Browsing Tag

soul

Take a seat in Astrels’ latest alternatively soulful synthscape, Kings Table

Posted on 10 December 2023

Kings Table, a standout track from Astrels’ LP The Velvet Sea and the Afterglow, showcases a masterful blend of style and influence, marking it as a significant entry into the world of alternative electronica.

The single begins with an introduction that subtly nods to Grandaddy, skilfully weaving echoes of classic rock elements into a modern synthscape. As the track progresses, it transforms into a soulful orchestration, reminiscent of the emotional depth and vocal prowess of artists like Seal. This transition showcases Astrels’ versatility and their ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia while remaining firmly rooted in contemporary sound.

Astrels’ talent for creating a progressive and dynamic sonic journey is evident throughout the Tour De Force which reflects a deep understanding of musical structure and progression, moving seamlessly from one theme to another while maintaining a cohesive overall sound.

As the track builds towards its climax, it incorporates trance-like elements of EBM, infusing the composition with a rhythmic energy that is both dance-worthy and emotionally engaging. The fusion of melodic and rhythmic elements ensures that Kings Table is not just a song to be heard but an experience to be felt, making it a standout addition to any electronic soul playlist.

The debut LP, from which Kings Table is taken, continues the spiritual and electrifying journey that Astrels began with their debut EP, Metropolis Psychosis. Take a deep dive, you won’t regret it.

Take a seat at the Kings Table on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

J. Jeaux wore his heart on his polyphonic sleeve in his alt-RnB single, Overflow

Posted on 10 December 2023

J. Jeaux’s sophomore single Overflow exhibits his unique approach to music, combining lo-fi RnB elements with touches of pop, blues, and funk, creating a sound that is both innovative and nostalgically resonant.

The track’s gravitational pull is undeniable, drawing listeners into a world of eclecticism. The polyphonic synth lines are a highlight, weaving a complex yet harmonious tapestry of sound that feels timelessly modern. This, coupled with minimalist percussion, sets a backdrop that allows J. Jeaux’s vocal talents to shine. The vocal effects are far from typical, adding an intriguing layer to the track and solidifying his distinct style.

J. Jeaux’s ability to channel his emotions into his music is evident. The song discusses the turmoil of overthinking during heartbreak against an energetic backdrop. This juxtaposition is not just a creative choice; it’s a representation of healing, layering sadness with boogie vibes to create a therapeutic musical experience.

As a multi-instrumentalist and composer, J. Jeaux’s expertise extends beyond traditional singer-songwriter boundaries. His experience in composing for video games and media adds a unique dimension to his music that you will want to get lost in time after time.

This track is a clear indication of his potential to leave a lasting impact on the music industry, especially for those who appreciate the blending of traditional soulful rhythms with innovative experimental sounds.

Overflow poured onto the airwaves on November 24. Stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Issara can make any house a ‘Home’ with the soul in her latest single

Posted on 3 December 2023

With all the grace and beguile of a chanteuse fused with a retro soul aesthetic, the up-and-coming singer-songwriter Issara can make any house a ‘Home’ with her latest single, which offers a sanctuary of sound for anyone in search of solace.

By lyrically painting a protagonist who tends to the universal yet unseen needs that we all silently crave, Issara burned bright in the consoling warmth of the vignette of unconditional affection, which spins a narrative with threads of deep-rooted connection and understanding.

Home is a homage to the concept that home transcends physical spaces, echoing Issara’s journey across continents, and encapsulating the essence that home is indeed where the heart resides.

The production is steeped in a lush retro aesthetic, where the luminous timbres of the organ interlace with Issara’s vocals to create an ambience that is both comforting and soul-stirring. The hues of gospel spilling from the arrangement are a nod to her American church roots, bringing forth a nostalgic yet timeless quality that grips the listener’s soul. This track is not just heard; it’s felt, ensuring that by the outro, one’s soul is thoroughly sated.

With an ability to blend soul, pop, rock, gospel, French yéyé, and Thai funk, Issara has created a sound that is as diverse as her heritage. The song is a promise of what is to come from her upcoming debut album ‘222’, set for release on the befitting date of February 22, 2024.

As a mother of two and a beacon for late bloomers in the arts, Issara’s voice transcends mere melody to become a vessel of inspiration, encouraging others to find their place of belonging, their ‘home’, in whatever form it may take.

Home was officially released on November 17; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Third Coyote poured an indie country elixir for the soul with ‘Heartland’

Posted on 3 December 2023

Third Coyote’s latest defiance of the aural ordinary, Heartland, is a testament to the timelessly alluring talents of singer-songwriter Laura Williams and her band. The experimental release refuses to pledge allegiance to any singular genre; instead, it presents a fusion of soulful melodies, bluesy depth, and rock vigour.

It’s a musical elixir that invites listeners to take a shot of pure aural escapism, promising an intoxicating journey through sound; the production allows every undertone to shine without overpowering any of the other elements in the nostalgic smorgasbord of sonic style.

The soulful underpinnings are reminiscent of an intimate blues club, while the rock components add a robust, heart-pumping energy, creating a fresh and familiar echo of the 70s and 90s. The Bay Area-rooted band’s ability to transcend genre and era is evident in every scintillating note. With Heartland, they beckon to those who seek to discover the uncharted territories of sound and emotion; pack light and prepare to take the indie country rock trip of a lifetime.

Heartland hit the airwaves on November 18; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Matt Brown will etch his way into your consciousness with his latest soul pop serenade, Everyday

Posted on 30 November 2023

Matt Brown’s neo-pop single Everyday is a soulful serenade that lingers long after the last note has faded. This contemporary crooner’s offering etches upon the listener’s consciousness with a calligraphic eloquence scarcely seen in the internet era of music as the euphonic depth of the production swells with oceanic propensities; each wave of sound carrying with it a quiescent surge of sweet beguile.

Everyday stands as a testament to the potency of razor-sharp songwriting chops as Brown’s musicality and craftsmanship are undeniably exhibited to showcase a command of sonic storytelling which captures the complexities of passion and how it can weigh heavy on the soul.

As the founder of the Soulfam Collective and a full-time musician, Matt Brown’s fluency across various instruments and styles imbues his music with an uninhibited expression; rather than marring his sound with loyalty to one genre, he teases a smorgasbord of style into his sound.

Everyday confirms Matt Brown’s place in the pantheon of artists who are not just creating music but are also moulding experiences for their listeners. With each release, including this latest gem, Brown continues to grow his presence and influence, becoming a staple in the spaces where soul and contemporary pop converge.

Everyday hit the airwaves on November 17: stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

OTH€LLO Delivered Sonics for the Soul with His Smooth and Sensual LP, Miss Mayotte

Posted on 24 November 2023

In the ever-evolving realm of modern hip-hop and afro-fusion, OTH€LLO emerges as an icon of raw individualism, candour, and undeniable sex appeal. His latest offering, “Miss Mayotte,” is a journey through the heart of a true artist. Born in Montreal’s vibrant culture and honed in the Bay Area’s heat, OTH€LLO’s transformation from a street busker to a hip-hop sensation is nothing short of remarkable.

“Miss Mayotte” kicks off with “Her Soul Speaks,” a track that effortlessly blends jazzy neo-pop with R&B, setting the stage for an album that’s as much a conversation with the soul as it is a musical experience. Each of the eight singles is a chapter in OTH€LLO’s story wrestles with societal norms and emerges as a bold statement of personal evolution.

OTH€LLO’s lyrical introspection is a masterclass in storytelling, with his voice dripping like honey over mellow instrumental arrangements. The production is deep and sonorous, creating a tapestry of scintillating textures that are both soothing and exhilarating.

“Afterglow,” the second single, is a fiery blend of salacious imagery and mellifluous melodies, wrapped in afro-fusion rhythms that redefine the auditory landscape. The album crescendos with the title track, “Miss Mayotte,” a powerful anthem that confronts misogynoir and celebrates the strength and beauty of the unseen queen. OTH€LLO’s journey from cynicism to belief in love’s true form is palpable in every note, making “Miss Mayotte” a symbol of hope and resilience.

OTH€LLO’s music is deeply rooted in his Congolese heritage, with influences from gospel and secular soukous tunes. His journey from performing in musicals in a conservative Edmonton high school to honing his craft in Toronto’s streets and church choirs has audibly imbued his music with intoxicatingly unique authenticity.

With over 84,000 streams on Spotify for his debut single “SZA 4 NGAZ“, which also features on the album, and critical acclaim from The Source and This is 50, OTH€LLO is not just an artist to watch; he’s an artist to experience. “Miss Mayotte,” available for streaming from November 24th, is a testament to the power of music to transform, inspire, and transcend.

Miss Mayotte will be available to stream on all major platforms, including SoundCloud and Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The soulfully-funked hues in Jeremy Hilliard’s single Lay Down Like Lovers captured the haze of utopic affection.

Posted on 23 November 2023

Taken from his LP, which is rooted in swathes of nostalgic funk and soul, Trouble for Another Day, singer-songwriter, Jeremy Hilliard’s standout folky neo-jazz pop single, Lay Down Like Lovers, is a fitting ode to the serenity of passion. The dreamy hues capture the haze of unconditionally all-consuming love as the groove pockets deliver oceanic depth, ensuring Lay Down Like Lovers is a release you can fully immerse yourself in.

If you can’t get enough of the lyrically driven song-crafting finesse of Paul Simon, Kurt Vile, Neil Young and Bob Dylan, you will be instantly enamoured with the poetically mellifluous beguile within Lay Down Like Lovers, which is hopefully the first of many hits from the Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter, who is coming into his own away from his successful band, PEAK, which has made America’s Northeast their touring circuit.

Stream Lay Down Like Lovers on Spotify and Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Susan Ritchie lit a beacon of tranquillity and wisdom in ‘It’s High Time’

Posted on 22 November 2023

Susan Ritchie, whose name has become synonymous with authentic artistry on the Central CA Coast, lit a beacon of tranquillity and wisdom in the standout single, It’s High Time, taken from her debut album, Life is for the Living. So much more than solely a musical score, it’s a journey into the heart of what it means to find peace and meaning amidst the chaos of modernity.

Ritchie gave the adage ‘live and let live’ brand-new potency within It’s High Time by speaking chapter and verse on how it takes nothing to accept trans men and women who are just looking to align their minds with their appearance. Her ability to weave everyday experiences into her songwriting, while giving a nod to the universal experiences we all share, is on full display here. The song is a reminder to pause, reflect, and embrace the moment, a message that resonates now more than ever when it is too easy to be consumed by the insanity which breeds on every corner of the internet.

The influence of her early inspirations, from James Taylor’s finger-picking to the sweet yet sassy blues of Bonnie Raitt, is evident in the song’s composition. Yet, It’s High Time is unmistakably a Susan Ritchie creation. It’s a song that showcases her evolution as an artist, blending soul, blues, rock, and folk into a seamless and captivating experience.

Regardless of how many people find comfort in Susan Ritchie’s soulfully sonorous sound, she speaks directly to you through the intimacy of her lyrics and the magnetically powerful delivery of her gilded-in-introspective-gold lines.

Stream It’s High Time on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Pump Action gave soul a potent shot of style in their alt-rock single, Blood Thinner

Posted on 21 November 2023

For their latest release, Blood Thinner, Nashville’s most dynamic alt-rock outfit, Pump Action, synthesised a cultivated-in-emotional-resonance soul-infused blend of rock, funk, and blues.

By anchoring the track in the traditions of songwriting, following the grooves into evocative territory and juxtaposing their old-school song crafting with freshly envisioned sonic style, the quartet, which came to be in the practice rooms of the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music established itself as one to watch.

After a stripped-back intro which gives the John Mayer-esque vocals plenty of room to breathe, the instrumental layers start to intricately interweave to deliver a progressively compelling testament to their naturally rhythmic talents. By never letting the introspective poetry within the ode of unfaltering passion become overshadowed by the tight driving force in the rhythm section, Pump Action became unequivocally worthy of placement on your playlists next to Allen Stone, Fleet Foxes, and Polyphia

Blood Thinner was officially released on November 10th; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nyasia Chane’l narrated a story of love and longing in her latest Neo-Hip-Hop-Soul release, Rain

Posted on 20 November 2023
Nyasia Chane'l

“Rain” by Nyasia Chane’l transcends your archetypal RnB track to narrate a profound lesson in seduction and soul. The trappy backbeat and tinges of 80s nostalgia create a beguiling blend of modern rhythmics and caressive old-school style as Chane’l’s honeyed vocal lines glide over the equally as smooth instrumental layers with a grace which is as powerful as it is tender to embody the track’s theme of deep, yearning lust.

Drawing inspiration from the likes of SWV, Ashanti, and New Edition, Nyasia has created a song that stands tall among classic elemental love songs. Co-written with the talents of Dajour Neufville and Jayson “J-Didda” Butler, “Rain” captures the essence of longing and connection in a way that feels both timeless and irresistibly new. It is guaranteed to strike a chord with anyone with a pulse and libido.

Nyasia Chane’l, with her multifaceted talents in singing, songwriting, and acting, emerges as an essential artist in today’s musical landscape. Her Neo-Hip-Hop Soul signature is one that any RnB fans will want perpetually etched in their memory.

Listen to Rain on Tidal and Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast