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Milky – a deeply personal and honest debut with ‘I Miss You Mum’

Posted on 26 June 2021

Rising Brighton-based rap artist Milky has taken a bold step with releasing such a poignant, personal, and utterly confessional track as his debut single, but what a track it is; from the beautiful opening vocal courtesy of hometown friend Amy Owens, to the opening stanzas of Milky’s storytelling lyrical poetry (‘…those doctors can go fuck themselves/Yeah, I cut myself/It fuckin’ helps…’) ‘I Miss You Mum’ is just raw, open, and honest, and beautifully put together.

Released on We Are Not Saints records, a not-for-profit label and promotions company which works with musicians in recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction; Milky is, himself, a recovering addict, a theme addressed within the lyrics alongside the narrative of the loss of his mother when he was aged just seven years old.

It’s a stunningly powerful track, truthful and honest without being maudlin or melancholic, hopeful rather than downbeat. On the basis of this, there’s a lot more to come from Milky.

Listen to ‘I Miss You Mum’ on Spotify – follow Milky on Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Alex Holmes

We Are Not The Same: K.I.R.B. tires of the fake competition who have limited skills on ‘Back Down’ (Prod. YUNGBRATZ)

Posted on 25 June 2021
https://soundcloud.com/77701/back-downprod-yungbratz

With his fast-paced delivery that slams all doubters to the dusty curb, K.I.R.B. rips through the top floor and tells us exactly how he feels about those who do it wrong and need to retire on ‘Back Down‘ (Prod. YUNGBRATZ).

K.I.R.B. is a young and emerging San Diego, California rapper who is nineteen years old. He solidifies each bar with an unmistakable edge that cuts through all doubts – as he shows his highly flying skills with real music – which shows us his determination, to not let any circumstance define him.

”Growing up in a low-income neighborhood of Imperial County, Michael Kirby spent most of his time surviving. Surrounded by crime, drugs and violence, he turned inward to find his salvation. He started writing poetry while in middle school and started making music in high school. Now 19, he loves performing because it allows him to express himself. “My parents did a great job protecting me from that environment by keeping me inside the house during my childhood,” Kirby said. “But without music, I probably would be lost.” – K.I.R.B.

His raw raps are consistently rugged and with boundless energy, your heart is moved into your mouth as you marvel at his terrific style, that swarms over the beat like a hungry musician who knows where he is going. This is the mark of a future great – who feels like he is in tune to what he needs to produce – as his name is on the lips of all rap fans, who follow the underdogs making their claim for the throne.

‘Back Down‘ (Prod. YUNGBRATZ) from the rising underground California rapper K.I.R.B., is a focused effort that shows his intent and he drops down like Batman, with a fiery effort which is of the highest quality. He is ready to take over and asks that the minor rappers leave their mics at home, as he is going to expose anyone who displays weak skills. He is not the same as the rest.

Stream this new single via Soundcloud and check out his IG for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

No Games: Brooklyn’s Jah Nino isn’t looking for love on ‘Missing Me’

Posted on 25 June 2021

As he remembers her sweet kisses all over his lips as they drew closer together, Jah Nino tries to explain that he doesn’t want to settle down right now as he looks to stack that paper only on ‘Missing Me‘.

Jah Nino is a fiery Brooklyn, New York City-based trap rapper, singer-songwriter of Jamaican descent. He formulates that quick-fire music that is meant to be played loud in the car while cruising with the crew, or on full volume at the local club.

His bars slam hard onto the catchy beat that shows us into the story into the steamy bedroom – where things were hot and spicy – but not designed to last forever either. He swirls onto the mic and keeps things short and to the point, as he lets us know that she isn’t going to get a reply.

‘Missing Me‘ from the honest Brooklyn singer/trap rapper Jah Nino, shows us a man who isn’t keen to slow down and be with just one person. He is rather after that huge bank account so he can retire comfortable and feels like this is his time to shine. He knows that she is missing him – but showing his feelings isn’t something that he wants – or has time to do.

Hear this new track on Spotify and check out his IG for more visuals and stories.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Simulated Youth – Digital Memories, featuring Rielle & Camoragi; a trap anthem for the cyber age.

Posted on 25 June 2021
https://youtu.be/IBQXC29Q86Q

US alt-electronica artist Simulated Youth is set to release his two-track release, Digital Memories, featuring vocals from Rielle & Camorag. Thankfully, he has stayed true to his signature cyberpunk EDM style that we have come to adore while creating a trap anthem for the cyber age with the title track.

The canter in the rap bars is just as dizzying as the melodic command in the reverb swathed synths in the bass-riding single that is just as conceptual as the preceding releases from Simulated Youth. This time, he tells a two-sided story of breaking up in the modern age where it is impossible to disconnect from the people we have grown apart from with the digital tethers that keep us connected. Digital Memories is for everyone that has ever scorned Facebook memories for reminding us of our exes. Especially if those exes belong in a private hall of shame.

With only a hint of hyperbole, experiencing the danceable drop for the first time may have been the highlight of my 2021. Simulated Youth is easily one of our favourite discoveries this year. His devilishly meta production style is enough to make a sapiosexual weak at the knees.

You can check out Digital Memories from June 25th here.

Connect with Simulated Youth via Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lee Smythe raises a smile with ‘It’s Me’

Posted on 25 June 2021

How to describe Lee Smythe; well, if there’s a word somewhere specifically for that  anachronistic blend of quirky indie vibe perfection and total mainstream pop hit, then that would be a starting point to jump off.

‘It’s Me’, the follow-up to recent EP ‘King Of Cups’, is exactly that – something indescribably great that doesn’t quite fit into any pigeonhole you might have set aside for it. In the same vein as artists like the Urban Voodoo Machine, The Great Malarky, or the Jim Jones Revue, Smythe seems to straddle stylistic boundaries without ever really even noticing they’re there – part old-time London pub sing-along, part indie-pop cool, part alt-jazz musicality.

There’s touches of Daniel Powter, Jamie Cullum, and Harry Connick Jr. in here, but all with a mainstream pop take, and some cute-as-hell little vocal asides-to-camera; it’s just catchy as hell cool-as-fuck indie-pop awesomeness, and it’s absolutely grin-inducing.

Perfection in 4 minutes 12 seconds.

Check out Lee Smythe on Spotify and Instagram.

Review by Alex Holmes

Ludy doesn’t need no ‘Favors’

Posted on 25 June 2021

You can take the girl out of the Midwest, it seems, but you can’t take the Midwest out of the girl; what you can do, however, is mix that with the palm trees and art deco stucco of Miami Beach, and end up with a fiercely independent, upbeat and upfront sound and bold, bright production. Marrying smooth deep cuts jazz, stylish vocal harmonies, and old-skool beats and bassline, all backing Lucy’s silky smooth, vocals and fresh, feisty lyrics.

‘Favors’ is that perfect mix of souful, poppy, R&B with a little dash of hip hop and some smoky jazz-club cool, all married to some seriously stylish, glamourous visuals. It’s a perfect cocktail – cool, smooth, and over way too soon.

Check out Ludy on YouTube and Instagram.

Review by Alex Holmes

Got Caught Up: St Oshun wants to rewind the pulsating party on ‘The Joint’

Posted on 25 June 2021

Formerly known as The Charles Walker Band who were based in and are one of the most respected acts in Milwaukee, St Oshun change up the flow to water our mouths even more with their tasty new single that will have you reminiscing on ‘The Joint‘.

St Oshun is a Hollywood-based indie-pop act formed by Porsche Carmon and C-Dub. They makes music with a real message and strive to leave their mark on this rather odd world, that needs lots of love so that proper change can be made.

”The song offers a message of empowerment to women because the woman doesn’t feel helpless because of her mistake,” C-Dub said. “She is ready to move on and learn from the experience. The song message is, ‘Yeah, I screwed up. We all do. It was fun. It was stupid. Let’s move on.” – C-Dub from St Oshun

‘The Joint‘ from the luminescent Hollywood-based indie act St Oshun, is a story that started all the way back in Milwaukee with their guitarist Christian. After the song evolved from a love that faded after summer to a story about the repercussions of a hot and steamy one night stand after a few naughty refreshments, this is a track that lights up your mind and reminds you of those youthful times. Moving on is the only way to deal with these moments, as stewing will only thicken the pot and makes you feel bloated.

This is a fresh new single from St Oshun that displays their quality songwriting, energetic beats and stunning vocals – all packed lovingly into one tasteful mix – that is so pleasurable for us to all consume.

Stream this fine new single on Spotify and check out their IG for more news.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Observe the 93rd – punchy, potent, power-pop with new single ‘TRL’

Posted on 25 June 2021
Observe the 93rd

Based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, Observe The 93rd make a hell of a racket for a duo; that’s intended as a compliment, both vocalist/guitarist Derek Henry and drummer Dylan Zepp making some formidably good alt-rock power-pop noise. ‘TRL’ opens with a picked guitar line that’s kinda reminiscent of Blink 182’s ‘Adam’s Song’ or ‘I Miss You’, gently reverb-ed and turned up front and centre in the mix, before the track smacks you in the face like a badly-landed kick-flip; yeah, it’s got that ‘skater-punk’ feel in parts, a little of Simple Plan or Good Charlotte, but there’s an extra bit of heaviosity to the guitars, too, along with a Calling-like SERIOUSLY pop -driven, hook-laden catchiness to the chorus that works its way into your head really, really easily and then refuses to ever leave again.

It’s an absolute belter of a tune. You can check out Observe the 93rd on YouTube or here.

Review by Alex Holmes

Giovan has made a haunting debut with ‘Listen to My Demons’ featuring Aria Chablis King.

Posted on 25 June 2021

‘Listen to My Demons’ is the hauntingly introspective debut single from LA alt-indie artist Giovan. The tender ballad pulls in neo-classic nuances that run right alongside contemporary, artful styling that we hope will become synonymous with the Guatemalan-American singer-songwriter’s sound.

Listen to My Demons is easily the best duet released since Alex Cameron’s collaboration with Angel Olsen. Aria Chablis King’s quiescently vulnerable vocals bring an intense depth to the release. You won’t get much choice when it comes to falling into the pensive command of the release that is constructed with intricate piano progressions and layered vocals that conceptually never harmonise.

Giovan orchestrates music to help pull people through the hardest times in their lives; it is safe to say he succeeded in his debut. The way he brings beauty to the raw and alienating concept of your demons being your only friends amplifies the signal that you are never alone in your loneliness. Our superficial reality practically enforces it. Naturally, we can’t wait to hear what he has in store for his sophomore release.

Listen to My Demons will officially release on June 25th; you can check it out for yourselves via Spotify or Giovan’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jakliu – Frustration, stagnation, isolation, and loneliness with “CATSPIT”

Posted on 25 June 2021
Jakliu

Hot on the heels of his recent remix of Irish electropop artist Ae Mak’s ‘Jamie’ comes this, Jakliu’s debut single ‘CATSPIT’. Gentle, pulled-back vocals mixed with repeating drone notes and electronic drum loops, ‘CATSPIT’ is a mix of ambient, electropop, and electronica, taking in later Radiohead and Thom Yorke’s solo work, bits of the Aphex Twin, Dave Monolith, Caribou, Beatwife, Luke Vibert, and the whole gamut of Warp and Rephlex records stablemates.

It’s chilled and mellow yet challenging and forthright, inspired by themes of stagnation and isolation and Jakliu’s frustration at the mediocrity of everyday life and at the slow decline of creativity and arts in a world fixated on cheap, easy fame and fleeting Social Media celebrity.

You can check out Jakliu on SoundCloud and Instagram.

Review by Alex Holmes