Album Review: Breaking All Th Rules – ThBenj

THBENJ‘s latest project, ‘Breaking All Th Rules’, which follows up from his 2019 debut album ‘T.H.B – the blog’s number one album of 2019 – and takes on a more sinister and darker route than its predecessor.

A downtempo bass runs along the airy (almost electronic backdrop), often accompanied by chant-like overtones are the main ingredients in the first half of the 19-track set, which somewhat has an air of melancholy. Further along the line, the downtempo grit is incorporated with smooth guitar plucks (in tracks ‘Y’ and ‘Thank You All’) which gives a fresher feel to the combo. The rich soulful undertones in ‘Just A Little More’ gives the album’s sparse theme a full dimensional urban feel, before leading out on a high with a tingling sensation from a melodic outro (Fkn Chill).

I’ve listened to tracks, ‘Y’, ‘Reasons’ and ‘Champagne’ prior to the release of this album, and nothing prepared me for what was coming. If you couldn’t tell from this review, I’m really digging this album and my hat comes off (once again) for this credible artist on-a-serious-rise. Check him out below

Must Listens: Different Sounds, Thank You All, Y Th F Do You Care, Flip IT, Nobody’s Gonna Give It, Rest Of My Life

I M U R Share Single ‘Birdseye’, Out Today

Consisting of singer/songwriter Jenny Lea, producer/guitarist Mikey J Blige, and producer/multi-instrumentalist Amine Bouzaher, genre bending trio I M U R has unveiled their reflective new single, ‘Birdseye,’ taken from their album, ‘My Molecules’ out this month, 25th June. The forthcoming project thematically touches on topics that everyone has experience with but that are often not discussed publicly, such as love, lust, loss, death, trauma and purpose.

Their offering takes inspiration from Lea’s near-death experience in a car accident and serves as a reminder that simply stepping back and taking a breath can be the difference between losing your mind and appreciating your day-to-day life.

Have a listen to ‘Birdseye’ below…

Song of the Day: Cruel – Jessica Wilde

The third single taken from Wilde’s debut album, out later this year, ‘Cruel’ signals her delving back into her first love, a toxic relationship that inspired a harnessing of her bisexual identity but also led her to addiction – a subject she’s tackling on her debut album.

Co-produced with producer Jay Nebular and Grammy award winning producer Kiris Houston who have worked heavily with the likes of The Disciples and Little Mix, ‘Cruel’ has a nice lazy summer haze 90’s classic hip-hop and R&B vibe where Jessica is at her most cutesy, sultry but equally dangerous as her lyrics offer a little sting in the tail. The official visual tracks Jess wandering South London, paying homage to a nostalgic look & flava, shot on disposable cameras and VHS, it gives an authentic feel, themed throughout the album. Check it out below

Song of the Day: Confusion – M.anifest

award-winning Ghanaian rap veteran and UNICEF ambassador M.ANIFEST‘s latest single, ‘Confusion’ is rich in musicality from the very start. The lush guitar licks and percussion drums are the central elements of the alluring sonic bed of hip-hop and afrobeats which blends seamlessly together.

‘Confusion’ is driven by M.anifest’s captivating wordplay, assured cadence, and infectious melodic rap flow, as he weaves an enthralling tale about the beautiful chaos of living in a modern African city like his hometown Accra. According to M.anifest, “such is the paradox of life in our cities, that there is always a constant tension between the feeling of ‘hurry hurry’ and ‘ok wait’”.

A rap music veteran of over a decade, with six acclaimed projects spanning that time, countless awards over his career and over three million fans on social media, M.anifest is one of the most revered figures in the African music scene. Described as the foremost rapper on the continent by The Guardian UK, with further acclaim from BBC, CNN and Revolt, his musical reach extends beyond Africa, with collaborations that range from Damon Albarn and Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ Flea, to Erykah Badu and Tigga Da Author, to Kojey Radical and Burna Boy.

Have a listen to ‘Confusion’, produced by MOBO Award nominated artist and producer JULS (GoldLink, Kojey Radical, Pa Salieu, Ms. Banks)…

Alt-pop Provocateur Tyra Jutai Unveils Video For Single, ‘Frida’

Toronto singer, songwriter, producer and all-round creative TYRA JUTAI is making some of the most compelling alternative pop music right now as is evident on her brand new conceptual EP, ‘You Weren’t A Muse’, which is inspired by Golden Age Hollywood actress, singer and sex symbol Mae West and her classic 1933 movie, I’m No Angel. Taken from the six-track EP, Jutai presents the cinematic music video for early favourite ‘Frida’.

Written and produced by Tyra Jutai and award-winning Montreal producer John Nathaniel (Gwen Stefani, OneRepublic, Kygo), with the accompanying visuals conceptualised by Jutai and burgeoning creative director Piper Ellis, ‘Frida’ is an exquisite slow-burning gloomy pop offering driven by ominous marching drums and string arrangements, which sees Jutai unfolding a gripping tale of betrayal, jealousy and ultimate revenge between lovers and best friends that is underpinned by her captivating songwriting and resounding vocals.

Check it out below…