Tag: reviews

Album Review: Stillborn Flowers – Rain To Rust

Mert Yıldız, the brainchild behind project RAIN TO RUST, continues to provide – and I quote from the man himself: ‘miserable music for miserable people’ – through his latest album, ‘Stillborn Flowers’.

Showcasing hazy and downtempo post-punk, which occasionally takes on the most sinister form of Darkwave (listen to ‘Died’ and ‘Dead Violets Night’) and 90s-style German Gothic rock influences (in ‘Marbled Sunlight’), ‘Stillborn Flowers’ also features remixes of singles (For When It Hurts, A Farewell With Regret and Time and Time Again) from previous album, ‘Flowers Of Doubt’ (2019). Originally an easy listening combo of soft pop/rock spanning of the 80’s, arguably similar to the seductive styling of Bryan Ferry, ‘For When It Hurts’ (TSU Remix) adopts a crisply light electro-pop tones, possessing the same tranquil tempo of the original.

With ‘Stillborn Flowers, Rain To Rust doesn’t fall short of filling the gap for those who yearn for the post-punk/new wave era. He also potentially leave his fans wanting more with dishing up something new with the remixes. Well I, for one, is left hanging for more as I now see him more than just a figurehead of the underground post punk/rock scene in his native Turkey.

Have a listen to ‘Stillborn Flowers below….

Must Listen: Died, Dead Violets Night, For When It Hurts (TSU remix)

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EP Review: KWESBAAR RMXS – Neak

NEAK‘s latest project, ‘KWESBAAR RMXS’ maybe a mini set of just five tracks, but it burst with influences, with his spin on hip-hop from the golden era (circa late 80’s), which is often met with rhythmic loops of 70s-style soulful vocals. Third effort ‘The Gift (Mashup)’, brings a little something different to the project as it taps into the boombap vibe working in unison with bluesy jazz tones for that tinging sensation.

‘KWESBAAR RMXS’ is a spin off from Neak’s critically acclaimed/self-produced full-length album, ‘KWESBAAR’ as it entails four new interpretations/remixes from that set plus new track, ‘Nothing To Lose, Inner City Blues’. Released year ago, ‘KWESBAAR’ accumulated over 30,000 streams with the first few weeks of its release. Neak’s lucid delivery gives a hard-hitting account of the trials and retributions of being an African-American male in America which, personally, feel (at times) that Kanye West is taking a shot on the collection.

‘KWESBAAR RMXS’ carries on the same theme of his everyday struggles that’s definitely worth a listen…check it out below…

Must Listens: The Gift (Mashup), My Life

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Album Review: FlyMix Vol.1 – Fly Von

After his lenghty hiatus, FLY VON made a blazing return with his remake of Migos’ GNF and Roddy Ricch’s Boom Boom Room, both taken from his latest project, ‘FlyMix Vol.1’.

The 13-track set sees this DMV spitter takes on the hits of hip-hop heavyweights such as Drake, Da Baby and Young Thug and guide us through variations of trap-hop tones which, at times, work in perfect unison with chilled, laid-back 90s hip-hop/R&B influences. The rumble of the catchy b-line serves as the main attraction throughout the set which occasionally gives that extra Timbaland-esque spice.

Previously known for producing pure tranquil chill-hop numbers, this guy has reinvented himself into a super fierce wordsmith, armed with a razor-sharp delivery which thunders straight through the braggadocious bars.

All I have left to say is Sir Fly Von, welcome back to the limelight…check him out below…

Must Listens: GNF, Drip Too Hard, Flip The Switch, Whats Poppin, Dior

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EP Review: The Guild of Artisans – Redd Tunes Productions

Producer Rob “Redd Tunes” Brazao’s second project of the year, ‘The Guild of Artisans’  is the perfect chill out escapism from lockdown.

A melodic haziness of boombap/hip-hop works its way through the set, with guest emcees’ delivery easing through the tranquil bars.

One thing that certainly didn’t go unnoticed is the dopely askew vocals in intro track, ‘Distance’ by MansasWorld.

For all you hip-hop heads out there, it’s to immerse yourself into Redd Tunes’ ‘The Guild of Artisans’. This guy has been in the game for over 30 years, so you’re about to listen to some quality stuff…hit that play button below…

Must Listens: Distance by MansasWorld

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Mixtape Review: Beats And Pieces: Volume Two – Joshua Luke Smith

JOSHUA LUKE SMITH‘s latest mixtape, ‘Beats And Pieces Volume Two’, stemmed from a difficult time when his wife and his father were in hospital – at the same time.

The result of his latest set could have been predictably dark and melancholic. Instead a soothing and comforting presence of soulful boombap runs throughout the best part of the collection, with Joshua’s lucidly smooth delivery adding some hope and optimism.

Tracks ‘Joy’ and ‘Circles’ provides another dimension to the set with intensively imitate arrangements, prompting the prospective listener to really home in and resonate with the message in each productions.

Now this guy has produced the entire mixtape under a month – he wrote the lyrics of each song in a hospital waiting room whilst being with his wife and father. Joshua gets my utmost respect as, in a time of distress, he produced a stunning collection that displays an unflappable appreciation for life.

‘Beats And Pieces, Vol.2’ should be a reminder to us all that there’s always light at the end of the tunnel…no matter how hard life gets…Check it out below…

Must Listens: Meaningless, Spinnin’, Stay

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