To enter the mind of Bristolian alt-rapper OLOFF, you definitely have to withstand the most hellraising rollercoaster ride you can imagine.
His latest EP, ‘Free’ is, at large, a full-on mish-mash concoction of chaotic dnb-esque bass, aggressive guitar riffs, which collides with Oloff’s infamous wayward delivery. Further down the line, the eight-piece set goes go into a place of some serenity. To create some familiarity of peace and security, Oloff samples from well-loved hits – Roxy Music’s 80’s single Avalon (Listen to ‘Photons’) and The Righteous Brothers’ classic ‘Unchained Melody’ (listen to ‘Slowly’). Both samples were accompanied by heavily echoic guitar plucks piercing through the glitchy presence of feathery soundscapes.
It could be argued that ‘Free’ is a soundtrack to the ebbs and flows of life; the chaos sets in when we lose control of a situation before it soothes out, returning back to a place of security. Have a listen to ‘Free’ EP below…
Must Listens: What Does It Matter, Photons, Slowly
Following a wave of tastemaker hype and fresh off the back of having a sync on Love Island, Leeds based alt-pop duo LUCKY IRIS release their hotly anticipated new EP ‘maybe i’m too much’.
Released alongside the new single and title track ‘maybe i’m too much’, Maeve and Jasper (the duo behind Lucky Iris) continue to capitalise on the mass acclaim coming their way from the likes of BBC Radio 1, Radio X and Earmilk. Making infectious multi-faceted soundscapes that blend melodic hooks with alternative electronics and rich musicality, the duo make music to dance or cry to as they tread through lessons learnt in love and friendships.
Written and produced by the duo, and mixed by Richard Wilkinson (Adele, Kaiser Chiefs) and mastered by Antony Ryan (Oh Wonder), the new single ‘maybe i’m too much’ is another fine addition to Lucky Iris’ glittering catalogue. Blending punching lo-fi electronic beats with glitching arpeggiators and washing synth pads, the pair create a glimmering alt-pop soundscape for the silky and understated lead vocal to glide above. Capturing a striking commercial edge with its bouncing beats and earworm vocal melodies, ‘maybe i’m too much’ is radiantly relatable and likeable.
Speaking on the track the band share: “This song is for anyone who’s ever been made feel like they’re ‘too much’. And particularly for those who’ve been made feel like they’re ‘too much’ by someone they love. Because there really is no need to minimise yourself to fit into a neat little box packaged by someone else. But it’s taken me far too long to realise that…”
Having formed during lockdown, the pair have rapidly gained momentum, receiving taste maker press (Earmilk, Louder Than War, Punk News, God Is In The TV, Music Crowns, Lock Magazine, Gigwise), radio plays from BBC Radio 1, Radio X, BBC 6 Music, BBC Introducing Live Sessions and support from Amazing Radio as well as landing a number of Spotify and Apple Music editorial playlists, the Premier League Official Playlist and Soccer AM’s ‘ones to watch’ playlist.
The duo started performing live in September 2021, which has seen them touring cities such as Leeds, London, Liverpool and many in between supporting the likes of: Stealing Sheep, Real Lies and the Lottery Winners, as well as appearing on festival lineups including Live At Leeds, Long Division, 110 Above and most recently The Great Escape.
maybe i’m too much was released last Friday (11th August). Have a listen below…
Must Listens: 23, blowing kisses, maybe i’m too much
MOH FLOW‘s musical journey began as a rapper, but he soon realized that his true calling lay in exploring the depths of his soul through singing and songwriting. This artistic shift proved to be a turning point, as he found his voice and began crafting a sound that seamlessly blends elements of hip-hop, soul, and R&B. The result is a sonic tapestry that resonates with listeners on a profound level, transcending language and cultural barriers. This multi-talented artist has captivated audiences with his lyrical prowess and distinctive sound, firmly establishing himself as one of the Middle East’s most promising talents.
The Reckless album is a collection of nine original songs and two remixes created during a period of creative and personal shift for Moh Flow. If you listen to the entire album, you will feel the wave of disruptive energy and experience the shifts he was going through.
Title track, ‘Reckless,’ is a moment of brutal honesty. Moh Flow addresses people who are no longer in his life by confronting them in these verses. However betrayed he felt by those people, he still recognizes that he had a part to play in those relationships too. After some soul searching, he’s retired from the meaning of the word “Reckless” as in being difficult. The new Moh Flow is reckless in a whole ‘nother way – reckless as in how hard he’s going to go to achieve his dreams. Check out the album below…
Must Listens: Restless, I Got A Question, Focus, Streets, Show Me
After releasing a slew of singles from 2020 – 2021, it became clear to Amsterdam based singer-songwriter ELIF DAME that her lifelong battle against depression in combination with the pressure to consistently put out new work had taken away the joy she previously felt in releasing and thus decided to go on a long overdue self-care hiatus. In the year that followed, the artist committed herself to prioritizing her own mental health – all while documenting the process.
The result of that hiatus is her upcoming album, Securely Detached. The release showcases the her journey of learning to take back her own life, differentiate her own feelings from the feelings of her surroundings and also about learning to focus on herself instead of pre-occupying her mind with making other people happy and comfortable. Dame confides, “It’s about reframing my co-dependent relationships and about my time on the waitlist to get mental health care. It’s about the important process of learning what it means to put yourself first.”
The album kicked off with the release of ‘Celexa (Buy Me Time)’ where Dame opened up about hitting rock bottom and weighing up the options of going on medication. Now, Elif Dame continues with part two of her story, with her single ‘Killing It’ which focuses on letting go and starting to feel the benefits of medication, all whilst having doubts about being on the precipice of another manic episode. Sonically, ‘Killing It’ features warm, honey-soaked vocals, vibey beats from fellow Amsterdam artist GANZ, and hypnotic melodies which create an all-encompassing atmosphere. Check out the gorgeous single below…
Hip-hop artist and director JEL’LOW new single, ‘Aye’, showcases his unique lyrical prowess, infectious beats, and innovative production. The single also proves why he is in high demand in an industry needing new and exciting talent. The accompanying self-directed video is a step in the right direction.
Emerging from Washington’s vibrant hip-hop scene, Jel’low has benefited from his time spent in the epicenter of the modern music scene in Atlanta. This has given him the chops and confidence to build an impressive catalog of work, including his new single.
Influenced by a range of artists, including Michael Jackson, Goo Goo Dolls, Stevie Nicks, Adam Lambert, and many more, Jel’low fuses these competing textures to create a sound that is his own.
“Aye” is a permanent marker and beacon that talent will always shine. The single is a glimpse into the future of hip-hop, reclaiming the birthright that has stepped away from the scene…check out the video to the banging joint below…
