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Policy Orchestrated the Ultimate Shadowed Symphony of Alt-Electronica with Lunella in ‘Lights Out’

Posted on 7 May 2024
Policy

With his latest single, Lights Out, the award-winning producer, multi-instrumentalist and recording engineer, Policy, exhibited how his three decades in the industry have culminated through his heart-wrenching cinematic soundscape which paralyses with power from the first ominously reverberant synth stroke.

The dark and stormy instrumentals feed delicious disquietness until the dawn of the single breaks with Euro House nostalgic euphoria. Through it all, Lunella’s vocals keep an even heart-breaking keel, channelling ephemeral grace in the same vein as Bjork. Her voice, steady yet heartrending, navigates the complexities of quasi-heartbreak with a finesse that mirrors the track’s richly layered instrumentals. The refrain, “You only love me with the lights out,” acts as a raw nerve, exposing the pain of love that lingers in the shadows, never fully revealed.

Policy’s synthesis of trip-hop, house, and dystopic avant-garde synth-pop will leave you ensnared in the beautifully crafted chaos of heartbreak. Every note and lyric is meticulously woven to explore themes of love, rejection, and the introspective shadows of the human experience. For fans and new listeners alike, Lights Out promises a sonic experience that captivates and haunts in equal measure.

Lights Out will be available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify, from May 7th.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Cambridge’s LAY / BYE ignited the modern rock scene with their expansive earwom, ACTIVE!

Posted on 6 May 2024

If any up-and-coming band can kick Royal Blood off their throne, it’s the Cambridge-hailing three-piece LAY / BYE with the polished hooks, fiery intensity, and unflinching resonance in their debut single, ACTIVE!

The debut holds no prisoners when holding the worst archetypes of the human experience to account; the flaying lyrics pick up more volition through the catchy delivery that forces you right into the electrifying nucleus of the single that stands as a testament to the trio’s ability to vindicate the masses.

After a Velvet Revolver-esque intro, the buzzsaw riffs and snarling basslines rip through the dynamic modern hard rock atmosphere honed by Robin Schmidt, known for his work with Nothing But Thieves, the 1975 and Sam Fender. The juxtaposition between the scathing energy within the rhythm section and the pop-pinched vocal hooks creates a dynamic strong enough to carry a rock revolution on its back.

The explosively expressive release is a sure sign of big things to come for LAY / BYE; their ability to fuse integrity with infectious earworm appeal is superlative.

Jump on the ACTIVE! hype by streaming the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Manchester’s LIVO Navigated the Duality of Pride and Pain with her Debut Spoken Word Single, Queer Joy

Posted on 6 May 2024

Having already proven her mettle in the Manchester spoken word scene and received plaudits from Guy Garvey and Tony Walsh, LIVO has spread ‘Queer Joy’ in her debut single, which puts a serene backdrop of 90s hip-hop nostalgia behind her wordplay that permeates the soul.

Tenderly vulnerable yet assertively euphoric candour lies at the core of Queer Joy, which celebrates the experience of living authentically and unapologetically hedonistically outside of the heteronormative hegemony and living vicariously.

Eloquently hitting a few raw nerves through the lyrical vignette which also touches on the most painful aspects of navigating a society which may have progressed in recent decades but still makes it difficult for queer people to find pride, in spite of the vibrant pageantry of Pride flags and events, Queer Joy leaves you sinking into LIVO’s presence, hanging off every syllable so articulately delivered.

Together with producer and composer Stanley Penrose, LIVO made an affecting debut with Queer Joy, which dropped ahead of her debut LP, The Age of Joy.

Queer Joy was officially released on April 12; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Serotonin Surge: Kennedy Administration’s ‘Be Your Lucky Number’ Strikes R&B Gold

Posted on 6 May 2024

From the first vocal note of Kennedy Administration’s single “Be Your Lucky Number,” you’re pulled under the artist’s infectiously vibrant spell which evokes euphoric soul over the zestfully serotonin-soaked groove pockets that carry the synthesis of hip-hop, RnB, and funk, leaving ample room for the pop hooks that keep you immersed in this riot of high vibe charisma that Kennedy Administration has become renowned for.

Every now and again, rare artists emerge that can transcend sound with the soul they deliver, it’s safe to say that Kennedy Administration is firmly in that camp. They’re the antithesis of your average painting-by-numbers artist, their intuitive relationship to music ensures that when Kennedy attacks the canvas, she becomes a conduit for unbridled otherworldly feel-good sensations.

Kennedy’s roots in Michigan’s musical soil, combined with her collaborative spirit alongside the keyboardist and producer Ondre J in New York, have cultivated a fertile ground for their creativity. The dynamic project, based in Brooklyn/NYC, pulses with the energy of the city. Their joy and passion are palpable, promising listeners an immersive journey into a world where every note celebrates the power of music. The single could easily be sold as a cure for depression.

Stream the live performance of Be Your Lucky Number at Studio G in Brooklyn on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nostalgic Smells pierced through the shadows of ennui with his debut post-grunge hit, Glimmer

Posted on 5 May 2024

The post-grunge movement has been pushed forward with the emo-adjacent debut single, Glimmer, from the Scottish solo artist, Nostalgic Smells, who dove headfirst into emotional depths most would drown in.

After earning his stripes as a drummer and honing his ear for rhythm and melody, Nostalgic Smells’ knew exactly where to implant the hooks within the angst and disquietude of his ode to the intersections between emo and 90s grunge.

Glimmer is an enthralling return to the thick, sludgy hooks and emotive turmoil that defined an era. Despite its dense layers of distortion, David’s knack for melody shines through in the song’s structure which is rife with tensile progressions that meticulously pull the listener into its emotionally charged core, reminiscent of the sounds of Nirvana and HUM.

The debut invigorates the familiar with a freshness often attempted but rarely achieved in the modern music scene. For those who grew up with the resonant beats of Helmet or the textured distortions of Quicksand, Glimmer promises a journey back to those raw, introspective soundscapes, while also beckoning to those new to the scene.

The lyrical aching for a modicum of light to break the dark clouds of ennui couldn’t be more affecting in this intensely authentic hit that is already going down a storm and creating immense anticipation for the sophomore release.

Glimmer sludged up the airwaves on April 15; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rice redefined hip-hop with the big beats in his latest hit, Blog It

Posted on 5 May 2024

After a suspenseful two-year hiatus, Rice stormed back onto the hip-hop scene with Blog It, a track that pulses with cinematic grandeur and a defiant declaration of his undimmed presence. This single is not just a return; it’s a bold reaffirmation of Rice’s command over the genre.

Rice, known for his role as an entrepreneur and philanthropist as much as his music, melded monolithic auto-tuned bars with EDM-adjacent beats to create a soundscape that’s as luxurious as it is massive. The production quality, more designer than Prada, amplifies Rice’s charisma, proving that none of his magnetic allure has faded beneath the technological sheen.

Blog It is laden with lyrical potency and rhythmic complexity that showcases Rice’s matured artistry. His background as a visionary artist who transitioned from management to centre stage is evident in every beat.

This single is a narrative of persistence and a sonic explosion that heralds Rice’s readiness for a Grammy. It’s ironic yet fitting that a track titled Blog It is the one I find myself blogging about—what could be more meta? Yet, if I’m a pawn in anyone’s game, I’m glad it’s Rice’s; the major player is ripping up the hip-hop rulebook and setting fire to the confetti.

Blog It is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Yur Mum – Duality: Unflinchingly Authentic Brazilian Punk Rock

Posted on 5 May 2024

I may be late jumping on Yur Mum’s scuzzy punk rock bandwagon, but after feeling how deep the unique angle to their visceral edge cuts while they played in support of The Battery Farm and witnessing how they can merit the title of their latest LP, Duality, I discovered a duo that’s criminal to sleep on.

The way their Brazilian roots pull through the complex fusion of frenetic percussive rhythms creating a thunderous heartbeat pulsating through rapid and intricate cadences against the snarled basslines incited a riot of distinctly augmented annihilation.

Affectingly authentic to the core and so much more than the sum of their synergistically dualistic parts, Yur Mum is destined for bigger stages; the intuition into each other’s pandemonic energy is evidenced in every antagonised aural atom of their sound.

Two of the standout singles from the duo’s latest album, Anhangá and Hands to the Sky encompass the versatility of the London-based Brazilian duo comprising Anelise Kunz (bass/vox) and Fabio Couto (drums).

Hands to the Sky goes heavy, low down and dirty, and infectiously kinetic with the grooves that leave the rhythmic pulses in a vice grip as the bass lines whip up hypersonic fury around Anelise’s rock reverent vocals. Anhangá hits even harder, orbiting around profane levels of distortion while Anelise uses the gratifyingly discordant noise as the playground for her chameleonically charismatic presence.

Stream and purchase the Duality LP on Bandcamp.

Follow Yur Mum on Instagram or hit their official website for more info.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Joanne Louise’ standout score, The Avenue, is a refreshing sojourn through jazz fusion

Posted on 5 May 2024

With her standout score, The Avenue, the rhythmically intuitive composer Joanne Louise captured a distinctive space within the jazz sphere, presenting an easy-listening single that smoulders with classical sensibility and innovative flourishes.

This piece is a testament to the breadth of the Pittsburgh-born artist’s musical education and the depth of her creativity; Louise’s training at The Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia evidently informs the sophisticated orchestration of the track. Her ability to weave hip-hop nuances into the fabric of world music, without overshadowing the jazz foundation, speaks to a refined compositional skill.

The Avenue” itself is an engaging paradox. It is rooted in tradition yet feels entirely contemporary, thanks to Louise’s daring genre amalgamative style. The result is a simmering blend that respects its jazz heritage while introducing an eclectic mix of sounds that serenade the ear and envelop the soul in a lush auditory reprieve.

Stream The Avenue on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

A New Jerusalem: Judas Goat & The Bellwether’s Arcane Anthem Against the Climate Crisis

Posted on 4 May 2024
There Is Always a Dawn by Judas Goat & the Bellwether

“There Is Always a Dawn” by Judas Goat & The Bellwether pours the ardour of the Neoclassical Romantic Era into a vessel of arcane folk-rock. In a similar vein as William Blake’s evocative poem, Jerusalem, which became an influential precipice for the duo to lyrically jump off, the duo’s aura reverberates around morality while keeping a finely tuned balance of rationality and emotion in the evocatively conjured performance which is a call to arms against the impending threat of ecological collapse, with religious iconography replacing the more direct climate-conscious conversations.

The power of the metaphor came into full force in this fiery protest of how we’ve put the noose around the neck of the environment all in the name of progress that will ultimately become our downfall. The duo, Sara Vian and Pete Vincent, crafted the ultimate clarion call to arms, wrapped in the trappings of folk reverence and light-handed production which corrodes none of the arcane performance. You can’t help but lose yourself in the existential introspection, which exemplifies why the duo have won accolades in The Climates Songwriting Competition.

There Is Always a Dawn hit Bandcamp on April 22 ahead of its release across all major platforms on May 8th.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Yvng Marvae walked among hip-hop giants with ‘Born 2 Shine’

Posted on 4 May 2024

Hip-hop productions don’t often come much bigger than the package Yvng Marvae signed, sealed and delivered with help from his producer, Ixxander. His latest single “Born 2 Shine” is a massive hit that glistens with East Coast immensity; the Wu-Tang lyrical name check makes it clear where Yvng Marvae gets his flow inspiration from, yet, the sonics of the track are undeniably heavily influenced by Jay Z.

With a larger-than-life persona and beats that don’t get dwarfed under his charisma, “Born 2 Shine” is a manifesto on how to unapologetically and defiantly stand tall, which ensures every lyric serves to pull you into the expansive energy of the cinematic hit that you’ll want to surge through your speakers at max volume.

This track not only spotlights Yvng Marvae’s adept skill at crafting flow and rhythm but also underscores his ability to create an anthem that resonates with the grandeur of hip-hop’s golden era while projecting his own unique modern flair.

The collaboration with Ixxander brings a level of production that elevates the song beyond typical chart-toppers, making it a resonant piece for both new listeners and long-time hip-hop fans. “Born 2 Shine” proves that Yvng Marvae is not just following in the footsteps of giants; he is striding alongside them, ready to cast his own giant shadow on the industry.

Born 2 Shine was officially released on April 5; stream the single on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast