Browsing Tag

World Music

Titan Titan’s ‘Spiritual Ascendence’: Electronica’s Kaleidoscopic Call to Rhythmically Awakened Souls

Posted on 28 March 2025

With ‘Spiritual Ascendence’, electronica artist and producer Titan Titan reaches the epitome of delivering everything promised on the titular tin. The track taps into beats that awaken the primal side of your rhythmic pulse, effortlessly pulling motifs from across the geo-cultural spectrum.

Lavishes of Latin rhythm interweave seamlessly with smoky jazz breezing from the brass, while funk-infused basslines provide an irresistible, soul-deep kick. Rather than merely inviting transcendence, Titan Titan offers listeners an opportunity to pour some vivid colour directly into their souls. Electronica like this powerfully reminds you of music’s potential to possess, instil catharsis, and inspire infectious melody, urging you to step into its sun-bleached groove.

The artist, also known as Anthony Lavery, is no stranger to producing diverse styles, effortlessly exploring hip-hop, drum and bass, house, chillout, rock, English garage, and samba. With ‘Spiritual Ascendence’, his eclectic background converges into a single cohesive expression, resonating with creative versatility and global inspiration.

This instrumental release exemplifies how electronic music can move beyond the predictable, turning a sonic exploration into a sanctuary beyond sound. By rhythmically transcending genre boundaries, Titan Titan ensures your only real obligation here is to surrender to the beat.

‘Spiritual Ascendence’ is now available to stream on all major platforms, including YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

James Austin Melton Strips Jazz to Its Core and Rebuilds It with ‘Adaptive Fiction’

Posted on 14 March 2025

James Austin Melton may still be breaking ground in the jazz scene, but Adaptive Fiction proves he’s set to shake the foundations. His intricate, classically influenced guitar style intertwines seamlessly with a cinematically smoky brass section, creating a deeply rooted and refreshingly unrestrained sonic signature.

The single is catharsis in melodic motion. As the Latin-esque guitars set the groove, the energy only intensifies with the arrival of Melton’s soul-imbued vocals, soaring above the instrumentation with effortless conviction. The production strips jazz to its core and rearranges it with a vision that few would dare to share, yet every note remains as accessible as it is sanctifying.

A musician, educator, and writer, Melton approaches his craft with the kind of thoughtfulness that turns compositions into experiences. His discography is quickly shaping into a sanctuary of sound, offering respite from the noise with arrangements that challenge convention without ever alienating the listener.

With Adaptive Fiction, Melton reaffirms that jazz isn’t just alive—it’s still evolving in ways that demand attention.

Adaptive Fiction is now available to stream on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

DAP The Contract & Suté Iwar Turn Up the Heat with the Sun-Soaked Rhythms of ‘Fàájì’

Posted on 3 March 2025

With the single, Fàájì, DAP The Contract and Suté Iwar locked into an up-tempo groove that pulses with rhythm-led euphoria, lifting you so high you’ll be waiting for the comedown.

Lauded by just about everyone that matters, DAP The Contract exudes the same stylistically luxe enlivening energy as Pharrell Williams as he finds vibe-heavy intersections between hip-hop and sun-bleached Afrobeat grooves, resulting in a sound that could light up dancehalls and dominate the streets.

DAP’s journey has never followed a straight line. From Lagos to London, from Berklee to Columbia Law School, he’s discovered a space where classical training meets raw creative instinct. Nine solo projects deep and fresh off performances alongside Burna Boy, Skepta, and Rema, he leans into his Nigerian roots on Fàájì, weaving highlife and Afrobeat elements into his ever-evolving sound.

There’s no understating the feel-good appeal that cascades straight through your speakers into your rhythmic pulses. Despite the electronic production, there’s something fundamentally human with the silky vocals sliding over the mix and taking reigns of the earworm you’ll pray won’t ever leave. DAP carries the same effortlessly stylish energy as Pharrell Williams, making every moment of the track feel alive, electrified, and impossible to resist.

With over 4.5 million streams and 1.5 million video views, DAP The Contract isn’t just gaining traction—he’s taking over, one infectious production at a time.

Fàájì is now available on all major streaming platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Let the rhythm and faith in Remilekun’s contemporary gospel single Who is He? guide you forward

Posted on 23 January 2025

Remilekun’s live rendition of Who Is He?, recorded in the Netherlands with the Dream Team and the Sound of Gospel Choir, is a transcendent moment of contemporary gospel innovation.

What started as a dialogue sparked in quiet reflection, where faith is both the question and the answer, evolved into the epitome of rapture through sound. Remilekun’s ability to channel introspection into soulful connection is undeniably resonating, as seen in the 21k+ streams amassed within days of the official music video’s premiere on 17th January.

With the sonic expertise of the Dream Team and the dynamic energy of the Sound of Gospel Choir, Remilekun reshapes the traditional gospel experience by weaving African rhythms, funk, jazz, pop, and rock into a unified, world-spanning composition. Every note is steeped in her resolve to deliver something that feels spiritually limitless, both sonically and emotionally.

Her collaboration with the choir gives the song its communal vibrancy, but the spark of individuality comes from her radiant command of melody and meaning. She doesn’t just sing about faith; she invites listeners to fortify theirs. With every verse, she blurs the line between worship and musical experimentation, making her music accessible to anyone seeking clarity and inspiration.

Whether you’re already part of Remilekun’s growing digital congregation or hearing her for the first time, Who Is He? (Live) is an uplifting testament to the power of gospel to transcend borders and speak directly to the heart. Listen, reflect, and let the rhythm guide you forward.

Watch the live recording of Who is He? on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Shreya Pujari & Krishna Beuraa’s ‘Najaa’ Bursts with Pan-Global Soul

Posted on 27 December 2024

‘Najaa’ by Shreya Pujari, featuring Krishna Beuraa, doesn’t rest on conventional borders. Shreya, an accomplished jazz and R&B vocalist from San Francisco with a history of coalescing international traditions, pulls influence from her Indian upbringing and fascination with global folk forms to create a performance that feels like a cradle for countless cultures.

Her study of linguistics and her world-spanning education—encompassing Western Europe, Southeast Asia, Canada, and more—has armed her with a rare versatility and tone. From recurring performances with folk bands and choirs, international tours, and sharing the stage with the likes of Jordan Sparks and Sergio Martinez, she’s always championed borderless expression.

In ‘Najaa’, Eastern strings, orchestral sweeps, and overdriven guitar riffs meld into a sonic melting pot. Shreya’s lush, arcane vocal textures seduce the senses before Krishna’s rallying cry edges in.

Shreya’s skill in weaving Eastern and Western ideas clearly resonates within the single and her trajectory from Indian chart collaborations to her current studies at Berklee and her recent immersion in Mediterranean and Flamenco styles in Valencia. ‘Najaa’ symbolises that relentless curiosity and ambition, proving that borders can crumble under the right melodies.

Najaa will be available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music, from December 27^th.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Bruno Jauregui’s Traditional Mexican Single, Cómo Te Lo Digo, is A Stunning Release of Serotonin

Posted on 21 December 2024

Bruno Jauregui, an artist rooted in Michoacán’s heritage, has rewritten the potential of Regional Mexican music after only a few months in the spotlight. With over 100k streams across platforms—50k in the first month—he’s already proven that earnest storytelling and modern invention can coalesce in impactful ways.

His latest single, Cómo Te Lo Digo, became one of 2024’s most effervescently upbeat productions by freeing expressive inhibitions and weaving intricate layers of sound into every corner of its arrangement.

Expect more than just Spanish guitars strumming in well-worn patterns; this track embraces folk elements to break any lingering monocultural mould. Its meticulously vibrant construction creates a textural depth, while the iridescent vocal lines brim with soul. There’s an unmistakable sense of Bruno’s dedication as each note reverberates with both tradition and fresh perspective. He refuses to settle for the expected, choosing instead to let these diverse influences flourish until they feel as natural as sunlight.

If you want to serenade yourself with the sound of eternal summer, sink into Cómo Te Lo Digo, a stunning release of serotonin (literally and figuratively).

Stream Cómo Te Lo Digo on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Thalia Jailene spun emotion into rhythmic gold with her standout single, Sueñitos

Posted on 9 December 2024

Thalia Jailene’s latest single, Sueñitos, weaves hypnotic rhythms straight into the soul. From the opening notes, choppy staccato reggae guitars tease the senses, making way for warm flamenco licks that unravel through the vibrant sonic fabric. Thalia’s smooth, serotonin-laced vocals glide effortlessly over the textured layers, delivering an exotic and arcane soundscape that feels as seraphic as it is unique.

The Latina singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and music educator, now based in North Carolina, demonstrates her ability to blend her eclectic influences—from Paramore and No Doubt to Amy Winehouse and Bob Marley—into a sound that transcends genres. Her self-described “music alchemy” transforms raw emotions into an intoxicating mix of pop, rock, and reggae, with Sueñitos embodying her commitment to organic euphoria while the rest of her discography attests to how she never shies away from darker themes.

Hi play and prepare for full immersion as your senses are flooded with colour.

Sueñitos is available to stream on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Kuwaisiana – Gentrification: A Sonic Molotov Aimed at Cultural Erosion

Posted on 27 September 2024

https://soundcloud.com/kuwaisiana/gentrification-aug-mix/s-GGnNrQ0jOK2?in=kuwaisiana/sets/mishriff-ep//s-hQHummCrWZD

Seattle-based trio Kuwaisiana aren’t pulling any punches with their latest release, ‘Gentrification’. From the opening Arabic howl of angst, the band tears into the cold, clinical destruction of cultural roots with brutal fury. As the track shifts gears into English, it doesn’t lose an ounce of its venom. Instead, it hammers home the visceral reality of gentrification – not as a polite reshuffling, but a full-scale assault on heritage and identity.

The track’s aggressive blend of grunge, hardcore, and post-punk catapults Kuwaisiana to the frontlines of protest music. Forget the half-hearted rage of your typical punk track; this is pure, unadulterated chaos. With riffs that cut like jagged glass and rhythms that hit like a riot, ‘Gentrification’ feels like a sonic Molotov hurled at the forces that reduce communities to dust. The gnarled vocals alone could level cities, calling back to the uncompromising energy of Bad Brains and Dead Kennedys.

The lyrical narrative is equally ferocious, painting a vivid picture of the hollowed-out ruins left by gentrification. The reference to ‘Disneyland nose jobs’ alludes to how Kuwaisiana aren’t just on the money, they’re holding the monopoly in the punk scene.

The haunting opening image sets the tone for a journey through displacement, exclusivity, and transience. +Aziz’s Kuwaiti-American identity bleeds through every note, making the track a gut punch for anyone who’s watched their cultural landscape get obliterated by the greed of the powerful.

Gentrification will reclaim the airwaves when it officially releases on September 27; stream the single on SoundCloud first.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Scene by Scene: Shah Brielle’s Cinematic Sound in “Issues”

Posted on 19 September 2024

Shah Brielle injected filmic sophistication into the sphere of contemporary RnB with her latest single, Issues. With echoes of Latin guitars interwoven into the lush production, the Chicago singer-songwriter orchestrated a vignette which mirrors the tremulous journey through love’s intricate labyrinth. Her powerfully crystalline harmonies resound as a beacon through the fog of emotional turmoil, articulating the push and pull of a love that’s as intoxicating as it is flawed.

The track unfurls like a cinematic narrative, each lyric threading deeper into the listener’s consciousness, much like waiting for a film’s climax with bated breath. With lyrics such as “Will I continue to swim through the flood to find your flame?” she encapsulates the desperation and determination of clinging to a flickering hope in love. This emotional odyssey is paralleled visually in a gripping music video that portrays a groom’s resolve as his wedding day unfolds with unexpected trials, prompting viewers to question the resilience of love.

After breaking onto the Chicago music scene in 2013, Shah Brielle has amassed a loyal following with her syntheses of world-music-heightened RnB and soul, which reflects her adoration for icons like Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu.

Stream the official music video for Issues which premiered on September 6^th on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Embracing Diversity: Tora Woloshin Celebrates Togetherness in ‘Unity

Posted on 27 August 2024

No one will divide and conquer in Tora Woloshin’s name after the soulstress released her exotically melodic melting pot of sonic culture ‘Unity’. The fusion of afrobeat rhythms, Latino flair, pop hooks and fiery-with-soul RnB harmonies unravels as a sensuously fresh exposition of how sweet it is to live and love when you look at the world through a lens of pure acceptance and understanding.

With “grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change” worked into the fuel-for-the-soul lyrics, the LA-born, Arizona-raised artist gave her listeners a steadfast compass for any time they feel lost amidst the chaos of our ever-divisive world.

With Unity, Tora Woloshin not only became an embodiment of harmoniousness; she proved her mettle as one of the most inspiring voices on the airwaves with a single which is a culmination of her worldly experience, which may have been pierced by painful traumatic experiences, but she’s living and breathing proof that triumphing and thriving over adversity is always possible.

After cutting her teeth at the age of 15 in her first band, an audition on American Idol and X Factor showed the world what she was made of; she may not have gone all the way in the competition, but she was a certifiable success, evidenced by her sold-out album release show shortly after filming, interest in major labels, collaborative work with Jim Jones and Timbaland, and opening for Flo Rida, Pink, and Method Man.

Unity will be available to stream on all major platforms on August 27 via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

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