Browsing Tag

soul

Keith Rayburn – Shine On: Guitar Strings as Gospel

Posted on 19 September 2024

For his latest eagerly anticipated release, Shine On, Keith Rayburn rendered funk-laden rock into smoky, Motown-esque soul intersected with bluesy grooves to offer conjurings of catharsis so intense the single borders on sonically sacred.

Each progression plunges the listener deeper into a hazy, irresistibly immersive soundscape that echoes the nostalgic aura of The Doors as his guitars speak gospel in chorus with the lyrics which attest to how dimming your light is never the answer when the illumination of resilience is an option.

Rayburn is well on his way to riffing his way into the rock pantheon with his peerlessly cultivated sonic signature that will scribe its way through your synapses long after the outro of the sublimity-soaked sanctuary of a single which is easily one of the most sincere feel-good releases you’ll hear all year.

With tens of thousands of monthly Spotify listeners from around the globe behind him and his versatile musicianship, Rayburn is well on his way to reaching the acclaim his superlative song crafting deserves. Make his ear for a melody your new aural remedy.

Shine On arrived on the airwaves on September 4th; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

From Berlin with Flavour: WRY’s ‘Sweet n Salty’ Mixes Up Alt-RnB

Posted on 15 September 2024

The Berlin-based artist WRY doesn’t just fit into the contemporary alt-RnB dynamic, she has reached the zenith of it with her debut EP, Sweet n Salty, which she has been gearing up towards since she hit the airwaves running with her first single, Anywhere, in 2021.

The title track drenches the senses in the sublimity of the downtempo soul which harnesses the quintessence of RnB while pushing the genre forward through rhythmically eloquent innovation. The reverb-drenched melodies seamlessly float above perfectly syncopated beats which mimic the rapid thumping of a heartfelt emotion, crafting an atmosphere thick with anticipation and serenity.

WRY’s vocal delivery is a fiery cascade, yet it possesses a sensuous lightness that whispers secrets only the most attentive listeners will discern. With influences from iconic figures like Amy Winehouse, Banks, and Charlotte Cardin, WRY constructed a solid foundation of inspiration to construct her own authentic aural aura.

Each track in her growing discography is a shift away from the predictable, and Sweet n Salty is no exception. The emotional discourse, articulated through a minimalist yet powerful arrangement solidifies WRY’s position as one of the most promising names in the Berlin alt-RnB scene.

Stream the Sweet n Salty EP on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Slip away from material reality with the artfully nostalgic escapism in Gaud’s seminal release, Prose for the Cradle

Posted on 13 September 2024

With Prose for the Cradle, the prodigal sons of New England, Gaud, defied temporal boundaries, transporting listeners into a dreamscape where the lines between past and present are synthesised into a seraphic sonic sensation.

Taken from the LP The Singer, the track evokes an ambiguous era of melodic rock, yet resists the urge to be pinned down by any particular moment in music history. Instead, it invites you into a space where emotion takes precedence over all else, allowing you to lose yourself in its all-consuming and consoling atmosphere.

The production carries all the hallmarks of a time when songwriters poured every drop of their hearts and souls into their craft. The melodies, artful and ascending, intertwine beautifully with percussion that feels almost like an additional pulse in your body, leaving your own heartbeat to take a backseat. Gaud’s vocal delivery is nothing short of hypnotic, wrapping you in a vignette where material reality fades away and only the sound remains.

For fans of Father John Misty’s songwriting chops, Prose for the Cradle will undoubtedly strike a chord. Its poignant cuts will leave a lasting impression, sticking to your synapses with a tenacity that makes the track impossible to shake.

Prose for the Cradle is now available to stream on Spotify with Gaud’s LP, The Singer.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

ARCTISKY – My Relief: Romance & Raw Alt-Rock Ingenuity

Posted on 11 September 2024

With his latest single, My Relief, the soul conduit ARCTISKY orchestrated an alt-rock single that resonates with the romantic intensity of the 80s while pulsating with contemporary vitality and standing as a testament to his worthiness of the highest industry accolades.

From the Maldives to Melbourne, ARCTISKY channelled a voice so warm it could thaw the coldest souls into a sonic landscape which weaves swoon-worthy melodies that suspend in the air and pirouette through the world-class production.

