Eleven songs make up this album from Vivienne Aerts, something like alternative neo-jazz, with hints of Eva Cassidy, Chet Baker, to the voice and songwriting, but a more alternative edge of electronic design in unison, to keep things secure in this new artistic arena.
Music
Beautifully uplifting, organic pop-rock and country-fusing songwriter and artist Paul James releases an earworm of optimistic energy this summer – a universally relevant dose of gratitude and grounding motivation, in the form of the timeless warmth and wonder of Shortcut To Nowhere.
Fast bars and creative production blend the grit and storytelling of rock and rap with a seamless lyrical confidence that’s boldly unique. Through adversity to impact, INFERNO is an artist and rapper whose life began in turmoil, and though his journey has been dark, complex and difficult, it provided an unrivalled fire and passion that naturally feeds into his music.
You get addicted to this progression, these repetitions, the soulful peaks, and it feels like something born of influences ranging from Moby and Massive Attack to Fatboy Slim and Gnarls Barkley. In my view, Joshua Milú reaches the pinnacle of memorable production here, and A Home is quick to assert itself as an outstanding modern track.
These recordings feel like single takes, moments captured that can never quite be recreated with the same level of uncertainty and longing. Make It Make Sense is a particularly striking example, but the project in full consistently draws you back to this quality, and as such, it’s addictively understanding, comforting, and heart-breaking, to lose yourself here with Sam.
Latin Pop and Afrobeats with a twist of creative production and world-music melodies to enchant and engage – J12 collaborates with Merblond, for the unmistakable vocal dynamic and rhythmic embrace of Diva.
Boldly atmospheric soundwaves, intense garage rhythms and deeply evocative, intimate RnB vocals – Italian artist and songwriter LEEA CLEM captures a moment of ethereal passion and creative nuance, with the multi-layered soul and unique sonic escapism of close to you.
Featuring members of the iconic E Street Band and The Avett Brothers, plus a guest appearance from songwriter Marshall Crenshaw, Abnormal Conditions is a collaborative burst of rock and roll euphoria, and was passionately recorded in just two days, at Rhinebeck’s The Clubhouse (NY).
Consider Obsidian as the perfect introduction, an industrial rhythmic aura, with both optimism and uncertainty walking hand-in-hand. mal_mr asks the question ‘what does it mean to be human in a world where machines are taking over?’, and The Magic Umwelt captures the essence of that experience, and gracefully answers.
Taking the time to be still, to listen and let the music and the space surrounding it connect with humanity and heart. Northampton-based singer and songwriter Sali Clinton captures the essence of a moment, with the vulnerability and soulful, intimate waves of So Long.
Play It Forward is a community-centered experience built around individuals, families, communities, and one shared live music moment. The project seeks to provide emotional and financial support for musicians, real-world experience, confidence and purpose, and a sense of being part of something much bigger than the self.
Alternative rock performer, storyteller and multi-instrumentalist Primordial Alien reaches the pinnacle of his creative output this year, delivering an album of conceptual weight, musical diversity, skill, playfulness, genre-fusion and cool but cutting narratives, as we dive into the brilliantly eclectic pop-punk and progressive rock vibrancy and shadows of Casus Belli.