Tag: EP review

EP Review: Lost Talent 3 – IamDJStaxx

New York’s emcee IamDJSTAXX continues to capitalise on the momentum he has built as he is primed to release the third and final chapter of the Lost Talent Series, ‘Lost Talent 3’.

After releasing the first chapter in 2018 and the second one in 2019, he is now all set to offer the new fully-loaded EP. Released via UpNexx Digital LLC, This six-track project sees IamDJStaxx joining forces with new talents, Rah Dior and WaveGodTj.

A perfect combo of smooth after-hours tones along with a heavy bass introduces the EP with the track, ‘Ina Minute,’ which is topped off by the fiery bounce of IamDJStaxx’s and WaveGodTj’s delivery.

Some slick guitar plucks lead the way in the second effort, ‘It Is What It Is’ blossoming into a mid-tempo, cursing-in-the-summer noughties-inspired R&B (which is kind of reminiscent of a Ja Rule/Ashanti collaboration), where IamDJStaxx and WaveGodTj continues to light up the feel-good joint with some fiery bars.

In the second half of ‘Lost Talent 3’, IamDJStaxx calls on fellow NY rapper Rah Dior to inject a heavy dose of trip-hop that runs deep in tracks ‘Like Me,’ ‘Bandz,’ and ‘Flingz,’ where the two take turns in dropping some melodic bars that melt right into the arrangements.

IamDJStaxx’s final installment, ‘Lost Talent 3, ’ encompasses the past and the present, which can potentially be a worthy collection of generations who enjoyed the 90s/00s R&B and trap and even drill music. Check out the EP below and the blog’s song recommendations:

Must Listens: InA Minute, It Is What It Is, Flingz

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EP Review: Fuk Being Famous Vol.1 – Ethanpil

Right from the beginning, ETHANPIL‘s EP, ‘FUK Being Famous Vol.1’ bursts with trap-like beats combined with heavy-rolling bass, that just pops and hits between the eyes… and trust me on this one, this mini collection is more than ready to BLOW OFF the roof of any house party.

‘UK Being Famous Vol.1’ slows down (just a little) with tracks, ‘You Doing 2 Much’, ‘Slow’ and ‘Disrepectful Shiit’ all still retaining the trap/heavy bass combo (which is obviously a neat trademark of this slick spitter) but with a slight laid-back feel in the air. The EP bounces right back to speed with ‘Active’, bringing back that much-needed, head-bopping energy from the beginning.

All I have to say about this EP is, if you wanna start your summer right, well this is the best place to start. Check out ‘UK Being Famous Vol.1’ below and songs recommendations…

Must listens: Fuk Being Famous, 100K, Slow, Disrespectful Shiit

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EP Review: Reset II – Obsidian Cane

In the midst of unprecedented times brought by Covid-19 pandemic back in March 2020, London producer OBSIDIAN CANE was about to throw in the towel as the uncertainty of the music industry took its toll; with clubs and music festivals shutting down one by one. As he was about to turn his back on the music industry for good, his manager gave him one piece of valuable advice and that was to: keep releasing music. After all, people will be listening to music more than ever, now they were effectively in complete isolation. Following the advice of his manager, Obsidian produced a collection of music and his debut EP Reset was born.

Released on August 2020, Reset EP signifies the rebirth of his musical direction under a new alias. In his former life, Obsidian Cane scored a club hit, ‘I Need a Rhythm’ as UKG duo KP with fellow acclaimed producer Paul Benjamin. He also produced music for BBC1, BBC2, amongst others. As his new direction in the music industry goes from strength to strength, Obsidian released his second EP Reset II, where he called upon three promising upcoming singers/songwriters who are holding their own in London’s music scene: Joy Ami, Ferraz and Stacey Pierre – all of which their featured tracks signifies the EP theme of regrowth.

Joy Ami’s ‘Mr. Creep’ and Ferraz’s ‘Shine’ both tell the story of breaking away from the overbearing and controlling partner, feeling completely freeing themselves from the language that was set upon them, thus feeling renewed. Stacey Pierre concludes the mini project with a different perspective of renewal with ‘Secret Place’: the message of this single is that it’s OK to step into your personal to regained your yourself in order to fight another day.

Sonically, the EP possesses that familiar sound of UKG, that’ll be most welcomed to the nostalgics of the 90s version of the genre, while simultaneously sitting well with the younger generation thanks to its fresh spin.

Released on Christmas Eve, ‘Reset’ II EP was perfectly timed for release into the new year, as subconsciously it provokes all of us to release ourselves from all the luggage that’s weighting us down and look forward to be a better (and revitalised) version of ourselves.

Take a listen now…

Must listen: Shine, Secret Place

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EP Review: Trepac – Juice Cannon x Dice Cannon

JUICE CANNON and DICE CANNON have been steadily making their name in the underground hip-hop scene in their hometown, New York City for the last ten years now. Their latest collaborative project, ‘Trepac’, shows their appreciation for being in the rap game for so long, reflecting on their hard grind and achievements made along the way.

I have to say, this EP may be three tracks long, but the pair instantly shows us the very reason why they lasted so long in the game through the infectiously bass-heavy intro, ‘Twin Towers’, which documents the hard drive of building their craft from the very bottom right to the top. Their second offering, ‘No Statements’ carries on that infectiously head-bopping vibe, with loops of soulful vocals, later weighted in by one hell of b-line, which reverberates throughout the track.

Changing the tempo of the mini set is final piece, ‘Demon Time’, a smooth soulful trap joint where each rapper adds a peppery flow to the entire production.

Now I’ve already said this earlier in the review and it’s worth saying again: This mini fiery set shows the reason why these emcees are ranked so high in New York’s underground hip-hop scene and it wouldn’t surprise me if they overspill very quickly into the international scene very soon. Why not check out the EP below…

Must Listen: No Statements

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REVIEW: HASTEN MERCY – HEAD FAKE’S MICHAEL BAKER

Fusing indie pop with influences of country and folk music may seem like an odd partnership on paper for many, but this is what fundamentally makes up Toronto artist Michael Baker’s three-piece project, ‘Hasten Mercy.’

The haziness of the 80’s inspired synths softly poke through the hazy backdrop introduces the EP through the single ‘Star You Are.’ The guitar rounds up the three-and-a-half production, giving off a rich Americana sound.

With the driving grit of the electro bassline being the main feature, the second offering, ‘These Things’ (personally) more takes on a trippy downtempo tone, contributed by the woeful presence from the piano and violins.

Offering an appealing imitate setting, the artist invites us into his world through the final single, ‘I Break Everything’. He uses a vocal instrument to give a wholesome folk ballad that works perfectly against the soft electronic backdrop.

Michael Baker, who is the man behind the moniker Hasten Mercy, is known for pushing the boundaries to the extreme when it comes to experimenting with different genres. His solo project is a true testimony of his ability to merge unlikely genres into a very pleasing collection. All three singles have a solid potential for commanding regular attention on contemporary radio stations.

Have a listen to Hasten Mercy’s mini collection below…

Must Listens: I Break Everything, These Things

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