Half Shadow “I Practice Dying (in The Spare Room)”
“I Practice Dying” paints a ceremonial, hypnotic scene of the spiritual practice of dying.
Photo credit: Allison Riegel
Half Shadow Share Entrancing Single “I Practice Dying (In the Spare room)”
"Yeah, I practice dying / a figment, a flicker of the truth / my flesh soon unraveling / my body in the weighted womb." — lyrics from “I Practice Dying (in the Spare Room)
Rather than death and birth, “I Practice Dying (in the Spare Room)” examines the idea of life and after-life. Half Shadow taps into the intricate relationship between our body and soul, how they are related and separated.
“I Practice Dying” paints a ceremonial, hypnotic scene of the spiritual practice of dying. Fused with rich instruments and group singing, the track has a flourish and intriguing vibe within the palette of grey that is often associated with death.
World percussions and flowing melodies create a translucent yet satisfying sound environment with translucence. Half Shadow invites you to open your mind and contemplate the poetry of the unknown. Followed by an earlier release, “Song for the Garden,” “I Practice Dying (in the Spare Room)” is the second single from Half Shadow’s upcoming LP.
IDN “Kaleidoscope”
Spiraling between reggae, soul, electronica, grunge, trance, and queercore.
IDN showcases Sonic versatility on Kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope, produced in Los Angeles, Boston, and Valencia, Spain, opens the conversation for wild and imaginative palettes. Spiraling between reggae, soul, electronica, grunge, trance, and queercore, IDN experiments the alchemy in genre-bending.
Iden Mozafari, aka IDN, is a producer, songwriter, and artist. His influences draw from a variety of artists, including Moses Sumney, Caribou, HOMESHAKE, Flume, Injury Reserve, Perfume Genius, Timber Timbre, James Blake, Toro y Moi, and Arca.
Within the theme of love, IDN really surprises the listeners with a spin of diversity. “Heather Grey” gazes warmth and nostalgia of love with a smooth, silky tone and laid-back vibe. “Dolce e Pesante” mixes atmospheric glitch with groovy beats.
“The Insanity of Leaving Your Knuckles Uncracked” explores a chillwave coiled texture where the mesmerizing melodies and magnetic vocals take the listeners into deep listening. “Fantasy,” on the other hand, offers a darker look into a surreal trance space. The track is edged with grunge and electronica and fueled with sexual tension.
The temperature drops in “Videogames are Worse Than Cocaine,” where the glaring coolness is combined with hypnotic and psychedelic soundscapes.
Kepler North “Whisper”
“Whisper” stimulate an intimate and intriguing sonic experience
Photo credit: Joshua Davidson
joshua davidson debut new project kepler north with brilliant storytelling on “Whisper”
Kepler North is a new music project by veteran video game sound designer Joshua Davidson, who has been developing his sound along working as a full-time game developer on popular AAA gaming projects, including Borderlands, Saints Row, and Red Faction.
The storytelling in “Whisper” is phenomenal. The shifts in the plots and characters stimulate an intimate and intriguing sonic experience, walking through landscapes, moods, and settings within the 4:25 time slot.
The track offers an ear-opening listening experience to the listeners. Davidson’s experience as a game developer surely brings a fascinating perspective into sound design and electronic music. Roughly described as three movements, “Whisper” evokes contrasting emotions and visual experiences.
The first movement has a rainy, moody atmosphere, where the intimate whisper draws the listeners into the imaginary world. Without a drop of lingering thought, the track instantly transforms into a psychedelic, dazzling second movement, where the whisper dissolves into the further background and at times amplified before snaked eyes. It drops into the quiet, calm light before the dynamic, danceable, physical third movement.
Kepler North draws inspiration from Tycho, Tourist, Boards of Canada, Ross from Friends, and George Fitzgeralds. The single was recorded at Josh’s home studio in Dallas TX and mastered in the Bay Area by Nathan Moody at Obsidian Sound.
DAVE JY “In The Night”
DAVE JY introduces intricate, expressive palettes, balancing the light and dark in sounds.
DAVE JY Shares Intimate Single “In the Night”
DAVE JY is a pop & R&B artist and producer based in Los Angeles. Bathed in the sound of gospel and classical piano throughout his childhood, DAVE YJ introduces intricate, expressive palettes, balancing the light and dark in sounds.
His sophomore release “In the Night,” co-produced with ilaorbis, explores immersive, nocturnal soundscapes where his smooth, deep vocals are coiled in elevating layers.
DAVE JY explores a sensitive side of sounds, where the heavenly light and darkness intertwine into massive, emotive sonic experiences. The track expresses desires and longings in an impressionistic way.
Obscurity is at the core of his aesthetic. JY’s poetic lyricism leaves room for interpretation and adds a speck of mystery into his vocabulary, where the intimate, unsaid words become the whispers in the wind, blending into the impressionistic sonic mix.
Jonas Brøg “I Believe In You”
“I Believe in You” is magnetic and irresistible.
Photo credit: Anthea den Hollander
Jonas Brøg shares uplifting new single “I believe in you,” previewing his upcoming album
Hushy vocal supported by the soft, drifting choir; music notes melt in the dynamic, surfing groove; “I Believe in You” is magnetic and irresistible. Jonas Brøg invites you for a dance at the beach, accompanied by friends and laughter.
In a previous life, Jonas Brøg has spent years touring Dutch bands, Relax and Postmen, and international acts like Sister Sledge, Westlife, and Gloria Gaynor. After his relocation to Scheveningen, Brøg decided to focus on his own project.
“I Believe in You,” sung in Danish, Swedish, Dutch, and English is a teaser for Brøg’s upcoming album. Written by the Scheveningen-based artist, Jonas Brøg, who found inspiration in a friend going through a rough time, the song offers the lift of faith and support.
The energy in the song is infectious, and the groove is moving. Jonas Brøg creates such a vibe. The laid-back, uplifting jam between musicians sparks passion and lightens up the mood. There’s no doubt that “I Believe in You” is a song to listen to with your hips.
Alessandra Boldrini “What You Wanted”
Boldrini’s voice sparks of light and life with electricity.
Photo credit: Dean Sherwood
alessandra boldrini drops Transformative new single “What You Wanted”
From a small Italian village of Fabriano, a girl with a heart for music, Alessandra Boldrini packed her bags and headed to the UK in 2016 to pursue her music dream. Whether it was destiny calling or a simple intuitive spur of the moment, the decision has led Boldrini to a degree in music from BIMM Institute, and now her name sitting side by side along with the most exciting rising artists in pop.
Boldrini’s voice sparks of light and life with electricity. Inspired by Dua Lipa, Nono, Mabel, and Clean Bandit, Alessandra Boldrini brings a fresh perspective to the melting point of pop and EDM. “What You Wanted,” the latest release from the London-based singer-songwriter reflects on the silenced voice and celebrates the rebirth of her authentic self.
The vibrant sonic palettes have a mixture of warmth and heat. Fused with an infectious groove that sweeps you off of your feet and hauntingly captivating melodies with a speck of foreign flavor, the track is an absolutely delight for the ears.
However, the inspiration of the song comes from a toxic relationship in which the feeling of despair and disdain was constantly present. “What You Wanted” grew from the dark and channeled the inner light with honesty.
sautereau “What If”
Swinging between reality and imaginaries, sautereau shares her latest creation about romance and adventure.
Photo credit: Miranda McDonald
Chloé Sautereau, professionally known as sautereau is a Geneva-born, New York-based singer-songwriter. Sautereau discovered her passion for music early in life. In 2019, she released her debut EP, As I Keep on Dreaming, under the name of Cee. In 2021, she began to release music under the name of sautereau.
Swinging between reality and imaginaries, sautereau shares her latest creation about romance and adventure. “what if,” produced by sautereau and Toby May, sets its scene on a busy sunny day in New York with playful guitar strums spark the tickling feelings between sautereau’s fingertips.
“That moment you hit it off with someone for the first time and relive all those little memories that are crisp in your mind,” said the artist.
“what if” spirals the flakes of memories with movie-like impressions that leave a mark in your brain. From romance to exploring the city’s treasures, the track is curious and adventurous.
The NY-based singer-songwriter quotes Finneas, Joni Mitchell, and Jessie Reyez for her main influence. Sautereau’s clever songwriting meets her smooth and glistening vocals in “what if,” creating a refreshing pop outlook that transforms the nostalgic past memory to optimism. Her energy is like a strand of sunshine that comes through the drapes.
Monody “Blue”
The reconnection with music has a blast of sounds and imaginations intertwined with passion.
Photo credit: Karpachii photos
Monody Drops Hard-Hitting debut album Blue
Monody is a Bristol-born Utrecht-based producer and musician with years of touring, collaboration, and label experience. Blue is the debut album of their new project Monody, after taking a 5-year hiatus from music. The reconnection with music has a blast of sounds and imaginations intertwined with passion.
Blue takes cues from Massive Attacks, Portishead, and other protagonists of the Bristol sound with a personal touch, bringing elements from jungle, dub, techno, rock, and industrial into the sonic palettes. Charming polyrhythms find their unique groove within the pulsation, drawing listeners into a foreign yet fascinating world.
Hypnotic and captivating; dark, hollow, and immersive. Blue is a record that you could easily lose yourself in. Monody creates a motion of moving backward while forward at the same time on “Wild Horses”, where the natural elements in the soundscapes fascinate you with new emerging imageries.
Monody’s raw and compelling storytelling draws you closer to their vocal, woven into smoke and whistling wind. They have a special touch with sounds. Sometimes, they become the shifting doors of mirrors in “At Dusk,” and sometimes, they become something in between modern dance and ancient tales in “Guests.”
The 10-track album opens the door to the universe Monody. It’s beyond imagination to set any expectations for what will come next after this record, but one thing we can anticipate is brilliance.
Gavin McGee “Introductions”
The Pittsburg artist has a refreshing, untamed approach to music production and natural talent in songwriting.
Photo credit: Andrew Muzin
gavin McGee Drops Retro Debut EP introductions
It’s hard to imagine that Introductions being the debut project from Gavin McGee. The Pittsburg artist has a refreshing, untamed approach to music production and natural talent in songwriting. The four-track EP, Introductions, is taking the world by storm.
McGee takes cues from Bon Iver, Flume, Citizen Cope, Johnathan Richman, Spoon, and The Black Keys. On the debut project, McGee collaborated with his little brother Trevor McGee and neighbor Camron Lawrence. “I found out doing things alone sucks, but this music is me, things I’ve heard or lived through. That’s why I have my friends and my brother with me. They are the ones that make this fun,” the artist commented.
Retro guitar soundscapes have a dazzling swirl of shoegaze in the mixing. McGee’s emotive vocal is rich in contrast. He takes you up on a roller coaster, cathartic at times, but it’s always genuine as the inspirations are reflections from his life. Although the EP only features four tracks, it tackled love and pain, patterns and addictions, friendship and contemplation.
“Muddy Water” being the first track Gavin McGee put out, contemplates isolation and human activity’s impact on our environment during the lockdown. A haunting siren fuzzes into the background, “Muddy Water” creates a frizzy impression. “Troublesome” is about past patterns and old cycles. The bluesy guitar interplay marks a highlight on the track.
“10 Reasons” is a song that McGee wrote for a friend who was going through a toxic relationship. The song sends out a warm message for those felt trapped that they always have support by their side. “Always” touches on substance abuse and struggle with compassion, reminding the light and warmth in life.
Shae Brock “The Canyon”
“The Canyon” is about the faded love between two people, who never had the courage to confront each other.
photo credit: Ian Miller
Shae Brock Returns with The B Side of Was It Real or In my mind?
Since the release of Shae Brock’s EP Was It Real or In My Mind? in 2021, the latest single, “The Canyon,” produced by Gehring Milleris, is the B-side of the album, in which the story continues. The song is about the faded love between two people, who never had the courage to confront each other.
Shae Brock is a phenomenal songwriter. The immersive melancholy atmosphere of storytelling is characteristic of her style. Combining heavier rock elements with a slower tempo and laid-back, story-rich vocals, “The Canyon” takes listeners on a roller coaster. The highs are messier and more expansive, while the lows are nostalgic, moody, and intimate.
“The Canyon” creates a shift to a lighter soundscape in Brock’s storytelling compare to her previous releases. The song opens with a light-mood acoustic guitar strumming, embellished with groovy bass and passing synth. The captivating chorus is a blast layered with harmonies and vocals, while towards the end, it drifts into a calm, water-like piano soundscape.
“The Canyon” has a curvy progression. The overlap of instruments between the back and front end adds sophistication to the texture and emotions. The drowning, distorted electric guitar is used to create the atmosphere in the background rather than being upfront as a solo instrument. Shae Brock’s astonishing vocal, being the storyteller, is amplified for its unique strength.
VOCAL LONER “man on the moon”
VOCAL LONER sonically portrays the touch of distance and dream with clocking piano and soft pads.
VOCAL LONER gets vulnerable on “Man On the Moon”
“man on the moon” tells the story of being on top of the clouds with fantasy, desire, and longing — a girl who falls more in love with the idea of a man than the man himself. VOCAL LONER sonically portrays the touch of distance and dream with clocking piano and soft pads. Their silky, airy vocal is appealing and intimate.
VOCAL LONER is a 19-year-old Swedish artist from Stockholm. Inspired by Orla Gartland with admiration for Simon & Garfunkel, Arctic Monkeys, and dodie, the latest release “man on the moon” from the young artist is melancholy and dreamful.
Exploring first-person narration with the theme of love for the very first time, VOCAL LONER is lifting off the veil between their heart and the audience. “man on the moon” utilizes simple chord progressions and amplifies the storytelling in the lyrics and vocals.
VOCAL LONER creates a sense of flow in their songwriting that guides the listener into the inner world of the girl who dreams of the man on the moon. In between the pacing movement, there are moments of pause and introspection.
Faith Low “Manic”
“Manic,” coming from a deeply emotional place is about coming to terms with mental illness and addiction.
Photo credit: rominakeyphoto
Faith Low Releases Dark Emotional Single “Manic” Tackling Addiction
Faith Low is an emerging artist based in Edinburg, UK. He has been making music and playing in bands for over ten years. Though in recent years, the artist began to explore storytelling in his vocal and songwriting. His previous release, “junkie luv” was featured on BBC introducing Scotland.
Faith Low’s musical upbringing in nu-mental/grunge and early 2000’s bops has shaped his sound to be raw and explosive. “Manic,” coming from a deeply emotional place is about coming to terms with mental illness and addiction.
“Manic” features dark, unconventional pop soundscapes and haunting melodic rhymes. The song is cathartic and therapeutic. Faith Love’s vocal is blurry in the production but the struggle and sadness in his voice permeate the sound walls. While heavy beat seems to be taking over the world, the natural melancholy in the sound draws similarities to Lana Del Ray.
Written during a hypomanic episode after being up for a few days, Faith Low’s lyrics are raw and brutally emotional. The way he articulates his experience gets under your skin. They are so easy to relate to for anyone who shares the same struggle.
Cat Calabrese “Mine”
Hope and love shine through the deep, heavy soundscape.
cat calabrese Shines on “mine”
Cat Calabrese embraces a softer and more vulnerable side with “Mine.” Nocturnal, atmospheric piano chords set the mood for a moment of truth. The gradual crescendos push towards each emotional peak, like tides under the moonlight.
Calabrese’s emotive vocal is entrancing and appealing. Hope and love shine through the deep, heavy soundscape. In the muddy shadow of indecision, she leads you towards a moment of clarity. The stack of vocals in the chorus creates an expressively dazzling effect that deepens the mood.
“Mine” is an addictive track that leaves you humming, while the luscious groove still mumbles in waves. The Cleveland-based artist is known for her vocal versatility. Calabrese tells the naked truth with her words and voice, which makes her songs so powerfully moving.
K.LINA “Nowhere”
Inspired by Lorde, One Republic, and the 2000’s European dance scene, K. LINA creates a nostalgically dynamic vibe in “Nowhere.”
Photo credit: Dimana Pastrakova & Rumen Russev
k. lINA Returns with free-spirited single “nowhere.”
Inspired by Lorde, One Republic, and the 2000’s European dance scene, K. LINA creates a nostalgically dynamic vibe in “Nowhere.” Vibrant synth-pop soundscapes swirl between a dance beat.
A funky guitar boosts the vibe with its rhymic groove. The Bulgarian artist K. LINA takes you on a spin further into the love story, where a fearless free-spirit lives.
“Nowhere” is a spirited track, but it reveals a softer, more vulnerable side of K. LINA. The artist’s refreshingly unfiltered voice gives her storytelling a sense of rawness. Her lyricism is bold and daring, fueled with endless fire from within.
The upbeat and downbeat of “Nowhere” create nuance in the mood. The contrast between K. LINA’s breathy vocal and the strapping soundscapes is fantastic. “Nowhere” also surprises the audience with a laid-back guitar solo towards the end. The track features a laid-back guitar solo towards the end.
Far West “It Feels New”
Far West creates such a vibe in “It Feels New.”
far west releases psychedelic shoegazing single “it feels new”
Far West creates such a vibe in “It Feels New.” Inspired by The 1975, Day Wave, Naked and Famous, M83, the Santa Cruz-based songwriter has a lot to offer. “It Feels New” features a psychedelic shoegazing soundscape with a lift-up of synthpop. Ethereal vocals in the surroundings intertwined with a brassy solo that flies in the background.
The droning latency creates a luscious, poppy effect that swirls and expands. A stepwise melodic line takes its time for a pondering wonder that gives the track a nocturnal, introspective perspective.
Deep, booming bass outlines the bones while remains in the pocket. Then the blurred solo is like shooting stars in the background.“It Feels New” is expansive and spirited.
The clashing notes between tracks create a very interesting flavor as the song clocks in. Some of the brilliant details only reveal themselves after a few times of listening.
Far West sneaks in a flashing rhythmic guitar in the bridge. It creates a subtle but effective lift that adds light and nuance to the track. The vocal line feels somewhere far but all around, blurry, like blowing in the wind.
Kevin Atwater “Retriever”
Kevin Atwater has a unique sparkle with sounds and songwriting that no one else in the world could get close to what he makes people feel in his music.
Photo credit: Jonah Hale Photography
You can hear the subtle reference of Sufjan Stevens, Clairo, and Phoebe Bridgers in retriever, but Kevin Atwater has a unique sparkle with sounds and songwriting that no one else in the world could get close to what he makes people feel in his music.
retriever examines intimacy, desire, shame, and friendship through a queer lens. Kevin Atwater takes us on a journey in this album. It’s not film. It feels even better than watching films. There’s a mood, a taste, a moment, and a story in each track that seems to get stuck in your head forever.
“dispose” features a florally silky texture where Atwater’s intimate vocal weaves into the soft harmonious texture with light. A simple, hypnotic guitar strumming lays underneath his unapologetically candid lyrics. Atwater is not afraid to be explicit.
“ashes” is where the artist’s masterful control with the guitar truly reveals itself. The folky, flowing soundscapes give in to tranquil storytelling. Kevin Atwater’s songwriting feels like something you could almost touch with your hands.
He talks about desires, love, secrets, and sparkles through his storytelling, articulating those experiences into words with heat and cool. “I’ve been waiting so long for the answers, so long I forgot the questions.”
“into the bed” instantly started with a rockier rhythm (we could see a glance of Clairo’s influence in here). “money shot” showcases the theatrical, emo side of Atwater.
Kone Mara “Will You Live”
The Swedish band Kone Mara has created a single too addictive that makes your ears pregnant.
Beautifully deep soundscapes with charmingly vulnerable vocals, the Swedish band Kone Mara has created a single too addictive that makes your ears pregnant.
“Will You Live” is a charming, heartfelt love ballad with enlightened pianos and a powerful crescendo that feels like the tides at dawn. Vocalist, Ida Rehnberg has the subtle gospel glares in her voice that give it a soulful twist in her intimate, melancholy yet dreamful delivery.
The built-up of “Will You Live” is one subtly for a grand cinematic effect. The subtle beat that echoes at the first chorus adds a poetic flavor to the soundscapes, while the final swell features fuzzy electronics and funky percussion that fire up the roof.
Kone Mara is an upcoming alternative band from Sweden. The trio consists of Ida Rehnberg, Gustav Mejhammar, and Christoffer Zetterlund. They take inspiration from movies, anxiety, street names, dreams, and poems, and their sound explores light, darkness, landscapes, and unpredictability with a keen heart.
LAVENDER HONEY “NEED YOUR LOVE”
LAVENDER HONEY paints the walls with rich and imaginative guitar dreamscapes, where his candidly raw vocal storms in and steals a beat from your heart.
LAVENDER HONEY paints the walls with rich and imaginative guitar dreamscapes, where his candidly raw vocal storms in and steals a beat from your heart. The debut single, “NEED YOUR LOVE,” from the bedroom of Nashville-based rocker, guitarist, and singer-songwriter makes a strong statement that LAVENDER HONEY is a name that you’d want to remember.
Struggle and darkness creep underneath the sweet and soothing melodic riff, “NEED YOUR LOVE” is about fighting inner doubts and demons. The shimmering vocal is quite Lavender Honey unique.
It hits differently but straight to your heart. It evokes intense thinking that almost feels surreal and shocking given to the beautifully painted dreamscapes.
The artist showcases his fantastic guitar dubbing imagination and highly creative production with “NEED YOUR LOVE.” It’s fascinating to hear how the track grows from a single basic melodic line into a full, multi-layered song.
It’s also worth pointing out how LAVENDER HONEY reserves the raw quality of his vocal to let it shine through ethereality.
Alif Maulana “Take No Regrets”
“Take No Regrets” will have you smiling.
“Take No Regrets” will have you smiling. The space-filling, mood-lifting release from Indonesian artist Alif Maulana vibes perfectly between the crossing of rock and pop with a speck of contemporary soul and swirling dream-pop.
Maulana’s imaginative songwriting has given a charming dynamic to “Take No Regrets.” Haunting vocals charged with heat and positivity in the punchy rhythms. Inspired by the likes of New Radicals, Coldplay, and Jamie Cullum, the spirited single draws you into its vibrant vibration.
Dreamful soundscapes explore the sonic space further with jazzy chords and fuzzy warmth. A soaring guitar solo in the intersession marks a cathartic highlight, “Take No Regrets” is addictive.
‘Just live your life, keep on smiling, hold your head up high and take no regrets,” said Alif Maulana about the track.
Born and raised in Jakarta, the multi-talented songwriter Maulana started his journey performing music at the young age of 6. During his study in Birmingham, UK, he was the bassist & arranger for the local band, The Clinks.
In 2021, Maulana debuted his single “Hopes&Dreams,” and was featured on the Spotify playlist “Fresh Finds Indonesia.” The artist has utilized the time of pandemics to write, record, and collaborate remotely with international artists, which he aims to share throughout the year.
Mark Sutton “Pirouette”
Mark Sutton is a keen observer and a storyteller. He’s an artist who sees the beauty in life and captures those moments with a sense of sensitivity and curiosity.
Mark Sutton immerses you with elegant soft piano piece “Pirouette”
Mark Sutton is a keen observer and a storyteller. He’s an artist who sees the beauty in life and captures those moments with a sense of sensitivity and curiosity. From the movement of a dancer, the shape of light, the mood in the air, to the moist stones after rain, it flows effortlessly from his fingertips.
“Pirouette” is a masterpiece. The composition is about a ballet dancer in practice. Imageries unfold in your mind’s eyes as the sound of piano guides you to a room. Wooden floor, a mirror, a ballet dancer so focused on her elegant postures and movements. “Pirouette” makes you forget about the piano and the musical form that carried them, just the imageries and the storytelling.
Mark Sutton’s music is an expression that exceeds the words. His touch with the instruments is masterful that every texture, melody, and note feels so natural.
From his fingertips, musical notes weave into translucent worlds parallel to our reality, but there’s always something more to it. A touch, a perspective that makes the time slower and the light warmer.