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.
Trip Hop
Retro electronic production and deeply consuming ambiance, a gentle vocal paired with a colourful, confronting electronica aura – something like the dawn of electro pop and trip hop, with a twist of complex, contemporary lyrical wonder… Close to Monday take the wheel for modern electronic rock, with the enchanting depth and direction of Breakdown Simulations. … Continued
To coincide with the launch of one of this year’s most interesting, unusual and compelling original debuts, we sat down with songwriter, artist and performer Shereen Suleiman, to talk about the complexity and power of Ghareeb. Here’s how it went. * * * Hi Shereen – great to meet you, I’m so excited to talk … Continued
Guitarist and producer Davide Rizzo lets pure creativity drive – arranging original compositions around dreamy guitar tones, light rhythms, and a genre-free kind of playfulness that’s endearing, and a pleasure to let play.
Featuring an equally fuzzy set of visuals, representing the sheer joy and unity of the track, this is easily one of the most unorthodox but interesting and likeable new releases of the summer so far. J_basco rolls through the stages of the track with fearless attention to evolution and detail, but the opening moments far from depict that intention.
Intoxicating tones and an intricate balancing of complexity and simple warmth – the enchanting and euphoric single Deflector marks a rather divine and thoughtful introduction, to the unique stylings and sentiments of Vancouver-based producer Chamber Glow.
Dreamy synths add a mellow pulse to an otherwise nostalgic trip-hop set-up and flow. VocalVibrations offers short lines of appreciation and appeal, for the caring sentiments and timeless stylistic embrace of Time for Yourself. Producer, artist and songwriter Colin provides vocals, intentions and design to all of his original works as VocalVibrations. Time for Yourself … Continued
Cinematic exploration, heavy bass and intriguing, mysterious vocals – something like nostalgia from the days of Massive Attack – all introduces this creatively unique debut album from Chicago songwriter and artist Cosmos Ray.
Jaydi Zavala provides unique vocals to an incredibly unique story and musical set-up – Noir Pixel explores the impact of AI on the human experience, with the compelling organic sounds and lyrical venture of Wifi Pangea.
A Turkish born creative, currently living in Sweden and with extensive travels in Africa clearly influencing the tribal rhythms at play throughout his repertoire, Caner Yeniyurt continues to impress. One Tree told the story of a tree fighting a storm on a hill, and Kedi Knows, somewhat more upbeat and funky, depicts an arrogant cat, walking the streets of Istanbul.
Chinese composer, producer and artist CDA REVE, intertwines the softness of ambient piano, with the modern lo-fi escapism of a trap-style beat, and divinely gentle vocals, for the enchanting calm and embrace of 22:22.
Dreamy electronic design intertwines the ambient and euphoric, as creative producer Nurhop showcases the delicacy and finesse of his approach to modern production, with Slow Motion.