Browsing Tag

Debut Single

Oscar Hoset serenaded the twilight in his progressive house pop hit, Evening People (A Midnight Rhapsody)

Posted on 31 January 2024

After making a name for himself as a cover artist, the Norwegian luminary, Oscar Hoset, has illuminated the night with his debut single Evening People (A Midnight Rhapsody).  If you want to hear the liberation of hedonism reflected through luscious progressive house pop hooks, hit play and brace yourself for the infectious momentum of the polished production that strides far past the cusp of contemporary dance-pop.

Oscar Hoset didn’t just stay in own lane with Evening People (A Midnight Rhapsody), he entered a completely new stratosphere while appealing to fans of Avicii, Kygo, and Martin Garrix with his debut which could easily be the most promising new entry in the dance-pop arena in 2024. At just 22 years old, he’s already perfected the art of infusing visceral rapture into his productions. We can’t wait to hear what comes next.

Evening People (A Midnight Rhapsody) was officially released on January 19th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Orizon made his disconcertingly disquiet debut with his avant-garde genre-evasion, WORMNO.1

Posted on 25 January 2024

Orizon’s debut single ‘WORMNO.1’ is a bold, genre-defying escapade that challenges the very fabric of musical norms. This avant-garde piece is a manifesto of Orizon’s unbridled creativity and audacious vision. From the outset, ‘WORMNO.1’ captivates with a cascade of keys, reminiscent of the haunting tones of the ‘Clockwork Orange’ soundtrack. It’s a journey that begins in classical territory but quickly diverges into a realm where hip-hop beats and neo-classical elements coalesce into something entirely new. Orizon’s dark, mantra-like vocals serve as a grounding force amidst the chaos, offering a comforting anchor in this storm of sound.

Listening to ‘WORMNO.1’ is akin to imagining Glenn Branca’s ‘The Ascension’ reimagined with a hip-hop heartbeat. The track is a testament to Orizon’s ability to bend genres to his will, creating a soundscape that is as disquieting as it is mesmerising. The juxtaposition of classical serenity and hip-hop’s raw energy creates a disarming effect, reflecting the tumultuous nature of human emotions and relationships.

Orizon’s debut album, ‘RADIO (INPINK)’, promises to be a journey through love’s many stages, with ‘WORMNO.1’ setting the tone for this exploration through a blend of anarchy, sophistication, and a touch of synth supervillainy.

In ‘WORMNO.1’, Orizon laid down the gauntlet for the future of music. It’s a bold statement from an artist unafraid to venture into uncharted territories. As the final notes fade, one thing is clear: Orizon is not just here to play music; he’s here to change the game.

WORMNO.1 was officially released on the 2nd of January; stream the track on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Liya Shapiro delivered darkwave decadence in her debut single, The Thing

Posted on 25 December 2023

Fuse the dark decadence of Lydia Lunch, PJ Harvey, and Siouxsie Sioux with the electronic southern gothic beguile of Chelsea Wolfe, Interpol-esque guitar lines and the trip-hop aesthetic of Massive Attack, and you’ll alchemise a sound as scintillating as the atmosphere within Liya Shapiro’s debut single, The Thing, which officially released on December 15.

After a sequence of stabbing synths that could have been torn from a John Carpenter score, post-punk synthetics start to bleed into the hypnotism of the production which leaves discordant effects to linger in the shadows, harbingering a forboding energy, as striking as the avant-garde tones within Glenn Branca’s The Ascension.

Once you’ve torn yourself away from the grip of the instrumental magnetism, you’ll lock into the lyrical poetry as it elucidates the intangible nature of love. By using dark, almost nihilistically macabre, imagery between the sweetly abstract sentiments, dualism drives through the debut from the London-based singer-songwriter, whose lyrical ambiguity opens a labyrinth of corridors in the mind as you attempt to extrapolate meaning.

The abstractions within the poetry also serve to prevent the single from becoming a derivatively paradoxical debut. To speak of the unspeakable and pretend to possess a firm grip of an incomprehensible emotional and spiritual phenomenon would only cheapen the track which pays a true ode to the ephemeral and constantly in flux constructs of love.

We can’t wait to hear what Liya Shapiro has in the pipeline for her sophomore release.

Stream The Thing on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Hannah Johnson’s Latest Single, Slow Motion, is a Soulful Pop Revelation

Posted on 20 December 2023

American singer-songwriter, Hannah Johnson marked her striking entry into the music world with her debut single Slow Motion. This soulful pop masterpiece deftly subverts conventional pop tropes, introducing a fresh and invigorating sound to the genre.

From the outset, the track captivates with its killer slap bass, a bold choice that enriches the song’s texture. This element, woven into the intricate mix, creates an intoxicating rhythm that embodies the essence of the song’s theme: how passion can seemingly halt the passage of time. Johnson’s skill in blending this unconventional bass line with the traditional pop structure is a testament to her innovative artistry.

Johnson’s vocals are nothing short of mesmerising. Her smooth, sultry tones glide effortlessly over the exotic instrumentals, creating an auditory experience that is both soothing and exhilarating. The way her voice intertwines with the music evokes idyllic and deeply emotive imagery. This imagery, coupled with the song’s warm melodies, makes Slow Motion an ideal antidote to chilly December nights.

For those seeking a fresh pop sound, Hannah Johnson’s Slow Motion is a must-listen.

Slow Motion was officially released on December 15; stream it on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

my•escy has made his Avant-Garde horrorcore debut with ‘Milk Teeth’

Posted on 15 December 2023

my•escy’s debut avant-garde hip-hop single, Milk Teeth, emerges as a hauntingly innovative masterpiece, setting a new precedent in the genre. Hailing from Venice, California, my•escy infuses his music with a unique blend of post-punk and industrial influences. This track is a bold introduction to his dark, visceral style, showcasing his ability to craft a nightmarish auditory experience.

Milk Teeth begins with a deceptively playful intro, a jaunty address that lures the listener into a false sense of security. This quickly gives way to a darker, trappy aesthetic, a stark contrast that is both jarring and intriguing. The track is imbued with horrorcore energy, its production, lyrics, and bars exuding a zany yet menacing vibe. my•escy’s skill in switching between the wild insanity of Insane Clown Posse and his own snarled, charismatic bars creates a captivating dichotomy that ensnares the listener.

The track’s production is a gritty synthesis of macabre imagery and sonic synthetics, transcending mere sound to offer a full-fledged experience. my•escy’s use of ominous synth-soaked beats creates an atmosphere that is both oppressive and exhilarating. The lyrics weave a narrative that is as compelling as it is unsettling, ensuring that Milk Teeth lingers in the mind long after the last note has faded.

Stream Milk Teeth on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Outpost Drive sang a bitter-sweet folk lullaby with their debut single, Go Back to Sleep

Posted on 13 December 2023

If you can relate to the melancholy of your dreams being more serene than your waking reality, prepare to be bruised by the emotional weight that will bear down on you when you hit play on the bitter-sweet folky acoustic pop lullaby, Go Back to Sleep, by the harmonically synergetic duo, Outpost Drive.

Between the aching of yearning and the gratitude of revisiting memories, Go Back to Sleep immediately cuts to the core of emotional juxtapositions when you are brought to tears recollecting the person who always knew how to make you turn a smile but only exists in dream. The lyric, “I’m lonely as I am free”, alluding to how life is just a dichotomy of Pepsi and Coke suffering, is especially potent as it cuts through the euphonically timeless orchestration, which proves how arcane instrumental minimalism can be when it is executed with superlative melodic command.

Willow Robinson and Mary Bragg Robinson, hailing from the English countryside and the American South, respectively marry the styles of British folk with Americana to deliver a sound that is as inventive as it is authentically all-consuming. The debut is a testament to the ability of love to transcend borders after the couple endured a year-long hiatus due to immigration hurdles. We can’t wait to hear what the ultimate folk power couple have in store for their sophomore release.

Go Back to Sleep was officially released on November 10th; stream it on Spotify or purchase the track on Apple Music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Belinda Vodea flourished through the retro 80s aesthetic in her pop single, EOM

Posted on 1 December 2023

Belinda Vodea’s debut single EOM (Eyes on Me) is a lustrous nod to the 80s pop era, artfully infusing modern sensibilities with retro flourishes. This London-born British-Albanian artist’s sound resonates with the familiar warmth of a bygone era, yet her approach is refreshingly contemporary, much like her predecessors Dua Lipa and Rita Ora,

Vodea’s airy and soulful vocal delivery is a standout feature of EOM, beckoning listeners with its natural ease and emotive quality, drawing comparisons to the bright and edgy tones of Zara Larsson. Her voice, coupled with the backdrop of lightly distorted electric guitars and expansive, reverberant 80s drums, creates a soundscape that is both nostalgic and bracingly new.

The collaborative spirit of the track’s production, led by Ashea (known for her work with Alan Walker), reflects the power of female artistry, a choice that Vodea emphasises as key to capturing the song’s essence. EOM is a musical journey of love, longing, and self-discovery, with lyrics that explore the universal need to feel noticed and remembered, yet also the determination to progress and thrive. The song’s thematic content is echoed in its composition—dramatic drums and nostalgic synths underpin the narrative of romantic disappointment and personal growth.

Belinda Vodea, who has honed her craft from a young age, balancing her passion for music and dance with academic studies, is poised to make an unforgettable entrance into the pop scene. With her influences ranging from George Michael to Rihanna, and from Bryan Adams to Jhené Aiko, she has developed a unique sound that pays homage to the music that resonated in her household during her formative years.

EOM is more than a debut; it’s a statement of intent from an artist who has been preparing for the spotlight her whole life. From performing mini-shows for her family to aspiring to sell out stadiums, Vodea’s ambition is as clear as her talent. With the single set to release on all major streaming platforms on December 1st, Belinda Vodea is a name to watch in the evolving landscape of pop music.

Stream EOM on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The ‘Reckoning’ is Here, in the Form of Dissolved Girl’s Darkly Dystopic Trip-Hop Debut

Posted on 27 November 2023

With the juxtaposing vocal samples setting the cinematically disquiet tone as efficaciously as the harbingeringly dark electronic synthetics, which delve far beyond the dark depths of PJ Harvey, Massive Attack, and Portishead, Dissolved Girl made one hell of an entrance with their debut single, Reckoning.

The haunting anthem for a world teetering on the brink of collapse is a dystopian masterpiece, which encapsulates the unease and turmoil of contemporary times with its perturbed tones and intricately layered instrumentals. We all knew a reckoning was coming, but who would have known it would be delivered by a London-based four-piece with a penchant for the alt-90s, alt-rock, and hip-hop? Dissolved Girl not only captures the essence of an impending societal storm but also delivers a sense of catharsis – a release that fans didn’t realise they needed until it was upon them.

Forward-thinking and accessible in equal measure, the debut is a stark testament to their ability to innovate within the modern music scene. We can’t wait to hear the debut LP, which has been four years in the crafting, with the help of producer Dani Castelar and mastering engineer Matt Colton. The attention to detail paid off immensely; each note and nuance served the song’s brooding atmosphere and intensified the listener’s experience to the nth degree.

In an industry saturated with fleeting trends and disposable hits, Dissolved Girl stands as a beacon for those who crave depth, complexity, and sincerity in their playlists.

Reckoning debuted on November 13th; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

David Mauer modernised 80s soul with his cinematically vulnerable debut, One More Day

Posted on 8 November 2023

Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist David Mauer has commenced his solo career with the sweetly sombre debut single, One More Day; one of the most affecting attests to the intertwining proclivities of love and grief the airwaves have ever received. Written after the loss of someone close to him, One More Day captures the unrelenting bargaining and yearning that mourning leaves us at the mercy of.

The cinematically intimate track wouldn’t be out of place in a heart-breaking Blockbuster’s OST; David Mauer clearly has a talent for sonically visualising the most tender facets of the human experience. It is by no means farfetched to say One More Day is a soul-rendered ballad to end all others.

The magnetic and deeply relatable melancholy fused with a contemporary RnB edge which pushed the evolution of the genre leagues forward while affirming there’s a place for Mauer in the music industry; in the charts beside his icons of influence, John Mayer, and Dermot Kennedy.

One More Day was officially released on November 3rd. Stream the single on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lilypads found room to organically blossom in their affectingly sweet debut single, Ode to You

Posted on 7 November 2023

Lilypads set their bar transcendently high with the die-hard romanticism instilled into their debut single, Ode to You. With commercial and cross-over appeal by the smorgasbord as a result of their cultivated charm and endearingly articulate lyricism that is effortlessly complemented with the equally as affable melodicism, the tenderly refined duo is set to take the reverence for their sound far beyond the London music scene.

If your soul doesn’t stir with the dreamily accordant delivery of “I guess I never really knew just how much I ode to you”, you may want to check you’ve still got a pulse. Love songs may proliferate the airwaves, but Lilypads still found room to organically blossom as one of the premier indie pop acts of 2023.

The relaxed yet complex melodies are as innovative as they are innovative; the side serving of comforting nostalgia is a harmonious bonus element, which makes losing yourself in the gratitude of the single even more affectingly sweet. As Lilypads continue to rise, this track may well be remembered as the genesis of their ascent.

Ode to You hit the airwaves on November 3rd, stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast