“Ellisa Sun’s “Once Upon a Time” is chilled track that you can lay back and listen too. The Jazz melody pulls you in with a contemporary R&B tempo. The food analogies that she incorporates into the track makes you truly feel the emotions in the lyrics. This song is about letting go and feeling ok about it.”
“Falling for someone with emotional baggage can be challenging. You found yourself struggling to love because you are scared. However, Gabi Sklar “Thank God” is a little different. It speaks on someone turning her sunshine into rain Its about being free and learning your lessons from the hurt. You may have lost “love” but the greatest reward was realizing it wasn’t love and you found yourself again. ”
“From its infectious bass groove to its instantly memorable chorus, Paranoia is pretty awesome. Rec Halls lead singers voice cuts through the noise and serenades us as the band explores how familiar situations become unfamiliar and even scary when influenced by different emotions. The band has managed to find a fresh spin on that psychedelic surf sound and I’m here for it. ”
“This record is catchy and tongue in cheek in the way LCD Soundsystem was. The production might not be as infectious but this chorus is made to screamed at a packed show. The CrashMonkey tap into the kind of nostalgia that feels forever cool. The vocals are a little off but I think thats part of the charm and is kinda like LA in a way, its a little off but something about it just keeps you coming back.”
“Somewhere between a spoken word rap and a existential meditation, Øyunn hypnotises with the experimental track Blocker. There’s not much to say without ruining it... so just find a moment to be still and let this record take you on a journey. This record is audio poetry. ”
“Kacia is a young artist who is finding himself, and he does it with a transparency most established artists haven’t figured out. Stepping into adulthood is never easy, and for a long time you still have teenage emotions just with adult responsibility. Kacia’s lyrics are so innocent, from painting the vivid picture waiting on his letter to Hogwarts to wondering which friends will be around as soon as the school bell rings for one last time. Plastic Straws is a beautiful fist step into adulthood. ”
“Quote me when I saw Leakzz just might be the future of UK Hip-Hop. He’s oozing swagger and confidence as he raps that pure coke white bravado. The chorus is catchy and the beat makes you feel like you’re on a yacht in Mykonos sipping Champagne. Standing out besides the songs features Leakzz sounds like a man amongst boys. So much of music is intangible and whatever that ‘thing’ is Leakzz has it. ”
“Hip-Hop is a universal and Kourosh is speaking it fluently on Wolf. The Persian rapper by way of The Netherlands sounds sharp, clever and dripping with star power as he skates across the skipping production. The switch to acoustic guitar and sweet singing on the outro shows Kourosh is a 360 artist and could be about to put his city on the international stage. ”
“IYKYK... Black forces = A WHOOPIN’.
Reese and Ski Mask trade clever menacing bars over a beat that would be at home a Freddie Kruger mixtape. Black Forces captures the mythology of the Black Air and has both rappers sounding as sharp as ever. When you see the black forces coming... RUN!”
“I’m loving the revival of fun in Hip-Hop. This record just makes you feel good, and makes your shoulders bounce uncontrollably. The bars are dripped in swagger and flair with a host of tongue in cheek one liners. It’s chorus is so infectious you’ll be texting everyone you know to “Ask Around” about Tyte. ”
“Self-reflection doesn’t always need to be drenched in sour minor chords and brooding grooves. Coma Girls prove that because Back To The Source just makes me want to move. Its ear-worm like melodies and true indie anthem guitars make you want to shake your demons off at a Coma Girls show screaming every lyric back at them. Subtle yet poetic with honest like “You were good at sex / But you’re bad at goodbyes” makes this a a true pop masterpiece without even trying. ”
“Idle Hands feels like rushing water in a creek on a summer day in 1998. It’s honest in a way I don’t think people are often “I can’t sit still, I just need to run, I’m just like my Mum”. It’s self-reflective but in a way thats not beating down on yourself but almost smirking as you watch yourself spiral slowly. “Can’t help but laugh, at the state I’m in, it’s like imprisonment” is one of the most honest lyrics I think I’ve heard. Now excuse me whilst I go back to procrastinating away 2023. ”
“When you’re opening verse includes the lines “She knows she could sell, lies to the devil, I’ve bought them myself” you mean BUSINESS. Do Me Like You Do feels like being ripped apart and being put back together by the person who ripped you apart in the first place. Vocally MICAH has the rare ability to let him self be consumed in the moment but maintain control over his voice. As out of control as his lover makes him feel he keeps himself composed in the storm. ”
“This record sounds like the most stressful moments of Top Boy rolled into one. Its mean, aggressive and scariest of all witty. Can you imagine a debt collector coming to take your knee caps off with a smile on this face? That’s what Nervous sounds like and I lot it. The UK is really having a strong moment in Hip-Hop and those familiar will know Pro Green isn’t a new kid on the block but a corner stone of modern UK Hip-Hop, and to hear him sound this inspired and sharp is exciting for everything UK.”
“Rins4 is carrying Australia on this back. For a long time when you think Australian hip-hop you think Iggy... Rins4 is about to be at the front of your mind. The production is mean yet emotional, and Rins floats across it like a trap figure skater with poise and swagger. You can hear the hunger not only in the sharp bars but his tone. He’s rapping like not only he needs this, but his family needs this, his country needs this. ”
Rating: 3 out of 5
“Talibando flips Twista smooth romantic Overnight Celebrity in a gritty, street anthem filled with braggadocios lyrics and Detroit street ethics. “I ain’t Virgil but I really got it offa white” I MEAN!”
“This song is about not holding back your feelings. Wastelander’s “Be Where” is a light-hearted summer love song that describes every moment you spend with someone. It captures the memories within the descriptive song writing. The tempo may sound a little sad but you have to listen to the lyrics. ”
“Juice WRLD was a pretty dope artist and Highkey Ike displays the same talent. This Pop Rap trap has a love song twist. It is about wanting to commit but still wanting to have fun. The balance of the two worlds are expressed in each lyric allowing you to embrace and understand commitments.”
“With an intro that feels dipped into peroxide and coloured with yellow (see what I did there... blonde) and vocals that pierce through the core of your soul, Cruel is stunning. The lyrics are conversational, the emotions are raw and so visceral it takes you right back to the person did you wrong the hardest in love. The record is stripped with no frills just honesty and pain. ”
“To quote The Verve, this is a bitter sweet symphony. Never loud but impossible to be heard, Haley pours her heart out in this tale of betrayal and heartbreak. Writing and rewriting this song over a 4 year period, Haley really landed right on the heart strings in such a honest and raw way. *Standing ovation* ”