Progressive, haunting metal with fiercely cinematic sound play, expressive guitars, and theatrical, unsettling vocals. Insipidus capture something uniquely story like, with the immersive project Nearest Dusk.
Singles
Sometimes a track just works, a sound just gets to you, and its purpose is satisfied. As I Speak counter the intensity and weight of hard rock and grunge, with the delicacy and poetic introspection of singer-songwriter expression.
UK pop-punk is refreshing in itself, but here we get a fast-paced and catchy guitar riff at the forefront, vocals born to perform in this way, and a hugely anthemic earworm of a hook. Say Less blend nostalgia and character quite seamlessly, for the simple and infectious single Go To Hell.
Building up for a brighter and harmonised pre-chorus, the song highlights the quiet vocal nuance of Silje Steine, as we join the artist for this reflective sense of wondering about loneliness and isolation; desperately dreaming and desiring something more.
Reflecting on the ache of isolation or feeling like an outsider, Germany’s Tim Vicis delivers a catchy, melancholic new vibe, with the ethereal pop stylings and evocative, wave-like tune of Allein unter Vielen.
Great musical arrangements set the bar well, then we need a little depth of topic, an interesting voice, and a melody that engages and even satisfies. Borovsky puts the building blocks in place for all of this, with the unique writing, long-form expressions, ideas and personality, of A Leap In The Dark.
Vocally unique and recognisable, there’s a raw and distinct tone and character to the sound of ILIA’s voice, and this heavy metal arrangement from the band adds something completely unexpected to the existing anthemic power of Halsey’s original song.
Stunning – simple and honest music, the kind of recording that captures your attention softly and with humility, and the kind of songwriting that feels not designed to draw focus to the performer, but towards a feeling or moment, a series of thoughts; an ambience and mood.
Organic and honest songwriting, live recordings to match – a singer-songwriter authenticity that’s needed in these times. Gregor Vagner brings the melody and music to move you, with the hopeful tune, acoustic groove, and outer-layered meandering electric guitar, of Rosemary.
Everything from the lyrics to the arrangement breathes new life and creative realism into the space. ELROD is humble but effective, the melody short and snappy, the production subtle but purposeful. Vulnerability is bold yet also vague, meaning you can make this your own, attach your meanings and memories, whilst believing that every word is authentic and heavy to the singer.
Introducing the perfect balance of ambient and intense – a producer whose repertoire is both eclectic and impassioned, not to mention highly focused form a work-ethic perspective. Canadian creator iQoniK gets the chemistry just right, with the old school euphoric embrace of drum-and-bass track Next Level.
Snappy and catchy as it should be, with great vocals building towards a superb and nostalgic hook, You Don’t Wanna Know is dark and moody but uplifting – the kind of old-school nu-metal track that screams out on behalf of those stories and emotions that weigh heavily in the backs of our minds.