Browsing Tag

Debut EP

Interview: Marshall Stain Teased What’s To Come in His Debut EP and Spoke on Creativity

Posted on 4 November 2022

Ahead of the release of his debut EP, VILLAIN YOU LOVE, A&R Factory caught up with the dynamically contemporary world music artist, Marshall Stain, to discuss inspiration, creativity and the cutting-edge releases making their way to the airwaves.

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Marshall Stain, welcome to A&R Factory! We loved your latest single, ZOMBIE; would you say you found your signature sound with this release?

“I wouldn’t necessarily say Zombie is my signature sound, to be honest, but it’s definitely inspired by the sounds I’ve been taking in, particularly Amapiano, and you kind of hear that with the use of the “log drum” on the hook.”

What is your songwriting process?

“It varies, some records start as a random melody that’s in my voice memos, and some are written according to where the instrumental takes me. I’m in between pen and no pen; it depends.”

Is there anyone else involved with the production of your music?

“Of course, mainly my engineer/producer who helps me steer the music typically in the postproduction phase to a whole new sonic direction. That is why I call every song I record an idea.”

And how would you describe your lyrical style? We’ve noticed you go dark with your song titles.

“Honest. The music will always reflect the place I was in when writing the song. So, when it’s all rainbows and sunshine, the titles will be parallel.”

Which artists had the greatest influence on you as an artist?

“A bunch, to be honest, because I used to rap, but it’s mainly been Burna boy, J Hus and Frank Ocean.”

Aside from other artists, what inspires you to write music?

“Artists always inspire me. I’m an athlete at heart; everything and anything can be competitive. I’ve written some of my best records after hearing a song and wishing I wrote it. I apply my own experiences as subject matter, but it all stems from the artists.”

What should we expect from your upcoming releases that are in the pipeline?

“Zombie is the lead single off my EP, which by the time this is published will be out. My debut EP, VILLAIN YOU LOVE, is out on the 4th of November, and I’m pretty gassed to share it with the world. The next EP is ready too. So, let’s see how soon it needs sharing.”

Interview by Amelia Vandergast

I Need Your Loving: John Roman can’t seem to hide from the darkness on Bad Omen

Posted on 16 August 2022

With his debut EP on the way in 2023, John Roman teases us with a haunting underground single all about trying to be strong when you can’t seem to hold back your evil ways on Bad Omen.

John Roman is a 25-year-old Belgian indie pop singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and graphic designer who performs with such supreme poise.

”Started writing music a few years ago but trying to do things properly now.” ~ John Roman

Saucing our imaginations up like a professional chef, John Roman is in no mood to sleep tonight and seems to slice with careful precision on this cutting edge new soundtrack to the underworld.

Bad Omen by the talented Belgian indie pop singer-songwriter John Roman is a simply exhilarating song from a genuinely impressive artist who is on a mission to break away from a cold streak. Urging his better soul to bring him back from the dark ways that could destroy everything, this is a statement single that shall claw at your ceiling tonight.

With sensational vocals and a brooding soundscape that will take you where there is never sunshine, you will find yourself feeling extra anxious after listening to this fine effort.

Hear this top new single on Spotify and see more news on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Drift away with Milk Bar Gang’s ethereal art-pop lullaby, Ozzie Ostriches Dream

Posted on 8 June 2022
OPEN by Milk Bar Gang

Taken from their debut EP, Open, the Milk Bar Gang’s standout single, Ozzie Ostriches Dream, is an ethereal lullaby; constructed to subdue you into an art-pop trance.

Any fans of Nico, PJ Harvey and Suicide will find just as much to favour in Ozzie Ostriches Dream, which wears influence from the 80s new wave, shoegaze, and cosmic pop as motifs affixed to the sheer originality that has been soporifically poured into this feat of transcendent avant-garde alchemy.

The reverb on the whispered vocals, the ring of the delayed guitars and the glassy aesthetic of the track all contribute to the intricately distinctive appeal that is sure to see the duo go far in 2022 and beyond.

Ozzie Ostriches Dream is now available to stream and purchase on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Latino fusionist, ROLF has released his most seductive track to date with OTRA NOCHE DE AMANTES

Posted on 14 February 2022

To follow on from his 2021 debut single, Soltera, the Latino alt-pop artist, ROLF unleashed his vibe-packed 6-track EP, ILUSIONES. For new fans to his seductively soulful style, OTRA NOCHE DE AMANTES is the ultimate introduction.

With the Spanish lyricism, for English monolingual minds, there’s an air of mystery. When the lyrics are translated, ROLF keeps his enigmatic allure which also resonates in his fusion of spacey ambient electronica, Latin pop, and RnB.

To amplify the demure energy, ROLF brought in jazz and rock nuances to ensure that you are well and truly transfixed by the outro. OTRA NOCHE DE AMANTES may be a short and sweet track, but considering that it delivers 2-minutes of aural bliss, it leaves nothing to be desired.

OTRA NOCHE DE AMANTES is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tel Aviv’s latest luminary, ViRa has released her jazzy soul-pop debut EP, Non-Fiction.

Posted on 31 January 2022

The Tel Aviv-based singer-songwriter ViRa has released her highly anticipated debut EP, Non-Fiction; a collection of songs composed to become unmistakably yours. The jazzy nuances in the soulful pop textures retain their elegance right the way through her raw soundscapes, especially in the standout single, Traveling Face, which she uses to confess that home is not a place to her. The sonic signature in Traveling Face almost finds the middle ground between Phoebe Bridgers, Amy Winehouse, Nora Jones and Adele but all reminiscences are extremely fleeting in the presence of the artist’s distinction.

The singer-songwriter has been writing songs since the age of 8, along with the influence of her musical parents; she also took influence from the likes of King Crimson (that would explain the artfully entrancing elements) and Coldplay for her authentically ambitious sound.

Traveling Face is now available to stream on Spotify along with ViRa’s debut EP.

Review by Amelia Vandergast
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LOGUIDICE embraces her bold autonomy in her debut RnB pop EP, ONE.

Posted on 29 October 2021
LOGUIDICE

While most pop artists perform behind façade and ego, the up and coming RnB pop artist LOGUIDICE gives you a multifaceted view of her soulful, spiritual and fierce persona in her debut EP, ONE.

Tracks 1, Mood, is a vibe-heavy sultry RnB hit that shows the Bethlehem, PA-residing artist’s salacious side; nestled beside her demure attitude is her mindful, self-aware lyricism and a gorgeous ‘don’t fuck with me’ sense of soul.

Elevator brings the funk to the EP before track three allows you to respect LOGUIDICE as a pop vocalist as well as a rap artist. The delicious cadence mixed with the hypnotic 90s RnB beats provides alchemic catharsis. To truly demonstrate her versatility, track 4, Overthinkin’ is a sombre downtempo ballad, and the concluding single, Magnetic exhibits the best of the songwriter’s skill when it comes to creating a mood with her atmospherically layered tracks.

No amount of hype put behind LOGUIDICE will ever be hyperbole. We can’t wait to hear how she will follow on from her phenomenally promising debut.

LOGUIDICE’s debut EP, ONE, will be available to stream from October 29th; it is available to stream and download via this link.

Connect with LOGUIDICE on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Fenris- ‘The Fire In The Night’

Posted on 14 August 2020

Fenris is here with a new 5 track EP and it’s fiery release is called ‘The Fire In The Night‘.

The result of a long and painful process, ‘The Fire in the Night‘ is the first solo EP to come from singer songwriter Fenris and this is a much-anticipated release. A diverse collection of songs with influences ranging from Indie Folk to 80’s Pop. The five track EP references injustice, sadness, anger and hope.

Lead singles ‘Faces‘ and ‘Echoes‘ were released earlier in 2020, the first of which has already amassed nearly 30,000 streams on Spotify and 140,000 views on The Vibeguide on YouTube. This EP is doing well already due to the quality music.

Music greeted Fenris like an old friend when he decided to return to it at a low point in his personal life. Fenris says to use his music to get to know him better, each song containing a little part of him and his story. I’m so happy that this singer has used music to get himself back to normal.

‘The Fire in the Night‘ is a fine release, full of introspective music with real stories of how crazy life has been lately. The pop sound is mixed with beautiful piano and dance beats to flow this to the top of our playlists. My personal favorite song is ‘Faces’. I love the undertone here and this song needs to be in a movie.

Fenris from ‘The Fire in the Night‘ is a fine EP full of ups and downs that transfixes our minds.

Stream here on Spotify.

Click here for the Facebook music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Cleveland’s The Vumms impress with groovy debut ”Count The Roses”

Posted on 13 June 2020

Count your blessings no matter what they are. You never know how long it’s going to last for as life has a way of smacking you on the bum from time to time.

Using the gifts that you have to make you blessed is vital too, otherwise you just never know what you could achieve. This is the message from the newcomers on the US Garage Rock scene. Their name is The Vumms and oh my goodness, they are an awesome band. With a great sound, positive lyrics and fantastic vocals, they have it all. After stumbling through some detours while recording, they have blessed us with the groovy-filled gem ”Count The Roses”. This is also the name of their debut 5 track EP that is a terrific listen. The boys sparkle brightly and I feel like their sound is timeless. They could be from the 60’s. I love the solos and feel like I have bright shades on, my hair is still long and I’m jamming to them at a dusty festival in the middle of nowhere.

Stream this awesome new band from Cleveland in Ohio right here on their Soundcloud channel and get into the groove.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Aliens in Bowties have made their Alt Rock debut with their fiercely authentic EP “Take Me to Your Tailor”

Posted on 21 May 2020

Up and coming Alt Rock 3-piece powerhouse Aliens in Bowties dropped their genre-defying debut EP Take Me to Your Tailor on May the 5th. Soundgarden, Metallica, She Wants Revenge, and Shinedown fans alike are going to want to hear it.

Each of the seismic shifts in tone and style in the four progressively fierce tracks is as viscerally captivating as the last. There’s a rare sense of urgency found in both the vocals and the tight instrumental arrangement. So, whether you’re enjoying Aliens in Bowties ability to spin intricate mellifluous melodicism or you’re caught in the frenzied electrifying doom-laden breakdowns, you’ll be equally as arrested.

One thing which remains as a constant is the mesmerism which spills from Mitch Rector’s vocals. In the slower track on the EP Mystery, he doesn’t hold back on the soul-bearing sultry romanticism. Yet in the first track “Hesitate” you’re treated to his uniquely volatile charisma which sets Alien in Bowties leagues apart from your average Alt Rock newcomer. Pair that with their prowess on a fretboard, and you’ve got a second reason to put Aliens in Bowties on your radar.

You can check out the EP for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast