Browsing Tag

nyc

Spotlight Feature: Psych Soul Food is Back on the Menu with Denim Dan’s Return to the Airwaves

Posted on 25 January 2022

The NYC psychedelically blessed folk-pop-rock powerhouse, Denim Dan, serenaded us with their seminal spacey album, No Guarantee, ahead of the release of their upcoming album, 3AM.

Each of the singles on the 2020 album, No Guarantee, provides the opportunity to shift the ennui and existentialism out of your worldview. To complement the psychedelic tones, the enlightened lyricism that was penned to hit the evocative spot by uplifting just as much as the transcending instrumental timbres.

After forming in the 90s, Denim Dan’s fusion of 60s pop and 70s rock has remained just as sweet in the 21st century. Instead of modernising their sound that carries reminiscences to The Beatles, Steely Dan, Bowie and Tom Petty, they’ve stayed true to cathartically resonant form.

Along with the release of their upcoming album, the nostalgia-inducing outfit are also set to release their tribute to Bob Dylan to coincide with the opening of the Bob Dylan Museum in Tulsa, OK. They are well worth a spot on your radar.

Denim Dan’s 2020 album, No Guarantee, is available to stream in full via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

You Do What You Want: NYC rapper Mazzarati sounds in his prime as he pops the ‘Champagne’

Posted on 9 December 2021

After bagging the treasure for himself on ‘222‘ from August 2021, Mazzarati takes a long sip of the good life and vows to live like this forever on ‘Champagne‘.

Johnny Mazzarati aka Mazzarati is a bold New York City-based indie hip-hop artist who is also a massive sports fan and raps with an edge that sets him apart from the rest of the new school artists around.

Taken off his latest 9-track ‘Main Event‘ album, this might be the best track of them all. Mazzarati takes on a high-rise journey that is all 5-star, as he sounds in the mood to relax after a wild year building up all those paper stacks so that he may live a much better life.

‘Champagne‘ from the risk-taking NYC rapper Mazzarati, is a bass-bouncing new single that has you sipping on the good stuff. This is all about feeling good and hanging around others who totally get what you are about. There is much to enjoy here from a young artist who is on the rise up – as he shows us how to act – when the pretty ladies come looking for someone fresh to dance with.

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

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Ringing It Up: NYC drummer George Sarpola sends respect to the greatest wrestler of all-time with ‘Ric Flair’

Posted on 10 November 2021
Solo Drums and Electronics by George Sarpola

Taken off his October 2021 released 10-track album called ‘Solo Drums and Electronics‘, George Sarpola gets his tights on and slams down any opponent with his latest single called ‘Ric Flair‘.

George Sarpola aka George Lewis-Sarpola, is a New York City-based indie rock drummer and music composer, who is currently a member of well-respected local NYC bands Kaptive and Bother.

”He is a fan of coffee, vintage drum machines and synthesizers.” ~ George Sarpola

The drumming is up there with the best here and he swarms speedily through with tremendous velocity for the ears to get enthused – as he brings life into a track that has a well-known name – to keep us entertained just like he has for many a year.

‘Ric Flair‘ from the vibrant New York City-based indie rock drummer and composer George Sarpola, is a top notch instrumental effort that has lots of famous sayings from a true performer who always has something fiery to say. Made with an ode to a legend, this is a fun track to play just before you are about to watch another night of wrestling. Showing us his incredible skills, this is a memorable effort from a fine creative with bags of potential.

Hear this fresh new single on Bandcamp and see more news of future releases on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Plenty Of Time: Mr. Memory sees that scary look in her eyes on ‘She’s Got A Death Ray’

Posted on 3 November 2021

As covid ironically brought them back together as they had much more time on their hands than before, Mr. Memory have their hands full with a toxic woman who is full of love but can also strike you down with her scary superpowers on ‘She’s Got A Death Ray‘.

Mr. Memory is an experienced 3-piece alt-rock band from New York City, USA. They make a world class blend of incredible music melodies for the ears to fully enjoy, due to their smartly-penned lyrics, confident soundscape and terrific vocals.

”Written and recorded solely during the COVID pandemic by singer Mike Aronow, musician Jeff Walsh and drummer Andy Fligel. All 3 were John Lennon Songwriting Award winners in their previous band from the early 2000’s, Endgames.” ~ Mr. Memory

Packed full like a tasty peanut butter and jelly sandwich, there is much to munch greedily into on this quality new single. The ambiance is totally honest, things are so catchy, fresh and filled with a lip-licking flavor of intent, that keeps you turning this up to the max.

‘She’s Got A Death Ray‘ from the New York City-based alt-rock act Mr. Memory, is a fantastically projected track that simmers just right into your esurient soul. There is so much to lap hungrily into from a social media-less and no-frills outfit, who just want their music to be appreciated.

Good music is just meant to be loved after all, not judged.

Hear this top notch new single on Soundcloud.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

LaurenAsh evokes 90s hip hop nostalgia with her latest release, Where is the Love.

Posted on 9 October 2021
LaurenAsh

Right from the first verse in her latest single, Where is the Love, LaurenAsh starts laying down spoken word lyrical gold around the instrumentals that take you right back to the golden age of jazz hip hop.

The NYC-based poet and artist known for her stylish fusions of RnB and hip hop has been on a mission to bring her spirit and soul to the world through music through tracks such as Where is the Love; which finds a succinct way to remind you that love makes the world go around, so you may as well start giving a little. It’s a stellar track that any fan of soul-infused hip hop will want to delve into.

Where is the Love was officially released on October 8th; you can check it out for yourselves on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Tara Perez is lost in ennui in her latest single, ‘No Feelings in the Summer’.

Posted on 12 September 2021

If you spent this summer flying solo, Tara Perez’ latest electro-pop single, No Feelings in the Summer, serves a powerful reminder that living out romantic tropes under the sun isn’t mandatory, and to expect it as a given every year is naive.

Perez soulfully demonstrates with her latest single that summer without passion feels wasted but this progression in pop narratives is a positive one for the reality it brings to the airwaves and the meaningful connections that listeners lost in ennui can make with the blissfully melancholic single.

No Feelings in the Summer is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The World Is Ending: BaliAudio reminds us how much better the world was before ‘1999’

Posted on 7 September 2021

After hearing from Mom about how much purer the world was before, BaliAudio sings with much passionate spirit about this topic which so many agree with on ‘1999‘.

BaliAudio is a fresh and talented Utica, New York State-based indie hyper-pop artist who makes music from the cozy bedroom. This is that easy-on-the-ear type of vibe, that captivates all senses.

”I’ve made music for almost 5 months but most of my other songs were me testing the waters and finding what type of music fits me best, this single is the first song that my genre is set and stone.” ~ BaliAudio

Bali performs with a real and enthused nature – this music is heartfelt and with much spirited texture – as we are introduced to a quick-fire track to truly wrap collectively into. The words come out with a true nature and you can tell Bali wishes a time machine was available, so the soul could go back and see what it was like in those never-forgotten times.

‘1999‘ from the non-binary Utica, New York State-based hyper-pop solo musician BaliAudio, is the reminder that things seemed a lot simpler back before that clock to 2000 struck. Somehow the world changed and for many, things have only gone downhill since. Sung with a real insight from hearing about what things were like before, you feel a genuine worry in the voice that the world is in a bad state.

This is a catchy single which will have you pondering the past and the future, whilst looking at the stars and hoping for a more peaceful tomorrow.

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

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Ain’t Got Time For Your Games: Courageous Bronx rapper Lil Stance smartly hides from the undesirable fibsters on ‘Don’t Lie’ (feat. HULKSICKO!)

Posted on 9 August 2021

As he cleverly blocks her number to avoid getting nastily bitten in her sneaky web of tricks that could take him into darkly-lit places he would rather avoid even thinking about, Lil Stance only wants to seek the truth and isn’t putting up with another deceitful person on his new rap single called ‘Don’t Lie‘ (feat. HULKSICKO!).

Will Wilson aka Lil Stance, is a Co-op City, Bronx, New York City-born indie rapper, YouTuber, dancer, and music producer. After growing up in a really tough neighborhood, he has overcome extremely high odds to be where he is today, and his movie-like story is reflected in his expressive soundscapes.

This is a youthful effort from two young artists finding their way in a smog-soaked city of flashing temptation, as they firmly flow with much energy and add a promising lyrics arsenal, to catch your attention which showcases their emerging talents. Their storytelling is so vividly real and you can tell that they have lived it – as their insatiable hunger to succeed in this dog-eat-dog world are easy to hear here – on an encouraging release with plenty of that NYC bite.

‘Don’t Lie‘ (feat. HULKSICKO!) from the street-smart New York City indie rapper, music producer, YouTuber and dancer Lil Stance, is the true story which is sadly all-too familiar in these weird modern days. A person who you once cared about has flipped over and shown you their true colors, and you wish you hadn’t ever met them in the first place.

Sometimes when that fresh lust wears off you see their true intention-glowing eyes, which are filled full of ideas and stories that you don’t ever want to see, as your morals are only beaming red flags and massive warning signs. Ultimately, its best to move on real quick – before you get caught up in that spirit-sucking reality-TV fake drama – that wastes your time and harms your precious soul from its true purpose.

Hear this new track on Spotify and see more of his inspiring story via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

On My Grind: NYC rapper Big Al sparks that much-needed shine brightly on ‘Outage’ (feat. Just B)

Posted on 22 June 2021

With a highly confident flow that has him in the invincible-feeling zone, Big Al shows us what it takes to get it done despite some small-minded people wishing your downfall on the bumping new single ‘Outage‘ (feat. Just B).

Big Al is a thriving New York City-based indie hip-hop artist. He smartly fuses that real street-hop that that is full of insightful info, which is meant to help others who have also had to grind hard to reach their goals.

You feel his hard rap style come to the fore so quickly, as he thumps down the barriers and tells us to wake up. Everything seems to cruise perfectly like a water-slide, as he hits the mailbag perfectly and posts us news that we all need to hear. With a likable beat and a smoothly added chorus, this is an enlightening track that you will want to play again and again.

‘Outage‘ (feat. Just B) from the strong NYC rapper Big Al, is a spark-lit testament to putting the work in to get where you need to be at. The winding road is hard and full of detours that can take you away from the path where you need to go, so having some loyal friends to guide you, is always helpful to reach your dreams.

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

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Missing You: New York rapper Jon Harris wonders if she feels the same on ‘Think of Me’ (Lyric Video)

Posted on 26 May 2021

With a frustrated demeanor as he wishes that things could of been vastly different, Jon Harris thinks back to the memory of when they were together with some regret on ‘Think of Me’ (Lyric Video).

Jon Harris is an underground New York City-based hip-hop artist, college graduate and music producer. He makes that true life experience sound about the dream of finding that true human connection, goals he has set for himself and about finding that true love.

Influenced heavily by elite hip-hop legends such as Eminem, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Tupac, B.I.G and J Cole, this is a young artist on a mission to show the world his poetically stimulating lyrics, and to separate himself from the rest of the hungry pack.

He raps with so much vigor and gritty energy — which has you feeling his shred like a grater slicing through cheese — as he brings us that real flow, during a song that has so much honesty and is clearly a personal track.

‘Think of Me’ (Lyric Video) from New York-based producer-hip-hop artist Jon Harris, has you thinking about that moment when you miss them so much and need to express it instantly. He has a way of gripping your attention like tight hands on a steering wheel — and takes us for a reflective ride — with no happy ending.

See this new music lyric video on YouTube and check out more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen