Just piano and voice in its entirety, the pressure is on the lyrics and delivery to keep things interesting, and Joseph Trem utterly masters this approach.
Music
Introducing a welcomed exploration of the solo realm, Campfire Sigh’s own Grant Jesse Prosser launches a complex and colourful debut album, in the form of the wonderful Temporal Autumn.
Colorful indie-pop with a strong groove and organic warmth is quick to appeal – fellow Mancunians SPIN KLASS bring a touch of poetic wonder and inspiring self-kindness, for This Is Love.
Warm production lights up the space with acoustic guitar and a lo-fi kick-drum, as Maini Sorri lays the foundation for her latest search for answers, Show Me The Light.
Scornful but satisfying, tuneful and unexpectedly joyful – Buck Dharma’s Eyes juxtaposes the darkness of its theme with the outright energy and uplift of this pure rock performance and pace.
The performance is stunning, gentle and expressive yet versatile and even powerful when necessary. As a writer for other singers, collaboration is a key aspect of Anthony Hemsey’s repertoire, and in this case the feature name KATESCOPE represents an elusive vocalist – an element of unexpected mystique amidst an otherwise deeply personal but also beautifully cinematic, evocative story.
Breakthrough RnB singer and songwriter Joy Lewis reignites the multi-layered bounce and creative production of a simpler era, with the uniquely soulful, passionate and colourful single Your Love – The Remix.
Noting lyrics that read like a poem yet rain down with the pace and grit of pop-punk, Life is Beautiful hits as if a nostalgic pop-rock anthem from a simpler era – only with a welcomed edge of literary reflection that really raises the bar.
Perhaps surprising that this is the first project of this name to cross our path – by all accounts, many of you reading this or experiencing this album are indeed Melophiles yourselves. Abhi Ananda, however, seems to encapsulate that quality with the clear complexity, versatility, skill and unwavering heart of these eight recordings.
Honest indie-rock blending warmth of writing and tone – Spike Ivory delivers a heartfelt anthem of pop-rock purity and colour, for Outside Looking In.
This is one to make you smile, infuse a little energy and unexpected possibility into your day. Producer and composer Dia Sharaf offers an unpredictable yet intoxicating twist on the familiar dance landscape, with the organic rhythms and rising ethereal presence of YemeniTronica.
Easily a new favourite from the creative Trip Hop and Indie Rap universe at large but also a distinctly refreshing highlight from the UK’s current landscape. hEVAN injects intention and unorthodox energies, promising to engage the scene with an intoxicating fusion of musical simplicity and lyrical depth.