Browsing Tag

Cambridge

Tom Hutchcraft illuminated the stains on our systematically oppressive social fabric with ‘Venting’, featuring Dizzy Wright

Posted on 23 February 2024

Tom Hutchcraft’s entry into the hip-hop sphere with his single ‘Venting‘, featuring the accoladed flow king Dizzy Wright, is nothing short of a revelation. The Cambridge-based artist, previously known for his piano covers and classical prowess, has taken a bold leap, landing squarely in the realm of rap with a track that resonates with both rhyme and reason.

‘Venting’ is a striking blend of Hutchcraft’s sharpened with acerbic wit spoken word cadence and Wright’s seasoned Blackalicious-esque flow. The track stands out not just for its musicality but for its socially conscious heartbeat. Hutchcraft’s lyricism delves deep into themes of racial prejudice and systematic oppression, offering a narrative that’s as observationally astute as it is emotionally charged.

The beats in ‘Venting’ are a rhythmic catalyst, inducing listeners into a heightened state of awareness. It’s a call to consciousness that will stick with you for long after the outro. For a first venture into hip-hop, this track sets a high bar, not just for Hutchcraft but for the genre as a whole. It’s a testament to the power of music as a tool for reflection and change, and a sign that Hutchcraft is an artist to watch in the evolving landscape of rap music.

Venting will reach the airwaves on March 23rd; stream it here.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Francis Botcherby brought the Seattle sound to morally bankrupt British shores with ‘Parliament of Wolves’

Posted on 4 December 2021
Francis Botcherby

Cambridge, UK-based alt solo artist, Francis Botcherby, has been honing in on his sound for over a decade; his music has featured on BBC Cambridgeshire amongst many stations. His most popular music video to date has racked up over 100,000 streams, and he has counted plenty of other successes in between.

His latest single, Parliament of Wolves, carries the same protestive lyrical edge as Billy Bragg, but stylistically, Botcherby brought the sound of Seattle to UK shores. With bassline growls that will evoke nostalgia for Soundgarden’s grungy licks and enigmatic vocals that carry a touch of the Mike Patton magic, there’s a fair amount of nostalgia but there is something incredibly refreshing about his shimmering guitars and grooving rhythms that throw further back to the days when Hendrix reigned supreme.

Francis Botcherby’s single Parliament of Wolves was officially released on December 3rd. You can check it out for yourselves via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Met You: Ben Medlock doesn’t want their picture to fade away on ‘Living Thing’

Posted on 21 November 2021

With the wind gushing at his strong sails as he sings with so much honesty and desire, Ben Medlock is rather tremendous on his excellent new single ‘Living Thing‘.

Ben Medlock is the Co-founder and CTO of SwiftKey who is also a thriving indie-folk/pop singer-songwriter with a dashing vocal ability that will have you beaming all over your glowing smile.

After graduating with a PhD from the University of Cambridge, Ben Medlock has dedicated his life to machine learning and also thinking outside the box. You feel this scintillating quality via his new single ‘Living Thing‘, which shows a side to him that so many were unaware of. There is an easy-going nature to his voice that causes you to completely daydream and think about that special soul in your life, or that person who you wish you could be with right now.

”Ben has had a varied career as a teacher, researcher, entrepreneur, investor and advisor. He has always loved music and started writing and recording as a teenager. His songs are about life’s many experiences and unanswered questions.” ~ Ben Medlock

‘Living Thing‘ from the wonderfully talented businessman and soulful indie singer-songwriter Ben Medlock, is a terrific single all about staying free and wanting to live with that spontaneous edge, rather than being bogged down with the stale norm. He sings with such outstanding fervour and filled with cleverly-pencilled lyrics, that has you feeling that this is just the start of his burgeoning career.

After achieving so much in business and academics, perhaps this is the time when Ben takes his creative skill-set to a whole new world. Winning at whatever challenge comes his way, is ultimately what this highly impressive man does.

Hear this terrific new single here and feel the winds of calm ravish your whole soul.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

The Urban Sombreros put a theatric twist on industrial electronica with their single, ‘BAD’.

Posted on 16 June 2021

The Urban Sombreros have put a baroquely theatrical twist on industrial electronica with their latest single, BAD (Michael Jackson). As Marilyn Manson falls, The Urban Sombreros rise.

The coarse and distorted vocals, beatboxing, bluesy angular guitar riffs and trance-style interludes ensure that you’ve never heard a feat of electronica quite like this before – no matter how obscure your playlists are. It’s manic, but The Urban Sombreros’ playfully charismatic mania is one that you’ll easily get on board with.

The Cambridge, UK-residing artist is easily one of the most experimentally bold, infectiously addictive artists we have heard this year. We can’t wait to hear how they’ll follow on from BAD.

BAD released on June 9th; you can check it out for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Stay With Me: Captivating Cambridge band Apteekii bring much-needed calmness to cure the worrying winds on ‘Shelter’

Posted on 16 April 2021

Taken off the upcoming EP ‘Secret Crowds‘, this is a deeply personal song that is inspired by seeing a close friend deal with destructive problems that was so hard to witness, as Apteekii show so much compassion and love with their new single called ‘Shelter‘.

Apteekii is the Finnish word for Pharmacy, and this caring three-piece indie act from Cambridge, England, ease our worries with a sound that is sad at times, but also has a thread of hope there for the taking, if you want to feel it deep withing your bones.

“It’s the music for a dystopian film with hope for the future. There’s a darkness, a sadness, but also a longing and a beauty.” – Apteekii

The vocals are so beautifully translucent, as you feel each part of your body light up with that hopefully glow. The story of seeing a friend hurting is so hard, as the build up takes you to a stunning place that lets you know that being ashamed is not the way to go.

The cinematic feel has you closing your eyes and this is a spectacular story that has your tearing up slightly — but also looking upwards — to see the stars and the positive energy that surrounds us, if we let it.

‘Shelter‘ from Cambridge three-piece act Apteekii, is a true story about finding the strength within to deal with your issues, no what what they are. You are never alone if you speak up, as there are old friends, new friends and family just waiting to help. You are not alone.

Stream the atmospheric new single on Spotify and see the IG for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Victoria May sparks so bright with new pop debut “Electricity”

Posted on 14 July 2020

Victoria May is a young British born pop singer with a massive future. She sparks brightly here with her debut single called “Electricity“.

Now based in Argentina, Victoria impresses like a futuristic starlet on this pop soaked winner. With quality production and pure vocals that make my ears sweat, this is a tremendous entry into the music world.

Recorded in Buenos Aires and mixed in New York, you can feel the overriding international standard and the whole package is a delicious listen the whole way through. This is a young musician with a huge future if she can stay focused and hungry for more. Victoria’s voice puts me under a delightful spell of positive energy.

“Electricity” is one of those songs that makes you listen again and again. You imagine Victoria’s feeling towards her new crush, she wants it but isn’t afraid to keep her guard up just in case something is off.

This is an absolute gem and I highly recommend you give Victoria May your full attention.

Stream on Spotify to hear more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen