Browsing Tag

electronica

rp.scheno – Nothing’s Changed: A Sonic Odyssey of Ethereal Electronica

Posted on 21 December 2023

Few artists manage to captivate and intrigue as effectively as rp.scheno. His latest single, Nothing’s Changed, is a testament to his unique ability to blend soulful electronica into a dreamy, almost otherworldly soundscape. Born in New York and now based in Atlanta, GA, rp.scheno’s international background in language and history seeps into his music, creating a tapestry of sounds that are as globally conscious as they are innovative.

Nothing’s Changed is a masterful blend of deep bass and horn stabs that filter through the track, creating a rich, immersive experience. The song is built around glitchy motifs that add a futuristic edge, yet it remains grounded in authenticity. This balance is a hallmark of rp.scheno’s style is particularly evident in his debut EP, heatseeker.net, where he explores a myriad of electronic genres with distinctive flair.

What sets this track apart is the intoxicating juxtaposition of its elements. The ethereal soft colours worked into the production provide a stark contrast to the impassioned confessionalism within the lyricism. It’s a bold move that pays off, offering listeners a multi-layered auditory experience.

rp.scheno’s approach to music production is refreshingly unique. Eschewing traditional instruments and percussive elements, he opts for self-designed or newly warped sounds. This innovative spirit is palpable in Nothing’s Changed, where every beat and synth line feels meticulously crafted and purposeful.

With his unique blend of Y2K sounds, hyperpop beats, and digital spaciness, rp.scheno is not just an artist to watch; he’s a musical innovator leading the charge into a new era of electronica.

Nothing’s Changed hit the airwaves on November 30; stream it on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Desire oscillates through MXY’s latest hypnotic house anthem, Since I Met You

Posted on 16 December 2023
https://soundcloud.com/mxymusic/since-i-met-you

MXY, a trailblazing artist hailing from Bradford, UK, has once again demonstrated her unparalleled prowess in blending genres with her latest hypnotic house single Since I Met You. The track is a masterclass in musical alchemy, seamlessly fusing MXY’s innovative house and garage influences with the sultry undertones of contemporary R&B. It’s a potent testament to her evolution as an artist, producer, and songwriter since she began her journey at the tender age of fourteen.

Since I Met You is imbued with an intense, fervent desire that is almost tangible. MXY’s skill in crafting a fiery anthem is evident as the song oscillates, capturing the transformative power of desire. This transformation is not just lyrical but also musical, as the track delves deep into the core of our emotional spectrum.

The true genius of the track lies in its ability to ensnare the listener’s rhythmic pulses as captivatingly as it compels you to surrender your emotions and kneel at the altar of the progressions. The vocal lines are a force, ensuring that you feel the gravity of the emotion conveyed. Each note pulls you deeper, immersing you in an impeccably polished transcendence that is both uplifting and introspective.

MXY’s background, collaborating with industry stalwarts like Chad Dexter and Elliot James, shines through in the production quality of Since I Met You. As she continues to evolve and expand her horizons, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation for what she will bring in her debut album.

MXY’s debut album will drop on February 1st, 2024; stream the title single on SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Someone Famous has made a transcendent debut with their ambient deep house/90s Euro dance mash-up, This is a Pleasure

Posted on 11 December 2023

Someone Famous’ moniker is going to become a self-fulfilling prophecy if they continue to produce tracks in the same future-defining vein as their blister of electronic euphoria, This is a Pleasure.

The debut single was right on the titular money for the way the transcendentally bright tones and luminous textures scintillate through the progressions as they juxtapose the depth of the basslines which bolster the track with rhythmic prowess. With melodic elements of ambient deep house fused with a 90s Euro dance energy and captivating vocal lines which effortlessly embody the soulful catharsis within the meticulously layered and produced instrumentals, This is a Pleasure couldn’t be closer to what it says on the tin.

With new releases locked, loaded and ready to infuse the airwaves with refreshing syntheses of innovation, Someone Famous is an artist to keep on your radar through 2024. It’s only a matter of time before the Brighton-based artist gets offers from reputable labels for their ability to fuse nostalgia with intuitive ingenuity.

This is a Pleasure was officially released on November 25; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Take a seat in Astrels’ latest alternatively soulful synthscape, Kings Table

Posted on 10 December 2023

Kings Table, a standout track from Astrels’ LP The Velvet Sea and the Afterglow, showcases a masterful blend of style and influence, marking it as a significant entry into the world of alternative electronica.

The single begins with an introduction that subtly nods to Grandaddy, skilfully weaving echoes of classic rock elements into a modern synthscape. As the track progresses, it transforms into a soulful orchestration, reminiscent of the emotional depth and vocal prowess of artists like Seal. This transition showcases Astrels’ versatility and their ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia while remaining firmly rooted in contemporary sound.

Astrels’ talent for creating a progressive and dynamic sonic journey is evident throughout the Tour De Force which reflects a deep understanding of musical structure and progression, moving seamlessly from one theme to another while maintaining a cohesive overall sound.

As the track builds towards its climax, it incorporates trance-like elements of EBM, infusing the composition with a rhythmic energy that is both dance-worthy and emotionally engaging. The fusion of melodic and rhythmic elements ensures that Kings Table is not just a song to be heard but an experience to be felt, making it a standout addition to any electronic soul playlist.

The debut LP, from which Kings Table is taken, continues the spiritual and electrifying journey that Astrels began with their debut EP, Metropolis Psychosis. Take a deep dive, you won’t regret it.

Take a seat at the Kings Table on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

McCartney and Mezzowave showcased the power of transformative music with ‘Lifeblood’

Posted on 8 December 2023

Lifeblood by McCartney and Mezzowave is a musical embodiment of positive energy and spiritual resonance, reflecting the diverse talents and profound journeys of its creators.

McCartney, a consciousness coach and musician, infuses the track with her signature tranquil, soul-stirring style. Her vocals in Lifeblood serve as an auditory sanctuary, offering a mantra-like quality that inspires a yearning for enlightenment and mindfulness. The deep bass lines in the song complement its uplifting spirit, making it more than just an earworm; it’s a journey into inner peace.

Mezzowave, known for his versatility in electronic music and his role as a TV/film composer, brings a unique depth to the collaboration. His expertise in creating compositions that touch the soul is evident in the way Lifeblood resonates with listeners.

What’s particularly captivating about Lifeblood is its diversity in form. The ambient rendition offers a laid-back, soothing experience, ideal for moments of reflection. The meditation mix is a testament to the track’s spiritual roots, providing a soundscape for inner peace and mindfulness.

The music video’s inclusion of Max’s Ford Consul Classic adds a touch of nostalgia and a subtle nod to the Beatles, enriching the song’s background story. McCartney’s musical heritage, combined with her recent solo debut Calling to the World, demonstrates her natural ability to create music that deeply connects with her audience.

Stream the official music video for Lifeblood on YouTube.

Learn more about McCartney via her official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Becky Raisman wears empowerment as armour in her hyper-pop hit, Warrior

Posted on 3 December 2023

The lead single from Becky Raisman’s latest EP, Warrior, is a fiery encapsulation of the essence of self-empowerment. The track, defined by its alt-pop sensibilities, strikes as a battle cry for personal liberation. The song’s construction is a clever fusion of hyper-pop and melodic dubstep, creating a soundscape that is both anthemically charged and reminiscent of 8-bit tunes. Raisman’s bubblegum pop vocal lines serve as a conduit for listeners to plunge into a metaphorical rabbit hole, emerging empowered and steadfast.

Warrior is not just a personal triumph but an invitation for all to don their armour of empowerment and to stand their ground. Regardless of how many times the chaos of reality tries to tear the rug from under you.

Raisman’s background as a Columbia College Chicago alumna, her experiences in the Chicagoland area, and her vocal and keyboard training under notable mentors like Tamara Anderson, Jeffrey Morrow, and Randy Buescher add depth to the musical prowess which oscillates through Warrior and the subsequent singles, Live Your Life and Summer Nights.

Her journey from recording at Omnisound Studios in Nashville to her latest collaborations illustrates a dynamic and evolving career. Her dedication to her craft is further evidenced by her continuous education, such as taking music business classes through Yellowbrick at NYU’s Clive Davis Recorded Music Institute. As Raisman continues to collaborate and create, she will be a name to watch in the alt-pop universe.

Stream the Warrior EP on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ariana Rodriguez & Guap-O Unstoppable brought luxe grooves to the airwaves with ‘Forever Invited’

Posted on 15 November 2023

With the eclecticism in her discography, there’s no telling what Ariana Rodriguez will pull out of her bag of sonic dynamism next; her collaboration with Guap-O Unstoppable on ‘Forever Invited’ didn’t disappoint. It’s a showstopper of a downtempo vibe-spiller that takes the Jersey club sound to the next level.

After a smooth, steady and syncopated prelude that drenches the listener in atmospheric reverb, the track seamlessly picks up the pace ensuring not a drop of the stylised soul was lost along the way. The way Ariana’s effect-laden vocal lines sink into the glitchy ethereal soundscape is a guaranteed ticket to transcendence; as for the authenticity, you’d be hard-pressed to find another artist as committed to keeping in their distinctive lane, but if you’re a fan of Kate Davies, Ada Lea, and Squirrel Flower, you won’t go far wrong hitting play.

Forever Invited was officially released on November 3rd; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

J.MYSTERY granted the permission to ‘Breakdown’ in the ethereal catharsis of his artfully raw alt-electronica score.

Posted on 9 November 2023

‘Breakdown’ is the latest innovatively polished and artfully raw electronica score by the Portuguese virtuoso and genre-melding alchemist, J.MYSTERY, who has garnered an accoladed reputation over the last few years with his command over ethereal ingenuity.

After a strong yet wavy reminiscence of John Grant in the intro which puts J.MYSTERY’s honey-timbered croons atop oscillating synthesised turbulence, echoes of the darkest Arctic Monkeys album start to manifest in the reverberance before the single veers into intersections of atmospheric soul, which will captivate any fans of Hozier and George Ezra.

Given the strength of his discography, crafting his most powerful single to date was no easy feat, but inspired by the grief shared with his wife following the sorrow of a miscarriage, J.MYSTERY found the necessity to extol the virtues of breaking down and refusing to listen to ‘be strong’ commands. Unless your soul is cast in stone, you’ll find tears to shed over this overwhelmingly vulnerable release.

Breakdown was officially released on September 29; sink into the soulful avant-garde electronica by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Melancholia spills into the cosmos with Sub Caesar’s melodically progressive tech house cocktail Into the Oblast (When Will You Be Home) ft Brunetti

Posted on 4 November 2023

Some EDM anthems drop, others make a collision that will make an ever-lasting impression; Sub Caesar’s latest orchestration, Into the Oblast (When Will You Be Home) ft Brunetti, is luxe enough in meaningful momentum to scorch the airwaves on its arrival.

The dark and melancholic anthem, which is drenched in enough yearning and desperation for security and sanctity that it spills pensiveness into the cosmos, pulls together with a cohesion that makes it impossible not to surrender to the mellifluous instrumental layering and the searing soul in Brunetti’s glassy vocal lines. If her timbre sounds familiar, you may have heard her in her tracks featured on Netflix shows, including Selling Sunset, Love is Blind, and The Circle.

By exploring the most elemental trappings of melodic house & techno and progressive house, Sub Caesar produced an evocatively energising Tour De Force, which should necessitate the removal of the ‘sub’ affix from his moniker.

The independent Dutch producer, Sub Caesar, said:

“The inspiration for this track came from one of these heart-breaking clips of soldiers returning home, hugging their children. Amongst all the terrible news and images of war and war victims, his clip touched me deeply. A strong emotion is a good basis for music! The word ‘Oblast’ means region or province in Ukraine. In this track, it stands for any harm a loved one could be in while also being far away from home and the anxiety and special kind of longing that this causes. Having said that, yes, you can hear the actual Kiev air siren in there, pitched down a semitone to match the musical scale.”

Into the Oblast will officially be released on November 3rd; hear it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The genre alchemist James Urquhart is set to unleash his progressively prodigious hit, The Tearz and the Pain

Posted on 4 November 2023

The genre alchemist and one of the top producers in the UK, James Urquhart, drifted through a melodic menagerie of style in his latest single, The Tearz and the Pain, which is locked, loaded, and ready to drop an atom bomb of ingenuity onto the airwaves.

With all the hooky body-rocking flavour of 90s boyband pop in the deliciously infectious vein of the hit that announced Backstreet’s Back after a mellow 80s RnB opening sequence that Seal fans will give the seal of approval, Tearz and the Pain reaches its high-octane peak in a euphoric intersection of drum n bass before winding the track right down again.

The progressive prodigy left us arrested with every aural transgression and convinced us that labels will be hammering down the door to his professional studio, which he uses to produce his and other people’s hits. Previously, his music has been distributed by Hed Kandi and Let There Be House; there’s no telling who will pick him up next.

Follow James Urquhart on SoundCloud and Instagram to be the first to know when The Tearz and the Pain drops; with the soul it sonically unleashes, it is more than worth the wait.

Review by Amelia Vandergast