Tag: album reviews

Album Review: Young HeartThrob – Kodie Shane

KODIE SHANE‘s latest album ‘Young HeartThrob’ displays a harmonious meeting of 90’s style  afterhours R&B and a real gritty hip-hop b-line.

Hailed as the one-to-watch by the likes of Pitchfork, Complex and Vogue, the Atlanta-based singer/rapper pumps an electrifying lick to the flirtatious arrangements, flipping between her sultry soulful vocals and her fierce yet eloquent flow.

There’s a bunch of musicians who are determined on keep that real authentic R&B sound alive, but KODIE SHANE takes R&B as we know it and adds a sizzling modern twist to the genre. Check her out below:

Must Listens: Lost, High Speed, Pulling Up,Sing to Her, Hiatus

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Album Review: Sketch (Abstract) – Mission

MISSION comes at you with full force with his latest album entitled album ‘Sketch (Abstract)’, released earlier this month.

The South African rapper teams up with long-term collaborator, producer and NEW LEASE MUSIC regular Jayd Soliar – aka JAS – to create abstracted sounds and overtones that’s rough around the edges, accompanied with a bed of scenic soundscapes offering some lightness. His rap delivery to the contracting combo gives that extra rawness to the nine-track project, whereas the female vocalist soothes over the (respectfully) jarring production.

‘Sketch (Abstract)’ is born from a strong partnership, aiming to push out pieces that becomes progressively dark and avant-garde. Rather than making a project that’s autobiographical, the pair deliberately left it open for the listeners to interpret the album through their personal experiences.

So the ball is in your court; check out ‘Sketch (Abstract)’…and don’t be afraid to leave your comments below about your experience of the album.

Must Listens: La Di Da Di, P*ssy, Questions, Ghost Phase

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Album Review: Romance – The Gloomies

THE GLOOMIES‘ latest album ‘Romance’ immediately welcomes nostalgic vibes from the eighties, glazed with a hazy layer which somewhat gives off a futuristic sound.

Comprising of ten tracks, ‘Romance’ encompasses a ray of genres, including indie rock/shoe glaze, lo-fo pop, a brief injection of funky soul (featured in fourth offering, ‘LOOPS’) and concludes with a bop rock (ish) piece through ‘It’s OK’, still obtaining that sound from the decade that provided great music (with the exception of the last track, ‘It’s OK’) along with the strong presence of the hypnotic soundscapes.

Since the release of their  dreamy/mesmerizing single ‘Space’ last November – which is included on this album – I was eagerly waiting for the duo to dish out an album…and finally, here it is! Believe me on this one, it’s definitely worth the wait.

So without further ado, listen to ‘Romance’ below:

Must Listens: Palms, Loops, Tiger, Vampire, Space

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Album Review: Entwined – Elias

From the moment you hit the play button on ELIAS‘ debut album ‘Entwined’, you’ll get immediately drawn to the Swedish singer’s robustly soulful vocals with the prominently airy and almost electronic soundscapes serving as a perfect backdrop.

The collection was further enhanced, with the backing of soulful gospel choirs, through, ‘Hope’ which provides an almost three-dimensional feel to the song. ‘Tearing Down the Walls’ briefly interrupts the soothing tone of the album and offers up a late eighties/early nineties-inspired  techno/electronica combo which is slightly reminiscent of Naughty Boy’s hit ‘Runnin (Lose It All)’.

A stunning piano-led piece concludes the album with ‘The Entwined’, showcasing compelling harmonies that weaves elegantly through the keys and – if you’re not made of stone – touches your soul and melts the heart.

ELIAS’ first offering puts him in very good standing as the one-to-watch in the alternative pop music scene – not just in his native Sweden – but across the globe.

Look forward to his future stuff…have a listen to his body of work below:

Must Listens: Focus, Hope, No Deeper We Can Fall, Gold, The Entwined 

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Album Review: Konfidence – Kit Rice

Previously featured tracks, ‘Just A Kiss’ and ‘Always Been This Way’ have set a curious tone for KIT RICE‘s brand new album entitled ‘Konfidence’, released on Monday (25th June).

I was very privileged to be invited to Kit’s album release launch party on Monday at London’s  229 The Venue Club and I gotta say this newcomer’s – along with the backing singers – well-poised vocals has compelled me even more to the eight-track collection.

‘Konfidence’ certainly matched the full-on confidence of the live performances I witnessed, by kicking off with a boisterous sound of the UKG scene, before offering up more club filling makeovers of the original R&B/soulful offerings, ‘Always Been This Way’ and ‘Just A Kiss’, with the help of producers Operator S and DJIMON.

The combination of that UKG vibes and smooth R&B offers the perfect balance throughout the album, topped off by the 2017 Voice contestant’s soulful vocal which effortlessly flows between the two genres.

With this pretty neat set, KIT RICE firmly holds onto the title as one of the most exciting and promising artists that the UK has seen in a very long time…

Make sure you check him out below:

Must Listens: Just A Kiss, Always Been This Way (original versions)

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