The blissfully positive and focused story-telling and soulful embrace of Echo Park Lake injects a much-needed sense of humanity and heart into modern hip hop, and speaks volumes on behalf of the talent and integrity of both artists.
Singles
Nostalgic by nature but also impressively original in everything from tone to production, genre fusion to poetic depth, HURRICANE recaptures the appeal of immersive electronic music, with a thoughtful lyrical backbone, uniquely playful instrumental choices, and divinely gentle yet impassioned vocals.
Celebrating the power of collaboration, Ryan Mills Presents joins forces with the mighty Project Parallels, Qwill, Wordsworth, & REKS, for the trip-hop and hip hop-fusion beauty of Illuminate.
Offering both uncertainty and longing, satisfaction in the progression and particularly the drop to the hook’s repeat, Emotions is a song that feels perfectly capable of making its way up through the rankings this season.
Freely bridging the gaps between hip hop and dance, between comedy and artistic identity, Mr. Riopelle crafts a floor-filler with lashings of personality, for the sexually provocative and undeniably catchy new single Top Era.
Freshly released from the brand new EP Jaded, Afro-soul-fusion artist Na’Jaii delivers an ambient and evocative conceptualisation of numbing the pain of existence.
This idea of you and I both having scars is strangely comforting, and the warmth and simplicity of the music reinforces that comfort. But elsewhere, the lyrics present a sense of having lost our way, and of there being no tomorrow – no second chances.
Summer strikes early this year, as Myles Thomas brings the tribal groove, classic good-vibes piano and rising EDM intensity, for Dance Like You Don’t Care.
Everything its title promises and then some – Omer B’s latest globally collaborative gem is the aptly-named Orange Jam; a funky celebration of fun-loving musicianship, combining a strong groove with wah wah peddle-play and a smooth twist of calm for the middle-8.
Taking us back a little with their unique fusion of nostalgic songwriting and genre-blending, In Case Of Elimination present an instantly infectious anthem, with the uplifting and unmistakable Partner In Crime.
Introducing a musically eclectic, colourful and increasingly likable new single, songwriter and musician Eliza Nova brings a twist of multi-layered pop-rock and long-form storytelling to the modern scene, with the intriguing Never mind the silence.
Absolutely brilliant, in short – genuine in style and intent, unafraid to maintain its sense of artistry and purity despite the distractions and filler or hype expectations of the current industry. Even Keel displays a much-needed level of humanity, an anti-AI embrace that reminds listeners of the unmatched power of soulful creative expression.