Totally unexpected vibes from long-time artist and friend of mine, Sid Hagan. The World In 25 is a project I genuinely dropped everything for this week, a solo venture from the songwriting legend himself, and a creatively experimental one, to say the least.
Music
Introducing a timeless jam of a track, something like an unreleased hit from The Weeknd, only with a twist of freshly expressive personality. Punjabi Indian-American Apollo Kardia has a crafted a slick and soulful sound, with the boldly energising Feel Alive.
Noting a powerful and dark opening line, Nail Me to a Tree is gritty, fascinating, and incredibly brief – less than two minutes of music, a moment captured in time, and a distinct kind of storytelling and liberty to the sound. No doubt further BJ Rexwood singles will prove recognisable once you’ve listened to Nail Me to a Tree.
Seamlessly uniting the serene and the intense, London-based creative composer IUS explores the depth of the universe and our connections within it, through the spellbinding instrumental project We Are Stars.
Brand new music of an instantly uplifting, inspiring intention – lifelong producer and artist IurisEkero blends a huge arrangement and hopeful sentiments, with modern tools and energetic vibrancy, to really help bring this celebratory anthem to life.
Austrian producer and songwriter Nathan Hildebrand is far from a stranger to the studio, but this year, the creative has set upon a global mission – to inspire and connect people, to promote the importance of unity, family, and love, with original music underlining the everlasting traditional values of Christmas.
A dash of Jake Bugg with a touch of yesteryear rock uplift and contrastingly uncertain, even dark lyrics. Kobe masters melody, groove, and juxtaposition, with the sensational songwriting and creative identity of 24.
Colourful but chilled production and gentle, distinct vocals carve out a quickly unique pathway, as singer and songwriter Valerie Badjan reflects on the ache of heartbreak after the exultation of new love.
Reflecting on modern intoxication and the search for truth, the value of using your voice when it matters, TODAY is complex and mysterious, but also manages to pierce through the noise with sharp and smart poetic lines. Everything then comes together beautifully, for what proves a genuinely inspiring chorus, and a sentiment and melody that linger in the mind, long after the music has ended.
The refreshingly grounded sound of real guitars, drums and vocals – Germany’s Level-M delivers a quickly slick and stylish rock groove, with a smooth vocal melody and quirky, provocative lyrics.
Blending alt-folk anthemic charm with heavier rock rhythms and quality hooks, L.A.R.P storms into view with the mighty Love Ain’t Gonna Come in The Night, a touch of Ben Caplan to the style, then proceeds through five original tracks that prove equally evocative and performative, but quite boldly unconfined by genre.
In defining the process or purpose of this album, Stewart Lane notes that ‘each piece traces the build-up to ecstatic release’. This is something you can hear and feel throughout these seven compositions, a unique and gentle progression, growing and culminating in some huge emotional presence and weight, suddenly peaking, and then being relieved or lifted away.