Melbourne-based artist Mareya’s skills lie across the music spectrum. As an impressive producer, songwriter, vocalist and guitarist, she’s an artist with the ability to top the charts, receiving further support from Apple editorials to cement her rising star position. In her music, Mareya is unapologetic, speaking to mental health, BIPOC rights and the dismantling of misogyny.
For her latest single, Mareya collaborates both with her partner and fellow artist Younique as well as renowned saxophone extraordinaire Keidan Morley. The result is ‘Need You Now’ a fierce alt-pop banger, the track feeling at home as a striking, emotional composition and a future club classic. Driven forward by plucky instrumentation and punchy kick drums, the vocals glimmer with passion, the production giving them an added sparkle through airy vocalisations and pulsing harmonies.
The saxophone of Keidan Morley is filled with energising melodies, his solos carrying the track to new heights with infectiousness and depth. The performance is no throwaway addition, but an essential piece of the track’s success.
“The work is quite unique with the lyrics exposing a personal vulnerability insofar as they seek to return to a deeper sense of self after a depressive episode caused a disconnect with that,”Mareyashares. “But then it’s quite particular in how the minor key and the beats juxtapose this yearning with such resolution and strength … all toward a climax which is released via an epic saxophone solo of pent-up emotions!”
Younique continues, “I have always wanted to make a record that has HUGE sax appeal, and this one fulfilled that craving. I’ve also been a producer/ engineer for multiple artists for their sound and their music so it was brilliant to be able to represent my own sound on this track, alongside my partner and to creatively direct the whole, super fun process to achieve what is now ‘our’ own sound.”
Hailing from Russia but now making waves in Singapore, ГОЛОС КАА is the brainchild of a multi-talented musician who brings a unique sound to the scene. His latest track, “Do You feat. Elkwood The Producer,” is a genre-bending experience that will leave you exhilarated and wanting more.
“Do You” isn’t your average hip-hop track with a party vibe; it leans towards the experimental and industrial side of hip-hop, guaranteed to blow your mind. The song explodes from the very beginning with a thrilling intro that primes you for something intense. Then, ГОЛОС КАА takes center stage with his charismatic flow, delivered in a raw and powerful voice. At 0:59, the energy explodes – all the instruments ramp up the intensity, creating a soundscape that’s both vibrant and edgy.
The lyrics are as dark and thought-provoking as the music itself. The head-pounding beats and ground-shaking basslines provide the perfect backdrop for ГОЛОС КАА’s haunting chorus: “The future and past should be converted to dust.” This line will stay with you long after the song ends, lingering in your head like an echo.
Elkwood The Producer deserves major credit for the top-notch production. Everything comes together seamlessly in a tight, solid mix, ensuring each element perfectly complements the others.
“Do You” is more than just a song; it’s an anthem. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, this track is guaranteed to pump you up with an adrenaline rush. So hit play and let ГОЛОС КАА take you on a sonic adventure.
Craving a summer scorcher that ignites your dance floor instincts? Look no further than “Luv Di Gyal Dem,” the latest offering from Jay Blakcs, a rising artist who’s redefining dancehall with a uniquely American twist.
Hailing from Jamaica but currently setting Massachusetts ablaze, Blakcs isn’t afraid to push boundaries. “Luv Di Gyal Dem” is a testament to this; it’s a vibrant tapestry woven from the infectious energy of dancehall, the laid-back grooves of reggae, and the infectious hooks of commercial pop.
Prepare to be swept away by the song’s infectious rhythms. Blakcs’ vocals flow effortlessly, weaving a smooth soundscape that complements the song’s undeniable dancefloor appeal. The spicy guitar riffs are the melody’s secret weapon, injecting a dose of excitement that practically forces you to move. But “Luv Di Gyal Dem” isn’t just about the pulsating beats. The lyrics, infused with a touch of sensuality, add another layer of party mood.
It’s a song that embodies the essence of summer – carefree, vibrant, and guaranteed to get your body moving. So crank up the volume, feel the rhythm course through your veins, and let Jay Blakcs transport you to a world of good vibes and infectious energy.
Nottingham-based musical project #NAME? (a name born from an ironic Excel error) takes us on a captivatingly mysterious journey with “Ambient2.” This instrumental piece is anything but ordinary, living up to the project’s unconventional moniker.
Imagine a path shrouded in fog, each step revealing a new note, both beautiful and unsettling. #NAME? builds the atmosphere with soft yet dark piano strokes, edgy melodies that dance along the edge of dissonance, and an overall ambiance that’s both enticing and unsettling.
It’s a sound unlike anything you’ve heard before, it takes a moment to adjust, but that’s precisely what makes it so remarkable. #NAME? isn’t afraid to push boundaries and explore ambient music in unconventional ways.
As the final notes fade away, and the melodies offer a graceful feel, a sense of resolution washes over you. The fog has lifted, and a path bathed in light emerges.
“Ambient2” is a sonic exploration that takes you on a journey of uncertainty before ultimately leading you to a place of peace. It’s a testament to the power of experimentation and the beauty that can be found in the unexpected.
Buckle up, genre explorers! Atlanta’s genre-bending maestro, Sporty-O, is back with “Tequila Rage Face,” a track that explodes with infectious energy and defies categorization.
This time, Sporty-O joins forces with the Spanish production duo of Bowser (a rising breakbeat star) and Rhades (a southern Spanish producer on the rise). Their collaboration, sparked by a mutual friend, promises a sonic adventure unlike any other. The three artists expertly blend their styles, creating a cohesive soundscape that’s both intricate and infectious. Every element is meticulously crafted to complement the others, resulting in a track that’s as impressive sonically as it is fun to listen to.
“Tequila Rage Face” is a heady cocktail of musical influences. Hip-hop swagger collides with pulsating EDM beats, while hints of Spanish and even oriental flavors weave through the soundscape. The drumming injects a subtle oriental flair, but the overall vibe is undeniably dancefloor-driven. Sporty-O’s vocals are pure charisma, seamlessly flowing through verses packed with colorful lyrics delivered with a lighthearted touch.
Get ready to move! The irresistible rhythms and vibrant atmosphere will have you grooving from the first beat. This song is a party in sonic form, guaranteed to get your body moving and your head nodding. So hit play and get ready to party!
Namibian hip-hop artist Proklaim is back with another uplifting anthem, “LIFE.” It’s a powerful hip-hop delivery infused with infectious funk and soul vibes, resulting in an irresistibly optimistic message that injects pure energy into your soul.
Proklaim is a familiar face on SISTRA, and with every new release, he amazes us with his skills as a musician and his thought-provoking lyrics. “LIFE” is no exception. It continues his impressive streak, showcasing his musical talent and ability to craft resonating messages.
In “LIFE,” Proklaim’s trademark lyrical prowess is fully displayed. The line “I’m on a race with myself” perfectly encapsulates the song’s core message: we’re not competing against each other, but rather striving to be better versions of ourselves. Proklaim himself embodies this philosophy, constantly pushing his boundaries and reaching new heights.
Layers of funky instrumentation seamlessly blend with the hip-hop foundation, creating an irresistible smooth and vibrant groove. The keys shimmer brightly, the bass line lays down a solid foundation, and the beats pulsate with a hint of serenity, all working together to create a truly captivating soundscape.
“LIFE” is a shot of energy, that needs to be heard whenever you feel down and can’t carry on. Proklaim is offering you a reminder to embrace the journey, and a celebration of self-improvement.
French musician Gabriel Cheurfa, known by his musical project Draumr, weaves a soundscape that lives up to its namesake in “Things You Say To Yourself.” This dreamy collaboration with vocalist Matya is an escape into a world where fantasy and reality dance together.
The chemistry between Draumr and Matya is undeniable. Their voices perfectly complement each other, with Draumr’s airy melodies intertwining with Matya’s silky and bright vocals. Together, they narrate a story of budding love and the internal struggles that arise when your heart wants something your mind resists.
The music video, self-directed by Draumr, mirrors the song’s theme beautifully. Vivid imagery and a playful tug-of-war between hearts and minds unfold, creating a captivating mini-movie experience.
The lighthearted and uplifting composition is the main key to the song’s charm. Draumr blends indie-pop and funk influences to create infectious grooves that make you want to move. Lush guitar strums, energetic drumming, and shimmering keys weave together, creating a delightful soundscape. This sonic tapestry perfectly captures the bittersweet mix of emotions that come with falling for someone new: the excitement, the nervousness, the hope, and maybe even a touch of self-doubt.
“Things You Say To Yourself” is a dream pop gem for ears, eyes, and hearts! You’ll enjoy every detail of this well-crafted musical experience!
London artist Michael lebbie AKA Prince Coffeo brings the sunshine with “Mammy Cuss,” a vibrant track that injects pure energy into your ears while delivering a crucial message.
“Mammy Cuss” explodes with energy right from the start. Ernest Dee’s drums and Saddam’s percussion lock in with infectious grooves, while Prince Coffeo’s vocals soar between warm and electrifying. Emmanuel Kofa’s shimmering guitar chords and Desmond Tucker’s bass lines create a buoyant atmosphere, perfectly complemented by James Mensah’s bright keyboard flourishes. It’s a full-on sonic party that’s impossible to resist. The production on the track is flawless, everything flows perfectly, allowing each instrument to shine without muddying the mix.
But “Mammy Cuss” offers more than just good vibes. The cleverly written lyrics deliver a powerful message about appreciating and caring for mothers, highlighting abusing mothers due to sobering issues. It’s a message wrapped in a catchy melody, making it feel like getting sage advice from your coolest friend while you’re tearing up the dance floor.
“Mammy Cuss” is a guaranteed mood-booster, with a message that resonates long after the last note fades.
It has been some time since I encountered such a remarkable blend of vintage and original music. Gianfranco GFN, the artist from Italy and Switzerland, has recently dropped his new track ‘Soft’ as a teaser for his upcoming album “GIOMANÈ,” set to launch later this year.
Soft music truly showcases the talent of skilled and professional musicians, a quality often missing in today’s AI-driven world. Gianfranco GFN‘s (guitar) expertise and experience since the 90s shines through in his distinctive and melodious style. This track is likely to be enjoyed by fans of jazz, funk, R&B, and various other music genres. Its smooth melody will captivate you, prompting you to hit the repeat button. The heartfelt lyrics convey deep emotions of love, yearning, and admiration for a special someone, highlighting the longing to remain close even in absence, with unwavering faith in the enduring strength of their love.
Earlier, I mentioned that the track “Soft” was expertly performed by a group of highly skilled musicians: Gianfranco GFN on guitar, David Caraccio on bass, Nicolas Pittet on drums, Claude-Alain Biedermann on keyboard, and Vladimir Carbone on vocals and backing vocals. Their remarkable chemistry has truly captivated me. When you listen to a band and sense how seamlessly they play together, it’s truly something special. Do you also feel like we’re missing this level of cohesion in jazz or other music genres nowadays? To conclude, I am thrilled to have received Gianfranco GFN’s “Soft,” and it has earned a place in my music collection. I eagerly anticipate their album release later this year. Cheers!
Kama Tala is an American musician who plays multiple genres of music. His strong vocals and guitars are always present on every single, suggesting he’s inclined towards alternative rock more than other genres. Today we are gonna have a little chat with Kama Tala to learn more about his new single entitled ‘You Got Love From Me Now’ and how he wrote it.
First of all, I’d like to welcome you once again with us at Sistra Magazine, it’s always great to hear from you. How has your musical journey been going and how would you describe your new single for us?
Thank you for having me back. It’s always nice to chat with you and Sistra Magazine, it’s an honor. To be completely candid, the musical journey has been a lot of different things, but all positive. A lot of why I decided to start putting out music in 2021 was simply for cathartic purposes. At the time I was going through a lot and writing music was an outlet that allowed me to tell a story. I honestly had very few means to do so otherwise and my first Album ‘Before the Wind’ was just me simply writing about the last few years of my life. My friend Tomek agreed to record a song I wrote and 2 years later I had an album. I still owe him so much for working on that project. I had no idea what I was doing. I still don’t. But whether it be about an experience from my life, or a friend’s story, or something I read in the paper, or something mundane, or a cheesy pop song, in each and every song I give a piece of myself to it, and as I learned more about writing and recording and stopped caring about being confined to one genre…it gave me this sense of freedom to say whatever I want to say, however I want to say it musically. Overall…the journey has been healing in a lot of ways, very surprising that it’s caught on the way it has, and very humbling for me personally. I’m glad when any person in any corner of the world finds their way to a Kama Tala song. To me, that’s a connection-and it brings me joy. It’s a connection I’ve been missing for several years honestly. Even though I’ll never meet that human being, it’s humbling and gratifying knowing someone 15k miles away is jamming to a song I wrote in a language they might not even speak. So to anyone out there who’s listened to any song of mine, I want to say sincerely, thank you. It means the world to me.
So is this song gonna be released as a single or as part of an album?
Still deciding. Hahah…This is the final version of the song. But the song was written in late March/April and the original version is much different. My plan is to release multiple versions of this tune…so maybe an EP. With a demo version…the final Rock version, and an alternate version…but I’m still playing around with these ideas. We’ll see.
What made you choose to make this song in a more pop style rather than any other genre?
