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Best Music Blog for New Artists

Ignition of the New Hard Rock Era: ‘Thrillseekers’ by Juliet’s Not Dead

Posted on 9 September 2024

Juliet’s Not Dead, formerly known as Twister, blasted the UK rock circuit with ‘Thrillseekers‘, a formidable first release under their new moniker; the meteoric entry sets the stage for the hotly anticipated forthcoming LP which is being teased for an early 2025 release.

For anyone who has been following the Durham-hailing prodigal juggernauts, expect a seismic shift in their sonic signature with this release which unravels as an electrifying departure from their previous hits.

To juxtapose the scathed snarls of the straitjacket tight instrumental arrangement which pits growling basslines against distorted to the degree of aural debauchery guitars and frenetic pulse-pounding percussion, the vocals push sticky-sweet magnetism into the explosion of high-octane energy as they embed romanticism into the choruses which elevate the track into an anthem of visceral emotion.

Produced by the esteemed Romesh Dodangoda, the track not only kicks off a new chapter for the band but also sets a precedent for the genre itself. As ‘Thrillseekers’ paves the way for the upcoming album, Juliet’s Not Dead is poised to ascend to the ranks of hard rock royalty alongside bands like Florence Black, Massive Wagons and South of Salem. With a UK tour lined up this Autumn, the stage is set for Juliet’s Not Dead to conquer hearts and charts alike.

Thrillseekers took the airwaves by storm on August 30th; stream the single on Spotify and keep up to date with news of the upcoming LP from Juliet’s Not Dead via Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mike37 transcended with the soul in his alt-hip-hop debut  LP, HOT AIR BALLOON

Posted on 7 September 2024

On September 6th, Mike37 made titanic waves by dropping his debut album, HOT AIR BALLOON. At the tender age of 17, the independent Milan-residing DJ, producer, vocalist and hip-hop & soul fusionist already has the chops to slice through genres and moods with the cultivated command of a veteran, which is affectingly exhibited in the vibe-driven 12-track LP.

The LP is a bold blend of soul and sharp-edged rap, straddling a dozen tracks that venture from intimate soul outpourings to spitfire spoken word, all dipped in the hallucinogenic haze of dreamy trap. Using hip-hop’s sonic playground for the foundation of the album didn’t get in the way of Mike37 casting the genre net wider into the domain of pop to implant pop hooks into his wavy hits which resound with seraphic semi-lucid euphonic euphoria.

To juxtapose the soul in the former and subsequent singles, the standout track, PUT YOUR CAMERA DOWN, throbs with aggressive synths and heavy 808s, setting the stage for Mike37’s incisive lyrics that slice through the superficial sheen of social media facades. Mike37 may have been a beat maker first, but this track is evidence of his command over metrically kinetic bars and his ability to lay bare a narrative that’s both raw and refined.

The album’s diversity is kicked up a notch with contributions from a variety of artists like Skyler, Uno Hype, Tiffany Evans, and Amy Fitz Doyley, each adding a distinct flavour to the mix without overshadowing Mike37’s own stylistic imprint.

Crafted in Italy’s Fiery Water Recordings Studio and given the final polish at Abbey Road by Alex Gordon, the technical execution of this album is nothing short of stellar. Every beat and note was engineered and destined to resonate.

Stream HOT AIR BALLOON on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Keep up to date with Mike37’s latest releases and news via Instagram and Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Preston Scott Straus became a member of queer pop royalty with ‘For Love’

Posted on 5 September 2024

Infinitely more affirming, affecting and empowering than anything RuPaul has produced in their 15 studio album span, the latest single, For Love, from Preston Scott Straus will hit you in places you never knew music could touch.

To bridge the gap between the ballad and the dance-pop anthem, the Cleveland Ohio-originating singer-songwriter delivered an evocatively-charged synthesis of sincerity and vulnerability into a kinetically euphoric production which doesn’t just carry his lyrics, they amplify the verses which become mantras, ensuring they will stick with you for long after the outdo

After his humble upbringing where escaping into fantasy was the only way to feel free, Straus found music at the age of 12 when he played in the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony and cut his vocal teeth by singing in the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus.

At 18, Straus honed his songwriting and production talents which eventually helped him to overcome a challenging and homophobic childhood as he pursued love, freedom and creativity away from the church community.

Today, the artist is still endlessly devoted to making the world better for people who are just trying to be themselves, which shines through luminously in For Love which may be a feel-good track, but you’ll have to choke back the tears while embracing the soul of the single.

For Love dropped on the 30th of August; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Natalya Borodulina’s ‘Magic Heartbeat’: A Debut That Pulses with Pop Nostalgia and Power

Posted on 5 September 2024

Natalya Borodulina’s debut single, Magic Heartbeat, wasted no time in making its mark on the pop scene. Fusing 80s pop nostalgia with a modern twist, the track glistens with atmospheric synths and softly lush guitar tones. These elements effortlessly cradle Borodulina’s spiritually spectral, yet powerful vocal range, which brings the energy and emotion reminiscent of the most iconic pop ballads.

The single, with lyrics by Chris Ferrier and Borodulina’s deft composition and performance, doesn’t merely settle into the expected rhythms of a debut. As the intensity builds, the track elevates into a high-octane pop-rock orchestration, with Borodulina’s vocal delivery rivalling the fire of acts like Evanescence and Nightwish. Despite this surge in energy, the track never loses its commercial appeal, holding onto the essence of its pop roots while stepping boldly into edgier territory.

Magic Heartbeat marks both Chris Ferrier and Borodulina as talents to watch as they blaze their way through the industry. As far as first originals go, this single proves that Borodulina has all the hallmarks of an artist who can push boundaries while maintaining mainstream appeal.

Magic Heartbeat was officially released on August 2nd; stream the single on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Descend into the sonic shadows with Voidform’s seminal score, Wonder

Posted on 19 August 2024

Voidform’s single, Wonder, from the debut album Void Incarnate, is a haunting foray into an innovator’s mind. As the dark, reverberant, industrial techno-adjacent bass rolls through your speakers, they’re met with luminous synths that shimmer through striking juxtaposition, creating an avant-garde production that ensnares from the very first beat.

With the Eastern-esque synthetic rhythms weaving a thread of mysticism through the track, Voidform adds an unpredictably addictive twist to the mix which transcends unsettling sound with its cinematic scope, which lends enough eerie tension to rival a John Carpenter horror soundtrack. Prepare to be propelled into a hypnotic stupor when you hit play; the pulse of the beat becomes inescapable in the immersive soundscape of sonic shadow.

Voidform may be a fresh name on the scene, but this project is clearly one to watch. There’s a calculated precision in the chaos, a deliberate artistry in the dissonance that suggests this is just the beginning of what Voidform has to offer. Immerse yourself in the Void—if you dare.

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

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jake Marshall tore the sutures off his wounds for his folk-pop debut, bad singer

Posted on 14 August 2024

In one of the most vulnerable and soul-baring folk-pop debuts the airwaves have ever witnessed, Jake Marshall tore the sutures off his wounds and stood in front of the world unfeigned with his debut single, bad singer.

With gospel motifs swelling around his vocal lines that simultaneously exhibit his impressive octave range and his ability to convey heavy emotions in even the highest registers, there’s something profoundly sanctifying about the opportunity for connection presented by bad singer.

The titular paradox of this track is just one of the ways Marshall artistically shines in the raw vignette of his trauma that would break most and resign them to shame. The power of fortitude resounds through the release which proves that even if you live and sing in spite, you can salve the pain of others as you chart your arc of healing.

bad singer is Jake Marshall’s candid reflection on overcoming self-doubt instilled by past relationships. With evocative melodies and introspective lyrics, the song chronicles his journey from being told he couldn’t sing to embracing his voice. The track captures the essence of his unique blend of sad folk-pop, setting the stage for his forthcoming EP, Love(s) of My Life.

Stream the official music video for bad singer on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spencer Graham built on his indie alt-country legacy with ‘Timing’

Posted on 12 August 2024

Emotions run deep in the veins of the breakthrough country artist Spencer Graham’s latest single, Timing. If there was a world record for how much emotion can be carried in vocal melodies, the singer-songwriter who is writing the next chapter for roots reverent music deserves to rhetorically hold it.

The bitter-sweet lovelorn serenade cuts deep into the wounds of romantic torment as the accordant indie alt-country instrumentals salve the scars through their caressive melodies which carry you through the vignette of how the latter part of the space-time continuum can lead to heartbreak.

While it is an indisputable fact that all talent needs to be nurtured and honed, there is no getting away from the sense that Spencer Graham is a natural-born singer-songwriter. His ability to wrap you up in his narratives and inject the emotions expressed into your senses is second to none.

After being born in Central Pennsylvania and achieving success with his 2020 debut single, Spencer Graham was torn away from his creativity after being enlisted in the US Navy. His latest release is hopefully the sign of more soul-rendered releases to come.

After debuting on August 3rd, Timing is now available to stream on Spotify along with Spencer Graham’s 3-track release, This Is Me.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Diehard Romantics Will Meet Their Match in Kaleb Cohen’s Bluesy Indie-Folk Release, Our Eyes Met on Friday

Posted on 26 July 2024

Kaleb Cohen is set to become the second biggest Cohen in folk after the release of his bluesy indie single, Our Eyes Met on Friday.

After opening with an introspectively tender extended prelude, inviting listeners into a defining moment that captures the essence of a soul finally finding its home the song unfolds through increments of upbeat folk elements reminiscent of the Lumineers and Mumford and Sons which surge through the ingenuity within the genre-bending energy.

This release showcases Kaleb’s profound ability to make loungey piano keys bleed pure raw emotion, complemented by his seraphically timbered vocals that masterfully blend the gruff with the smooth. The continuous sonic reinventions throughout the track play havoc with rhythmic expectations, yet each new arrangement is as euphonic as the last, exhibiting the devilishly playful innovation of an artist who could easily skate by on his larynx of gold but chooses instead to go the extra aural mile to beguile.

Kaleb Cohen, an indie-folk-rock prodigy from Connecticut who writes, records, and self-produces his music is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film & Television Production. As an omen of the illustrious path he is destined to pave, his first-ever show in New Haven was a sell-out with fans coming as far as Pennsylvania to witness one of Indie Folk’s most promising names etch their legacy.

Our Eyes Met on Friday will be officially released on July 26; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Her Motives Are Silent delivered darkwave redemption in his spectrally lush orchestration, Running

Posted on 23 July 2024
Running by Her Motives Are Silent

In the latest single from Her Motives Are Silent, the marked-to-be illustrious Calgary-hailing innovator, Michael Valenzuela, looked into the shadows of introspection through a darkwave electronica lens that invokes Glenn Branca’s avant-garde obscurity.

‘Running’ meticulously stitches distorted vocals into the fabric of its production, ensconced amidst formidable percussive lashes flowing through syncopated rhythms and crafting a sonorous web capable of placating the macabrely-minded and unsettling the comfortable.

By implanting orchestral motifs and the spectral qualities of Porcupine Tree into the middle ground of NIN and Radiohead the single, which challenges the listener to confront their anxiety instead of simply evading it by any means necessary, is a deeply reflective score which acts as a compelling precursor to the solo artist’s upcoming debut album, Love Muse.

As the track unfolds, it pensively guides its audience towards resolution, encapsulating a journey through emotional turbulence with a promise of catharsis; the oscillating momentum ebbs and flows around the evocatively vulnerable pull of the vocal delivery, resulting in a cinematically lush auditory extension of redemption.

Running was officially released on July 19; stream and purchase the single via Bandcamp.

For more info, head over to the official Her Motives Are Silent website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Seraphic Soulstress, Cati Landry, Struck Again with Her Sophomore Single, Riptide

Posted on 18 July 2024

Cati Landry defied the confines of material reality with the rush of euphonic etherealism in her sophomore single, Riptide, inspired by an equilibrium of the timeless music she grew up on and the rugged beauty of her coastal Canadian upbringing.

Ensuing from the ring of acoustic guitar chords which tinge the intro with 90s nostalgia, the single quickly oscillates into a diaphanous, quasi-hymnal ballad which reminisces on the most tender and mystifying-on-the-heartstrings facets of a relationship while conjuring a seraphic sense of serenity.

Landry’s crystalline vocal lines take the dreamy indie pop meets alt-country soundscape to a whole other celestial level; you can’t help but surrender to her otherworldly command when immersed in Riptide, which doesn’t stop at washing over your rhythmic senses; the single permeates the soul to implant the reverie rendered into the release.

Cati Landry set the bar high with her 2023 debut single, Mind’s Eye, but she reached nirvana with Riptide and sits alongside Beach House, Mazzy Star, and Chayr in the dream-pop pantheon.

Prior to focusing on her solo career, the Vancouver Island-born-and-raised artist lent her talents to various bands and performed in jazz clubs, bars & theatres. After studying Literature at the University, she pursued a Master’s in Songwriting at Berklee, where she wrote her debut single, which was brought to life in an LA recording room and polished by producer Neil Wogensen.

The dream-folk daytime lullaby arrived on the airwaves on July 11, distributed via Foundation Media, stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast