Browsing Tag

Urban Pop

The queens of emboldening lyrical mantras, The LOOP, have released their latest alt-RnB single, ABOUT YOU

Posted on 10 January 2022

Boston’s most empowering alt-RnB duo, The LOOP, have released their latest single, ABOUT YOU. The track serves as the perfect introduction to the teen artist’s fiery approach to their sound that melds urban pop, hip hop and RnB with the catchy and conscious wit in their lyrics.

With invaluably introspective lyrical drops, such as “confidence is more than attitude” and “why try so hard to be something you’re not”, by the outro comes around, you’ll be left with emboldening mantras tattooed inside your mind.

It takes most people a lifetime to come to the same epiphanies that Marcia Bibbins and M’Zariah Starr share through their singles. At this point, we probably shouldn’t need to point out that they are ones to watch. Especially with their tendency to artfully stamp down their signature sound in each of their releases.

ABOUT YOU is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

HayeWire promises ‘Better Days’ in their heart-wrenching debut single.

Posted on 23 December 2021

Up and coming Mississippi artist, HayeWire, has released his optimism-inspiring debut single, Better Days. The debut infuses hip hop, pop and RnB into the minor key melodies that are striking enough to leave you arrested in the introspection that was laid out as a means of connection.

The single starts with a minimalist melody and harmonic pop vocals before the rap bars and beats fully kick in, which brings plenty of gravity of track that caught us utterly broadsided with its ability to convey so succinctly the nature of depression.

HayeWire’s sole focus is dealing with trauma and depression in his lyrics to remind his listeners that they aren’t alone in their individual struggle. Notably, he hit the mark with Better Days which unravels as a cocktail of multi-faceted emotion that reflects the tight grip of depression and how sweet it is to break free from it.

Better Days is easily one of the most promising debuts we have heard during 2021. We can’t wait to hear how HayeWire follows on from this compassionate hard-hitter.

HayeWire’s debut single, Better Days, is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jay Zayat has released his fieriest RnB Hip Hop track with ‘FACE IT’

Posted on 2 December 2021
Jay Zayat

Melbourne-based alt hip hop artist, Jay Zayat, created the ultimate drunk in love grab the bull by the horns track with his latest fiery indie RnB rap release, FACE IT.

On top of the sun-kissed grooving instrumentals that carry a fair amount of reminiscence to Timberlake’s Cry Me A River, Jay Zayat’s rapid-fire bars drip magnetism as they work through the witty wordplay. Lyrically, the track bounces from hook to hook while the beats make it all too easy to get lost in the grind. It is only a matter of time before Jay and his high vibe style goes viral.

Check out Jay Zayat on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Dark Pop Meets Hip Hop in Snapdibz’ latest single, Rivals featuring Rey Khan

Posted on 12 November 2021

There is nothing on the airwaves as raw as a hip hop artist throwing away every last shred of ego and pretence to show the softer side of their soul; case in point, Snapbidz latest single, Rivals, featuring Rey Khan.

When I hit play on what I thought would be yet another confrontational diss track, a stunningly pensive mash of RnB, trap, and pop started to pull me into the soul of the single that carries just as much, if not more, conviction as the harshest of rap hits.

The slight vibrato on Rey Khan’s trap pop vocals and Snapbidz animated bars over the minor key melodies is enough to test your soul’s capacity to feel as it climbs the charts.

Rivals is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Valiancy gives us our ‘Good Vibes’ fix in his latest alt-pop sonic sanctum.

Posted on 10 November 2021

With the sweet harmonic Beach Boys-style soul against the Saul Williams-Esque heavy beats, Valiancy’s latest alt-indie pop fix, Good Vibes, delivers what it says on the tin. Not through condescending euphoria peddling tropes, but through exuding nothing but transcendent soul that remains sympathetic to the reasons we need good vibes tracks in the first place.

The songwriter and producer orchestrated a soundscape unique enough to pique your interest and pull you in, yet experimentalism was notably secondary to ensuring that the infusion of harmonic pop vocals and ensnaring alt electro beats became a sure-fire hit of catharsis.

Get your Good Vibes hit by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The dynamic collective of emcees, High Frequency, have released their seminally sweet RnB pop track, Part Ways.

Posted on 6 November 2021

High Frequency’s latest single, ‘Part Ways’, is potentially the sweetest RnB pop breakup track to have ever hit the airwaves. Between the melodic sticky sweet indie instrumentals, the sentimental lyrics which run through the inner turmoil that transpired in spite of the affection and the velvety smooth vocals, you’d need to be dead from the soul down not to feel the weight in this frankly genius hit.

High Frequency is a music collective featuring five true-to-their-own-style emcees who respectively bring their hometown influence to the table, resulting in a mash of Memphis rap, NYC grooves, 90s hip hop flows, modern trap styles and modern gospel roots. We can’t wait to hear more infatuation-worthy tracks from this powerhouse of a collective.

Part Ways is due for official release on November 6th. You can check it out for yourselves on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Zeke Smyth – Secrets, featuring Lando Strand; tropic urban pop perfection.

Posted on 29 October 2021

Cleveland, Ohio aural experimentalist, Zeke Smyth, pulls his inspiration from a diverse pool of pop, rock, hip hop and soul; he doesn’t break boundaries; he refuses to acknowledge their existence when orchestrating his pop-rap hits.

His latest single, Secrets, featuring Lando Strand, is tropic pop perfection. The catchy vocal melodies never allow your attention to falter while the sticky with soul track unfolds. Vibes don’t get much higher than Secrets which explores verbal intimacy through sentimental lyrics and up-vibe tranquil 808s that will leave you hooked on Zeke’s sound.

Secrets is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Michelle Nyce’s high vibes go interstellar in her indie urban pop hit ‘Eh Baby’.

Posted on 19 October 2021

Since a young age, the spotlight has fallen onto the multifaceted talent of the Toronto-based rapper, dancer and singer Michelle Nyce. For her latest indie urban pop earworm, she collaborated with StraightOuttaThe6ix to create a high vibe drunk on love single and music video that successfully epitomises the intoxicating feeling of getting hooked on someone’s vibe.

The sun-kissed radio-ready single, Eh Baby, is a stunning extension of the sentiments offered in Crazy in Love. Even though she has the style and gravitas of a multi-platinum-selling artist, she hasn’t lost her instantly infatuating girl next door vibe that we can’t wait to hear plenty more of.

Stream and download Eh Baby via apple music. Watch the official music video on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

XANDE breaks barriers with his mental health alt-pop stormer, DOWNFALL.

Posted on 8 October 2021

Alt-pop singer-songwriter and producer, XANDE, is set to release his rawest single to date with DOWNFALL, which doesn’t just open up the MH conversation; it drops an atomic bomb to break down barriers and advocate for mental health awareness.

By mixing with contemporary pop elements with trap textures and alt-rock stylings, DOWNFALL could easily be  universally adored. If you thought that Wrecking Ball was evocative, brace yourselves for the emotional firestorm that blazes throughout this massive melodic hit.

The Portugal-born artist penned the single to reflect the emotions that transpired through being a caregiver for his father, who suffered from schizophrenia and PTSD. It finds a nuanced way of portraying the very real truth that the symptoms of someone’s mental health conditions can cause another’s trauma.

As someone that has also had to constantly creep around depression and anxiety during childhood, I couldn’t help finding myself in the lyrics; that hollowing feeling of knowing that your emotions will always be secondary and the people that should have your back just let you fall or push you even further. It’s a stunning single, in every conceivable way. We can’t wait to hear more.

The official video to DOWNFALL will premiere on October 8th; you can check it out for yourselves on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

UK urban pop duo Rara Loud have made an anthemic comeback with Forever Love.

Posted on 5 October 2021

The trailblazing urban pop duo monikered Rara Loud have made an anthemic comeback with their bass-dubbed, orchestrally infused hit, Forever Love.

The British duo consistently strives for authenticity; through Forever Love, they discernibly delivered. Their floor-filler consistently twists and turns around the progressive bass lines while their contrastingly magnetic personalities flood the mix with high vibes that are nothing short of infectious. Do your serotonin levels a favour and hit play.

The official music video for Forever Love launched on September 24th; you can check it out for yourselves on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast