Browsing Tag

90s

Nikki Hayes delivered cyclical sorrow and superlative soul in ‘Same One, Different Face’

We were still under Nikki Hayes’ spell after hearing her hit 2023 single Safe, which solidified her status as one of the most promising voices in the contemporary RnB scene; with her latest single, Same One, Different Face, the Chicago-born, Arizona-based artist surpassed herself by unveiling her most evocative single to date.

Even the title of the single is bruising with its nod to how even if one door closes and another opens, cyclical patterns in relationships haunt us and paint a tormenting fate that leaves us destined towards cynicism. The refreshed 90s RnB aesthetic became an affecting playground for Hayes’ vocals which go beyond hitting the notes with poise as they strike every raw nerve in the soul through this vignette of how easy it can be to forego vulnerability to save yourself from the dejection of disappointment.

By reaching the epitome of sublime soul with Same One, Different Face while never letting the gloss of the modern production get in the way of the lyrical resonance, Nikki Hayes has to be one step closer to a Grammy of her own after working with swathes Grammy award-winning producers and artists in her expansive career.

Same One, Different Face hit streaming platforms on April 12; add the single to your Spotify playlists.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Grunge Father Let His Demons Out to Play in an Exclusive A&R Factory Interview

In an evocative interview with A&R Factory, The Grunge Father delves into the soul-stirring depths of his debut album, ‘Demons‘, which unravels as a raw, introspective journey through the labyrinth of personal struggles and the relentless pursuit of clarity amidst life’s chaos.

With a nod to the gritty essence of Seattle’s grunge era, The Grunge Father weaves a tapestry of emotive narratives, each track a chapter in a larger story of battling and acknowledging one’s inner demons. His unique blend of melodic grunge, infused with introspective lyrics and acoustic warmth, offers a fresh perspective on the genre.

As he discusses the creative process, inspirations, and the cathartic experience of bringing ‘Demons’ to life, readers are invited to delve into a world where darkness is met with the resilience of the human spirit, a theme that resonates universally.

The Grunge Father, thanks for sitting down with us to discuss your debut album, Demons, what are the emotional themes which underpin this release?

Thank you for having me. With ‘Demons’ I wanted to create a strong theme throughout the album which all tied together. The album is mostly about my own personal Demons and the life experiences I have had with them. I try to shine some light on the darkness and mazes of life and our constant search for clarity among the chaos.

I am aware that everyone has their own Demons and I hope they can relate in some way. I think anyone of age has gone through some kind of personal struggle with their inner Demons. Whether it be with addiction, low points, vices etc. There will be voices in your head which have conflicting views trying to pull you one way and then the other. The Demon is always there lurking in the shadows but you always have a choice in what to do? Will you give in to the Demon or fight it and battle through? This is how I see life. It is a constant fight against the creatures which live inside you.

I wrote the songs and put them on the album in that specific order to tell the story that I have personally been through and tried to cover all the different angles from which I see life. Although the album is quite dark, I do hope people can take a lot of positivity from it with the main theme being ‘acknowledge that your Demons are there and then do your best to slay them or keep them at bay.

We love how the Seattle sound resounds through your uniquely melodic grungy sonic signature, what is it about the era that continues to inspire you? 

Grunge music and the bands which came out of Seattle in the early ’90s had a rawness which instantly resonated with me from the age of 8. I was hooked instantly and listened to cassette tapes on repeat. I don’t know if it’s because I listened to Grunge music so much growing up but whenever I write songs where I am trying to express an emotion through the lyrics, the songs have a gungey vibe and that is completely unconscious. I was in metal bands for years and also have played and written a lot of Jazz and Blues music but I find Grunge is the best way to convey an emotion or tell a story.

For your new listeners, where would you say your sound fits in the grunge genre?

I would like to say I take a unique approach to the genre while keeping the foundations as a baseline. Out of the big grunge bands, my music is definitely more in line with Nirvana and Silverchair than any of the other big Grunge bands. I don’t think I quite fit in with the ‘Post Grunge’ category that much, as I feel the bands which are labelled as this have more of a nu-metal sound.

The acoustic fingerpicked guitars bring swathes of warmth to juxtapose the evocative vocal performance of the lyrics, was this an easy stylistic choice to make? 

Yes to refer back to your previous question this is hopefully where my own style cuts through. Especially on this unplugged album where I felt it needed more depth. My approach here was slightly different to other music I have written previously because your standard power chords don’t round out the sound enough and get lost in the mix. There are a lot of fuller and melodic chords used to fill the space where the distorted guitars would normally sit and the guitar picking parts are opened up to interact melodically with vocals.

How long has the LP been in the making?

I spent a bit of time writing the songs with no real set period and just waited until it all came together organically before going into the studio. As I write and play everything myself, it does take a bit of time because the last thing you want to do is rush it. When I finished recording all the parts I took about a month or so to let it sink in and see if there were any parts not working. I then went back into the studio to mix and master it. All in all, it took about a year.

What was the most rewarding part of bringing Demons to fruition? 

This is my first unplugged/acoustic album to be released and that within itself is really rewarding to me. It was a challenge and a different recording process, but I feel the hard work has paid off. I am also glad that the story of the inner demons seems to have come through and resonated with people.

What’s next for The Grunge Father? 

So for the next few weeks, I will continue to promote the album and my first single ‘Seesaw’ then it will be straight onto the next album which is written with guide tracks ready to go.

While I get things sorted for the next album, I will continue to record some grunge classics. These will go up on my YouTube and social media platforms. I will also start to document and film more behind-the-scenes footage from the writing and recording process.

Stream Demons (Unplugged) on Spotify now.

Interview by Amelia Vandergast

Kneel at the altar of indie rock gospel with True North’s latest release, Love is in Command

Following a leftfield electronica-esque prelude that’s tinged with 90s rave culture, True North’s latest single, Love is in Command reaches its euphorically riotous alt-rock epicentre before grooving into a swathed with soul anthem.

With each new progression comes a lesson in seamlessly transitional experimentalism. The only constant between the switches in style, passion and tone is the infectious energy which pulls you deeper into the uninhibited zeal of the release crafted by the UK-based coven of independent songwriters.

With the shimmering organs and soul-wrapped backing harmonies around the Happy Mondays-reminiscent rhythms, Love is in Command is gospel for any indie kids who never need an excuse to kneel at the altar of 90s nostalgia.

True North, led by Reg Kielty, perceptibly succeeded in their mission of creating an eclectic brimming-with-commercial-potential hit which delivers authentic, honest, and no-frills songwriting. We couldn’t be more obsessed with the aura of this earworm if we tried.

Love is in Command was officially released on March 4th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Giant Killers delivered fatalistically sweet indie jangle pop blows in their alt-90s time capsule, Around the Blocks

Songs for the Small Places by Giant Killers

Tracks originally written and recorded in 1995 by Brighton’s Giant Killers when they were signed to MCA Records have finally reached the airwaves. The standout indie jangle pop single, Around the Blocks, from their forthcoming LP, is an authentically nostalgic dream. With hints of Coffee and TV within the R.E.M.-esque college radio rock production, which sees the choruses endlessly ascend and the verses pull you in deeper through the affectionately sharp hooks, Around the Blocks is a tonic for the melancholic soul.

With a frenetic closing sonic chapter which echoes the palpitating pacing of the hit Brimful of Asha, Giant Killers clearly know how to make an ever-lasting impression with their sound, which doesn’t go as far as sticky-sweet; there’s far too much indie rock renegade grit within their compassionately confrontational lyricism.

With their ‘songs for the small places’ LP, Giant Killers aren’t only delivering melodic salvation to the ennui-inclined. £2 of every sale of the LP will be donated to Campaign Against Living Miserably, a charity dedicated to saving lives through suicide prevention. Given the gravitas of Around the Blocks, which will see your soul sweep higher than the transcendentally tight melodies, you shouldn’t need any additional incentive to partake in the nostalgically euphonic bliss. But it’s incredible to see an artist not solely skating by on the signals of their virtue. Giant Killers are putting momentum behind real tangible change.

Hear Around the Blocks on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The dust of desert rock gelled with the sludge of grunge in Jeremy Phillips & The Ozark Grunge’s latest single, Hell Into Home

We’ve scarcely returned to the 21st century after revisiting the 90s with Jeremy Phillips & The Ozark Grunge’s single, Crazy. Proving that they’re more than just a one-trick sonic pony, they’ve dropped another nostalgia atom bomb with their lamentatively exhilarating single, Hell Into Home.

If Kurt Cobain had a little more of a Southern twang to his vocal lines and arrestively brashy swagger to his guitar hooks, Nirvana’s seminal hits would have swum in the very same vein as this epitome of an earworm.

The tight instrumentation lends itself effortlessly well to the grungily cosmic songwriting that entices you into the centre of the dusty-with-desert-rock-atmospherics hit that mourns the loss of a home becoming a house in the absence of the person that made the brick-and-mortar a place worth coming back to.

Stream Hell Into Home, which was officially released on July 21, via Spotify and YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

UK-based house/techno legend Hugo Ryder helps us get back into the zone with In To Focus

Hitting the right notes and sliding on that awaiting dancefloor like an OG who knows what the crowd wants, Hugo Ryder is in no mood to mess around and has dropped something to party with all night long on In To Focus.

Hugo Ryder is a UK-based founding member of the famous Professional Misconduct sound system and an absolute legend in the techno and house scene.

Thundering in with something rather intensely vein-popping, Hugo Ryder is on absolute fire and shall summon the best vibes within and slice away all bad juices that serve no purpose.

In To Focus from the UK-based house music producer and DJ Hugo Ryder is a rather scintillating entry into our hearts when needed most. There is a thrilling energy to filter through into our awaiting souls, by a skilled pro who knows how to push our buttons rather sweetly.

If you like powerful music with a buzzsaw-like aura to cut through the nonsense outside, this is the winner you have been looking for.

Listen up on SoundCloud.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

“Grime Meets the Dancefloor: Chiron Loxton’s Electrifying ‘Ibiza’ Journey”

“Ibiza” by Chiron Loxton is a track that defies expectations in the best way possible. From the moment the song kicks off with thumping “booty-bass” reminiscent of late 90s dance club electronica, you might think you know what to expect. However, Mr. Loxton takes you on a surprising journey as he starts rapping in a talented and gritty grime style.

The fusion of rapid-fire rapping and catchy dance club music creates a captivating and unique combination. Initially, it may seem like an unlikely pairing, but as the song progresses, you can’t help but be drawn in. Chiron Loxton’s skilled delivery and confident flow blend seamlessly with the energetic beats, resulting in a musical experience that demands attention.

“Ibiza” stands out as a testament to Chiron Loxton’s versatility as an artist. It showcases his ability to take unexpected risks and make them work flawlessly. The song is a refreshing departure from the ordinary, injecting a sense of excitement and freshness into the dance music scene.

This track’s ability to surprise and captivate is its strongest asset. It grabs your attention, making you pause and think, “Huh, that’s different, and it’s wonderful.” Chiron Loxton  demonstrates a strong command of his craft, effortlessly navigating the rapid rhythms and infusing the song with his unique style.

“Ibiza” is a bold and innovative offering that pushes the boundaries of genre conventions. It’s a reminder that music has the power to break down barriers and create unexpected connections. Chiron Loxton has crafted a track that is both catchy and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who listens.

Pour me another one: Areeyedee parties the night away from the drama on Drinkin All Night

On a catchy beat which will seduce many minds into a booze-filled story which feels like a movie, Areeyedee drowns those sorrows away and just wants to forget these frustrating romantic issues on Drinkin All Night.

Areeyedee is a Kansas-born Texas-raised Darmstadt, Germany-based indie genre-less artist who was the lead singer in a rock band in the ’90s.

This song tells the story of a man who has just broken up with his girlfriend and is drowning his sorrows at a bar with his friend. As they drink, they commiserate about their relationships and talk about their troubles with their respective partners.” ~ Areeyedee

Fusing hip-hop, rock, pop, country and EDM together, Areeyedee sees the devil in disguise and drops a story which will enthral many and have others rather spellbound with an unheard-of emotional understanding to plunder deeply into.

Drinkin All Night from Darmstadt, Germany-based indie genre-less artist Areeyedee is a swashbuckling performance which is as honest as they come. Rapped with a determined mindset while swigging another one, this is a tremendously outstanding song which might take many back into that sweaty bar.

Listen up on loud via Spotify.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

90s Nostalgia meets the future of house in the Freshcobar & Golden Girl Remix of ‘Missing’.

Freshcobar & Golden Girl gave the iconic 1994 hit, Missing by Everything But the Girl the house treatment in their entrancing new remix that is set to drop on all major platforms on April 28th. The indie guitars have been stripped-back to make room for the big beats, even bigger drops, and the colossal atmosphere that cloaks the remix drenches you in nostalgia while allowing you to simultaneously sample the future of house music.

The Missing Remix is the third single from the producer Freshcobar and the San Diego vocalist Golden Girl. Together, they reincarnated the 90s classic hit with far more intensity and fervour than the original contained, but the vocal mystique is right on brand. The deserts may have missed the rain, but my God, the dancefloors will have also missed this hit. Not all heroes wear capes, sometimes they’re reimagining and enlivening the soundtracks to our youth.

The remix will launch via NOS Recordings; check it out on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Groove back to the 90s with Mike Di Lorenzo’s RnB hit, Holding All My Love, ft. Anna Moore

By fusing 90s RnB with his signature jazz soul textures, producer Mike Di Lorenzo and vocalist, Anna Moore created a sonic nostalgia atom bomb which ignited through the contemporary bold stylings with their latest single, Holding All My Love.

With the hooks sharpened by the pop elements and the grooves riding through the dance licks, few tracks are as efficacious in their ability to make you move and feel in the same funk-dripping breath. The instrumentals are just as passion-slicked as the vocal lines that wrap around the lyrics, which prove that instant gratification can never match the real thing.

After the success of his charting 2022 album, What We Need, which also featured the resolvingly impassioned vocal lines from Anna Moore, Mike Di Lorenzo is right back in the Grammy-worthy groove with Holding All My love.

Holding All My Love will officially release on March 24th. Hear it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast