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Call Up My Fam: Chicago’s J. Hollins knows its going down tonight on ‘Stand Up’

Posted on 24 October 2021

As he gets the family together so that they can take over the nights proceedings, J. Hollins gets us into the mood to make some calls and dance the night away on ‘Stand Up‘.

J. Hollins aka Casanova Black, is a Chicago-born indie RnB/Soul artist, MC and Entrepreneur, who makes ladies swoon with his transfixing voice and writes well-penned lyrics that have you wishing you wrote them.

This is a true artist who bravely walked away from a cozy major record contract as a writer to continue his own education, as he was creatively unfulfilled making records for other people to be happy about. He mind alive with ideas, that burning sensation inside his soul was heightened to its fullest again after this move to independent status again.

“I wanted to get back to what I do best, what the people and the DJs came to love about my music. I also wanted to create a project that celebrates life and allows the audience to have fun while listening.” ~ J. Hollins aka Casanova Black

‘Stand Up‘ from the Chicago-born indie RnB/Soul solo artist and acclaimed writer J. Hollins, is a fun song filled with sizzle and love, as he heats up the evening and gets us to throwing those hands up. With the world almost back, this is a party ambiance to get you feeling good again. Letting go a bit is needed, with all those stresses that have been building up in our packed lives lately.

Hear this fab new single via his Spotify and catch up with more stories on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Craving Blood: Chicago’s Jae Deco has so much fun portraying a queer vampire on ‘Grim’

Posted on 17 October 2021

Inspired by Romania and with a glanced look to those exciting times on Halloween, Jae Deco drops the new feast-filled single all about wanting that blood-poured taste on ‘Grim‘.

Jae Deco is a Chicago-based indie Pop/Experimental Dance solo artist with a flamboyant charm who has you completely transfixed into this wonderfully creative artist.

”I wanted to create something fun for halloween, so my favorite collaborator Somekid and I got together and made this spooky, vampiric pop song.” ~ Jae Deco

You feel his freshly toned lyrics brush naughtily all over your electrified body, full of that sumptuous energy that only the few seem to possess. With an explosion of excitement brewing from his mouth like a freshly brewed cup of coffee, this is a ear-warming effort that is sure to get your attention.

‘Grim‘ from the Chicago-based indie Pop/Experimental Dance artist Jae Deco, is a villainous heart-pounding single that is packed full of delightful excitement from a creative who just wanted to make something to be proud of during this trick or treat time. With lots of catchy lyrics and a toothy beat that gets your heart into overdrive, this is a fabulous track for us to nibble onto during this famous holiday.

Hear this fine new single on Spotify and learn more about this truly original musician via the IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

We Need More: Chicago Alt-Rock act The Relevant hope that we can fix up the mess on ‘Truth Is Gone’

Posted on 17 October 2021

With an emotionally stimulating edge and featuring flourishing vocals backed with riveting riffs, The Relevant are back into our excited hearts and wonder why the ‘Truth Is Gone‘.

The Relevant is a full-paced Chicago-based indie Alt-Rock band who make music to heal the soul and help others to find their smile again.

”This ensemble of hardline musicians is committed to capturing the essence of music at its core.” ~ The Relevant

You feel their impressive storytelling come to the fore as they sing about life’s struggles, social injustice and love endeavors, with an honest tone that has you closing your eyes and imagining the world in a simpler form. There is much to admire about their atmospheric energy which seems to have you floating into the sky above, to find a better place that is away from any messy drama.

‘Truth Is Gone‘ from the Chicago-based Alt-Rock act The Relevant, is a highly passionate track filled with scintillating soundscapes that has you feeling so wildly reflective, as you wonder what has happened to this rather strange world we live in. Made with a tremendously delightful complexion and featuring an uplifting energy, this is a stunning single that will have you thinking much deeper than before.

Hear this terrific track on Spotify and see more news via the IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Haven’t Seen You In A While: South Chicago’s Pat Egan and The Heavy Hearts take us down their memory lane with ‘Could Use Some Lovin’

Posted on 4 October 2021

After so many band changes and self-inflicted pressure following the release of 2019’s ‘Love & Disruption‘, Pat Egan and The Heavy Hearts have gone back to having fun and seem heartily refreshed after that summer sun good vibes feel again with their latest single ‘Could Use Some Lovin‘.

Pat Egan and The Heavy Hearts is an indie rock/roots band from South Chicago in the USA. They are one of those nostalgic bands that have your healing heart feeling toasty warm, like those memorable campfires of youth.

”The song is about someone being aware of the turn in front of them and just hoping the people that they’ve been friends with can come with.” ~ Pat Egan and The Heavy Hearts

With a catchy sound that has you feeling all snug and rather reminiscently thoughtful about previous times that make you laugh, this is that yesteryear track – that has been made for modern day – to remind us to reach out to those true friends you value.

There is so much to like about the compellingly entertaining vocals and overall band grit from Pat Egan and The Heavy Hearts, as they put on a real show with the best intentions laid out for us to lather heartily into. This is the type of song that has your happy body moving to the enticing groove – as they sweetly soak us all into a top song – that will be totally timeless due to its true authenticity.

”There was so much self-imposed pressure on the last release. With this one, we wanted to just have fun and record songs that we could listen to in twenty years.” ~ Pat Egan and The Heavy Hearts

‘Could Use Some Lovin‘ from the soulful South Chicago underground indie rock/roots legends Pat Egan and The Heavy Hearts, is a true story about missing those innocent days and hoping that there are still a few old school friends around to share it all with. As the world seems to move faster, buildings being knocked down and friends drifting away for a better life, this is that lets-enjoy-this-while-it-lasts moment that all of us can truly relate to.

Those memories with good humans are certainly valued forever if you capture them, to never let them go from your heart.

See this new music video on YouTube and see more of their elevation upwards on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Into The Dark: Chicago’s Kay Soul reminds us to keep on growing despite the naysayers on ‘Lost Connection’

Posted on 3 October 2021

With a flourishing voice that warms up your whole body from the cold and lovingly-penned lyrics, Kay Soul intends to keep that pure energy which sets her free from all the unnecessary bad vibes around that can worryingly weigh down your precious thoughts on ‘Lost Connection‘.

Kay Soul is a Chicago, Illinois-based indie RnB/soul solo singer-songwriter and aspiring plus-sized model. She makes such an inspiring blend of music full of love, that has been created to help the world heal again.

This is a such a wonderful effort, packed full of that scintillation-filled vocal ability that Kay Soul is well-known for. She sends us a reflective reminder here about being careful who you surround yourself with – as they have the power to bring negative energy to the light – that can take you under like slippery quick-sand.

‘Lost Connection‘ from the Chicago, Illinois-based indie RnB/soul artist Kay Soul, is the true story all about wondering why so many people lose their glowing heart and get sucked into manipulation and fake shiny treasures. She sings about keeping that love strong so that you may grow into the person you know you can be – rather than being thrown into the temptation-filled forest fires – that can burn your soul forever and leave you damaged.

Hear this brand new single on Spotify and see more via her thriving IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Groove with the slow-burning melodies in Blac Samurai’s chillwave hip hop single, Match (All Black) ’21

Posted on 3 October 2021

With his poetic mind and the smooth, trippy flow to his tracks, it has become impossible to ignore Blac Samurai on his ascent from the underground. Soul Glitch is the second album to drop from the Southside Chicago-hailing urban alchemist; the standout single, Match (All Black) ’21, is a serenely sweet introduction to his dreamy sonic palette.

The trippy feat of chillwave delves into the future while keeping grounded and soulful through the intrinsically humanistic rap bars and slow-burning melodies. Unlike many artists taking influences from the OG rappers, Blac Samurai manages to pull something completely fresh. We can’t wait to hear what he muses next.

Match (All Black) ’21 is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

I Need You: Chicago rapper Shauno wants that inner peace love on ‘Demons’

Posted on 30 September 2021

After the underground buzz that surrounded the eight-track ‘Devil’s Advocate‘ from earlier on in 2021, Shauno walks through the eerie shadows of self-doubt to firmly face those enticing long-haired ‘Demons‘.

Shauno is a fast rising twenty year-old northwest Chicago, Illinois-based indie hip hop artist with a tightly barreled flow that has you turning up the volume all the way.

This is the gripping story about wondering if they are going to actually stay so you can show the love that you have waiting to blossom, or if you should just keep quiet for now. Rapped with a reflective glance into the window of the future, this is a freshly brewed single that has you warmly wrapped into this message of keeping your feelings inside to avoid hurt.

In just under two minutes, Shauno shows us why the hype is real about this flourishing hip-hop artist who seems to have bags of charm to spare and displays his refreshing flow to get the temperature up the max. With descriptive lyrics that lets you know what he wants, you feel like there is so much potential to truly advance if he wants it enough.

‘Demons‘ from the youthful Chicago rapper Shauno, is a quick-fire track all about trying to find your heart again in this world that tries to force you to be cold inside those blood-thirsty veins. He wants to tell her exactly how he feels – but in the back of his mind he is wondering if she is for real – or might be ready to dash away forever at any moment.

Hear this new single on Spotify and see more from this rising artist on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

West Ingston brings the Jekyll and Hyde vibes in his alt-pop hit, Bone Apple Tea.

Posted on 29 September 2021

Houston-born, Chicago-based alt-pop artist West Ingston’s standout 2021 single, Bone Apple Tea, is just as ingenious as the inventive title implies. His melodic hooks are just as clever as the conceptuality of his music.

With spoken word increments that are rough enough to make Iggy Pop’s vocals sound polished around the artist’s RnB pop vocals, Bone Apple Tea tells a story of duality that you can’t help but be hooked in by. The Jekyll and Hyde vibe adds an incredible dynamic to the tender jazzy indie-pop track that serves as an incredible testament to West Ingston’s boundary-breaking avant-garde expressionism.

You can drink in Bone Apple Tea by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Summer Energy: Chicago’s The Startin’ Lineup takes us along into the ‘Late Night Cruisin’ (feat. Megan Stacy)

Posted on 21 September 2021

With a sultry energy to get us into the mood to vibe, The Startin’ Lineup helps us flow and kick back to the weekend just the way it should be on ‘Late Night Cruisin‘ (feat. Megan Stacy).

The Startin’ Lineup is a Chicago-based hip hop/R&B group formed in 2004 that comprises of various rappers, singers, producers, writers and sound engineers, who all help make this a sizzling track to truly remember.

With a date night flow, silky vocals, catchy soul beats and a chip-packed raps, this is the story about finding that night light to have you feeling so many better about life and in a content buzz to keep strong all night long. There is much to dive into here – with an experienced outfit who understand what good music sounds like – to help our tired souls replenish rather splendidly.

‘Late Night Cruisin’ (feat. Megan Stacy) from Chicago hip-hop/RnB group The Startin’ Lineup, is that 2am burger-eating, laid-back chillin’, drink-sippin’ cloud nine song to have you forgetting all your worries away like yesterdays newspaper. This is a summer romantic track to get you into the cheeky mood to have fun, and is one of the smoothest tracks of the year so far. Life can be so good, if you are in the right mindset and with the right people.

Hear this top new single on Spotify and see more via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Out Of The Dark: October Brigade move into the light to find the trembling truth on ‘Ashes to Ashes’

Posted on 16 September 2021

As the heat rises and the pain intensifies, October Brigade look for a way out of these dark days and gloomy nights of never ending carnage with a stunning performance on their latest track called ‘Ashes to Ashes‘.

October Brigade is a Chicago, Illinois-based EDM duo that was formed by the well-respected Eric McLear and Jerome Cunningham.

”Writing, collaborating, and performing together in a variety of projects they bring their brand of musical stylings to life and share the results of that creative process.” ~ October Brigade

On a superb track that has your mind racing furiously and your heart beating uncontrollably, there is an air of rescue from a wonderfully-made new track full of movie-like soundscapes. The vocals are incredibly pure and the ominously beautiful beat takes you places into your own mind where you have escaped before, as you find the keys and get away from all the impending doom.

‘Ashes to Ashes‘ from the Chicago-based EDM duo October Brigade, is that true story about seeking a way out of that scary darkness so that you may find the true place for you to reside. With a breathtaking beat and sung with a stunningly body-shivering vocal ambiance, this is that get-me-out type of track to lift you up from the fiery fires of current times that need escaping from. We are interwoven crisply into a truly uplifting song here, which has been made with a haunting story that so many of us find ourselves in currently.

Stream this new single on Spotify and see more on the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen