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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

Victorrio came in hot & heavy with his alt-RnB debut, I Would Never

Posted on 10 March 2024

Victorrio’s debut single, I Would Never, marks a compelling entrance into the alt-RnB scene. He came in hot and heavy with the narrative journey which bares his battle scars and weaves through the complexities of romantic turmoil with a finesse that belies his newcomer status.

It’s a genre-defying piece, effortlessly melding elements of stylised soul with a trappy backbeat and pop-inflected production. The brooding effects that add layers of depth and intrigue will undoubtedly resonate with fans of The Weeknd, yet Victorrio carved out his own niche within this familiar territory while exploring the darker side of love. If you’ve ever been burned in ways that leave you perplexed by a romantic partner’s capacity for ruthless malevolence, I Would Never is the ultimate aural salve for heartless iniquity.

To make I Would Never even more affecting, his voice, smooth yet commanding, delivers each line with an alchemic mix of vulnerability and strength and each verse unravels as an intimate vignette. By using his experimentalism as a narrative device which mirrors the track’s tormented thematic elements, I Would Never became haunting and alluring, innovative and introspective in equal measure. Naturally, we can’t wait to hear what follows.

I Would Never was officially released on February 9th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rokeby’s Cover of What is Love is an Arcane Sermon of Mourning, Desperation and Torment

Posted on 10 March 2024

For his debut single, the London-based up-and-coming artist, Rokeby, proved what difference a minor key can make when he melancholically reinvented the 1993 single, What is Love, which was a flood of euphoric momentum under Haddaway’s dance pop duress.

The acoustic rendering of the single completely recontextualised the lyricism; the minor key piano notes and the gospel-esque soulfully profound vocal harmonies allowed the cover to unravel as an arcane sermon of mourning, desperation and torment. The ethereal production which sees his vocal range defy gravity swims in sincerity, inviting you to get lost in the undercurrents of agony inflicted by the absence of affection or the presence of imperfect love.

By taking inspiration from Hozier, Tom Odell, Bon Iver, Freya Ridings and David Kushner for this track and the rest of his forthcoming EP, which was co-written and produced with Tom Fuller, Rokeby is set to become the UK’s biggest evocateur of 2024.

Rokeby’s debut single was officially released on February 21st; stream the single on Spotify, and keep the artist on your radar for the launch of his debut EP, which will follow in 2024.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Molly Warburton is Pop Panache Perfection in ‘Overdrive’

Posted on 9 March 2024

Molly Warburton’s latest single, ‘Overdrive‘, is permission to break free from life’s relentless rhythm and sink into a melody that floods into the soul. The alt-electro-pop manifesto will liberate anyone who knows how it feels to be at the mercy of the frenetic pace of modernity, the crucifixions of insecurity and the trappings of romantic complexity.

It is a bold step in Warburton’s evolving discography through its defiance of pop convention; Overdrive draws inspiration from the likes of HAIM, Dagny, and Self Esteem, allowing Warburton to weave a rich sonic fabric that is both nostalgic and forward-looking. The song is a masterful blend of 80s synthpop and 90s dance-pop, infused with innovative vocal effects and harmonic layering that set a new standard in vocal dynamism.

The track’s production is a testament to Warburton’s inventive approach to piercing through the plastic pop veil. The lyrics and melodies intertwine to create a poignantly exhilarating anthem, serving as a powerful reminder to step back and gain perspective on life’s journey.

Having already made her mark on renowned playlists and festival stages, the UK-based singer-songwriter is on a sure-fire trajectory to the top. Be a part of her ascent and hit play.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lizzie Hill put all her emotions on the line in ‘Dirty Laundry’

Posted on 4 March 2024

If you never got over t.A.T.u.’s hit single, All the Things She Said, Lizzie Hill’s latest single, Dirty Laundry, which uses oscillating synth lines and delicately evocative vocals in the same vein, has all the makings of your new favourite perennial pop earworm.

Blending the etherealism of dream pop with the hooks of a synthpop anthem, Dirty Laundry lays it all out on the line in the intimately electrifying production, which proves that the Cornwall-residing singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist’s talents belie her years.

As the lyrics relay a relatable vignette of how friendships can turn sour in a sequence of imbittering progressions, Lizzie Hill projects swathes of morose emotion in her perfectly pitched vocal lines while ensuring Dirty Laundry remains a soulfully euphonic anthem of liberation from the toxic ties that bind you to people determined to diminish your self-worth.

It’s a stunningly creative and affectingly cathartic release through and through and a clear sign that the singer-songwriter has exactly what it takes to dominate the pop domain in 2024.

Dirty Laundry will be officially released on March 1st; stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ami Leigh darkened Americana’s Door with the Luxe Beguile in Her Ground-breaking Single, Foretold ft Neil Gibson

Posted on 3 March 2024

Ami Leigh, hailing from County Durham, UK, has long been an aurally beguiling chameleon. Her latest single, Foretold, marks a striking foray into country rock, infused with the essence of Portishead and the chill of rock-licked post-punk.

Foretold is a poignant narrative of doomed love regaled through Leigh’s crystalline vocal lines. Her voice, imbued with soulful clarity, weaves through the hauntingly reimagined Americana soundscape, creating a contrast that is both striking and harmonious. The cold, instrumental chill she introduces strips the genre of its traditional warmth, yet the ensuing guitar solos ignite a familiar country rock fire. This juxtaposition is Leigh’s genius, offering a fresh, yet respectful nod to her influences, ranging from The Cure to Pink Floyd.

Neil Gibson’s contribution cannot be overlooked. His guitar work echoes the emotional turbulence of the song’s narrative while elevating the release and adding layers of complexity and familiarity, ensuring Americana aficionados won’t feel lost in the artfully arcane textures. Foretold doesn’t just belong to the country rock genre; it expands it.

If you have ever endured a relationship fated to meet an ugly demise and come out the other side imbittered by your own naivety, expect Foretold to hit hard as the guitars shimmer and the harmonies bring you to rapture.

Watch the official music video for Ami Leigh’s latest single on YouTube, add it to your Spotify playlists, or purchase the track on Apple Music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lauren Kidd highlighted the obscurity of modern romanticism in her infectious pop hit, Conversations with Strangers

Posted on 29 February 2024

If any up-and-coming pop artist has what it takes to become the voice of her generation, it is the self-taught Queens, NY-hailing luminary Lauren Kidd with her Conversations with Strangers EP.

The title track begins with a raw, bedroom indie pop prelude before blossoming into an infectious electro-pop earworm with a backbeat that rhythmically compels you to lean in and surrender to the tempo of the anthem. The transition is seamless, showcasing Kidd’s knack for blending intimate storytelling with a broader, more universal pop appeal.

The song’s upbeat tempo belies its deeper exploration of the risks we take in our interactions with strangers, trusting them with our most vulnerable selves. Kidd navigates this paradox with a deft touch, maintaining an energy reminiscent of a Taylor Swift hit, yet layered with a complexity that is uniquely her own.

Whether or not she intended the track to radically transform the way you perceive the danger-fraught trappings of romanticism, she achieved it. It is no surprise that so many pop fans are glued to her playlist staples.

With melodies that inch their way into your psyche and refuse to leave, her personality-infused harmonies and the clear songwriting stripes stretched through the progressions, Lauren Kidd is a triple threat in the music industry.

The Conversations with Strangers EP was officially released on February 23; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Parker Kay – The Grey: a refreshingly intimate RnB exposition of affection in the age of the iPhone

Posted on 29 February 2024

If artists got to the top of the charts based on the relatability of their lyrics alone, Vancouver’s Parker Kay’s latest single, The Grey, would have shot right to the top of the RnB charts. In a genre that gives Hollywood a run for its money when it comes to setting unrealistic expectations, this definitively modern love story is a refreshingly intimate exposition of affection in the age of the iPhone and awareness of idiosyncratic attachment styles.

Starting with a confession of how he pretends not to light up just as much as his screen when seeing a message and bides his time to give the illusion he’s busy, you can’t help but lyrically lock into the hit as the indie RnB grooves pop in the instrumental arrangement.

The single only becomes more addictive from there on out as Parker Kay bares his romantic scars over the synthesis of electronic synthetics, trap beats, pop hooks, RnB melodies, and soulfully magnetic vocal lines that keep an even-keel while the lyricism drifts from the ache of agony to the dream-like state of infatuation.

The Grey has a fair way to go before it racks up as many streams as Parker Kay’s viral hit, sorry, I like you too, which was created in collaboration with Burbank and garnered over 5 million streams on Spotify alone, but it is more than worthy.

The Grey was officially released on January 26th. Stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jessie Berkshires – Enough: An Ethereal Synth-Soaked Lesson in Self-Discovery

Posted on 29 February 2024

Jessie Berkshires’ latest single, Enough, is a masterful blend of alt-pop finesse and 80s nostalgia, wrapped in a neon glow of modernity and soulful conviction. The single opens with Berkshires’ ethereal harmonies which weightlessly drift across the stabbing synth lines.

The intro’s melodic foundation sets the stage for a rhythmically compelling backbeat that kicks against the rest of the reverb-swathed instrumentation to create an immersive experience reminiscent of a neon-drenched dreamscape.

Berkshires’ vocal delivery is a study in artful beguile, echoing the haunting allure of Kate Bush. Her voice, a serene yet strident force, weaves through the track, delivering catharsis and conviction with equal measure. The lyrics, a poignant reflection on independence and empowerment, resonate with a poetic clarity that strikes at the heart.

The track’s production is a deft mix of contemporary magnetism and retro charm. Imagine pouring Warpaint’s style into The Human League’s mould, and you’re close to the unique cocktail that is ‘Enough’. It’s a sound that’s as deliciously poured as it is thoughtfully concocted.

In ‘Enough’, Jessie Berkshires offers a lesson in how to blend past and present, pain and hope, into a track that’s as empowering as it is enchanting.

Enough arrived on the airwaves on February 16. Stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Igloo Hearts exhibited a new installation of art-folk in their ornately rendered vignette, Watering Can

Posted on 27 February 2024

Igloo Hearts’ latest offering, ‘Watering Can‘, is a masterful blend of folk sensibilities with a touch of baroque elegance. This single, emerging from the heart of Wrexham, positions the married duo as a folk force to be reckoned with while echoing the artistry of legends like Tori Amos, Kate Bush, and Mitski.

Katie Macgregor’s soprano vocals are the centrefold of the art-folk piece. Her haunting and ethereal timbres, cascade over the keys, enveloping the listener in a cocoon of timeless yet contemporary flair. The emotion conveyed through her performance is palpable, resonating with a depth that speaks to the soul.

Watering Can is an arresting showcase of their captivating sound, marked by classical piano, mesmerising chord progressions, and flawless harmonies, influenced by Jesca Hoop, Radiohead, and Kate Bush. The duo’s refined musicianship has earned them recognition as runners-up in the Purbeck Folk Rising Competition and Radio Wigwam’s Awards along with numerous BBC Introducing radio plays. Their live performances, held at esteemed venues like the Liverpool Philharmonic and Llangollen International Eisteddfod have received critical praise from across the board.

As they continue to gain acclaim, including an upcoming feature on the Channel 4 series ‘The Piano’, any self-respecting folk fan will want Igloo Hearts on their radar.

Watering Can was officially released on February 16. Stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast