Tag: reviews

Album Review: Wond3rland – Dizzy Rambunctious

Unlike his previous project, ‘Arcadia’, which loosely takes inspiration from the theme tunes from classic arcade games, DIZZY RAMBUNCTIOUS switches it up and takes a complete detour with his latest mixtape, ‘Wond3rland’.

This time round, the New Jersey producer has adopted a real sublime soulful/rare groove-ish vibe to his usual trademark – that hip-hop/boom bap woofer of a bassline.

Now if you’re a follower of this guy, then you know he only deals with instrumentals – and you’ll also know he always hits you right between the eyes with a surprise – he recruited a few guest vocalists/spitters for this mammoth collection, which was most welcomed ( just have a listen the 6th track, ‘Zion’ featuring Phi & Shrls.)

I gotta give it to him; DIZZY RAMBUNCTIOUS has really stepped up his game – go and have a trial.

Must Listens: Wond3rland, Cosmic Gramma, Zion, Get on Down.

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Mixtape Review: Kid Akeem’s Playground – Kid Akeem

At the age of 24, Adam Falkner – otherwise known as KID AKEEM – received the biggest news of his life; he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. While the news can be devastating and can send anyone into a spiralling hole, it didn’t stop the hip-hop upriser from persevering and laying all his cards on the table through his ten track mixtape, ‘Kid Akeem’s Playground.’

The upbeat New Jack Swing(ish) style beats and the boisterously dense bassline take turns to shed light on various events in his young life: from the carefree moments of chasing girls (featured in ‘Hello, Say Hi’) to the turbulent emotions after the MS diagnosis (featured in ‘My Letter To The Sky’) and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and becoming a stronger person (featured in ‘Adam’).

With his flow just grooving into different level of tempos from each track, KID AKEEM is very worthy of a place in the underground rap scene and this mixtape deserves a place in any hip-hop head’s collection.

‘Kid Akeem’s Playground’ should be a reminder that no matter how bad things get, you can turn it around – take a look at this guy’s life and sample his mixtape.

Must listens: I Would’t Trade It/Intro, My Letter To The Sky, Good Times, Adam, USA Diamonds.

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Album Review: Fairytale Land – Pedro Syrah

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Featured on NEW LEASE MUSIC back in September, PEDRO SYRAH‘s delicately warm effort, ‘Summer Night on Fairytale Land’ is the built up to his long-awaited debut album, ‘Fairyland’… and as much as I enjoyed the single – because it does spark a soul-glowing sensation – I wondered if I could survive ten tracks of the same tempo….

…Well I stand corrected, as from the very beginning, the bass guitar and drums receive a good workout in the introductory track, creating that real gritty funk. Soothing ambient soundscapes with, at times, feather light elements of Americana/new-wave follow through to the first half of the album, completed with tingling harmonies providing a real magical and folklore kick.

The second half of ‘Fairyland’ becomes progressively emotive and intense when Syrah takes to the limelight with put his vocals to almost stripped-back pieces – a combination that will smooth over manic traffic in an instant.

This collection is worth investing in for those quiet spring/summer nights…here’s your chance to have a listen.

Must Listens: Cocaine and Cigarettes, Paper Thoughts, Release the Clocks.

 

 

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EP Review: A Calling From The Shore – Ren

ren

Following the release of his soul-warming offerings, including ‘The Coast’ – featured last September on NEW LEASE MUSIC – singer/songwriter REN releases his five-track EP, ‘A Calling From The Shore’ today.

Continuing the theme from the ‘The Coast’, the sincere and heart-tugging  presence of the acoustic guitar, with elements of contemporary pop, steals the limelight in the latest project. The lovable rogue adds that magical touch through his delicate and Celtic-esque delivery.

Definitely a winning formula – take time out and have a listen.

Must Listens: The Coast, All That I Need, Piece of Your Heart

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EP Review: Pagemaster – Scriptzrphrenic

the-pagemaster-ep-cover

Coming from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, upcoming spitter SCRIPTZRPHRENIC laid on his cards on the table and poured his heart and soul into inviting you in a series of hard-knock events in his life through the latest six-set EP, ‘The Pagemaster’.

The introductory track provided the perfect build up to the infectiously dense bassline over the next couple of tracks, before entering the realms of laid-back, vintage hip-hop.

Our kid deserves a trial; check it out.

Must Listens: My Life, Daydreaming, Just A Rap

 

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