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Trevour Amunga artfully attacks hip hop in his downtempo debut single, Drama.

Posted on 19 July 2021

Kenya-born, LA-based songwriter and rap artist Trevour Amunga has released his debut single, Drama; he describes his sound as a charming blend of poetry and authenticity, which articulately encapsulates the vibe of the sensual spoken-word lyricism  along with the seductively ambient slow grooves of the downtempo release.

It was a short and sweet introduction to Trevour Amunga, but we’re already stoked to hear more of his artful approach to hip hop. His experimental production style and the range of his mesmerising vocal timbre makes his debut single one of the most original hip hop debuts of 2021.

Drama is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

LA indie darkwave duo Darkplay have released their latest single ‘Only You’

Posted on 28 March 2021

Ahead of their forthcoming album, LA indie darkwave duo, Darkplay unleashed their entrancingly atmospheric synthpop single, ‘Only You’ which takes the listener on a trip to the murky depths of 80s post-punk while never sacrificing the melodic gravity of the single.

With a similar revivalist nature to bands such as Spector, Darkplay succeeded in teasing nostalgia while putting a brand-new spin of a familiar sound. Each crescendo comes laden in reverb for the ultimate psychotropic effect, and to sweeten the track, the perfect balance of light affability and dark despondency was found. Just imagine what it would sound like if Joy Division and the Human League had an aural lovechild.

Only You can be heard on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Stressed out: Rapper Dan gets the calibration just right on ‘Talk To Me’ (feat. Jessica Gerhardt)

Posted on 28 March 2021

Taken off his latest twelve-track album named ‘Rapper Dan Goes To Los Angeles‘, Rapper Dan is quite brilliant on his return to the music scene with ‘Talk To Me‘ (feat. Jessica Gerhardt).

Rapper Dan is an enlightened Los Angeles-based emcee with a mellow flow, who consciously gets straight to the point without all the unnecessary flashy bling and swag, that weighs down what music is really all about.

After being featured on the classic ESPN sports show Pardon the Interruption with Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon recently, you feel like this could be the big break he needed to fully realize his wildest dreams.

This is the sweet story of a lover being worried about her man, as he is stressed out all the time and she wants to see him happy. The flow is so compellingly consistent and simple, with a satisfying beat that you can’t help but enjoy on this sunglasses-on, ride through to the beach type of single, that truly hits the right spot.

‘Talk To Me‘ (feat. Jessica Gerhardt) from Rapper Dan is a wonderfully projected indie hip-hop song featuring sultry but classy vocals and a chilled rap delivery, that has you swaying around like it was summer again.

Stream this top track on Spotify and see more of his rise up on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Aimee Saturne has left her sultry mark on the airwaves once more with her dark pop single ‘Silver Screen Lover’

Posted on 27 March 2021

There was no forgetting Aimee Saturne after her audaciously titled debut single ‘Don’t Tell My Boyfriend’, although it was hard to see how the sophomore release could top the entrancing seduction. We clearly underestimated the dark pop songstress who is hell-bent on leaving her sultry mark on the airwaves and on the lascivious streets of LA.

With “I think I’ve finally lost my fucking mind because I think about you all of the time”  as the opening lyric in ‘Silver Screen Lover’, you can’t help but be drawn in by the candid lyricism which Aimee Saturne’s seductive vocal range wraps around as bass-riding notes blazon beneath.

It would be an edgy track, if the empowering feat of sexually charged pop wasn’t so flawlessly produced. What you hear in Silver Screen Lover is an admission of someone entirely in command of their sexual agency. It’s the ultimate antidote to crass faux feminist pop.

Silver Screen Lover is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Highs and lows: Atul sings passionately about wanting to hold her close on ‘Love is Not My Cup of Tea’

Posted on 22 March 2021

Singing with a confident edge, Atul brings us the true story of people that can’t find love in this mysteriously complex world, full of trials and tribulations on ‘Not My Cup of Tea‘.

Atul is a vibrant Indian-born, Los Angeles-based indie-pop/dance singer-songwriter, who makes that entertaining music about romantic moments and life in the USA.

His sings with such self-belief that he wants to be friends and take it up a notch or two, but isn’t ready to commit with fully-fledged love right now. Perhaps that will come later down the line, but for now he is happy where he is and just wants to make genuine friends, who like him for who he is.

The vocals are exciting and lyrics catchy, the message is vividly clear as they try and pull you in closer. His way with words leaves you in no doubt of his intentions, as the mist of the day wears off, everything is much easier to see now. This is a man who is only focusing on his music, as he knows that serious relationships will come later down the line.

‘Not My Cup of Tea’ from the fast-rising talent of Indian/USA singer Atul, is a true story made for a movie, that shows his attitude toward love right now, as his heart still heals from past relationships, a man that is still finding his way to open up again and be happy with the right person.

Waiting for true love rather than being with someone you shouldn’t, is the sign of a wise soul after all.

Stream this catchy new song on Soundcloud and follow him on FB.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Our senses are heightened ‘When It Rains’

Posted on 4 March 2021

‘When It Rains’ – the fourth single from L.A.-based power-trio senses – is a wash of urgent, driving drums, dark synths, and grinding, overdriven guitars all capped off by vocalist Madison Taylor’s stunning, folk-tinged voice. It’s kind of cheap and easy to draw ‘female-fronted rock-band’ comparisons, but ‘When It Rains’ is an absolute belter of an alt-rock track with some definite favourable Paramore comparisons due to Taylor’s uber-powerful vocal performance riding the crest of Josh Bissell’s crashing, distorted guitar onslaught and Nick Sampson’s pounding backbeat, maybe a touch of Tonight Alive, and a little of Amy Lee mixed in for good measure, sitting alongside some classic ‘Comfort In Sound’-era Feeder or Bush.

There’s a lot more to come from this understated trio, but for now check out the video for ‘When It Rains’ on YouTube, and follow Senses on Facebook and Instagram.

Cool as a cucumber: Myko Lyric drops the heat on the sizzlin’ ‘307’

Posted on 1 February 2021

Taken off her latest five-track EP ‘618‘, ‘307‘ from the sensational Myko Lyric, is her brand new single that will have your body in absolute raptures. Inspired by a ride on the 307 highway to Tulum before covid slapped the world in the face, this is a song (and video) to ease your pain and make you think of better times ahead.

Mid City, Los Angeles-born Myko Lyric is a conscientiously gifted dancer, actress and singer-songwriter who has brought her talents to the bright lights of New York City. She is an artistically intelligent soul who makes that unfeigned type of music that broadens the mind and feeds the soul. With an attainable goal of making a track with the legendary Brandy on her radar, this is a creative that isn’t waiting around for things to happen-she is busting down doors to get inside.

The soothingly tasty start has your whole body in a trance-like groove that is a calming and makes you want to just move. You feel like you are on a beach island, with the waves so mellow and you are sipping on a cold beverage with one of those silly hats inside.

This is the story about being with that special one in your life and being so comfortable together that you let your bodies do what they like. When you are together, everything is so good and you want to make each other happy, with no grey areas as your souls interlock and never let go.

‘307‘ from the incredible LA to NYC multi-talented Myko Lyric, is that track you play to relax with, as you enjoy your holiday away from the madness of the world. With sensual but classy dance moves that will make you blush, this is a song that heats up your dull day and with her crystal clear vocals, this is a spectacular single that blows your mind. You will definitely need a swim to cool off.

Stream this steamin’ new single on Spotify and see more visuals on her YouTube and IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Slip into the choral indietronica tones in Seven Layer Piano Cakes’ latest release ‘Patriarch’

Posted on 27 January 2021
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxhlbmp6F14

With the evocative sensibilities of Thrice, the harmoniously enrapturing pull of The Beach Boys and the neo-psych dreampop inclinations of Beach House, ‘Patriarch’, the title single from Seven Layer Piano Cakes’ EP was never going to fall flat.

We’ve all had plenty more time to get in touch with our emotions recently, Patriarch will ensure that it is time well spent as it acts as an efficacious dreampop guide to meditative affable reflection. With the lyrical sparsity, there are plenty of opportunities to sit back and drink in the choral indietronica tones with a sense of optimism instilled by the harmoniously layered instantly enamouring feat of pop.

Seven Layer Piano Cakes is the project of LA law professor and attorney, Justin Hoyt. With his eclectic array of influences and his aptitude with atypical chord progressions and consoling vocal charisma, there’s very little getting in his way as a breaking artist. Get him on your radar.

Patriarch is available to stream via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

SEBASTIAN MĀRCUS broke the monocultural mould with their reverb-drenched genre-defying single ‘PCG’

Posted on 21 January 2021
SEBASTIAN MĀRCUS

SEBASTIAN MĀRCUS took his experimentalism to ethereal new heights with the release of their single ‘PCG’; a reverb-drenched genre-defying feat of electronica which breaks the monocultural mould.

From bilingual sensually phantasmal harmonies to effect-laden ominous non-lexical vocals, SEBASTIAN MĀRCUS well and truly demonstrated their chill-inducing talents in PCG which melds elements of trap, dream pop and ambient electronica to hypnotic effect. It’s well worth putting a sweater on for; you can expect the entirety of your consciousness to be consumed as you listen to the paradoxically chilling and simultaneously lush track.

You’ll have to wait a little longer before you can check out PCG for yourselves. In the meantime, head over to SEBASTIAN MĀRCUS ’SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Paying tribute to lives lost but never forgotten: Solly finds peace though music on the exquisitely beautiful ‘She Can Run’

Posted on 21 January 2021

After breezing in with the peacefully excellent ‘Shelter‘ during the middle of 2020, Solly returns with his awe-inspiring new single, that speaks about dealing with pain through loss on ‘She Can Run‘.

Solly Margo aka Solly, is an ever-evolving dual NYC and LA-based indie-dream soul artist with style for days. who makes that calming type of music, no matter what the storm is outside. He is a truly authentic soul who has that extra quality that few posses and he has the ability to grab your attention- so you fly up to the clouds with him for a few minutes.

With a special sonic daydream fused with beautiful guitar strums and a stunning beat to catch our attention right away, you just know that this is going to be a great song. Full of real meaning and the sad story of losing his beloved grandmother and trusty dog right around the same time, has inspired this soulfully aware musician to make a touching tribute that they would be so proud of.

His caring and sweet vocal delivery that is layered with a bright and optimistic tone, with friends on the bass and electric guitar adding so much light on this sad topic, to create something truly special for our hearts to heal with. If you have ever dealt with heartbreak from loss, this is the kind of music to immerse yourself into deeply, so you can find the positives and to treasure the best memories you have of the dearly departed.

“I’m on a quest to reveal my purpose and authenticity through the art that I make alone and with others.” –Solly 

‘She Can Run‘ from the incredibly soulful Solly is a wonderful creation about sorrow when you deal with the loss of two important figures in your life. The ability to remember the great moments you had together and to let them be free, is an important step into healing and being happy again. After all, that is what they would of wanted for you.

Stream this reflective gem on Spotify and see his visuals on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen