Browsing Tag

Maryland

Collier Randall’s RnB Pop Aphrodisiac ‘Be Mine’ Drips with Lust and Luxury

Posted on 25 February 2025

Collier Randall thrives on reinvention. The Maryland-born artist built his foundation in theatre before stepping into the world of rap, songwriting, and production. After earning a BFA in Contemporary Theatre from Boston Conservatory at Berklee, he sharpened his ability to merge storytelling with music. His latest single, Be Mine, released on February 7th alongside a cinematically shot music video, is a testament to his hot and heavy genre-fluid alchemy.

The track lands squarely in the heat of pop, rap, and RnB, finding room for afrobeat influences and sculpting a sound that feels decadent from the first beat. The production is thick with atmosphere, while the instrumental progressions shift like a lover’s mood—always in-flux but never losing their ability to put you under their spell. Randall’s vocals are just as mercurial. His RnB harmonies pull close, his rap cadences cut through with precision, and his pop crescendos lift the track into hypnotic territory. Every listen is a lustfully sticky-sweet revelation.

Timed for Valentine’s Day, Be Mine holds its weight as both a love song and an aphrodisiac. Randall’s background in theatre seeps through every detail, from the arrangement to the lyrical delivery, creating a track that commands attention without ever feeling forced.

Be Mine is available on all major streaming platforms. For the full experience, stream the official music video on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Zel? darkened the corridors of trap with his indomitably infectious release, Swag Musik

Posted on 11 March 2024

Knowing exactly how to make his flows infectious, his hooks sharp, and his beats pop, Zel? staked his claim as one of the most seminal up-and-coming artists of his generation with his 2024 LP, Mode de vie.

The standout single, Swag Musik, is an urban autograph of sheer innovation; by darkening the corridors of trap, injecting the indomitable conviction of old-school hip-hop and working in RnB aesthetics around the heavy basslines, the Maryland-hailing recording artist delivered a hit that doesn’t just live up to the hype, it leaves you hyped through exposure to Zel?’s cunningly meticulous alchemic presence on the airwaves.

After studying beats and music and consistently staying on his grind, Zel?’s music became a cultivated and twisted take on the familiar; menacing and jarringly magnetic in equal measure, Swag Musik is everything it says on the tin; the shadowy noir-esque hit is a harbingering sign of even bigger things to come for Zel?

Stream Swag Musik on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Paid My Bills: Im Ty moves up from the slim choices on the lyrically conscious Good Guy Gold

Posted on 24 July 2023

With a church organ start to get the hands raised up into the sky, Im Ty beats all challenges like the true professional he is and shall blow the roof off on the page-turning Good Guy Gold.

Im Ty is an Oxon Hill, Maryland-based indie alternative artist who loves to motivate others with a heart-healing blend of hip-hop and gospel.

Taking us for an exhilarating ride into the sunset of life, Im Ty is quite simply excellent and roars into life with a rather top-notch performance for the ages. This is exceptional stuff and will be certainly memorable for anyone previously unfamiliar with this notable emcee.

Good Guy Gold from Maryland-based artist Im Ty is one of the more real releases likely to be heard in 2023. This is raw to the core but doesn’t drop anything unnecessary, instead taking us into a much more illuminating place.

There is so much to take us forward instead of back on this monumental track, with a delightfully well-written flow to tip the cap off.

Hear more on her Spotify.

Check out the IG for more info.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Upside Down: Linda Smith gives the world so much joy on Figment of Your Imagination

Posted on 20 December 2022
Figment of Your Imagination b/w Ideal View of the Ideal City (Single) by Linda Smith

Originally released inside 1991’s Put It In Writing, Linda Smith shows us what true love sounds like in music on the stunning single to rejoice with called Figment of Your Imagination.

Linda Smith is a Baltimore, Maryland-based indie bedroom pop singer-songwriter who makes authentic music to heal all wounds with.

”When Linda Smith purchased a 4 track cassette recorder in the mid-1980s, it was not with the intention of launching a solo career. At the time, she was playing guitar in a band called the Woods, and thought it would be useful for sharing demos with her bandmates. In the end, the 4 track outlasted the Woods, but Smith had already started toying around with her own songs.” ~ Linda Smith

Lathered with a flashback to a different time altogether, Linda Smith guides us into her dusty gems and shows us her catchy brilliance to feel alive with.

Figment of Your Imagination from Baltimore, Maryland-based indie bedroom pop singer-songwriter Linda Smith is a terrific single which will put so many spirits into a merrier place. Sung with so much care and layered with tons of intricate excellence, we find a superb single to feel enlighten by.

Music with substance will always matter.

Listen up on Bandcamp.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

So Good: DeVonte Singh doesn’t rush the love on I N U

Posted on 19 November 2022

Feeling so happy in every conceivable way imaginable to humankind, DeVonte Singh holds onto the moment and shall take that extra time needed to make sure each second is truly special on I N U.

DeVonte Singh is a Baltimore, Maryland-based indie RnB solo singer-songwriter, engineer, Reiki master and music producer who makes heart stopping music to hold on tightly with.

“I am beyond thankful for my mentors throughout this music journey. It didn’t really mold and grow until I started learning from Mr Morpheus, members of Force Mds, Full Force, and Senator VI. V told me Make sure when you move you move with confidence. I’m reaching for ultimately opening up touring with groups like, Silk sonic and Adele.” – Devonte Singh

Lathered in so much to feel rather delighted about, DeVonte Singh is rather terrific on this fine release to warm up those cold rooms again on this galvanising effort. Precise to the second and urging for more candles to be lit, as our minds float away to that perfect romantic state of reflection.

I N U from Baltimore, Maryland-based indie RnB solo singer-songwriter/music producer DeVonte Singh is such a loving single which will heal many hearts in believing that true love is actually possible. Performed with a majestic energy and flowing with so much passion, this is a fine song to embrace with care.

Hear this fine new release on Spotify. Find out more via IG.

Review by Llewelyn Screen

New Day: NIXX survives the demons on the incredible new single Wash It Away

Posted on 15 November 2022

Stirring us awake with a truly inspirational release to drench those fears away, NIXX is in prime form and this is a must-listen for anyone who needs to know that a cleanse changes everything on Wash It Away.

NIXX is a south New Jersey-born Baltimore County, Maryland-based indie hip hop artist who assembles those raw tracks to really bite your teeth into.

”He’s been developing his craft for over a decade and records and mixes his own music and films and edits his own visuals. NIXX is a strong believer in a positive mindset and manifestation and is on his way to manifesting his career in the music industry.” ~ NIXX

Showing mental fortitude and remarkable levels of peerless skill, the fearless warrior NIXX is the role model for change the world needed. After digging himself out of the trenches and displaying an exceptional temperament to ease all the pain, we find a comeback story which deserves a movie.

Wash It Away from Maryland-based indie hip hop artist NIXX is a fine effort which has been made with so much real-life insight and true understanding. With lyrically intense bars to batter down those inner self-doubts, this is a raise-your-perspective-upwards soundtrack to the path many know needs to be travelled.

We can’t change the past, but we can change tomorrow with the right attitude.

See this dynamic music video on YouTube and see more info on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Baltimore rock act Palm Trees In Moscow urges us to break free on, ‘Drunk At The Airport’

Posted on 25 May 2022

With a reverb-soaked experience to listen intently to as we curiously contemplate our current uncertain path in this bloodbath-saturated world, Palm Trees In Moscow returns with an ear-soothing new single that shall get you thinking profoundly with, ‘Drunk At The Airport‘.

Created by Chris Frantz, Palm Trees In Moscow is a Baltimore, Maryland alternative rock outfit that makes an anthem-sounding blend of harmony-packed awesomeness to be uplifted by.

”People often build invisible walls and put intangible limitations on themselves; this song is an anthemic cry to break out of the purgatory limbo of life we often create for ourselves.” ~ Palm Trees In Moscow

Dropping a punchy pop/roots/rock/shoegaze mixture of delicious intelligence, Palm Trees In Moscow sends us into a world of infatuation with a terrific track to put on vociferously. There is a delightfully inspiring transmission to lather deeply into here, with a fierce atmosphere that should wake up the sleepy slumber inside us all.

‘Drunk At The Airport‘ from Baltimore, Maryland alternative rock act Palm Trees In Moscow is one of the most introspective tracks you are likely to hear today. With vocals that are certainly striking and have you turning up the volume so you don’t miss out on any hidden lyrics, this is a single that shows us the laser focus of a skilled artist who has lived.

Showing us how to smash through those boundaries we have set for no reason, this is a rock track to truly appreciate for its vital message.

Follow the Spotify page in anticipation of the single release on the 3rd of June and get an inside look on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

YUTZI knows that its a selfish move but one that needs to happen on, ‘Give Me The Blame’

Posted on 4 May 2022

Showing the elevated growth from their start as a backyard party band to one of East Coast’s most-loved groups, YUTZI drop the lead single from their 3rd EP with the foot-tapping release about moving on from love with, ‘Give Me The Blame‘.

YUTZI (pronounced: YUTE-zee) is a Baltimore, Maryland-based indie rock band who have made a maximum impact so far and thrills with a fiery display.

”A song about the difficulty of leaving a relationship to pursue your dreams. Lead singer, Tom Starr wrote the song to channel emotions he had been feeling after moving on from a relationship to pursue his dream of becoming a successful touring musician.” ~ YUTZI

Gracing our speakers with a really dreamy single that sends you into a reflective place that could cause you to doubt if you made the right decision, YUTZI shows us why they are one of the most intriguing bands around with a top performance that shall have you looking deep inside yourself for guidance.

”YUTZI was formed by childhood friends and elementary school rock band-mates.” ~ YUTZI

‘Give Me The Blame‘ from Baltimore, Maryland-based indie rock act YUTZI is a memorable release that might invoke pain for those who have felt that they have lost a partner due to a career move. With smooth vocals and a song packed with a groovy vibe that is so nostalgic, this is a track that will have you gazing outside the window and wondering if you made the right move.

Sometimes life takes you to another path, as you decide if this is the best one for you or not one you wish to walk down.

Listen up to this new experience on Soundcloud and see more news on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Maryland-based indie rock act Old Foes drops powerfully executed new single ‘Appetite’

Posted on 17 March 2022

Sizzling the hot plate with a ravenously created single that deserves our instant attention, Old Foes brings the whole cutlery collection to full force on the powerful new single that might have you licking your lips called ‘Appetite‘.

Created by the Maryland, USA-based indie vocalist/guitarist Kyle Rigsby, Old Foes is a rock act that is putting out a new track on a bi-weekly schedule until the release of the much-awaited full album on 18 July 2022.

Old Foes sends our imagination into an enthralling spin with a speaker-slapping new single that might cause some eardrums to burst unexpectedly. They are a really top act who send us a foot-tapping marvel to behold, that is quite the terrific listen and might have you clicking your fingers until they are sore.

‘Appetite‘ from Maryland, USA-based rock act Old Foes, is one of those singles that you will find hard to forget quickly. The energy is certainly there to hug warmly into and the vocals shine through rather expertly, to give a track to remember that has started the train – for us to witness the next 9 – that is waiting patiently to be loved by all rock fans.

Hear their first single from this new project on Spotify and get more vibes via their IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

MJ the Sensei and Monsieur Jovoni roll the tight bars just right on ‘ISSCALM’

Posted on 10 February 2022

Dropped from the 7-track project named ‘Many Moons‘, MJ the Sensei and Monsieur Jovoni spark up the style in a way that has you feeling like everything is going to be alright again on ‘ISSCALM‘.

Baltimore, Maryland-born Hip hop artist MJ the Sensei is joined by Tennessee-born music producer/artist Monsieur Jovoni who link up splendidly on this Shonan, Japan-based release.

MJ the Sensei and Monsieur Jovoni are quite excellent on a track that takes your mind into a better place from all the vicious distractions that are waiting for you outside if you let it consume your mind from what is real and what isn’t.

The eloquent production that is intertwined inside is flawless and has your head nodding around so smoothly, with bars that reflect greatness and gets you into the mood to achieve those goals which you have closed the door on for too long.

‘ISSCALM‘ from Shonan, Japan-based MJ the Sensei and Monsieur Jovoni, shreds through a layer of doubt and brings only a flavour that tastes so majestic. These two seriously skilled artists join as one team to make a real gem on a track here that has you feeling so laidback and calm after a long day. The old school beat reminds us of the good days when there was less madness and only good music everywhere, just the way it should be.

Listen to this top new track on Spotify and check out the IG page for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen