Distinctly intertwining the atmospheric escapism of heavily synth-led dance production, with quirky and light vocals offering a pop-cinematic thread of humanity, T-TAURI captures a sense of urgency and calm united, for the impactful and memorable Behind The Crowd.
Music
Versatile artist and rapper KC, currently on the verge of launching a handful of genre-fusing originals, recently released a nostalgic rap anthem and video in the form of the raw and home-made FULLY LOCKED.
Music fans unite – for the escapism-craving nostalgic listeners, who still turn to the likes of Massive Attack, Morcheeba, and Portishead; new music of equal depth and humility emerges, from the creative corner of J Brink.
Mindscape is a stunning new album, modest in its simplicity and warmth, but vastly detailed and immersive for its sheer attention to the flow and mood of each track.
Both the production and performances from Malleous and NippyBoy ignite a degree of self-belief and unyielding self-empowerment that’s likely to connect with a whole new audience of modern rap. It’s fun but focused, and speaks volumes on behalf of what we can expect from this creative corner of rap in the near future.
Despite its impossible to pigeon-hole style and diversity, Kingdom is one of the most well-crafted collections of original pop songs to hit the scene this year. It’s intriguing for its originality and style, but it connects for its realism, its clear talent, and its humble yet effective catchy hooks and riffs. Z.M.A have outdone themselves with this project.
Impressively engaging for a new starter in production and sound-design, Don’t Do This features a timeless groove and a riff and effect-line just quirky enough to really blend the melodic and emotional tones with a clear sense of character and rising anticipation. We’re in a sort of early Fatboy Slim arena, a playful instrumental realm of sweeping synths and more clean-cut riffs alike, all separated by the opposing sections of this ongoing rhythm.
Conceptually personal in its intimacy and contemplation, there’s something also quite familiar about these reflections and ideas – as well as about the instrumental build. We approach the mid-section and the track switches gears entirely – a new leading riff, a clear vocal passion and grit, and an overall sense of sudden hard-rock inspiration to really bring home the changing emotions of the song.
An easy three chord strum, a vocal depth that’s distinct and calming, with short lines that follow a simple and memorable thread of melody – Check is an ode to the sheer pleasure of making music for a living.
Intertwining political integrity and conscious bars both confronting and personal, Smoke&Bones essentially achieves a fine balance between the sheer confidence of Hip Hop and the more purposeful undertones of independent rap and songwriting that stands the test of time.
A stunning example of the songwriting and musicianship, the vocal prowess, that Robert Tepper effortlessly presents – Time Just This Time is a catchy yet unconfined and timeless hit, a reverb-kissed ode to a simpler era in music, but a powerful and cinematic gem in its own right. Beautifully done.
A progressive journey but one well-rooted by the unmistakable vocal hook and character found throughout, Symmetry is perhaps Coda Nova’s most ambitious track yet, a quirky exploration of particle physicists who find themselves in deep water, and an instrumental explosion that’s immense; but the band have mastered that process
Built around a refreshingly simple yet increasingly fast-paced beat, Reality leads with good vibes from the outset, and depicts a leading rapper with a clear story to tell and a series of from-the-heart reflections to shine light on.