Slow Motion - Moon and Aries (Reggae) Moon and Aries returns for the fifth time on our blog with “Slow Motion”, following tracks “FIRENIGHT”, “Traffic”, “Blurred Vision” and “A Love Revival”. On “Slow Motion”, the new single from an upcoming LP which will feature 12 themed songs based on the months of the year, a plucky guitar lays a mellow reggae inspired beat which simmers throughout the runtime. It’s a sultry affair, with our female vocalist laying down her ethereal performance which we have come to expect from a Moon and Aries track—to us, she’s a goddess over a mist covered lake, a siren. On a bed of synths and bathed in reverb, this groove is a trippy record about finding your own path in life and going at your own pace.
My Satellite - Denial
Denial - My Satellite (Pop) My Satellite delivers a punchy, psychedelic pop track infused with funk with latest track “Denial.” This catchy little confection is a treasure trove of nostalgia, from the 80s feeling on the vocals to the 90s neo funk instrumental arrangement. The production is perfection, lush and complex, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the listener engaged throughout. Over the plucky synths and funky retro bass, our male vocalist has a soaring pop tenor, which hit levels of Maxwell “Woman’s Worth” when he just let it fly up into the rafters, asking a lover to shake off post-fight anger and relish in a night of fun. Lush, complex and funky, “Denial” is a bona fide jam.
Great Adamz - Talk To Me
Talk To Me - Great Adamz (R&B) Great Adamz wants to make his woman his wife in latest track “Talk To Me”, an afrobeat summertime island jam that we defy you not to dance to. A thudding kick and tight snare hit move the track along as a verbed guitar fills the backing with a seductive quality, creating one hell of a hip winder. Great Adamz’s slippery tenor is backed by a heavily verbed and rich choral arrangement which really stands out on the track. It’s the record’s emotional core, creating a swelling in the chest that Great Adamz must feel when he thinks of how much he loves his girl. This cut is pure sunshine.
Dani Twice - Fenix
Fenix - Dani Twice (Pop/Funk) Dani Twice delivers some delicious retro flare with his latest, “Fenix”, a dance floor spinner of summertime funk with a tinge of the 70s to boot. Funky guitars and a sparkling tamborine paint the soundscape on this intoxicating jam, as Dani’s strong pop tenor vocal slips up and down the track, also giving us a sweet falsetto as an earcandy treat. The track has real “Get Lucky” vibes with a dash of Jamiroquai “Canned Heat”, coming in at a tight 2:21—Dani wastes no time in getting the track up and moving. This is the sixth track from Dani’s new EP “Me 77amas”, and if any of those cuts are as strong as this one, we suggest you check it out.
Best Lyric: “Watch me dancing on my grave.”
Jonny Gems - Last Night
Last Night - Jonny Gems (R&B) Jonny Gems isn’t ready to let it go on his smooth R&B groove “Last Night.” Jonny tells us that with his latest track, he hopes to capture the feeling of frustration and difficulty in accepting reality, and that recording the track had his heart feeling heavy in the studio. With a reedy baritone and a subtle autotune effect, Jonny croons that things might not be over between him and a former lover, believing that both recognize that the last time might not be the last time. The cut is a cruisy mid tempo with great earcandy harmonies and double vocals, minimalist in nature to let the lyrics and vocal performance carry the track.
Best Lyric: “What’s the good in goodbyes?”
BLOODLIN3 - No Mercy (ft Twista)
No Mercy - BLOODLIN3 ft Twista (Rap) BLOODLIN3 is bringing us back to the 00s, so much so that he’s giving us a Twista feature! On “No Mercy”, we have a wistful piano and synth line overlaid with a fuzzy bass lead, making for a swirling soundscape. Known for his rapid fire spit, Twista doesn’t disappoint, and boy does BLOODLIN3 keep up on his own merit. Our artist proclaims that he doesn’t fit the current narrative in hip hop, refusing to cuss while still giving a gritty sound to the culture. Honestly, we think the track is better for it—it’s kind of lazy to just layer your track in vulgarity, so to fire 100 words per second without falling back on that is truly impressive. It’s a solid groove, and one that you can certainly lean back to.
Best Lyric: “Haters be watching us with binoculars.”
Love Ghost - DO YOU LIKE ME NOW?
DO YOU LIKE ME NOW? - Love Ghost (Pop/Rock) Love Ghost returns to the blog for the sixth time with “DO YOU LIKE ME NOW?”, following prior tracks “GOD DAMN”, “Time Travel”, “Haunted House”, “Snap” and “Dopeman”. On their latest single, produced by Mike Summers, we’ve got a good deal of grunge going on, with 90s punk infused guitar and bass lines, and in your face vocals screaming pure emotion in the metal tradition. Cinnamon Babe brings some kick ass girl power to the track as a featured artist, helping make the song a full on head banger. This is a catharsis track for sure, one you scream along with at the top of your lungs in the shower or in your car (just wind the windows up please).
Best Lyric: “Your blade, it runs through me.”
IKON - MIND
MIND - IKON (Pop) IKON takes us to church with a mid tempo gospel infused cut, “MIND”. It’s a plucky production, with a thumping kick and minimalist instrumentation that creates a simmering tension throughout. There’s a bit of funk in here, as well as a sound reminiscent of 90s West Coast hip hop—you could totally hear Snoop Dogg rapping over a track line this. IKON’s vocals are pure pop with R&B influence, a tight head voice that slinks all over the seductive track. We really loved the deep choral backing, a baritone that played well as a contrast with IKON’s tenor, similarly the way that the rich bass also does this while centering the track. This one sizzles.
Odelet - PIsces Pie (LP)
Pisces Pie (LP) - Odelet (Jazz/R&B) This week’s LP is “Pisces Pie” by Odelet—a collection of jazzy mid tempos that feels like an intimate concert. With a distinctive sound and style, ODELET’s soulful stylings show a woman in her element—a mature vocalist who knows what she’s doing. Before we break into the lush album, we start with a little about our artist.
Odelet is a singer, songwriter, producer and visual artist born in Detroit, Michigan, though she currently resides on the west coast. She writes and performs all of her own material, impressively including the instrumentals, making herself quite the jack of all trades and a one woman band. Among her inspirations, she sites old school hip hop, soul, R&B, pop and beyond. It shocks us to learn that this entire album was produced on a drum machine and keyboard—we thought it was a live band! This is an incredibly impressive musician and creator working at the highest level. Further impressing us, Odelet has recently begun making an experimental form of music visuals that have been screened in more than fifty film festivals internationally, winning numerous awards.
Odelet keeps things midtempo on her project, with a consistent soundscape of a jazz club instrumental backing. The album evokes the image of a hazy underground club or speakeasy at dusk, with an intimate audience enjoying drinks and allowing themselves to melt into the smooth grooves that Odelet brings. The tracks feel like duets between our vocalist and the bass, with a soft, deep kick and other instrumentation serving as fill to let Odelet shine in the forefront. Though we feel the tracks are jazz at the core, there is an element of R&B to these as well, which helps bring more of a structure to the songs that you might not find in a purely jazz record.
The vocals are a husky resonant alto, smokey and rich. There’s a Toni Braxton feeling here, without the pop sensibility, and Odelet’s unique and distinctive timbre melts like butter throughout her tracks, smooth as honey. Her performance is also heartfelt, the emotion in her voice clear, as it rumbles like a stormcloud from her chest. It brings a sense of foreboding to the tracks—weighty with sincerity and maturity.
Among our favorites is “Supreme”—our most R&B of the tracks. A sizzling high hat brings tension to the song as Odelet’s silky vocals remind us of not only Toni but also NAO. A plucky guitar brings a middle eastern flare to the track, making it stand out from the others.
“Paired” also brings the R&B vibes with Odelet stepping up the vocal backings which elevate the track. It has a great pace and movement, not afraid to pull back the instrumental to relish in the vocals. It also has the strongest melody line of the album. A similar vibe is felt on “Mesh”, where the backing harmonies remind us a lot of fellow R&B songstress Tweet—specifically on her “Southern Hummingbird” album.
So we recommend you turn off the lights, pour a glass of wine, and slip into Odelet’s world.
Ghost Cartridge - Ghost Cartridge (LP)
Ghost Cartridge (LP) - Ghost Cartridge (Hip hop) We’ve got a whopping 36 tracks (20 original, 16 instrumental) on Ghost Cartridge’s self titled LP, standing as a salute to hip hop throwbacks. On this monumental release, Ghost Cartridge is joined by a bevy of collaborators—Stilz, Max Prime, Ricca Razor Sharp, Wyzaker, Iron Lion, King Lou, soleo333, Ol’ Gorilla Bones, D-Sisive and Baggy Lean—to create a complex and layered project that makes us miss the hip hop of yesteryear. Before we dig into some of our favorites below, let’s talk about our artist collective behind the hits.
Ghost Cartridge is a group of rapper/producer hybrids active since 2018, populated by hip hop veterans Mantrakid and The EquAzn—musical partners since the early 2000s—and infused with a crew of Canadian MCs. The crew hopes to take listeners from screw face head nodding to wistful gazing and back again.
This massive LP is steeped in 90s/00s nostalgia and overflows with pop culture references. Arkham Asylum, Sega Genesis and cerebro are thrown into the mix along with Bob Fosse and Andrew Lloyd Webber, displaying a vast array of influences and references to draw from which makes the lyrical content dense, rich and deep. While a lot of the album focuses on boasting the lyrical prowess and artistic value of the artist—as is expected on a hip hop project—we also get quite a few introspective moments, including a really great rhyme exploring the monotony of a corporate 9-5 and the pandemic.
At the beginning, we immediately got some early Eminem vibes, which later infused with some Jay-Z and Neptunes stylings. The 8bit effect is used frequently, which along with distorted vocals gives the entire project a unique identity, while at the same time exploring some vastly different soundscapes, which even include quite a few musical interludes. We have to admit, we wished some of those interludes were fleshed out into full tracks because every beat on this LP is superb.
“Xzibit” is a perfect opening salvo to the project, where Ghost Cartridge is joined by D-Sisive and Baggy Lean to list all the reasons why what you are about to listen to is worth your while—an exhibit list. This gives us that Slim Shady quirk that lets us know that there are some sardonic and tongue in cheek moments to come—that the project doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Our favorite track, however, is “Physics in the Music Section”, which feels right out of The Neptunes’ universe. While all of the tracks are expertly produced, the instrumental here has some extra magic to it, relishing in it for a good minute before Ghost Cartridge even enters the track. The distorted radar blip throughout also reminds us of Missy’s “Wake Up.” It’s trippy and a standout.
“808bit” features the 1950s announcer voice that shows up a few times throughout the project, on top of a retro video game instrumental that is made for all the 90s kids out there. The biggest diversion is “Antennae”, a lo-fi fantasy that’s more R&B than anything—we got Miguel vibes from this one. It’s different than anything else on the album—a lush and rich production which focuses on soundscape over the story, and puts our artist’s versatility and musicality on full display.
Finally, we also want to point out hard hitting “REJECT”, which we imagine would bump in your car. This track sizzles. Fire.
Devon Fouch - Existential
Existential - Devon Fouch (Pop/R&B) Devon Fouch collaborates with Cubanis on the hip-winding new track “Existential”, a song about been smitten with a new love. Straight from the Chicago music scene, Devon takes his inspiration from legends like Drake and Kanye West, additionally influenced by Michael Jackson and Tears For Fears. Beginning with plucky pop synths, the song delivers strong summertime vibes as our rappers pass the baton between them using the heavily tuned vocal effect over an afrobeat inspired instrumental. Make sure to check out not only “Existential”, but the additional six tracks on EP “Devotion On The Rocks.”
Best Lyric: “I’m just a Superman beat by your kryptonite.“
Rob Eberle - ILYM
ILYM - Rob Eberle (Pop) Rob Eberle wears his heart on his sleeve in his latest cut, “ILYM”, which stands for I love you more. The track begins with a perfectly focused pop vocal, as the understated instrumental undulates in the background. The track has a great build, slowly rising into a softly simmering and throbbing dance cut that we think is primed for a bevy of remixes for the dance floor. The track delicately balances the themes of love and conflict. It does so with hauntingly poignant lyrics, making it a great sing along in the shower or karaoke track. This one has Top 40 written all over it.
Best Lyric: “Try to fall asleep as I’m left on read.“
Kayla Oh - Self Defense
Self Defense - Kayla Oh (Pop) Kayla Oh reflects on former relationship toxicity in her latest single “Self Defense.” Reminding us a lot of a 90s pop ballad—think Sheryl Crow, Sara McLachlan—the track begins with a wistful guitar before introducing Kayla’s soft and intimate vocal. The track builds slowly to a powerful bridge—and a real bridge at that, something missing from a lot of today’s pop tracks—as soaring strings enter to fly us to the conclusion. What stands out to us the most are the lyrics—expertly crafted, memorable and touching. In addition to adding this power ballad to your playlist, don’t miss out on the accompanying cinematic music video.
Best Lyric: “You have to break it to heall.”
Molly Baker - June 28th
June 28th - Molly Baker (Pop) Molly Baker finds herself lost in memories every “June 28th”, the day she sends a happy birthday message to a former lover. The day brings regret and hopes for rekindling, each year thinking her message will result in reestablishing a connection she can’t believe faded away. The track begins with a soulful piano before Molly’s strong, intimate and close vocal begins telling the tale with memorable and clever lyrics that are the standout of the song—Molly is certainly an expert lyricist. Feels very Taylor Swift in terms of the storytelling, but with airy and lush harmonies and backings that gave us vibes of Queen, and goosebumps. Hats of to Molly, this is a Top 40 cut.
Best Lyric: “But my thumb slipped and I was thrown back in time.“
The Meyer Bros - Ain't No Love In The House (ft Katie Jones)
Ain’t No Love In The House - The Meyer Bros ft Katie Jones (NuDisco/Dance) Katie Jone and The Meyer Bros are sure to get you moving with their latest club cut “Ain’t No Love In The House”. The track fuses elements of NuDisco, funk and house to create a dance floor cut that feels like it was made specifically for tea dance and rooftop party DJs. Uniquely, the track not only plays with levels and instrument density throughout the production, but also explores changes in tempo. When we slow down, we really slow down, and allow Katie’s rich and full vocal take center stage. But when the chorus drops, it’s straight party, and certainly a dance floor spinner. Make sure to check out the accompanying music video—quite the AI trip.
Brennyboombox - Unhinged
Unhinged - Brennyboombox (Pop) Brennyboombox is worried for his sanity in latest track “Unhinged”, a driving dance floor anthem that hits that perfect combination of emotional catharsis and dance floor spin. Over the infectious beat, Brennyboombox pleads for stability, noting that his mind is playing tricks on him and he’s a bit lost currently, finding salvation on the dancefloor as he asks for help. The track’s standout is it’s choppy synth backing, which cuts in and out with a verbed piano and crisp snaps, driven by the chord structure and thumping kick. To us the track recalled those like Justin Bieber’s “Beauty and the Beat”, and like that track should be a staple of DJ sets.
Best Lyric: “I just wanna rewind to a simpler time.“