The last nod to the Baby Shark phenomenon is the post-chorus part, which harks back to 50s doo-wop, with its nonsense rhythmic lyrics. Altogether now: ‘Bam-a-lam-a-lam-a-ding-dong…’
Music
With some decent exposure, I could imagine Let Me Know appealing to a very broad demographic: it’s a confident slice of hip-hop that ticks all the lifestyle-centric tropes of current on-trend bangers. It feels mature and authentically honest without being too knowing or too cynical, and deserves to be shared around.
Instead of falling victim to genre or industry expectations, Brown has let his own inner desire to let go, to free himself of yesterday’s turmoil, guide the way with the release. You can hear a genuine breath of progression and peace as you turn the track up loud, and that feeling passes over perfectly well.
Not My World makes for a rather stunning introduction to the band, their sound is immediately powerful, melodic yet hard-hitting, and musically masterful in every way. Delicate synth riffs meet with heavy distortion and a series of captivating performances that prove increasingly impressive as things progress.
Tar-ris’s use of breath as a percussion element and bird sounds in the chorus, coupled with the piano loops, creates a cinematic undertone that ultimately adds to the overarching drama of the music.
The lyrical content is congruous to the title’s suggested themes, with mentions of the stars, the dark, and the sky. This is furthered by a driving, but atmospheric production featuring long reverbs to create a large sense of space, and orbiting delays that pan across the stereo field like comet tails across the night’s sky.
Bringing together an array of influences, leading with a hip hop backbone but a notably spacious and heartfelt pairing of soundscapes and vocals, Musical Therapy is almost entirely the ambient calm its title promises.
BICHAI is self-described as an electronic lounge artist, which might imply that a listening experience is an indoor one. But if you close your eyes and listen, the scope of the vision and the depth of the sonic choice makes it a far wider one.
To quote their own subtitles in the video, this tune is ‘shwanky boooyyyyzzz’! It’s confident, full of swagger and fine musicianship. The guitar playing is as crisp and detailed as you could wish for – and the whole is a toe-tapping lesson in full-on groove.
Fusing the addictive benefits of a rhythmic and upbeat soundscape, with a quickly engaging, emotional story-line and vocal, Tidal Wave is a simple dream of a pop track. The song utilizes poetry and metaphor to craft and build-up brilliantly towards and easily memorable hook.
Maryland’s Maji drives with a somewhat unsettling balance between smooth and rhythmic vocals, and a totally unpredictable, experimental display of soundscape design throughout this new EP.
Gauntlet may well be an introduction to Bonne Finken for many of us, but it’s likely to be far from the last we’ll hear of her. Well worth a listen at volume.