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Reggae

Skunk Funk pulled back the curtain with reggae-rock ska-punk single ‘Welcome to the Freakshow’

Posted on 4 March 2021
Skunk Soup by Skunk Funk

If you could imagine what it would sound like if Insane Clown Posse grew up, gained some debonair flair and a reggae-rock ska-punk style, you’ll get a good idea of what to expect from Skunk Funk’s latest single ‘Welcome to the Freakshow’.  Funk has never been more theatrical.

With sunny staccato rhythms around cutting post-punk tones and elements of surf rock and nu-metal thrown in for good measure, Skunk Funk’s sound went far beyond psychedelic and wandered into the realms of absurdity – and that’s no bad thing. Skunk Funk delivered a unifying track bound to appeal to the outliers of society who were strange before reality became a hyper-normalised recipe for serotonin deprivation.

Welcome to the Freakshow is available to stream and download via Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ivan Ortega crosses borders and breaks boundaries with his Latin soul pop single ‘Sunday Morning’

Posted on 26 February 2021

The evolution of Latin pop has a brand-new trajectory after Ivan Ortega released their latest single ‘Sunday Morning’. Sunday may be the most sung-about morning of the week but sharing Sunday Morning vibes with Ivan Ortega’s funk-layered mix will definitely break up any weekly monotony you’re feeling. It’s a 3-minute escape into straight-from-the-soul passion paired with unforgettably mellifluous melodies which are far too tempting to resist sinking into. The staccato chords pull you in, while Ivan Ortega’s vocals make sure you stay grounded.

With hints of hip hop, reggae, r&b and pop all weaved into the cathartic high-vibe single, it’s clear that Ivan Ortega creates without restraint.

While some artists write lyrics which leave people with unrealistic romantic expectations, Ivan Ortega remains unapologetically authentic. Between the deep grooves and soulful accordance, you’ll find hints of gritty salacious passion which allows this seductively sweet sun-soaked track to resonate with realism.

Sunday Morning is available to stream on all platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

In the mood for having fun: Damola Davis bring the heat with the catchy gem ‘Oshomo’

Posted on 22 February 2021

Damola Davis returns with his charmingly pleasing style to get the party started, on the freshly-brewed bass sounds of ‘Oshomo‘.

Nigeria-raised, UK-born Afrobeats/Dancehall artist Adedamola Ogundipe aka Damola Davis, makes the type of music that gets you out of the corner of the club and into the limelight. With a voice that gets you smiling, he projects a vibe that you can’t help but like and you feel compelled to groove the whole night.

After spending most of his childhood in Ibadan, Nigeria-you can feel his pure love for making that true sound as music runs through his veins. This is a man with an inner knowledge of what the people want and he delivers here with a song that makes dancers out of novices.

A diverse artist who has been in bands before and tried out different genres, it feels like he is happy with this particular sound for now and is only going to get better like fine wine. His vocals are exciting like scoring a 89th minute free kick to win the World Cup and with a beat that is so hot you might get sunstroke in the blazing heat, this is a winner all the way.

‘Oshomo‘ from the exciting talent Damola Davis is that Dancehall fused sound that blends rather smoothly with a taste of Afrobeats, to get you in the mood to up your confidence level. He has an illuminating personality that makes him stand out from the rest and this is the song you turn on if everyone is bored with the DJ, as you know the audience will be dancing again thanks to this gem of a single.

Stream this bouncy party track on Spotify and see more on his IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Helping her repair the broken heart: Wønder is terrific on new Reggaeton/Latino-Trap track ‘Mejor Sola’

Posted on 10 February 2021

Wønder brings us a wonderful Spanish-language single to immerse ourselves into on the new release called ‘Mejor Sola‘.

Translated to ‘Better Alone‘ in English, this is the relatable story about being there for a friend when she has her heart broken by another man. He threw her heart into the trash, as he was selfish and you were there to pick up the pieces. You are watching her party away her pain which is hard for you to bare, but you must help her, as you are a kind heart and don’t want to see her hurt anymore.

Gustavo Maravilla Cruz, aka Wønder, is a Mexican Latino-Trap and Reggaeton singer-songwriter, and music producer from West Pittsburgh in California, USA. He makes that smooth music that helps your heart heal, while also getting your body to move and groove just right. This is a man who has been doing what he loves since very young, as he was brought into music by his parents who have blessed him with this rare gift and feeling the sounds, all over his body.

His voice echos sweetly through the simmering speakers and you feel a calming energy while listening to him. He brings a caring sensation and the excellent beat is a pleasurable experience on the heartbroken soul inside.

‘Mejor Sola‘ from the marvelously talented USA/Mexican artist Wønder, is a sensational song that makes you a bit sad, feeling reflective and also has you thinking of those times that you were let down, and how you rose to fixing your heart again. This is a passionate song that hits the heights of your inner-most desires, and has you joining in on the song, singing at the top of your lungs while learning Spanish at the same time.

Perhaps being alone for now is okay if it means you won’t be hurt. Finding that special person that cares about you deep inside, is what we are all looking for after all.

Stream this exciting and flamboyant Latino track on YouTube and see more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Flow has brought RnB into a new era with ‘Where You Been’

Posted on 15 January 2021
https://soundcloud.com/flowsadventure/where-you-been

North Carolina RnB Soul pioneer, Flow, released his latest sun-soaked hit ‘Where You Been’ on December 11th, with elements of Deep House and Afrobeat weaved in, it’s impossible not to catch the infectious high vibes.

While playfully experimental progressions allow glitchy beats to add to the energy of the smooth RnB melodies, Flow gives you an idea of how he came about his moniker. By switching between soul-dripping crooning and energising Rap verses, there isn’t a moment in the track which will allow your attention to falter from the fresh ingenuity on offer.

You can check out Flow’s latest single via Soundcloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

3ripleD has dropped their blazing blasé single ‘I Don’t Mind’

Posted on 26 December 2020

Rolling, thumping, and with some sublime flow, comes Dallas-based 3ripleD’s new single ‘I Don’t Mind’. Leading into his new album ‘Practice Makes Perfect’, ‘I Don’t Mind’ is fast, cracking hip hop, all metaphor and lyrical poetry, delivered in a sing-song vocal overdramatic chiming synth, bass, and beats.

It’s an excellent sampler for 3ripleD’s work, reminiscent of artists like Lil’ Wayne, Biggie Smalls, 2 Chains, or Young Money. 3ripleD is clearly a talented artist with plenty to say, his rhythmic and elegiac delivery matched by the composition of the track behind. Look out for the full ‘Practice Makes Perfect’ album, and check out ‘I Don’t Mind’ right now.

Hear ‘I Don’t Mind’ on Spotify; check out 3ripleD on Facebook.

Review by Alex Holmes

In-between the party: Cozy Danger drop brand new honest single ‘Where Are All My Dogs At’

Posted on 24 December 2020

Taken off the brand new album called ‘Invincible Dog Story‘, ‘Where Are All My Dogs At‘ is the fresh new track from the mellow dudes from Cozy Danger as they greet the animals at the house party first.

This is the story of how you want to be at the party so bad, over think it, decide to go but you take so long to get there, you are sweating by the time you arrive. Once you get to the party, you seem more keen to say hi to the dogs rather than party with the humans.

The authentic indie rock track has shades of reggae and this is a really fun and honest listen with a story that you will probably make you smile, if you have dealt with anxiety when going to a party before. The cool kids are looking and you don’t want to make a fool out of yourself. Ultimately however, enjoying yourself and not caring what anyone else thinks is the best way to go in life. This is easier said than done but definitely possible.

Cozy Danger are quality on ‘Where Are All My Dogs At‘ as they sing with so much honesty and this is a real look inside how some people struggle when going out, while others either are chilled and comfortable, or others have some Daddy or Mommy sodas to forget how you really feel.

Hear the new single on Spotify and follow their socials via IG & FB.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Kel Domo is set to liven up your Hip Hop playlists with their hedonistically sun-kissed single ‘Mardi Gras’

Posted on 18 December 2020
Kel Domo

‘Mardi Gras’ is the forthcoming single from Hip Hop luminary, Kel Domo. With a hypnotic flow and the artist’s boundless energy, it’s a track with the capacity to adrenalize even the world-weariest Hip Hop fans.

Kel Domo’s blazing high-vibe hit will undoubtedly make a lot of people feel infinitely better about missing out in the annual hedonism fix. With Mardi Gras on your playlists, there’s no reason why you can’t celebrate and indulge all year round.

You’ll have to wait a little longer before you can check out Mardi Gras for yourselves which will be released in 2021 as part of Kel Domo’s mixtape. In the meantime, you can head over to their SoundCloud and check out their earlier releases.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nana Motobi has dropped their high-vibe hustler anthem ‘Paper’

Posted on 17 December 2020
http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1540266765?ls=1&app=itunes

Vibes don’t come much higher than the ones oozing from breaking Alt Hip Hop artist Nana Motobi’s latest release ‘Paper’.

The spaciously sun-kissed melodies set the upraising tone while Nana Motobi breaks the monocultural mould by weaving in Jamaican Reggae vibes and experimenting with an African Pidgen Rap style. More refreshingly, Nana Motobi veers away from the usual Hip Hop narrative when it comes to riches and excess. While many artists are flaunting the luxury that they’ve hired for the weekend, this ground-breaking artist cooked up an anthem for anyone who knows the hustle is real. The hustle will undoubtedly be made a lot easier for Reggae Hip Hop fans with Paper on their playlists.

You can check out Paper for yourselves by heading over to Apple Music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Orange Joe has delivered an off the Richter Hip Hop hard-hitter with ‘Royal Blue’

Posted on 30 November 2020

Bounding into play like an excitable puppy chasing its own tail and looking expectantly for belly-rubs comes Orange Joe’s ‘Royal Blue’, all 1’43” of Akon-meets-Arrested Development grooving hip hop charm. It grinds, it’s got serious flow, there’s humour and irony in the lyrics but there’s serious bump’n’grind in the track too.

‘Royal Blue’ is audacious, full of pep and vitality, a proper party hip hop summer track, all lowrider and air-suspension of a tune with lift and drop and full-on, funky in-your-face charm.

See the video for ‘Royal Blue’ on YouTube; check out Orange Joe, and the Purple Spirit project, here.

Review by Alex Holmes