Album Review: Telescope – Midnight Mystery Club

If you, by any chance, enjoyed MIDNIGHT MYSTERY CLUB‘s previous offerings on the blog, then I have a sneaky feeling you might be appeased by their latest album titled, ‘Telescope’.

The 11-track collection carries on the duo’s signature hazy backdrop making way for the hypnotic electro bass and Phil Collin-esque vocals, which gives off a Ibizan vibe, particularly in tracks,  ‘Blow My Mind’, ‘Miracle’ and Swim’.

Further along the album, the guys add a hint of soul, which perfectly smears in with the atmospheric soundscapes in ‘To the Moon and Back’ and title track, ‘Telescope’, giving a spine-tingling sensation.

Nearing towards to end of ‘Telescope’, the sugary light overtones in earlier tracks becomes more audible and gathers paste, taking centre stage in ‘For You, Forever’ and ‘Heavenly’, making both tracks somewhat experimental. The album ends on an high with ‘Sign of The Times, a heavenly lick on indie-disco, topped off by soaring synths and soulful vocals that somehow reminds me of Shalamar.

From the moment I clapped my eyes in the album’s track list, I had that instant urge to check it out and just like their previous releases (‘Keep A Beat’ is my absolute favourite), ‘Telescope’ hit the spot. Check out the album plus songs recommendations below:

Must Listens: Telescope, For You Forever, Heavenly, Signs of The Times

Album Review: Layerz – King Blitz

A build up to an infectious drive that he’s renowned for introduces KING BLITZ‘s latest album, ‘Layerz’, which smoothly shifts to different fusions of afterhours R&B/hip-hop, where at times blitz’s- and his line-ups’ – flow could travel as fast as a bullet.

Still keeping it on a chilled tip, Blitz introduces some trap-hop soundscapes in ‘Fonts’ and some old school vibes in ‘Pulpit’ both possessing a menacing drive, giving both tracks some real meat.

It’s hard not to like ‘Layerz’ as, from the start of the collection, it has what it takes to generate some serious heat among die-hard fans of hip-hop…add this badboy to your collection. Check out ‘Layerz’ below…

Must Listens: Warm, Ex, Options, Pulpit

Album Review: Age Of Conviction – Tunnel Traffic

Adam Hachey – aka TUNNEL TRAFFIC – gave a sneak preview into his album, ‘Age Of Conviction’ last month through singles, ‘Skip’, ‘I’ll Be Sorry’ and ‘Another Story’.

Now out, the 11-track project, continues on the theme from the three mentioned tracks, with roaring guitar riffs running throughout, giving each track on the collection a 90’s grunge/nostalgic feel.Tunnel Traffic teams up with vocalist and long-time collaborator, Jacky Muñoz, who offers balance to each singles by adding a degree of tenderness against the hell-raising, well executed plucks.

So if you’re a fan of 90s Iconic rock bands like Nirvana, well Tunnel Traffic’s ‘Age Of Conviction’ may very well hit the spot.

Check it out below:

Album Review: The Come Up – Dorian Thorson

DORIAN THORSON‘s debut album, ‘The Come Up’ encompasses all the stages of a relationship – from setting your eyes on the one for the first time to carrying heavy languages from a break-up.

A bed of airy soundscapes kicks off the album, through ‘Fallen’ and ‘Better’, joining the catchy urban b-line for a harmonious union where Thorson’s vocal performance oozes swagger on both productions.

The ten piece set shifts to afterhours mode through third offering ‘Flex’, boasting a sugary tranquil overtones coupled with that head-rolling b-line becoming more prominent. Further along the line, tracks such as ‘Forgive me’ and ‘Trust Issues’ possess a similar vibe but with a tag of toe-tingling trap/soul added to the drive.

Finishing off the album are ‘Luv U’, which continues the trip/soul vibe, picking up slight speed, and ‘Her’. The latter could be described as the odd ball of the album – and I mean that respectfully – as the piano centric production provides an intimate setting which encourages the prospective listener to really soak up the delicately heartfelt vocals provided by the man himself.

‘The Come Up’ is one of those albums that you can check in from five – or even ten years from now –  and still be pleasing to the ears. His debut offering should put him firmly on the one-to-watch radar for 2020.

Have a listen below…

Must Listens: Better, Flex, Forgive Me, Trust Issues

Album Review: Grinder – Oloff

If you’re a regular visitor to the blog and have heard OLOFF‘s previous releases, then you’ll know that he’s not your average rapper. To take his music to another level, OLOFF has recently dropped his experimental hip-hop album, ‘Grinder’, the first release he produced single-handedly.

A jarringly racy bass is the main feature of the seven-track set, which rips through the equally racy soundscapes, predominantly made up of rampant urban/EDM tones. The Bristolian, who usually sports a laid back and wayward flow, brings on a freestyle that’s delightfully aggressive which adds more spice to each track in the collection.

After recently listening to his previous albums, personally I wouldn’t say that ‘Grinder’ was OLOFF‘s best work, but I do admire his interpretation of alt-hip-hop and appreciate the amount of work and effort he has put into this mini collection.

Have a listen to ‘Grinder’ below: