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Music Producer Blog & Promotion

Nim – Avalon: An Expansively Intimate Exploration of Dystopic Ennui

Posted on 12 March 2024

Nim’s latest single, ‘Avalon’, is a testament to his evolution as a multi-instrumentalist and sound designer. From the outset, the track immerses listeners in a world where ambient electronica melds seamlessly with a cinematic synthesis of post-rock and trip-hop. The minor key arrangement, rich in ambient textures, sets an ethereal yet intensely emotive tone to maintain a melancholic undercurrent without becoming overwrought.

The lush reverb sugars the pill of the dystopic ennui, while the desolation in the vocals is so laden with solitude they feel as if they are reaching out from the vastness of space, seeking connection in their isolation.

Nim’s background as a pianist and singer is evident in the meticulous construction of ‘Avalon’. The track defies easy categorisation, drifting through the realms of post-rock, trip-hop, and ambient IDM with a fluidity that speaks to his versatility. The introduction of a trappy backbeat, both solid and glitchy, adds an unexpected yet mellifluous twist, intensifying the track’s introspective mood.

Hit play and journey through Nim’s dystopian vision, where the feel of the music takes precedence and the haunting exploration of malaise resonates long after the last note fades.

Stream Avalon on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

JBRRMUSIC produced the visceral ‘Feeling of XTC’ in his latest EDM hit

Posted on 9 March 2024

JBRRMUSIC refused to follow in anyone’s footsteps with his latest hit EDM single, Feeling of XTC, which brings everything that it says on the titular tin.

The EDM track which unravels as equal parts progressive house pop and euphoric techno follows a series of critically acclaimed and relentlessly playlisted and airplayed hits from the rising UK EDM producer who always thinks forward and takes his fans into the future of electronica with his innovative approach to alchemising aural ecstasy.

Feeling of XTC broke the EDM mould with its short and exhilaratingly sweet 2-minute duration. The succinct whirlwind of massive beats, build-ups so intense you may forget to breathe, and gravity-defying crescendos created a kinetically electrifying platform for the crystalline-with-soul female pop vocals to allude to the immense power of falling in love.

If anything can come close to the feeling of surrendering to someone completely and the subsequent addiction to the way that person makes you feel, it’s this monolith of an earworm which carries endless cross-over appeal. The sporadic tumultuous touches to the production became an efficacious sonic visualisation of love’s capacity to shake you to your core, leave you head over heels, and out of touch with gravity.

Feeling of XTC was officially released on February 23; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ty Ellenbogen unveiled the heart of modern RnB with ‘Stolen Time’

Posted on 4 March 2024

Ty Ellenbogen’s latest single and seminal piece of his Day by Day EP is a contemporary continuation of the ever-evolving RnB genre, which carries all the timeless soul of the greats. In Stolen Time, the singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer’s evocative vocal range shines as the melodious jazzy neo-pop instrumentals groove, shimmer, and envelop you in swathes of kaleidoscopic colour.

If The Weeknd, Drake and Frank Ocean are always in rotation on your playlists, you’ll easily accommodate this slick-with-innovation release that makes no bones about cutting to the candourous core of his bitter-sweet lament on investing in someone intent on deceiving their way through the dating pool.

The 20-year-old Nashville-hailing RnB Pop artist has been cutting his teeth in the music industry for the past 12 years and writing and recording original music for the past three. With his debut EP, he did more than prove to be a force to be reckoned with; he gave you a reason to fall head over sonic heels.

Stolen Time was officially released on February 23; stream the single and EP on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Pablo Laguna exposed the shadow side of neo-classical electronica in ‘Apnoea’

Posted on 28 February 2024

Madrid’s most striking composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer, Pablo Laguna, built on the foundation laid by the release of his 2019 debut album, Gradus Ad  Delirium, by unleashing his unnervingly commanding album, Is Not the Land, featuring the standout instrumental score, Apnoea. The haunting sonic narrative is a compelling dive into the depths of contemporary experimental music.

Born from the mind of a composer who seamlessly blends classical training with a punk ethos, Apnoea is a masterful fusion of neo-classical orchestral strings with unsettling electronic elements.

The disquietingly arrestive soundscape is far from the conventional cinematic neo-classical path; the horror elements are beyond Lynchian as they almost veer into baroque electronic folk territory. The synths quiver and shake as much as the electronic aesthetics to deliver a poignant reflection of our tumultuous times. Even with the jarring elements in this shadow side of neo-classical electronica, you can’t help but be hypnotised by the arcanely nefarious atmosphere.

Stream Pablo Laguna’s LP, Is Not the Land, in full via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Put Material Reality in the Rearview Mirror with Zac Zhan’s Alt-Pop Ear Unicorn, Fantasy Fantasy

Posted on 27 February 2024

Zac Zhan is in his euphoric element in Fantasy Fantasy, a track that defies convention and carries you to a new realm by taking you on a vibrational voyage that you’ll want to embark on time after time. If you want to be transported beyond the confines of the ordinary and the chaos of reality, hit play on the mesmerising blend of dance-pop, alt-pop, house and hip-hop, which pulsates with infectiously kinetic energy.

The artist and producer meticulously crafted Fantasy Fantasy from its lyrically intimate inception to its exhilarant production climax. It’s a hyper-pop masterpiece that not only showcases Zac’s vibrant approach to music but also cements his commitment to providing a haven for an ever-expanding fanbase.

The track’s 8bit-esque instrumentals weave a captivating fantasyscape, engulfing the listener from the outset. Zac’s vocals, both electrifying and eccentric, enhance the track’s wildly exhilarating aura with a sense of playful, unbridled enthusiasm. For those who find solace in the sounds of Charli XCX, Grimes, or Carly Rae Jepsen, Zac Zhan’s Fantasy Fantasy is a must-listen and a vibrant echo of freedom in the realm of hyper-pop.

Zac Zhan said:  

“To create Fantasy Fantasy, I embarked on a deeply personal and introspective journey, one that mirrors the complexities of the human condition and the perennial quest for solace in a world brimming with chaos. The lyrics, steeped in vivid imagery and raw emotion express a universal longing for escape, a utopia amidst the trials of life.

I wanted to invite listeners to envision a world where they are the architects of their happiness. It’s a call to embrace the beauty of creation and the freedom that comes from releasing the burdens of the past.”

Fantasy Fantasy was officially released on January 18th; stream the single on Spotify.

Stay up to date with all the latest releases from Zac Zhan via Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Bluku: A Fusion Firestorm of Culture and Beats by Hype and Fever

Posted on 20 February 2024

Hype and Fever lived up to their moniker with their universally magnetic standout single, Bluku. The monocultural mould was rhythmically obliterated by the pulse-pounding kinetic melodies in the synthesis of Jamaican, Indian, and UK sonic culture.

If you like your beats hot, your bass heavy, and your rhythms tight, let your speakers ignite to the sound of the UK-residing duo which melds bansuri flutes with dancehall kicks to create a kaleidoscope of hybridic culture in their self-produced beats which pay an ode to their Jamaican and Indian heritage.

The explosively vibrant smorgasbord of culture delivers a burst of colour as Hype and Fever create friction on the instrumentals with their distinctively dominant bars that bring energy, fire, and enigmatic flair to ensure Bluku unravels as a dynamically intense release that is far too addictive to quit.

The momentum around Hype and Fever is only growing; be a part of their ascent.

Hype and Fever is now available to stream on YouTube, or you can add the release to your playlists.

To follow the next moves of the brother duo, link up on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Elevate your playlists with Tom Gimson’s architecturally inspired ambient electronica piece, Ridge

Posted on 11 February 2024

Tom Gimson’s latest single ‘Ridge‘ reflects his richly multi-faceted creativity as a London-based multi-media artist; the track is a journey through complex intersections of music, film, and architecture. Gimson, with his background as a performing saxophonist, composer, and crew member in the UK’s commercial photography and film industry, brings a unique perspective to his craft, and ‘Ridge’ is a shining example of this.

The single begins with the pulse of a heartbeat, a foundational rhythm that sets the stage for a multi-layered auditory experience. From this simple beginning, ‘Ridge’ builds into a complex tapestry of sound. The use of scintillating droning synth lines introduces elements of discordance, creating a striking contrast with the euphonically melodious core of the track. This intentional juxtaposition and use of more exotic percussive fills breaks the mono-cultural mould, showcasing Gimson’s ability to challenge conventional musical boundaries.

The amalgamative nature of the sonic catharsis and harbingering tones in the track elucidates the harsh realities of our social tapestry, inviting listeners to engage with the music on a deeper, more introspective level. Sink in, and sink into yourself.

Ridge was officially released on February 2nd; stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Let go of the tangible and embrace the ethereal with Ltronnika’s latest release, Drifting Away

Posted on 7 February 2024

As an ambient electronica producer, Ltronnika stands as a figure shrouded in mystery, yet their enigmatic presence has done little to dim the allure for their legions of fans. With their latest release, ‘Drifting Away’, Ltronnika sculpted an auditory experience that transcends the mundane and washes away every echo of anxiety.

The instrumental release is a paradox of simplicity and complexity. It’s as if Ltronnika has distilled the essence of a dream and set it to music. The track begins with a subtle, almost understated elegance, but as it progresses it reveals layers of sound that are both intricate and immersive. The use of piano keys is an infallible artistic statement; each note, a brushstroke, adding depth and emotion to this sonic canvas.

Drifting Away is a journey, but not one with a clear destination. Instead, it invites listeners to lose themselves in the experience, to let go of the tangible and embrace the ethereal. The ambient leftfield house elements serve as a guide, leading you through an otherworldly landscape. Do yourself a favour, and dive in.

Drifting Away was officially released on January 30th; check out the single on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Get in Rhythm with Katerpilla’s Latest Electronica Dreamscape, Shadow Dance

Posted on 3 February 2024

Shadow Dance, a pivotal track from Katerpilla’s latest LP, Sneaking in a Dream, is synthesised sugar for the pill; an aural antidote for the frenetic momentum of the modern era, which defies the conventional boundaries of electronica.

Katerpilla, known offstage as Matthew Chamberlain, weaved a minimalist yet profoundly intricate soundscape that both challenges and seduces the listener; it’s a sophisticated interplay of rhythm and melody.  The genius of Shadow Dance lies in its ability to marry the mechanical with the melodic. Katerpilla’s architectural background shines through in his meticulous construction of sound. Each note and beat is carefully placed, creating a structure that is as robust as it is ethereal.

Sneaking in a Dream signifies a bold step forward from Katerpilla’s debut, Chase the City. While the essence of his creative process remains – the fusion of sounds from diverse synths – there’s a noticeable shift towards a more refined, less layered approach. This stripped-back style results in a darker, more immersive sound, distinct in its genre.

Shadow Dance is a testament to Katerpilla’s skill as a producer. His superlative ability to submerge his audience into hypnotic introspection is unrivalled.  It’s a piece that doesn’t just resonate; it transcends, marking Katerpilla as a visionary artist in a genre that thrives on innovation.

Katerpilla’s new album, Sneaking in a Dream, will be available to stream on all major platforms from February 2nd. Stream it on SoundCloud first.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Goshok’s Make It Right is a Tropic House Triumph of Fervid Soul and Blistering Hot Beats

Posted on 1 February 2024

Goshok started his latest tropic house pop hit, Make It Right, with an instant hook to cleanly cut through the layers of sound and instantaneously leave a lasting impression. From there on out, Make It Right is a masterclass in how to arrange tension and release; from the transcendence in the oscillating builds to the bursts of euphoria in the breaks, every progressive twist and turn will lead you further into the genius of Goshok. The scintillatingly curated sonics amplify the visceralism within the lyricism and vocals, which scorch with the heat of an old flame that you can’t bring yourself to reduce to ash and embers.

At 27 years old, the Czech producer, DJ and songwriter has effortlessly surpassed his influences and definitively come into his own as an EDM artist. If he keeps producing tracks in the same flawlessly deeply affecting vein as Make It Right, which will make you move and move you simultaneously, there’s no reason he can’t be bigger than his greatest influence, Kygo – especially as he will continue to drop hits throughout 2024.

The official video for Make It Right premiered on January 5th. Stream the video on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast