Browsing Category

Illinois

Chicago alt-metal originators, Dust Biters, expose their bleeding post-hardcore heart in ‘Progeny’

Posted on 30 January 2023

With a tumultuously rapturous sound that could only have stemmed from Chicago, Dust Biters’ lead single, Progeny, from their album, Guilt, is a viscerally maniacal feat of tightly off-kilter ingenuity.

As Nick Kinsley dynamically volleys between hitting all the right vocal notes, he throws plenty of evocative punches along the way. In the same vein as Against Me! Dust Biters heighten their sound to the nth degree through a combination of instrumental prowess and bleeding post-hardcore heart.

In the space of three minutes, Progeny moves through as many tonal shifts as some bands do in an entire LP. Yet, with the way that the uninhibitedly wild progressions bind together with melodic adhesion, it’s always easy to follow their raw groove-led lead.

If they make it to the UK, I will be the one with a near-broken neck at the front.

Check out the Radio Cut of Progeny on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

He Rescued Me: Chicago-based Gospel artist Tiffany Daniels-Hudson feels so free again on Jesus Reigns

Posted on 7 January 2023

Taken off her brand new 6th-track project called Forever, Tiffany Daniels-Hudson tells the story of true faith so well on the glorious church-powered new single to hold hands with called Jesus Reigns.

Tiffany Daniels-Hudson is a Chicago, USA-based indie Gospel singer-songwriter, recording artist and worship leader who also teaches social studies.

”Tiffany desires to use music as an avenue to connect with people through her life story and to tell the story of the gospel.” ~ Tiffany Daniels-Hudson

Sometimes in life, you just need to close your eyes and listen to a song on loud. Tiffany Daniels-Hudson leads the way in Christian music with a striking anthem to mend sad hearts with the outstanding Jesus Reigns.

Jesus Reigns from Chicago-based Gospel artist Tiffany Daniels-Hudson is a soul-healing soundtrack for anyone who needs hope right now. Sung so excitedly and projected with tons of magnificent power, this is a graceful effort from the top drawer.

Classy and serene, we find a truly soulful single to embrace while the storms brew outside.

Listen up on Spotify. See more on the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Terry Blade warns even unconditional love has its limits in his Country-Blues single, ‘Won’t Be Around’

Posted on 6 January 2023

Two-time recipient of the Global Music Awards, Terry Blade, lined himself up for more prestigious accolades by recording his latest single, Won’t Be Around. The stripped-back simmering melting pot of Gospel-Esque Soul, Blues and Country commands your adoration from the first gravelled in feisty-fervour vocal note.

From there on out, the lyrics compel you to take stock of the protagonists in your life as you’re reminded that unconditional love always has its limits. With his voice commanding the soundscape, which paid homage to the roots of Americana with the minimalistic trickle of bluesy keys and strummed acoustic guitar notes, you’re left with no option but to be arrested.

During his career, which sheds light on his experience as a black gay artist, Terry Blade has picked up over 40 awards, And something tells us his glory days are far from behind him.

Won’t Be Around will officially release on January 6th. Hear it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Derek Vaden – Eating My Words: Blisteringly Hot Indie Blues Rock

Posted on 31 December 2022

The sex appeal isn’t the only thing that’s visceral in the swaggering alt-rock single, Eating My Words, from Derek Vaden’s 2022 EP, The Recreational Experiment. The Chicago-based musician and songwriter salaciously straddles the line between blues rock and indie to deliver a hard and heavy rhythmic revival; if Velvet Revolver and Muse had an aural lovechild, it would undoubtedly go under the moniker, Derek Vaden.

The winding blues rock increments are overdriven to the nth degree to give the riotous release anthemic appeal, but none of the vintage blues rock tones lost their bluesy bite. If anything, teeth have been sharpened in this confrontationally volatile release, which was written, performed, and recorded by Derek Vaden’s reverently rock n roll hands in his own studio.

Check out Eating My Words on YouTube and SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

How To Get It: Blac Samurai drops quality new release Iron Essence

Posted on 3 December 2022

Dropping his latest 11-track release, which features many name drops to his favourite artists, Blac Samurai returns with a solid outing which shall have our back when needed most on Iron Essence.

Blac Samurai is a Chicago, USA-based indie hip hop artist who keeps things underground throughout because of his witty flow and heavy bars.

”Combining the poetic style of writing with the smoothness and rawness from his influences, such as Outkast, Biggie, Nas, Wu Tang, and Roc Marciano.” ~ Blac Samurai

With particular highlights such as Say Less, Never and Backseat, Blac Samurai summons the greatness within his veins and pops through with a grand-slam result to keep the streets happy. Blending in sci-fi and anime, this is a rather supreme effort to feel rather excited about.

Iron Essence from Chicago, USA-based indie hip hop artist Blac Samurai is a hardcore display to be enthralled by and shall rattle the cages of many hidden spirits. Thriving with intensity and breaking down all self-doubts, we find a hugely confident rapper at the top of his game.

