Browsing Tag

trip-hop

OXYG3N introduces us to the ‘New Electric’ in his cinematic electronica single

Posted on 15 February 2022

After growing up on an aural diet of Hooverphonic and Portishead, finding stellar trip-hop in this era is often a thankless mission, but OXYG3N allowed the endeavour to pay off in his recently released ambient work, New Electric.

Right from the prelude, the emotional magnetism in the reverb grips you before pulling you into the hauntingly cinematic track that almost resonates as spiritual. With the chorally quiescent vocals floating in the ether above the snappy structure of the beats and the mellifluous synth melodies, it’s impossible to feel anything less than transfixed once this meditative yet visceral all the same track reaches its outro.

It scarcely comes as a surprise that OXY3N can rack up tens of thousands of streams with singles such as Forbidden Cube, which leans on hip hop with more weight than New Electric, but you’ll still hear nuances of urban grit in the sonic bliss. It is officially better than anything Beach House has released in recent years. For your soul’s sake, delve in.

New Electric is now available to stream via Spotify, along with OXYG3N’s other tranquil hits.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

themoonmustset made new wave rap wavier in his latest release, Make It Home

Posted on 25 January 2022

From 80s goth to new wave rap, few sounds evade the fusionist style of the up and coming Dallas, TX-native, themoonmustset. His latest single, Make It Home, is a trippy-to-the-point-of-being-ethereal release that uses glitchy distorted beats under his urgent and visceral rap bars.

I’m fairly sure you would have heard the phrase “it’s a vibe” before; this track becomes the epitome of it with its spacey, wavey progressions and the full-frontal human element pouring into the mix through the tuned and effect-laden vocals.

The 22-year-old artist produces, records, mixes and masters every release put out under his name. We can only hope that there are more locked, loaded and ready to drop releases from themoonmustset.

Make It Home is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Eastern rhythms meet blackened ethereal trip-hop in Arula’s latest single, Alive Now.

Posted on 4 December 2021

Alt singer-songwriter, Arula’s latest single, Alive Now, is powerful enough alone, but considering it followed on from the imploring, ethereal remix of her single, How Long, the defiance in the statement made in the dark, trippy soundscape is made so much more strident.

With Eastern influences feeding into the artfully blackened trip-hop track, Alive Now became one of the most invigoratingly experimental tracks that we’ve heard this year. It borders on ambient industrial while keeping hold of celestial textures that you’ll want to tune into time and time again.

Alive Now is available to stream and purchase on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

A Broken System orchestrated a vintage synth sanctum in his debut album, An Escape.

Posted on 3 December 2021

Amidst the swathes of ambient tones to hit the airwaves this year was the elevated nature-entwining work of the eclectically-inspired music producer, A Broken System. His music is a submersion into a sublime mix of synth-rock, hip hop, electronica and ambient, but his dreamy work is no ordinary sonic palette mashup. The Minnesota-hailing, Atlanta-based artist is fresh from the release of his debut album, An Escape, which was officially released on December 3rd, 2021.

The eight minimalist tracks take nuances of aural dystopia and transfuse them into downtempo, deep house tracks and smooth acid house soundscapes so sultry that they practically become an aphrodisiac. The standout concluding single, Liquid, is almost neo-classic in form. It traverses through haunting reverb and follows synth melodies that become the anchor in the otherwise gravity-defyingly transcendent release.

In short, an Escape is a synthesised sanctuary for anyone who feels at home in vintage electronic tones. The eight tracks pull together as an immersive, explorative sensory experience that you can’t help getting absorbed by. There’s an underlying darkness to An Escape, but the mix of light and dark tones created a multifaceted efficacious reflection of the world as we know it today.

In his own words, here is how A Broken System introduced his debut album:

“An Escape is an amalgamation of influence from many different films, film scores, and video games. It is escapism in the internet age; urban spaces, nature and the environments I have moved between.”

An Escape is now available to stream on Spotify.

The up and coming producer, A Broken System, created a vintage synth sanctum in his debut album, An Escape.

Posted on 3 December 2021
A Broken System

Amidst the swathes of ambient tones to hit the airwaves this year was the elevated nature-entwining work of the eclectically-inspired music producer, A Broken System. His music is a submersion into a sublime mix of synth-rock, hip hop, electronica and ambient, but his dreamy work is no ordinary sonic palette mashup. The Minnesota-hailing, Atlanta-based artist is fresh from the release of his debut album, An Escape, which was officially released on December 3rd, 2021.

The eight minimalist tracks take nuances of aural dystopia and transfuse them into downtempo, deep house tracks and smooth acid house soundscapes so sultry that they practically become an aphrodisiac. The standout concluding single, Liquid, is almost neo-classic in form. It traverses through haunting reverb and follows synth melodies that become the anchor in the otherwise gravity-defyingly transcendent release.

In short, an Escape is a synthesised sanctuary for anyone who feels at home in vintage electronic tones. The eight tracks pull together as an immersive, explorative sensory experience that you can’t help getting absorbed by. There’s an underlying darkness to An Escape, but the mix of light and dark tones created a multifaceted efficacious reflection of the world as we know it today.

In his own words, here is how A Broken System introduced his debut album:

“An Escape is an amalgamation of influence from many different films, film scores, and video games. It is escapism in the internet age; urban spaces, nature and the environments I have moved between.”

An Escape is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Before I Paddle Out: Germany-based funk artist Ogtopus drops debut track ‘Two Shades’

Posted on 29 November 2021

With his first EP set for a much-awaited January 2022 release, Ogtopus shows us the tasty waves that only helps the soul feel better on the treat-filled debut single ‘Two Shades‘.

Ogtopus is an ocean-loving Cologne, Germany-based multi-creative indie funk-rock/trip-hop music producer/artist, pianist/guitarist who is inspired by all things shapes and colours, as he seems to see further inside the whole picture than most.

Ogtopus transports us to his well-constructed underwater vibration that has you dusting off those lonely goggles, and going for a well-deserved swim to a community that is so much freer than what we see and feel on land. His vocals have a thoughtful nature and mixed with an ear-enhancing beat, this is a splendid song for everyone to lay back to and chill with.

‘Two Shades‘ from the deep-thinking Cologne, Germany-based indie funk-rock/trip-hop music producer/artist Ogtopus, is a rhythmical gem that will capture your imagination and set you free from all self-doubt. This is a highly creative artist who is only getting started – that performs with an experienced edge that gets your feet tapping – to a hearty beat that is so catchy and highly likeable.

Hear this brand new track on Spotify and see more news on the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Being There: Temperature Falls shows us that you just need one loyal soul on ‘Nothing Really Matters’

Posted on 25 November 2021

Taken off their grippingly honest 10-track album ‘Nobody To Believe in Anymore‘, Temperature Falls are in superior form with their latest single all about discovering who is actually there for you when the chips are down called ‘Nothing Really Matters’.

Temperature Falls is an Oslo, Norway-based trip-hop/low-fi-fusion duo act that makes extraordinary harmonies that might stimulate all your inner senses as they make such beautiful melodies.

”Composed of Ian J. Ward and Camilla, Temperature Falls delivers a versatile sound grabbing inspiration from boom-bap beats, trip-hop, alternative indie rock and a plethora of contemporary music.” ~ Temperature Falls

Temperature Falls are utterly delightful on this highly thoughtful new single that takes you to places in your heart you might not have felt before. The story is sad at times but always totally honest, as the ear-warming vocals and contemplative lyrics have you so enchanted.

‘Nothing Really Matters‘ from the Norweigan/English trip-hop/low-fi-fusion outfit Temperature Falls, is such a true reminder that throughout struggles in life, you just really need a loyal force with you to help you through all of the ups and downs. This magnificent effort is sung with a glorious style and comprises a background sound that keeps your mind alert the whole way into the core of this stunning track.

Life can be a really tough journey but through it all, there is always someone looking out for you.

Hear this fine new song on Spotify and see more via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

George Bien – scared of planes w/ emily: Emotionally Raw, Sonically Ethereal Trap

Posted on 24 November 2021

Lil Peep left plenty of inspiration in his wake; a potent shot of it can be found in the latest single, scared of planes, by the up and coming alt hip hop artist, George Bien.

In the ambient and atmospheric track, the confessional lyricism stings as it resonates, but there’s no taking the catharsis out of the dreamy mellifluous grooves. George Bien has exactly what it takes to define the future of hip hop with his emotionally raw, sonically ethereal style that we can’t wait to hear more of. At 21-years old, the Santa Cruz-based newcomer has already proven his pioneer potential. He is a force to be reckoned with from here on out.

Scared of planes is now available to stream on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Davesar – Fates Dance featuring Archana: Dark, dancey indietronica alchemy.

Posted on 20 November 2021
Davesar

NYC artist and producer, Davesar, may be still flying under the radar since his debut but with his latest dark and moody single, Fates Dance, featuring Archana, he’s proven that he has what it takes to climb the electronic charts.

Fates Dance carries the gravitas of Warpaint, Portishead, Policia, Chelsea Wolfe and Crystal Castles with all of the excitement of discovering a new artist with the ability to orchestrate his own very distinct brand of dark dancey alchemy. The indietronica beats are a triumph within themselves; in combination with the clever layering of vocal melodies, Fates Dance feels like exactly that; a whirlwind of rhythm through the futility of trying to control your fate.

Archana’s sultry in spite of being commanding vocals were a perfect fit for the track around Davesar’s compassionately gentle vocal timbre. The collaborative chemistry between them is potent; we can only hope there is more music from the collab in the pipeline.

Fates Dance is due for release on November 19th, 2021. You can catch it for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

BiggKen has dropped his spacey EDM trip-hop track, Grade A, featuring Louie Sace.

Posted on 16 November 2021

Grade A is the latest spacey, psychy hip hop track from US songwriter, artist and producer BiggKen; any fans of Busta Rhymes and Saul Williams will want to delve into the trippy ode to old school.

It comes as no surprise that BiggKen cut his teeth in the EDM scene with the experimental sonic textures that weaved their way into Grade A, which was created in collaboration with Louie Sace. BiggKen’s mission to unify the streets and the clubs definitely isn’t futile. Under his new moniker, his top track, Booty Crazy, has racked up over 68k listeners on Spotify alone. He is definitely one to watch as he climbs the charts.

Grade A is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast