Tag: review

Album Review: Delta – NTHN

Tackling the issue of male mental health, NTHN presents his latest album titled ‘Delta’. Written, produced and recorded by the Runcorn producer/artist himself, NTHN takes us through various stages of his own rollercoaster journey with mental health…

Barely audible airy soundscapes coupled with loops of daunting voices starts the turmoil journey with ‘Aware’ which leads on to feather light bed of electronica/pop backdrop which is almost overshadowed by a jarring bass through efforts, ‘Denial’ and ‘Falling’.

The sole presence of the woeful piano (in ‘Wasting Time’) replaces the alarming drive, before the album ventures into the realms of bluesy hip-hop/emo rap and grunge/metal (think along the lines of Nirvana). ‘Delta’ concludes with tranquil layers of feathery light electronica through ’03:35′, which reflects NTHN’s road to recovery to self acceptance and love.

It’s great to see such issues  – such as male mental health – becoming less of a social taboo. Although this album is NTHN’s personal journey, it’s also a sign of encouragement for others to break down the wall of shame and loneliness (two most common feelings that are associated with this issue) and reach out for help.

Have a listen to ‘Delta’ below and view the song recommendations below…

Must listens: Wasting Time, Conflicted

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EP Review: This is Korie – Korie

With KORIE‘s EP, ‘This is Korie’, personally I feel there are subtle influences of the once-popularised Yo pop – a mixture of jazz, funk, reggae and Afrobeats – fused with acoustic, almost stripped -back performances led by the guitar. When you listen to each track in this set, it feels like this young Nigerian singer/songwriter is performing right in front of you in an intense, intimate setting of an underground jazz club.

Her pronounced Motherland-esque vocals, which holds so much passion, paints a vivid storytelling of her fears in life, the pursuit to find true love and the determination in becoming a better person. It’s very clear that from the EP that Korie lives and breathes music…and it’s very rare I come across any material of music, where you can actually feel the musician’s love for music.

So ladies and gents, let me introduce you to the very talented Miss Korie in her purest and rawest form…

Must Listens: Foe, Change Me, Ife (Love) 

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EP Review: Turns Out We Should have Stayed At Home – Lucky Iris

Consisting of vocalist Maeve Florsheim and instrumentalist Jasper Exley, electro pop duo LUCKY IRIS‘ EP, ‘Turns Out We Should Have Stayed At Home’, maybe a concept collection that promises a blinding night out that didn’t go to plan, but it’s far from a disappointment (sorry for giving the game away way too early!)

The ‘sparkyness’ of single, ‘Get Ready With Me’, kicks off the EP with its distinctive intermittent electronic flow that gives off a ‘bright eyed and bushy tail’ sensation. Changing the EP’s mood completely, comes the intimate setting of second effort, ‘Take 5 (Why Can’t You See Me)’ where the lone, melancholic piano keys along with Florsheim’s woeful vocal performance, which somewhat gives off a jazzy/bluesy vibe, mirrors the image of watching everyone enjoying themselves in which you don’t feel a part of.

Picking up the tempo is ‘Glitter Vision’ with its feathery soft four-on-the-floor pattern, leading to a jarringly delightful drive, which tells of the moment where you attempt to make a night of it. Concluding the EP is ‘I Fell Backwards’, another intimate, piano-led piece, which reflects on a disastrous night through Florsheim’s heartfelt vocals which gains strength and becomes soulful.

With ‘Turns Out We Should Have Stayed At Home’, the duo offers some solace to an experience that we all had in some point on our lives, through pleasantly experimental numbers and classic pieces that will be well received by a wider audience. Definitely worth a trial…have a listen below…

Must Listens: Get ready With Me, I Fell Backwards 

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EP Review: Igbotic – Ike Chuks

One of UK’s hottest talents, IKE CHUKS‘ new EP, ‘Igbotic’ sees him slamming down a laid-back smooth flow delivered in English as well as Pidgin and Igbo.

The first half the collection delivers a gutsy warmth of Afro-Swing tribal-esque bass, featured in ‘What Happened To Kate’ and ‘Ego’. Influences of UK urban/hip-hop creeps in, creating a seamless fusion with the beats originated from the Motherland, as featured in the wavy joint, ‘Money’ and ‘Fire’

In this mini five-piece set, Ike has created really special here, that can be easily appeasing to the audiences beyond the UK urban circuit. Check out Ike’s EP below…

Must Listens: What Happened To Kate, Never Been 

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EP Review: Grizzly – Bby Ivy

After hearing tracks, ‘Rewind’ and ‘Sweet Like Honey’, released earlier this year, I was eager to see urban pop songstress BBY IVY‘s next move…and that next move comes in the shape of a six-track EP, ‘Grizzly’, which pretty much carries on the braggadocious presence presented in the aforementioned tracks.

A titillating mix of urban and electro pop introduces the EP through, ‘Sorry Doesn’t Cut it Today’. Whilst this joint offers an uplifting bounce, the lyrics adds contrast to the picture, where Bby tells the tale of heartbreak and betrayal.

Next offering, ‘Shame On Your Mama’ offers a more relaxed urban hip-hop/mainstream tone, where the Norwegian newcomer disses one’s actions that doesn’t reflect the grace and manners what their mother taught them.

‘Nkd Like That’ puts another spin on the mini collection, dishing out straight up trip-hop, ditching the mainstream sound featured in previous efforts. However that accessible sound does make a return in concluding piece, ‘Suck My’, an anthem for those who feel constantly criticized by others. A similar tone to ‘Nkd Like That’, the track carries a lighter trip-hop vibe with sugary over tones, making it appeasing to a wider audience.

In her short years on this earth, this teenager has experienced countless heartbreaks and betrayal…but it didn’t get her down. Instead, she turned a load of positives into negatives, through her quirky storytelling – and it’s all there in ‘Grizzly’.

Expect more from this kid with a very wise head on her shoulders…check out her EP below…

Must Listens: Shame On Ur Mama, Sweet Honey, Suck My

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