Browsing Tag

Pop

Out of Time ft Jojo Guo Elevated Phil Raskin to Audio Legend Status

Posted on 11 May 2024

The wall of sound that rushes right over you when you hit play on the standout single, Out of Time, from the three-track single, Fade, affirms that Phil Raskin has earned a place among the likes of Phil Spector, Tom Dowd, and George Martin in the audio engineer hall of fame.

The clarity, depth, and all-consuming intensity within the synthesis of pop, rock and soul make the production a phenomenon in its own right – not that the immensity of talent nestled within the performance can be understated. With guitar riffs that paralyse with their overdriven power, organ keys that transcend enough to escape material reality, and the 70s pop-rock piano melodies that intensify the emotion within Jojo Guo’s vocals and wash away the decades, Out of Time is a timelessly indomitable multisensory experience that is by far one of the most Grammy-worthy pieces I’ve heard in the past decade.

To hone his talent, the multinational engineer studied Music Production & Engineering, Film Scoring and Audio Post-Production at Berklee before relocating to LA where he became an integral part of Igloo Music Studios, working on projects for Netflix and Disney. Further into his career, he recorded a full choir session for the 2023 Super Bowl Pre-Show and was put in charge of Spatial Quality Control of Dolby Atmos deliverables for Camel City Sound. At this stage, if he had any more feathers in his cap, he’d need an aviary to contain them.

Stream Out of Time on Spotify or purchase the single via Apple Music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Slender Dan dawned an electro-pop awakening with ‘Every Morning the World is Created’

Posted on 10 May 2024

In their latest single, Every Morning the World is Created, Slender Dan captured the essence of electro-pop while infusing it with a soul-stirring spiritual motif. From Nashville’s avant-garde scene, the duo channels their fascination with the psychedelic facets of life into this track.

It’s a tribute not just to personal transformations such as motherhood and rebirth, as Heather of Slender Dan shares, but also to the musical forebears who have sculpted the landscape of synth-pop.

The autotuned vocals climb ceaselessly, crafting an ethereal canopy above the dense, moody beats. This striking contrast grounds the listener, even as the melody seeks to lift them into a transcendental state. Slender Dan adeptly navigates through the shadows of Radiohead and the luminescent arcs of Electric Light Orchestra, with nods to the digital heartbeats of The Human League and the introspective harmonies of Boygenius.

As we approach Mother’s Day, this single serves as a reflective medium on the cyclical nature of life and the continuous giving of our planet. Hit play, and let Slender Dan guide you through a musical exploration that encourages appreciation of our ever-giving world.

Stream Every Morning the World is Created via Spotify when it reaches the airwaves on May 10th.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

I AM Cricchi unveiled his soul in his genre-defying journey of an LP, The Road Back

Posted on 9 May 2024

In his fourth album, The Road Back, the chart-topping urban evocateur I AM Cricchi locked and loaded enough heavy emotional artillery to wage war on the airwaves. The release is a continuation of his commitment to drawing out poison through self-expression, resulting in a visceral anthology that fervently spans the entire emotional spectrum. Stylistically, Cricchi organically matches the psychological dynamism by seamlessly shifting between and melding elements of hip-hop, country, trap, RnB and pop; never assimilating his influences, Will Smith, Nelly, Kid Rock, John Mayer, Alan Jackson, Jelly Roll and Colt Ford, but emulating their ability to melodically envelop you within their emotional projections.

Even after the opening single, Deep Thoughts, the weight of the album that strips the Maryland-born, Texas-based artist’s soul bare, rests heavy. Yet, none of the vulnerable confessionalism within the lyrics or aching sonic motifs feels overbearing or oppressive. Instead, you fall into his world, living vicariously through the palpably cathartic dialectics, torn between intense empathy and revelling in the resonance in his authentic performance as he relives the raw feelings that became precipices to lyrically jump off.

I Gotta Grow is one of the testaments to the resilience required to overcome addiction, envision a better life and fulfil it; after losing himself to substance abuse, Cricchi practices what he preaches; it may not be your average gospel, but it can lead anyone walking to that path to salvation. Fortitude is a theme that echoes throughout the release which expertly uses euphonic acoustic elements and spatial effects to open up enough room for the emotional core for each of the singles to break through to the surface and stick with you for long after the final track fades.

Featuring a stellar line-up of collaborators, including Gringo the MC in Current Situation, Bubbly Galloway in Some Days, Jordan Meyer in Emotions, and Pirscription in Sorry I’m Late, The Road Back is a rare record where you won’t dare to skip a track.

