Browsing Tag

2020 Music

Finding his voice in the music world: ‘Lately’ (Intro) from TYWU is a teaser R&B-Hip Hop track to start a new journey

Posted on 24 November 2020
https://soundcloud.com/tywu/lately-intro?ref=clipboard&p=i&c=1

The atmospheric beginning are a welcome listen for those tired souls out there who need a new role model to follow. This is the intro for something bigger, the poet who made music his home and wants to be the best at what he does. The Bronx, New York native flexes his muscles and finds his voice here, with a smooth start as he shows his lyrically ability in full force. TYWU introduces himself to the music world on ‘Lately’ (Intro) and this is a track all about knowing you have to put the work in to be the best at whatever you set your mind to.

”I always said if I got into music I can’t be like everyone else, I’ll stand out and be that one artist that actually has something to offer while still being able to serve our current era and demographic”. – TYWU talking about his music vision.

You know you need the building blocks first to achieve your goals and the extra steps needed can’t be missed out or the foundations will fall over. The young Emcee is forthright in knowing that he needs to put in that extra, as there is lots of competition out there in the Hip Hop/R&B world. Nothing is going to come easy this time.

The Poet who started writing at school and succeeded greatly, wining many competitions and gained the respect and adulation of his peers. Then, the creative juices started flowing towards the often stormy winds of the music game that are fraught with unforeseen winds, and many an ego to contend with. It feels like this is a smart young man who knows what he needs to do.

With a crystal clear voice and loads of lyrical skills in his locker, the door has swung open and he is eager to unleash his music to hungry ears who are keen to hear what the next generation has to offer. TYWU shows massive potential on ‘Lately’ (Intro) and if he can follow his own advice, the sky is the limit on what he can accomplish.

Hear this new single here on his Soundcloud and follow this exciting new talent on his IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Reinventing himself: Virgin Islands Emcee Rio Thomas shows growing self-awareness on the Street-Hop single ‘Home Town’

Posted on 24 November 2020

The piano is so haunting and keeps the song in check for now, the crackling salt-shaker type background twists the track into a different realm of existing reality. Rio is running on the road, his fresh white sneakers stand out from his ominous surroundings. Is home really where the hate is? Rio Thomas explores this topic on his new track called ‘Home Town‘ and this is a riving listen, with a powerful video to back up the vision.

Taken off ‘RIYASA‘ and with excellent production from IYASA, this is track number 10 on the full album from 2020. Recorded in L.A, this was a release that was recorded in two days but you can’t even tell due to the excellent production that has been carefully constructed- to portray the full story of evolving as you grow in life.

His smooth bars are carefully constructed and the regret of previous lyrics are omnipresent in his flow. This is an Emcee that has grown up and learnt from his past mistakes, he realizes the power of words and how they bite hard at his spiritual chakra if they are thoughts that have no place in his heart or soul. This is a man who wants to be at one with himself so he can use these skills that have been given to him, he doesn’t want to add his name to other flamed our musicians, who had it in their grasp and threw it away.

The story of feeling love in so many places but not your own town is real and hits you back to reality. With so many jealous friends and enemies right in your face, it is hard to know who to trust. You need to keep your mind clear and smoke-free for a while, so you can unravel each part of your life and go for your dreams, as its your life after all. The true friends will reveal themselves in some unexpected places too which is a true representation of life’s journey, as you travel and move on from your former home that haunts you inside.

He fought the demons in his head and flipped the script on what he thought was possible. Rio Thomas drops one of the most self-aware Hip Hop tracks of the year on ‘Home Town‘ to show us that if you try hard enough, you can open new doors and be who you ultimately want to be as a man.

See this excellent music video on YouTube and follow Rio on his Instagram to see more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

A song for Halloween: Canadian Electronic-Rock band Waxlimbs jump into the cold seas on ‘Dead In The Water’

Posted on 23 November 2020

The ominous electric guitar, the background strewn with mystery as you await more. Your heart skips a few beats as you see the masks of the band as they hide their faces from the wasteland of the world, with misery and disillusionment scattered all over the lands. Toronto based Electronic-Rock band Waxlimbs, tease us and draw us further into the abyss on the excellent ‘Dead In The Water‘.

Her voice is so gritty and real, she holds each tone expertly, and the band thunder in with powerful bass riffs that cut like a sharp knife. This is the vivid story of falling down so deep that you don’t know where you are. You need your real friends to pull you out of this and you hope that they will be there when you need them the most. This is the sign of a true friend- there when you are down and possibly out. They need to grab you by the hand tight and lift you to see the bright light again.

‘Dead In The Water‘ from Waxlimbs is a dazzling video, full of darkness, mystery and intrigue. This story feels like 2020 almost, with humans feeling like they are drowning right now, and need help to get up and be strong again. You will be inspired to re-think what type of people those closest to you really are deep inside, and if they would drag you up if you really needed it.

The video is incredible on YouTube but do be aware of the flashing lights. Find out more on their Bandcamp and support their journey.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Finding your burning passion: ‘What Do You Want’ by producer/musician Giampaolo Pasquile (ft Jimmy Burney) is the story of being frustrated with indecisiveness

Posted on 23 November 2020

The renowned Italian born and London based producer/musician Giampaolo Pasquile brings Jimmy Burney with him on this Dance-Pop journey to find the answer on the new smash hit called ‘What Do You Want‘.

The vocals steam through the glass windows and you need to open them rather quickly, as you might pass out otherwise. This is a hot song that is all about seeking the answer that you have been asking for ages. You get no response and you get the feeling that they are as cold as ice, and they should rather live in a freezer.

”Recorded Remotely and in Total Safety According to The COVID – 19 Legislation”- Giampaolo Pasquile

The vocals are so driven and seeking the answer is proving hard as they are not telling you the whole story. The frustration hits records highs during the song, the production is spot on, and the voice is executed to perfection- the mark of a team that have woven their talents together equally. The story of a producer who took the time during these horrific times to take a breath and re-imagined his music rather than sitting on his laurels.

Taken off the new full album called ‘Remote‘, this is music made with love and with those that matter most- friends who care about music.

Sometimes people you love hide things away- deep inside their soul- that they forget where it was to begin with. In a world pull of flashing lights, bad role models and social media distractions that have changed how our brains are, ‘What Do You Want‘ (ft Jimmy Burney) is a real story that emanates through all of our minds. Knowing what you want and taking it, is what Giampaolo Pasquile does through music, and he inspires us all to do precisely that. This is the only want to be truly happy inside, rather than living out others dreams and desires, that don’t match your own.

You will need a cold shower after listening on Spotify and find out more about this remarkable man on his website.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Asking for forgiveness: ‘Rose Colored Home’ by Nashville’s Streetlight Curfew is the story of redemption

Posted on 23 November 2020

Taken off their brand new full release called ‘Better Luck Next Year‘, this is a band that starts us off by teasing their electric guitar style that simmers like a hot cuppa coffee, and percolates so nicely into your ears. You get the feeling that this is going to be a top track, and this intuition is justified rather quickly. The passionate vocals are soon lifted high in the sky and we sit back, and enjoy the 5 Piece Nashville Punk-Rockers honesty as Streetlight Curfew swarm the airwaves, like hungry bees on ‘Rose Colored Home‘.

His vocals lift the mood and we are soon introduced to the second singer, they add a vibrant energy and you can’t help but like this Punk sound that reminds you of bands back in the 2000’s. They mesh together like a bunch of friends who love being together, they make music for the love, not the glamour and fame.

The sad regret is there in the song and the feeling of letting down someone close is firmly entrenched into the lyrics laid out before us. The band are humble, they show self-awareness and add a gritty edge to the track and you sway your body back and forth, remembering when you bought your first Blink 182 CD.

The Tennessee Punk Rockers Streetlight Curfew are in inspired form on ‘Rose Colored Home‘, this is their biggest track yet as fans are hungry for a return to more music like this, tired of the watered down Rap and cheesy Pop that dominates so many minds and ears.

The band are likable and they have shared a song about letting someone close to them down when they needed you most. After all, showing humility and asking for a second chance, is the step in the right direction to gain forgiveness.

See the band play this new track live via YouTube and see their journey here on Facebook.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

‘Beliefs’ from Men Without Qualities

Posted on 23 November 2020

With a thunderously vigorous Punk-Rock kind of opening, this is straight away a listen that needs to be respected. This is a band that have morphed their qualities together, and the many years of experience shows. With a different style that is like no other, they have built up a team that share their common view on life. Released off Record Label The Cortina Collective, Sweden’s Heavy-Rock outfit Men Without Qualities mesh their music to satisfying levels for our enthusiastic ears on their new single called ‘Beliefs‘.

”Men and women without qualities usually depend fully on the outer world to form their characters. Lack of any profound essence and ambiguity as a general attitude to life are their principal characteristics.” – Men Without Qualities

The sound is something mixed from the past and the future, the vocals are so real and digs deep into your core beliefs. The fascinating story delves into our inner psyche, and is a riveting listen that will have you staring at the sky and wondering how to improve yourself, and be better. The vocals are raw and the band take us on an exciting ride into the unknown. This makes your heart beat a bit faster, and is a bit scary at the same time.

‘Beliefs‘ from the intrinsically intriguing Men Without Qualities is a song that might take a few listens to truly appreciate. This is the whole point of the release I believe, the band are beyond any type of fad or popular style. They make music that is meaningful, and this is a quality that more young musicians need to add to their armor. Making your own lane and driving through it, is the way music evolves, and inspires others.

Hear this fascinating listen on their Spotify and find out more on Facebook.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Gold covered layers of scheming: The Grand Mess wraps a web of mystery on ‘Lie To You’

Posted on 22 November 2020

The moody start soon clings to your heart right away as you wonder what is going to form next. We are not disappointed as this an Electronic-Pop web of intriguing proportions, this is a story that will fascinate and make you think about the way you speak to others. Canadian artist The Grand Mess is in imperious form ‘Lie To You‘ as he lets us into this wild water-slide of twists and turns.

