Tag: review

Album Review: Almanac – Neru Thee Fourth Fugee

NERU THEE FOURTH FUGEE‘s highly anticipated album, ‘The Almanac’ comes from the back of the Baltimore emcee spending the past four years on the road, opening and performing alongside the likes of The Roots, IDK and Princess Nokia, and projects ‘The Reincarnation’ and ‘Enlightenment Era’ from 2014, both met with critical acclaim.

Produced by the Neru along with her Hippy Trippy Collective, rap rising star Deetranada, Ill Camille and Baltimore newcomer DopeSol –  all who make appearances on the project – ‘The Almanac’ firmly challenges the prospective listener’s musical taste with its transcendental harmonies and trance-like kaleidoscopic melodies, which merges elements of hip hop, neo-soul, funk, ambient and psychedelic music.

‘The Almanac’ is definitely one of those albums you can kick back and relax to after a long day of hard hustle. So when you have the chance sit back, relax and broaden your musical horizons with this set…

Must Listens: 30 Billion (Doesn’t Matter); xRed xWhite xBlue (RWB), C-Spine

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EP Review: Naija-Ghana Tape Vol. 1 – DJ Boat x Kobi Jonz

‘Naija-Ghana Tape Vol.1’ is the birth of the burgeoning relationship between two forerunners of African Music – Ghanaian native DJ BOAT and Nigeria-born singer KOBI JONZ.

Starting out his career in New York, Houston-based DJ Boat – who has clocked up over 20 million streams through his mixtapes – has previously collaborated with Kobi Jonz for his breakthrough single ‘Conscious’, which received heavy support from the likes of MTV Base, Spotify and Dezzer.

Now these hot properties are making new waves, coming in the form of four tracks which roars with such vibrancy and carries flawless fusions of both worlds – Ghana and Nigeria.

‘Naija-Ghana Tape Vol.1’ will undoubtedly keep up the vibes in the cold months, right through to those blazing hot days…check it out below…

Must Listen: Call Melanin 

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Album Review: Beautiful Sin – Some Kind Of Illness

Hailing from Manchester, brothers Paul and Mark Hinks – aka indie rock outfit, SOME KIND OF ILLNESS – latest album, ‘Beautiful Sin’, could be described as smooth as a Sunday morning with a tranquil introduction through instrumentals ‘Within A Shadow’ and ‘Ghost’ with the latter featuring a slight sinister spin on the album’s theme.

Third offering ‘A Moment In Time’, first offers a full set of vocals, that’s so smoothing, to the equally smooth and inmate setting. ‘A Lament Reprise’ adds another dimension to the album with its slight electronic drive to the production, uplifting a bed of atmospheric soundscapes similar to what’s offered in the previous productions. ‘Beautiful Sin’ also interrupts the album’s soothing vibe with the distorted and racing guitar riffs breaking through the production, giving off a feather-light and (perhaps 60’s-inspired) Americana feel.

The album concludes with ‘7 Days’, which ventures into a more sinister side of indie rock, with guest vocalist Jenny Jen shedding some light and sweetness to the whole arrangement.

Through their fourth album, SOME KIND OF ILLNESS has effortlessly combine two worlds – indie and rock music –  in a way that’s accessible to those who aren’t massive fans of the aforementioned genres. Have a listen to ‘Beautiful Sin’ below:

Must Listen: A Moment In Time 

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EP Review: Watch The Ton3s – The Hamiltones

After appearing to be lying dormant for a few years, the recent explosion of that good old R&B, as we know it, has got REAL…and I mean SERIOUSLY real, with laid-back soulful summer vibes popping up from all directions.

Keeping that rich soulful R&B alive, are three powerhouses from North Carolina: J. Vito, Tony Lelo, and 2E – otherwise known as THE HAMILTONES.

Containing six tracks, their latest EP, ‘Watch The Ton3s’ primarily features 90’s-esque semi-chilled vibes well suited for the summer, with backing vocal arrangements occasionally adding a gospel edge. The trio each take turns and robustly deliver their classically rich soulful vocals on each and every pieces, adding that extra spice.

Since these guys first appeared on NEW LEASE MUSIC with single, ‘Pieces’, I’ve been keeping a very close eye on their next move…and I have to say that this EP has more than satisfy my curiosity – and if you’re seriously into your R&B, do not pass up on these three ton3s.

Check these powerhouses out below:

Must Listens: MCBYL (both versions), Alone, Pieces

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EP Review: Abyssopelagic – Oloff

When Oloff Johnson – or simply known as OLOFF– slipped me his EP ‘Abyssopelagic’ earlier last month, he mentioned that the latest body of work was a mixture of genres – from straight up hip-hop to the ambient and the experimental. Boy, he’s definitely not wrong there.

As the mini set kicks off with an upbeat, 808 state inspired number, ‘Doing It Stealthy’ – featured on NEW LEASE MUSIC last month – it suddenly flips, going through floaty/spaced out soundscapes which, no doubt, puts you in a hypnotic state within seconds. The young wordsmith’s contrasting wayward flow punches through the atmospheric arrangements, adding a unique vibrancy.

I have to say ‘Abyssopelagic’ EP is an acquired taste. Test it out below:

Must Listens: Doing It Stealthy, Fucking Wet

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