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Robin Lewis space-dusted rock n roll with ‘Still the Same’

Posted on 31 August 2024

South Carolina’s prodigal rock n roll son, Robin Lewis, is a seasoned sonic architect who has cut his razor-sharp teeth through decades of fronting bands and exploring diverse genres. His discography may dip into rock, post-punk, and reggae, but his eclectic style never strays too far from the aural fingerprint he’s honed over the years.

In his latest single, Still the Same, Lewis filters Bowie’s space-dusted sonic signature through a rugged and raw rock lens. The brash guitar chords sweep through the lo-fi garage production like a tsunami as Lewis’ vocals charismatically take command of the single which embodies the overdriven soul of rock n roll.

If you kneel at the altar of rock, Still the Same is a more than worthy hit to get on your knees for. With swathes of distinctive production and distortion effects adding depth to the intricately mastered release, Still the Same wrestles the psyche into a vice-like grip which doesn’t relinquish until the outro which follows soaring rock virtuoso guitar solos.

Still the Same, taken from Robin Lewis’ Lost Mix Tape LP, is now available to stream on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Steven Gravino unleashed the unbridled soul of rock n roll with ‘Beyond the Point of Control’

Posted on 29 August 2024

With a track that rhythmically rolls through the lo-fi garage and indie glamour of proto-punk, Steven Gravino’s single, Beyond the Point of Control, is so more than just a retro-fuelled throwback. Here, the gritty rock licks allow Gravino to explore previously untrodden terrains, conjuring a soundscape where it is easy to envision Josh Homme crooning over bluesy rock jams.

Brash in all the right spots and soothingly melodic where it matters most, the release deserves reverence as an instant rock n roll classic. Steven Gravino, an accomplished musician with a vast repertoire of 42 songs, brings a depth of experience that is palpable in every chord and chorus in Beyond the Point of Control.

Having self-recorded, played all instruments, and delivered lead vocals and harmonies, Gravino’s DIY ethic shines as luminously as his talent which has seen him hit the stage more than 1,200 times, testifying to his enduring passion for and commitment to music.

Stream the official music video for Beyond the Point of Control on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Garfield Mayor shredded inhibition with soul in his nu-disco pop hit, Foolish Feet

Posted on 29 August 2024

Hot on the blazing heels of his critically acclaimed single, Been Thinking, the British singer-songwriter Garfield Mayor, grooved the bar even higher with his lush self-produced summer anthem, Foolish Feet.

Knowing exactly how to command the mic with magnetic soul, Mayor ensures that being drawn into Foolish Feet hook, line and sinker is as obligatory as giving into the compulsive beat and surrendering to the melodies which reach the epitome of infectious fluidity.

Equally as sweet as the sonics which subvert the expectations of summer pop hits are the lyrics which tenderly implore the listener to throw away inhibition and self-consciousness. The lyric, “Who cares about cliches, let’s dance like the old days, we’re all the same species” exemplifies the essence of the single which advocates for living in the moment and casting aside self-preservation to make room for rhythm-led euphoria.

“I was the designated driver at a party. Get Lucky by Daft Punk started playing. I wanted to dance but it had been a while, and I was self-conscious… I went for it anyway, and I remembered how much I’d missed it. It reminded me what a valuable part of life dancing is.”

Coincidently, Foolish Feet is the perfect hit to get footloose with. The echoes of Nile Rodgers’ funked-up guitar and Daft Punk’s kinetic rhythms filtered through a vibe-driven nu-disco lens allow the release to hammer home the razor-sharp propensities of Mayor’s songwriting chops.

Foolish Feet hit the airwaves on August 9th; stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

French Film Noir Meets Classical Piano in Hayley Morton’s Piece of Instrumental Literature, One Night in Budapest

Posted on 29 August 2024
Hayley Morton

With classical piano progressions which unravel like the confessions of a romance novelist, each note is a page turned in the latest composition, One Night in Budapest, by Hayley Morton.

The intimately introspective atmosphere of the delicately arranged peace succumbs you into its quiescence which scintillates the shadowy intrigue and existential reflections of French film noir with teasings of excitement to ease the tension and allow One Night in Budapest to resound as a distant, fading dream immortalised through a classical score.

The Brighton, UK-based pianist and composer released her debut album, Seascape, to critical acclaim in 2022; with this narratively affecting single, she re-emerged and reaffirmed her position as one of the most eloquent agents of instrumental literature.

One Night in Budapest is now available to stream on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Bari Mcknight synthed away the pain of ephemeral affection in ‘SUMMER THINGS’

Posted on 28 August 2024

Two things are guaranteed every summer: swathes of stellar summer pop hits and the inevitable ashes of quick-to-burn romances. In his latest single, SUMMER THINGS, the independent artist, Bari Mcknight, brought one of the former and consoled casualties of the latter by fusing echoes of Afrobeat with catchy pop hooks, the soul of stylistically synth-driven RnB and a trappy beat, resulting in an irresistible earworm which is weighted in evocative realism, contrasting the dreamy etherealism of the track.

If the lingering sting of ephemeral affection is making the onslaught of autumn feel that much colder, SUMMER THINGS is the ultimate source of salvation. The echoes of The Weeknd’s aesthetic coursing through the neon-lit, synaesthesia-inducing production leaves enough room for Mcknight’s sonic signature which is scribing his legacy – one hit at a time.

It’s rare to find a pop track with the potential to dominate the charts while resonating with the sincerity of a diary entry, but that’s exactly what the New Jersey-residing independent artist achieved in SUMMER THINGS, which features on his latest album, Summer of Love; a curated anthology of laidback melodies and relatable narratives.

SUMMER THINGS dropped on August 2nd; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Whispers Through Time: Samaël’s Acoustic Revelations in Ancient Whispers

Posted on 28 August 2024

Samaël, the seasoned Canadian guitarist and composer, has stirred the strings once again with his latest acoustic composition, Ancient Whispers, the debut single from his anticipated album, CASCADIA.

The accompanying music video is a mesmerising prelude to a visual trilogy, entrenched in narrative depth and an artistic flair that dares to push the sensory boundaries. The baroque beguile of the high-production video marries perfectly with the mystical lens Samaël forces the listener to peer through with his intuitive notes. Each progression is a masterclass in musical clarity as the notes are sustained with celestial quality. If a picture is worth a thousand words, Ancient Whispers is enough to rival epic sagas in the vein of Divine Comedy.

Educated at the prestigious Musicians Institute and further honed in the halls of Concordia and the University of Montreal, Samaël’s academic journey is as storied as his creative output. From his debut album Halcyon Night to his introspective work Shadow, he has evolved into a virtuoso of minimalistic yet affectingly cinematic soundscapes. His forthcoming album is set to unveil some of his finest work to date.

Stream the official music video for Ancient Whispers on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Cincinnati icon of chameleonic pop, Catlea, has struck again with the affecting anthem, Crumbling

Posted on 26 August 2024

Cincinnati singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Catlea is unreckonable in their mission to become one of the biggest pop sensations of their generation.

Their latest single, Crumbling, instantly arrests with emotionally weighted minor piano chords cradling the haunting with luminescence vocal lines before the single unravels as a synth-driven hit which sheds its dreamy etherealism to establish itself as an anthemic perennial pop earworm.

The lyrical exploration of the inevitability of not living up to unrealistic expectations in relationships where we only exist as an abstract idea and are expected to play out a role without being given a script is the ultimate consolation for anyone who has faced rejection after refusing to alter their autonomy.

The versatility in this track alone is enough to leave you in awe of Catlea’s ability to confidently command a myriad of genres and vocally match the sonic textures with unflinching ease; the rest of their discography is a larger attestation to their chameleonic cultivated skill.

As a precursor to the upcoming LP, Language Barrier, Crumbling, which was produced by Claudia Mills and features pianist Nick Tsang (Ed Sheeran, The Script, Lewis Capaldi), couldn’t set the anticipation any higher.

