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Chenzo joined the guitar greats with his instrumental score, The Greatest Adventure

Posted on 20 October 2024

Chenzo’s latest instrumental guitar single, The Greatest Adventure, is a dualistic triumph, an exhibition of technical skill, simultaneously standing as a testament to resilience. After a career nearly severed by hand surgeries, Chenzo returned from the brink to deliver a sound that fuses the intricacies of math rock with the timeless energy of classic rock, proving he’s earned his place in the riff-master pantheon.

The Greatest Adventure cathartically awakens your rhythmic pulses as the interwoven notes defy conventional time signatures while melt-worthy progressions strip the weight from your soul. The expansive soundscape surges with energy, punctuated by drum fills and bursts of momentum that give the track its pulse. Stick with the score, and you’ll be treated to riffs that echo the greats of the genre—proof that Chenzo’s shredding skills haven’t just endured, they’ve evolved.

Years of recovery have refined his sound, allowing for a more structured, concise approach to songwriting. No longer limited to shredding for shredding’s sake, Chenzo’s music now affectingly resonates through melodies that resolve with the clarity of a vocal line, creating a connection beyond technicality.

Stream the official music video for The Greatest Adventure on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Matt Baker wrapped the wonder of wanderlust up in his latest Americana-tinged indie alt-country panorama, Planes, Trains & Cars

Posted on 20 October 2024

For his latest seminal release, Planes, Trains & Cars, the singer-songwriter and endlessly adept multi-instrumentalist Matt Baker twanged hints of honkytonk Americana into an indie alt-country pop romanticised installation of wanderlust. As the sonic equivalent of Jack Kerouac, the New Jersey-hailing artist sonically visualised the irreplicable feeling of hitting the road and clocking up the miles to bring you closer to the person in the passenger seat.

Accompanied by the music video, the cinematic road trip playlist staple finessed the feel-good factor, acting as a homage to Baker’s stripes as an audio engineer and visual artist and his dedication to amplifying the thematic resonance in everything he touches. Planes, Trains & Cars is just one of the tracks he’s turned to gold with his ability to paint panoramic vignettes with his evocatively timbered, expansively intimate vocal lines.

Stream the official music video for Planes, Trains & Cars on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lauren Ash scorched the pop-punk sphere with her trailblazingly vindicating earworm, Pathological

Posted on 18 October 2024
Lauren Ash

The pop-punk Billboard chart-topper Lauren Ash has been trailblazing her way through the industry since her debut single; with her latest hit, Pathological, she started a fire that could rival the inferno Dante walked through.

Nailing the Y2K pop-punk aesthetic, Ash intravenously infused swathes of nostalgia in the release, which finds an exhilaratingly cerebral way to protest against people glamorising mental illness-derived idiosyncrasies. The unfuckwithably emboldening lyrics reach their peak with, “You think I’m sexy, but I’m broken… you think I’m passionate or just irrational, no baby, I’m pathological.”

Sonically, Ash fuses the scintillating indietronica motifs of Shiny Toy Guns, the demure seduction of Garbage and hints of No Doubt with a little bit of Avril Lavigne to heighten the choruses, synthesising a sonic signature that scorches its way through the assimilative mundanity of the pop-punk scene. Clearly, she’s not here to play, she’s here to reign supreme.

Pathological will be available to stream and purchase on all major platforms from October 18th. Find your preferred way to listen via Lauren Ash’s official website.

Connect with the artist via TikTok and Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sonia Stein became pop’s most scintillating conduit of soul with her single, Blooming Season

Posted on 14 October 2024

When she’s not flitting between Warsaw and London, the icon of soulful pop hooks, Sonia Stein, is honing her sonic signature, which scribes through nuances of RnB, electronica and pop while writing a legacy that the music industry would struggle to lose to history.

Her latest single and the title single for her upcoming LP, Blooming Season, sees her vocally find the middle ground between Swift and Lady Gaga as synth lines strobe beneath her arcane vocal timbre and the syncopated beats kick adrenaline into the mix which is wrapped in an aura of pure scintillation. Equally as affecting as the production by Duit, are the lyrical underpinnings, which explore the bliss of finally letting down your walls and letting love in without the fear of losing everything you’ve emotionally invested in.

My only complaint is that Sonia Stein isn’t sitting at the top of the Billboard charts after unleashing this earworm which even the most rhythmically steadfast will feel themselves melting into.

Sonia Stein’s single, Blooming Season, was officially released on October 8th; stream the single on Spotify.

Follow the artist on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with news of the upcoming Blooming Season Part 1 LP.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tariq.B entered the melodic rock pantheon with his single, You Keep My World Alight

Posted on 12 October 2024

Tariq.B joined Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell in the pantheon of rock evocateurs with his latest melodic rock emotional awakening, You Keep My World Alight, which will unearth feelings you didn’t know lingered in the sediment of your soul.

The song’s title cleverly underplays the vivid romanticism and raw pop-rock melodies that pulse at the heart of this panorama of raw, vulnerable passion which once and for all proves that romance isn’t dead in our era proliferated by strands of superficial connection.

You Keep My World Alight is an undeniable attestation to how the Pakistan-born, Southwest London-residing artist has mastered the art of acoustic sensitivity; every guitar chord hits a raw nerve as the progressions flow with cinematic sepia-tinged imagery and the warm glow of alt-90s tones.

Famed for his live performances across the UK, international airplay and plaudits from BBC Introducing, Tariq.B is well on his way to filling stadiums as wholly as he fuels souls with his sound. He’s a rare artist who instantly makes you feel at home in his honeyed and honed vocal timbre.

You Keep My World Alight is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Through the Wire: The Poetic Resonance of Mike Maurice’s ‘Telephone’

Posted on 11 October 2024

Mike Maurice’s latest single, ‘Telephone‘ intercepted the static of formulaic melodies by belying the minimalist instrumentalism with the profound euphony in the production. Nestled within the contours of indie folk and brushed with Americana hues, telephone orchestrates an ambient symphony where the instrumentals speak as profoundly as the lyrics.

Maurice’s skill in merging soul-stirring acoustic layers with his poignant narrative stitches together a sonic space where the deeply, almost shamefully, personal transmutes into the universally relatable.

telephone intertwines the melancholy of isolation with a lyrical richness that peaks with the confession, “I want the truth so bad I’d even lie.” This line alone encapsulates the dual nature of truth and deception, weaving them into the fabric of the affecting release, which was born through a collaboration between Mike Maurice and Danny Black of Good Old War and a pedal steel player from Gregory Alan Isakov’s ensemble.

From the rustic town of Biddeford, Maine, Mike Maurice has made a name for himself, coming out of the shadows of the John Mayer and Bon Iver comparisons. Maurice, alongside his seven-piece ensemble, continues to foster a sense of community at each performance, their collective sound reverberating through venues renowned and intimate alike.

Telephone will be available to stream on all major platforms, including YouTube, from October 11th.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Red Lips and Chanel Armour: Ches Barrow’s “Parisian Chic” Unveils the Femme Fatale Mystique

Posted on 10 October 2024
Ches Barrow

More Parisian than wearing a red lip and Chanel No. 5, Ches Barrow’s latest single, Parisian Chic, reaches the pinnacle of suave sophistication. With lively piano melodies bubbling beneath Barrow’s demure harmonies, the cabaret pop hit encapsulates a femme fatale’s power and mystique with a striking style befitting the track title.

This single, which sees Barrow return with the Schimmel piano she has composed on since she was 8, exhibits her as an artist who is as style-conscious in fashion as she is in music. Known for her success in the fashion world, collaborating with the likes of Dior and Manolo Blahnik, Barrow fuses her aesthetic with her sonic identity; the results are nothing short of alchemic.

The melody, which remains poised before descending into chaotic beauty in the second verse, mirrors the emotional depth of her lyrics – where glamour masks a world of internal turmoil. Much like her previous hit, Wild, this single is a reflection of Barrow’s talent for capturing complex emotions and translating them into art that scratches far beyond the surface.

With her love of dark, introspective themes clashing against a backdrop of superficial perfection, Parisian Chic sees Barrow at her most raw and empowered. If any single can elevate her status in the alt-pop world, it’s this.

Parisian Chic was officially released on October 9th; stream the single on all major platforms, including SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

A Crystalline Cathedral of Sound: The Sleepless Elite’s ‘Glass’ Reimagines Heartbreak

Posted on 1 October 2024

From humble beginnings in Boston to renown as indie pop royalty, The Sleepless Elite has carved out a niche where sincerity and ethereal soundscapes coexist in haunting harmony.

Listening to the arcane harmonies in their latest single, Glass, glide against the intricately evocative melodies, it is easy to understand their rapid ascent. The euphonically crystalline production wraps an arcane aura around powerhouse vocal lines, which bleed unadulterated emotion into a release that deftly weaves together the most affecting elements of Fleetwood Mac, Kate Bush, London Grammar, and Enya.

It’s a phenomenal score that will linger long after the final artfully poised note and practically a spiritual awakening in sound form. Forget art pop; this is haute couture heartbreak.

The project originated when Carolina Kehoe met Baylor Carter at Berklee and found its feet when, via a Craigslist ad, the duo ended up living with Ben Deily of the Lemonheads, which set their creative spark alight. Encouraged to pursue their own style, Carolina and Baylor honed their unique sound, inspired by Paramore, Blondie, and Sia, and drawing from their collective love of Blink-182, The Strokes, and No Doubt.

With Carolina’s theatrical roots and Baylor’s indie-punk edge, they created a distinct sonic palette, first heard under the name Carolina’s War. Now, as The Sleepless Elite, they’ve found their stride, producing two albums and opening for Thunderpussy. Glass epitomises their evolution, offering an otherworldly catharsis that showcases their innovative, emotional storytelling. For fans of alternative music, this is a siren song worth answering.

Check out the official music video for Glass, which has already racked up 15k streams, on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Henry Bitzer’s ‘25th Hour’ Radiates Rapturous Soul and Swagger

Posted on 30 September 2024

Henry Bitzer’s standout single, 25th Hour, from his debut LP Skydive, delivers some of the swankiest sounds of 2024. The track is a testament to the solo artist’s knack for nostalgically leaning songwriting chops, which remain sharp even when held up against his musical heroes.

Any attempt to resist the euphoric energy of 25th Hour is futile; the rapturous euphony he coaxes from the keys showcases his comfort and charisma in crafting soulful soundscapes that simultaneously nod to the past and stride confidently into the future.

Blending blues, 70s pop rock, and a smattering of jazz, Bitzer conjures a unique sonic synthesis that defies easy categorisation. The seamless fusion of styles creates a distinctive sound that harks back to the golden era of rock without feeling stuck in the past. His ability to weave eclectic influences into a seamless tour de rapturous force ensures that his legacy is already carving itself a place in the annals of contemporary alternative music. It’s only a matter of time before major labels are vying for his signature.

At just 19, the Minnesota native has been compared to the likes of Elton John and Billy Joel for his magnetic stage presence and infectious melodies. Now a second-year student at Belmont University in Nashville, Bitzer has spent the last four years performing live across the U.S., honing his craft and building a loyal following.

Stream Henry Bitzer’s debut LP, Skydive, on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

PASHA is en-route to RnB royalty with her latest single, Paper Route

Posted on 29 September 2024

‘Paper Route’ by PASHA reaches the epitome of RnB sublimity, marking her as a distinct force in the genre. Far from being a mere fusionist, PASHA is an alchemist of sensual soul, using hypnotic house beats as the conduit for her seraphic sonic sensuality.

The smooth production of the track is as timeless as it is tantalising, with its syncopated trip-hop-esque beats blending seamlessly with evocative piano keys, creating one of the most comforting and mesmerising dynamics in contemporary RnB.

As her vocals transcend traditional harmonics, they venture into a plateau of soulfully arcane reverie, showcasing an ethereal and evocatively resonant vocal range. It’s this rare combination of elements that positions PASHA as a potential new icon in the music industry. If there’s any artist powerful enough to rival the originality of The Weeknd, it’s her.

PASHA’s journey began in Queens, though her sound is a testament to her upbringing between East Atlanta and Haiti. Her musical roots were nurtured by the diverse artistic influences around her, leading her to pick up the classical guitar at just ten years old. Since her debut in January 2024, she has ensnared audiences with a string of bittersweet singles that explore the nuances of young womanhood, love, and self-reflection.

Paper Route was officially released on September 27; stream the single on YouTube and Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast