Multi-instrumentalist Vituia has written over 700 original songs, all from a vehemently anti-AI lifestyle over years of commitment to the crat. More recently, production tools have allowed the at-home creative to present his works under an unrivalled light of professionalism, and the result is a notably more polished sound.
Music
Dark trap rhythms with distinct and haunting piano riffs at the forefront, a raspy vocal and theatrics designed to draw attention and set a vibe – Showtime Ennuh captures a style between styles, with the late-night energy and performative lust of Shake Dat (Twerkhall).
Blending style and substance with semalessly intelligent bars and a vocal fulidity and dynamic that’s intoxicating, Big O and Cashus King deliver one of the biggest albums of the year, with the sensatinoal iWater to Wine.
Surf rock and sixties sentiments and melodies light up the catchy grooves of this uplifting new live-style EP from indie’s one and only ukulele rock troubadours.
One of independent hip hop’s most authentic and moving voices returns this season with a stylistically modest yet conceptually and melodically majestic album.
An eclectic and high-quality repertoire with tens of thousands of monthly listeners already speaks volumes, but this year New Jersey songwriter and artist Dave Vargo takes things to greater heights still, with the release of his beautifully crafted and performed album of heartfelt nostalgia Ghost Towns.
Choosing honesty over comfort, MIIA blends timeless electronic dance-pop with evocative realism, for the long-form and soulful expressions of Necessary Evil.
Catchy country pop jams with an old-school pop-punk vocal lead and brilliantly accessible, snappy and vivid lyricism. Kevin Farge delivers a fine collection of original songs, for the extensive new album Country Love Song.
There’s a healing quality to an arrangement like this, and Peter DiMaggio’s politely expressive voice suits that type of ambiance rather beautifully, furthering the satisfaction and appeal that is the light and rather lovely Chasing a Trace.
Somewhere to lose yourself, an echoing garage-rock arena, drenching distortion in reverb and adding something like gentle diary-style vocals and an adlib outbursts to the songwriting. Dayfiction work with mood and momentum, as the tumbling drums and evocative drama of Spare introduces their latest EP on a poignant high.
Stoned is far more complex and evocative than its title perhaps implies, a clever take that proceeds to explore the true impact of sexual abuse. The song follows a strong groove from a timeless NMDA, and is naturally elevated by the sheer resilience and grit of Isabelle’s unrivalled passion, presence, and power as a vocalist.
Your Love is contrast-heavy, from vocal samples of lightness and emotion, through dubstep and EDM beats and basslines that constantly redirect things. The mix is incredibly creative, at one moment familiar and hypnotically looping – at the next a vast sense of rising anticipation working its magic; like the sudden journey after a drop in the hero dose realm.