Crumbling euphonically cascaded onto the airwaves on August 2nd. Stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Gaze into the introspective kaleidoscope of leo hc’s seminal indie folk release, the shades EP

Posted on 23 August 2024

leo hc’s debut release, ‘the shades EP’, elegantly strips music back to its most elemental form, serving as a pure conduit for emotion which resonates through the instrumental textures and the lyrical narratives.

The opening track, the aptly named ‘the shades’, introduces us to a semi-lucid reverie where the angular, fingerpicked guitar notes intertwine with leo’s reticent, whispered vocals. Each motif transcends sound to become experiences shaded in deep introspection, allowing listeners to immerse their own melancholic emotions into the abstract depths of the production.

The subsequent track, ‘two wrongs’, transitions into a more indie folk aura, with vocals that echo Elliott Smith, soaring within a seraphically toned lo-fi backdrop. This piece epitomises intimacy, transforming the listening space into a personal enclave of reflective peace.

Track three, ‘i’m the man’, continues the narrative with a progressively gratifying indie lullaby. It allows for a dynamic interplay of intensity, with artful flourishes that let emotional currents ebb and flow, underscoring leo’s mastery in balancing sonic peaks and valleys.

The EP rounds off with ‘lovers hilltop’, a stunning demonstration of acoustic indie songwriting. Here, the poignant strains of coming-of-age yearning are captured through evocative fingerpicked guitars, drawing influences from classical Spanish guitarists while paying homage to artists like Jose Gonzalez and Hot Left Pole.

Overall, ‘the shades EP’ by leo hc is a pacifying synthesis of introspection and musicality, offering a sanctuary where each track invites personal reflection amidst evocatively crafted soundscapes.

Stream the shades EP on Spotify now. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Contemporary Christian artist, Krystal Dawn Land, struck the healing chord in ‘Strength Through the Tears’

Posted on 22 August 2024

Christian & Gospel artist, Krystal Dawn Land, permeated the pop scene with an orchestrally elevated, country-tinged, balladic attestation to how fortitude may be one of the most bitter-sweet forms of strength, yet it is by far the most empowering.

The evocative intensity of the crescendos paired with the sincerity of the arcane harmonies gives listeners all the faith and consolation they could ask for when days get dark. Even if you’re a far cry away from bolstering your soul in resilience, consider listening to Strength Through the Tears as the first step on your path to healing.

Prior to releasing this single, Krystal had spent two decades in an evangelistic gospel music ministry; she amassed her multi-instrumentalist stripes and honed her voice and songwriting talents at a young age sitting beside her Mom on an old Wurlitzer piano. Now as a successful contemporary Christian cross-over recording artist and worship leader, Krystal is living her passion of seeing people experience the love of God. Let love in and hit play.

Strength Through the Tears was officially released on August 1st; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Carey Clayton rebooted retrofuturism with the seraphic synths in his latest single, Future in a Past Life

Posted on 11 August 2024

Carey Clayton brought the sound, synths and soul of the 80s to their latest in a long line of seminal singles, Future in a Past Life, while etching into the nostalgic hallmarks with his indelibly scintillating sonic signature which scribes beyond contemporary trends.

The title alone is enough to spark a profound meditation on its poetic meaning; when you sink into the release, you’ll start to swim in the temperate, tonally seraphic spectres of reflection, artfully amalgamated by the LA songwriter, producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist, who has become revered for his stylistically expansive body of work.

Future in a Past Life, caged within his third LP, Headless, may be composed of different aural anatomy from his previous releases, but fans who came to adore Clayton for his past work will find their appreciation for the visionary renewed by the sense of spirituality which drifts between the instrumentals in the polished production.

Clearly still humble after his music being sought after by Netflix, NBC, ABC and the Tribeca Film Festival, Clayton synthesised straight from the soul with Future in a Past Life, which fuses the arcane emotive air of Cigarettes After Sex with the kicks and grooves of Django Django.

Future in a Past Life was officially released on July 19th; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast