Three new releases from UAE creative producer Sarah R Jay continue to showcase the diversity and depth of her sound. Crossing the Tempest and 300 Fallen Heroes mark two new cinematic instrumentals, and both will be accompanied by EDM remixes in the very near future.
Singles
Featuring the additional talents of Rick del Castillo, Hello Houston is an upbeat earworm at its core – a timeless kind of Bruce Springsteen-inspired ode to the melodic and distorted passion of rock from a simpler era.
This is something fearlessly original at present, and yet it’s also broadly appealing, creatively engaging, and instantly recognisable. That’s an uncommon fusion of qualities, and as such, Ivano Bersini has crafted something rather profound with Poems.
Building up beautifully as it gathers momentum, dropping in for an infectious hook that’s fully loaded and wholly contrasts the intimacy of the verses, Want Me Dead is both familiar and unorthodox in its blending of the standard pop-rock set-up and this fearlessly gritty conceptual journey.
Following the simple strum of largely just two chords rising and falling, as well as some humble backing vocals when the energy grows, Icarus builds up unexpectedly after these opening folk-pop moments. The resounding chorus is distinctly catchy, “oh I know, I know, I know” appearing with volume and fluidity; a nostalgic nineties-esque twist that quickly elevates the entire sound and memorable style of the track.
Coming in at a fairly standard three-thirteen, the make-up and concept of Life’s Sweet Caress is decidedly familiar, but the vocal stylings, the meandering and often unpredictable melody, leans somewhat towards the freedom and piercing artistry of acts like Asaf Avidan.
Piano and acoustic guitar meet for a classic four-chord ballad set-up, alongside Pete Byrd’s shaky and expressive leading voice – a distinct tone that naturally meets the interesting bar set by these deeply revealing lyrics. With artwork and a title as artistic and intriguing as this, the music and performance simply had to follow suit, and I’d say the rising emotion and energy of Sally It’s Raining Again absolutely does.
Coming in at over six minutes of exploration, Time Irrelevant sees its listeners plunged into a web of multiple layers of distorted guitars and classic eighties rhythms. At the same time, subtle waves of synth and electronic instrumentation meet with organic, acoustic ones, to craft something that’s both a looping realm of comfort, and a consistently evolving delivery of rising anticipation.
Introducing an intoxicating balance of high-octane rhythms and euphoric production – Child of SP fuses genres with relevance and fluidity, for the boldly thought-provoking single Halo.
Colourful indie pop with a clean vocal and a quirky balancing between RnB and Pop songwriting, even with a twist of something rap-like on occasion – Kibs unites the relatable and unorthodox, with the catchy fluidity and relationship longing of Find A Way Back.
It’s a the all-too familiar story of keeping up appearances, carrying on and putting on a brave face in order to maintain the respect of those around us; rather than letting the weight fall away by sharing it with a friend or someone who actually cares.
Light and breezy indie pop with an organic guitar and bass combination, guides us into the quirky vocal stylings and story of DAS.D’s Face in the Crowd.