The final moments unleash a chaotic and unsettling crescendo of sounds, almost expanding beyond comprehension – higher notes and volumes electronically squeezed through a sonic tunnel of colourful intensity.
Music
What connects these artists isn’t purely the acoustic backdrop, the genre or production style, but rather, the intent. Each works in a space where emotion, atmosphere, and honesty take priority over trends or visibility, and that’s something that feels all the more valuable at this time in our musical history.
Carefully connecting the intimacy of romantic songwriting with the infectious grooves of rumba and Latin dance, Princess Luminous follows on from the success of her version of Moon River, with the softly enchanting, cinematic entanglement of Dance Forever.
Mialuna has crafted a stunning track for this release, even moving into a pure Gospel-choir a-capella breakaway as the final third swings into view, and the lyrics and warmth of the arrangement become all the more euphoric and powerful at this moment.
With minimal lyrics and a low-key neo-jazz ambient groove underneath, the song features smooth and breathy, intimate vocals from our leading artist, and it’s a divine voice – delicate and impassioned, nuanced and skilful in meandering through these long-form questions.
Brilliant basslines, soulful vocals, quirky but satisfying melodies and a fiercely human sense of passion and live-music vibrancy. Scottish artist and producer Novaborn captures a moment of pure addictive escapism, with the soaring stomp and seduction of Gone.
Something boldly different, by design, intention, timeframe and temperament alike – an avant-garde album noting over 200 original works, and an artistic style grounded by creativity, but otherwise bravely elevated by a fearless sense of eclecticism and refusal to adhere to expectations.
Super chill vibes blend subtle twists of soul, jazz and a self-defined ‘late night radio’ allure, as Kuddlephish takes things down a slow and smooth pathway, for the sultry escapism of Bonnie and Clyde.
Lush new vibes from Australian artist Monstrous bring a calming organic blend of subtle jazz, funk and dreamy trip hop. With intimate vocal depth and quiet reflections on life and the self, Underground is a catchy and distinct symphony of riffs and moments, and it softly contemplates then brightens throughout a smooth and satisfying post-five-minute mix.
From bedroom pop to programmed vocals and an anthemic Celtic celebration of football and the old school World Cup Campaigns – Rodeo Terrorists brings a fully loaded soundscape of folk-rock knees-up intentions, with the heavy production and catchy Celtic riffs of Saltire (Tartan Army).
Regardless of age and how impressive this is for the work of an 11 year old, Wheerdoe is a huge track in itself – a satisfying pop-rock and grunge arrangement, with great vocals, a kind of Pixies or Radiohead-style introspection, and a fine blend of lostness and uplift that’s intoxicating.
A fine collection of songs, all impressively connected by concept and character, but also versatile enough to make this a nostalgic and hopeful project, from an independent songwriter and musician whose approach blends skill and substance to a compelling degree. Well worth escaping into this season.