Browsing Tag

soul

Spotlight Feature: Gemïny delivered a vindicating high in his soul-pop debut Too Close

Posted on 17 June 2022

Don’t look to your icons for the hottest soul-pop drop of the year. Find a new one by hitting play on the debut single, Too Close, from the artist and mental health advocate, Gemïny.

I don’t know what I love more, the juicy efficacious hooks up against the stridently raucous energy of rock or the Columbia-based artist’s lyrical vulnerability and intellect. Too Close isn’t just one hell of a debut. It’s a public service announcement to those confined in toxic dynamics wrapped up in an earworm that demands repeat attention.

After experiencing the crazy-making fallout of a toxic relationship that had an appetite for boundless destruction, Gemïny stepped up to the plate to speak for everyone carrying trauma from past relationships and those still confined within the malevolent grips of one. It’s enough to change your perception of Crazy in Love for life.

The inspiration for the track may be heavy; with the poetic wordplay, the nuance in Gemïny’s narrative, the Usher-Esque vocals and the seductively lush production, few singles will leave you on a better vindicating high.

In his own words,

“Too Close is a song that places you in a climactic chapter of a toxic love story, where limits are pushed past desperately failing actions, and everything spins out of control. It is a reflection on my role, a separation from the damage done, and an acceptance of how my actions played into the traumas placed on me.

My biggest goal is to resonate with those in a darker place and show them that there is life beyond that darkness. Not saying you have to put on a smile like Batman, but there is still light out there, and I’m trying to bring that out, despite everything.”

After garnering over 20k streams on Spotify alone with his debut, the humbly prodigal artist is definitively one to watch. Especially with the release of his sophomore single, Avalanche, in the pipeline.

Too Close is now available to stream on Spotify & SoundCloud.

Follow Gemïny via Facebook and Instagram

Chen Ron shows us what music really means on ‘Weekend’ (feat. MAYU)

Posted on 14 June 2022

Navigating us through the love of something so special that can change lives forever, Chen Ron returns with a brilliant single that will have you taken right into what it’s like to be an independent musician on, ‘Weekend‘ (feat. MAYU).

Chen Ron is an Israel-based RnB/neo-soul artist, music producer, guitarist and pianist who makes that anthem-sounding music that will be stuck in your head for hours.

”The single talks about the importance of following your dreams and doing what you really love, and how it’s more important than earning a high salary or a flashy title.” ~ Chen Ron

Featuring the outstanding vocals of Israeli RnB/soul singer MAYU, Chen Ron is rather spectacular with a special song that is totally honest and features so much groove and delightful vocals. These two organically connected souls combine rather radiantly together, and this is a single which will bring that much-needed grace back into the world to teach us all.

”Chen works with a variety of guest vocalists in his productions and his biggest influences include Anderson .Paak, Robert Glasper, Tom Misch, J-Dilla and Kendrick Lamar.” ~ Chen Ron

‘Weekend‘ (feat. MAYU) from Israel-based RnB artist, music producer, guitarist and pianist Chen Ron is a classy single that shows us deep inside the perspective of someone who has been told to move onto something better paid, despite loving the entire inventive process. Showing us deep inside and into a place that so many try to ignore, this is a reminder that if you are doing what you truly love, all the hard work is rather worth it.

Surely doing what makes you glow inside your spirit is the only way to live life after all?

See this excellent video on YouTube and find out more via the IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: You’ve gotta ‘Feel It’ for yourselves in MDMelo & Francis’ standout electronic soul single.

Posted on 7 June 2022

With its kicking beat, shimmering sonics and the effortless resonance of Francis’ vocals, MDMelo’s title single from his collaborative album, Feel It, rhythmically commands you into an evocative appreciation for the aural delivery of oxytocin.

It has been a while since we have heard funk-riding electronic beats with such deep seductive grooves; the euphoric aesthetic of the collaboration is nothing short of electrifying. The zealously infectious track marries old school soul with new-age electronica to achieve an uplifting effect that can scarcely be put into words; you just have to feel the disco synthetics up against the funk, soul and RnB textures for yourselves.

Here is what MDMelo had to say on his latest collaboration with vocalist, Francis

“Feel It, featuring Francis, is a breakthrough for me; it was a long-term project which focuses on production, composition, harmony, groove and sonics. My main objective is to make sure that Francis gets the notoriety he deserves; he transformed my music world.”

Watch the official music video for Feel It, which dropped on the 20th of May 2022, via YouTube.

Before the release of the 11-track soul album, Feel It, in May 2022, MDMelo & Francis caught up with A&R Factory. Check out the A&R Video Interview with MDMelo and Francis here.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Basia Bartz has released her feverishly pure piano-pop score, All Your Pages (Read Like Mine)

Posted on 6 June 2022
Basia Bartz

After an outtake-y intro which strips any air of pretension from the soundscape from the outset, the Poland-born and raised, London-residing singer-songwriter Basia Bartz careers into a smooth experimental jazz-pop ensemble with her latest single, All Your Pages (Read Like Mine).

Even though it’s scarcely imaginable that a contemporary artist can conjure as much soulfully demure alchemy as Peggy Lee did with Fever, that is exactly what Basia Bartz beguiles with.

Her name as a solo artist may be relatively unheard. As a violinist, she’s worked alongside Boxer Rebellion, Maisha, Ben Walker and Josienne Clarke, Dan Raza, The Penny Black Remedy, Cherise Adams-Burnett, Tankus The Henge, Trent Miller, Ian Prowse, Tom McRae, Jamie Lenman, Ferries & Sylvester, Catherine Rudie and the Kisses, Jason McNiff, The Clientele, ESE & The Vooduu People, Gabriel Moreno, Adam Beattie and many more.

Inspired by those very same artists, she started training as a vocalist and composer before releasing her debut single, A Girl at Dusk, in 2022. Her third single, All Your Pages, is her soulful take on a groove-led feat of piano pop which unravels as an honest expression of female sensuality. God knows we needed someone to put the innocence back into affection after Nikki Minaj defiled all that was sacred about those moments that are just as tenderly captivating as the swinging piano riffs in All Your Pages.

All Your Pages will launch on Bandcamp on June 3rd before releasing across all other platforms on June 21st.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

DRCY preserved the timelessness of old school soul in ‘Small Talk’

Posted on 6 June 2022

Pairing old school Olivia Dean soul vocals with contemporary and conversational lyrics, the Liverpool/London-residing singer-songwriter DRCY brought a resonant air of modernity to the timeless style in her latest RnB pop single, Small Talk.

The sophomore single is a natural continuation of the artist’s debut single, Butterflies, which also mused on the honeymoon phase of new relationships. This time, there is a particular focus on the addictiveness of small talk during the early stages of a relationship, where every trivial fact feels like a new beguiling piece of the puzzle.

Her radiant vocals paired with the bass-carved grooves and jazzy instrumentals don’t make for the average 2022 love song; DRCY could never be that unauthentically pedestrian.

In her own words

“For so long I have cared about what other people think of me. Insecurities held me back for so long, I just need to own it now. I want my music to inspire people to feel good in their own skin, to feel sexy in their own skin. And I hope that everyone who listens to my music knows that life is not as serious as you’ve been told.”

Small Talk is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nina Duschek has released her sultrier than Setzer swinging blues-rock debut single, Married to the Art

Posted on 30 May 2022

There is no love affair like the one an artist can have with their craft. For definitive proof, turn to the sultry, swinging blues-rock proclamation of passion, Married to the Art, by the Italian born and raised singer-songwriter & busker Nina Duschek.

The Setzer-Esque genre crumble knows exactly when to drip a little salacious magnetism before switching it up through the playful reggae-infused guitar rhythms. As for the vocals, Duschek is one of the most beautifully unapologetically authentic artists to have appeared on our radar this year. Her vibrant free-spiritedness is organically infectious. Naturally, we can’t wait to hear what follows.

Married to the Art is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Los Angeles RnB artist Crowne Mecca is loving the sensual vibes on her ‘Soul Food’

Posted on 29 May 2022

Showing us true love and singing with an authentic romantic tone that shall have you beaming with joy, Crowne Mecca shows us that content heart that has encountered the one who makes her so comfortable as she feels rather nurtured with ‘Soul Food‘.

Crowne Mecca is a Los Angeles, California-based indie RnB/soul/jazz artist who makes a classy mixture of delicious music that was born from singing in her local church when she was just 7 years old.

”Serving as nourishment to the mind, body and soul, this melodic & passion-filled entrée is sure to whet more than just the appetite.” ~ Crowne Mecca

Formerly in the much-loved duo, Pharaoh with her older sister Koko, Crowne Mecca has one of the more pure vocal abilities around and shows this in full force with this wonderful solo performance. Simmering sweetly with a true story about how everything is going so well currently, we are placed into a romantic dream to really cherish.

‘Soul Food‘ from Los Angeles, California-based indie RnB/soul/jazz artist Crowne Mecca is one of those heartwarming singles that shall make all your stress evaporate in an instant. A song made with so much love is a real delight and this is exactly what is on offer, with a soundtrack that shall grace your heart as you have just fallen in love for the first time.

Music has the special power to change your mood like a flick of a switch.

Hear this lovely new single on Spotify and see more news on her IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Patricia Hart wants all that sweet lovin’ on her new release scheduled for the 20th of May with, ‘Gimme Some’

Posted on 11 May 2022

Letting us know that she will only be with someone who is completely real and allergic to those foolish games, Patricia Hart shows us her excellent vocal ability on her hot new single about waiting for that special soul on, ‘Gimme Some’.

Patricia Hart is a Gippsland, Victoria-born, Queensland, Australia-based solo artist who fuses Retro Soul, Pop, Disco, and RnB into her wonderful creations.

”Deeply personal, cathartic, and ethereal, Patricia Hart’s music serves as a portal into the most personal depths of her inner core, and a way to help her understand the world and her emotions more clearly.” ~ Patricia Hart

Soothing all worries away with a totally nostalgic experience that has been made with such love and care, Patricia Hart gently takes our hand and leads us into that happy place – that imagines a true romance with no strings attached – in a place that feels incredibly genuine and real. Her honest lyrics take you deeply into her thoughtful mindset, which is ready for something authentically beautiful, far away from the fake swipes that so many are dealing with in this forget-quick world.

‘Gimme Some’ from Queensland, Australia-based multi-genre solo artist Patricia Hart is one of the most captivating singles you will possibly hear in 2022. With a catchy beat that seems to transport you naturally into this loving picture of hope, this is a stunning single that sends your mind into a ray of sunshine, which is ready for something rather incredible.

Pre-save Patricia’s delightful new single via Distrokid in anticipation of 20th May and follow her IG for all the release news.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

DVNX knows this his Mamacita is extra special on, ‘BADINA’

Posted on 6 May 2022

Showing us how he cares so much for this extraordinary woman who is exactly what he has been looking for all his life, DVNX feels that the recipe is right next to his eyes on the loving new release, ‘BADINA‘.

DVNX is a UK-based indie RnB/soul singer-songwriter who has used music to be his outlet from this harsh world and continues to evolve constantly throughout time.

”As a child, DVNX was surrounded by European, Caribbean, British and African cultures; all of which played an instrumental role in his development.” ~ DVNX

With a sexy song that shall get you into the mood to whisper sweet nothings into the awaiting ear of your romantic partner, DVNX returns with a terrific new single that will have you grooving and moving with an enthusiastic energy that you can’t help but like.

‘BADINA‘ from UK-based indie RnB/soul singer-songwriter/entrepreneur/music producer DVNX sends a firebolt of affection through your soul and has you completely engaged the whole way through this new single. His vocals are smooth and quickly get us wrapped heartily into this picture of love, about being with someone who makes his heart shake like a Friday night at a club. This is a dance-friendly single that has you turning up the volume, to sizzle your senses and wetting your lips for more on offer from this multi-talented artist.

Listen up to this new single on Spotify and see more vibes on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Ozzie Aguilera wants to know so much more on debut single, ‘Yo Quiero Saber’

Posted on 2 May 2022

Wondering why some are so afraid to be alone, Ozzie Aguilera shows us a new creation that will float you into a fascinating world of intrigue and is loaded with English and Spanish lyrics to learn from on, ‘Yo Quiero Saber‘.

Ozzie Aguilera is a dreamy-soul/pop artist, entrepreneur and makeup enthusiast who is always looking to develop and likes to be considered genre-less.

”The amount of love that I have for music is unexplainable. It’s more about how the vibe of a song makes you feel and where it takes you, other than just the words themselves.” ~ Ozzie Aguilera

A new artist with plenty to prove, Ozzie Aguilera reminds us that the creative path to being happy with oneself is a long and arduous one, but fantastically worth it if you believe in yourself enough.

”I’m big on harmonies, melodies, and getting lost in the creation of my music.” ~ Ozzie Aguilera

‘Yo Quiero Saber‘ from the dreamy-soul/pop solo artist Ozzie Aguilera is an electric performance from an innovative soul who has had a traumatic life growing up and feels like is just starting this compelling journey to being happy with the process to the victory line. Sung with real gusto and bringing forth a sound that is new to many, this is a single that shall hypnotise and captivate many who like to see music evolve to keep the progression alive.

Insert your ears into something different on Spotify and see more on the IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen