“If you are looking for a hard hitting bit of ‘Motivation’ to add to your workout playlist ... look no more. Here it is.
C. Henry comes with a steady flow that build and carries you along while prodding and pushing. That piano lead in of the chorus will ramp you up and get you to keep moving forward.”
“The soft earnest emotion of this track kept me tethered in. The song writing is intelligent and emotional and while the ‘Lemonade’ metaphor is one used quite often, it works here because of its simplicity in that it comes with a universal understanding that needs no explanation. The lyrics bring in other elements of the struggle that is life, and that, combined with an emotive performance, is where this track stands out.”
“That melody comes at you soft and golden, just like the ‘Magic Hour’ of light around dusk, when you feel like everything is perfect and the coming night is going to be legit.
Flow’etic captures that times with a solid groove and vocal flow that matches that time of the day to perfection. This track is a mood, a ride, a groove that you need to take. ”
“Have you seen the new Naomi photo spread? If not, I am sure this was being played during the photo-shoot.
Call me crazy if you want but Dai Burger has delivered the 2020 catwalk anthem. Whether a virtual fashion show, sitting at home watching a Pose episode... it is time to walk on them hxes. ‘Naomi Walk’ has a dope beat assisted by the snaps of a camera. When you press play it makes you want to flip your hair, strike a pose and walk like Naomi.”
New track "Naomi Walk" by Dai Burger ft. Kidd Kenn off her upcoming EP Dessert! Out on First One Up.
“Even though Father’s Day has passed, it is a day we are reminded of the strength and power a man has. He is a ‘Hero’ to his kids. Artist Ollie Wade expresses that in his new single ‘Hero’. His father started suffering from anxiety but didn’t want his son to see him as weak so he hid it. Ollie Wade is reaching out to his father in this new single to tell him that regardless of what he suffers from he is still strong and that his son will always be there.”
It's only natural that we rely on our parents being there for us, fixing our problems, easing our anxieties, picking us up when we fall or break down… it's easy to forget that they too endure the same issues, unaided. So it came as a shock to me when I began to see the "cracks" starting to show in the strongest man I know - my own Father. Anxiety can affect anyone, at any age - and it needn't be a significant event that kicks it off. It's often a gradual build up over time, hidden away until it eventually reaches the surface. It was tough seeing my Father trying to hide it from me. He didn't want to "worry" me. He didn't want to "add to my problems." He kept it to himself and internalised it, wouldn't discuss it, when all I wanted was to comfort him and repay the 20+ years of support, guidance and love he has given me. So, I wrote 'Hero' as a plea to my Dad - to let me in, to know it's OK not to be OK. The last line of the chorus says it all: "You're only human; we're just the same." My Father first heard 'Hero' at a live gig that I played, and I know its message hit home and opened his eyes. Up until then, he didn't think I knew, didn't realise my concern and my frustration from being blocked out. 'Hero' has opened the door. The conversation in the song has led us to be honest with each other, it's brought us closer and made us stronger. I am releasing, 'Hero' on June 22nd, in collaboration with 'International Father's Mental Health Day'. In England, 1 in 8 men have a common mental health problem. The pressure to maintain the traditional masculine demands of control, strength and stoicism is all too prevalent – and results in men being unable to share their problems. They bottle them up, and over time, they fester and grow. I want 'Hero' to encourage us all to reach out to our Fathers and offer them support and a shoulder – should they need it. Remember, mental health issues are not a weakness, but an illness that can be managed - at whatever age.
“Coming at you with a Hip-Hop ‘Hokey Pokey,’ vibe, OuterSpaceAce makes this track work with stellar wordplay and a progression I simply could not escape from.
’Money Dance’ is infectious without a doubt, though the production did not feel as smooth to me as it could have been if played a bit more straight. That opinion aside, I found myself singing along and moving as this one unfolded.”
“E-Los drops this soulful blend of Hip-Hop and R&B. that just grabs hold of you. The groove is smooth and steady, and the emotion shines through in the performance making the well-written lyrics fell alive. The pace is slow, but that works here because it give you time to feel every word being laid down. ”
“We have featured Bad Flamingo before and I’ve long been a fan. The diverseness of their sound is especially impressive in a time when many artists sound the same on every track they release.
’Butter’ is not an easy song to categorize, but it is an Indie Rock vibe with a trippy and meandering melody that sort of mesmerizes and comes across as smooth as butter on warm toast. Intriguing vocals add to the dynamic.”
“‘Reggae Love’ is one of those track that some people might refer to as an ear worm because it settles in your mind and refuses to leave. YOU can;t help but move and sign along to the steady beat and the chorus that comes with it. Somewhat reminiscent of UB40 and ‘Red, Red Wine’ in that aspect. ”
“In light of everything that is going on in the world A. Meazy’s new single ‘ I Can’t Breathe (Again)’ is a reminder that people are still fighting, people are still scared, and many just want to be able to breathe freely. The single’s arrangement is lyrical with a soulful old school church melody to it. He recants situations that occur everyday but some just don’t always have good endings.You can feel the emotions in their vocals and their hope for equality.”
“Offering everything you want out of a big bold dance number, ‘Heart On My Sleeve’ is guaranteed to get people out on the dance floor. Hopefully we can all return to dance floors soon and find our groove to these soaring vocals, infectious beat, and tantalizing drops. Until then, I say crank this one up and dance by yourself or with the ones you keep close, because this track is too sweet to let sit idle until the world rights itself.”
“This is a high-energy track comes at you with one foot in the Alternative sound of the 90s, and another in more of a contemporary Folk Rock stratosphere.
Delivering a solid Rock and Roll vibe, ‘Phoenix From The Flames’ is about taking the hard punches life comes at you with, and not only surviving, but thriving to fight another day.”
“A vivacious track about trying to have a night, and survive the drama or trouble while doing it. Get in the club, stoke a good buzz up, find a sweet little bit of company for the rest of the night, and get out before trouble finds you.
Sounds like a simply concept, but it ain’t always easy to pull off. The flow here has a nice bit of verve and swagger, and the beat production makes the track come alive. This is both a groove and a mood.”
“The complicated dance that is love comes with all manner of missteps before you find the right partner. Maja Kristina takes on the person that only thinks they want to dance with you. The sort that goes in with the minimal amount of emotions and engagement, without truly feeling being swept up and present in the endeavor.
The Electro Pop groove comes with engaging vocals and an uptempo beat that propels ‘The Idea Of Me’ forward to the end.”
“All Hail ... The Dutchess!
Yeah, you’ve heard tracks calling out the haters before, but the letter Z ain’t the only thing different about The Dutchess’s take on ‘Haterz.’
Straight up flow coming with unflinching confidence delivered with a tone that lands square. The attitude and verve coming out of this Portland rapper are what make her stand out.”
“The lyrics catch your attention right away. ‘The It Girl,’ is a track about the notion and idea of feminine perfection and how sadly the Western world has Barbie-ized the concept.
This track offers razor sharp lyrics, talented vocals, and a nice little funky groove to drive it all forward. Raye Zaragoaza comes at you with a confident attitude and a hint of defiance to prove she is indeed — an It Girl.”
“Stalwarts of Reggae, Julian Marley and Junior Reid team to deliver this soulful cry for ‘Mother Nature.’ You can feel the scars we’ve inflicted int he tone and emotion of the track which is about performance and the sound, more than it is about clever wordplay or intricate writing.
Close your eyes and let the spirit of the piece come to you. ”
“This track just hits different. With a swagger and a bit of fold school vibe laid over the top of a subtle funk that pulls you along.
Much like every album Shiva has released, K.A.L.A. delivers a story. This particular song, ‘Views,’ is the beginning stages of the story where the main characters observes the lack of soul within the world around him. His veil is lifted and he can see people for who they are and he just goes with it. Coasting among the injustice as a part of his process.”
“This is retro rock tune with a bit of electronic flair and a just an ever so slight hint of hip-hop flow that combines to make this track feel contemporary and nostalgic at the sometime.
Like a pin up from the 50’s, Sofi Bonde’s vocal are sultry in a shy unassuming way, whereas lyrically, the track is surprisingly clairvoyant, giving the track another set of oddly joined, but cohesive qualities. ”
“The beat backing this track is deceptively funky and really drives this flow without overpowering it. Rapta also infuses a bit of funk into this flow in select spots which really drives that hook home and adds an energy that breathes life into the otherwise smooth steady delivery.
’Invitation’ is a single that builds and pulls at you until you have no choice to wrap it all the way around your body and move.”