Artist and rapper DarcyOwla is someone with a clear sense of original identity and purpose in modern music. The EP Destruction is uniquely distinct, both in its atmospheric, industrial production, and the varied flow and vulnerability of the voice. It’s a hazy mix, with cinematic nuance subtly adding dynamic throughout, and the lo-fi set-up and trap-variant rhythms all meet well with these often piercingly dark lyrical reflections.
Spoken Word
Collaborating once again with vocalist Stephanie Rodriguez M., Ivano Bersini arranges a solo piano and harmonised vocal choir around In the peace of the sunset – a brief and beautiful ode to the imagery and shared warmth, the serenity and possibilities, imparted by the setting of the sun.
Introducing a compelling collaborative project, an album uniting the depths of contemporary poetry with the limitless embrace of creative production. DJ Jace and R.K. Gandhi join forces to provoke and inspire, with the bold escapism and gripping topical implications of the Red Pill Rhymes Experience.
Uniquely breath-taking poetry and acoustic music lovingly intertwined – South African poet and creative Prince Views compels you to tune in closely, with his fearlessly personal, intimate and engaging take on modern spoken-word and audio escapism.
The new EP, A Moment of Deathlessness, presents a first listen that’s captivating for its sense of cinema, its groove, its harmonies and imagery – the presentation and vibe intriguing alone for the creative depth and originality. Then to consider the poetry at its core, this whole project being a tribute to the iconic Emily Dickinson, is to appreciate the finely selected details and stories that influenced such a creative direction.
New music from the poetic and distinct corner of creativity that is Ivano Bersini’s compositions – Love is instantly recognisable as Bersini’s style, but at the same time, this is once again a completely new take on the concept of pairing piano and poetry.
Beautifully complicated, profoundly poetic – Kid Anansi is one of the only albums this year that genuinely prompts a deep-dive listen and repeated sessions with the tracks. The level of thought and smart, sharp wit incorporated throughout each and every story and line is phenomenal, and the delivery is second to none. An absolute highlight from 2024 so far.
Musically inspired by JS BACH and Benedetto Marcello, Minuet 5.0 features a solo piano thread descending under vocal harmonies and a softly spoken poem about children.
With words delivered again by Stephanie Rodriguez M, Minuet 5.0 repeats the word ‘children’ throughout, forever reinforcing the innocence at the heart of the writing, and thus heavily juxtaposing this innocence and love with the shattering darkness and devastation of a polluted and desperately broken world.
Zyxon Ebenflow Neuman – a musician and podcast creator employing both passion and work ethic when it comes to original content. Inside Sri (Sun) is an EP that showcases the conscious and expressive nature of his music, but perhaps more importantly, encapsulates the expressive freedom and flow of his approach to all things creative.
The elusive paqx creates music from the spirit and the soul, blending instrumental purity with spoken reflections and personal honesty, across uniquely ambient, beautiful playlists like the Wetakkim album.
Designed to bring awareness to a broader audience with regard to the rights of disabled US citizens and the illegal use of chemical restraints on the minds of individuals, J3tsam 9 is a must hear for deep thinkers and electronic music fans past and present.
Intimate musicianship and storytelling to match, NICE is a brief but effective collection of live performances – a band united in this lo-fi-inspired expression of self and groove.