Senescence is an echoing trip hop dream, in a way – a small wave of nostalgia from the haunting comfort of simpler eras. The sound is atmospheric and distinct, but the voice clean and soulful, almost like RnB re-imaged amidst an underwater storyboard that’s both cute and unsettling.
Dark Pop
Blending qualities of dark pop and new wave, along with featured artist Leykard’s natural affinity for Hip Hop, Room 17 is another unexpected stylistic venture from Kivo Van Twist, and is supported by several organisations for its openly anti-bullying message of hope and support.
Following the launch of one his most atmospheric and evocative contemporary releases yet, we caught up with artist and songwriter Brandonrxse, to dig into the sound and substance of the drum and bass meets trap single Rather U Lie. Here’s the conversation in full.
Seamlessly uniting aspects of house, dark pop and euphoric electro funk, Ziya delivers a timeless floor-filler of an anthem, with the fluid vocal resolves and deeply atmospheric EDM production of CRASHOUT.
An intoxicating and addictive pop crescendo of an earworm – Sienna B. Brooks delivers a smooth and satisfying fusion of cultures and styles, with the floor-filler vibrancy and playful, confident charm of PRESS REPLAY.
Getting back to the roots of great music, the kind that we listen to in full – a song that moves us, in the quiet of solitude, in the depths of our own minds; not the sort that needs us to simply repost a short clip and hope for virality.
An ever-creative Oktavvia delivers one of her most distinct dark power-pop arrangements yet this season, with the darkness, the sweeping synths, the high-octane EDM backdrop, and the anthemic, empowering chorus, of I Decide.
Blending hazy alt-rock guitar lines and the live crash of drums with vocals that organically meander from spoken to sung, Serag Baddar creates an immersive balance of urgency and softness, with the hypnotic fluidity and realness of Limerence.
Ultimately blending hip hop and RnB within a sweeping arrangement of synths, keys and modest rhythms, F.W.M is beautifully passionate, and close to euphoric as it builds, but there’s never a heavy drop – the song redirects us every time, towards something more mysterious, and again beautifully in tune with the excitement and uncertainty of the topic.
Something a little left of the expected is always welcome here. A political take that’s dark and confronting, uncertain, unsettling. A heavy bassline ambiance and organic, echoing vocals akin to something like Nine Inch Nails or progressive rock on occasion. Paul Louis Villai presents a cool and eerie style, with a political vagueness that’s confronting, … Continued
Essentially carving out a lane that’s purely his own, Sean Waterman presents an art-noir take on modern pop and rock with this song, stylistically exercising the freedom and nuance of acts like Prince, building upon a clear sense of emotional depth, and letting that guide both the lyrical journey and the delivery of the song.
Experimenting with the limitless arena of programmed creativity, Manta Man delivers a mysterious vocal lead amidst a catchy electronic groove, for the dark-pop aura and intriguing scenes of Life is the Walk.