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Funk

Anirban Jee Soaked the Soul of Disco in Retro Pop Gold with ‘Are We Gonna’

Posted on 28 April 2025
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=CXuEg-fVvUo&si=hVCae7KRJQXqhecp

Are We Gonna by the internationally notorious chart topper, Anirban Jee licks retro pop with swathes of funk, giving the glow of a disco ball lighting above a gyrating dancefloor. The serotonin flows as easily as the Nile Rodgers-esque staccato guitar rhythms in the melodious rapture of the track that lifts as much as it hits the sweet spot tucked away in your soul. With a voice that reaches the pinnacle of euphony through infectious charisma, Are We Gonna is an earworm you’ll want to nurture forever.

Known for rewriting the rules of pop, urban, and R&B composition, Airban Jee’s discography is a testament to his endless creative evolution. From his early start at twelve with an electronic keyboard to multiple chart-topping singles and collaborations with heavyweight producers like Simon Cohen and Steve Peach, his career has been a masterclass in soulful, lyrical expression. With accolades including Songwriter of the Year awards, multiple #1s on the World Independent Music Charts, and extensive commercial radio airplay, he’s become a driving force on the global stage.

Following successes with tracks like Will Above My Wish and You On My Side, Are We Gonna continues the momentum, proving that when it comes to creating timeless anthems, Anirban Jee knows exactly how to hit the visceral marks.

Are We Gonna is now available to stream on all major platforms, including YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Blue Violence. Became the Definitive Sad Boi of Synth Pop with ‘My Feet Are Sad on the Dancefloor’

Posted on 22 April 2025

Blue Violence. turned the emotional weight of disconnection into a dancefloor confession with ‘My Feet Are Sad on the Dancefloor’, the keystone single from his 3-track EP, ‘Ugh…’. With synths set to shimmer and sardonic melancholy laced through the beat, this melancholic indietronica lament spins the disco ball on its axis to reflect a darker spectrum of inner turmoil.

Through anthropomorphised sorrow, Daniel Fischetti—writing and producing as Blue Violence.—exposes the paradox of internal desolation amidst external euphoria. While glitter rains and basslines throb in euphoric unison, his feet remain heavy with the weight of unshakable emotional inertia. There’s funk in the Depeche Mode-esque rhythm and pain in the lyricism, stitched together with the same magnetic gloom found in the works of John Grant.

Hailing from Southern California, Fischetti started Blue Violence in 2019 during a collaboration with producer and engineer Chris Caccamise of CJE Productions. Their work on the debut album Modern Love cemented Blue Violence. as a name worth noting in the shadowy corners of synth pop. Since then, Fischetti has remained self-contained in his sonic pursuits, refining his signature style without sanding away the raw emotional contours.

‘My Feet Are Sad on the Dancefloor’ doesn’t fake the catharsis—it coils around it, examining every nuance of numbness through neon-soaked textures and darkly sweet tones. Blue Violence delivered the funked-up synth pop hit we never knew we needed. He’s the definitive sad boi of synth pop.

‘My Feet Are Sad on the Dancefloor’ is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

XXLTARIK dragged RnB into the shadows of pop funk with his ahead of the curve hit, RUNAWAY

Posted on 4 April 2025

Moroccan-American artist XXLTARIK is storming through Jersey’s music scene with his spectral and darkly sultry approach to RnB, creatively spliced with alt-pop sensibilities and contemporary funk grooves. His latest single, ‘RUNAWAY’, sidesteps the usual pitfalls of superficial hooks, pulling listeners instead into a deeper, emotionally raw narrative that feels hauntingly personal despite the slick, polished production.

XXLTARIK’s ability to alchemise genuine emotive candour with melodies flooded with unflinching momentum turns ‘RUNAWAY’ into an infectiously arresting anthem—guaranteed to hype any listener, whatever their backdrop. His vocals refuse pretence, showcasing flawless command as authenticity surges through each note, effortlessly oscillating between gritty vulnerability and smooth sophistication.

The track confronts the human tendency to expose our vulnerabilities to those least worthy of them. Through this emotional transparency, XXLTARIK makes ‘RUNAWAY’ resonate as both confession and cautionary tale, exploring the shadows we willingly inhabit for fleeting connections.

With funk-driven rhythms underpinning his dark wave alt-RnB textures, XXLTARIK ensures ‘RUNAWAY’ is a tour-de-force, defined by its depth and cross-over appeal.

‘RUNAWAY’ is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Goetia Served Up a Dish of Political Fire with ‘Pumpkin Ravioli’

Posted on 3 March 2025

With a track title like Pumpkin Ravioli, you’d expect a self-indulgent, hipster-friendly groove; what Goetia actually delivered is a sharp political broadside wrapped in a deceptively smooth instrumental package. The Brighton-based six-piece makes genre-fluidity their playground, pulling from jazz fusion, hip-hop, funk, and alternative rock to create something that transcends parameters.

Their sound thrives on tension and synergy in equal measure. Every element in Pumpkin Ravioli locks into place with the ease of an impromptu jam session, the instrumentals grooving towards a singular, almost hypnotic aim. But while the sonics may be silky, the vocals cut through with urgent intensity, proving that punk isn’t just about thrashing drums and knowing four chords—it’s about using music as a conduit for action.

Goetia’s philosophy of making music that is “unexpected yet easily received” couldn’t be clearer here. The track pulls together with an energetic sublimity that isn’t just a passive listen—it’s a call to get in the crowd, absorb every note, and feel the full force of their electric live presence. Pumpkin Ravioli subversively steamrolls expectations, leaving you desperate to indulge in more installations of groove-stirred alchemy.

Pumpkin Ravioli was officially released on February 20th and is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Wherewithal by Yellow Couch Music ft. NYALLAH – An RnB Jazz-Funk Flame That Refuses to Burn Out

Posted on 3 March 2025

Helmed by drummer, musician, and producer Layton Weedeman, the ensemble Yellow Couch Project thrives on collaboration, pulling in artists from across the globe to breathe life into his intricate, groove-laden compositions. Jazz, funk, R&B, hip-hop, rock, and world music all find a place in the mix, but it’s the seamless cohesion that makes each track distinct.

With The Wherewithal, Yellow Couch Music, alongside NYALLAH, delivers a jazz-funk feast laced with soul and caressing catharsis. The instrumentals twist into arcane textures, yet the vocal lines remain grounded, inviting you into a session of soul-affirming relaxation. Beneath the smoothness, there’s fire—a scorned R&B love song at its core, carrying an emotional weight that cuts through the silky rhythms.

The interplay between the expressive percussion, fluid basslines, and sultry vocal delivery ensures no note is wasted. Each element serves its purpose, whether to soothe or stir. Yellow Couch Music  sets the tone for modern jazz fusion, proving that tradition and innovation can walk hand in hand without stepping on each other’s toes. With tracks like this, they won’t be waiting long for a place on the jazz map.

The Wherewithal is now available on all major streaming platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jay Riley’s ‘Carl Finegan’ Swings Like a Pendulum Between Jazz-Funk and Euphoria

Posted on 17 February 2025

With ‘Carl Finegan’, the jazz maverick Jay Riley throws open the doors to a smoke-filled 70s lounge and lets the groove do the talking. As the opening salvo from his latest LP, Orange, the track drips with nostalgia, lacing jazz-funk grooves with an almost hypnotic momentum. If anyone is on track to crack jazz hypnosis, it’s Riley.

With sax lines that speak louder than any lyrics ever could, Carl Finegan makes vocals feel surplus to requirement. Each swanky note bends and sways with an effortless conviction, conjuring the kind of unrelenting euphoria that breeds in the dim glow of a dive bar. The progressive exhilaration of the release never settles, always finding new ways to pull you further into the intricate layers of Riley’s masterful production.

Riley, a Midlands-born saxophonist and keyboardist, has spent decades refining his craft since studying at Dartington College of Arts. From touring the US and Europe with the Dr Teeth Big Band to carving out his own path with independently released albums, his ability to wield groove as both a time machine and a serotonin trigger is undeniable.

For those looking to escape into the warmth of funk-infused jazz, Carl Finegan is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Roll up to the Big Top with Dirty Feetz’ carnivalesque take on Avant-Garde alt-rock absurdity ‘Tampone’

Posted on 23 January 2025

Hit play on Dirty Feetz’ seminal single, Tampone, and prepare for a tsunami of electrifying absurdity to knock you sideways. The track, pulled from their debut LP Flip Flops, is a sonic rebellion that obliterates conventions.

Dirty Feetz riff to their own rulebook-free rhythm, borrowing from Funk, Dub, Psychedelic Rock, and beyond to claim the title of this generation’s answer to Frank Zappa. The band rejects ego in favour of raw, liberated creativity, allowing the alchemy of their sound to transcend mere genre fusion. It’s impossible not to draw parallels to the zany carnivalesque energy of Mr Bungle, with the flamboyant flair running rampant through every corner of Tampone.

Dirty Feetz’s ethos is simple: they’re here to tickle synapses and get feet moving. Their tracks don’t just tell surreal stories; they take listeners on unexpected detours through a jungle of musical influences, embracing the strange and the silly along the way. Known for their energetic live shows complete with costumes and madcap antics, they invite you to leave the mundane behind and revel in their whirling dervish of sound.

Tampone is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify, with the rest of the debut LP from Dirty Feetz.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tong Cherd delivered a jazz funk-infused shot of adrenaline with ‘CAFF’

Posted on 18 January 2025

Tong Cherd’s instrumental single, CAFF, is as energising as its namesake, delivering a riotous fusion of jazz, funk, and soul that’s impossible to ignore. From the moment the lines of slapped bass hit, it’s clear this isn’t just a groove-heavy funk track—it’s a masterclass in dynamic composition. The melodic bass riffs are elevated further by Augie Bello’s sax riffs, creating a rich interplay of textures that buzzes with kinetic energy.

Cherd, a Thai-born bassist now based in NYC, has carved out a reputation for his melodic sensibilities and aggressive slap bass technique. A graduate of Shobi Music College and The New School, Cherd has collaborated with a wide range of artists across genres, including Augie Bello and Cory Wong. With CAFF, he flexes his virtuosic muscles, layering bold bass solos and rhythmically intricate percussion over soulful rock undertones.

The track doesn’t just coast on its up-tempo energy. Every element—from the smoky outro to the punchy crescendos—exhilarates while showcasing Cherd’s skill. As the sonic journey winds down, the smoky soul infusion ensures that even when you’re through with the track, the earworm laid down by the rhythmatist isn’t through with you.

Add it to your playlists and you may not need your Starbucks order on your morning commute.

CAFF was officially released on January 17th; stream the single on SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Deep Groove Dominion: ‘Bad Habit’ by Thirteen Paris Vandals

Posted on 20 November 2024

Thirteen Paris Vandals, the creative moniker of Jon Norton, injected old-school boom-bap hip-hop with an intravenous shot of funk and disco in his latest single, ‘Bad Habits’. With groove pockets deeper than the Grand Canyon, no one will be immune to the hype of the hit, which crackles with live wire charisma, cutting through the noise with pretence-less bars that establish the Leeds-based luminary as a masterful orchestrator of urban euphoria.

‘Bad Habits’ pulses with high fire, all gas, no brakes energy that infuses each note with sonic serotonin; despite being roughed up with the grit of hip-hop, the track is iridescent as the disco balls that will call for his sound to be played beneath.

The enigmatic nature of his sound unriddles itself by bringing into perspective the artist’s influences, cited as seventies psychedelia and space rock; these elements, in addition to inspiration found within The Beatles and The Beachboys, weave their way into his diverse sonic palette.

With the magnetic charm of icons like Pharrell Williams and Outkast rolled into one, Bad Habits is a testament to Thirteen Paris Vandals’ potential as one of the most promising hip-hop artists in the UK. Don’t just watch this space—be part of his legacy and hit play.

Bad Habit is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Proto-Funk Pioneers, The Yowies, have officially arrived with their decadently disco debut single, Real Time

Posted on 10 October 2024

There’s no putting the mythologically monikered proto-funk renegades, The Yowies, back in their cage after they unveiled their debut single, Real Time. The decadent disco track pours an alchemic cocktail of indie-licked RnB, funk, jazz and soul, stirred by razor-sharp songwriting chops that cut straight through the static of the contemporary music scene.

The tonal sublimity of the seductively smooth single rivals the kaleidoscopic luminosity of a disco ball as The Yowies groove across their foundational influences, which pit the timeless soul of Winehouse against the guitar licks of Nile Rodgers and the spacey transcendence of Bowie in his Young Americans era.

With jazz nuances as a smoke machine, there are few sonic signatures as slick as what is exhibited in The Yowies’ debut release which makes it impossible not to get into the fiery smooth groove. Every replay reveals a new level of their creative genius, solidifying them as a band at the forefront of proto-funk revivalism

Real Time was officially released on September 29; stream the single on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast