ALLYSE. - Cherry On Top

Cherry On Top - ALLYSE. (R&B) ALLYSE. bakes a pop/R&B confection with her latest single “Cherry On Top.” On the record, ALLYSE. tells the object of her affection that she would be the perfect addition to their life. She doesn’t want to take over, rather be the extra special something to make a dessert that much more sweeter. There’s an old school 90s/00s R&B sensibility on this one, with cavernous background vocals and synths laying a foundation for ALLYSE.’s soothing and low key vocals. Just as ALLYSE. is the missing ingredient to her love interest’s life, “Cherry On Top” is the missing ingredient to your playlists.

Best Lyric: “You would look so good with your arms tangled up in mine.“

Child of SP - Out The Mud

Out The Mud - Child of SP (R&B) Child of SP returns with another track, and video, after our review of “Issues” last month. On “Out The Mud”, Child of SP is on the rise, leaving fake friends behind in a song about ambition, empowerment and confidence. The self assuredness is delivered with effortlessness, employing clever lyrics with a silky smooth baritone. There’s an ethereal mystery to the track, with a vintage piano and swirling synths laying the foundation through which a thudding R&B kick drum breaks through. Our only complaint is that we wish the track was longer! And don’t miss another artistic and well produced music video from a star on the rise.

Best Lyric: “Those who doubted made me, they thought I was crazy.“

Natalie Clark - A Place Called Home

A Place Called Home - Natalie Clark (Pop)  Natalie Clark is back for a fifth time on the blog, following “How High”, “Freedom”, “Mission” and “MIRACLE” with “A Place Called Home”, a track about finding your way out of being lost. There’s a somber melancholy to the track, exemplified by the verby synths and driving bass line. Natalie’s ethereal vocals melt into the record while an 80s style drum kit—complete with gated snares—drive the track forward. The song has “finale” feels to it, like the closer to an album. As always, Natalie’s voice contains a maturity that belies her young age, delivering a contemplative track that hits you right in your feels.

Best Lyric:  “Freedom can be lonely.”

Molly Chadwick - Seductress

Seductress - Molly Chadwick (R&B/Soul) Molly Chadwick makes her debut on our blog with old school R&B track “Seductress.” On “Seductress”, Molly idolizes a woman she sees as having a powerful hold on her own sexuality, able to pull focus and make her way through the world. The track gives us Sade vibes in the instrumental with Brandy feels when it comes to the angelic, layered vocals. Molly’s tonality, however, reminds us a bit of a Robyn midtempo, bringing an ease and maturity to the song. With live band accompaniment, the soundscape is timeless. From the rhodes to the shakers, this track sparkles and perfectly captures the fascination that Moly has for her idol.

Best Lyric: “Afrodisiac. They don’t know how to act.“

Jessenation - Redemption

Redemption - Jessenation (Afrobeat) Today we feature Jessenation’s latest track “Redemption”, featuring the legendary Jesse Jags, which hails from Jessenation’s upcoming debut album “GRACE: Genuine Rhythms And Creative Energy” which drops this week. The track creates a chill vibe, breezy, with phased vocals slipping through an island and reggae infused instrumental with an afrobeat percussion core. The track’s message is about personal growth and transformative power of music, told in a soundscape that makes you want to grab a cold beer and bury your toes in the sand. It’s a perfect summer vibe.

Best Lyric: “My fortress and my refuge.“

Secondhand Dreamcar - Eight of Spades

Eight of Spades - Secondhand Dreamcar (Soul) Today on the blog we had the pleasure of listening to Secondhand Dreamcar’s very first release, “Eight of Spades,” the title of which refers to a tarot card that encompasses the joy that can be taken in the mundane of everyday life. Secondhand Dreamcar creates a funky soulful sound through live instrumentation performed by a nine-piece superband, which gives the track a timeless feel. The message is delivered by a strong, belty female vocalist full of character and maturity, an emotive storyteller who takes on the role of a guru imparting wisdom to a wayward listener. We’d love to hear this group, who journalist Peter North called the most exciting thing to come out of Edmonton since KD Lang and The Reclines, live.

Best Lyric: “Whatever you got to do, you do it where you are.“

Proklaim - BIENENIDOS

BIENVENIDOS - Proklaim (Rap) A staple on our blog, Proklaim returns this week with latest single “BIENVENIDOS”, on which he takes his critical eye to the dynamics of the rap industry itself. On “BIENVENIDOS”, Proklaim discusses rappers who love the perks of the game but not necessarily the craft, proverbially eye rolling at artist beef and its entertainment value (timely in this Kendrick v Drake climate), and proselytizes his common theme of focusing on creative expression in music. He does so over a sultry salsa beat, with latin infusion from the smoky jazz club horn and guitar cruising in the background, as the seductive bongos carry you through the track.

Best Lyric: “Really no surprise when you think about it deep.“

Debo Ray - Feelin' Lucky

Feelin’ Lucky - Debo Ray (Pop/Soul) We think we are the lucky ones, having had the chance to listen to a new track from Debo Ray, “Feelin’ Lucky". Paired with a slickly produced music video, Debo is delivering a timeless retro sound akin to, say, Bruno Mars, in which she lets her ex know that she’s moving on, and with plenty of confidence and optimism for her future. We’re hearing some Prince funk influences, especially in the guitar riffs and synth punches. But what sells the song is Debo’s vibrant personality which boasts all over the track—she performs the hell out of this song with a strong vocal that reminds us a bit of Jill Scott’s more uptempo numbers. We can imagine this is a real crowd pleaser at live performances.

Best Lyric: “You were my latest mistake.“

Raw Talent - Rain

Rain - Raw Talent (Hip-Hop). Raw Talent does a good job of living up to his name in his latest pop/hip-hop crossover track, “Rain.” The North Carolina native rapper/songwriter delivers a sexy dance track about staying inside during bad weather to have a little fun, the title “Rain” having a double meaning that we think you’ll pick up listening to the track. The 90s R&B influences are abound in the track, reminding us a lot of the Blackstreet and 112 days, with a buttery vocal feature from Jake Reddin while Raw Talent brings a reedy baritone to his flow. Overall, the track hits all the nostalgia vibes of 90s and early 00s R&B with a production that keeps a modern sensibility.

Best Lyric: “We stuck in the house cuz it’s nasty outside, what else is there to do but get nasty inside.”

Angel - Slighted

Slighted - Angel (Retro Soul/Pop) There’s a ticking clock in Angel’s new track “Slighted”, in which she makes it very clear that if her lover doesn’t step it up, she’s heading out the door. The production is one of those timeless, retro motown swings, but instead of begging for her baby, Angel flips the typical script by letting her person know that they are going to be sorry if they don’t start showing the love and affection Angel deserves. Angel’s vocal is strong and evocative, sitting front and center in the mix, with a few moments that give us an almost Alicia Keys kind of vibe. Angel is a great storyteller and excels in this classic genre, which is made fresh in the way that Amy Winehouse did with this sound all those years ago. This would be a great track for a vinyl release.

Best Lyric: “Believe me, I’ve got options.“

Rebecca Helen - Tranquilize

Tranquilize - Rebecca Helen (Synth Pop). Hailing from Cape Town, South Africa, Rebecca Helen makes her first appearance on our blog with the mysterious synth pop banger “Tranquilize”. Her new record has a retro appeal for sure with some 80s synth work, casting some ominous darkness onto the track. Rebecca’s vocals are smooth and hypnotic, a sultry siren song which melts over the punchy percussion and plucky synth hits. Working with all star team Vinyl DJ Mick Evans, Rebeka Rain, Duncan Mackay and Alan Roy, “Tranquilize” was built for club DJs. Evocative and stirring, “Tranquilize” is a whirlwind of retro goodness that is sure to have crowds moving on the dance floor.

Best Lyric: “It’s too late, too late, when you’re calling my name.”

Carson Ferris - Ghosts

Ghosts - Carson Ferris (Pop). Pop prince Carson Ferris is back for the fifth time on our blog with new release “Ghosts.” We can always count on Carson to deliver a bop and “Ghosts” is no different. On the track, Carson stands in his confidence about walking away from his ex girl, leaving her with only the ghost of him and their former relationship. No regrets here. In delivering his message, Carson’s vocal shines, especially in the bridge where his strong tenor soars. The production, as is the case with all of Carson’s productions, is top notch, giving us that Top 40 Ed Sheeran feel. It’s yet another home run from this young prodigy who is destined for the charts.

Best Lyric: “There’s a spring in my step today, I feel better now that things have changed.”

Sugar Nova - Darkness Turns to Dawn

Darkness Turns to Dawn - Sugar Nova (Pop) Today, Sugar Nova returns to our blog with latest track “Darkness Turns to Dawn.” Last year, we had the opportunity to review “Touch Me I’m Going To Scream, Pt 2”, a dancey midtempo with disco influence. On “Darkness Turns to Dawn”, we return to the the funky disco dance floor, which kept reminding us of the retro tinged “Canned Heat” of the 90s. The vocals are refreshingly smooth and dynamic, avoiding the epidemic of over processing we see in so much new music—they waft through the track like fresh air. The funky guitar plucks give great ear candy as the sweeping disco strings provide momentum. It’s a certified dance floor spinner.

Best Lyric: “Take up the fight, choose black or white.”

Proklaim - LIFE

LIFE - Proklaim (Rap) Proklaim blesses us with a new track this week with “LIFE”, which is a sonic departure for our most featured artist. In “LIFE”, Proklaim chooses a soulful electro-funk backing that took us back to the days of watching videos on VH1 Soul. To this new funky sound, Proklaim brings his expected wisdom about positivity and setting yourself with the right frame of mind to move through the world—encapsulated in the Proklaim style of the vocal chant in the chorus. But when he’s not driving home his message in the chorus, he’s displaying his expert lyricism in the verses, with nuggets of knowledge buried throughout the thoughtful prose.

Best Lyric: “Never recognize your heart’s voice when the mind is full of noise.“

Diya Shanmugaraj - Blow the Blue Away

Blow The Blue Away - Diya Shanmugaraj (Soul/R&B) Diya Shanmugaraj delivers a complex, mature and soulful R&B number with the intoxicating “Blow The Blue Away.” The track is doused in melancholy, as the synths paint a mystical picture accented with eastern influences. Diya’s strong pop vocal cuts through easily—it’s the weighty and world weary voice of someone wise beyond their years. The melody is incredibly catchy, and when we hit the chorus, Diya bleeds into her heavenly backing vocals which make the listener feel as if they are being pulled along down a stream. This is the song of a woman on the brink, seduced by love, who finds it within herself to brush aside her worries and carry on. Seductive, soothing and potent, “Blow The Blue Away” is a must listen.

B-MACK - Duckgrease Burning at The Crabhouse

Duckgrease Burning at The Crabhouse - B-Mack featuring MsLarayne (Soul) B-Mack paints a vivid picture of late night eats and dance in “Duckgrease Burning at The Crabhouse”, a track about hitting the dance floor and having a good time. Written, performed and mixed at his home studio in Staten Island, the track has an old school soul feel with blues inspiration, where our vocalists emote over an instrumental lathered in the sounds of a crowd enjoying the crabhouse. It’s quite a quirky number, with an almost retro hiphop feeling drum kit, as free floating synth and piano leads add an element of funk. Overall, we think this track is all about atmosphere, you certainly feel like you’re at the crabhouse when listening to it, and in that way is a nice piece of musical art.