Turn this up loud on Spotify. Find out more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Text Me: Becky Raisman needs that touch right now on I CAN BE YOUR CRUSH

Posted on 28 November 2022

As her eyes light up and take her soul into a happier world, Becky Raisman wants that permanent vacation on the romantic new sizzler to dance with all night called I CAN BE YOUR CRUSH.

Becky Raisman is a Highland Park, Chicago-based indie pop singer-songwriter who makes catchy music to feel better with because of its rich context.

The breathtaking Columbia College Chicago graduate Becky Raisman is on fire and shreds the airwaves on her latest hot single. Packed with poise and precision, we find a toe-tapping gem that has been made with that all-powering love.

I CAN BE YOUR CRUSH from Highland Park, Chicago-based indie pop artist Becky Raisman is a fascinating song about showing how much a new lover has changed everything. Sung with pure energy and a content mindset, this is that track to put on when you wish you change the conversation onto kiss-filled intentions.

When you see those eyes spark, you have found someone rather special.

Listen up to this superb new single here and find out more on her Twitter.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Rapper and producer, JaefKae is razor-sharp in his Reggaeton hip hop single, New Machete

Posted on 25 November 2022

With a danceable versatile flavour like no other, the Chicago-hailing rapper and producer, JaefKae, burst onto our radar with the genre-fluid beats in his latest single, New Machete.

The tropic earworm picks at the roots of hip hop, Caribbean Dancehall, Reggaeton and Soul and plants the seed for a fresh new sound, defined by kaleidoscopically colourful instrumentals and the effortlessly high-vibes in the vocals.

During his career, JaefKae has opened for Nas and Pusha T, taken his high-energy performances across Chicago, and used his platform to represent his Afro-Purto Rican and Japanese descent, be a force of resistance against police oppression and to fight for black liberation.

His moniker comes from JFK because his 200-song discography “will blow your f***ing mind”. Considering that New Machete completely dominates your psyche before flooding it with dance-worthy rhythms and elevated talent, JaefKae had every basis to be that bold when settling on the pseudonym that will ripple across the globe attached to his infectiously upraising tracks.

New Machete is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rapper, SnapDibz has unleashed his monster of a soulfully lusty EDM floorfiller, Eyes on Me

Posted on 16 November 2022

After racking up tens of thousands of streams on his hit singles, the independent American-born Indian rapper, SnapDibz has boldly stepped in a new direction for his latest dance track, Eyes on Me. The risk more than paid off. The dizzying disposition of the rap bars with the monumental drops leaves galvanising energy blasting through your speakers and makes a meal of your rhythmic pulses.

Infused with Bhangra beats and the powerful interplay between his snappy rap verses and the salaciously soul-awakening female pop vocals, the intense EDM earworm is set to set hearts on fire, fill floors, and connect with an audience seeking the ultimate anthem for their lusty encounters.

Eyes on Me, produced by Shrai, will officially release on November 16th. Check it out via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

MidAmerican Elevator are dream-pop love fools in their latest single, Ivy

Posted on 27 September 2022

Ethereal enough to give you goosebumps, the Chicago indie-rock band MidAmerican Elevator’s latest single, Ivy, is an idyllically evocative masterpiece through the entwining of Cranberries-Esque vocal harmonies and artful percussion that chimes through the relentlessly mellifluous guitars.

Lyrically, Ivy captures the retrospective turmoil of realising that things weren’t as they seemed due to the misleading actions of a protagonist that couldn’t keep up the façade of charming perfection. Ivy makes it clear how much aural evolutionary room stands between The Cardigans’ Lovefool and this twilight-lit spectre of sweet naivety that the world would be infinitely more insufferable without.

Check out MidAmerican Elevator’s latest single, Ivy, on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Long Day: Chicago rapper Xman has seen a lot in a short time with Anything

Posted on 10 September 2022

Cranking out a potent track that will get your pulse racing like you have just seen a superhero in action, Xman is at his lively best and shows us deep into his self-assured mindset with Anything.

Xman is a Chicago, USA-based indie hip hop artist who smashes a deep hole into the wall with an underground style that is rather terrific to witness.

Rapped with a knife-like sharpness but never cutting too complex, Xman rolls in and guides us into a road of potential. His lyrics are laser-fueled and you can hear his brimming confidence, that has many street stories to tell from a wild life of uncertainty. Busting out with a piercing production that will get your head nodding rather briskly, displaying to us his growing greatness in this fickle game.

Anything from Chicago, USA-based indie hip hop artist Xman is a fiery single from an artist on a mission to be known all over the world. Teaching us deep within his life that has dealt with many difficulties while working from the bottom to the top, that shows us you can actually win. Only if you believe in yourself and don’t give up that is.

Whenever you think it’s possible, it probably is.

Hear this fine single on Spotify and see more via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen