Tag: album review

Album Review: Delta – NTHN

Tackling the issue of male mental health, NTHN presents his latest album titled ‘Delta’. Written, produced and recorded by the Runcorn producer/artist himself, NTHN takes us through various stages of his own rollercoaster journey with mental health…

Barely audible airy soundscapes coupled with loops of daunting voices starts the turmoil journey with ‘Aware’ which leads on to feather light bed of electronica/pop backdrop which is almost overshadowed by a jarring bass through efforts, ‘Denial’ and ‘Falling’.

The sole presence of the woeful piano (in ‘Wasting Time’) replaces the alarming drive, before the album ventures into the realms of bluesy hip-hop/emo rap and grunge/metal (think along the lines of Nirvana). ‘Delta’ concludes with tranquil layers of feathery light electronica through ’03:35′, which reflects NTHN’s road to recovery to self acceptance and love.

It’s great to see such issues  – such as male mental health – becoming less of a social taboo. Although this album is NTHN’s personal journey, it’s also a sign of encouragement for others to break down the wall of shame and loneliness (two most common feelings that are associated with this issue) and reach out for help.

Have a listen to ‘Delta’ below and view the song recommendations below…

Must listens: Wasting Time, Conflicted

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Album Review: Summer Catalogue – East Hampton Polo Boys

Recorded over a two day period back in February, New York’s hip-hop collective, EAST HAMPTON POLO BOYS present their album, ‘Summer Catalogue’ with such style and poise…

Melodic old school soulful samples complimenting the bounce of the urban/hip-hop bass, becomes the main feature of the mammoth collection, with a punch of smooth psychedelic funk making a pleasantly surprising appearance towards the end of the album.

With the guys taking turns in slamming down their easy-going, a matter of fact delivery on the delicately hazy arrangements, ‘Summer Catalogue’ will undoubtedly be appeasing to die-hard hip-hop heads, particularly to fans of Jay-Z (late 1980s) and KRS-1. Check out the album and song recommendations below…

Must Listens: STFU, Expensive Steak Aroma, Tijuana Bible, Doc Colossus 

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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)

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Album Review: FlyMix Vol.1 – Fly Von

After his lenghty hiatus, FLY VON made a blazing return with his remake of Migos’ GNF and Roddy Ricch’s Boom Boom Room, both taken from his latest project, ‘FlyMix Vol.1’.

The 13-track set sees this DMV spitter takes on the hits of hip-hop heavyweights such as Drake, Da Baby and Young Thug and guide us through variations of trap-hop tones which, at times, work in perfect unison with chilled, laid-back 90s hip-hop/R&B influences. The rumble of the catchy b-line serves as the main attraction throughout the set which occasionally gives that extra Timbaland-esque spice.

Previously known for producing pure tranquil chill-hop numbers, this guy has reinvented himself into a super fierce wordsmith, armed with a razor-sharp delivery which thunders straight through the braggadocious bars.

All I have left to say is Sir Fly Von, welcome back to the limelight…check him out below…

Must Listens: GNF, Drip Too Hard, Flip The Switch, Whats Poppin, Dior

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Album Review: Muse – Astha Tamang-Maskey

ASTHA TAMANG-MASKEY‘s latest album, ‘Muse’ is where airy pop sensibilities, that’s very fitting for the mainstream, is met with underground urban sounds which eventually seeps through the eight-track collection.

Leading the way is an intense yet feather light soundscapes through intro track ‘Mirror’ which makes way for elements of laid-back urban vibes, first appearing in ‘Ride’ where guest rapper, Manny Rite drops an easy-going flow that melts right into the infamous airy arrangements.

Further along the line, a real gutsy soulful and (at times hip-hop-ish) drive makes its presence well and truly known through ‘Muse’ and ‘Jealous’ with the latter track incorporating loops of whistles, making the production uniquely Astha.

Having listened to ‘Muse’ and ‘Jealous’ last year, this album carries on theme of eloquently merging almost stripped pop backdrops and the gritty sound of the underground.

Check it out below…

Must Listens: Gotta Go, Muse, Jealous

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