Browsing Tag

Genre Bending

Gain the permission to live autonomously free with The Close’s 90s pop-rock single, Living It Right

With a nostalgically 90s pop-rock edge which cuts as deep as the hits from Jewel, Sheryl Crow, and Alanis Morrisette, The Close came close to perfect with the standout single, Living It Right, from their debut album, Orbit.

The debut LP pushed the introspective genre-bending outfit’s monthly listeners up to impressive heights. Now, over 36k listeners are repetitively tuning into their intricately airy melodies which transcend expectation and effortlessly share effervescent transcendence.

You’ll be torn between attempting to match the flawlessly magnetic timbres in the vocal delivery as they verse the virtues of living autonomously free and leaning into the mellifluous interplay of the ethereal synergy within the instrumental arrangements and harmonies.

Aside from the very obvious superlative song crafting which sets The Close apart, the outfit also finds distinction by employing each member as a lyricist, musician and lead vocalist, resulting in a dynamic discography, which dabbles in everything from Americana to contemporary folk to country. A commercial pop sensibility is one of the few constants within their euphonically unshackling collection of lyrically intimate releases.

Living It Right was officially released on October 27; stream it on Spotify with the rest of the Orbit LP.

Review by Amelia Vandergast  

You’re A Toaster In The Bathtub: Minneapolis experimental pop artist YYY reminds us that we need to get outside again with ‘And The Swords Don’t Bend’

With his debut album ‘Aquadungeonafterdark‘ due for official release on the 24th September 2021, YYY shows us that by being inside all the time and trying to reinvent the wheel, you are hiding away from those friends who miss you with ‘And The Swords Don’t Bend‘.

Austin Carson aka YYY, is a thriving Minneapolis, Minnesota-based indie genre-bending experimental pop artist.

Creating beautiful transitions between analog bass drones, psychedelic guitar riffs and vocal samples, YYY’s music maintains a lighthearted undertone that challenges the listener.” ~ YYY

Sung with a remarkable poise and true honesty, we are told a real story about the world that spins rather fast if we don’t experience it properly. With a uniquely succulent beat that enthralls you rather quickly and has your glowing body grooving in sheer delight – this is the type of music experience that is all about that ever-evolving creative mindset – which is so needed in this copy-cat world.

Austin has performed in the Minneapolis music scene as a solo artist and as part of other projects for the last six years.” ~ YYY

And The Swords Don’t Bend‘ from the experimental Minneapolis-based indie pop artist YYY, is the message that we all need to hear. Those projects you have been working on are highly important, but by avoiding being out in the world sometimes – we are actually avoiding the real world which we need to be a part of.

Made with a knowledgeable edge, we are washed thoughtfully into a tremendously self-aware track which has you reaching for those keys to see the earth for its immaculate beauty again.

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

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Wanna Know Where My Funeral is: Astonishing UK producer Hizkit drops the futuristic marvel ’99 Lives’

As he flows so wickedly and with so many ideas blustering furiously into his complex mind, Hizkit is back with more intricate lyrics that will have you in awe of this criminally underrated talent on ‘99 Lives’.

Hizkit is a genre-bending alt hip hop producer/artist/creative designer hailing from the UK, who is known for being totally unique and often having a detached sense of lyricism, which allows our mind to be free and interpret his creations as we wish.

”Through his music, he has provided hazy interpretations of certain experiences and personal tribulations, with an often tongue-in-cheek approach to the way he explores intimate topics such as mental health and anti-sociality. ” – Hizkit

His raps with such delight strewn all over his delicious delivery, somehow cleverly coming up with futuristic-sounding flows that has you in shivers of delight — as he webs his way spider-like through this sensational song like an absolutely dialed-in genius — bringing us an epic track that is absolutely remarkable.

99 Lives‘ from the totally original UK-based emcee/producer Hizkit, is a galaxy-altering release with so many skills attached throughout from this once-in-a-lifetime lyricist. He puts it all on the line with bars so real and mind-twisting, they undoubtedly will blow your mind.

Hip hop is only getting better if this is the taste we can expect for the rest of 2021.

Stream this excellent release on YouTube and see on his IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen