Softly impassioned bars light up a smooth lo-fi production, as Saint Rivera brings character and good vibes back to smart, purposeful hip hop.
USA
Another catchy gem from the cool corner of PSYBORG – Misbehavin’ is an end of summer bounce of a track, blending cleanly-mixed vocals with a colourful and impressively unique, organic and often minimalist groove.
The six-minute epic that is SPACE introduces the work of an introspective yet hopeful songwriter – someone intent on inspiring others, and celebrating the power of music in connecting people across eras, spaces and circumstances.
From the dawn of the Bad Bubble audio experience – the first mention of Underscore, the historical poignancy of Future 9 – all of this has been with devout purpose; an artist intent on creating a legacy and lasting memory of a story and of his daughter. There are many heart-breaking and beautiful moments throughout the vast collection of albums, EPs and singles, but more relevantly, there are many, and perhaps some of the most impactful of all, to be found throughout a conclusion.
Intensely heavy yet soulful, poetic and cinematic, up-tempo and both energising and evocative. Oathforged is a confronting and awakening listen, and offers a whole new highlight from the upcoming full-length album. Mythrend have made sincere promises to raise the bar, and so far, they’re outright refusing to back down on their word.
but…why? is wonderful, in short – self-explanatory but not, focused and free; a multitude of moments presenting the complexity of feelings and relationships in a bold and beautiful way. This closing song again lets the passion and layers collide and culminate, amidst this subtly unique soundscape, for a haunting crescendo that leaves you keen to replay the whole project once again.
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.
Brilliantly smooth production lights up an organic soul set-up and song. Rok Major introduces his 2025 album Never Too Late, with the old-school fluidity, charm, and smart bars of Love.
Creatively uninhibited, an artist with a clear sense of freedom at the helm, but whose intentions are deeply rooted in Faith. Jared Franco carves out a slick original lane in modern Christian hip hop and alternative pop, with the tribal rhythms, deep bass and soulful tones of Grace.
Gaming and music pioneers Play’n GO join forces with singer-songwriter Niamh Ni Mheara, for an ethereal to euphoric journey through delicacy and vastness.
Former artillery soldier SamWaise explosively carves out a fresh new lane in modern EDM and production. His evocative and intoxicating fusion of metal and fiercely fast-paced dance makes for an impassioned and powerful introduction to the album Tragedies and Truths.
The crisp clarity of a finely-recorded acoustic guitar strum. A softly rising bassline, and beautifully vulnerable, honest vocals. Ferny G blends folk and pop with subtle nuance, for the deeply heartbroken I thought you were different.