Album Review: Beautiful Sin – Some Kind Of Illness

Hailing from Manchester, brothers Paul and Mark Hinks – aka indie rock outfit, SOME KIND OF ILLNESS – latest album, ‘Beautiful Sin’, could be described as smooth as a Sunday morning with a tranquil introduction through instrumentals ‘Within A Shadow’ and ‘Ghost’ with the latter featuring a slight sinister spin on the album’s theme.

Third offering ‘A Moment In Time’, first offers a full set of vocals, that’s so smoothing, to the equally smooth and inmate setting. ‘A Lament Reprise’ adds another dimension to the album with its slight electronic drive to the production, uplifting a bed of atmospheric soundscapes similar to what’s offered in the previous productions. ‘Beautiful Sin’ also interrupts the album’s soothing vibe with the distorted and racing guitar riffs breaking through the production, giving off a feather-light and (perhaps 60’s-inspired) Americana feel.

The album concludes with ‘7 Days’, which ventures into a more sinister side of indie rock, with guest vocalist Jenny Jen shedding some light and sweetness to the whole arrangement.

Through their fourth album, SOME KIND OF ILLNESS has effortlessly combine two worlds – indie and rock music –  in a way that’s accessible to those who aren’t massive fans of the aforementioned genres. Have a listen to ‘Beautiful Sin’ below:

Must Listen: A Moment In Time 

Album Review: N2DEEP – BeKreative

Following his ten-track project ‘Insomnia’, BEKREATIVE bounces right back with his latest collection, ‘N2DEEP 2’.

With a rally of upcoming lineup, the Houston smooth spitter leads with placing all cards on the table, displaying emotions for his burning desire to be the best version of himself.

Leaning towards a more soulful theme, the latest project greets with a melodic execution of piano keys with the rhythmic bounce of the b-line through ‘Wolfcry’ and ‘Dreams’, where the rapper delivers a smooth yet a determined flow of his desires.

Offering a different dimension to 12-track collection, tracks ‘Mind The Heart’, ‘Dirty Diary Sessions’ and ‘News-Stand’ makes way for the alluring guitar plucks giving off a rich bluesy/soul sensation, with a catchy urban drive adding body to the productions.

With ‘Insomnia’ EP, BEKREATIVE injected a mainstream fusion of R&B/atmospheric pop music…but he switched it up a bit and opted for a prominently old-school sound that’s so authentic and honest which perfectly reflects on his – and his crew’s – raw storytelling. A massive thumbs up!

Check out ‘N2DEEP’ below…

Must Listens: Star, Mind The Heart, Pride

Album Review: Cabernet Sauvignon – Samurai Champs

When I hit the play button on SAMURAI CHAMPS‘ latest album, ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ I was expecting a trail of some trip-hop beats accompanied by a menacing b-line, a tone set by the introductory track, ‘Let Me Be Sad’.

But I stand corrected and I was pleasantly taken back as down-tempo vibe was then intertwined with different variations of chilled-out soul and R&B, topped off by a spine-tinging duet of alluring vocals and a relax flow that sometimes flares up with excitement. ‘Poseidon’ possess a vintage haziness of soul/R&B, that’s can be reminiscent of Tom Misch or perphas, Marc Ayres.

Tracks ‘Bae’ and ‘Still Mine’ contributes a lick of modern afterhours R&B which intensify the spine tingling sensation of the set. After a short run of the downtempo trip-hop pieces, the album concludes with title track, ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, another heart melting trip-hop/afterhours number which best shows the vocal/rap duet.

With great balance between the bold and the delicate SAMURAI CHAMPS have made a massive splash with their debut collection; their efforts definitely won’t be drowned out from the rap game.

Check them out below:

Must Listens: Let Me Be Sad, Bae, Still Mine, Cabernet Sauvignon

Album Review: 2 Menace Drinking Juice Rolling Dice in Flatbush – Dice Cannon

So glad to see DICE CANNON (pictured right on the album’s cover art) bounce right back into the game after (what seems) years of lying low.

His comeback comes in the form of a 12-track set, ‘2 Menace Drinking Juice and Rolling Dice in Flatbush’, enlisting fellow spitters including Juice Cannon and Natty Boi Zoe, whose spoken word collection, ‘My Body, My Soul Vol.1’, was featured on the blog back in April and stole the blog’s Album of the Month title last month.

Taking us back to the golden hip-hop era (similar to KRS-One and Public Enemy No.1) through introductory track ‘Drinking Juice Rolling Dice’, the album goes on a journey of different variations of the genre, incorporating a real nice lick of old school R&B/soul, a modern spin on 70s soul/funk and a rather emotive piano-led/boom bap piece (through Bishop Vs Raheem).

When a rapper like DICE CANNON disappears from the scene for a while and returns with a confident swagger, well you know that he cooked up something beyond good.

Check him out below:

Must Listens: Drinking Juice Rolling Dice, Bishop Vs Raheem, Sin Til I Win, Concrete Jungle

Album Review: When Divorce Is Mentioned – Mike Body

MIKE BODY captures those dreaded feelings when a marriage reaches breaking point with latest album, ‘When Divorce Is Mentioned’, released late last month.

The Christian rapper enlisted a lineup of upcoming artists to give different perspectives and stages of a marriage heading fast to the D-word, over the arrangements of trance like tones and rampant bass. One of the views included Body giving a heartfelt insight into how children suffer due to lack of stability at home caused by the experience of divorce.

Overall, ‘When Divorce Is Mentioned’ is a full-bodied collection that’s sure to offer some comfort to those who experienced a messy break-up. The theme of the album shows that the hip-hop genre a sincere side.

Check out the album, with song recommendations below:

Must Listens: Battle For First, Kids Gotta Suffer, Back to Work