Browsing Tag

Classically Trained

Barry Slorridge – Why? Avant-Garde Whovian Electronica

Posted on 21 August 2024

Any artist who uses the vocalisations of an existential Dalek in their tracks is an icon in our book, and that’s just the tip of the ingenuity iceberg in Barry Slorridge’s slice of Whovian avant-garde electronica.

With Why? the UK-based composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist didn’t use his Bachelor’s Degree in Classical Composition by any conventional means; instead, he chose to score his cultivated composition chops into an installation of delicious discordance which reminisces with nuances of The Beatles and Kraftwerk.

The synth lines carry echoes of The Phobophobes, introducing a dark, reflective undertone, interwoven with kaleidoscopic effects, allowing distorted waves of psychedelia to cascade through the music. Meanwhile, sweet psych-pop harmonies offer a stark contrast to the monotonal menace of the Dalek samples.

The track epitomises revolutionary art, achieving a rare feat—it unsettles those comfortably ensconced in their auditory preferences while providing solace to those who find beauty in the bizarre. Once Slorridge finds his niche, he will be an unreckonable force in the alt-electronica scene; his ability to orchestrate sensory experiences which bend the mind and electrify the pulses is unparalleled.

Why? was officially released on August 5th; stream the single on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

An Assortment Of Pictures: Jeff Novotny JAZZPRJKT astounds on new single ‘Supercritical’

Posted on 16 January 2022

With a progressive sound that feels like it belongs in an intense movie where we are about to see the twist, Jeff Novotny JAZZPRJKT returns with his high-energy mix that will have your heart quivering swiftly on ‘Supercritical‘.

Jeff Novotny JAZZPRJKT is a classically-trained Pittsburgh-born, Phoenix-based modern jazz composer who fuses in rock, metal, EDM, ska, and world music.

”His favourite composers include John Zorn, Alfred Schnittke, and Richard Wagner, with whom he identifies for their eclecticism and unpredictability.” ~ Jeff Novotny JAZZPRJKT

There is no one in the world quite like Jeff Novotny JAZZPRJKT. Launching like a catapult with a style of music that has been laced with so many different genres it is hard to name them all, he shows us the inner workings of his racing mind that is always looking for that extra edge.

‘Supercritical‘ from the wildly creative Phoenix-based modern jazz composer Jeff Novotny JAZZPRJKT, is a fascinating combination of soundscapes that seems to smash through all self-doubts that were inside you before. With a speaker-booming experience for us to enjoy, this is a new track that certainly wakes up your ears and assists in getting your whole body moving for the exciting adventures ahead.

Listen to this new single on Soundcloud.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Dark-pop icon, Lyra V, created the stormiest earworm of the year with ‘2 Late’.

Posted on 17 December 2021

If Avril Lavigne ever gave up her crown, the up and coming singer-songwriter Lyra V discernibly has what it takes to take her place as the pop-rock supreme. In her latest single, 2 Late, she uses her classical vocal training as much as her command over the ethereal atmosphere of her vocal timbre.

Melancholy pierces through the melodic verses and the stormy choruses to create a track that leaves no corner of the emotional spectrum unvisited. Hell hath no eloquent fury like a woman committed to projecting every ounce of visceral frustration into a soundscape. It’s the darkest earworm that you will hear this year. More impressively, the authenticity of her sonic signature is almost matchless.

2 Late is now available to stream and purchase on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Shake Off The Race: Sarah Rae reminds us that its okay to be a ‘Blooming Mess’

Posted on 8 May 2021

After falling hopelessly in love with her euphoric single to help us gain that elusive inner acceptance in March called ‘Dancing In The Sun‘, Sarah Rae returns with a freshly salted new song which will have you smiling all over with ‘Blooming Mess‘.

Sarah Rae is a classically trained Atlanta, Georgia-based indie post-punk/dream-pop singer-songwriter, comedian, actress and pianist. She makes that embracing music which has your ears firmly listening intently, as her authentic style has you in awe of her total originality.

”The music behind Sarah Rae is driven by a plethora of sounds combining dream pop, nerve pop, and pop punk to create soulful music, with clarity that brings you both dissonance, and harmony. She seeks to balance both the ability to breathe life in to the listener with major progression, but also make them think with downward dissonance to create a clash the truly strikes your nerve.” – Sarah Rae

Featuring supremely energetic guitars, that happily swarms your ears with a very deep baseline — and fascinatingly muffled vocals that has you turning the volume up so high your tender ears shake — this is a quick-fire song to remember for so many reasons.

‘Blooming Mess‘ from the care-free cat-whisperer and wildly talented singer-songwriter Sarah Rae is a quality listen. She leads us eagerly into a world that has opened back up again, as her punk band days are still alive and well on this terrific track.

Stream this new easy-on-the-ear single via Spotify and see her life’s adventures on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen