I create music to make people move and have fun. I appreciate any music that does the same. Since my favorite types of music are hip-hop/rap and EDM, this is a collection of some tracks that hit both vibes. Hard hitting beats, fun grooving synths, and some fire lyrics. That’ll get the people going. When you’re moving, you’re having fun!
Built up of talented musicians and performers, up and coming band Slothrust recently released an exciting and rebellious video for their song ‘Double Down’ on July 12th. The video as well as the band, presents a sense of rock music along with a mix of alternative genres, that gives the video a carefree rock and roll vibe, which is the type of attitude that everybody needs this summer. ‘Double Down’ is just a taste for what’s to come off of Slothrust’s new album THE PACT, which is to be released on September 14th. Slothrust provides an aspect of carefree yet meaningful and empowering music that is appealing to anyone no matter what genre it may be. Make sure you’re ready for when their new album comes out, because it will be sure to set all of the bars!
Check out their music here!
Back on top with taste-makers CloudKid this week, TRAILS is continuing his streak of gems. This time it’s with the release of his first original single “Hold Up.” In his latest musical venture, TRAILS teams up with Rromarin for vocal duties. With her pronounced pop sensibility, Rromarin occupies a sonic space somewhere between folk and electronic that is all her own.
Pairing a stripped-down production style with a bouncing bassline and seductive vocals, TRAILS has created a forward-thinking hybrid of sound on “Hold Up.” Both artists are bringing their best game to take over the airwaves with another catchy hit.
You can stream it below!
Keep up with TRAILS here.
Cincinnati-bred indie pop collective The Ophelias – comprised of Spencer Peppet (vox, guitar), Grace Weir (bass), Micaela Adams (drums), and Andrea Gutmann Fuentes (violin) – drops their latest masterpiece today, and we’re so jazzed about it, we almost can’t explain it in words. Delicate vocals, overlaid with (largely) light percussion and mellifluous strings make this album what it is, and largely describe the band’s soundscape. Not only is there a delicacy in the vocals, but there are quirks that make the effect much more striking than the word “delicate” would lead you to believe.
From the elegant beginning of first track “Fog”, through the equally leisurely pace of “General Electric”, into “Lover’s Creep”, you come to find the entire album feels ethereal and intense in a very unique way. “Night Signs” slows the pace down exponentially, the instrumentals slightly lower, and paints a darker-feeling audio feed. “O Command” is different, in that the vocals rise to a higher octave, the instrumentals maintaining a low, luscious feeling. “Lunar Rover” and “Bird” continue into an increasingly experimental place, picking the pace back up again with eighth track “House”.
While you can’t expect the pace to pick back up again over the last two tracks of Almost – “Zero” and “Moon Like Sour Candy” -, you can expect to nab deep, meaningful vocals that make for an introspective night on your back patio, music playing softly over the sound of the trees rustling above you.
Get started below.
Keep up with The Ophelias here.
British artist Talitha Rise is a cross between a woodland fairy and Stevie Nicks, and the result is something magical. “Chapel Bell” comes from her latest album, An Abandoned Orchard House. It is as haunting as it is poetic. The instrumental is grand, dotted with a chiming bell and echoes of Rise’s croons. “Where are we running to?” she asks, making us wonder along with her.
“Chapel Bell” is the moment you literally hit the floor and then find that in the moment of reaching your lowest point there’s something holding you. It’s like the only way to get out of something is to go into it first. It’s about recovery, strength and growth and I took the analogy of the little match girl and the sound of the chapel bell on the hill near my house to represent that instinctual knowing, that alarm bell that knows when something is right or wrong for us. We can lose self-trust when we’ve been in a dark place and getting that trust again gets us up and out.
And don’t let the “Remix” in the title fool you – this is not a club track overloaded with synths and bass drops. Rise recounted her experience working with Doktor Matty B, who managed to capture and highlight the dreamlike quality of her music:
Matt remixed the track beautifully. He added this great ethereal layering and tone to it and he left it empty, he didn’t over fill it and I think his approach was just sublime and intelligent. Remixes are always tricky so it was an honour to have someone like Matt get inside the track and its true meaning.
Listen to this with the curtains drawn, eyes closed, and a cup of tea handy. Rise’s lyrics combined with her mesmerizing voice will put you in a trance that you won’t want to get out of anytime soon.
Check out Talitha Rise’s album, and be sure to keep up with her here.
In May, indie pop act The Ramona Flowers – comprised of Dave Betts (keys/guitar), Steve Bird (singer), Ed Gallimore (drummer), Sam James (guitar), and Wayne Jones (bass) – released their third full-length album, 11-track stunner Strangers. And, though we are impressed by each track and the way it tells a story as a whole, we are even more impressed by the new visual representation that goes along with single “Ghost”.
The video takes place in a large, modern home nestled amongst the trees. If you’ve ever seen the Twilight series on the big screen, then imagine the band performing in the dark, uninhabited halls of Edward’s family home. Voyeuristic frames of a woman, with more artistic, visceral shots thrown in as well to keep the entire 3:44 captivating.
Keep up with The Ramona Flowers here.
Parker Bossley, a soulful singer from Canada, with many past music experiences such as playing in Hot Hot Heat and The Gay Nineties, recently released the song ‘Chemicals’ on June 14, 2018. This song combines the likes of indie rock music mixed with alternative feels that gives it the right combination for a perfect 2018 summer song. The instrumentals used in this song – such as tambourine and the steady drum beat – give this song a modern, yet classic, style so that it is not set to one specific genre, style, or category. This makes it enjoyable for everyone to listen to.
Admits Parker, “‘Chemicals’ is me writing about my relationships with drugs and love. The hook was spawned in my head on the 3rd day of a festival when the drugs just literally didn’t work anymore.”
Make sure to keep and eye on up and coming music star Parker Bossley for more soulful and modern music along with a new music video for ‘Chemicals’ coming out on July 13th!
The intro alone struck my attention from the faint sounds of keys jingling, to the massive beats that kicks in. In cues the velvet infused voice of rising new star Parker Matthews. “I’m goin’ crazy, I need you more and more,” were the lines that struck an arrow straight through my heart!
I imagine a beautiful summer evening riding with the top down, and hearing the sensual voice of Parker Matthews drifting through the air. When I played the song out loud the entire listening experience was exposed, along with the unbelievable visual that was attached. The Music Production, was solid throughout the entire track in my opinion, I applaud the gorgeous music execution.
I honestly think “Feelin’ Right” could personally reach several demographics, especially in radio play. I believe urban and pop stations would play this track – a definite crossover sound. One of my favorite parts of the song was the breakdown around minute 3:04 which was clever, yet unique in its own sense. Add a 16 bar from a hot rapper later down the road… Parker’s voice range was unbelievable! And I hope to hear more from him, and possibly a tour feature! Definitely keep your eyes and ears open for Mr. Parker Matthews!!
Keep up with Parker here.
Ciaran Lavery, an Irish singer/songwriter, performed an intimate solo set at New York City’s Rockwood Music Hall on June 22nd.
Playing to a small, darkened room, a reverent silence took hold of the audience the moment Lavery began his first song. Switching back and forth between acoustic guitar and piano, his sparse accompaniments allowed his gentle, hushed voice to soar. With introspective, narrative lyrics, Lavery is a poetic storyteller. His ballads pull at your heartstrings, his words run the gamut of emotional experience. As a performer, he makes meaningful eye contact with each member of his audience, drawing his listeners further into his world.
In-between songs, Lavery continued his stories, revealing his sense of humor. Speaking of nervousness on an airplane, he once tried to relax by watching, as a dog lover, Marley and Me. He wasn’t, however, aware of the ending. Lavery also had a revelation while listening to the radio on a long drive, attempting to figure out the meaning of the genre “soft rock.” With a creeping sense of dread, he put it together: he is soft rock. Lavery easily pulled laughs from his listeners’ throats as he framed simple, universal experiences as ones of casual mirth.
More info about Lavery can be found here.
