Florent C. - Underwater City (LP)

Underwater City (LP) - Florent C. (Pop) For this week’s album review, we welcome Florent C. to the blog with his 11-track LP “Underwater City.” While a handful of tracks scream radioplay, overall the work is an immersive, atmospheric experience, painting beautiful landscapes both physical and emotional, pulled together by a thread of a journey through melancholy to self confidence. But before we dissect the tracks, first a bit about our artist.

Belgian artist Florent C. is here to create his own universe. A storyteller at heart, Florence C. blends urban energy, cinematic moods and alternative pop influences to create music compositions he hopes will create a connection with his listeners. He views each project as its own world to dive into and explore. Preceded by this year’s “Duality”, “Cold Intentions” and “Da Lerk’Z”, on “Underwater City”, Florent C. mixes dark pop textures and hypnotic rhythms and imbues them with raw storytelling, hoping to create a unique immersive journey that balances chaos and serenity.

The album opens with “Perfect Disaster”, beginning the project on what feels to be a somber note from the descending chords and sorrowful ambience. Passing between male and female vocalists, we get a song about regret over letting someone slip away, having not appreciated them when they had the chance. It’s a heavy track that sets the tone for the project.

The melancholy continues on “Phonetic Dreams”, which harkens back to the dark dance floor tracks of the early 00s, ultimately guiding us into the title track, “Underwater City”. Both do exactly what Florent C. strives for—creating picturesque worlds with sound. The latter especially paints a vivid atmosphere, imbued with feelings of longing and loss. Both tracks feel very much like exploratory journeys on alien worlds.

Florent C.’s lyrical prowess is on full display on “He Never Talked”, where he paints not a landscape but the contours of a fraught relationship. Giving us shades of Dido, this track to us feels like the most single friendly of the outing so far.

We then get two tracks that feel like character studies. “Guinea Pig” plunges us back into darkness with a spooky ode to a lover who toys with her prey. Slow and steady, this track portrays a villainess. Reaching the midpoint of the album, “Ice-Cold” picks things up quite a bit with a howling guitar and slamming beat, pulling us out of the more atmospheric numbers that came before, with an anthem for a lone wolf in society.

“Where Do We Go” submerges us back in sorrow, with the music creating a sense of drowning slowly, plunging deeper into the dark below, which happens to pair perfectly with the lyrical motifs of staying afloat. “Now I Rise” is a smaller track, focused on issues of self esteem and self confidence, and is a nice diversion from the more cinematic tracks on the album.

“Bee’s Knees” is another track made for single treatment, and may be our favorite on the album. This pure pop confection is as dark and moody as the rest of the album, but its melody and structure lean themselves to radioplay more than almost any other track on the album. The lyrics, focusing on receiving the adulation of another and internalizing it, are clever and captivating. We have this one on repeat.

“There’s Nobody Left” pivots away from radio ready tracks and instead gives us a few different musical textures through a lament on being left behind, with whopping 5:31 in runtime to create a more immersive experience.

Finally, the album concludes with “Shut Up”, another single contender, which packs the most bite of all of the numbers. While fitting in with the general sonic landscape, it’s the first time the point of view shifts from feeling down or neglected to anger, serving as a bookend to an emotional journey. While we started this journey lamenting over not appreciating someone, we emerge as someone who’s sick of feeling bad and has choice words for the person that put us on the journey.

TRACK LIST

1. Perfect Disaster

2. Phonetic Dreams

3. Underwater City

4. He Neer Talked

5. Guinea Pig

6. Ice-Cold

7. Where Do We Go

8. Now I Rise

9. Bee’s Knees

10. There’s Nobody Left

11. Shut Up

Suanna - I'll Breathe For You

I’ll Breathe For You - Suanna (Pop) Suanna joins our blog this week with latest track “I’ll Breathe For You”, a striking piano ballad about being in someone’s corner through thick and thin. The production is vast in scope leading to an overall anthemic feeling, from the descending chords to the low driving bass, and has a slow and steady build as instruments join in throughout the journey like any good power ballad. Suanna’s vocal is strong, cast in a heavy reverb to add an ethereal, mystical feel to the track, and serves as the center of this record’s power. We could envision this track as the hero song on a blockbuster soundtrack, or reserved for when a friend wants to show off at karaoke. Punchy and powerful, this is definitely one to sing along with in the shower or license for your movie’s trailer.

Jettapayne - Built Different

Built Different - Jettapayne (Rap) A newcomer to our blog, Jettapayne joins us this week with “Built Different”, where our artist elaborates on her uniqueness in the game and defiance of labels. At a tight 1:58, the track kicks off with an ominous piano line that infuses a level of danger to the soundscape, soon joined by a thudding hip hop percussion production. Jettapayne’s rhythmic flow reminds us a lot of Megan Thee Stallion, with a vocal intonation that feels more raw and in your face. Jettapayne comes off as a bit scrappier—a fighter—ready to defend her name and reputation. It’s a great hype track, especially for those who feel like they’ve been trapped in a box by the views of others and are ready to change some minds with elbows flying.

Best Lyric: “Ain’t no door that I can’t open and don’t even have to knock.”

Illianna Viramontes - Just Might

Just Might - Illianna Viramontes (Pop) Illianna Viramontes joins our blog’s roster this week with latest single “Just Might”, a perfectly constructed pop bop that feels pulled right from the Billboard top 40 charts of the 90s. On “Just Might”, Illianna is tempted by a new love that is getting her to overcome her hesitation to start something new. The track’s soundscape is pulled from the heydays of Lilith Fair, giving us an amalgam of Sheryl Crow, Sarah McLachlan and Shawn Colvin. A mellow and fluid midtempo, we especially loved the supercharge the track gets in the outro chorus with the additional vocal lines, which really elevates the record into “repeat sing-along in the shower” status.

Best Lyric: “I don’t want to get attached. Too late.”

Silky Vibe - Moody (EP)

Moody - Silky Vibe (R&B/Pop)  Silky Vibe joins our blog this week with 5-track EP “Moody”. A blend of trap, soul and alternative R&B, the collection tells a narrative of yearning, loss, rejection and ultimately realization of the need to move on from toxic love. Before we dive into the album, let’s start with a bit about our artist.

Based in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Silky Vibe is a singer, songwriter, producer and musician, having crafted the beats and recorded vocals for “Moody” himself on his phone through FL Studio Mobile. Dedicated to crafting smooth, atmospheric records, Silky Vibe draws inspiration from classic R&B, Neo Soul and ambient soundscapes to create a mood of intimacy and relaxation. Silky Vibe counts Usher, Frank Ocean and the recently departed D’Angelo as inspirations, and aims to graft personal lyrics onto catchy melodies. Overall, Silky Vibe’s MO is to chill you out.

On “Moody”, Silky Vibe does just that, delivering 5 records that weigh heavy on the heart. Often playing with minimalist instrumentation, Silky Vibe’s emphasis is on emotion, delivered with the beautiful sadness of his vocal delivery and lyrics that cut like a knife. This is certainly a vibes-first collection of tracks that line up together as a cohesive, ambient experience.

EP opener “Just Like That” sets the mood immediately with sparkling key stabs sounding like warped church bells. The minimal instrumentation trickles in slowly over the course of the track as Silky Vibe’s crispy, short-verbed vocal bleeds on the track, lamenting a love that plays with his emotions, pleading for the relief of honesty. It’s a heart-wrenching performance that sets the tone for the project, the track almost feeling like a funeral procession for Silky Vibe’s heart.

Title track “Moody” glides us into some smooth, classic R&B, punctuated by the relentless trap hat that propels the track forward. The emotions of the prior record bleeds over as Silky Vibe sinks into his feelings of rejection, turning from external yearning to internal suffering. A wailing guitar pairs with emotional backgrounds to fill out the track. The lyrics on this one hit hard, with “she say that she love me, must be out of options” sticking with us after the listen. Relatable.

“Wontcha” picks up the tempo with a classic 90s R&B percussion arrangement, as Silky Vibe wonders why his love interest sits on the sidelines, pleading for them to get things started. As in the prior record, the wailing guitar compliments Silky Vibe’s yearning.

“Mess With Me”, our favorite on the album, sizzles with that lo-fi, rainy day coffee shop vibe with an instrumentation that swells with desire. Silky Vibe’s vocals are strongest here, delivering us a sensual track that makes us want to slip into a hot tub with a glass of wine. We love the vibe on this one.

Finally, EP closer “My Sweet” enters the realm of avant-garde, as a warped atonal synth bell plucks ominously throughout the track, bringing us back to the minimalism of the intro record. The lyrics hit hard on this one, taking the spotlight, with Silky Vibe putting his yearning and desire aside, having had a revelation that his infatuation is no good for him after all, bringing the narrative of the collection full circle. “See you most clear when i close my eyes.”

TRACKS:

1. Just Say That

2. Moody

3. Wontcha

4. Mess With Me

5. My Sweet

Antoin Gibson - Diss Qualification

Diss Qualification (Rap) We welcome blog newcomer Antoin Gibson this week with her latest, “Diss Qualification.”  A mysterious synth pluck sets the mood before Antoin joins to spit her vicious rhyme, the pairing reminding us a lot of Nicki Minaj’s “Only.” Antoin’s pen game is similarly on point, as she brings the grit and vitriol of Eminem to a diss track that fires shots not at a person, but at society. The lyrics are the focus of the track, the instrumental mostly atmospheric, which combines razor sharp wit and clever wordplay to preach her message from the mound. This one is prime for repeats to make sure to digest everything Antoin is serving.

Best Lyric: “You must spend paper to get paper to make paper to spend.”

Alessa XO - Jupiter

Jupiter - Alessa XO (Pop) We welcome NYC-based singer/songwriter and actress Alessa XO to the blog this week with the rousing pop anthem “Jupiter”, a track about taking your love so high you eventually leave the atmosphere and journey up into the solar system. Alessa boasts a weighty belt in her vocal that has a tonality that at times reminds us of Lady Gaga, similarly in how she emotes by chewing her words. A hearty mid tempo written during the pandemic, the track is propelled by a rich bassline underlying a standard boom-clap percussion progression, making a track born for karaoke and shower singalongs. Don’t miss Alessa’s slick music video, filed in her hometown of Klagenfurt, Austria.

DJ Snudi - Sugar Daddy (ft Rayne)

Sugar Daddy - DJ Snudi (ft Rayne) (Dance) Listen, times are hard, and economic conditions don’t seem like they’ll be improving anytime soon. Thus, we cast no judgment on DJ Snudi’s and Rayne’s mission to find some financial support in “Sugar Daddy.” This slippery little number is dripping with sex, as Rayne’s close, intimate vocal whispers in your ear over a merengue inspired beat. The opening is evocative, with the rising alarm and sassy “la las” sending a universal message to listeners to drop what they’re doing and report to the dance floor. Seductive and alluring, Rayne keeps the listener’s attention as she describes all her attributes. When the track finishes, one thing is clear—it’s time to pay up.

SERAh - Favorite Game (ft Summer Rona)

Favorite Game - SERAh ft Summer Rona (EDM)  American producer and DJ SERAh joins our blog this week with a soulful mid-tempo EDM track, “Favorite Game”, paired with a trippy post-apocalyptic sci-fi music video (part of a larger narrative — follow SERAh below to enter that world). The track definitely delivers on that futuristic vibe, cinematic in scope, and utilizes melodic bass and trap to create a dark pop vibe, with a heavenly vocal floating in a spacious soundscape pleading about the loss of love and inability to repair what’s been broken. The beat drops hard about halfway through the track, elevating something more dreamy and contemplative into something much more hard hitting. Overall, it’s a track to get lost in, and we’re excited to discover how this record fits into the overall artistic vision of SERAh’s work.

Best Lyric: “This is not a case of lust you see, it’s not a matter of you versus me.“

Mia Delamar - Love Me...Not (LP)

Love Me…Not - Mia Delamar (R&B/Pop)  Two years later, Mia Delamar returns to us with her stellar album “Love Me…Not”. We were privileged to review a handful of these tracks from her breakout EP “H.O.M.B.” and in that review dedicated ourselves as Mia stans. We’re happy to report that the additional tracks only cement the good impression we had of Mia when we first encountered her. With so much to love, from the nostalgic retro R&B beats to the vulnerable storytelling, let’s dive into “Love Me…Not”.

An Atlanta native, 25 year-old Mia Delamar names her influences as MIssy Elliot, Aaliyah and Mary J Blige. For us, we’d say Mia’s honey vocals put her in the Brandy/Nivea category, and her productions falling into early Arianna Grande and NAO territory. While we have already reviewed some of these tracks, the cohesiveness of this project as an album-arching narrative begs that we go back into them as they form integral pieces of a well sequenced, thoughtfully crafted story.

The album kicks off with a track that screams ‘album opener’—”Into You.” The warbly synths and bouncing bassline quickly introduce the soundscape of what’s to come—a feel good, poppy R&B groove. There’s a retro feel to the track, a late 90s/early 00s vibe, that reminds us a lot of early Arianna Grande tracks (especially when Mia soars into the rafters), or for those who really want a deep cut, Nivea (or possibly Monica’s more pop tracks).

The baton is handed off quickly to “Whatever”, moving from the giddiness of being into someone to the trepidation of diving into something new. Haunted by past heartbreak, in the end, Mia’s latest love interest has her all in. Continuing the feel good retro vibe, this track reminded us a bit of Lil’ Mo.

“Anyway” picks up the pace with a punchy snare that takes us back to Ghosttown DJ’s “My Boo”. The story of the album continues to a new chapter—first, she’s into the new love, next she’s pushing forward despite heartbreak, and now in “Anyway” she’s going to stick with it through thick and thin. It’s here that we start to appreciate the artistry of not only the tracks themselves, but the album sequencing in building the narrative. The story continues on “Personal”, where the beat introduces a bit of funk as Mia croons about diving into the work of building intimacy.

“Cool - MiMix” is the first sign of trouble. For the first time doubt has crept into the relationship and Mia is standing ten toes down on her boundaries. It’s a hard pivot, because now it’s her lover who is looking to get back in her good graces while Mia confidently and stridently proclaims that she’s “cool” on him now. It’s a relatable feeling for those who’ve been burned before—when burned again, it’s easy to just turn off the switch to protect your peace. With it’s ‘in your face’ delivery providing a stark contrast to the prior tracks, when paired with a bop of a beat, this song quickly became our favorite so far.

On “Alright”, Mia is in the aftermath of the fall. She’s in her self care moment, journaling as she reminds herself that she will get through her heartbreak and come out on the other side. “I Know” introduces a new groove into the album with a touch of afrobeat as Mia boasts on her resume as a perfect partner worth the chase. “H.O.M.B.” is a dreamy track and the sexiest of the project so far (standing for “hands on my body”) as the quiet confidence of “I Know” is amped up into a boastful track about how Mia is the one you need to put in the work for. This is another standout track.

“Say That” continues Mia’s confident streak as she laments the time she wasted on someone, creating one of the catchiest tracks on the project. Looking back on the journey so far, we’ve come a long way from the fuzzy warmth at the top of the album—Mia’s no longer playing around.

On “My Love Don’t Mean a Thing” the retro vibe continues, punctuated by that 80s synth cowbell immediately recognizable to those who grew up on the golden age of R&B. The defensiveness of the prior tracks breaks here as Mia gets into the feelings of rejection, trying to understand why someone she loved could have treated her poorly. The mask slips on this song and the vulnerability in the top half of the album returns.

As we come to the close of the project, “Complicated” shows Mia taking her first steps into something new, but carrying the baggage of the past with her. But she does so openly, putting all cards on the table to let the next love know what they are getting into. Finally, “The Drain”, ends the album on a bit of a downer as Mia, for the first time, wallows in what she’s been through, looking back and dreaming of what could have been. It’s incredibly relatable, and after getting to know Mia through the project, the listener is fully in her corner hoping to see her rise from the ashes on her next project.

It is with great pleasure that we can say Mia Delamar’s “Love Me…Not” is a no-skip project that particularly drew in this elder millennial who grew up on Monica, Brandy, Aaliyah and Nivea. The beats are retro heaven, Mia’s vocals are pillowy soft and intimate and the story is smart, personal, relatable and well told with a clear point of view. At the end of the album we feel like we know Mia, and we root for her. We’ll have this one on repeat for a while. Again, we stan.

J Eden - Stepping Tonight

Stepping Tonight - J Eden (HipHop/Country)  This week, we welcome J Eden to the blog with a country/hip-hop hybrid “Stepping Tonight.” The twang of a guitar overlaying a crisp hip-hop production, our male vocalist glides easily in and out of sung vocal and rhyme spit, telling a tale of anticipation of an upcoming night of fun. Understated synths provide a warmth to the track that makes you envision the sun setting on a hard day’s work, transitioning into a memorable evening of beers, laughs and companionship. A silky mid-tempo, “Stepping Tonight” is a great track for your commute to meet your crew at happy hour.

Liona Jahmara - My kindness

Lioness Fire- Liona Jahmara (R&B)  This week we welcome Liona Jahmara to the blog, who blends soulful vocals with digital creativity to bring us a track about the magnetic pull of positive energy and outlook, “My kindness.” The track has R&B stylings at its core with a touch of afrobeat sensibility—an undulating panning synth provides the background for traditional R&B 808 and drumkit—overlaid by Liona’s silky and effortless vocals preaching the virtues of moving through the world with grace. It’s a very zen track and goes down smooth, a perfect soundtrack for moments when your instinct is to be reactive or combative. Liona’s message of letting go of hostility and negativity feels timely in today’s world.

Best Lyric: “See the world through my lens, all the love that I find.“

SonicNeuron - Forever In Your Eyes

Forever In Your Eyes - SonicNeuron (Pop)  We welcome SonicNeuron to the blog this week with the funky cut “Forever In Your Eyes.” A groovy duet with major disco inspirations, the track is an ode to true love. The mid-tempo is a real two-stepper with a slippery bass driving the track forward as it’s joined by disco strings and horns to create a timeless vibe without feeling dated. The male and female vocals share the spotlight, passing the baton easily between them. The track is paired with a lush AI-driven music video showing beautiful people relishing in the beauty of love. Overall, it’s a feel good track sure to get you moving.

Best Lyric: “Love’s a hustle and I’m craving more.“

The New Citizen Kane - Causing A Commotion / Subconscious

Causing A Commotion/Subconscious - The New Citizen Kane (Pop) The New Citizen Kane is feeling a bit randy this week! His hormones are “Causing a Commotion” on the title track on his latest 8-track EP. The song is a funky cut, with a plucky synth bass pulling the song along a gentle mid-tempo groove. The track has a disco flare, and is a great arrival for the end of summer. Similar vibes abound on single “Subconscious”, a track about an unexpected attraction to a friend. With an 80s influence in the synths, both tracks are bonafide 2 steppers great for both dance floors or windows-down commutes.

abeatchemist - Space Is Deep (LP)

Space Is Deep - abeatchemist (Hiphop) We’re taking a trip through the galaxy this week with veteran producer abeatchemist. New to our blog, but not to the music scene, abeatchemist has shared his latest LP, “Space Is Deep”, with us for our thoughts. But before we dig into the album, let’s start with a bit about the man behind the music.

Hailing from Chicago, abeatchemist began producing in the early 2000s as half of the now disbanded group Soul Survivas. Frustrated by his dependency on other producers for beats, abeatchemist took it upon himself to purchase his own gear and begin producing for himself. In addition to producing his own work, he’s worked with many other Chicago artists to bring their dreams to fruition. The self-produced “Space Is Deep” was created to be a cosmic journey through the galaxy, addressing heady concepts of geopolitics, mortality, pain, grief, love and more.

We found, however, that “Space Is Deep” turned out to be a lesson in not judging a book by its cover. On first approaching this work, we noted the large number of tracks and self-described metaphysical subject matter, concerned that we might get weighed down in something overwrought or bloated—a common issue in self produced works. We were happy to find, however, that “Space Is Deep” is a tightly constructed 30 minute journey that, while certainly reaching into broader concepts, more often than not hits on deeply personal stories of loss. As much as abeatchemist may portray this work as a journey through the universe, we think it is much more of a journey inward, and listeners will certainly come out of the experience feeling connected to abeatchemist on a personal level.

With a Nas-like flow, the production feels steeped in mid-90s East Coast hip hop, and often made us think of the Biggie records of the era—”Drugs” in particular. The sound is consistent with few outliers, and certainly works as an ode to that gold era of hip hop. abeatchemist’s pen game is on point, with thoughtful and interesting lyrics that often take several listens to truly unpack. As stated in the intro track, hip hop is an art form used to educate, and that is clearly what abeatchemist is doing on this project. The production is lush, using hard hitting drums, vocal samples, swirling synths, sparkling rhodes and a bevy of ear candy stabs to create dense sonic atmospheres that soar on big speakers.

Stand out tracks include “The Big Bang Theory”, the first autobiographical record on the project, where we start to get to know a bit about abeatchemist’s story and point of view. Similarly, title track “Space Is Deep” touches on the last moments abeatchemist had with his father in a way that is both touching and uplifting. Finally, “Sound Waves (Testimony)”, the album closer, is our favorite production sonically, with the dreamy keys working like a hypnotic music box. But overall there are no skips on this one, and the project deserves a straight through listen as constructed to get the full experience. This is not a collection of songs, this is a holistic work that deserves the proper attention.

TRACKLIST

1. Speaker Notes (Intro)

2. Forever

3. The Big Bang Theory

4. Lethal

5. Strip Down

6. Drowning (WTF)

7. Tuning

8. Frequency

9. O’Hare

10. Space Is Deep

11. Its Been Clear

12. Letter To Heaven (ft Matte Black and Martin Grow)

13. Beyond Understanding

14. Streaming

15. Transmission

16. Sound Waves (Testimony)

V.Of - La Grande Motte

La Grande Motte - V.Of (Pop) We welcome V.Of to the blog this week with the plucky pop production “La Grande Motte.” A perfect jam for summer evenings, this dancey cut tells the story of a euphoric paradise—an ultimate vacation destination by the sea. Our artist has a deep attachment to this city as the creator of La Grande Motte et ses Bons Plans, telling us that La Grande Motte attracts over 2 million tourists per year. In a lot of ways the song made us think of Madonna’s “La Isla Bonita”, an ode to a paradise, but in this case it’s a place you can actually visit for yourself! The track’s production is sharp, with a clean mix and punchy master, led by a hard hitting kick drum surrounded by island vibes. The song is a perfect soundtrack for summertime beach excursions, whether in La Grande Motte or not, and is certainly set to become the official theme of this idyllic town.