The Road Back LP dropped on May 3rd; stream the emotionally expansive release on Spotify.

Read our interview with I AM Cricchi here.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Serotonin Surge: Kennedy Administration’s ‘Be Your Lucky Number’ Strikes R&B Gold

Posted on 6 May 2024

From the first vocal note of Kennedy Administration’s single “Be Your Lucky Number,” you’re pulled under the artist’s infectiously vibrant spell which evokes euphoric soul over the zestfully serotonin-soaked groove pockets that carry the synthesis of hip-hop, RnB, and funk, leaving ample room for the pop hooks that keep you immersed in this riot of high vibe charisma that Kennedy Administration has become renowned for.

Every now and again, rare artists emerge that can transcend sound with the soul they deliver, it’s safe to say that Kennedy Administration is firmly in that camp. They’re the antithesis of your average painting-by-numbers artist, their intuitive relationship to music ensures that when Kennedy attacks the canvas, she becomes a conduit for unbridled otherworldly feel-good sensations.

Kennedy’s roots in Michigan’s musical soil, combined with her collaborative spirit alongside the keyboardist and producer Ondre J in New York, have cultivated a fertile ground for their creativity. The dynamic project, based in Brooklyn/NYC, pulses with the energy of the city. Their joy and passion are palpable, promising listeners an immersive journey into a world where every note celebrates the power of music. The single could easily be sold as a cure for depression.

Stream the live performance of Be Your Lucky Number at Studio G in Brooklyn on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

London’s Forsylver became indie royalty with their latest release, Promethazine Queen

Posted on 3 May 2024

Launched to a capacity crowd at 93 Feet East in Shoreditch, the latest single, Promethazine Queen, from London’s hottest breakthrough indie outfit, Forsylver, is the perfect introduction to the expansively influenced outfit who have hit the ground running straight out of the gate.

With a vocal style that shifts between invokes the sticky-sweet euphonic magnetism of The Feeling harmonising atop the flares of funk in the eclectic indie-pop-rock tapestry to Arctic Monkeys-reminiscent cutting commentaries Forsylver’s distinctive style emboldens the sincerity within Promethazine Queen. From the Daft Punk-esque riot of a middle eight to the jangle pop guitars to the complex time signatures in the rhythm section, Promethazine Queen is a perfect circle of expression and innovation.

Instead of following trends, the fourpiece, fronted by Joe Ewer with Will Farrow carving out the funk-pop guitar chops, Alex McKenzie feeding the rhythms on bass and Shunya Matsumoto giving the percussion a Radiohead-art-rock flair, are etching their innovation into the tapestry of the future of indie.

Forsylver may have only been on the scene since late 2023, but they’re already an unreckonable force. With plenty more planned for 2024, they should be the epicentre of every indie fan’s radar.

Promethazine Queen was officially released on May 3rd; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mia Laren navigates passion and fatal dysfunction in her Latin Dance Pop track, My Heart

Posted on 2 May 2024

Since 2019, the Baltimore-born, Cali-based singer-songwriter, dancer and producer, Mia Laren, has rhythmically and emotionally moved her international fanbase; her latest Latin Dance Pop track, My Heart (can’t live or live or without you), captures Laren at her most infectious, intimate and powerful.

After an intro which nods to Gaga’s Alejandro, Laren opens her single up to a sensually electrifying, moodily hypnotic groove which constructs an exotically rich platform for her arcane harmonies to ascend from. The monocultural mould disintegrates around her infusion of folky Eastern mysticism and Latin guitars in the electro-pop mix which explores the tormenting nature of your heart beating for someone that will ultimately be the death of you if you keep clinging to the dysfunction in the name of passion.

It’s a rare feat to discover a release that is organically rooted in the heritage of Latin and folk yet transcends contemporary pop trends with a stylish flair that embodies couture pop, yet, five years after learning how to produce music on her laptop, Mia Laren achieved it with plenty of sincerity and authenticity to spare.

My Heart was officially released on April 24; stream the official music video on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Etherdene delivered a tenderly interstellar reminder of our place in the universe with ‘We Are in Space’

Posted on 1 May 2024

We’ve made our adoration of Etherdene’s illuminatively authentic dreamy synth-pop signature and her evocatively ethereal vocals no secret. After the release of her latest single, We Are in Space, which serves as a groundingly interstellar reminder of our place in the universe, she’s affirmed her position as one of the most promising artists of her generation.

Following an open sequence of glassy synths that resound as though they could have been conjured by the Weeknd, Etherdene drifts her latest tender tour de force into a shoegazey installation that cuts as deep as Slowdive’s discography. As the instrumentals glide and glisten throughout the impeccably crafted progressions, We Are in Space tears at the heartstrings with a reprise of, “We are in space, I don’t know what’s going on, but I love you, I love you”.

Even though it is all too easy to feel minuscule and inferior when contemplating the vastness of the universe, Etherdene ensured that there was no danger of that through the soulful juxtaposition of her refrain which testifies to the true meaning of life in the chaos of our mostly understood universe. The sticky sweet and synthy brand of romanticism is enough to drive you to the brink of tears before replenishing your soul with euphoria. Someone give the girl a Grammy.

We Are in Space moved into Earth’s orbit on April 24; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Drench Yourself in the Decadence of PeachMotif’s Latest Dream Pop Hit, Don’t Break Your Neck

Posted on 29 April 2024

PeachMotif’s latest single Don’t Break Your Neck sets a high bar for emotional and sonic depth. The Atlanta-based dream pop duo, comprised of Steffi Jo and Corbin Hoats, channelled their rich backgrounds in performance and production into a track that radiates a Yin-Yang effect through the equilibrium of style and soul.

Don’t Break Your Neck is underpinned by glassy synths that glisten with a brightness akin to Warpaint’s coolest moments. The crystalline vocal lines shimmer, weaving through the production with a mesmeric luminosity. Each note is carefully curated, ensuring that the instrumentation not only constructs and deconstructs the musical landscape but also toys with the listener’s emotions—balancing them delicately on a tightrope.

The fusion of solid, syncopated backbeats with cascading drops radiates hypnotic warmth, drawing the listener deeper into PeachMotif’s arcane atmospheric creation. As the track melodically and emotionally progresses, it illustrates PeachMotif’s ability to blend commercial potential with profound narrative depth.

Steffi and Corbin’s chemistry is palpable, reflecting their shared history and deep understanding of each other’s artistic strengths. Originating from their collaborative efforts during a local theatre production, their partnership thrives on a mutual passion for authenticity and emotional resonance in their music.

Don’t Break Your Neck was officially released on April 12th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Meg Scane broke free from the shackles of throwaway culture in her folk pop single, Bottoms Up

Posted on 29 April 2024

Meg Scane’s latest single, Bottoms Up, is a striking testament to her unique ability to intertwine confessional candour with melodic ingenuity, ensuring that the rawness of heartache is as palatable as it is poignant. Wrapped in the artful echoes of chamber pop and infused with the intimacy of folk elements, Scane’s sound bears a thematic intensity reminiscent of Florence and the Machine, yet it thrives on a more personal scale.

This track breaks free from the shackles of today’s throwaway culture, challenging the transient nature of contemporary hits and relationships with its enduring message about the sweetness of lasting love. The fervent declaration that deep, abiding affections still hold a revered place in both music and life couldn’t be more convincing.

Scane’s journey from her debut album, Blind Trial, at just sixteen to her performances from The Midlands to Puglia, Italy, paints her as a dedicated artist fuelled by passion—a passion that also sustains her through the arduous hours spent mucking out horses to fund her studio time. Between her determination and her talent, she has everything it takes to become one of the most seminal indie pop artists of her generation.

Better Sides of You was officially released on March 8th; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

MrrrDaisy delivered haunting harmonies and fierce fidelity in ‘Echoes of You

Posted on 28 April 2024

’MrrrDaisy may not be one of the most prolific artists of his generation, but when he does drop a track, he makes a profound impact. With his latest single, Echoes of You, which follows a year-long sabbatical, the Ghanaian-Spanish artist and producer pulled his fans into the spectral shadow side of dance-pop.

As haunting as a Portishead release, as euphorically elemental as a Kygo anthem, there’s an affecting parallel of dualism running through the fierily lush veins of the single which marks a departure from the artist’s overt yet distinct Afrobeat style.

The energy brought by the big bass-swathed beats and stabbing horns may be colossal, yet the vocals match it by seamlessly evolving from a smoky hell-hath-no-fury timbre to vulnerable delicacy to a stridency that belies the vocal style.

Despite the short duration, the affecting aura of the bitter-sweet song endures. The exposition on how memories linger as shadows couldn’t be closer to the mark. For anyone who knows how it feels to find the spectres of lost love everywhere, there are swathes of catharsis to be found in Echoes of You.

Echoes of You was officially released on April 18; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast