Ambient lo-fi production welcomes a trap rhythm and dreamy synths cascading around the outskirts. Then in stark contrast with the mellow ethereal calm of the soundscape, KZKelly adds a rap vocal and hook to sharpen the energy, and to showcase a unique flow and performative style that’s confidently unpredictable.
Singles
Introducing a timeless traditional set-up and a brilliantly original song – Brendan McKinney & the 99 Brown Dogs made a hearty first impression, with the unbelievably catchy folk-rock anthem James Dunn’s Daughter.
LA singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and vastly streamed artist – Adam Exler has gone from strength to strength in extending his original repertoire of music over the years.
Paired acoustic guitars, one fast-paced and rhythmic, the other meandering with a soulful sense of longing. Don Pasquale Ferone employs the bare essentials from an established musical toolkit, to deliver an organic and impassioned performance and song.
Unafraid to go-there experimentally as an artist, Stephan Folkes adopts a playful and limitless creative angle with music. His sound is not traditionally satisfying, but his voice, in both tone and songwriting, is undeniably recognisable from one release to the next, and there’s a lot to be said for artistic integrity.
Impressively distinct vocals blend personality and smooth but raspy RnB intentions, with a likably upbeat bounce of a production. Jake Exavier raises the mood in both topic and style, with the catchy flavours of the new pop-fusion single Just What U Like.
Sometimes collaboration is the key to finding that sound or artistic moment that connects more strongly with a broader audience – no longer something exclusively personal to the performer, but bridging the gap to realise that actually, these ideas and feelings are relatable, and the music is impressively original and impassioned enough to hit with impact.
Production tools have peaked in recent years, but that just makes it all the more exciting to dive in. Have fun with it, but also make sure the music means something, connects in a genuine way, and provides you with something impactful as a creative – which in turn will transfer to your audience. O Watchman! seems to encapsulate that approach quite beautifully.
Theatrically confident lyrics and equally unique vocals quickly draw attention, as The fin. perform with playful charm and intrigue, for Nebula.
Traditional folk beauty – in poetry and melody, in fingerpicking and subtle tremolo vocals – Mikel Rafael takes listeners through the natural scenes of the world, with the three original songs of The Eternal Hour.
Turning pain into power, with a growing repertoire and heavy basslines that boldly back up the conscious bars of his writing. NERA DC leads with personality and truth, for tracks like Believe Me.
An instantly likable original track, with plenty of personality but also, and quite crucially, an accessible and welcoming musical warmth. Ignatious intrigues, unsettles, and boldly leaves his mark, with Des particules de merde.