Browsing Tag

Reggae Pop

ARCTISKY countered divisive propaganda with his latest slice of reggae folk pop gospel,  Let Freedom Ring

Posted on 9 August 2024

By using MLK’s famous speech which shares a vision for an egalitarian future in the intro to his latest single, Let Freedom Ring, the Melbourne-based singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, ARCTISKY, affirmed that almost 80 years have passed since the revolutionary called for peace and equality, yet, tragically, his dream is yet to manifest.

The sublimely uplifting folk-tinged reggae rhythms counter the divisive propaganda perpetuated by the media which is playing a pivotal role in increasing hostility as ARCTISKY’s arcanely honeyed harmonies become conduits of compassion within the gospel-esque atmosphere of the cultivated single which paralyses through the purity within the crescendos.

Let Freedom Ring is an opportunity to slip into the sanctity of a conflict-free society, a reminder that we can’t stand idly by and hope that a resistance rectifies the pervasive prejudices that are destroying societies and making enemies of the innocent. The call to action which sets a tone of historical reflection and aspiration couldn’t hit closer to the bone.

Let Freedom Ring will be available to stream on all major platforms from August 9th. Find your preferred way to listen on ARCTISKY’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tuto Tribe – Magnetize: A Samba Reggae Pop Symphony of Serotonin

Posted on 22 March 2024

Southampton’s Tuto Tribe, a five-piece, multi-national samba rock band, has crafted a stunning symphony of serotonin with their latest single, ‘Magnetize’. The samba reggae-pop song, the band’s first foray into English lyricism music, is a masterclass in blending world music with pop sensibilities.

The band, born in 2022 and led by the effervescent Brazilian, Tuto, draws from a diverse palette of influences, including Jorge Ben, The Doors, and Manu Chao. Their sound is a modern, bright Brazilian-inspired concoction, with catchy hooks and rhythms influenced by samba, rock, Jamaican music, and jazz.

The reggae rhythms in ‘Magnetize’ wrap around the pop hooks seamlessly, while the vocals, sincere and soulful, spill love and light by the smorgasbord. The single showcases Tuto Tribe’s infectiously sunny disposition, burning as bright as a supernova, refreshing your lust for life and highlighting the beauty within sexual connections. With ‘Magnetize’ as a playlist staple, slipping into a feel-good groove becomes effortless.

Every instrumental element in the arrangement breeds an atmosphere of organic euphoria. The horn stabs, intricately eclectic guitars, and jazzy percussive fills create the perfect platform for the impassioned soul in the vocals to breathe through.

Lyrically, ‘Magnetize’ is a lesson in musical purity, as pure as the act of making love itself. It’s a testament to the band’s ability to create a sound that is both unique and universally appealing; it is a holiday you never realised you were going on.

Magnetize was officially released on March 22nd; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nuka-Naka – Stone D: A Soul-Stirring Fusion of Avant-Garde Reggae and Reflection

Posted on 1 January 2024

Nuka-Naka’s latest single, Stone D, is a profound musical journey that transcends the conventional boundaries of reggae. As Nuka-Naka steps away from the shadows of war-torn Russia, Stone D emerges as a hauntingly beautiful confession, a blend of personal history and musical innovation.

The song reimagines reggae, intertwining staccato rhythms with melancholically avant-garde melodies. It’s a bold departure from reggae roots, inviting listeners to cast aside their preconceptions and embrace a new realm of musical expression. After leaving Russia for Georgia, Nuka-Naka composed a guilt-ridden soliloquy that speaks to the inescapable ties of one’s homeland, regardless of the physical distance.

The song captures the essence of being perpetually connected to a war that continues to echo in a mournful psyche as the fusion of soulful blues and dreamy art-rock elements meld into this candid piece creating a sonic signature that is as evocative as it is ground-breaking.

Nuka-Naka’s Stone D is a reminder of the power of music to transcend barriers and speak to the soul. It’s a track that not only showcases Nuka-Naka’s immense talent but also promises a future rich with innovative and emotionally resonant music. For those seeking a fresh, soul-stirring sound, Stone D is a beacon of hope and artistic brilliance.

Stone D was officially released on December 22. Stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lewis & Ford advocate the artistic life in their addictive reggae-dubbed psych-pop single, Radio

Posted on 1 November 2022

After refusing to bow to social pressures and shack up in a life of drab uniform domesticity, the LA duo Lewis & Ford released the sweet feat of reggae-dubbed ear candy, Radio. For every artist that has remained committed to their creative life to the disdain of loved ones, the stridently euphoric track is a sure-fire hit of vindication.

In Lewis & Ford’s taking-no-prisoners high-vibe lyrical style, they versed “I won’t ever be like them and never leave this town, cause I can’t hear them hatin’ while my band is playing a stadium, you’re gonna hear me on the radio” as the ultimate middle finger with a smile affirmation that autonomy is as beautiful as the lush psych surf harmonies and dreamy melodies. While the rhythms pop, Americana roots contort around the kaleidoscopic colour in the galvanising tonal palette.

Stream Radio on YouTube, and follow Lewis & Ford on Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Avant-garde experimentalist Dan Devon has released his summer reggae-pop track, Party Dancer

Posted on 4 September 2021

Singer-songwriter, producer and composer, Dan Devon, has released his sophomore single, Party Dancer, as part of his psychedelic soul experiment that fuses elements of RnB, soul, rock, hip hop and electronica in avant-garde fashion. While it probably isn’t to everyone’s taste, anyone who appreciates an unadulterated shot of high vibes will soon feel their souls warm to this tropic summer reggae-pop single.

After garnering over 10,000 streams with his short and sweet debut single, Kitty Cat Song, which is somewhere in between Nada Surf’s Meow Meow Lullaby and Frank Turner’s Plea from a Cat Named Virtue, Dan Devon’s sweet and affable style has more than earned its space on the airwaves.

Party Dancer is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Bjorn Monnier has released his reggae-pop serenade, Samantha-Song

Posted on 3 September 2021

‘Samantha-Song’ is the latest reggae-infused pop serenade from the luminary artist Bjorn Monnier; the old-school crooning will send you swooning back to the 50s while the sun-bleached rhythms practically top up your vitamin D levels.

Whatever the secret to creating the perfect summer pop single is, Monnier discernibly knows about it, but we’re fairly convinced that it has plenty to do with his lyrical sincerity and conviction to pour himself into vocal performances entirely. The single soulfully explores how every exciting possibility leads to an infinite stream of uncertainty that often gets tainted by past experiences. If any single is going to convince you to delve into the unknown, it is this one.

Watch the official video for Samantha-Song by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sensual Summer Reggae-Pop Vibes: Prymaal – Naughty Girl

Posted on 15 August 2021

Based on his latest single, Naughty Girl, Nigerian-born UK-based breaking artist Prymaal has returned to the music scene as a triple threat; his soulfully imploring vocals, playful lyrical approach and tropically blissful reggae-pop beats combine to create sensual summer vibes that won’t fail to serenade.

It really wouldn’t be a surprise if women are as quick to identify with the protagonist in Naughty Woman as they were to identify with Margot Robbie’s depiction of Harley Quinn. It’s an infectiously up-vibe track; you couldn’t ask for a sweeter summer pop hit.

Naughty Girl is now available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Farah Ash reminds us that no man is an island in her debut RnB pop track.

Posted on 21 April 2021

LA-based Norwegian-Moroccan pop artist Farah Ash has made her solo debut with her empoweringly demure single, ‘No Man’. With “no man is an island” as the chorus, you’re forced to contemplate the effects of the isolation that we’ve endured. It’s an unignorable reminder no matter how attractive social withdrawal seems, we all need a community to thrive.

With the multicultural sun-bleached beats triggering your tribal impulses, you’ll have no choice in allowing No Man to resonate as a high vibe hit. It is an incredibly strong debut that could easily find its way onto the A-lists of plenty of international radio stations. But it was only a matter of time before Farah’s name started to dominate the airwaves. After working with Pitbull’s team, Chris Brown, Travis Scott and Post Malone, and even making it in Asia with her K-pop tracks, her own ascent to the top almost seemed inevitable.

No Man is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Kama Tala has unleashed their Caribbean funk-soaked jangle-pop single, ‘Honore’

Posted on 6 April 2021

If you could imagine what it would sound like if the Smiths was a Caribbean pop outfit, you will be able to get an idea of the jangly magnetism contained in Kama Tala’s recently released single, ‘Honore’.

The Chicago-hailing artist crosses borders and merges everything from soul to rock to pop to jazz in their sun-soaked tracks, but that’s not the most notable facet of Kama Tala’s talent.

The ingenuity largely stems from the seamless melding of the genres while never detracting from the accessibility of his sound. But the true distinction comes through their heartfelt vocal delivery. In a time when physical communities are inaccessible and social media has become a minefield of toxicity, tracks such as Honore are utterly priceless for the way they reach out to you and offer freshly orchestrated positive connection.

Honore is available to stream via SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Kimo Jeepaz gives us a shot in the arm with his ‘Vaccine’ 

Posted on 7 March 2021

Mixing a heavy patois from his native St. Andrew, Jamaica, with a harder, more urban UK-style rap, Kimo Jeepaz new track ‘Vaccine’ – a lockdown hip hop story of quarantine and Covid. There’s elements of Jamaican dancehall in here alongside Jeepaz’ melodic flow and R&B groove, a touch of Sean Paul and Beenie Man alongside the R&B grind and bounce.

Jeepaz has already performed alongside the likes of Mavado, Not3s, Shenseea, Aidonia, and Dexta Daps; on the basis of ‘Vaccine’, 2021 is going to be the year the lockdown is let out for Kimo Jeepaz.

Check out ‘Vaccine’ on Spotify, and follow Kimo on Instagram.

Review by Alex Holmes