Ajak Krak takes listeners down a vintage pathway of vinyl crackles and gentle jazz ambiance with this latest release. More than that though, the song’s specific intention pours through lyrically on top of the soundscape, creating an unexpected yet notably artistic contrast that’s surprisingly captivating to listen to.
Trip-Hop
Laura Clare brings together creative trip hop beats and long-form RnB-style melodies for this single – the sort of melodies that fall seductively at the end of each line, reinforcing the theme within.
The very concept of Balance is represented in every possible way on this track. Intensity is balanced with peacefulness, optimism is balanced with realness, melody is balanced with rap and rhythm. And all the while, the whole thing continues to rain down in an entrancing fashion.
Jcarbonell collaborates with ANNA for this release, a song that skillfully balances soulful melodic expression with dreamlike trip hop and an underlying sense of depth and awakening.
Consequences is a smooth yet dark RnB track with an indie edge and some superb production. Grassett and LUURK alike bring an expressive and professional approach to the project, and the music is all the more immersive as a result.
Cerulean is a two-track collection, a short journey through peacefulness with a resounding sense of depth and consideration about it. The title piece is as quiet as it is overwhelming – to listen at volume is to let these layers and details really wash over you in a subtly powerful manner.
Even with the eclectic and unpredictable nature of the music on this project, the lyrics are by far the most compelling and fascinating thread throughout it. Prepare, if you can, to feel heart broken, enlightened, uplifted, calmed, and concerned – all within the hour.
Ev Young takes the synth-driven pulse of summer-time EDM and fuses it with a notably trip-hop inspired ambiance and a reverb-soaked vocal melody for this single – all of which paints a smooth, calming audio experience around the listener.
Breaking Away is an immense joy to escape within. The sort of song that begs for you to turn up the volume, and quickly becomes addictive and close to impossible to forget about.
Electronic music doesn’t get much more immersive and interesting than this – particularly when crafted to such a unique degree, with the perfectly consistent presence of professionalism and a clear passion for audio escapism.
Thousand Times’ return this year brings a gorgeously ambient and smooth RnB-fusion track with a softly soulful backbone. Seductively gritty vocals leads the way lyrically and melodically, running alongside a down-pouring of colourful synths and a sort of lightly throbbing energy level.
Soul City emerges with the easy-going rhythms and subtle organic-electronic ambiance of a Lemon Jelly classic. You can hear every instrumental layer as this crisp and clean building block, and yet at the same time – you can let the entire completed soundscape work its smooth and colourful softness around you in a united wave of warmth.