Browsing Tag

nyc

Music Video Review: Alana Monteiro’s RnB pop aesthetic in ‘High’ is a lesson in Voguish seduction

Posted on 23 November 2024

Three weeks after releasing the official music video for her first hit single, High, the NYC singer-songwriter, world-renowned supermodel, writer and actress Alana Monteiro. shot past the 1 million stream mark, creating a new addiction to her sound that harnesses more style than a copy of Harper’s Bazaar.

The cinematically shot 4k official music video is an extension of the sleek sophistication which envelops the track, establishing Alana Monteiro as so much more than just a serious contender in the RnB pop scene, but an icon in the making of her own Vogueish image. Blazing in no one but her own trail, Alana Monteiro’s scintillatingly seraphic sonic signature knows nothing of assimilation, it scribes nothing but the Alana Monteiro aura which is taking the industry by storm.

With the outtakes following the final note of the track, the growing army of Alana Monteiro fans get a glimpse of the girl next door behind the glamorous façade, giving the seductively aphrodisiacal sonics even more relatable weight.

High was officially released on November 1st; stream the official music video on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Aaron Thip is fortified with fortitude in the prophetic beats of his latest rap track, I Ain’t Scared

Posted on 27 July 2024

Aaron Thip’s prophetic presence when he steps to the mic was exemplified in his latest fortified-with-fortitude single, I Aint Scared.

Aaron Thip, a seasoned lyricist rooted in the vibrantly gritty underground of NYC hip-hop, grips attention with vice-like intensity from the outset of his latest release which allows you to instantly register the Brooklyn-born, Harlem-raised artist, previously known as Tha Coach, as a conduit of enlightened introspective gold.

His commanding vocal presence over the beats testifies to how he belongs to a league of his own as he revisits the path he walked down to achieve mental clarity and sanctity. Yet, this track is far more than an introduction to Thip’s psyche. He fearlessly tackles the challenge of maintaining peace of mind and resilience as society’s global fabric crumbles into disarray.

In times when many struggle to find solace, optimism and faith amid endless tragedies, Thip emerges as the ultimate role model. His vibe-heavy hit marries mellow, old-school instrumentals with his potent lyrics, delivering sonic salvation for anyone in search of melodic consolation.

Stream I Ain’t Scared on Apple Music and YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

stella. playfully broached the implausibility of equanimity in love with the twee maturity in ‘A Study in Balance’

Posted on 19 May 2024

If you prefer your indie pop sans filters, facades and pretension, the latest convivial offering from stella.’s upcoming EP, A Study in Balance, raises the bar for confessional candour and introspective expression.

The title single from the breakthrough NYC indie pop artist comes alive through innocently playful piano chord progressions and vocal harmonies which soften the blow of the lyricism which holds no prisoners when confronting the most conflicting aspects of relationship dynamics. By finding an affable way to allude to the implausibility of equanimity within a relationship when too much is never enough until it tips the balance in the other way, stella. released one of the most relatable singles of the year.

Somewhat ironically, the symmetry between twee tendencies and songwriting sophistication within A Study in Balance was right on point; we already can’t wait to hear the lyrical wisdom bestowed within the singles that are still to drop from stella.’s sophomore EP.

A Study in Balance was officially released on May 3rd; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Arcane Insignia opened an unholy doorway with their synthesis of classical instrumentation and prog rock volution, Vagrant’s Throne

Posted on 17 March 2024

The Arcane Insignia’s moniker couldn’t be more fitting following the unveiling of their latest orchestrally aligned acoustic prog rock single, Vagrant’s Throne. The New York City duo set a new benchmark in the genre with this 8-minute epic, released as part of their LP, A Violent Whisper.

The dark iteration of classical music still maintains its elegance and opulence as it grapples with the complex signatures of progressive rock’s audacious spirit and the chameleonic vocals which seamlessly shift from the histrionics of New Model Army to the rage and rancour which transcends the furore of Pantera.

Formed by Lodrö Nyima, The Arcane Insignia consists of Noah Heau on cello and Nyima handling vocals, percussion, acoustic guitar, and piano. Their music, a unique amalgamation of influences ranging from Tool and Steven Wilson to The Contortionist, allows the classical instrumentation to venture into darker territories than it is typically accustomed to, creating a scintillating new domain where the ornate, cutting classical strings meet cathartic aural oblivion. This fusion also opens an unholy doorway to a realm where anything is plausible and everything is cinematically striking.

Following in the footsteps of bands like Ne Obliviscaris, Vagrant’s Throne, which unravels as a compelling exposition on classism, proves The Arcane Insignia’s commitment to breaking down antiquated barriers.

Stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

NYC’s Lucid Lip synthed up their soul-rock signature in their achingly bitter-sweet release, No Ones’ Burden

Posted on 1 March 2024

Lucid Lip, a band which always knows which heartstrings to pull and notes to play, took their sound to more experimental synth rock territory while maintaining their evocatively impactful finesse with their latest single, No Ones’ Burden.

Staying with their signature sound of soulful alt-rock clearly doesn’t creatively hinder the powerhouse which has become integral to the NY live music scene after playing Rockwood Music Hall, The Bitter End, Our Wicked Lady and countless other renowned venues in their 10-year reign as one of the most versatile acts in the NYC circuit.

After a Grandaddy-meets-Owl-City-esque synthy prelude, No Ones’ Burden kicks into a melodiously energised alt-rock-goes-pop groove as the smoky with soul vocal lines project aching melancholy into the tonally dynamic, harmonically-heightened release. Chris Cornell himself couldn’t have conveyed the emotion in the intimate lyricism better; the candour-fuelled confessionalism of the release is bound to resound with anyone who knows how bitter-sweet it feels to be beholden to no one and be perpetually resisting the temptation to live fast and loose.

No Ones’ Burden will be available to stream on all major platforms from March 1st.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Isla de Luca redefined the femme fatale archetype in her provocatively liberating alt-pop hit, I Already Am One

Posted on 16 February 2024
https://soundcloud.com/isladeluca/i-already-am-one/s-2uIRmKUEKZz?si=e1ec91131191412ab7cbbe435a4c3782&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Isla de Luca riotously fucked the gender binary with the launch of her debut alt-pop single, I Already Am One. With the rock licks augmenting the pop hooks and injecting them with adrenaline, the NYC icon staked a serious claim in the pop domain. After ensnaring just about everyone who crosses her on TikTok and Instagram, she’s more than ready to demurely dominate the airwaves with her scintillating synthesis of electronica, pop and rock.

While trad wives are falling over themselves to appease the male gaze as their sole aim in life, Isla de Luca has asserted herself as an indomitable queer pop icon with the refrain “I don’t need a rich man, I already am one”. It’s a subversive twist to die for and to live for. Through her mission to rip up the exploitative tropes around desire and empower others to embrace their provocative power, she stands just as tall as Kathleen Hanna in the feminist landscape.

If you thought femme fatales were all about seduction, feel the vindication cascading from Isla de Luca’s flawlessly electrifying vocal lines and realise the liberation of living as the archetype in their villain era.

For fans of MARINA, Paramore and Sophie, this single isn’t one you want to sleep on.

I Already Am One will be available to stream from February 16. Stream it and follow Isla de Luca on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Find out why the city never sleeps in snailosaur’s indie rock vignette, Apartment Boxes (nyc poem)

Posted on 18 January 2024

Forget what you know about New York from the over-romanticised depictions and acquaint yourself with the true nature of the cityscape, which juxtaposes grit and grime with the monolithic architecture and the egregious egos of Wall Street wolves. snailosaur’s standout single, ‘Apartment Boxes (nyc poem)’, taken from their indie rock LP, Talk Therapy, paints a fond vignette of the infamous city over the luminous tonality of their angular guitar lines, which weave elements of new wave into the nostalgia-kissed release.

While the upbeat melodies embed the single with a light and dreamy air as they cruise through the Pavement-esque progressions, the vocals act in contrast with their nonchalant drawls, adding depth to the track as they allude to the sins and cultural salvation of the city that never sleeps – and now, thanks to snailosaur, we know why; the working class are confined to coffins as they live and breathe. Yet, suffocation is a small price to pay to walk the streets that become portals in time, if you know which avenues to take.

Apartment Boxes (nyc poem) is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Captain Birthday and the Undertaker seduced Lady Luck with the subversive sonics in ‘Scratch Ticket’

Posted on 1 December 2023

Scratch Ticket by Captain Birthday and the Undertaker is an audaciously infectious track that defies conventional rock iconography with its inventive fusion of genres and wildcard thematic lyricism. Just as scratch tickets symbolise unpredictability, this song embodies that same quality through its musical composition. It’s not often that the worlds of gambling and rock n’ roll intersect in such a literal sense, but this duo has taken the challenge head-on, spinning the concept into an auditory spectacle.

From the nostalgia of surf rock to pivots of electrifying rock riffs which cut through the mix, commanding attention with their raw energy to the embracing of atmospheric post-punk tension, Scratch Ticket, from the band’s eponymous debut EP, delivers all that and more to ensure each transition resonates like a new scene in a play; an unveiling of a different mask worn by the same enigmatic character.

At the heart of this song is the chemistry between Jean-Michel Letalon and Andrew Vogts, who are the creative engines behind Captain Birthday and The Undertaker. Letalon, with his rock opera sensibilities and a vocal style reminiscent of the early 2000s New York City rock scene, delivers lyrics with an intriguing blend of drama and nonchalance. Vogts, “The Undertaker,” brings his classical music expertise into the realm of hard rock with electric violin arrangements that add a layer of sophistication to the track.

Scratch Ticket becomes a metaphor for the band’s journey — a gamble on the fusion of their varied influences, betting on the listener’s willingness to embrace the unexpected. The result is a song that’s both a tribute to rock’s past and a bold step into its future.

Stream Scratch Ticket with the rest of Captain Birthday and the Undertaker’s EP via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Leah Nawy is the ultimate contender for originator of the year after releasing her debut single, NUISANCE

Posted on 22 August 2023

By combining the soul of Sade with the tongue-in-cheek charm of Kate Nash and leaving plenty of room for her own striking rock-licked sonic signature stylings that open the floodgates to a rush of 90s pop nostalgia, Leah Nawy hit the ground running with her feisty and fresh debut single, NUISANCE.

If you’ve still got the attention span to appreciate a perfect three-minute pop hit, lose yourself in the vibrant tones, groove-driven and funk-dripping instrumentals, and some of the sweetest sugared-with-attitude vocal lines you will hear this year.

With a polyphonically jazzy rock n roll outro that enabled Nawy to dig her heels into her authenticity, NUISANCE is a debut that no one will be quick to forget. Even with the industry more saturated than it has ever been, there’s no denying Leah Nawy is a promising triple threat with her charisma, talent, and ear for earwormy melodies.

After she finishes her Masters degree in songwriting and production at Berklee NYC, she will be an unstoppable force.

NUISANCE hit the airwaves on the 28th of July; stream it for yourselves on Spotify.  

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Numbsoul welcomes you into unfamiliarly inviting territory with his downtempo trip-hop hit, Break Free

Posted on 13 August 2023

With syncopated beats brushing up against ambient electronic melodies that allow you to trip into an unfamiliarly inviting gritty urban territory, the latest single, Break Free, from the singer-songwriter, producer, audio engineer and sound designer, Numbsoul is a short and sweet slice of sonic transcendence.

The NYC-raised artist, who goes by the name Dashaun Riley away from the mixing desk, started self-teaching and performing in the arts at age seven; he’s had plenty of time to hone his multi-faceted crafts since finding inspiration from the likes of Kanye, Timbaland and G-Unit.

At age 15, he stepped up his creativity by evolving from a music composer and screenwriter into a music producer. His sounds can be heard reverberating through the NYC underground and within the mainstream after featuring on one of Universal Music Group’s official Spotify playlists and signing a deal with Sony. If you’re waiting to see the rise of the latest NYC luminary, watch this space; Numbsoul is sure to dominate it with his culturally-balling beats.

Stream Break Free via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast