The track starts off as beautiful, catchy and alluring, but then proceeds through a whole new realm of intoxicating escapism, and that attention to detail, that audience awareness, and GR1FN’s own clear willingness to surrender and submit to the music and the creative process entirely, is what consistently sets his work apart.
USA
Blending world music tones amidst both electronic and organic musicianship, The Baal Shem Tov Nigun is another highlight from the extensive Ari Fraser catalogue, and holds true to a catchy and inclusive groove, loaded with vocal harmonies and a vast sense of calm and contemplation that naturally lights up the space.
Striking production and a modern vocal fluidity that’s familiar but fresh – Kaushion backs up a growing repertoire of boldly original takes, with the unforgettable earworm and dark-rap anthem Oh God.
This moment screams out with soulful conviction, and wraps up a genuinely great nu metal song, with perhaps the most intricate and impactful, multi-layered yet purposeful production I’ve heard all season. The song itself is well written and delivered, and the underlying sound-design helps take those natural strengths to even greater heights. No surprise then, that Emotion 8 are drawing in thousands of monthly listeners.
Intense rock songwriting and production aims high and hits the mark once again. Jarad Hara blends the ferocity of metal, with melodic verses and a gripping sense of story. Off With Their Heads is the second track from his repertoire to impress, and it’s a fine example of the creative depth and juxtaposition of his … Continued
Introducing a huge rock arrangement and song, from a vocalist and songwriter with a clear twist of character and depth to his approach. US artist Jeremy Serwer puts in a sensational performance, throughout the creative highs and lows of his immense rock anthem Watch Your Myself.
The beating heart of contemporary soul and RnB rings loud, and the conceptual depth and originality of Died to Myself helps make for a fiercely relatable, modestly unforgettable single.
Feel-good acoustic pop music, a call and response dynamic and interesting, refreshingly original lyrics – Phibian connect well, blending familiarity and a fresh sense of character, for their colourful and fearlessly honest album Pantophobia.
Balik Alistane light up the space, their unity and skill matched faultlessly by their appreciation of the audience experience. This is not a self-indulgent instrumental, not guitar playing designed simply to impress in the short term. It’s a self-conscious composition, a live jam captured with an infectious groove at its core, and a sense of story and recognisable melodic inflection rooted throughout a post-four-minute production.
Sometimes the bare essentials are all you need – great songwriting means something, sounds genuine, connects and moves a listener, and is simply enjoyable to experience. Jack Horton’s Set Me Free is a humble and timeless example of precisely those qualities.
Ambient lo-fi production welcomes a trap rhythm and dreamy synths cascading around the outskirts. Then in stark contrast with the mellow ethereal calm of the soundscape, KZKelly adds a rap vocal and hook to sharpen the energy, and to showcase a unique flow and performative style that’s confidently unpredictable.
Summer in full swing – the sound of good vibes, organic and warm; eclectic grooves that keep on giving. Creative producer IcyBeast lights up the space this season, with tracks like the iconic PAJAMAS, and the impressive album BLONDE in full.