During March in Chicago you normally don’t get many days that are 75 degrees and perfect weather. There was a weekend when I had no plans and it was perfect weather so I had time to sit down with my strat and try to write something. I started out playing this Jackson 5 style guitar chord progression that I fell in love with. When I played it I was like….I’m onto something. I recorded that immediately. Then I added the whistle. And Those two parts combined sounded cool together. The lyrics and vocal approach came pretty naturally, I wrote them very quickly and I just ran the verses and sang whatever came to my mind…that’s how I normally start writing songs…not by thinking, just go by feel. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. For ‘You Got Love From Me Now’ it worked. After I recorded the demo in those two days I thought what I had was pretty special. However….the version (s) I recorded are guitar based/more indie pop/ rock sounding. I thought about it for a couple days, and decided I’m going to take this another route. That’s when I called Zilchman. I sent him my demo and said, give this a listen and see if you think it has potential. I want to turn this into a Top 40 style Indie Pop Banger. At that point I turned the song over to him.
After a month or so the song changed. We dropped the guitar riff, we dropped the bridge I wrote, we shortened the song by 1:30 seconds. We discussed other ideas as well so I re-recorded the Chorus over and over and over again and he stacked the vox 13 times in unison which gives it that wall of voice. He also used much more compression than on any of my other songs/vocals to give it that poppier sound. Zilchman also used some new Efx plugins to give the song an airy vibe that hasn’t been overused yet in the industry, but I don’t want to reveal all his tricks. Hahah Anyway, at the end of the day, the song changed…but with the help of Z, I accomplished what I set out to do. That being said…I still am very much considering putting out the original version as well which is a totally different feel, so stay tuned.
Why is it, in your opinion, that every time a rock artist releases a song with a different genre they get a lot of backlash from some of their fans and critics?
Great question. My guess is because people like to hear what they expect from you. I get it…I’ve felt the same when a band changes styles or reaches in directions maybe they aren’t suited for…but that’s part of evolving as a musician. I don’t blame the architect who decides to adopt more modern ideas into their prints/designs or the artist who tries expanding beyond their normal palette, it’s fun, it’s part of what makes creating things exciting. In my opinion…I don’t give a shit. I made a decision during Kama Tala’s inception to follow two rules. 1. To pour my heart into every song, no matter the genre 2. Make music that I enjoy. At the end of the day If I follow these two rules, I’ve done the best I can as an artist and if people enjoy it, Awesome. If they don’t, there is lots of other great music out there. By following those two rules, I’ve done my job to the best of my ability both creatively, musically and as odd as it might sound spiritually as well which leaves me feeling satisfied as a musician. And if the music or a song resonates with others, that is an amazing perk.
If you could explore more genres that you haven’t done before, what would you choose to do?
Any suggestions? Hahah I love Soul music, oldies but I’ve dabbled down that road. I’d love to sing with a gospel choir at some point. I kind of just go wherever the wind takes me and how I’m feeling when I am writing and sometimes it leads to one genre or another, but my roots are in Rock, Pop, Surf, Indie maybe a little Soul but this new tune is definitely Pop and I planned it that way with my Producer.
Tell me the meaning behind this song’s lyrics. I believe there’s some kind of story going on in the verses.
Sure-but I’m going to keep it very short and vague because I like to leave things up to listener interpretation. It’s written about a couple of people. It’s a story about advice. It’s a story about gratitude. It’s a story about forgiveness. It’s a story about Love. All masked behind 2 minutes of whistling and modern pop music. That’s all I’m going to give you! Hahah
Where do you find the inspiration to write such deep lyrics?
To be completely straight with you, these lyrics came out and were written very quickly. I wrote the verses in probably 10 minutes and the chorus in 5 minutes. Most of it was just what I sang on the first couple of takes without anything planned and I just stuck with it. It was what was in my mind at the time when I was ready to start thinking about writing lyrics. Now….this isn’t how it normally works. I spend a lot of time normally…hours and hours…for instance a song I wrote in 2021 called ‘The Wayside’…an Indie Pop tune about Hawthorne’s novel mixed with my own personal life…I probably spent 15 hours on those lyrics…every word has deep meaning in that song and was meticulously thought out…with historical references, hidden messages, cryptic stuff…but ‘You Got Love From Me Now’ was done in 15-20 minutes lyrically. It’s wild how it works when you are in the zone and just singing from the heart. I got lucky.
At the end of the day, I wish you nothing but the best and I hope this single makes it to the big pop charts as it really has all the elements and appeal that it needs to be a hit.
Thanks a lot-I’m just going to keep doing my thing and have several more tunes (not Top 40) already scheduled for release throughout the rest of the summer and fall! Many Thanks to you and everyone at Rock Era Magazine and Sistra Magazine. Ala Rasi. Cheers!
This concludes our interview with Kama. You can now listen to his new song ‘You Got Love From Me Now’ on all streaming platforms, and be sure to check out our previous reviews of his tracks and interviews with him here.