My Relief is a flawless fusion, serenading listeners with vocals reminiscent of Bryan Adams, and orchestral crescendos that ensure your heartstrings are inseparably combined with each progression. To subvert the arcane accordance, a surprising shift comes with the middle eight; gruff, voicemail-esque tones akin to Tom Waits introduce a jarring yet brilliantly conceived contrast, showcasing ARCTISKY’s determination to boldly assert his sonic identity.

Safe to say, the track is one of 2024’s most emotionally impactful releases. If you want the burdens stripped for your soul, sink in.

My Relief debuted and salved the airwaves on September 6th; stream the single on SoundCloud and Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Heal your ‘Heavy Heart’ with Kay Soul’s instant RnB classic

Posted on 10 September 2024

Hot on the heels of her seminal EP, Heavy Love, the Chicago-raised RnB singer-songwriter, Kay Soul lived up to her moniker once again with the unveiling of her latest single, Heavy Heart, which exhibits her peerless ability to fuse soul-stirring evocations with classic RnB elements.

With a wistful sigh as the first note, Kay Soul set the tone for an aching emotional journey before the melodies swiftly take hold and cradle the harmonies which resound with seemingly endless honeyed sustain, crafting an installation of pure catharsis for the romantically jaded.

Her lyrics weave a rich narrative of how heavy heartbreak weighs on the soul, yet leave ample space for listeners to instil their own despair before finding swathes of consolation. The instrumental arrangement, driven by reverb-laden synths and evocative piano keys, works in synergy with the vocal lines to testify to the healing power of music as the breakthrough artist radiates nothing but pure love and profound connection.

Recognised widely for her artistry, including accolades for her gospel performances and significant album releases, Kay Soul continues to leave a lasting impression on the music industry. Be a part of her legacy and hit play.

Heavy Heart was officially released on August 23rd; stream the single on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mike37 transcended with the soul in his alt-hip-hop debut  LP, HOT AIR BALLOON

Posted on 7 September 2024

On September 6th, Mike37 made titanic waves by dropping his debut album, HOT AIR BALLOON. At the tender age of 17, the independent Milan-residing DJ, producer, vocalist and hip-hop & soul fusionist already has the chops to slice through genres and moods with the cultivated command of a veteran, which is affectingly exhibited in the vibe-driven 12-track LP.

The LP is a bold blend of soul and sharp-edged rap, straddling a dozen tracks that venture from intimate soul outpourings to spitfire spoken word, all dipped in the hallucinogenic haze of dreamy trap. Using hip-hop’s sonic playground for the foundation of the album didn’t get in the way of Mike37 casting the genre net wider into the domain of pop to implant pop hooks into his wavy hits which resound with seraphic semi-lucid euphonic euphoria.

To juxtapose the soul in the former and subsequent singles, the standout track, PUT YOUR CAMERA DOWN, throbs with aggressive synths and heavy 808s, setting the stage for Mike37’s incisive lyrics that slice through the superficial sheen of social media facades. Mike37 may have been a beat maker first, but this track is evidence of his command over metrically kinetic bars and his ability to lay bare a narrative that’s both raw and refined.

The album’s diversity is kicked up a notch with contributions from a variety of artists like Skyler, Uno Hype, Tiffany Evans, and Amy Fitz Doyley, each adding a distinct flavour to the mix without overshadowing Mike37’s own stylistic imprint.

Crafted in Italy’s Fiery Water Recordings Studio and given the final polish at Abbey Road by Alex Gordon, the technical execution of this album is nothing short of stellar. Every beat and note was engineered and destined to resonate.

Stream HOT AIR BALLOON on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Keep up to date with Mike37’s latest releases and news via Instagram and Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Dean Abbott – Walk that Line: A Folk Pop Fusion that Will Fuse to Your Soul

Posted on 6 September 2024

Dean Abbott’s latest single, ‘Walk that Line’, dismantles folk-pop boundaries with its empowering sound and healing aura.

Since stepping onto the music scene in 2020, Abbott has consistently delivered tracks that cathartically scratch far beneath the surface. ‘Walk that Line’ continues this tradition, presenting itself as a corridor of sonic salvation crafted to ignite the spirit and soothe the soul. By blending the nostalgic warmth of tape deck recordings with the crisp clarity of contemporary production, the intimacy rings through with crystal-clear resonance.

Echoing influences from the ’90s indie scene reminiscent of Kula Shaker and Dodgy, ‘Walk that Line’ is bolstered by a trappy, pulse-quickening beat that adds a modern twist to its mellow melody. With a plethora of frequency shifts, Abbott sonically visualised the often tumultuous pace of modernity while the lyrics and smoothed with sincerity Jack Johnson-esque vocal harmonies consolingly tempt listeners to relinquish the past and embrace the unknown. If you ever want to know how much love a single is capable of harbouring, hit play.

Walk that Line is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Dana cast a luminous ‘Shadow’ with his RnB Electro Pop hit

Posted on 3 September 2024

Sensuality surges through the latest single, Shadow, from the icon of salaciously hot RnB pop, Dana. With electronic beats that push danceable rhythms through the earworm, the up-and-coming singer-songwriter revamped RnB while never losing grip of the genre’s roots. If George Michael hits your spot, prepare for Shadow to leave a bruise as it collides with the rhythmic pulses and prises open the soul through seraphically light vocal lines.

With swathes of scintillating production touches, especially as the track veers towards the outro which will leave you desperate to hear more from the independent icon in the making, Dana’s determination to make an authentic mark on the airwaves with his inspirational hits becomes irresolutely clear.

The artist’s discography fearlessly explores unchartered emotional territory. With this single, he reflected on what it means to be intuitively in sync with the person you love and words not being necessary for understanding. Never one to paint with unrealistic expectations, Dana consistently iterates that it’s commitment which matters the most, not upholding damaging ideals of never needing to take the rough with the smooth.

Shadow was officially released on August 23rd; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Embracing Diversity: Tora Woloshin Celebrates Togetherness in ‘Unity

Posted on 27 August 2024
Tora Woloshin

No one will divide and conquer in Tora Woloshin’s name after the soulstress released her exotically melodic melting pot of sonic culture ‘Unity’. The fusion of afrobeat rhythms, Latino flair, pop hooks and fiery-with-soul RnB harmonies unravels as a sensuously fresh exposition of how sweet it is to live and love when you look at the world through a lens of pure acceptance and understanding.

With “grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change” worked into the fuel-for-the-soul lyrics, the LA-born, Arizona-raised artist gave her listeners a steadfast compass for any time they feel lost amidst the chaos of our ever-divisive world.

With Unity, Tora Woloshin not only became an embodiment of harmoniousness; she proved her mettle as one of the most inspiring voices on the airwaves with a single which is a culmination of her worldly experience, which may have been pierced by painful traumatic experiences, but she’s living and breathing proof that triumphing and thriving over adversity is always possible.

After cutting her teeth at the age of 15 in her first band, an audition on American Idol and X Factor showed the world what she was made of; she may not have gone all the way in the competition, but she was a certifiable success, evidenced by her sold-out album release show shortly after filming, interest in major labels, collaborative work with Jim Jones and Timbaland, and opening for Flo Rida, Pink, and Method Man.

Unity will be available to stream on all major platforms on August 27 via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lara Eidi and Ed Blunt conjured the sweetest sound of the summer in the soul-folk single, Orange Sundress

Posted on 10 August 2024

For her latest single, Orange Sundress, the Grecian soul folk goddess, Lara Eidi, collaborated with the equally esteemed artist Ed Blunt to hold the magic of summer.

After a chance meeting at a songwriting retreat in Edinburgh, Orange Sundress was written as an impromptu act of sonic serendipity, and that’s so much more than the origin story behind the single. The naturalistically spontaneous synergy resounds through the weightlessly blissful single which is fraught with the imagery of a love story unfurling to an Athenian backdrop.

Slip into the single and live vicariously through the tenderly warm narrative which serves as yet another attestation to Lara Eidi’s ability to transcend sound with the soul she infuses into each of her sonic landscapes.

With acoustic instrumentation as seraphically sweet as the interplay between the harmonies of Eidi and Blunt, Orange Sundress immortalises the ephemeral utopia of sun-kissed days marked by the rapture of devotion.

Orange Sundress was officially released on August 2nd; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast