Straight to the point but a mood and delivery highly impressive at the same time – a single blow, built around a warped lo-fi soundscape that feels like a trap ambiance pouring through the walls from the club next door. Add in fast-flowing vocals and storytelling that’s rhythmically focused and lyrically smart, and Rome takes no time at all to engage and entertain listeners, with the striking simplicity and skill of Verse 1 Freestyle.
Lo-Fi
Nostalgic big rap and boom-bap vibes captured with a certain raw edge of real indie garage music. NekU$AkeN blends something like old-school hip hop with the comedy, character and rhythmic bounce of Bloodhound Gang, for the X-rated anthem Living Like Larry 2.0.
The groove is a vibe, the vocal modest, no volume, just a central hook and mood that glide through the airwaves, as Kirko presents a story of romantic connection, travel, and longing
Cool tribal hand rhythms and a programmed kick lay down a unique foundational beat, as Marco Palmieri presents the melodic ethereal tones and escapism of an aptly-titled Explorer.
Letting creativity take the wheel, producer and artist 2heart2crash presents an 8-track album of entirely unexpected, colourful and compelling original works, for the simply named but complexly crafted 22.
Explosive political artistry of a post-punk vocal energy, scathing lyrical pairing, live vocals and assisted production – Gregory Lioi holds nothing back performatively, with the high-energy weight and theatrics of Uncomfortably Numb.
Ambient lo-fi grooves that envelop their listener, alongside deeply emotional vocals – drawn out, expressive phrases and notes, blending something like soul and jazz across a colourful, contemplative tapestry. Matthias Boretius fuses passion and quiet musical presence, for the sweeping sentiments and sounds of Open Door.
Everything is subtle but effective – the production and vocal shifts, the central contrast from one section to the next. It’s modesty and artistry intertwined, and it speaks volumes on behalf of the intentions and values of Aaron Lerer and 1526 Records.
Lo-fi rhythms and hazy bass, clean keys and catchy melodies – a dreamy indie ambiance and dynamic vocals guide us into a deeply introspective, relatable and comforting realm. Jordi and Sophie Woodhouse join forces, for the blissful earworm Think Too Much.
Just 18 years old and already capturing the hearts and attention of tens of thousands of listeners, Makaio Huizar has achieved a uniquely introspective and ambient original style with his music. That style appears to culminate for the end of a busy year, with the release of his honest and heart-breaking alternative Christmas song Merry … Continued
Svartsengi emerges at just the right time it seems, when it can often feel as if music has lost its way, lost its depth, lost its magic. OUTER and Arve Henriksen capture something profound and powerful with this composition and song. The subtle artistry is phenomenal. An easy highlight from the year.
Marc Nevermind encapsulates the art of escapism, letting the creative process take him into this new world, and providing the same other-worldly embrace for all who press play. The music is the driving force, creative connection the goal, and that’s a refreshing and invaluable quality – particularly in a world so seemingly infatuated with image and daily life updates. The mystique returns, and with it, the true talent.