Song of the Day: Fake Me – Richard Orofino

Brooklyn based singer-songwriter and producer RICHARD OROFINO‘s single, ‘Fake Me’ is a dark pop masterpiece. Switching between all moods of new wave pop, with a trippy autotuned vocal, the track that is quickly becoming a signature musical move of Richard’s. 80s synths and 808’s fill the track and encapsulate that angsty mood that Orofino has created with such an ease, with an extra mixture of drum samples sitting underneath his swooning vocal.

Describing the meaning behind ‘Fake Me’, Orofino explains:

“Fake me is about your own doppelganger. The self-punishing evil twin that constantly tries to convince you that what you believe to be truthful about yourself, is wrong. I live in this dilemma a lot, where I have some sort of issue involving myself and then decide to confide in myself only to find I’m my own biggest enemy.

This self-doubting twin of mine who lives in my head, always tries to tell me to do things for other people. “Give other people what they want, and you will find yourself in a successful position.” Rather than creating and working on something that I most definitely love and feels personal, be that image of what you expect other people to respond to.”

Check it out below…

EP Review: Nightshades – Herbivores

Picking up right where they left off on their self-titled debut EP, which was released back in the summer to rave reviews and strong support from tastemakers such as SoulBounce, Gigwise and SingersRoom, prolific Brooklyn neo-soul collective HERBIVORES  have unveiled their sophomore EP and second project of the year titled ‘Nightshades’.

Written by all four members, Bel-Ami, Reddaz, Misha Savage and Will Sacks, the EP invites you into a lush offering of featherlight neo soul paired with unmatched powerhouse performance.

Second offering, ‘Mama Nose’ stills retains their signature sound but the second-to-none vocal performance gives the arrangements a reggae riddim twist. ‘Boomerang’ possess a spirit of Southern soul: the confident guitar plucks leads the way in the track, later joined by the infectious bounce of the bass and gleeful trumpets, pulled together by gusty vocals that really hits the spot.

A bed of airy electronica-ish backdrop is added to their neo soul vibe in the latter part of the set, creating a real intimate and euphoric experience.

Now I’m ashamed to say that I’ve never heard of these guys before this EP – but I’m glad I did as the name Herbivores will be firmly on my radar for 2021. Have a listen to ‘Nightshades’ – I have a sneaky feeling that they’ll be on your musical radar too.

Must Listen: Walk Away

Middle Part Shares Brand New Single, ‘Busy’

Andrew Selkōw, who goes under the moniker, MIDDLE PART, shares his brand new  single, ‘Busy’, inspired by early millennium alt pop artists like Michelle Branch and Natalie Imbruglia, with a modernised sonic twist to the likes of Clairo.

Speaking of his latest offering, Selkōw says: “A lot of this record is about ego, vulnerability, and dealing with loss. It’s also about finding a balance with your mental well being. Busy touches on that theme of letting go of your ego and being more vulnerable with the people around you. That’s the message I’m trying to get across, and I feel that ties in with the EP’s title, which is all about being more present rather than mentally checked out.”

‘Busy’ is the third single off Middle Part’s upcoming six-track EP, ‘I Wish I Was Alive’ which is heavily driven by his personal experiences, his shortcomings, his struggle with depression, dissociation and overall loss.

Have a listen below…

Check Out Jeru The Damaja’s Inspiring Lyric Video For New Track ‘If (If Was)’

Be honest: if you had the chance to go back in the past and change anything about yourself and the people you hanged around with, you’ll wave that magic wand in a heartbeat (be honest now!)

Well JERU THE DAMAJA‘s lyric video for latest track, ‘IF (IF WAS)’, may not be that much-needed magic wand, but it’s a firm reminder that, whatever we been through or going through, we can learn something valuable about ourselves…and keep it moving for a brighter future…check out the video below…

Check Out Jeru The Damaja’s Video For Compelling Single, ‘Power’

After a year long hiatus, Brooklyn’s rapper JERU THE DAMAJA jumps right back to it with brand new track entitled ‘Power’. The accompanied video features the conscious contender addressing the unjust social system that plagues society and suggests that unity is the answer to overcome the difficulties we face as humanity enters into another inevitable phase of unavoidable change.

Jeru first performed the track live on NPR Tiny Desk home concert back in April way before all of the civil unrest and worldwide protest.

Check it out below…