Browsing Tag

Seattle

Meet your new slide guitar hero in Forest Ray’s psych-folk single, Always

Posted on 22 January 2022
Forest Ray

The notion of forever may be farfetched, but Forest Ray’s title-single from their upcoming album, Always, melodiously exhibits the beauty in love persisting. The folky psych rock soundscape carries the finger-picking influence of the late and great John Prine as the psychedelic nuances freshen the familiarity under the honeyed timbre of Forest Ray’s vocals.

The soaring guitar slides bring an absorbing dynamic to the release, entrenching Always next to the roots of Americana while simultaneously bringing in the future of psych-rock. Forest Ray deserves to be equally as revered as Kurt Vile for their hazy and cathartic sense of soul that leaves you with no question over their sincerity. For your sanity’s sake, delve in.

The single, Always, will release on January 22nd with the official music video.

Check out Forest Ray on SoundCloud, Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Out Of The Cold: Seattle’s Lauren Drake drops reflective 3rd single ‘Play Along’

Posted on 8 January 2022

Recorded and produced by John Lowell-Anderson, Lauren Drake shows us all that it’s vitally essential to learn that self-worth, love, and find your ultimate purpose, that is all interwoven inside your soul already as you just need to believe in yourself on ‘Play Along‘.

Lauren Drake is a Seattle, USA-based singer-songwriter and actor who studies at Pepperdine University. After her much-loved previous releases called ‘Malibu‘ and ‘Okay‘, we find a highly thoughtful artist in a contemplative mood with a song she wrote back in 2019.

”She writes to fill a void of articulated emotions and shares her music in order to help others have their different feelings, emotions and situations become seen and understood.” ~ Lauren Drake

Showing great courageousness to elegantly navigate us into this emotional story that is so personal, Lauren Drake holds our hand with supreme care and guides us into her past life while also thrusting us into the future. This is a determined young artist who was lost for a while in the winds of change, but found her inner compass and now is so much more self-enlightened as she emerges victorious.

‘Play Along‘ from the Seattle-based indie singer-songwriter and actor Lauren Drake is a regret-filled track about wishing that you could just do it all again to avoid all the pain that really broke you down for a while. After a period of profound introspection, this is a deeply inspiring song that shows you that you can’t change the past and that is a good thing. Growing stronger and figuring out who you actually are when the chips are down, is the best way to see through the fake smoke and mirrors and into a better world that actually completes you.

Hear this new single on her Spotify and see more via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Feeling In My Stomach: Romantic Relevance shows us how vital friendship really is on ‘Wedge’

Posted on 4 January 2022

Conveying to us a deeply intimate song that strikes personally right at your beating heart, Romantic Relevance reminds us that keeping a close eye on your friends is of paramount significance during these dark times with ‘Wedge‘.

Romantic Relevance is a Seattle, Washington-based indie alt-rock band that intricately show us their stories about small-town blues, finding your way in this strange world and their religious upbringing growing up.

With a touching story that could fit into a movie, Romantic Relevance shows us why they are one of the most must-listen-to bands in the world at the moment. They give us an accurate illustration of how many of us are feeling right now and avoid the fake flash, to only project realness that is such a welcome listen.

‘Wedge‘ from the excellent Seattle, Washington-based indie alt-rock act Romantic Relevance, is a track that will have your heart beating faster and your mind strolling to the times when you lost someone close to a tragic event or come close to. Sung with real intent and featuring honest lyrics and a hair-raising vocal shirtless exuberance, this is a meaningful single that needs to be heard far and wide to those who feel a bit lost today.

Someone needs your love out there after all.

See this emotional new music video on YouTube and find out more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Can’t Let Go: Brilliant Seattle alt-rock band Romantic Relevance bravely overcome those dark demons on ‘Kingface’

Posted on 4 December 2021

Through an outstanding and surely memorable soundscape that compels you into the picture projected and a subject that is highly relevant in this overly stimulated world, Romantic Relevance takes charge and set their valuable minds free from any uncertainty on ‘Kingface‘.

Romantic Relevance is a Seattle, Washington-based indie alt-rock 3-piece band that sing about small-town stigmas that are all-too-common, that scary boredom that can grip you excruciatingly tight, and religious upbringing topics from their past.

Romantic Relevance shows us why it’s ROMREL season with a fantastic display that leaves you quite breathless at times. They are a tight-knit group that belt out marvellous melodies –  with ravishing riffs to truly cherish –  that have your whole consciousness on the edge of your seat as their spirit is quite remarkably compelling the whole way through.

‘Kingface‘ from the thoroughly enjoyable Seattle, Washington-based indie alt-rock outfit Romantic Relevance, is one of the most notable tracks of the year so far. With incredible vocals that remind you of some of the prime acts from the ’90s and a barrage of thunderous vocals from this electrifying act, there is so much to love about a band that is certainly only headed upwards. They lead us into this darkly-lit story and emerge victorious, winning over the evil force that threatened to break down their souls forever. Winning through your mind first seems to always set you on the right path in life.

Immerse yourself in this well-made music video on YouTube and see their development on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Find Myself: Seattle’s Kid Cambo looks for that true meaning inside his ‘Soul’

Posted on 8 October 2021

Guiding us through the darkness of modern day with a tasteful glance to doing things the right way, Kid Cambo tries to find his true purpose on his latest single called ‘Soul‘.

Janathen Phath aka Kid Cambo, is a ever-growing Seattle-based rapper with Cambodian heritage who makes a fresh blend of music that filled full of that true inspirational seek-your-true-path vibe to enlighten us all.

”He has a melodic tone and witty bars, where he has shown versatility in many different types of styles.” ~ Kid Cambo

As he sings with an honest ode to the past – whilst looking towards the future – you feel like he is taking stock of what is actually important in his life. The ambiance is low-lit here with a thoughtful tone, to a world that appears so harsh if you get stuck in the game long enough.

‘Soul‘ from the hugely talented and fast-rising Seattle-based indie hip-hop artist Kid Cambo, is that smoothly performed track that seeks that true guidance needed to truly advance. This is the true story about wondering who will actually miss you – and if this was actually real – or just a fake game that closes the door so fast on you, that they barely bothered to wave goodbye.

Hear this new track on Spotify and check out the IG music page for more news.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

I Feel The Confinement: Gaby DeSpain desires that stimulating thrill on ‘Settle For Skin Deep’

Posted on 5 September 2021

After dazzling us with the incredible singles ‘Dark Delight‘ and ‘Disaster‘, Gaby DeSpain knows that she shouldn’t submit to her potentially dangerous urges but needs to fill the cravings right now on ‘Settle For Skin Deep‘.

Gaby DeSpain is a thrilling American-Icelandic indie synth-pop and blues singer-songwriter who is based in Seattle. She makes that eerily brilliant music which grips hard at your curious soul, taking you to exciting places in your vividly trained imagination.

”Raised in India and Turkey and now based in Seattle, DeSpain spent her formative years traveling Europe and Asia.” ~ Gaby DeSpain

With her glorious vocal ability causing your entranced body to shiver nervously in delight – you sense her smartly-written lyrics open your hungry mind up to the temptation-filled world – which most of us feel is desperately needed currently. She shows us into her night out to the stale smoke-filled local bar – knowing that this evening might not be worth it – but could be a wild adventure she might nonetheless enjoy.

”A world weary poet, DeSpain uses her music to broaden perspectives while illuminating the commonality of all human kind.” ~ Gaby DeSpain

‘Settle For Skin Deep‘ from the Seattle-based sensual indie-pop/blues artist Gaby DeSpain, is that whiskey-soaked experience that you need to have in your life sometimes. She sings with such an hauntingly beautiful tone and is rather refreshingly honest here, as she tells us the frisky story that so many of us have felt lately. We need to get outside and feel that hot spark again with a total stranger, who might be tomorrow’s regret.

Listening to your heart is usually the way to go, but sometimes you just need to take the plunge and seek out something that thrills you enough, to awaken your sleepy soul.

Listen to this sensationally performed new single on her Spotify and see more via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

I’m A Bad Girl: Xxngel Baby shows us she is truly ready for the ‘Party And Bullshit’

Posted on 25 August 2021

With a high-energy vibe that perfectly encapsulates real life as she sees it, Xxngel Baby pays homage to the late great, Christopher “Notorious B.I.G” Wallace, on her hot new track about not taking nonsense from anybody on ‘Party And Bullshit‘.

Xxngel Baby is a fiery female rapper, music producer and model from Seattle, Washington. She is a skilled emcee first and foremost, who brushes off any haters to the floor really quickly, as she flows furiously here with a busty beat added in to match her lofty ambitions.

”Xxngel Baby has been steadily amassing a small fan base with her cutting bars and cool girl style. With just two music videos out, she is preparing to release a mixtape in early Fall.” ~ Xxngel Baby

With a straight up message of defiance to those who have doubted her path to emerging greatness – she teaches the roaming claw-heavy sisters some much-needed manners – on a highly impressive track from a motivated rapper, with lots to achieve still. Her skill set is easy to see and in much abundance, as she lays down lines which will have the competition surely shook with heartfelt admiration.

‘Party And Bullshit‘ from the sensational Seattle hip-hop artist and model Xxngel Baby, is a statement of intent from a supremely hungry rapper. She has decided to take charge and sounds on top form here with her thunderbolt delivery. With a skilled flow and a barrage of breathtaking bars which takes her onto her own stratosphere, this is a confident young lady on a mission to reach the top and do it her own way with style.

See this vibe-filled new music video on YouTube and check out the IG music page for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Feel the chill from Hot Sacci’s latest RnB trap track, ‘ICEY BOI’

Posted on 17 April 2021

Seattle-based hip hop artist and producer Hot Sacci made his debut in 2018 and has remained prolific ever since. His latest single, ‘ICEY BOI’, shows just how dynamic their playfully subversive sound has become.

After a moody intro, ICEY BOI evolves into a melodic feat of RnB-infused trap where Hot Sacci refuses to hide behind a façade. As soon as you hit play, you’re confronted by authentic personality, making it all too easy to fall into the downtempo, almost dreamy versatile track. If you’re looking for tracks for chilled summer nights, look no further than ICEY BOI.

ICEY BOI is now available to stream via Spotify. Connect with Hot Sacci via Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Time To Explore Again: Les Ailes yearns to be free as she finds her own path on ‘Lately’

Posted on 23 March 2021

Born with a guitar practically in her hand due to the family genes, Les Ailes is ready for her time to shine on the new single called ‘Lately‘. that is taken off her dynamic new eight-track ‘Tennessee‘ LP.

Les Ailes is the Seattle-born project of soulfully authentic indie modern-folk singer-songwriter Rylie DeGarmo. She makes that aesthetically pure soundscape that feels so good in your heart, as you wash away all the doubts by turning her up to full.

This is the true tale of how you can feel down by current affairs in this complex world, by putting the world on your shoulders to find deeper meaning. Standing up for what is right means so much for your heart and if you are somehow not doing that even if you could be being too hard on yourself, the urge can be to look too far in, without looking up to the bigger picture.

Her voice is absolutely breathtaking, her stunning delivery is so captivating as she peacefully lets you into her feelings to show you who she really is as a human. A kind soul has just opened up her wings, as you feel that she growing up before our eyes, as her creativity is soaring and you feel her energies are gaining steam for more to come.

‘Lately‘ from the incredibly gifted US singer-songwriter Les Ailes, is a story that makes you feel so reflective, as you wonder if your efforts in this selfish world are enough to make it better. With a self-aware nature, you feel that this is how she is motivating her mind to explore more once restrictions are lifted – as her soul yearns for more knowledge and experiences worldwide – after being stuck in a numbing box for too long.

See her fascinating music video on YouTube and follow her journey on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Wave Armory take us to the pit with doom-prog new single ‘Iron Lung’.

Posted on 3 March 2021
Wave Armory by Wave Armory

Fans of loud, melodic alt-rock could do no better than checking out this, the first single from Joe Butterfield’s (QUIIET) new project Wave Armory. That’s not intending to be diminishing or ‘box-finding’, either – ‘Iron Lung’ is very definitely modern and progressive, whilst bringing together a bunch of classic 90’s and 00’s grunge and alt-metal influences; there’s a very definite ‘Dirt’-Era Alice In Chains vibe going on with the feedback and heavy drop-tuned riffage, the vocals gently effected and set back in the mix a la Stayley or Cornell. That ‘Rusty Cage’ Soundgarden edge comes across in the excellent doomy stomp of the guitars, too, the bass and drums plodding in the very, very best sense of that description, absolutely inviting the listener to slam, mosh, and wreck before the wah-driven solo takes over, the chorus sticking in your head long after the vocal ends.

Wave Armory’s debut EP – from which ‘Iron Lung’ is taken – is out across streaming platforms now. You can practically hear the circle-pits opening up in anticipation already.

Check out ‘Iron Lung’ here; follow Wave Armory on Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Alex Holmes