In the way that songs like Where Have All The Cowboys Gone? offer unexpected melodic strength & power, The River utilises contrast in an equally clever & effective fashion. This is not purely a relationship song, with a basic, familiar story-line. On the contrary, this is poetic & expressive – inspiring travel & deeper realms of thought.
Singles
Artist and songwriter Kiid aims high with this release, showcasing both his professionalism and skill as a producer, and his smooth flow and lyricism as a rapper and writer.
Austin’s Jony Shelby & Mad Nice collaborate to become DRK Sharlo this year. Changes brings through a melodic brightness and a simultaneously mellow vibe – not unlike the recent sound of the mainstream, but done in a fairly emotional, personal manner.
The clever thing about this is that it takes that key vocal idea & initially uses it to represent a gentle, calming aura. Later on, the very same vocal part suddenly seems much darker & even slightly haunted. It’s a superb way to highlight the power of music & the great effect a change in key & atmospheric elements can have.
By the latter half, the beat hits and the guitars take over – an atmospheric, organic ambiance rains down around you. It feels mellow yet also uplifting, as if you’re sitting peacefully on-board a fast train; the world speeding by just outside.
Dublin Rain is a totally hypnotic and inspiring audio soundscape that offers a brilliant hit of euphoria whenever you need it. Dobie’s catalogue to date never fails to amaze.
Ashley Left Last Night is far from a musically intrusive song, but it gets to you – that bass-line, the high notes in the hook, the switch from the single word to the longer-form line afterwards – it weaves its way into your consciousness for sure
Even with so much that changes, the song holds tight to its central sentiments & this enchantment & magic that is the core of the experience.
Lunar is not afraid to stop and start within a composition, to pause entirely, to redirect the listener at any given moment – so long as it’s an integral part of the concept and the journey.
Toronto’s K-Pop inspired group BANDIT have released a fully scripted, short-film-like video for their single Dangerous, and both the song and the accompanying visuals offer up something colorfully memorable.
Nothing ever goes quite the way you expect it to, and yet that quickly becomes one of their most enjoyable characteristics. Expect big things from these guys, both recording-wise & in the way of live shows.
It feels like a track of overcoming, a winning moment and a celebration – the video reinforces this sentiment and this energy level throughout.