Browsing Tag

Bjork

MINERVA SYSTEM synthesised an installation of stylistic sublimity with their alt-rock/trip-hop hybrid, Undermind

Posted on 9 October 2024

MINERVA SYSTEM is a fractured yet symbiotically tight collective, threading their diverse life strands into the dense fabric of their latest single, ‘Undermind’. With members scattered from London to Devon, from St. Petersburg to the indeterminate coordinates of their drummer, the online outfit crafts sonic installations that are as expansive as their geographical spread.

‘Undermind’ is a descent into the ethereal, echoing the otherworldly aura of Bjork with an execution that plays havoc with rhythmic pulses. MINERVA SYSTEM manipulates time signatures with trip-hop precision while maintaining a mellifluous melodicism that binds the chaos into coherence. Discernibly, few artists know how to create equilibriums of sonic serenity and visceral intensity as adeptly as MINERVA SYSTEM with their skill in soaking sounds with raw emotion.

As the track progresses, it metamorphoses; midway, it shifts gears into a 90s-alt-rock-tinged crescendo that wouldn’t be amiss in a Garbage tracklist. This crescendo is a stark, gritty counterpoint to the track’s smoother beginnings, illustrating the band’s versatile command over their sound palette.

If they continue to produce hits in the same vein as Undermind, their rise from the underground is inevitable. They’ve clearly mastered the dark art of sonic scintilaltion; watch this space.

Stream Undermind on SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nadine Finsterbusch Reclaimed Her Story & Embraced the Defiance of Youth in Her Alt Electro-Pop Debut LP, ‘My Space’

Posted on 21 May 2024

Nadine Finsterbusch’s debut LP, “My Space,” marks a fearless foray into alt-electro-pop territory, reflecting her determination to carve out her own niche. This album defies societal expectations for women her age, presenting an impetuous embrace of youth and raw emotion. At 44, the Berlin-based artist confronts the challenges that have defined her adulthood—early menopause, breaches of trust, and failed friendships—with a fresh, optimistic outlook reminiscent of youthful defiance.

The album’s 11 tracks are a rich synthesis of indietronica, pop, and rock, juxtaposing bitter realities with lush, harmonious tones. Finsterbusch’s voice, with its innocent yet vehement timbre, evokes the early influence of Björk This influence is unmistakable in the way her vocals weave through the album, combining playful innocence with a resolute sense of self.

“My Space” is a deeply personal narrative; Finsterbusch’s collaboration with producer Ramin Bijan provides the perfect backdrop for her introspective lyrics. The album was mastered by Dave Cooley, whose credentials include working with Tame Impala and Animal Collective, ensuring a polished yet authentic sound.

The lead single, “Why So Serious”, encapsulates the album’s ethos, inviting listeners to embrace their emotions without irony, much like teenagers do. Finsterbusch’s journey to this realisation—spurred by listening to Agust D’s “People”—adds ample to her work, underpinning her desire to enjoy the creative process and share that joy with her audience.

In “My Space,” Finsterbusch successfully balances sweetness without naivety and agony without ennui, creating a lyrically nuanced and emotionally resonant album. This work stands as a testament to her untainted dignity and her ability to transform personal adversity into compellingly relatable art. “My Space” is a triumph of self-expression, inviting listeners to reclaim their own spaces of joy and reflection.

Stream the album on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Silverhours reached the pinnacle of art-rock innovation with ‘The Miser’

Posted on 5 August 2023

With the artfulness of Radiohead, the arcane beguile of Bjork, the atmospherics of Mogwai, and the elevated ornate grace of Sigur Ros, the standout single, The Miser, from the sonic exploration of an album, Madeleine Moment, by Silverhours is a sensually multi-sensory firestorm of gravitas.

By amalgamating jazz and electronica in an intimately lo-fi production space, The Miser is the epitome of uninhibited expression, orchestrated by an artist enthralled by the geometry of musical rhythms. In full, the LP tracks a story that scarcely leaves any of the visceral emotions by the wayside; they’re all materialised in the juxtapositions between melodies, harmonies and memories to capture the haunting echoes of the past.

After getting kudos from Nick Cave after winning his online covers competition, Silverhours started to pick up traction in their career, leading to the launch of this drenched with evocative ingenuity debut LP. If it’s good enough for Nick Cave, it is good enough for your playlists.

Stream Madeleine Moment in full by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sanniyah Antoinette – Because I Can: Transcendently Transformative RnB

Posted on 10 June 2023

Proving that there is nothing as liberating as thriving on internal validation and never having to justify the path you’re on as you towards your own idea of sanctity and success, Sanniyah Antoinette’s latest single, Because I Can, is a quiescent lesson in empowerment.

Forget the ‘haters gonna hate narrative’ and reach your destination with good karma in your soul by following in the footsteps of Sanniyah. With confident mantric proclamations against candourous confessions of crying just to break the silence, the singer-songwriter shared a captivating performance which left the airwaves infinitely richer in introspection.

With touches of Bjork in the ethereally spellbinding production and Sanniyah Antoinette’s diaphanously resounding vocal lines, Because I Can is a transcendently transformative hit. You owe it to yourself to place it on your playlists; it serves as a scintillating reminder that perseverance isn’t supposed to be easy, but by staying true to your autonomy and values, you can never lose.

Because I Can was officially released on June 2 – hear it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rae Larz drifted into the 5th dimension in her spacey synth-pop debut, Tea in the Stratosphere

Posted on 23 February 2023

Here to warn us that reality isn’t what we think it is, is the up-and-coming experimental artist Rae Larz, who could give Bjork a run for her Avant-Garde money with her introspectively spacey hit, Tea in the Stratosphere.

Stirring her artfully psychedelic single with a heavy dose of futurism ensured that she established herself as an orchestrator of soul-emancipating sonic remedies, which take us far beyond the maladies of the 21st century.

The decadently soft synth lines lustfully collide with the trip-hop-y percussive fills and the nuanced slithers of jazz timbres and other world music elements that heighten this elevated hit to the nth degree.

Every aural inch of Tea in the Stratosphere was written, performed, produced, and engineered by Rae Larz herself. Evidently, the Brooklyn-based originator will become an unreckonable force in the industry.

Tea in the Stratosphere was officially released on February 3rd via Jupiter’s Luck Records. Hear it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Coming For Ya: Emerging NYC artist Inés gets away from this wild year with the exhilarating new single ‘Run’

Posted on 11 June 2021

With a wildly intoxicating technique that is so delightfully proficient and ear-warmly enlightening, Inés sparks bright like an excited fuse that dazzles the mind on her new single ‘Run‘.

Inés is a classy solo project who was formed by the young and talented NYC native Patricia Zulueta who is a EDM music producer, indie-dark-pop singer-songwriter and guitarist. Influenced heavily by her hero’s Björk and SOPHIE, she makes that different vibe that is full of her almost wizard-like creativity.

”This song speaks to the crazy, unpredictable nature of the past year. I hope that the ever-changing textures and beats evoke
the rapid twists and turns of 2020/21.” – Inés

Her approach is supremely graceful and filled with such innovation that quite frankly, boggles the mind. As you turn the volume up so you can clearly hear her quick-fire vocals, you admire her DIY artistic approach that is quite a sumptuous effort.

‘Run‘ from New York City-based EDM music producer and dark-pop singer Inés who made this terrific track from her cozy bedroom, shows us her fascinating experimental project in full force with an outstanding display of skill. She is definitely a rising name who brings forth her eclectic music style, that certainly rivets the mind, body and soul, into life again after being dormant for too long.

Stream this electric new single via her Spotify and see more via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Georgia Polyniki – Shadows of Brightness: an operatic ode to 80s electro-pop

Posted on 5 April 2021

With slight reminiscences to Enya, Bjork and the Human League echoing throughout Georgia Polyniki’s latest uplifting pop track, the aural nostalgia defined by decades gone by is instantly perceptible. By switching between operatic and pop vocals, with Shadows of Brightness, she stamped down her radiating signature sound on the airwaves.

With her unique take on synthy electronica complemented by her empowering piano melodies, Georgia Polyniki ensured that no other 2021 pop track could lift you higher. It’s a perennial pop earworm that you’ll never want to leave.

Shadows of Brightness released on March 8th; you can hear it for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Pleaseprettylea – Yack!: Conceptually Avant-Garde Dark Pop

Posted on 17 November 2020
Pleaseprettylea

West Midlands, UK artist Pleaseprettylea is due to hit the airwaves with her artfully enticing Dark Pop single “Yack!” on November 25th. With elements of Hip Hop within the darkly hypnotic production, the single transcends genre as it unravels as a powerfully conceptual single which deals with the concept of sickness in relation to vulnerability, trauma and vices.

Pleaseprettylea is never afraid to tackle taboo or difficult concepts in her tracks, Yack! is definitely no exception. It unravels as a theatrical breath of fresh air in a time when baseless information around mental health and self-care seems to be found in every corner of the internet. But with Pleaseprettylea’s Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in counselling, you can fall into the soundscape and find trust in the artist’s wisdom and alluring sound which shares the same immense level of expression as artists such as Bjork, PJ Harvey, Amanda Palmer and Kate Bush.

Yack! is due for release from November 25th, pre-save the track on all major streaming platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

A Hope For The Future – Loaded Gun: Wake Up To The Future Of Dream Pop.

Posted on 16 November 2017

Ironically the band Hope for the Future does just that for its genre with their debut hit Loaded Gun.

A Hope for The Future are a futuristic collective of musician’s which hail from Stockholm, Sweden with their effervescent Alternative Dream Pop Sound. Their New track Loaded Gun alludes to their musical influences. The female lead vocalist has all of the powerful synergy of fellow singers from The Cardigans, and The XX whilst the minimalist in part, monstrous in others is a slight nod to other contemporary Alternative artist such as M83 and Arcade fire.

They create an enriched harmony throughout the track through the effect of the jingling guitar which rattles charismatically all through the track to lead it up to an explosive sound in the chorus. A Hope For The Future have definitely created an anthem through Loaded Gun that wouldn’t be out of place on a Made In Chelsea soundtrack.

The collective have created a universally lovable sound with their relatable and resonant styling that shines with euphoric charisma.

You can check out Loaded Gun, and their other new single Friend on the links below!

https://soundcloud.com/ahopeforthefuturemusic/loaded-gun

Check Out The Brass Section On This Latest Release By 45th St Brass

Posted on 21 September 2017

45th St Brass is an eclectic music ensemble with a passion for making music that feels extremely sophisticated and avant-garde, yet very catchy and appealing.

Their recent release, Sea In The Sky, is a perfect example of their creative vision. The song embodies elements from genres as diverse as jazz, funk, fusion and even pop, going for a broad and appealing tone. The brass sections are incredibly eclectic, going from funky grooves to lush and atmospheric textures, which blends seamlessly with the stunning atmospheres.

Musically, this project makes me think of artists as diverse as Bjork, Kimbra or Tori Amos, but with stronger jazz influences. I really enjoy the broad-ranging tone of this track and the tasteful arrangement, which truly helps the song come to life in a stunning way.