unplugged realness of a band both nostalgic and refreshingly true to their own artistic needs.
Unequivocally the master of long-form rhymes that hold attention in both rhythm and intensity of story and revelation, Ultra_eko reaches new levels of leadership with this album, in musicality and writing alike. His consistent lack of will to adhere to the so called industry’s expectations culminates, presenting a ‘fuck the scene’ attitude reminiscent of the greats, only from an underground legend as yet unsurpassed in both ability and creative identity.
Country, Folk and Americana all soulfully united with stories that relate and reflect – Banner Johnson returns, with a full length album of heartfelt gems and outright anthems alike.
The flow is smooth, settled in its confidence, the production in keeping with the study and chill playlists of today only with an essential twist of recognisable melody from the keys. It’s a clever way to blend the popular and the recognisable, and makes for a welcomed opener for an eight track project that consistently calms you down.
Instrumentally eclectic world music and traditional folk tones unite with electric guitar and strong grooves – Woven Green provide the vastness of organic musical escapism, with the beautifully unpredictable and imaginative album Emergence.
Future 9 was Bad Bubble’s first ever solo record, a collection of great songs that were twenty years in the making, from an artist with a uniquely captivating story and style.
This is one of those songs that can’t be done any real justice in writing. Rich Strater creates a space within which listeners can reflect and ponder the world and the past in their own unique way.