Gold covered and looking for redemption, the waves form with the haunting vocals that grab you by the soul and you won’t forget this track very easily. The light radiates so many layers within, and he wants her to believe him. Sometimes she does and this for some reason, this gives off extra fuel inside to do it again and again. He feels bad about it and knows that this can’t continue as he is the one that has to look into the mirror each day.

The sonic speed in which this song wades in the door, is quite spectacularly composed and the pace ebbs and flows. The intricate energies are such a pleasure to listen intently, as you can’t take your ears away. This feel like an experience like no other and the electric vibrations are hard hitting and go deep within.

With gold lathered all over the vocals, Brooklyn based The Grand Mess shows his self-awareness in speaking out about how he feels inside, the game is fun to stop on ‘Lie To You‘.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

East London’s underground comes alive: The Miller Test brings the old school class back on ‘Better Than You’

Posted on 22 November 2020

After years of being the house band, they have lifted up about of their local pub, to morph into a recording act. The ultimate underdogs of the UK music scene, are now ready for their time to go global. The haunting start brings back some memories of that 80’s kind of feel, and it gets better and better with melodies that catch your heart jumping a beat or two. East London’s The Miller Test have been playing together for over 10 years, but bring their long-awaited sounds to help inspire us all, during these tough times on ‘Better Than You’.

His voice hits the heights that are deemed too hard to try, the dancer is stuck in the bottle for the time being, and you wonder if she will ever come out. She spins around and around, just like 2020 has been for most of us. You can feel that the band know each other so well, the former house band at Hackney’s classic pub Biddles Bros, their name is known all over the East part of London, as the unknown legends.

The music is so intertwined with the old school sound and they have ignored all current fake fads to make something so real to the soul, a hug to the heart even if the mood is quite sombre.

This Funk Is Political, the album that they have probably been talking about for ages, has come alive and re-awakened their soul, to add their name to the recorded band’s around the world. A true sign of respect from the music snobs who scoff at the lack of music output, their noses now down very quick, as the band smile in reflective mood on this victory from within.

The Miller Test are supremely intelligent on ‘Better Than You‘ and this is the start of something so glorious. The dancer made it out of the bottle, and so did the band.

Follow the journey here on YouTube.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Leading the way during troubled times: ‘Ill’ by RABArtist is the relevantly self-aware anthem from one of the UK’s best

Posted on 21 November 2020

The breath-taking start lifts you up high into the gloomy sky, and you feel like this is going to be a pumping track with plenty of bluster. This notion is proved correct as the thudding beat with much promise and galaxy-sounding vocals, soon brings us into this powerfully real story. The UK Emcee and Actor, RABArtist is healthy and hungry on his newly dropped single called ‘Ill‘.

With a skillful production that pushes through the door from the patient musician, this is a fast-paced melody of mad skills that morphs on the mic with fluid energy. He raps about relevant topics that have taken over our lives and distracted the world from more important issues, now swept under the carpet and mostly forgotten. Issues such as 5G and Corona is all the papers and news talk about, only magnifying the growing frustration with lack of proper leadership at the top of the food chain.

Life was good and now the doom and gloom masks what is really going on, this is song that needs to be on all Hip Hop playlists to spread the message. With most Rappers carrying on per usual with lame raps about flashy cars on ego-boosting nursery rhymes, this is that adult type of music for the real music fans. With R&B, Grime and Drill influences, the beat is busty and fresh, with real care and compassion so evident.

The bars here are so refreshingly ‘Ill‘ and RABArtist leads the way with the call for level-heads to prevail and stop the current disillusionment, and frustration in the UK right now. Staying positive and bringing up important topics to help instigate change, is the sign of a true leader after all.

Hear this ferocious track with meaning here on Spotify and follow him on Insta for more inspiration.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

The call to start each day fresh: Null Rays storm in hot with powerful message on ‘Adolescent Day’

Posted on 21 November 2020

Scorched forth into our living rooms from their latest full album ‘Nocturnal Sun‘ from 2020, the heat is turned up in unprecedented style with the classic-sounding start that reminds you of a 90’s sound. ‘Adolescent Day‘ from Null Rays is a call to wake up to reality, and asking us all to smell the roses where you can, as life is so barmy and weird right now.

The vocals are so passionately sung and the story of the new day that we need to take charge of is utmost importance. With a Rock hard energy that is easy to like, you feel like this is a proper message in an often-confusing and strange world. Staying sane and doing things are safe and fun to do is the way forward, in order to stay mentally alive and in reality.

This is the voice of a self-aware band who have a mighty message to let rip on the world, and this is the only intention. The frustration of a singer who wants to travel the world, but is locked in and waiting for better days to present themselves. A fierce energy is transmitted to our ears and the napalm-like explosive chorus heats up the cold and damp skies, that we all see before us.

The spectacular story from Providence Rhode Island Hard-Rockers Null Rays on ‘Adolescent Day‘ is the call to brighter days and to stay calm during this time. Playing this high voltage song while staying positive despite the gloom, is a smart way to stay young and alive inside.

Get your speakers on loud while enjoying this new release on Spotify and see more from the band on Facebook.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen