UK rapper and artist J.Eka welcomes in a refreshingly ambient, melodic production style, to match up with the conscious and cleanly-mixed bars of his writing – Bread & Wine is a smart and stylish alternative to contemporary hip hop, and creatively ticks a lot of different boxes as it smoothly pours through.
Singles
Ambient acoustic country with a smooth sunset vibe and a catchy melody – Annika Catharina brings the lyrical originality, with the contemplative plot and desire of Bandit.
Standing tall on the strength of its underlying solo acoustic guitar pattern and the sheer positivity and glow of the writing, RJ Dennis strips things back to the bare essentials, connecting with heart and some much-needed hopefulness, for After The Storm.
Building up slowly by way of a colourful soundscape and a mellow but increasingly passionate vocal, Kansas soon finds its feet as a pop-rock anthem of warmth and energy; not hugely dissimilar to the likes of Bruce Springsteen or, more recently, Sam Fender.
Creative freedom takes the wheel, as warped sound-design unites distorted guitars and heavy rhythm and bass – Nique Star demands attention well, for the girl who breaks hearts.
The humble strum of an acoustic guitar, the breathy warmth of an intimate, melodic folk-pop vocal, subtle synths in the distance – Italian artist Alaïs reflects with sophistication and respect, on the highs and lows of learning to love yourself.
Instrumentally pristine soul rock, with an intriguing progression from disjointed riffs through a wholly immersive soundscape and song – a composition and performance seemingly inspired by the limitless adventure of life.
Honolulu’s Azato recaptures the soulful essence of reggae, with a fresh take on both the genre and songwriting. When We Gonna Start? is a mellow and increasingly hopeful, uplifting ode to unity, and provides an active opposition to the rise of division and fighting.
The writing feels genuine, the melody intoxicates, and the subject matter inspires. Mary Oz is carving out her own carefree lane in modern music, and the songs speak volumes on behalf of that.
Introducing a unique take on Christian Contemporary and Gospel music – UK-based creative DORCAS TG brings a joyful twist of reggae and personality together with catchy and heartfelt songwriting, for the likes of her uplifting single Sweet Jesus.
Heavily distorted electronic production unites intense rhythms and euphoric synths, as Noah7even composes a uniquely hypnotic and evocative debut, for PANORAMA.
Chris establishes the artistic journey really well, the final section acting as a brief second verse; a momentary return to quiet poetry, before we explode back into the peak of the arrangement, for the mighty and resounding, familiar ache of ‘I’m reminded that you’re not here anymore – As I pull myself from off this floor’.