Live Your Life - Global Hypersynth (Disco) Get ready to spin around the dancefloor with Global Hypersynth’s latest record, “Live Your Life.” From the Gloria Estefan level percussion arrangement to the sweeping strings, soft pads and earworm guitar riff, you’ve got a classic sounding dancefloor cut with this one. The female vocalist soars, upping the ante to athemtic levels in the outro as she swings around the rafters in a big brassy belt, just after setting a “call and response” dynamic in the chorus that will be a huge payoff when performing this track for live audiences. Our favorite part, however, is the bridge, which has a nice injection of “Jacksonese”—clear references from the famous musical family that add greater dimension to the arrangement. Grab a cocktail, grab your friends, get to the center of the dancefloor and go off.
Carson Ferris - 1999
1999 - Carson Ferris (Pop) Carson Ferris is back on the blog , this time with a track sure to appeal not only to the modern audience, but also old heads like us. In “1999” Carson wishes he were born to experience this author’s generation of music—the TRL era of boy bands, Britney and more. The instrumental certainly takes its cues from the era, with an instrumental that certainly feels like one of Britney’s early tracks. And just in case you weren’t getting the point, the lyrics are laden with references like “Baby One More Time”, “Oops” and “Bye Bye Bye”. But more than nostalgia bait, the song is fire, and certainly could’ve stood alongside its references on the Top 40 charts of the time. Listening to Carson, we recall how Justin Bieber launched onto the scene oh so many years ago, and we can’t help but wonder if Carson will be next.
Best Lyric: “Old souls find each other, we just can’t explain it.”
Vessna Scheff - BUTTER
BUTTER - Vessna Scheff (Dream Pop) Vessna Scheff slathers on some rich decadence with latest track, “BUTTER.” Dreamy and hypnotic, Vessna hopes to be smooth like butter when she approaches the one that’s caught her eye. The track glistens, with twinkling rhodes backing a punchy dance drumkit that bakes in some house inspirations. The vocals are as smooth as the title suggests, a lilting multi-layered production that wraps you up like a blanket. Warm, soft and cozy, there’s a Janet-like quality to the performance, while the tonality at times gives us a bit of Alicia Keys and a bit of Goapele (“Milk & Honey” came to mind). It’s a vibe.
Best Lyric: “Got me awkward and new around you.”
My Life Story - I'm A God
I’m A God - My Life Story (Synth Pop) Get ready to be transported back to 80s synth pop with My Life Story’s latest single, “I’m A God.” As soon as the track starts with those plucky synth arpeggios and guitar solo, you know to prepare yourself for some time travel. The vocal leads seal the deal, with the entrance of a resonant baritone reminiscent of the vocals of that era, both in tone and delivery. At first blush, Duran Duran comes to mind. The track itself is super catchy and very sing-along-able, with My Life Story using the framing of being a god as a way to deliver descriptors about them—what kind of god they are—that tell you a lot about the artist’s point of view and values. And as the song fades out—a quality lost to the streaming era—you immediately feel as if it’s time to open the cassette tape deck and flip to the B side.
Best Lyric: “I am the right, the right between your eyes.”
Ben Freeman - Baby Mine
Baby Mine - Ben Freeman (Pop) Ben Freeman returns to the blog with latest track, “Baby Mine,” a soaring anthemic and driving midtempo. Ben continues to display his musicality in form, structure and build, with a series of additions, diversions and layers throughout the track that make “Baby Mine” an impressive production that could stand shoulder to shoulder with today’s Top 40. If we’re dipping back into our reference database, the record reminds us a bit of Jessie J’s “Thunder” in it’s burning intensity and tension that make the listener feel on a knife’s edge throughout. The twinkling rhodes and synths add some retro feels as well, with a complex modern percussion that keeps the track in the here and now. Finally, Ben’s vocals are powerful and dynamic, an intimate and vulnerable first verse soon scrapped for a punchy belt that ascends all the way through those final closing vocal chants that elevate the final chorus.
Best Lyric: “Darling, all I ever dream of is crossing your sea to see you reaching back to me.”
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.”
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.”