“Skipping experimental production, a catchy chopped & screwed hook and laid back rap... Jamesbetamax is cooking. The raps let this one down a little but this artist is onto something fresh. Far from perfect there is enough to hear (more importantly, feel) in this record to know when he really dials into the sound he wants to create he’s gonna take the world by storm. Watch this space. ”
“Bill and Billy take you down their own memory’s lanes. Showcasing the art of storytelling by visually and verbally walking the listener through their own life experiences. A tales of childhood to teenage life experiences and lessons learned while masterfully delivering bars over a nostalgic sample beat. This song is just a groovy jam.”
“Trapped out, bass heavy banger. Bxdhi delivers melodic, rock and roll style vocals that bring the energy and the swag. Bxdhi really pops his stuff on this one. In a world short on Young Thug influenced bangers, Bxdhi could be one of those artist to sleep into the void and really deliver.”
“A song of pure inspiration. First NLR Worship delivered a spiritually chilling song that gives exactly what the title suggest “Hope”. Simple but powerful drums that weight in as the heart beat of the production which angelic vocals being delivered by Tim Hill. This is the type of song you listen to when you need that extra boost to go on with life and all its’s worries and sorrows. Masterful, powerful, music. ”
“For the one’s that have trouble sleeping or just want to relax this song is for you. Monterey has a relaxing sound to it that will have you feeling like you are sitting near the ocean. This is a chill yet study beat that switches toward the end while still staying keeping the same mood, ”
“This is pure poetry over an interesting beat. Strong Black Hair acknowledges all hair types that women have. He describes each woman in her element whether as a mother, an auntie, a sister or a teacher. He captivates our attention by describing the texture and the smell of pure coco butter. I also like the inserted audio that allows us to capture the power of black hair. ”
“My Two Cents is a romantic yet commercial track. In a song dedicate to his wife, Cortright tells the story of how he became a cat person because of her cat. The cover art also reveals this. However, listening to the track you will find your self engaged and acknowledging this is a romantic track while never realizing it is about pets until the end. ”
“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. ”