Continuing to bridge the gap between skilful, expressive songwriting and production, and an increasingly urgent need for intentional and widespread shifts in the collective human mindset, UAE creative Sarah R Jay launches her latest heartfelt cry for unity, with the Official Vocal Version of Echoes of Humanity.
Singles
Smart, sharp, comical and clearly authentic bars take things back to the bare essentials – a heavy bass and beat combo depicting an equally retro influence. Lil Jaundice keeps things genuine and raw, with the relentless wordplay and fuzzy late-night recording capture of Chase Of The Year.
LA songwriter and artist Simona Shao blends acoustic and contemporary pop qualities through a softly evocative realm, and the results are sublime. Her latest three-track EP Waves presents three parts or chapters of a story, reflecting on the highs and lows of an impactful romance, and balancing calm, poetic imagery and ideas, with personal experiences that feel both relatable and profound.
Themes of disconnection and lostness resound amidst a juxtaposed musical optimism. Kikimora confront the devaluing of love, with the funky soul and jazz tones of No Loving.
Deeply moving vocal harmonies and organic keys present a crisp ode to simpler musical eras, as songwriter Tony Stewart delivers a heartfelt and poignant dedication to his late wife. Brilliantly creative from a melodic and structural perspective, Special Day meanders carefully between melancholy and optimism. The set-up has hints of both The Beatles and Queen … Continued
Tropical acoustic pop with summer rhythms and distinct, delicate vocals – Matias Malta captures the colourful calm of oceanside living and serenity, with Canção Pela Paz.
From their latest album What It Takes, a live capture and classic folk-country song and groove – The North Sound engage and entertain beautifully, with the rather faultless earworm Hard Way, Easy Livin’.
Something conceptually fresh and creatively engaging is hard to come by. Thoughtful reflections, relatable but new, framed in a way that’s distinct but also musically satisfying. Enter Atryp, with a colourful and catchy approach to hip hop, and a storyline built around the globally renowned pain chart found in doctors offices.
To introduce the unique composition style and playing of Parachute Eyes, Thoughts Escaping is ideal. The release opens up with a sincere and distinct, undistorted guitar tone and melody, and sets a likeable groove for around three minutes, before shifting suddenly but fittingly, to a more distorted, power-chord and structurally intense approach.
Modern production tools and relatable writing continue to take hold in the modern music realm, and ever // never’s approach quite seamlessly blends the two. It’s an uplifting ode to and old friend, and the music works its magic with ease. A strong contender for the good vibes and dance playlists this summertime.
Star-crossed lovers recapture their truth in a post-apocalyptic world. Empty Spaces celebrates Margarita’s fascination with fantasy and folklore, whilst delivering an original story and song that proves fearlessly artistic. The song releases in unison with the Japanese festival of the stars, Tanabata.
Lush new music from Blue Julius brings a dreamy guitar groove of both acoustic and electric tones. Collaborating once again with Dani Stacy, the band offer a soulful nostalgic performance and rising energy, for the intoxicating You Make Me Feel New.