Album Review: Stillborn Flowers – Rain To Rust

Mert Yıldız, the brainchild behind project RAIN TO RUST, continues to provide – and I quote from the man himself: ‘miserable music for miserable people’ – through his latest album, ‘Stillborn Flowers’.

Showcasing hazy and downtempo post-punk, which occasionally takes on the most sinister form of Darkwave (listen to ‘Died’ and ‘Dead Violets Night’) and 90s-style German Gothic rock influences (in ‘Marbled Sunlight’), ‘Stillborn Flowers’ also features remixes of singles (For When It Hurts, A Farewell With Regret and Time and Time Again) from previous album, ‘Flowers Of Doubt’ (2019). Originally an easy listening combo of soft pop/rock spanning of the 80’s, arguably similar to the seductive styling of Bryan Ferry, ‘For When It Hurts’ (TSU Remix) adopts a crisply light electro-pop tones, possessing the same tranquil tempo of the original.

With ‘Stillborn Flowers, Rain To Rust doesn’t fall short of filling the gap for those who yearn for the post-punk/new wave era. He also potentially leave his fans wanting more with dishing up something new with the remixes. Well I, for one, is left hanging for more as I now see him more than just a figurehead of the underground post punk/rock scene in his native Turkey.

Have a listen to ‘Stillborn Flowers below….

Must Listen: Died, Dead Violets Night, For When It Hurts (TSU remix)

Song of the Day: L – Jesse Gold

Hailing from Toronto, singer/songwriter, JESSE GOLD would be the first to admit that he produces material where he essentially played the blame game when it comes to relationships.

His latest single, ‘L’, shows signs of personal growth as he stopped finger pointing and began to look inwards. His lyrics of self-reflection are accompanied by a summer-bopping combo of pop and soulful R&B, which has a sprinkle of the Craig David magic.

Expect more music from this slick guy…for now, go check out ‘L’ below…

KANDA Reflects On Racial Inequality With Emotive Single, ‘Never The Same’

16-year-old Sachin Kanda – aka – KANDA‘s brand new hip-hop single, ‘Never The Same’, is a hard-hitting, emotional piece that expresses societies feelings towards racial inequality and the need for change. A simple acoustic sounding instrumental highlights KANDA’s passionate vocals and lyrics leaving room for the words to resonate with the prospective listener.

“Being a singer-songwriter, I have been working on a project to express my thoughts and emotions about society and its attitudes towards people of colour. Black Lives Matter, and we, as a community must do better to make a change and love another. Rest In Peace George Floyd and countless others who have suffered at the hands of injustice of racial profiling and police brutality. I hope my music too can make a difference”.  – KANDA

KANDA has released a variety of songs throughout 2020, one of which (K.O.T.J) was played by BBC Introducing Coventry & Warwickshire. In addition to this, KANDA has performed at the 02 (London) in the final of the Open Mic Competition UK.

Check out the video for ‘Never The Same’ below…

Charles Shares Future-Soul Single ‘Sundance Kid’

North London artist CHARLES finds inspiration in those special connections made with other people. As previously explored in singles ‘Darker Shade Of Green’ and ‘Red.Green.Gold’, relationships are the cornerstone of Charles’ songwriting, as you’ll find with his newest future-soul single ‘Sundance Kid’ featuring vocalist Sharky.

Speaking of the track, Charles says: “I wrote ‘Sundance Kid’ the best part of 2 years ago with my mate Sharky. I fell down a youtube rabbit hole of old bank robbers (don’t ask) and stumbled upon Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Inspired by their story, we began to write about my relationship between me and an ex girlfriend back in the day. It was a love affair, combined with bad behaviour and a lust for causing trouble. With both knowing we would never be more than just friends for obvious reasons. Playful melodies accompanied with fat bass lines tell the story beautifully. Produced by Mathias Boman, Sundance Kid is an anthem for couples whether that be romantically or just you and ya best mate frolicking about in summer fucking shit up.”

Have a listen below…

EP Review: KWESBAAR RMXS – Neak

NEAK‘s latest project, ‘KWESBAAR RMXS’ maybe a mini set of just five tracks, but it burst with influences, with his spin on hip-hop from the golden era (circa late 80’s), which is often met with rhythmic loops of 70s-style soulful vocals. Third effort ‘The Gift (Mashup)’, brings a little something different to the project as it taps into the boombap vibe working in unison with bluesy jazz tones for that tinging sensation.

‘KWESBAAR RMXS’ is a spin off from Neak’s critically acclaimed/self-produced full-length album, ‘KWESBAAR’ as it entails four new interpretations/remixes from that set plus new track, ‘Nothing To Lose, Inner City Blues’. Released year ago, ‘KWESBAAR’ accumulated over 30,000 streams with the first few weeks of its release. Neak’s lucid delivery gives a hard-hitting account of the trials and retributions of being an African-American male in America which, personally, feel (at times) that Kanye West is taking a shot on the collection.

‘KWESBAAR RMXS’ carries on the same theme of his everyday struggles that’s definitely worth a listen…check it out below…

Must Listens: The Gift (Mashup), My Life