Sage Suede - Dirty Blonde (LP)

Dirty Blonde (LP) - Sage Suede (EDM) Sensitive readers beware, because like Sage Suede, we’re not going to mince words on this. On the “Dirty Blonde” LP, Sage is down to fuck, and there’s absolutely no innuendo to it. So if you’re up for an (audial) orgy, dig in below.

Sage’s press release is a blunt as their album. According to Sage, they wrote the album as a journey through space and time and “personally connected with hot women around the world to get their attention for duets.” The goal was to make the listener think about fashion, romance and gender. For us, however, what it made us think about is getting railed on a gas station bathroom floor by demonic clowns. You read that right.

We can best define the genre of “Dirty Blonde” as avant garde/abstract EDM—because we’re not sure ‘acid trip’ is a genre. The instrumentation throughout is structured fairly traditionally, with steady BPMs, percussion loops and heavy pads, sticking mostly to EDM but occasionally incorporating some modern hiphop trends. But in addition to a few interesting instrumental punches, it’s the vocals that make the album other worldy. First, it’s heavily layered with both male and female vocals on top of each other, and then on top of that some robotic layers and demonic distortions, and that is a consistent production for all of the tracks. This is a homegrown effect, Sage having edited the vocals to intentionally sound crazy (note, “The Best Revenge” has over 30 vocal layers). Those layers are often disjointed, creating an interesting delay effect, that abandons clarity for the feelings they are meant to invoke in the listener. Adding to the abstract, Sage also regularly syncopates or abandons the rhythm of the instrumental altogether, at times veering more into spoken word than lyrical verse. The result is a sound that feels like a demonic possession delivering an incantation. It’s certainly not like anything we’ve ever heard before. It’s some final act of Requiem for a Dream shit.

Other than developing a truly original sound, we also commend Sage Suede for making each track entirely unique, despite the carrythrough of their one of a kind vocal production. By sticking to the unconventional choice of production, it would be very easy to fall into the trap of each song sounding too similar, but Sage Suede avoids that completely and delivers 13 tracks each with entirely their own identity.

As for the lyrical content itself, it’s probably the most explicit record we’ve ever heard. It’s not just about sex, it’s about dirty sex. Grimey and at times bordering on grotesque. On “Corn Chip Thot” specifically, the use of churros and crisco as sexual imagery might be overwhelming for some listeners. But we are fairly confident Sage Suede has fully intended on shock value and they have certainly achieved that. This album would make your grandmother spontaneously combust.

Our favorite track is “The Best Revenge”, a demented disco number that alternates the vocal layering to allow the male and female vocals to each come to the forefront and take some time in the spotlight. “Broment” is also a bop, sticking to a more conventional lyrical structure. It feels like the warped cousin of the Ying Yang Twinz’s “Whisper Song”, and the synth key lead is very catchy. We also want to draw attention to “Work From Hoe”, on which Sage tells the chick banging on his door for dick she should calm down and he’ll be back tomorrow. The eastern influences on the instrumental remind us of Timbaland’s ventures into that sound around the time of “Indian Flute” and Truth Hurts’ “Addicted”. We think these tracks are the best entry point.

All in all, we are pretty amazed by the originality of this record, we have truly never heard anything like it. And so if your sex dungeon or Eyes Wide Shut party needs a soundtrack—we think ”Dirty Blonde” is a sure bet.

LandoLyrical - PATEK

PATEK - LandoLyrical (Rap) LandoLyrical and Twelveprimetime bring a low key rap groove about their focus and drive with latest record “PATEK”. It’s an understated production with some heavily verbed keys and crisp percussion giving the impression of a cavernous space, which helps to give an ominous feeling to the track. That space is made to center the vocals which dominate the production, as the distinct flows of LandoLyrical and Twelveprimetime push through the verb to tell the the listeners that they are solely focused on the hustle. There’s a Fugees vibe to the pairing, with effective yet restrained earcandy from a few vocal callouts, octave drop layering and small little touches that, together with the production, make sure the focus is never away from the vocals and the lyrics. All in all, the message is clear—these two are on the rise and you best step out the way.

Best Lyric: “We the new aliens’.”

Echezona - It's Your World

It’s Your World - Echezona (Hiphop) Long after Mary J wanted to share her world, Echezona arrives with his afrobeat groove to ask his love interest to share more of herself in “It’s Your World.” We could hear this track being in Drake’s repertoire for sure, with Echezona displaying not only his strength as a vocalist, but his grounded rap flow. There’s an intimacy to his performance, making the listener feel that Echezona is speaking directly to them, rather than simply performing a track. Add to that all the little inflections he sprinkles throughout his performance, and you have a very engaging listen from someone who feels like they are sitting right in the pocket. The instrumentation is sparse, allowing Echezona’s talent to be the star of the track, with the occasional distorted flute sound that reminds us a bit of Bieber’s “Sorry” from a few years back. And just like that track, “It’s Your World” is a bop.

Best Lyric: “Do you ever think you love too hard? Do you ever think you’re hard to love?“

Myra Monoka - Drive

Drive - Myra Monoka (Pop/R&B) Myra Monoka is bringing that understated low key groove with latest track “Drive.” Myra beckons you come along with her on a euphoric escapade with a seductive rasp that reminds us modern day Miley. The song seems to defy genre—it’s certainly pop, with some sprinkling of 80s retro sounds, but at its heart we think of it much more of an R&B funk groove, a combo we definitely like. Just as seductive as her lead vocals, which have real gravity to them, Myra’s backing vocals—a lush choral wall that fills the space—are quite heavenly and give a tension and depth to the track. All in all, “Drive” is one one of those tracks you put on repeat.

Best Lyric: “The neighbors’ gonna hear when I come around.”

Shanti Chapman - Joy Comes in the Morning

Joy Comes in the Morning - Shanti Chapman (R&B) We’ve got a classic R&B/gospel hybrid here with Shanti Chapman’s “Joy Comes in the Morning”, a rousing ballad that feels just as fitting on retro R&B radio as it would belted by the gospel choir during Sunday service. The production is lush, with glistening rhodes sparkling in the background, a tight percussion arrangement and some heavenly backing choral vocals. But the star of this track is Shanti’s flawless vocal performance, a resonant baritone with strength, range and passion (and oh that belted adlib!!!). He also gives the song a unique sound in putting his voice in a prominent short verb/tight delay that helps to distinguish this track from its colleagues.

Best Lyric: “The clouds do pass in the morning. The sun will shine at the dawning of the day.”

Killah Trakz - For The Love

For The Love - Killah Trakz (Rap) “Real hiphop need this” spits Killah Trakz on his, well, killer track, “For The Love.” It’s clear that Killah is a student of hiphop as he resurrects a classic retro 90s sound. The track feels like a love letter to that time, similar to Missy E’s motivation on her “Under Construction” album. The midtempo groove sits behind the fierce flow of Killah, who to us feels like a Busta and DMX hybrid in terms of his tone and enunciation, with a flow that combines those influences with some East Coast Biggie-isms. We could almost hear this track segueing into “Victory” or “Quiet Storm” as it certainly feels plucked from that iconic era. So, if you’re into a fresh take on a throwback, we recommend “For The Love.”

Best Lyric: “Never sold my rights or my likeness.”

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Tonya G - Frenzy

Frenzy - Tonya G (Pop) There’s something magical about Tonya G’s moody new track, “Frenzy.” The swirling retro synths set an epic, cavernous atmosphere before falling into the background, where they provide steady tension and menace as a punchy kick and crisp hats drive the track forward. Tonya herself fills the track with her rich, buttery alto, while the melody and delivery of the lyrics give us a Kelis kind of vibe. The track feels avant garde despite it’s classic song structure, possibly from the juxtaposition of the steady dance beat overlaid with a darkness—the synths and vocals feel like a dark storm cloud rolling in from the horizon. Soul stirring vocals and a foreboding soundscape, “Frenzy” is hauntingly powerful.

Best Lyric: “I took away your access to me.”

Alex Manari - Waiting The Sunshine

Waiting The Sunshine - Alex Manari (Tropical House) Alex Manari takes us back to the summer beaches with latest record, “Waiting The Sunshine.” It’s a plucky pop production that reminds us of Madonna’s “Celebration”, with a touch of “Superbass”. The instrumental sparkles as the bass and kick drive the song forward like a freight train. From the lyrics to the sound of seagulls cawing in the background to the bright and shiny synths, the track just screams summertime—we can almost smell the coconut scents of suntan lotion as we listen. As referenced above, there’s a definite “when Madonna does house” vibe to the track, particularly in the tonality of the female vocals. Catchy, tropical and very dance-able, be sure to bask in the light of Alex Manari’s “Waiting For Sunshine”.

Kully Bath - Rain Falls Inside

Rain Falls Inside - Kully Bath (Pop) Kully Bath delivers a stirring, timeless ballad with her latest record “Rain Falls Inside”. Kully’s vocals balance intimacy, vulnerability and maturity, swirling in a miasma of reverb as keys and choral walls provide a foundation in the backing. The percussion is very crisp, which leads to a spacious and yet textured production. The lyrics conjure environmental imagery as Kully paints crystal clear images with her words. The sound itself is classic in every way, from the structure to chord progressions to the construction of the melody. Both soothing and brooding, Kully Bath’s “Rain Falls Inside” makes for a great listen on a chilly fall afternoon.

Best Lyric: “The brutal winds of change are cold.”

X.O.Anne - Boyfriend Collection

Boyfriend Collection - X.O.Anne (Hip-Hop) I’m not sure if we’ve ever heard a song like this from the woman’s point of view, and we are here for it. Like “Mamno No. 5” and “Freek-A-Leek” before it, X.O.Anne’s latest track “Boyfriend Collection” is a saucy banger with Anne running through her little black book of boys and letting us know what she keeps each one around for. This recitation comes over a knocking hiphop beat reminding us of Lorde’s “Royals”, as a slippery 808 weaves around a crisp trap percussion production. Anne’s got the animated vocal performance on lock in a very early NIkki Minaj way, also giving us thoughts of M.I.A. With clever lyrics, a stellar performance and a catchy call out hook playing in the back, it all makes for one catchy little bop.

Best Lyric: “My boyfriend collection is very expensive.”

Edie Yvonne - Queen Bee

Queen Bee - Edie Yvonne (Pop) Edie Yvonne delivers quite the eclectic track with “Queen Bee”, a genre defying pop record which while boasting a hyper modern and fresh production, feels like it could belong on the Top 40 of yesterday. First off, it has a real funky vibe, turned up several notches when the guitar returns in the back half of the song, as Edie’s slinky vocals slide through the dense production. There’s certainly a “plugged in” feeling to the track, more than just the guitar, as the production on Edie’s vocals feels almost electrified. Despite the turn to fall weather over here on the US East Coast, this track feels like a summer roadtrip anthem to us—top down, cruising down the highway on a bright sunny day.

Best Lyric: “Queen Bee don’t you see what you started.”

Jamcie - Slow it Down

Slow it Down - Jamcie (Rap/Dance) What do you get when hip-hop meets retro 90s house? You get Jamcie’s “Slow it Down”, a solo project from the gifted rapper most known today for his part in renowned rap trio ‘FREE’MINDS’. There’s a real 90s house flare to the track, conveyed by the sung R&B/pop hook hanging in the back with some verby synths, while the expected drumkit of the genre drives the track forward. Jamcie’s resonant and reedy baritone bars slice through the lush production, creating a well balanced and multi-textured track that just feels good on the ears. Both moody and dancey, the track would feel right at home on a dark, underground afterparty’s dance floor.

Best Lyric: “I’m tangled a mess from the stress and grief.”

Grace & Moji - Tipping Point

Tipping Point - Grace & Moji (Folk/Pop) Folky and anthemic, Grace & Moji’s latest track, “Tipping Point” is quite a haunting love story. It’s equal billing here with our male and female vocals, handing off the baton between them seamlessly throughout the track, from the airy verses that linger in the air to the big, punchy chorus that soars over the plains. The track has incredible range, from close and intimate to rousing and anthemic, but throughout all it glistens as it creates an ethereal aural soundscape. All in all, Grace & Moji deliver a heartfelt ballad with “Tipping Point” that pulls at the heartstrings and stays with you long after it concludes.

Best Lyric: “And we kiss, something’s amiss. It’s strangely palpable.“

A-Zal - Movie Script

Movie Script - A-Zal (Pop Funk) A-Zal brings the feel good funk with latest track “Movie Script.” A classic subject matter—being smitten and anticipating the impending romance—A-Zal delivers a bass guitar driven bop with a timeless feel, despite its incorporation of those delightfully 80s, splashy “Superfreak” synths. It’s a dancey affair, and would be perfectly at home on retro Top 40 radio. The boy band feeling vocals are crisp and clear, and bake perfectly into what is best described as an electric pop production. Not to mention, it’s incredibly catchy—the melody has been bouncing around our heads ever since we listened to the record. Take this one straight to the dance floor.

Best Lyric: “Look at the way I’m holding up the moonlight.“

Cheryl Holland - Get up 2 get down

Get up 2 get down - Cheryl Holland (Pop) In “Get up 2 get down”, Cheryl Holland serves as motivational speaker as she pleads to her audience to dust themselves off, pick back up and get to moving on. She does so in a driving dance bop reminiscent of the early 00s—you could definitely hear Cher doing this in her “Believe” era. Initially accompanied by what we can only describe as an electric chipmunk, Cheryl quickly storms into the track with a strong, mature vocal, drenched in a cavernous reverb that lets the track take up a lot of room. Overall, the record is made for the dance floor, or on that playlist that you turn on when you need to remind yourself that better days are always just ahead.

Best Lyric: “Kick them out of your house, burn it to the ground.”

Nadine Randle - Waterfalls

Waterfalls - Nadine Randle (Pop) Nadine Randle belts about new beginnings and returning to self in her driving ballad, “Waterfalls.” Beginning with a haunting piano, the track quickly builds into a driving and anthemic number, reminiscent of some of Jessie J’s power ballads—think “Thunder.” Nadine’s vocals are strong and powerful, and the track rightfully centers her instrument. Far from the use of the word in the iconic TLC song, here Nadine uses the imagery of a waterfall to capture the overwhelming feeling of when you remember who you are and it all comes back to you. Not just a sing-along in the shower cut, the track also begs for a bevy of dance remixes.

Best Lyric: “Feels like I lost who I was, finally I got myself back.”