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Loser Anatomy by Stefan Dando

Moataz Gwaily
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Loser Anatomy by Stefan Dando

Stefan Dando’s latest single might be cursed. Proceed at your own risk.

If I were you, I’d jump right in. Curse or not, This song is absolutely sweet. Stefan Dando is from Enfield, London. And Loser Anatomy is his latest single.

Musically, Loser Anatomy is Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams’ long lost cousin. His sensibility in turning those few chords and melodies into a perfectly catchy and compelling gem of Pop goodness is seriously admirable. Based on a similar 2-chord loop that’s strikingly similar in sound to that of Dreams, this song sounds familiar and easy, albeit the melodies, mix, and arrangements succeed in making this delightful little twinkie a precious thing of its own. 

Stefan says this song is cursed. Its inception was spurred by a rejection by someone Stefan was very close to, and there was rejection at every corner from this point on. Stefan claims he faced rejection at this song’s recording and mastering, when he went to get its artwork done, and when he announced it. He managed to evade rejection at its launch, so he fell very ill instead. Gold. 

The words in this song are heartfelt and very poetic by being exceptionally easy to roll off the tongue, like things people would actually say in day-to-day conversations, not high-brow, and not dumb, jump wits, character, soul, and rejection. The music has a sublime mix. Every element is snappy and quick to stick to the ear. Simple, delightful, and approachable. Pop as it should always be.

Loser Anatomy is a very fun song, beautiful too, with a healthy dash of wit and humor, it doesn’t take itself seriously. Stefan also seems like a pretty chill guy, taking all this obvious hurt and turning it into such a light-hearted piece of music, something only a genuinely nice person would do. I’d take him for a cup of coffee if he wasn’t a continent away. The least we could do for Stefan is not reject his beautiful song.



Take Control by Phomea

Moataz Gwaily
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Take Control by Phomea

A song from an Italian artist that asks grand questions, and reaches even more grand answers, through a dazzling marriage of Folk and Electronica.

 Meet Fabio Pocci, a Tuscan artist with a stark philosophical edge to his songwriting, arranging, and lyricism. In Take Control Pocci asks about what ultimately makes a Human. A part of his latest full-length album, titled Me and My Army, Take Control is a quirky, special song, with a sound that’s distinctively different from most things we hear. The intimacy of the warm, organic-sounding guitar in the introduction, along with Phomea’s charismatic, understated delivery, is consistently shaken by the glitching, stuttering electronics, sounding like an invasive static wave on an otherwise serene transmission. The resulting effect is uncomfortable and challenging, just like the questions asked, with pending answers. The songwriting is strong, and the progressions and melodies are dramatic and perfectly fitting to the lyrical themes.

 The conclusions Phomea reaches are equally reassuring and haunting, as he realizes in the end that what defines us all as humans is that we’re all wrong, in different ways. He also muses on how we ultimately lean towards conformity with external pressures, reject being different, and shun those who embrace their difference. A brilliant lyrical part of an incredibly interesting album lyrically.

 Phomea’s take control is an intentionally demanding to listen that contemplates intriguing questions and reaches sufficient answers. It is musically compelling, well thought out, and well executed. Take Control should be on anybody’s Alternative Folk radar.  

 



Crystal Crown (ft. Finite Sly) by Dizzy Panda

Moataz Gwaily
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Crystal Crown (ft. Finite Sly) by Dizzy Panda

There’s little more delightful than when you connect with a seriously kooky song. it’s like meeting a stranger, and immediately hitting it off, and it just happened to me.

 A Dutch duo of producers from Haarlem, Dizzy Panda is like a marriage between a less demanding Amon Tobin, a less philosophical Massive Attack, and a less mad Jamiroquai (I don’t know if marriages can exist between 3 parties, but we’ll pretend they do for the sake of this review). Their music is essentially quirky Jazz, with moderate to heavy leanings on Electronica, and on Crystal Crown, a feel of World Music seeps in through the intricate Latin percussion.

 A part of an upcoming album, titled Jazzepazz, Crystal Crown was a result of the duo wanting to promote their music, so they invited a bunch of artists to collaborate with them. They found Finite Sly, who wanted to sing Jazz for a long time. He chose Crystal Crown, added a compelling story, and the song was done right then and there. The results are purely magical. Crystal Crown is properly quirky. With a descending, colorful progression on a characterful piano, the Latin rhythm adds fantastically infectious vibes, and Finite Sly’s vocal delivery is haunting and intoxicating, for a song that’s dancy, colorful, unique, and endlessly fun.

 Dizzy Panda’s humor and light-handed effortlessness have earned them a new fan. I’ll be on the wait for Jazzepazz, and until then, I’ll be throwing this song at anyone who might show a hint of interest.  

 

4013 Album by Kenn Farr

Nadine Elwan
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4013 Album by Kenn Farr

Kenn Farr never misses with his raps when he releases any hits, and you’re not ready for this banger. From the grounds of Dallas, Texas, US, Farr released “I got get it” on the 10th of October; the first single-release as part of his upcoming “4013” album. We got a glimpse of the highly anticipated 10-track album and it does not disappoint; with its original tracks and covers like “A change is gonna come” by Sam Cooke. The album’s tracks are rap and hip-hop driven with a gospel swing and performance style. The music is well-curated, rich in harmony, and professionally layered.

With a daunting, gangster, and heavy trap soundscape, “I go get it” is all about getting money and Farr flaunts his huge network of connections all over the place. The overall sound of the song is catchy with a mean demeanor and a hood undertone. The song is a slow rhythm pace with a focus on heavy bass and cymbals sound effects. Farr’s vocals are coarse and harsh and his bars are slow that suddenly transition to a faster tempo. The track is a seriously motivating track for anyone who needs a push in their lives. Farr has almost 114,000 subscribers and YouTube and has a steady fanbase with his rap music journey.

Here’s a sneak peek of the first single from the album:

 

Loose Change by KIA

Nadine Elwan
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Loose Change by KIA

LA-based artist Kia releases an R&B Song from the heart, ‘Loose change’, on the 21st of October. Originally from the Netherlands, Kia’s debut album was during covid called ‘Tomorrow’s mind’. She received the best pop single of the year award on the ultimate music awards. She also wrote for several productions on Netflix, like the soundtrack of the animation film,’ Fearless’.

This song is so real and heart-wrenching, that the emotional intensity is contagious, and that’s what makes the song so special. Kia is really good at making you put yourself in her place, making her voice and words a vehicle in which you can be in the situation like it’s your own. The vibe of the song calls for some whiskey and dim lights on a fur couch as you take in the severity of a relationship complication, yet do it in style. The song has undertones of sophistication, and the song’s idea is very painful, because it talks about infidelity, with both perspectives being told. The overall sound of the song is deep, sincere, and chill because the soundscape is a slow and sensual R&B flavor. The musical arrangement is smooth, the song starts with a voice note snippet of Kia speaking angrily, and the music proceeds to slow leading drums and an emotive, acoustic guitar that adds softness to the track, we are surprised that at the end of the song that a saxophone plays, that makes a really good, almost solo. Kia’s vocals are strong and feminine.

Get ready for some heavy feelings, but don’t worry the song is so chill, it will balance out the hard emotions!

 



I’ll Be Alright by stiLLbe

Nadine Elwan
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I’ll Be Alright by stiLLbe

Artist stiLLbe releases a captivating dark pop release song called “I’ll be alright”, on the 14th of October, all the way from Prague, Czech Republic. A pop ballad with a cinematic vibe, singer and songwriter Rebecca Meagher and Producer stiLLbe joined to form this collaboration together. Some of the influences are Pink, Kesha, and Sia. 

Pop songs take a different course when it’s dark and highly melancholic like stiLLbe’s. Rebecca really moves us with her beautiful, sorrowful voice and deep words, reaching our wounds gently yet forcefully. The song talks about moving on even though your world may seem to be falling apart. You can really feel her broken soul reaching out to all those who feel the same and wish to cross to a better place from the darkness. The overall sound of the song requires a good crying session and warm blankets. The musical arrangement is rich with a sad piano melody fracking the beat as a dark violin sound effect creates the gloomy soundscape of the song. The percussions play a huge part in the song’s highs and lows, with heavy drum come-ups. The song is relatively fast-paced. Rebecca’s voice is deep and high-pitched as if calling you to embrace your darkness and vulnerability. We need more dark pop songs like this one!

 

Album: While We Watch the Horizon Sink by Sandmoon

Youssef Harraz
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Album: While We Watch the Horizon Sink by Sandmoon

Sandmoon is a Lebanese band from Beirut coming out with their 3rd album after their first release “home” in 2013 and their second album “Put a gun/commotion” in 2020. “While we watch the horizon sink” released on the 4th of November 2022 produced by Marwan Tohme at Tunefork Studios in Lebanon with Sandra Arslanian on lead and backing vocals, synths and guitar, Sam Wehbi on lead guitar, Georgy Flouty on bass and guitar on while we watch the horizon, and Dani Shukri on drums.

This album is considered a milestone for the band as they set the bar high for experimenting by adding different layers of a genre mix. “Bearable lightness of being” starts off with a folkish catchy guitar line powered by surf groove bass and drums. By the time we reach the verse the vocals take the song to a different dimension giving it an indie vibe backed by atmospheric guitars that fill the background giving it a shoegaze vibe. As the first track of the album, it does grab the attention of the listener and sends him on an exploration journey. In “Spirals in my head” you’ll hear eastern vocals on western music while maintaining the indie sound and a guitar riff in the chorus that immediately grabs attention. ”Where do we go from here” is a pure alternative-indie song that starts with a smooth bass line which sets the mood for the melodic guitars to come in. The song’s lyrics talk about seeking guidance from the mother while describing the situation of the world going mad and insane. However, the mother’s world is filled with love and as warm as the bass line which is the backbone of the song. “Absolution” is an acoustic song backed by a huge ambiance giving it depth while keeping it as simple as possible. Most of the album is guitar-based but they start to change that in the last two songs “silent leaders” which is piano-based and “wake up” which is synth-based.

It is a truly experimental and intriguing album with a surprising mix of rock, indie, dream pop, and folk.

 

Kan Ye We St by Chance the Closer

Muhammad Al-Wasat
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Kan Ye We St by Chance the Closer

Artist-producer Chance the Closer from Silverton, Oregon released the single “Kan Ye We St” on the 31st of October, and oh boy, it’s a strange one.

Chance the Closer gets his self-moniker from his time working in real estate and closing deals. Impressive. He started making music in his high school years with a video game called “MTV Music Generator 3: This Is the Remix” which was released for PlayStation 2 and Xbox in 2004. Chance the Closer turned to production when he found sales and his acting career not satisfying. Chance the Closer states that he “secretly wants to be the white Kanye,” and while it’s no longer a secret now, I have to give respect to him for his ambition.

It’s hard to tell what genre Kan Ye We St by Chance the Closer fits in. It has elements from the drill, hip-hop, EDM, and even chip-tune. It moves from one idea to the next with transitions so unpredictable, they could cause whiplash. 

The production on the track is endearingly amateurish, and while it tries to be high-brow with political/social commentary, it comes across as a fun parody. Kan Ye We St steps out of the formula of commercial tracks, but it is certainly commercially inspired. 

Kan Ye We St is an enthusiastic and ambitious track by Chance the Rapper, an interesting artist with a number of tracks (65 tracks in 2022 alone) who also makes and sells NFTs on his official website, so there’s that.

 

Interlude by Davide Anniballi

Muhammad Al-Wasat
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Interlude by Davide Anniballi

Italian composer Davide Anniballi released his short contemporary impressionistic solo piano piece “Interlude” on the 15th of July. 

Interlude is a short piece inspired by classical music, specifically late romantic impressionism à la Debussy, going back to Tchaikovsky-influenced call-and-response cycles that end on tension and start on release.

Every measure of Interlude explores a new idea, some with harmonies, and others with arpeggios, pedal notes, or counterpoint. This short piece is not short on ideas and is composed in its most condensed form.

Most interesting about this piece is its use of nontraditional composition techniques, employing dissonance in different forms, including non-diatonic minor dissonances, and nonfunctional harmony. Anniballi is not afraid to go out of the ordinary in his compositions. 

Interlude is a piece that sounds cinematic and complex in emotion. It’s difficult to describe the abstract and layered feelings in impressionism, so I encourage you to experience them yourself by listening to Davide Anniballi’s Interlude with uninterrupted attention.

 



I Built It Myself by Nicholas Rowe

Muhammad Al-Wasat
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I Built It Myself by Nicholas Rowe

“I Built It Myself” is the second acoustic folk single released on the 1st of November from Nicholas Rowe’s upcoming album, The Circle Remains Unbroken.

The Circle Remains Unbroken is Rowe’s fourth studio release, recorded at the National Audio Preservation Society studio and headquarters by Nicholas Rowe, Jonathan Hape, and Jeremiah Wagner, with additional electric guitar by Thom Daugherty.

The song’s production sounds unfiltered, which is appropriate for a song about self-love.

The acoustic guitar and electric guitar, along with Rowe’s voice sound full and lush, given room by the subdued rhythm and percussion section, and the shaker gives the track enough bounce to make it upbeat.

Nicholas Rowe claims that he is a “narcissist crippled with self-doubt,” which I find hard to believe, listening to his single about self-loving dedication, but I understand where his feelings are coming from. After all, what decent artist hasn’t suffered self-doubt?

“I couldn’t find true love, so I built it myself”

I immediately felt hope from the very first lyric of the song. It reminded me that love isn’t something we can just go around hoping to find, but it is our responsibility to build and work for.

“I wrote the blueprints down for everything in my poems and my songs”

This line makes me wonder if the song is about Rowe’s love for his music, but through browsing Rowe’s Instagram posts and photos, I think it could also be about family.

“You might say I’m lucky. You wouldn’t be wrong,
but it takes more than luck to build a love this strong.”

Nicholas Rowe affirms his gratitude for his circumstance, but he also acknowledges his own effort in building and maintaining love. Once again, Rowe comes across as the complete opposite of a self-doubting narcissist. He seems like a gentle soul.

I Built It Myself is a peaceful, self-affirmed song about love and dedication; an ode to all the love we’ve built ourselves.

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