A massive shout-out must go to the entire vocal arrangement: there are some serpentine, elusive lines weaving in and out and around a rich, beautifully-mixed choir of voices that you’ll be immediately wowed by.
Alt Pop
The way the acoustic guitar leads into the beat, bringing through flickers of folk, country and hip hop alike, makes it east to get into the vibe of the track; and to appreciate the creative way in which WAYAL has approached and crafted this release.
Fusing conceptual depth and self-reflection with a decidedly upbeat and energizing musicality, the track paints a dreamlike and ambient scene around the listener, offering insight and understanding in the same instance as blissfully well-crafted escapism.
Designed to offer an ambient and provocative audio journey, defined as the soul’s conversation with the self, this EP from producer duo Phantomsoul gifts listeners an epic and near-meditative audio journey, complete with lyrical guidance, poetry, depth, and passionate, entrancing performances.
Collaborating to impressive results with producer Joe Crotty, KatMariexx showcases a smooth and sultry leading voice on this melodically satisfying new dance-pop offering.
Charles Ryan Davis has mastered the art of turning acoustic simplicity into an absolute performance – emotional and captivating, brilliantly skillful. A live show would be superb, though sadly Charles Ryan Davis doesn’t perform. In a way, this makes this playlist all the more enjoyable – it feels like a rare appearance, a one-of-a-kind chance to escape into something truly unique.
The gradual instrumental build-up supports yet another of Sid’s simple yet stunning melody lines, the whole thing designed to slowly but surely envelop and engage you, creating a series of moments that increasingly lift you up and remind you to be thankful for every day you get to spend with those you treasure.
Watch Out For Me is a great song, with a mighty hook. The whole thing is familiar yet refreshing, skillfully crafted and beautifully, stylishly performed. An incredibly impressive debut, with an equally intriguing, dark yet confident accompanying video.
There’s a certain caliber of artistry represented here that extends skyward without limits. Poetry and societal or political relevance intertwine in again subtle manners that slowly but surely paint a clear and striking picture before you. Meanwhile, oppression and struggle are represented visually by various characters locked in fist fights that edge their way around the building.
While the instrumental set-up feels reminiscent of the likes of Portishead or The xx, the vocal line adds a level of volume and intensity. It’s a powerful performance, one that takes the song from quietly compelling to incredibly emotive and decidedly uplifting.
Aratrea have put everything into this performance and writing process, and the result is something that boldly reaches out for your attention – and refuses to let go until the whole thing is over; much like the Python with his prey.
UK band Senses Reeling are set to release their full-length album Time’s Still Now on June 14th. It’s a project that showcases a fairly unique approach to pop-rock, often leading with an almost acoustic backbone, spacious soundscapes, and increasingly impressive songwriting.