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

New Track: Broken Heart – Billions

BILLIONS comes with a Broken Heart through his fourth single off his critically acclaimed debut mixtape ‘Thirteen13’ which  reached #1 in the UK Rap charts.

‘Broken Heart’ is a smooth, saxophone-heavy banger, something very different to his previous singles on the tape, including the club track ‘Motive’ and the street classics ‘Make It Home’ and ’10 Toes’ – proving BILLIONS is one of the most versatile artists in the game right now.

The video, shot by London videography giant Suave, continues the Hackney spitter’s luxury rap narrative, with him dressed in the finest Gucci drip, rolling in a Range with a Rollie on his wrist; while candidly talking us through his struggles with heartbreak.

So help him mend his Broken Heart by checking out the video for the single below…

New Music Video: Faded – Dutch ReBelle

DUTCH REBELLE dropped the eye-catching vibe heavy visual for the Newm Nera produced track ‘Faded’ from her latest album ‘Bang Bang’.

Shot by Nathan Delong, ‘Faded’ is a hypnotic cruise through a day with Dutch living her best life  as she delivers sharp punchlines atop a breathtaking view.

Check it out below:

New Track: Broken Promises – Dizzy Rambunctious

Last week, DIZZY RAMBUNCTIOUS had rocked up and slammed down one hell of a EDM banger entitled ‘Throwback’.

Now the urban producer brings on something completely different, forming a three-and-a-half-minute laid-back urban piece, ‘Broken Promises.’

Check it out below:

New Music Video: Made For Love – Lukey Storey (ft. Stac)

North West Londoner LUKEY STOREY has come through with a new music video for latest single ‘Made For Love’, a tropical ode to moving your way through conflicted relationships and romantic fixation.

Launching himself into the scene as a solo artist in early 2018, Lukey hit the ground running, dropping playful and thought-provoking singles, making it clear from the offset he’s not afraid to delve into the cynicism and realism of life. With his debut single ‘What It’s Like’ picking up critical acclaim, his matter-of-fact lyrics and icy humour was delivered with, as described by The Line Of Best Fit “elegance and charm over a timeless hip-hop beat” – this being a continuing theme throughout Storey’s songs. Lukey boldly uses his own issues with mental health, disclosing his troubles with addiction and ADHD, to mould his creative process and signify something that goes deeper than just the music. From previous drops such as ‘What It’s Like’ and ‘Fuck Everyone’ as well as tracks throughout his debut EP ‘I’m As Shocked As You Are’ released earlier this year, it’s clear Lukey doesn’t hold back speaking openly about his demons.

This new single is no different, Storey states “it’s a song from 2 perspectives. For me, it’s a conflicted love song about taking a relationship for granted, denying to myself how I have felt and then honouring its meaning. It’s about dealing with obsession”. Calling upon talented East London vocalist STAC for chorus duties, ‘Made For Love’ deals with these issues against smooth, tropical instrumentals with hints of contemporary reggae.

His previous drops set the bar high for what’s to come next and now Lukey confidently (at no one’s surprise) continues his steady trajectory to stardom in the run up to his second EP ‘Heartwork’ – another sincere body of work making light of issues in love, trauma and realism.

Watch for video for ‘Made For Love’ below: