Browsing Tag

owl city

Ben Thuesen mastered the art of indie pop euphonic immersion with ‘Angel Face’

Posted on 19 July 2024

In his latest indie-pop release, Angel Face, the affectingly irreplicable Ben Thuesen channelled the soul-wrenching mourning of a love lost into a composition that haunts with its lyrical depth and intricate melodies.

The Sacramento-based singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer exhibited how he has perfected the art of euphonic immersion with this vignette of the bittersweet aftermath of affection. The anthem for the lovelorn echoes the melodic poignancy of artists in the same vein as Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen, while ensuring that no influence overshadows the uniqueness of his distinctly cultivated sonic signature.

By weaving guitar strings and heartstrings together, the independent artist crafted a sonic landscape that mirrors the isolation of heartbreak. The stinging clarity of his guitar lines cuts through the nightscape with the precision of a seasoned jazz musician, his roots bleeding into each note, offering a raw, unfiltered emotional narrative which reflects the alienatingly quiet hours of introspection that often accompany the loss of love.

Angel Face will be available to stream on all major platforms from July 19; stream it on Soundcloud first.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

$chaff the Prophet – TELEPHONE: The Cosmic Psych-Trap Track You Won’t Be Able to Put Down

Posted on 13 June 2024

$chaff the Prophet burst through the bubblegum pop trend and established his own cosmic bubblegum psych trap niche with his second LP for 2024, PSYCHEDELIC BUBBLEGUM.

The standout single, TELEPHONE, is an electrifying synth-driven kaleidoscopic synthesis of 8Bit, trap, hyperpop, and Owl City-esque electronica. If the viscerally hued sonics of the track don’t ensnare you, $chaff the Prophet’s sticky-sweet approach to painting a neon-lit vignette of a lonely protagonist searching for connection while keeping social life in the palm of her hand hits hard enough to bruise.

The exposition of how easy it is to get “lost in information, pixels and tones” couldn’t hit closer to home now given the hyperconnected nature of Gen Z and Gen Alpha. The artist’s signature arpeggios lend themselves effortlessly well to the playful yet empathy-evoking production, which shows just how far $chaff the Prophet has come since the launch of his debut in 2019. Now 11 LPs deep, his authentic sound has become so cultivated that he deserves to be revered as a pioneer in his own right.

TELEPHONE is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Arden – I Don’t Sleep: A Poignant Alt-Pop Symphony of an Exposed Heart and Soul

Posted on 7 January 2024

The London-based alt-pop pioneer, Arden, found the inspiration for his latest single, I Don’t Sleep, through the fear that once you have laid your soul bare, there’s no covering it up to the ones you exposed your vulnerability to.

There’s sweetness in the sentiment “there will always be a part of me that’s yours” but the bitterness of that part of you becoming redundant in the wake of a breakup is a cutting juxtaposition. Lyrically, it is powerful enough to make you view relationships through a brand-new cautious lens. Still, within the blossoming swells in the piano melodies and the orchestrally carved crescendos, there’s a scintillating atmosphere, full of spirited passion – stirring enough to make you want to take the dive into inevitable pain.

I Don’t Sleep is a testament to Arden’s ability to blend poignant lyrics with lush musical arrangements. The song achieves a cinematic quality, panoramic enough to be part of a blockbuster soundtrack, yet intimate enough to tug at the heartstrings with every note. Arden’s cultivated songwriting, reminiscent of Owl City, shines through in I Don’t Sleep. His soulful vocal performance, memorable melodies, and sophisticated production showcase a maturity beyond his years.

As he opens 2024 with this energised and refined sound, Arden solidifies his place as an artist to watch, captivating audiences with his honest and witty songwriting.

I Don’t Sleep will hit the airwaves on January 5th; stream it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Arrive at the brink of bliss with ACTHEKIDFROMSPACE’s euphoria-fuelled summer cocktail, POR Ti, ft Martina

Posted on 24 September 2023

Proving that summer is as much of a vibe as it is a season is the latest in a long string of seminal singles from Montreal’s brightest RnB luminary, ACTHEKIDFROMSPACE.

POR Ti, which features sun-kissed harmonies from the Argentina-born singer and composer Martina, who has been elevating the RnB, trap, and soul genres with her mesmerising vocal register, is an intoxicating tropic melting pot of genre-fluid culture.

With a few salacious lines worked into the production that boasts the same sweet, sugared, and polished sound of Owl City, POR Ti ticks all the Afro-pop RnB boxes while transcending the contemporary curve and driving you to the brink of bliss and allowing you to drift through it on cruise control.

With over 17k monthly listeners locking into his expertly rendered rhythms, the self-made Canadian artist and sound engineer has easily reached his goal of visualising his memories and feelings and allowing his staunch fanbase to vicariously live in the rapture of them.

Stream POR Ti on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

That special light: Mike Hall Bass adds his own ambiance to classic single on ‘Owl City-Fireflies (Solo Bass Cover)’

Posted on 28 March 2021
https://soundcloud.com/user-224215621/fireflies-owl-city-solo-bass-cover

Featuring a lovely lo-fi feel that has your whole body tingling in joy, Mike Hall Bass returns with his fantastic ‘Owl City-Fireflies (Solo Bass Cover)’.

Mike Hall Bass is a charismatic New Jersey-based bassist, with a world class style who has worked with and played alongside some of the best bands in the world. His class is for all to hear on this brand new single that helps calms down our busy mind, his chilled out version has you tapping your feet and remembering fondly, when you heard this well-known song all over the radio.

He adds a soothing element to this all-time classic track and eagerly takes us for a mellow ride through the soothing bass melody he has lovingly created. The harmonics are easy on the ear and he strides in with a carefully crafted gem, that is a delight to listen to.

‘Owl City-Fireflies (Solo Bass Cover)’ from the lovable New Jersey bassist Mike Hall Bass, is a wondrous effort from a quality guitarist, who leaves a lasting impression on a top song that he has truly made his own.

Hear this soothing song on Soundcloud and see more about him on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

A&R Factory Present: Nick Deutsch

Posted on 31 December 2016

Pop singer-songwriter, Nick Deutsch, announces the release of his new single, “Under Your Ocean.”

The track is the first taste from his EP “Heart Saver” released this past November. The EP is a follow-up to his 2015 release, Crazy Ride . Melissa Kucirek of Hot Indie News , raved about Crazy Ride, stating, “I’m convinced Nick Deutsch is the next big thing. Convinced. Overall, he garners a solid A+ review for his enjoyable Crazy Ride. ” The new track “Under Your Ocean” has already gained recognition, earning a UK Commended Entry Nomination for Best Pop Song 2015 and a semi-finalist for Best Pop Male Voice at the 2015 International Vocalist Competition.

The New York-based musician started making music at the age of 10, and by his early teens, he was performing at his local Border Books Cafe and coffee houses. Taking after his musician mother, he developed a love for jazz and classical piano. Deutsch made his way to NYU, where he befriended the CEO of the New York Songwriter’s circle,Tina Shafer (who has worked with Avril Lavigne, Taylor Swift, Vanessa Carlton, Gavin Degraw and Norah Jones).

Shafer’s support and guidance led Deutsch to booking shows at venues such as CBGB’s, The Bitter End, Rockwood Music Hall, Cafe Vivaldi and Ella Lounge. Soon after, he began working with award-winning producer Joey Auch (Rachel Platten, Erin Bowman, Brittany Cairns). Deutsch has performed with Ian Axle (Great Big World), Jillette Johnson and performed with American Idol finalistMarissa Pontecorvo. Aside from his awards for “Under Your Ocean,” he was the recipient of the 2011 Philadelphia Songwriters Project Award and the 2011 New York Songwriter’s Circle Award. His lyrics for “Crazy Ride” have wonmmultiple nominations and were printed in the American Songwriter Magazine in 2014. Deutsch has been featured onBuzzfeed, Pop Vulture Magazine, Spoke Magazine and more . Stay tuned for more from Nick Deutsch and his upcoming EP!

For More visit nickdeutschmusic.com