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An aura of introspection resounds through Alexander Grenville’s neo-classic piano score, Fragile

Posted on 10 April 2024

Alexander Grenville echoed the beauty of fragility through his standout neo-classical composition, Fragile, which carries a touch of the introspective flair of Nils Frahm and the cinematic scope of Ramin Djawdi’s Westworld scores.

Known for the contemplative character of his evocative work, the English musician excels in allowing technically explorative pieces to resound as fragments of deeply personal reflections. In Fragile, the open space between the piano keys becomes an ethereal terrain as the brief quiescent interludes become as integral to the piece as the piano keys he strikes with gentle intuitive tenacity.

The synthesis of mournful repose and lively exploration culminates in a deeply profound aural experience which speaks of the composer’s close relationship with his muse. Drawing inspiration from Ludovico Einaudi, Ola Gjeilo, Erik Satie, and folk artists in the vein of Karine Polwart, Alexander Grenville’s sonic signature is more akin to an eloquent calligraphy; one that distinctively scribes through the mind delivering cathartic solace and inviting you to look at the world through a more introspective lens.

Fragile is available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: Reverberations of Longing Linger in the Affecting Agony of Pinwheel Valley’s Single Reverie

Posted on 10 April 2024

Pinwheel Valley’s latest eclectically alt-indie single, Reverie, echoes a poignant symphony of emotional turmoil and tender confession. The bittersweet draught of love is the lead single from their eagerly anticipated Reverie EP, which heralds a significant evolution for the Canadian artist, formerly known as KAIS, now steering the ship of Pinwheel Valley through the waters of the indie music scene from their Mediterranean home base.

The melancholic mosaic of poetry, agony and rhythmic intuition is the first signal to be distributed via Levantine Music, it stands as a testament to how honed the artist’s sound has become in the absence of lyrical inhibition. Qais Khoury’s vocal delivery and melodic structuring evoke the spectrally affecting beauty of Jeff Buckley as Reverie traverses the complex emotional landscape with soul-stirring urgency and timeless poignancy.

The guitars, warm and overdriven, act as the perfect counterpoint to the raw lyrics, as the progressions journey through the valleys of longing and the peaks of despair. Pinwheel Valley masterfully conjures a world where every note and every word is steeped in emotional significance. The result is a track that does more than just resonate with the listener; it pierces the soul, leaving an indelible mark.

Khoury’s influences, ranging from Thom Yorke to Ben Howard, shimmer through in the song’s intricate fabric, but Reverie is unmistakably Pinwheel Valley’s own. As the band starts this new chapter, writing through their inexplicably alchemic signature, it is clear they have the potential to write the future of alt-indie.

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

Follow Pinwheel Valley on Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lie awake in YDV’s hypnotic dream pop vignette of affection, OBSESSED

Posted on 10 April 2024

YDV’s latest single, “OBSESSED,” transcends trends, offering listeners a glimpse into a utopic future for RnB. By seamlessly blending dream pop, 8-bit aesthetics, and the soul of RnB, YDV crafted a hazy vignette that immerses listeners in the intoxicating allure of obsession.

With lyrics that resonate universally and melodies that stir the soul, “OBSESSED” is an otherworldly experience that showcases YDV’s mastery of using soundscapes as a canvas for vulnerable expression. As the beats pop and groove, the vocal lines swirl and vortex into the mesmerising melodies, leaving listeners with an elixir they’ll crave pouring endlessly.

“OBSESSED” serves as the first chapter of YDV’s ambitious project, “DON’T LET THIS END,” a highly personal exploration of love, toxicity, trust, self-love, projection, and self-discovery. The accompanying music video delves into the complexities of relationships, revealing the truths often veiled behind the illusion of love.

YDV, a Bay Area artist now based in New York City, defies traditional genre boundaries, blending elements of Hip-Hop, Pop, Rap, and EDM to create a cinematic journey for his audience. Through his music and visuals, he invites listeners to explore the duality of existence and discover their own truths within his artistry.

With “OBSESSED,” YDV invites listeners to fall into the hypnotic embrace of his sound, where the lines between reality and fantasy blur, and the journey of self-discovery unfolds. As the first taste of “DON’T LET THIS END,” this single promises an exhilarating odyssey that fans of RnB won’t want to miss.

The official music video for OBSESSED is now available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

M31 injected catharsis into loss with his soul and rhythm-driven ambient electronica debut Gone

Posted on 9 April 2024

M31, the new electronic project by Melbourne-based artist and producer Jake Debono, made a captivating entry into the leftfield chill electronica scene with the debut single ‘Gone’. The soul-driven staple for any vibe-out playlist pours aching emotion into a lo-fi production which grooves through the warm reverberations of major key chord progressions, creating an intimate soundscape which speaks volumes of M31’s songwriting stripes.

The track explores the impact of loss while agonising over hauntingly sweet memories and the anxiety of moving on. M31’s mastery in confessional lyricism is evident, offering a narrative that will resonate with anyone who has faced the struggle of starting a new chapter with someone they never wanted to leave behind. Despite its strong emotional themes, ‘Gone’ is a sonic lesson in catharsis. As passion reverberates through the single, it becomes a space for reflection and emotional release.

The production of ‘Gone’ is a testament to Jake Debono’s versatility. Transitioning from a rock-licked sonic edge, influenced by bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers and R.E.M, to a chilled-out electronic ambience, M31 showcases a profound adaptability.

Gone was officially released on March 29; stream the single on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Get in harmony with your soul through Skydivers’ indie pop kaleidoscope of 60s hues, Maybe I Can

Posted on 8 April 2024

Slip into the cradle of nostalgia with the latest single, Maybe I Can, from the Boone, NC-based studio project, Skydivers. The tenderly melodic kaleidoscope of 60s hues embody the colour and soul of the Beatles and the Kinks, filtered through a nuancedly modernised indie pop lens.

Hit play and cruise with the shimmering guitars, groove with the intuitively clever percussion, and find nirvana with the ascending keys which defy gravity as they sway through the production beneath the honey-timbered vocal lines as they exude a blissful state of care-free indecision.

In the frantic pace of our era, singles in the vein of Maybe I Can, which give permission to get in harmony with your own soul and slow down should be on everyone’s playlists. The sublime ease of the progressions is an efficacious sonic visualisation of the emotional themes which underpin this superlative release.

Maybe I Can was officially released on March 29; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sarah O’Moore – Troubled Mind: A Soulful Reflection on Contemporary Tribulation

Posted on 8 April 2024

Sarah O’Moore’s latest single, ‘Troubled Mind’, from her upcoming debut EP ‘Social Paralysis‘, is a poignant exploration of mental health and the complexities of modern life. The powerful narrative challenges the listener to introspectively sit with societal expectations and personal struggles and proves that good songs make you feel, great songs inspire profound shifts of perception.

‘Troubled Mind’ is a testament to O’Moore’s exceptional ability to blend genres, fusing elements of RnB, Folk, and Soulful Jazz into an indie singer-songwriter production. Her vocal harmonies, reminiscent of Amy Winehouse and Macy Gray, carry endless emotional weight, resulting in a hauntingly affecting delivery as the instrumentals complement her voice perfectly, creating an eye-opening soundscape which addresses the disconnect in conversations about mental health. She delves into the reality of living with the scars of trauma and facing an uncertain future, a theme that resonates deeply in today’s climate. Her music offers a space to sit with struggles authentically, without succumbing to the pressures of toxic positivity.

Inspired by James Joyce’s “Dubliners”, O’Moore’s upcoming EP, ‘Social Paralysis’, promises to delve further into themes of social stagnation and the struggles of today’s youth. ‘Troubled Mind’ sets the tone for this journey, inviting listeners to confront the unspoken and find solace in shared experiences.

Troubled Mind was officially released on March 29; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

GeeMarr ignited a carnal flame with his exotically expansive RnB hit, Fire & Desire

Posted on 8 April 2024

GeeMarr, the UK’s RnB firebrand, ignited the genre with his latest single ‘Fire & Desire‘. The stylistic fusion of RnB, afrobeat, pop, and soul elements showcases GeeMarr’s versatility and creativity when blending diverse musical influences.

The intro of ‘Fire & Desire’ is a nostalgic nod to the 80s era of RnB, setting the stage for a contemporary twist that GeeMarr executes flawlessly. The track pulsates with modern cuts, seamlessly integrating autotuned reggaeton-esque vocal lines with sun-pierced melodies. The sax lines spill soul by the smorgasbord, weaving through the song and adding a rich, emotive layer to the already vibrant soundscape.

GeeMarr’s lyrics in ‘Fire & Desire’ resonate like mantras, creating a heady sonic haven that you’ll want to occupy all summer and ensuring that the midtempo vignette captures the sweetness of finding someone who evokes feelings of both love and lust. Even if you’re riding solo, you’ll get a taste of how sweet adding fuel to your carnal fire is.

Born in Jamaica and raised in South London, GeeMarr’s global influences are evident in his music. His repertoire spans Afrobeats, R&B, and Soul, and ‘Fire & Desire’ is a culmination of his artistic evolution. After a 5-year hiatus and a series of captivating freestyles on social media, GeeMarr is not just making a comeback; he’s redefining his sound.

GeeMarr’s involvement in every stage of his music, from writing and producing to mixing and mastering, ensures that his sonic signature blazes through ‘Fire & Desire’. This track is a must-listen for fans of RnB and anyone looking for a summer anthem that combines the best of global beats with the soulful depth of RnB.

Stream the official music video for Fire & Desire which dropped on March 28th on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Robert Prester & Adriana Samargia gave jazz a sophisticated edge with ‘Altar Ego’

Posted on 2 April 2024

Two major talents collided for the creation of the superlatively cultivated jazz-pop score, Altar Ego; with Robert Prester in deft charge of composition, lyrics and piano & Adriana Samargia lending her cinematic vocal timbre to the number, it unravelled as a standing ovation-worthy triumph.

Sophistication spills from every note in the sublime, bordering on baroque, score which exhibits Robert Prester’s virtuosic flair when his hands find harmony over piano keys while Adriana Samargia’s vibrant-with-zeal contribution to the single infuses Altar Ego with swathes of commercial appeal. With a voice which wouldn’t be out of place on Broadway, Adriana was the perfect fit to add even more vigour to this exhilaratingly distinctive number.

Stream the official music video for Altar Ego on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Step into a spiritual awakening with DORA GOLA’s alt-folk séance, Humble Your Eyes

Posted on 30 March 2024

DORA GOLA’s latest single, ‘Humble Your Eyes’, is a mesmerising journey into the heart of alt-folk, infused with a deep spirituality that resonates with every note. Born in Poland and blossoming in Ireland, DORAG GOLA’s unique blend of Eastern European folk and traditional Irish folk testifies to her profound connection with music and nature.

The track begins with percussion that awakens something primal within the listener, a call to the roots of human existence. The arcane elements of European folk music add a layer of mystique, enhancing the transcendence of her vocal lines which ascend endlessly to deliver a slice of salvation for the soul and an invitation to attune oneself to the mystical allure of nature.

GOLA’s journey from a childhood steeped in a diverse musical heritage to her immersion in Irish culture and mythology has culminated in this hauntingly beautiful single. Her voice, a powerful and sensual force, draws listeners into a narrative of Earth’s consciousness and human longing. The fusion of Slavic folk, brooding synths, and lavish Eastern sounds reaches the epitome of alt-folk innovation. Do your psyche a favour and hit play.

Humble Your Eyes will drop on March 29th; check out the single on DORA GOLA’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Pop plunged to new emotional depths with Bekah Wilbourn’s debut single, Go Numb

Posted on 26 March 2024

Bekah Wilbourn’s ‘Go Numb‘ envelops you in a world where vulnerability meets a sonic revolution. This debut single from the El Paso native is a journey through the heartstrings, plucked and resonated in a symphony of emotion and sound.

The track begins with gentle guitar strings laying the foundation, upon which Wilbourn’s vocals weave a narrative of emotional rawness. As the production escalates, the listener is drawn into a rhythmic stupor, a blend of moodily turbulent synthetics and a compelling backbeat that commands attention.

As the song progresses, Wilbourn introduces chamber pop orchestral layers, amplifying the emotional resonance, and elevating the track to an almost cinematic scope. The interplay of 90s pop influences with forward-thinking sonic elements ensures that ‘Go Numb’ resonates with a sense of familiarity, yet ventures boldly into uncharted territories.

Lyrically, ‘Go Numb’ is a poignant reflection on the all-too-human desire to retreat into numbness when vulnerability becomes a battleground. Wilbourn captures this sentiment with raw honesty, offering a mirror to our own experiences of emotional turmoil.

Bekah Wilbourn, with ‘Go Numb’, carved her own niche with a blend of introspection, innovation, and undeniable musical prowess. This single is a bold statement of intent from an artist unafraid to bare her soul and push the boundaries of pop music.

Go Numb was officially released on March 15; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast