Browsing Tag

Summer Anthem

Garfield Mayor shredded inhibition with soul in his nu-disco pop hit, Foolish Feet

Hot on the blazing heels of his critically acclaimed single, Been Thinking, the British singer-songwriter Garfield Mayor, grooved the bar even higher with his lush self-produced summer anthem, Foolish Feet.

Knowing exactly how to command the mic with magnetic soul, Mayor ensures that being drawn into Foolish Feet hook, line and sinker is as obligatory as giving into the compulsive beat and surrendering to the melodies which reach the epitome of infectious fluidity.

Equally as sweet as the sonics which subvert the expectations of summer pop hits are the lyrics which tenderly implore the listener to throw away inhibition and self-consciousness. The lyric, “Who cares about cliches, let’s dance like the old days, we’re all the same species” exemplifies the essence of the single which advocates for living in the moment and casting aside self-preservation to make room for rhythm-led euphoria.

“I was the designated driver at a party. Get Lucky by Daft Punk started playing. I wanted to dance but it had been a while, and I was self-conscious… I went for it anyway, and I remembered how much I’d missed it. It reminded me what a valuable part of life dancing is.”

Coincidently, Foolish Feet is the perfect hit to get footloose with. The echoes of Nile Rodgers’ funked-up guitar and Daft Punk’s kinetic rhythms filtered through a vibe-driven nu-disco lens allow the release to hammer home the razor-sharp propensities of Mayor’s songwriting chops.

Foolish Feet hit the airwaves on August 9th; stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Theo Lucas Shook Up Progressive House Pop with a Splash of Summer with ‘Sunset Martinis’

For his latest release, Sunset Martinis, the South London-based, Cypriot queer artist, Theo Lucas, hooked up with the multiplatinum DJ and producer, Lorenzo Cosi to drop the hedonistically hot EDM anthem of the summer.

By putting his own spin on progressive house with intersections of hyper-pop, Lucas crafted a track as intoxicating as the cocktail referenced in the title. The electrifying momentum seamlessly transitions into melodiously sensuous pre-choruses, efficaciously building intensity and anticipation before the bass drops, resulting in installations of pure euphoria.

The sticky-sweet vocal lines can sugar the pill of any hangover; by charging his vocal performance in the earworm with sincerity, it is clear that if Theo Lucas gets any hotter, he’s going to contribute to global warming.

In Sunset Martinis, Theo also embraces his queer identity and Cypriot roots, infusing them into his music with authentic flair as he lyrically compares his lover to Aphrodite, drawing on rich mythological imagery to celebrate love and beauty in its many forms.

So much more than a hit-maker, Theo Lucas is lighting a beacon for diversity and inclusion; his passion for advocacy shines through his work, which has seen him perform everywhere from London Pride to Westminster Abbey. Watch this proverbial space.

Sunset Martinis was officially released on August 15; stream the single now on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

GeeMarr became the sound of summer with his afrobeat scorcher, Sosa

The Jamaica-born, South London-raised artist and producer, GeeMarr, continued his ascent from the underground with his latest single, Sosa. The irresistibly rich synthesis of rhythm, obsession and soul is poised to become any discerning afrobeat fan’s quintessential summer anthem.

Sosa fuses his foundational influence of afrobeat rhythms with the verve of hip-hop and the intricacy of Latin-infused melodies to weave sensuous intimacy throughout the production; each beat becomes a seductive pulse which seizes the warmth of summer.

The instrumental complexity surpasses typical chart-topping hits, showcasing a depth that hints at GeeMarr’s potential to redefine genre boundaries. Each layer of sound is meticulously crafted, from the soulful synths to the bouncy Afrobeat drums, culminating in a hook that lingers long after the final note.

The artfully crafted experience designed to pull listeners into a vivid atmosphere of rhythmic celebration is accompanied by a high-production music video that mirrors the song’s dynamic energy. Through visuals that are as vibrant as the track itself, the video highlights the dancy, energetic nature of Sosa, further cementing GeeMarr’s footprint in the Afrobeat domain.

Written, produced, and performed by GeeMarr, ‘Sosa’ stands as a testament to his artistry and vision. With its intricate instrumentals and thematic richness, the track is set to leave a lasting impression. As Sosa gains traction, it’s clear that GeeMarr is crafting a legacy that will soon beckon a mainstream awakening to his sound.

The official music video for Sosa, which has already racked up over 25k reviews, premiered on July 18; be a part of the hype and stream the video on YouTube or check out the track on all major streaming platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Electro-House Goes Pop in Secret Wish’s EP Melody of the Music Man

Secret Wish

Secret Wish’s hotly anticipated EP, Melody of the Music Man, kicks off with the unfetteredly feel-good 7th Heaven Radio Edit before blasting into the 7th Heaven Club Mix, then progresses into the DJ Combo & Rayman Rave, Duumix, DIM3NSION, and Stelios remixes; offering nine different ways to experience the euphoric waves of electro house as they progressively crash on the shores of airwaves and dancefloors worldwide.

The opening iteration of Melody of the Music Man starts with a simple AVICII-esque piano melody before erupting into a disco-grooved EDM anthem for the ages, not just the summer; the appeal of an EDM anthem in this evocatively and melodically liberating vein could never come close to temporal.

The track reaches the epitome of sun-drenched rhapsodic bliss through layers of transcendentally augmented instrumental layers; the beats bring just as much enraptured ecstasy as the synths as they endlessly ascend throughout the progressive house mix that stands as a testament to the Belgian duo’s ability to craft infectious dance-pop anthems with global appeal.

Their music consistently tops charts across Europe and Asia, demonstrating their ability to transcend borders with crowd-pleasing anthems while injecting high-octane energy into productions hooked with a timelessly finessed pop sensibility. It’s safe to assume that Melody of the Music Man will be sitting scintillatingly pretty at the top of the charts before long.

Stream the Melody of the Music Man EP in full on all major platforms via this link from July 1st.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nicole Leaskk unveiled RnB’s most authenticated modern love story with ‘Want You’ ft Strizzy Strauss

Nicole Leaskk’s latest Afrobeat-heated single, Want You, is a subversive symbol of defiance in the face of RnB tropes. If you’re tired of the lyrical fawning and mourning old flames as their light dims, tune into the 90s RnB-inspired summer pop anthem that captures the passion of tragically relatable conflict. Tempers run as hot as the tones in RnB’s most authenticated modern love story.

The reprising lyric “I don’t even want you, I just want to prove you’re mine” testifies to the inevitability of becoming an unwilling pawn in mind games if you dare to delve into the dating pool as Latin flavours ooze through the guitars and percussion and bring the rhythmically kinetic groove in the Afrobeat-tinted production.

Strizzy Strauss’ grime-y rap bars work in dynamic contrast to Nicole Leaskk’s firebranded vocals as he delivers the other side of a cat-and-mouse vignette of tormenting prey before casting aside and moving onto the next chase.

The flawless execution of Want You will undoubtedly leave the UK singer-songwriter open to more critical acclaim. If you’re still sleeping on her, you may as well be in a coma.

Want You was officially released on May 31; stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

We Architects Synthesised the Sound of Summer with their Progressive House Pop Hit, Light Blue Skies

If your climate isn’t giving you the feel of summer, tune into the sound of it with the seminal progressive house pop single, Light Blue Skies by the cousin duo, We Architects, who have become infamous since their 2014 debut for their infusions of contemporary pop and tropical beach vibes. The stellar production will whisk you away on a holiday you never knew you were going on.

After racking up almost a million streams on Spotify alone, this single which oscillates with serotonin and soul, has become a staple of many who love the anticipation of sun-soaked hedonism and the core memories that follow sticky sweet escapades in the sun.

We Architects gave the progressions superlative intuition by knowing exactly where to take you to ensure you’re always led to euphoria. The rapture in the polished instrumentals juxtaposes the vocal lines which carry a melancholic sting while vibrantly celebrating the sanctity of summer, making them a perfect addition to the emotion-rich production which reaches the epitome of infectious stridency.

Stream Light Blue Skies on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Harri Larkin mainlined affectionate adrenaline into their pop-punk-hooked summer anthem, Dopamine

After discovering the immense talent that lingers in the larynx (it is a powerhouse in itself) of Harri Larkin through her Christmas collaboration with Sam Scherdel, we couldn’t wait to get stuck into her three-piece band’s latest single, Dopamine.

Drunk on affection-derived highs and vexed by the subsequent aftermath of anxious uncertainty, Sheffield’s hottest DIY alternative outfit pierced the funk-grooved rhythms with catchy enough to be cosmic pop-punk hooks. The summer staple that achieves elevated status through the infusion of indie guitars and demurely jazzy vocal lines that sultrily lead you into the choruses would be paralysing if they weren’t so galvanising.

After John Kennedy (Radio X) chose Harri Larkin out of 1578 other applicants to headline the BBC Introducing Library Stage at Tramlines, recording their single, Bonfire Toffee, for BBC Introducing Live in 2022 and the track was included in BBC Introducing Sheffield’s Top 50 Tracks of the Year countdown, there is no doubt in our minds that Harri Larkin will be moving on to even greater things.

Stream Dopamine, which hit the airwaves on May 26 on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Get your summer soul-fix with the electronica producer, Nathan Maurice’s baby I need your love

Nathan Maurice lay down a tapestry of old-school soul in his latest single, baby I need (your love). The vibe-driven mix starts with the sample of archaic soul vocals before building a buzzing summer anthem, slickened with lush reverb, vibrant beats, and crescendos you would understand if your heart stopped for.

When his classical work isn’t on repeat on Classical FM, the Birmingham, UK-based composer and producer is featured on Radio 1 with his electronic project, Lorenz System. If that doesn’t tell you all that you need to know about Maurice’s luminary presence in the electronica world, I’ll assume you are past the point of comprehension.

Hear baby I need your love for yourselves via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Startin’ Lineup & Ryanne Abraham go for fun times again with ‘Day Drinkin’

The Startin’ Lineup & Ryanne Abraham go ‘Day Drinkin‘ and this is a terrific song that helps us reminisce easier times.

This Chicago-based Hip Hop/R&B group comprises of rappers, singers, producers, writers plus sound engineers to keep the engine running smoothly.

This is the summer anthem that we all needed. A song about just enjoying yourself during the day, staying away from the wolves of the night, all in the name of pure fun. Your close friends are right by you, the day is but a youngster and you want to enjoy the day with a few innocent shots of your choice.

Taken off the latest EP ‘Summer League Madness‘, this is a mellow party anthem for those weekend days when you want to have fun. ‘Day Drinkin‘ from The Startin’ Lineup & Ryanne Abraham is the song our tired bodies needed to remember those times that will happen again, when the world calms down.

Click here for the Spotify link.

Head through to the Facebook page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen