Browsing Tag

World Music

Kama Tala has unleashed their Caribbean funk-soaked jangle-pop single, ‘Honore’

Posted on 6 April 2021

If you could imagine what it would sound like if the Smiths was a Caribbean pop outfit, you will be able to get an idea of the jangly magnetism contained in Kama Tala’s recently released single, ‘Honore’.

The Chicago-hailing artist crosses borders and merges everything from soul to rock to pop to jazz in their sun-soaked tracks, but that’s not the most notable facet of Kama Tala’s talent.

The ingenuity largely stems from the seamless melding of the genres while never detracting from the accessibility of his sound. But the true distinction comes through their heartfelt vocal delivery. In a time when physical communities are inaccessible and social media has become a minefield of toxicity, tracks such as Honore are utterly priceless for the way they reach out to you and offer freshly orchestrated positive connection.

Honore is available to stream via SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Alt trap artist, 7:AM wakes us up with their ‘Raw Talent EP

Posted on 11 March 2021
https://soundcloud.com/7aminthemorning/sets/raw-talent-ep

Detroit-hailing artist and producer, 7:AM is riding on the new wave of trap with their debut EP ‘Raw Talent’. The spacey adrenalizing EP kicks off with ‘How It Feels’ which makes no bones about immersing you into a distorted feat of alt-electronica with tribal new age rhythm.

The dizzying swathes of reverb in How it Feels may resonate as excessive to those who haven’t found an affinity for psychedelically mind-altering textures in electronic hip hop, but anyone who appreciates electrifyingly visceral ingenuity will find themselves hooked on 7:AM’s unapologetically unique sound.

The Raw Talent EP is available to purchase via Apple Music.

For more ways to listen, head over to 7:AM’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Andrea Charls ‘Arrow’ – a beautiful, soulful, indescribable whirlwind of exquisite vocal delivery

Posted on 21 December 2020

Andrea Charls is already an internationally recognised singer-songwriter, working with artists as diverse as Bobby McFerrin, Annie Lennox, Javier Limon, Pepe de Lucia, and Mario Frangoulis, with work recognised by the Latin Grammy Awards, The International Songwriting Competition, and the Hollywood Music and Media Awards.

Her new single ‘Arrow’ is a whirlwind of deep, rumbling bass, sequenced synthesisers, and Charls’ stunning, delicate multiply-layered vocal parts. There are elements of Suzanne Vega’s work here, mixed in with a vaguely Latin feel and obvious hints of Charls’ Cypriot heritage (Andrea was born and raised in Cyprus before moving to Boston, Mass., to pursue her career). It’s a dazzling track, melancholic, uplifting, charming, and elegant all at once, choir-like in parts and upbeat in others, all held together by Charls’ exquisite vocal delivery. Lyrically thought-provoking and contemplative, beautifully performed, and intricately put together; ‘Arrow’ really does deserve to be heard. Often.

Listen to ‘Arrow’ on Spotify; follow Andrea Charls on Facebook.

Review by Alex Holmes

Blowing My Own Trumpet – Calling Me Home: Sun-Soaked Alt Folk

Posted on 3 October 2020

Alt Folk artist Blowing My Own Trumpet may just possess the most ingenious moniker we’ve ever heard. It cheekily alludes to the artist’s playfully expressive nature which also resonates within their rhythmic feat of folk “Calling Me Home” which breaks the monocultural mould by allowing African culture to effervesce within the organically high-vibe single.

Even if Calling Me Home doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, I can guarantee that your soul will feel infinitely lighter once the sun-soaked soundscape has faded to a close. If your escapism playlists are in need of an update, you’ve struck gold with the image-laden track.

You can check out Calling Me Home for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

David Adonis – Safe Distance: A Guide to Dating in the Digital Age

Posted on 30 August 2020

David Adonis allowed the airwaves to keep up with the digital evolution of romanticism with their latest single “Safe Distance”.

Safe Distance breaks the monocultural mould with rhythmically seductive melodies cooked up through an infusion of RnB, Pop and Afro Beats. But much more importantly, David Adonis served an all-important reminder through the resonant lyrics that love and romanticism are still persevere-able.

In a few years from now, tracks like Safe Distance will serve as a memento from the time we globally, simultaneously experienced love displaying resilience against the hate and chaos 2020 thew at us.

We may have a more limited way of connecting, but you can almost feel the fizz of passion between two people locked in amorous fixation when listening to the smooth grooves in David Adonis’ soulfully seductive Afro Beat single.

You can check out Safe Distance for yourselves via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Collective Beats send us message of hope with Zero Malaria Campaign inspired ‘Win This Way’

Posted on 27 August 2020

Collective Beats send us a peaceful message about spreading the word of the terrible malaria disease ‘Win This Way‘.

With an exciting collaboration and fantastic fusion of artists, cultures and sounds, Collective Beats was initiated at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. They have managed to deliver their new debut ‘Win This Way‘ which was written for the Zero Malaria Campaign.

Due to Covid-19, none of the musicians have met in real life, with the entire recording being done in isolation and tracks being sent back and forth. A triumph of technology and music, ‘Win This Way’ demonstrates the true power and community of music. I love how the musicians have grouped together to make some stunning music.

Collective Beats is a melting pot of world music, featuring Ngoma, Mbira, Ghatam (the earthen pot from South India), Morsing (the Jewish harp), Konnakol, Guitar, Bass, Piano and Electronica, together with unique voices from many Commonwealth countries. Led by Kevin Jenkins (Oxjam, ‘Make Poverty History’), ‘Win This Way’ features the lyrics of British-Namibian poet Christi Warner and Zimbabwean writer Edith WeUtonga. Collective Beats is also made up of Dr Ahir Utsav, James Chamanazi, Othnell Mangoma Moyo, Christophe Putters and Roshen Maduranga.

Collective Beats wins the day on the malaria-inspired ‘Win This Way‘ that features some top quality artists who have grouped together to make a well-needed song to spread the message of getting rid of this horrible disease.

Click here for the video on YouTube.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Lita – Earworm CIAO CIAO: A Bicultural Alt Pop Playlist Essential

Posted on 19 April 2020
Lita

“CIAO CIAO” is the upcoming single from breaking Italian Alt Pop artist Lita. With the bilingual vocals, her cinematically expressive Pop hit is a track which could enamour Pop fans worldwide.

Lita’s Italian roots are weaved into the mix through stunning operatic vocals giving CIAO CIAO a slightly haunting and dramatic tone. Yet, Lita brings the tonal warmth back up to a cordial temperature with her own vocals.

If you can draw yourself away from the vocal alchemy in CIAO CIAO, you’ll be able to appreciate the level of distinction in the vibrant, stylistically intricate beats. Whether you hear this track drop on a dancefloor or your drive home, you’re bound to admire her ability to create a danceable yet undemanding track.

The track was written for anyone who feels displaced, and like they never really have a place to call home after moving away. The sentiment definitely doesn’t fail to resonate.

You’ll have to wait a little longer before you can check out CIAO CIAO for yourselves. In the meantime, give Lita a follow via Instagram, and you can listen to her earlier releases via SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nilambary – Sarvasva Tomar: Celestially Quiescent World Music

Posted on 17 February 2020

World Music trailblazer Nilambary released their debut album “Eternal Players” on February 10th, while each single as elegantly cinematic as the last, the standout single is undoubtedly “Sarvasva Tomar” for the celestial quiescent alchemy it contains.

Tentative piano keys introduce the softly ambient melodies in Sarvasva Tomar. But it isn’t all too long before the soft and sweeping notes are gently dominated by the nuanced, poised, and dynamically harmonic vocals which will keep you transfixed right up to the outro.

If you’re looking for a serene soundscape to slip into, look no further.

You’ll be able to check out Sarvasva Tomar along with the rest of the album for yourselves by heading over to YouTube or the artist’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Castlemill – Born Free: Cinematically Orchestral World Music

Posted on 4 February 2020

“Born Free” is the latest single to be released by the eccentrically experimental up and coming World music artist Castlemill.

You’ll find the usual organically textured woody percussion in Born Free, but within the arrangement, there are also inventively placed orchestral layers which you wouldn’t usually find in World Music. Yet, Castlemill has found a way to weave in a nuanced cinematic flair which makes the soundscape all too easy to sink into.

It’s uplifting, it’s innovative, and it’s given us more reason to get excited by the artist’s ability to orchestrate music which feels like an epic adventure whilst simultaneously feeding you catharsis.

You can check out Born Free for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ivory Blue – Wole: Sun-Kissed Afropop-Infused Hip Hop

Posted on 1 February 2020

While you’ll usually struggle to find authenticity within up-tempo party Afropop Hip Hop, with Ivory Blue’s recently released rhythmically arrestive drop “Wole” you’ll find all of the danceable euphoria you could possibly ask for.

The sun-kissed record is an offering of pure soul. Whether you look to the shimmering warm melodies or Ivory Blue’s sweet and sensuous vocals, you’re sure to find a connection with the soundscape. The production also plays a heavy hand in ensuring that Ivory Blue’s pioneering approach to the genre resonates just as it should.

With elements of world music and multilingual vocals in Wole, it’s a refreshing breakaway from monocultural Western Hip Hop.

You can check out Ivory Blue’s Afropop-infused high vibe offering of Hip Hop for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast