Browsing Tag

Lo-Fi

newmath traverses loss in the noisy dream pop discord of his latest single, Without You

Posted on 8 September 2022

As someone who will always hold a candle for the shoegaze pioneers, I will eternally be enthralled by 21st-century experimental iterations of the genre. newmath, the creative project of Chris Fish, certainly didn’t disappoint with the noisy dream pop discord in his latest single, Without You.

The lo-fi to the core production goes heavy on the sludgy effects – being from Seattle, it would be rude not to – but Without You is far more in Grandaddy’s arena rather than your definitive Seattle sound icons. The shimmeringly bright vulnerability of the release is incandescently sweet. Without you may be a song of mourning, but notably, no love has been lost.

With his forthcoming album, BLOOM, due for release on September 9th, save a spot on your radar.

The official music video for Without You premiered on August 29th. Check it out on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Can’t Be Together: Lu’Ami x Confidential shows us deeply inside an intimate examination on What Could Be

Posted on 8 August 2022

With a quite memorable performance which might have your heart beating faster, Lu’Ami x Confidential wonders why a previous relationship broke in half when the going got tough on What Could Be.

Lu’Ami is London, UK-based alt-pop artist, flautist and music producer who is joined by Brighton, UK-based Lo-Fi artist Confidential.

”Neither of us wanted that outcome. I wanted to just spend that time with him pretending we hadn’t made that decision, because I knew when he left that was it for us.” ~ Lu’Ami

On a past mutual breakup scenario that might take your breath away, Lu’Ami joins forces with Confidential on a passionately delivered story all about thinking that this could have been something special. Something different. Something mind-blowing. With an electrifying aura attached that shows that you both wanted a better outcome, this might be a new anthem for anybody who has dealt with this emotional tragedy.

What Could Be from Lu’Ami x Confidential is a single all about hoping you found that veritable paradise with a romantic partner. Guiding us to the ocean for that ultimate reflection on something that could have been that guiding light into what is possible. Featuring delightful vocals, this is a real treat of a soundtrack to a past love that sadly flamed out.

Sometimes it’s just not meant to be after all.

Listen up on Spotify and see more via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Bedroom producer, J4RED transcended genre in his artfully reflective introspection slice, ‘hurt u’

Posted on 25 June 2022

Sometimes it is the emotion that grips you; sometimes, it is the musicality and originality; in his third single, hurt u, the bedroom producer, J4RED, proved that he is a triple threat. Perhaps even more impressively, hurt u transcends genre while carrying vast universal appeal.

The dark mellow pool of experimentalism created the perfect atmosphere for the fiery yet quiescent vocals to ooze into, allowing you to feel every ounce of the exhaustive frustration that breeds from dynamics where the mental scars tally our time together.

After launching his music career with his EP, UNCONSCIOUS, which debuted when he was 17 years old, he joined bands in the UK and Germany, and produced for other bands, such as the up-and-coming metalcore band, Half Me. If he keeps on at this level of momentum, it is only a matter of time before he breaks into the mainstream.

hurt u is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Collie Wattz asks us to honk if you love Jesus on the Lo-fi single to turn up loud, ‘John Brown’

Posted on 29 May 2022

Released via his debut 5-track EP named ‘Down South‘, Collie Wattz tells us the story that so many understand rather deeply right now as the world appears to burn down but the Preacher man keeps trying to teach no matter what on, ‘John Brown‘.

Collie Wattz is a Birmingham, Alabama-born indie Lo-fi-Folk/Electronica Swamp-Pop solo singer-songwriter who is a creative soul who loves to push the boundaries on what is possible.

”He spent his youth living all across the United States. From Southern California to the crystal clear beaches of Destin, Florida. He spent his teens and 20’s exploring his musical roots creating resulting in his own unique sound.” ~ Collie Wattz

Reminding us that no good comes out of watching television all day and catching up on all the madness unfolding, Collie Wattz depicts that vital belief that shall help us all come through with a big smile, no matter what carnage is brewing like a percolated volcano.

‘John Brown‘ from Birmingham, Alabama-born indie Lo-fi-Folk/Electronica Swamp-Pop solo singer-songwriter Collie Wattz is a funky track that should entertain and also get you into a present headspace, to conquer whatever fears you have inside your head right now. Performed with a terrific style and oozing introspection, this is a single to lather all your senses inside and take heed of.

The world is falling over but if you keep your faith strong, anything is possible.

Stream the track on Spotify and check out the IG page for more news.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Mustard Mountain Moving Company lament societal idiosyncracy in their Avant-Garde debut, Make it Stop?

Posted on 27 May 2022

For anyone that can relate to the sentiment ‘stop the world I want to get off’, the debut single, Make it Stop? from Mustard Mountain Moving Company should be considered unmissable.

Far from another lockdown lament, the track has been 18-years in the making from the Pittsburgh scene veterans, proving that ennui-blackened frustration has been viable for almost two decades. Yet, notably, it was a devilishly timely release from the lo-fi Avant-Garde artist, who will enamour fans of Elliott Smith and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds alike.

While the lyrics put the idiosyncrasies of our modern existence in the spotlight, the playful synths ensure that the light of day isn’t all too harsh. You couldn’t ask for sweeter sugar for the pill of reality. Do yourselves a favour, affix them to your radar.

You can hear Mustard Mountain Moving Company’s debut single for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

UK-based Lo-fi visionary Confidential drops transcendent single, ‘Lost Identity’

Posted on 24 February 2022

Gliding calmly with an instrumental message that needs to be heard far and wide, Confidential is courageously illuminated on his latest single about turning on your inner torch and never letting go with, ‘Lost Identity‘.

George Wakerley aka Confidential is a prolific UK-based Lo-fi Hip hop artist who lets us into his world that has him fighting with depression and raising awareness of mental health.

“I’m not really looking to impress anybody other than myself. I make the music that I want to listen to and I think being authentic is the greatest thing you can do as an artist and as a human being.” ~ Confidential

Bringing the world something so beautiful and meaningful on the gem that is ‘Lost Identity‘, Confidential might be one of the most important voices in the Lo-fi music scene globally due to his inspiringly honest demeanour and all-around top-class beats. You feel like you are in a kinder place that is urging you to keep your consciousness alive, as you look for something real in a world that can take your treasured soul away if you don’t look after it.

‘Lost Identity‘ from UK-based Lo-fi Hip hop artist Confidential, is a superb single that you will find yourself putting on repeat without even doubting your decision. This is a self-enlightened musician in his prime – who has shown the way to keep your mind in the right place – while following that passion and never stopping to overthink your decisions on this temptation-packed planet waiting for you to fall.

Listen in to this new single on Spotify and see more via the IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Edmonton Lo-fi artist Johnny Johnny and the Johnny’s drop sensually-stimulating debut track, ‘Draft Punks’

Posted on 31 January 2022

Steering us into the first-ever release that sizzles enticingly like a tasty steak getting cooked to perfection on the hot barbecue, Johnny Johnny and the Johnny’s catches our attention with a tease-fueled release that will have you feeling like this is going to be something different to the rest with ‘Draft Punks‘.

Johnny Johnny and the Johnny’s is the Lo-fi synth solo project of Edmonton, Canada-based Luis Lamela who was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

”He studied music in Berklee College in Buenos Aires and currently runs a home boutique studio where he releases his materials through his publishing company, LFL Music Publishing.” ~ Johnny Johnny and the Johnny’s

Displaying a real charisma and an effortless attraction, Johnny Johnny and the Johnny’s have a magnetic appeal that seems to coat your energies with skilful effect – as you close your eyes and imagine that night – you just knew you were with someone who radiates alluring captivation beyond comprehension.

‘Draft Punks‘ from Buenos Aires, Argentina-born Lo-fi synth solo artist Johnny Johnny and the Johnny’s, is a catchy new single that appears to be all about being so delighted you are with someone who you are so proud to be seen with. Mixed to a stunning level of enjoyment – this is a promising release from a talented artist – who is only just getting started and sounds hungrier than most to succeed where others fail daily.

Listen to this new single on Spotify and see more on the IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Feliz told a fuzzed-up modern love story in a neo-western landscape with their garage rock hit “Pocket Cowgirl”

Posted on 22 December 2021
Pocket Cowgirl by FELIZ

With plenty of gorgeous wobbly tape echo delay around the Iggy Pop-level gruff vocals in the intro, slipping into the latest psychedelic feat of garage rock from Feliz is a blissful trip away from reality.

The fuzz-loving Californian outfit’s latest single, Pocket Cowgirl, is an analog modern love story gone wrong set in a neo-western landscape. It carries the same gritty gravitas as the likes of Alex Cameron and Jack Ladder in the low timbre vocals while Isela Humerez’ dreamy, distorted and poppy vocals add a stunning dynamic to the lo-fi yet succinctly arranged track.

Even after the eccentricity of Pocket Cowgirl has faded away after the first few plays, it still doesn’t disappoint. The ingenuity keeps on pouring like rabbits from a magician’s hat along with the affirmation that Feliz psychologically delved far deeper than most to deliver this sultry ground-breaking release. And the best part? The playful humility shines through just as much as the shimmering guitars.

Pocket Cowgirl is now available to stream, purchase and fall in love with via Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Californian Lo-Fi luminary Bubbush proves that there’s two sides to every toxic story with ‘Toxic Me’

Posted on 16 November 2021

Rarely is lo-fi hip hop as ingeniously fresh as the standout single, Toxic Me, from the Californian recording artist, Bubbush. Right from the first verse, his playful lack of ego grips you and pulls you into the RnB laced single that runs through the quirky progressions and old school grind.

With hyper distorted high-pitch vocals layering around Bubbush’s bars, there’s a dialogic element to Toxic Me, serving the bitter-sweet reminder that there are two sides to every toxic love story.

After making a debut in 2015, Bubbush’s career quickly started to gain traction in his local scene and far beyond. We can only hope that there are more soul-sating tracks in the pipeline.

Check out Toxic Me for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Prepare your ambient playlists for the chill wave catharsis in !Noj’s latest single, sweet memories

Posted on 9 November 2021
!Noj

‘sweet memories’ is the latest Synesthesia-inducing single to be released by the Netherlands-based chill hop experimentalist, artist and producer, !Noj.

The ambient lullaby chimes through hypnotic melodies, leaving ample space for points of reflection before the next progression that drags you deeper into the soundscape. With the beats keeping track like a metronome, the neo-classically underlined melodies add even more magnetism to the instrumental score.

sweet memories is enough to impart what it says on the tin; it provides a brief window of tranquillity; given the times we’re living in, you should probably take any chance you get to pull your mind out of the gutter.

Check out !Noj via Soundcloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast