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ELZON earned a place in the RnB pantheon with his organically experimental playlist staple, Is He Home

Posted on 27 April 2024

After an extended intro of tripped-out Latin guitars, the standout single, Is He Home, from ELZON’s debut EP, C U SOON, kicks right into the early 2000s-inspired alt-RnB grooves to pull you under the wavy melodies that don’t ask for permission before crashing into your soul.

The London-based rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer’s talent in crafting immersive soundscapes is only one facet of his talent; his ability to tune into experimentalism with organically rich panache is another. Vocally, there are few artists with as much honey in their harmonies; with his seminal single, Is He Home, the originator earned a place in the pantheon of songwriters alongside the Weeknd, Justin Timberlake and the King of Pop himself. As for the colour in his melodies, you couldn’t ask for a more hypnotic kaleidoscope to sonically gaze into.

Before making his debut, ELZON cut his teeth in the industry by penning songs for other artists, working alongside the likes of the Grammy-nominated producer Ammar Junedi and the underground luminary CASSO. After the launch of his critically acclaimed EP, ELZON graced several editorial playlists including New Music Friday UK, Channel X, and Mood; the RnB crooner is clearly on the rise, join him on his ascent by sinking into Is He Home, which is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Dizzy Goku – Better Sides of You: A Perennial Pop Soulworm

Posted on 27 April 2024

With his latest single, Better Sides of You, the hopeless romantic hit maker Dizzy Goku, AKA North African Pepper, gave melody-driven pop a tantalising urban twist as an attest to his ability to craft earworms that linger in the soul.

This single, infused with a vocal melody as sweet as the intricate Latin-tinged guitar work, feeds into an intimate pseudo-dream-pop production which carries echoes of 90s pop. The track maintains the vulnerability and accessibility of bedroom pop, making it impossible not to succumb to its sweet, vulnerable pull. As the epitome of relatable tentative love songs, it masterfully balances realism and sincerity, enhancing the emotional depth rather than diluting it.

Crafted with the aid of London-based talents Rocco Hussle, Sh0tgun Josh, and Debani—contributing drums, baseline, and electric guitar respectively—the track’s soundscape is rich yet distinctly raw exploration of cautious love, articulated through Dizzy Goku’s personal lens and inspired by the poignant truth that it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

As the lead single of his upcoming EP, it sets a formidable standard and signals more meticulously crafted, thoughtfully polished projects slated for later this year.

Better Sides of You was officially released on March 8th; stream the single on Spotify now or watch the official music video on YouTube. 

Follow Dizzy Goku on Instagram. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Harmony Serenaded Hope in Camille Rose’s Jazz Pop Installation of Optimism, Be Alright

Posted on 27 April 2024

Camille Rose’s recently released EP, Be Alright, is a sojourn of warmth in the murky waters of early adult life. The title track encapsulates a journey of inner reflection, set against a backdrop of jazz-pop reverence. As Rose navigates through themes of self-development, her soulful voice serves as a comforting guide through the turbulent tides of coming to age in an imperfect world.

Released on the 18th of April 2024, the three-track EP is a blend of introspective lyricism and lush musical arrangements, kicking off with the title single which sees the sax elevating the listening experience with its vibrant and cinematic presence that pierces the soul with serotonin and pull listeners into the very core of the music’s optimistic spirit.

The title single weaves together the complexities of life’s challenges with a narrative that reassures us, in Rose’s tender timbre, that everything will “be alright”, which becomes a soulful reprise throughout the release, which follows the high bars set by previous releases which showcase Rose’s growth as an artist who not only understands her musical roots but also knows how to enthral her audience. Her ability to blend jazz, soul, and R&B into a sonic experience that resonates with authenticity and emotional depth is a testament to her evolving, and increasingly honed artistry.

In essence, Be Alright is a therapy session wrapped in melody and harmony, promising solace and a sunny-side-up disposition for anyone needing a moment of musical catharsis.

Be Alright is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Move Over Amanda Palmer, Naomi Castellano is the New Girl Anachronism in Her Debut, Hide and Seek

Posted on 27 April 2024

Naomi Castellano’s debut single ‘Hide and Seek‘ reveals an artist who has been seemingly playing hide and seek with her own vast talents. Her debut resonates with the essence of Tom Waits, Stevie Nicks, Kate Bush, The Last Dinner Party, and Mitski, showcasing a high-fidelity cultivation of these influences that will leave listeners in awe. Castellano’s music, entrenched in a genre-fluid nostalgic reverence, promises to captivate this generation’s penchant for artful expressionism.

Her quirky anachronistic tendencies lend ‘Hide and Seek’ a timeless depth, where nothing feels antiquated—from the smoky jazz grooves that billow between the robust pillars of chamber pop swells, to her Joni Mitchell-esque vocal range comfortably sitting in the alto, and not to forget the baroque flourishes that tint her artistic sensibilities.

With a background in classical music and a love for jazz, indie, alternative, and folk-pop, Castellano’s songwriting echoes the influences of Ani DiFranco, Fiona Apple, Norah Jones, and Sia. Utilising strings and keys, she created hypnotic transportation into a daydream, making ‘Hide and Seek’ not just a song, but a sublime sonic journey.

Naomi Castellano is undeniably holding the future of alternative music in her deft hands, and with such a compelling start, it’s clear she has exactly what it takes to stand at the vanguard of a new era of musical innovation.

Hide and Seek was officially released on April 17th, stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rich Freed – Peace of Mind: An Indie Pop Rock Liberation from Introspective Oblivion

Posted on 26 April 2024

Rich Freed’s latest single Peace of Mind is a compelling narrative of internal conflict, wrapped in the nostalgic warmth of 90s Britpop influences. His style, in this track, reminiscent of icons like Oasis and the Stone Roses, injects a potent mix of indie pop-rock and a bluesy undertone into the bustling modern music scene.

The track pulses with an augmented, atmospheric production that escalates until it bursts into exhilaration in the stadium-ready choruses. The rhythm carries the confident swagger of Britpop while infusing it with a fresh, intoxicating energy that seems to speak directly to the soul. It’s more than just an earworm; it’s an electrifyingly vindicating sonic exploration of the human condition.

Lyrically, Freed offers lines that listeners will want to etch into their memories as he muses on the universality of self-doubt and introspection, making it relatable on a fundamentally human level. Every verse delivers a tattoo-worthy mantra, backed by an aura of bluesy rock n’ roll that transforms this high-octane anthem into a cathartic experience.

For anyone who’s ever felt at odds with themselves, Rich Freed’s “Peace of Mind” offers not just solace but a liberating, rhythmic release. It’s an anthem for the introspective, for those who seek peace in the chaos of their own thoughts.

Peace of Mind will be available to stream on all major platforms, including YouTube, from April 26th.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Blonde Poulain rocketed through cosmic boundaries in ‘Objectivo la Tierra’

Posted on 26 April 2024

Blonde Poulain’s latest single, “Objectivo la Tierra,” catapults listeners straight into a celestial escapade, melding pop sensibilities with sci-fi synthetics. From the outset, spacey effects set an interstellar backdrop while the pop hooks orbit around hip-hop-adjacent beats.

The rhythmic foundation is robust, complemented by twinkling synths and a nod to 90s trance aesthetics that instil euphoria in the same vein as Faithless. Blonde Poulain embraces full creative freedom in this track, infusing his style, soul, and charisma to craft a universe that promises more than just a musical escape. By giving pop new life through the pulse of electronica, the innovative artist created a sound that’s both futuristic and deeply grounded in rhythmic tradition.

In essence, “Objectivo la Tierra” is an invitation to imagine and inhabit Blonde Poulain’s vibrant and upbeat cosmos—if Earth were to falter, his universe, as painted in this track, would be infinitely more accommodating.

This single marks the first release from his upcoming EP, setting a high bar for what’s to come as it skilfully combines real-world facts with the fantasy of science fiction.

Objectivo la Tierra will reach the airwaves on April 26th; stream the official music video on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Far Below Perfect brought Hawthorne to even greater heights with their pop-punk LP, I’ve Been to Hell Before…

Posted on 26 April 2024

After teaming up with Pop Punk Wolf Records, Hawtorne’s Far Below Perfect is set to unveil his LP, I’ve Been to Hell Before…, which is cataclysmic enough in its cultivation of pop-punk evolution that the genre may never be the same again.

Starting with a glimpse into the Far Below Perfect live experience, the LP shifts into the hit, Isn’t Life Grand?, which echoes the influence of Blink-182 and Bowling for Soup, while the pop-punk agent provocateur blasts through their frenetically fierce progressions at a dizzyingly fast tempo, which only slows to inject some existential humour.

In Where’s Your Hero Now? Far Below Perfect continues to give the thrash pioneers a run for their frantic energy while working in elements which hark back to the legacy of the Beastie Boys. In the following track, Far Below Perfect finds their groove in groove metal while never loosening their grip on iconic emo aesthetics until the track culminates in a rallying cry for anyone who would rather die than surrender.

If anything comes close to a ballad, it is track five, April’s Fool, which injects melodic hooks around the agonised with ennui vocal lines before the following single, Headaches, exhibits the artist’s ability to weave progressive ingenuity into their hits. To conclude the LP, Far Below Perfect channels the bite of punk into the infectious volition of future-forward pop-punk in Be Fri Or St End, and ends the LP on an augmented high with On My Own, which proves that loneliness might be a curse, but people with enough resilience to endure isolation can’t be reckoned with. It’s quite the statement for a one-man pop-punk powerhouse to make.

The I’ve Been to Hell Before… LP will hit the airwaves on April 26th; stream it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Chantelle made a sensuously stoic debut with her RnB Pop hit, It Is What It Is

Posted on 25 April 2024

Chantelle’s sensually stoic debut single ‘It Is What It Is‘ introduces us to what might just be the next breakthrough artist in RnB pop. Her uniquely commanding ability to draw listeners into her lyrical world is evident in this first release. As the melody unfolds, Chantelle ensures that we are not just spectators but active participants in her sonic sojourn by leaving us tantalised by the warm glow of her soulful vocal lines.

‘It Is What It Is’ acts as the antithesis of your average love song, engaging listeners with its assertive acceptance of a promising relationship turned disappointing. The influence of 90s RnB shines through in the playfully exuberant touches to her vocal performance; if you couldn’t get enough of TLC’s No Scrubs, you’ll find this release equally as hard to quit.

This Nigerian, UK-born and based artist brings a rich background in music, performance, and production from the University of Kent to the industry, combined with hands-on experience in photography, videography, and content creation. Her multifaceted expertise enriches her music, making each song not just a track but a comprehensive artistic expression.

With ‘It Is What It Is’, Chantelle not only sets the stage for her burgeoning career but also promises that wherever she takes us next, it will be worth the journey.

It Is What It Is was officially released on April 5th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Max Norton outshined the constellations in his latest expansive indie-rock release, Comet

Posted on 25 April 2024
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Max Norton catapulted onto the indie rock scene once again with his latest seminal single, ‘Comet’. The resounding echo of college radio days mingles the discordant charm of Sonic Youth with the raw punch of 60s garage rock. Each chorus hits with a barrage of anthemic hooks, delivering an impact so potent it feels like a blissful demise—there are far worse ways to go.

The triumph of ‘Comet’ lies not only in its sticky-sweet, charismatic vocals but also in its meticulous production. With minimalist touches that amplify rather than overshadow, the production allows Norton’s authentic talent to radiate. It’s as if he’s outshone every constellation, creating a vintage-toned earworm that rewards listeners with each serendipitous chord.

Behind the scenes, Max Norton’s rich experience as a multi-instrumentalist and his decade-long career as a professional drummer deeply inform this track. The euphoric tension built within the rhythmic framework of the release crescendos in choruses that are so compelling that they demand to be heard live.

Moreover, ‘Comet’ not only showcases Norton’s instrumental and vocal talents but also his unbridled romanticism and lyrical depth. This stellar slice of classic songwriting proves a masterful amalgam of his diverse influences, from Otis Redding to Courtney Barnett, making it an indispensable addition to any rock enthusiast’s playlist.

Check out the official video for Comet on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mild Horses unleashed avant-garde chaos in his genre-defying electronica release, Eye of the Behemoth

Posted on 25 April 2024
Eye Of The Behemoth by Mild Horses

Mild Horses, the experimental brainchild of Matthew Leuw, previously known for his roles in various underground bands, including Norwich’s Crest and Brighton’s Coin-op, has returned with ‘Eye of the Behemoth’.

The single seizes the listener with its lo-fi synth melodies grounded on a solid backbeat, before erupting into a drum n bass rhythmic firestorm. Not merely content to rest here, it pushes the boundaries further with sharp horn stabs, marking a bold foray into avant-garde territory. As the track progresses, the intense energy momentarily retreats into more subdued, jazzy grooves that infuse the piece with psychedelic tranquillity, setting the stage for a climactic resurgence. The finale of this instrumental odyssey is a masterclass in musical composition—returning full circle with a powerful beat that perfectly encapsulates the track’s dynamic range.

‘Eye of the Behemoth’ is not just another experimental track; it is a statement of artistic integrity from Mild Horses. This single does exactly what it promises—immersing its audience in an artfully crafted storm of sound that resonates long after the last note fades. It’s an assertive piece that boldly declares Mild Horses’ niche in the eclectic landscape of contemporary music. For fans of genre-defying soundscapes, this release is an essential experience, offering both challenge and reward in its complex layers.

Stream and purchase Eye of the Behemoth ahead of its official release date of May 10th on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast