Taken from her powerful 8-track release called Dark Angels, Allexa Bash is rather exquisite on the superb single to play on full volume and with passionate intensity, Stay.
Allexa Bash is a classically-trained Ukraine-born Dubai-based indie alternative singer-songwriter who has an outstanding vocal proficiency which is fused with her remarkable work ethic and love for her craft.
”A brilliantly versatile musician able to cover pop, rock and jazz, Allexa’s interest in music began when she was just four. She would use a fake mic from her grandmother as if it were real before she progressed to writing her own lyrics.” ~ Allexa Bash
Lathered in so much atmospheric energy to swim deeply inside, Allexa Bash is in top form and shall change perceptions with one of the more unforgettable arrangements in recent history. Everything is so classy and without fuss, you see, as our hearts heal from all anxiousness.
Stayfrom Dubai-based indie alternative singer-songwriter Allexa Bash is one of the more dynamic sizzlers possible in our ears. She sings with a world-class ability and this is a real stunner to play when extra motivation is needed. Crisp to the core and features an impressive arrangement to ease all romantic worries away.
When two hearts want to stay, anything is possible.
From the war-torn city of Kyiv, Ukraine, the duo, Polyvoda, has released their latest melodic art hop single and music video, Never Ending. Singing of hard times, doing their best to get by and their commitment to authenticity, the duo consisting of Vinovishi Klavino and Basey Naiado gave us a glimpse of the resilience that has become necessary in this needlessly tragic chapter of history.
But independent from the situation that Never Ending was born from, it’s a stunning exhibition of Polyvoda’s deeply humanist expression, which gives you a panoramic view into their strength, pain, and tangible grace. With Radiohead-Esque percussion, there’s an elegantly artful edge to the fusion, which pulls together organic indie textures and hip hop tones. The vocals also contain their fair share of evocative kryptonite as they make their way through the semi-spoken word verses and harmonised choruses.
Watch the bleakly mesmeric official music video for Never Ending, which premiered on October 4th, on YouTube. For each view of the video, the duo will donate one Satoshi coin to a charitable organisation helping rebuild Ukraine.
With her latest single, the international singer-songwriter, Ildy Lee made her much-needed contribution to peace and sanctity. Requiem for Peace is an otherworldly sermonic folk extension of her empathy for those grieving in Ukraine. After facing Russian tanks in her home country of Budapest, she’s well placed to give us the sum of this colossal loss with a sense of sincerity that is scarcely heard on the subject.
I’ll never forget the Adam Curtis documentary, which pointed out that Patti Smith was as much of a part of her system for her reaction against it. Ildy Lee is one of the rare voices that can earnestly say that she’s efficaciously fighting against ever-prevalent justice. The compassion in Requiem for Peace is enough to force you into shedding a cathartic tear. In a time when a sense of humanity seems a scarcity, Ildy Lee is worth her weight in gold.
The official music video for Requiem for Peace is available to stream on YouTube.
As the undeserved slaughter continues when the shaken world needed peace and understanding instead of terrifying carnage, JKLN has dropped a song that should shock many who are still wondering why this happened with her latest release, ‘Welcome to Ukraine‘.
JKLN (pronounced Jacqueline) is a Kyiv, Ukraine-born, Athens, Greece-raised, Berlin, Germany-based indie electronic artist and music producer.
”Combining deep and dark electronic dance productions with dreamy pop-inspired vocals JKLN has crafted a sound that blurs the lines between different musical worlds.” ~ JKLN
With a menacing tone that seems to somehow take you onto the battlefield to witness the sad destruction, JKLN is rather magnificent with a powerful performance that shall have your heart palpitating with fear as you imagine the absolute butchery that has taken place without cause.
‘Welcome to Ukraine‘ from Berlin, Germany-based indie electronic artist/music producer JKLN is a thunderous release that is packed with mystery and a heavy beat that shall awaken you rather quickly. This Ukraine-born artist has understandably been affected by the current war and sends us an epic soundtrack, to invite us inside the despair that has killed and displaced millions who deserved much better.
Showing us her music progression that has reached a world-class level, this is a reminder that the world isn’t fair sometimes but through music, we can understand the story a bit better if we open up our ears.
Hear this top new single on Spotify and see more on the IG.
Tragedy has a habit of letting everything pleasurable and meaningful fall into a pit of futility. When that is conflated with the virtue signalling/shaming spat at influencers and artists for carrying on with their projects, it is no surprise that there are many questioning the appropriateness of how we are conducting our lives online and offline.
It was only a couple of years ago when we were furious that the UK government tried to tell ballerinas to retrain in IT; when the Sunday Times published a poll that dubbed artists as non-essential. Then, we fiercely defended the importance of art, music, and every other form of media that gives us a brief reprieve from the misery of a late-stage capitalist world.
Sure, a few dystopic years have slipped by since, and the return of live music wasn’t quite as triumphant due to the cultural shifts that happened when we realigned our lives in the absence of the live music scenes. Just as artists were starting to pick up momentum, the value of music has once again in question, and I get it, I do. But if every time senseless tragedy struck and artists downed tools, the airwaves would be eternaly radio silent.
As for those thinking that it’s disrespectful to carry on with music in a time like this, you’re hardly bringing a clown to a funeral by keeping the cogs in the meaning-making machines that you are turning. Ever since the renaissance, music has been regarded as a humanism; that sentiment resonates just as strongly today. A few things have changed since, including artists’ ability to use their expansive platforms to do more than sell their new releases. Here are just a few ways artists and industry figures are stepping up in solidarity with Ukraine.
– On Bandcamp Friday (March 4th), artists from across the globe donated their profits from sales to Ukraine, and many more are continuing to donate their income via digital sales to Ukrainian charities for a limited time, including indie post-punk’s most enamouring baroque debonair, James Cook and the UK grunge earworm-makers, The Dying Lights.
– The revered UK punk outfit, Vice Squad, has already raised over £2,410 for Ukrainian animal rescue efforts, and their fundraiser will be running until the end of the month. To be a part of it, purchase their new EP, Humane.
– The death metal band Behemoth, the Irish thrash metal outfit Gama Bomb, and the Shoegaze legends Slowdive are all releasing exclusive merch and donating the proceeds to charity.
On March 7th, the Disasters Committee (DEC) raised over £100m in four days. That may be a drop in the ocean considering how many people’s lives are now rubble, but the solidarity and benevolent entrepreneurship has restored my faith in humanity more than one punitive man with a stockpile of nukes could ever dent it.
A&R Factory has also donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee, and we will continue to champion artists using the power of their influence in this surreally existential time.
Bringing us a terrific new single that fanatics of Oasisand The Verve will truly appreciate, State Space has us in a dreamy mood that urges us to never give up as the sun is coming on ‘Lanterns of Tomorrow‘.
State Space is the creation of Berlin, Germany-based Ukraine-born artist and electrical engineer Vova Tumasiants who loves to combine his love for art and reality into a pleasurable experience for all his listeners.
“I like the warm sound that comes with bringing together the British alt-rock sound and the Pop vibes that I’m such a big fan of.” ~ State Space
Soothing our heavy hearts with a pacifying performance that forces you to listen a bit closer, State Space takes us on a trip into a happier time with his likeable vocals which is harmonised so calmly like a true professional.
After impressing us significantly with the radiant dream-chasing ‘Saint‘, this is another gem that will have your consciousness feeling so much new-found determination to never give in to those self-doubting voices that try and bring you down.
‘Lanterns of Tomorrow‘ from the highly creative Berlin, Germany-based artist State Space, is a single that will remind you of classic music from the ’90s that sticks in your head forever. His vocal ability is here for all to see – as we sing along to this terrific artist – on a mood-altering effort that has been made with love. This is that keep-shining effort that has your smile lighting up again, away from the previous darkness that has stained the world for too long.
Listen to this top new single on Spotify and see more via the IG music page.
As he skillfully boosts up the engine packs and slides smoothly into our fascinated minds with a positive message, State Space returns with party boosting dance hit with a I-won’t-leave track that has you believing that anything is possible on ‘Saint‘.
Vova Tumasiants aka State Space, is a free-thinking Ukraine-born indie dance artist who likes to transcend genres and is based in Berlin, Germany. He makes a blend of classic Synthwave sounds with modern EDM beats attached, that are packed with tasty chocolate treats of 80’s-style alt-pop to nibble on hungrily.
”Growing up Vova was heavily influenced by the Pop and Dance music of the day. However, the 90’s Brit-Pop and Alternative Rock of artists like Oasis ultimately inspired him to seriously pursue music.” ~ State Space
You feel that extra zest in his step – as the liveliness swarms over your speakers – the catchy dynamism engulfs your soul and has you flowing with an energy that has your heart beating rather quickly.
”I think that there should be no genres anymore, because they limit the imagination and the flexibility of many artists, who don’t want to care about genres but do want to create whatever comes in their minds.” ~ State Space
‘Saint‘ from the Berlin, Germany-based indie dance solo artist and electrical engineer State Space, is a transfixing star-like mesh of delightful which takes you on a rocket-ship journey above the clouds, that is full of lights and action. He sings with an expressive nature that is exciting and fresh – as you feel his enthusiasm-soaked passion – that is easy to like and dance to all night long with a smile on your dial.
Check out this new track on Spotify and see more stories on his IG page.
The Ukraine artist ГИБКИЙ ЧАПЛИНЪ (Gibkiy Chaplin) is back with a 20 track album that you can’t help but be intrigued by on Paris — Kavkaz.
The music textures are so mysterious and meaningful, the skill on the guitar to create this music is truly unbelievable. His deep voice is so alluring and is magnified on the lead single Kavkaz(Official video). The ability to tell a story is so majestic and the Jazzy Blues feel is so cinematic as it intertwines with your tired soul.
Other highlights are definitely ‘gellhorn‘ with the track taking things up a notch and this emotion filtering out onto the speakers to our absolute delight. ‘komnata uh da uh’ is another quality track and the bluesy beat gets your head moving and feet tapping with the ominous tone and atmospheric energy.
Paris — Kavkaz is the excellent full album from Ukrainian artist ГИБКИЙ ЧАПЛИНЪ (Gibkiy Chaplin) is one of those underground gems that deserves its due listen. Even if you don’t understand the language, you can appreciate the fantastic music that fills your heart with a sound that reminds you of a movie. There are a few songs that have English too so this can be enjoyed by the whole family. This is that truly deep music that is moving and transcends genres as its in its own class.
Click here for the full album link on Spotify and see their journey on FB.
Гибкий Чаплинъ returns with the fascinating and brilliantly-made cartoon video for ‘Hostess‘.
An intriguing video to match this wandering Jazz-Indie Rock single. This song was originally released in 2019 and the song has been brought to life with the unique animation from cartoonist Alexander Bubnov. Telling the story of a man who gets blown into a strange cafe by a cruel Autumnal wind, he is drawn into the strange world of the other diners as he waits for his meal of ‘Summer Full‘. Drawing from the artistic styles of Picasso, the video perfectly pairs the art with the jazz. I love how this video is made and it is such a fun watch. The detail is fantastic and this is something I have never seen before. It captures life perfectly and about how alcohol can get a bit much.
An independent band from Ukraine, Гибкий Чаплинъ (also known as Gibkiy Chaplin) was formed in 2015. Over the past five years they have released five studio albums including one on vinyl and have amassed an impressive following over social media. Creators of eclectic musical styles, their sound ranges from alternative, art-rock, jazz-rock, and rock, to poetry, neoclassical music, indie, experimental, and instrumental compositions. A defining characteristic of the group is that their art is inspired by the spirit of the special places they visit and in which they create and record their music – Kyiv, London, Paris, Venice, and Prague.
Гибкий Чаплинъ raises the standard of videos on ‘Hostess‘. This is a pre-covid look into what happens at night and how money, women and drink can create quite a intoxicating mood that can go either way. This is a terrific video that will inspire others to make different videos like this and not do the normal.
Lauta, an up and coming electro-pop singer from Ukraine releases her first solo single ‘Freefalling’, introducing a combination of EDM and drum and bass as a free spirited creation. Parting from popular girl group ‘Hollywood FM’, Lauta dives straight into the deep end with an energetic and liberating style of pop. Lauta tests the waters by bringing together her own heritage into dance culture, and pivots into a revival of life, a personal resurgence on Lauta’s part.
“My latest tracks are about rebirth – an exciting phase which gives the feeling of being in free fall! Sometimes it’s actually a crisis that makes you who you are. I learned to create everything from scratch, and I feel like I’m living in a flight. It’s a story, building, building, building… and I know there are no boundaries.”
‘Freefalling’ proves how experimental electro-pop can progress above and beyond the likes of Cascada. Lauta’s compilation of ambient high flying production almost sends us into a throw back in the 00’s, but what is so enthralling is how this type of collaboration of dance music has evolved. The fast paced tempo trips across the spiralling highs and lows in the bass line. What permits the track a stamp of approval in the electronic scene is the cathartic confidence of Lauta’s lyrics, making this the prime focal point of the track.
‘Freefalling’ will be available via all major media providers from 5th May 2017 and is the first release from forthcoming debut EP of the same name, due for release later this year. More information about Lauta and her release can be found on her social pages or official website.
