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EP: The World EP by James Something

Nadine Elwan
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EP: The World EP by James Something

Based in Toronto, Canada, artist James Something is setting us up in flames with his latest EP: ‘The World’, on the 30th of September as a 3-part installment release. This EP is made up of 4 tracks, inspired by many sounds of the 90s, as James has mentioned his early love of electronic music of that time. He bound together the 90’s electronic dance music with synth pop and abrasive EDM licks. James believes that music is a great escape from tough times in life. He is a queer artist, and he hopes that through his work he can give way for more queer voices in the music industry, especially the ones who are into the non-traditional forms of pop music, while also delivering a message of social value. James is also aiming for making new hybrids of indie pop and electronica music.

Following the desire of James to have more queer freedom for everyone in nontraditional music, it seems that the theme of the EP is something along the lines of the world is yours, strut it queen type message in music form. The dystopian lyricism can take a back seat for a really playful and fun atmosphere, which is surely delivered in this EP. The overall sound of the album is really audacious and sassy, with energetic surges of melodic, fast-paced beats painted on synthy pop, spacey soundscapes that make you feel like you’re being personally shot among the stars with a flaring and glittery colorful feather costume. There are a lot of robotic voices that mimic the 90’s dance music, saying the very minimal lyrics in the tracks. The lyrics are mainly mystical with a positive tone. The main lyric is particularly catchy, saying ‘She pulled a tarot card and told me I can have the world.’’How cool is that? The musical arrangement is quite complex with many natural and sonic sounds infused to express different moods in the tracks. Something extremely worth mentioning is how amazing, auditory pleasing, and creative the transitions in the tracks are, and they’re usually through a set of percussion sound effects that resemble those in a jungle or tribal fests. This musical strategy literally makes you feel like you’re raving in a rainforest somewhere in Brazil or Africa. This makes the tracks feel daunting like you’re on a dangerous but exciting adventure. Notable sound is whistling tunes and clapping used in the back of the tracks. Heavy bass is sometimes used to create a darker feeling in the tracks

The order of the songs is fantastic. It starts with ‘ I like the sound of it, then ‘The World’, ‘Formless’, and lastly the world recreated with a remix. The songs show you a spicy and melodic journey of what it really feels like to own the world like it’s yours, without fear of anything, and not care about the world about anything. Just the music, the dance floor, your body,  your confidence and then creating the good times. If there is one word I can describe this Ep with is saucy movement. It’s like sweating for a good cause. You can’t sleep on this album. It’s a true rhythmic masterpiece.

https://open.spotify.com/album/5UJgMIvTzyLtO6UiPZqLt7?go=1&utm_source=embed_player_m&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1

 

 

Nightmare by Lucas Burn

Nadine Elwan
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Nightmare by Lucas Burn

Rapper and artist Lucas Burn, based in Gdansk, Poland released a smothering new single called ‘’Nightmare’’, on the 21st of October. It’s the official teaser and the third track in his much-anticipated album, which will be released in 6 months. Lucas is a self-taught musician and believes that music is salvation and a perfect way to deal with, communicate and express heavy topics like domestic violence. He hopes that he can spark awareness about battling stigma, shame, and silence around trauma and for people to speak up about their pain. Lucas creates a unique musical palette, blending hip-hop sounds with orchestral ones, paving a smooth street for a strong fanbase.

It is a pretty dark and sorrowful place when you press the play button on this song. Speaking of a personal experience with an abusive household, you can’t help but retract into feelings of fear and anger as you tumble into the gloominess of such horrific situations, and that’s what Lucas’s goal is. Nightmare resembles its name and is a sincere reflection of growing up in an unsafe household. The overall sound of the song is haunting and dark. The rhythm is slow and the track’s main attraction is the daunting violin sound effect as the soundscape. The vocals are intense and anger-charged, with slithery and whispery bar spitting, more like a scary, slow-burn storytelling method. The lyrics are brutally honest. The musical arrangement isn’t complicated, with a lot of orchestral violin sounds that induce some sort of fear feelings and intense drums that play the beat. Notable sounds are gunshot and scream sound effects. This song is pretty well put together as a concept and musical feeling. 

Borderline by IRYS

Nadine Elwan
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Borderline by IRYS

 Artist IRYS based in Berlin, Germany fashions a dark and sexy aura with her latest release ‘Borderline’, on the 30th of September. Venturing into dark electro-pop, this song has more of a Lofi character than any of her previous tracks. IRYS stated that she created this tune in her bedroom, using a guitar riff from an old song that never came to the light. IRYS started her musical career in 2021, and in so little time she can make her brand of feminine, edgy electronic music, and is often compared to artists like Charlie XCX, Grimes, and Lana del Rey.

Nobody is ready to embrace their vulnerability with this one. Borderline is the kind of song you want to listen to when you’re alone in a pajama, in a dimly lit room, and with a massive box of tissues. It talks about feeling shaky about trying to get out of a difficult place. It’s full of darkness and gloom, with a hint of feminine edge and beauty, like a white musk flower spraying its sweet scent amidst a navy night sky. It’s in the dark, but it’s still standing pretty. The song’s overall sound reminds me of doom metal music, but without the metal, and a sexy female vocalist. The musical arrangement is simple but powerful in a hollow kind of way with the emotions it conveys. The rhythm is slow-paced. The guitar is deep with a grunge tone, the drums’ sound effect is really soft, and the electronic part is a dark synthy sound that makes you feel like there’s a big hole in your chest. A notable sound is a piece of sound effect like a guy or a demon laughing.  As IRYS explains being ‘lost in a flashback’, her vocals are low pitched, almost whispery, and cold. You feel like her worse are brushing softly like a chilly wind on your body, you may shiver. This song is such a perfect start to slightly cold weather and a burdensome mind that wants to be set free.

 

God Gave Me You by Eric Cohen

Amgad Mahmoud
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God Gave Me You by Eric Cohen

From Kansas City, the proud religious son, husband, and rapper Eric Cohen released a brand new single titled ‘God Gave Me You’.

A classic Hip-Hop track generated mainly by the theme of the beat using the old school sound in drums with a little bit of a melodic touch by guitars and also Eric’s flow and ad-libs insured the theme.

The flow is raw which is good, yet it’s much rawer than needed and would’ve sounded relentlessly better if auto-tune was introduced through the mastering process.

The rhymes are kinda corny and mess up the surprise factor of giving unrepeated, mind-tricking rhymes, given that the track is old school it needed some deeper vocabulary adding some complexity to the vibe and meaning. 

‘God Gave Me You’ is obviously a love letter, written by Cohen to his SO, and simplicity was the key for him,  but why not make it mass, deeper and vast to reach more listeners?

The chorus is catchy and grabs the ears just by reading the title; you don’t read it, you sing it.

Play the track, and leave your opinion in the comment section below!

Day in the life by Aicha J

Moataz Gwaily
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Day in the life by Aicha J

This latest EP from the London-based singer/songwriter has some of the most honest and heartfelt lyrics, paired with a hip production that makes every element pop and properly shine. It’s a joy to listen to. Let’s find out more.

Aicha J is Aicha Jalloh. 20-years-old, born and bred in East London, she fluently recounts her personal experiences as a young woman in a bustling, youthful community. Refreshingly, Aicha doesn’t sing about the cool things. Not the parties, the expensive cars, or all the popular people she gets to hang out with.

Instead, she recalls what it felt like during some of the least glamorous, awkward, and conspicuous situations. An ex that fantasized about owning her, someone that persistently hit on her at a party when she was clearly not into it, and lying asleep alone at night thinking about how much her friends really care about her, wondering why her phone isn’t ringing all that often.

The lyrics don’t only discuss situations that are ungainly and difficult, she also does this with unmatched fluency. Her role is not at all acted, every word has been felt and is being told as if to a friend, and at some points, the thoughts are so vulnerable and personal that they sound like Aicha is speaking them to herself, as validation or closure.

Super Woman is an internal dialogue with a man she seems to have spotted in the street. From his confident stride and the spring in his step, she’s asking him to teach her how to be so confident and have no care about what people are thinking. Telling him to not be fooled by her collected and purposeful manner, as she’s a wreck on the inside, asking him to not underestimate her power to mess up the good things in her own life. The irony is not lost, as the man she just assumed is so strong and collected might be hiding behind a façade just like she’s doing.

This is an intensely smart bit of lyricism, as anybody who’s been in tune with their insecurities will tell you that the feeling of self-hatred and the automatic assumption of inferiority is just a part of the package. The music is incredibly warm. With an intimate, jazzy guitar and Aicha’s voice leading the way for most of the tune, before a simple bassline kicks in.

A guitar solo kicks in the later half wonderfully played and plotted against a packing of hushed, ethereal strings, and a clean guitar that plucks a well-hidden riff, as the bass picks up in dynamics.

Cool Girl is again an internal dialog. This time, with a dreadful ex who just wanted her to be his “cool girl”. She proceeds in telling him that she’s more than that, more than his female fantasy, and asks him why he has never seemed to make her a priority when she’s done everything she could, and how when she needed him most, he was always out with his “homies”. The lyrics are starkly honest and simple. Pure elegance. The music starts again with the singing and a guitar.

This time, the guitar is snappier, and the progressions are more fitting to the upbeat dynamic. The singing also features more motion, reaching a high falsetto before moving back down the scale during the same sentence. A beat is finally introduced in the later half, which plays gracefully alongside the bass in a soulful accompaniment that reaches a mild crescendo near the end. No Answer is the hardest song here.

With a wallowing composition, a soulful groove, and a snaking bassline, the words are pure insecurity torture. Aicha is basically imploring why her phone isn’t ringing, why her friends aren’t calling her back, and worst of all, why would they let the phone ring when she calls them. A tragic bridge asks if her loved ones are thinking about her when they’re out having fun if she’s even one of their loved ones, how would they act if she said she needed help, and why aren’t they saying anything to her, when she sees that they are online. That last one in particular will hit hard with anyone who’s been in an unfulfilling relationship in the digital age. I know it made me feel something.

The Game tells of an awkward situation at a party with a guy who’s persistently hitting on her when she just simply asked for his name. Telling him that she’s not playing this game with him and that if she loved herself more, she wouldn’t even have known him. The music is the most grand on the record. With airy strings, and a dramatic progression. The drums, bass, and guitar are at their most aggressive, with solid fills and overdriven tones.

Aicha J’s latest EP, day in the life, is easily a masterclass in arrangement and lyricism. Full to the brim with personal, heartfelt, and intimate stories that display Jalloh at her most vulnerable, which is bold and incredibly admirable. It’s a short listen that’s endlessly compelling, with great production and commendable, efficient performances, and it is incredibly easy to recommend.

I Don’t Mind by The Alex Opal Outfit

Moataz Gwaily
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0
I Don’t Mind by The Alex Opal Outfit

I Don’t Mind is the latest single from Alex Opal’s 7-piece band, and it is an infectious funky groove that’s bound to put a massive smile on your face.

Based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the northerners’ sound is a precious blend of blazing funk, and sunshine soul, it is sweet, upbeat, optimistic, and maybe most importantly, properly professional. Featuring the charismatic voice of the newcomer Mattie, I Don’t Mind doesn’t veer off the beaten path. A choir oohs-and-aahs-dominated, funky gem about the abandonment of a drink-fueled night out. An incredibly colorful horn section leads the way with an all-smiles riff that’s infectious and deliciously sets the mood. A cowbell-led drum part is incredibly tight and groovy, and this doesn’t get said enough, but the world needs a lot more cowbells.

The singing from Mattie is solid, and aggressive, and is right there in the forefront of the mix. As stated earlier, the most refreshing thing about all of this is how solid the production is. For a 7-piece band that’s essentially indie, the sound is incredibly refined and nuanced, which was an immensely pleasant surprise. I apologize for having expected less, The Alex Opal Outfit is wholly professional.

I Don’t Mind is infectious, bright, and fun. An optimistic take on the usually trampled-on drunken nights out. Just stay safe y’all, and don’t drink your way into trouble.

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Interview with Micki XO

Norhan El Sebaie
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Interview with Micki XO

Micki XO is an extremely skilled artist with a very well-curated sound, sexy and vibrant vocals, and raw lyrics. The artist just released her latest and 5th single “Light Me Up”, a very personal song for the artist where she opens up about her journey and struggles with mental illness and addiction, which only takes an extremely powerful character to be able to share this with others. 

  • Your first single release dates to 2020, what did you do before deciding to pursue a career in music?

Before I decided to pursue a career in music, I pursued a career in advertising and graphic design. My jobs in the industry actually landed me some photography jobs, and that is still my day job. The music side of what got me into music, is that I did karaoke for a couple years before the pandemic, and it was (and still is) a big way for me to relieve stress. When the pandemic hit, obviously there was no more karaoke, so I decided to start making my own music, and Micki XO was born!

  • You are extremely brave for sharing your previous experience with addiction and talking openly about it, how did that affect your music?

Honestly, that period of my life happened before I jumped too heavily into music. I’d say that while I wasn’t addicted, per say, I was definitely not using alcohol and marijuana in a healthy way. I would binge with it, and I would use it to escape my problems. To anyone out there doing the same, I recommend you stop and seek professional help, as that was the only thing that got me to address my problems head on and led to a life I enjoy and don’t have to be high or drunk to escape. It has affected my music a bit, in the sense that writing poetry was what got me through that part of my life. Later, when I was pursuing music and creating it, I drew from those dark times and the poetry I wrote to create this song. It’s almost like an ode to my past self and looking at how far I’ve come since those dark times.

  • You mentioned that music was your savior and it helped you get out of the dark side, can you tell us more about your encounter with music and how you discovered your interest in it?

Absolutely! I’ve always loved music – I don’ think that’s unique, but what was unique to me was that I was battling demons that I didn’t know how to address. I was misdiagnosed for years as depressed, when I was actually bipolar. I heard a song by Halsey called “Control”, and I couldn’t figure out what it was about that song at the time that made me feel so…understood. For the first time, I felt like someone was able to put into words how I felt about myself and my mental illness. Years later, when I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it made sense. Halsey is also bipolar, and to know that someone that had the same mental illness as me – one that is debilitating and, at times, soul-crushing…it made me feel like maybe I had a chance to make something of myself. For the first time, I felt like my mental illness wasn’t a handicap, but something that made me interesting. When I began music initially, it was a therapy for me. To get all the dark and bad stuff out, so that I can be fun and bubbly in person. However, it’s become so much more than that now. The biggest compliment to me is having someone tell me that my music made them feel better, that they felt understood. That I could make someone else feel the way I did is my ultimate goal. I want to normalize these feelings and break the stigmas of mental health, so that people aren’t afraid to talk about it, and people going through something have someone they trust to reach out to.

 

  • How is “Light Me Up” different from your previous singles, in terms of music, context, and lyrics?

I’d say this song is much darker than the rest. My other singles do discuss dark topics, but there’s more of a fun vibe in the instrumentals that kind of breaks up the dark lyrics. With this track, it’s pure darkness. The deep bass, the dark lyrics, and the way the song deteriorates slowly instrumentally throughout the track. It’s open and honest and not trying to hide behind anything.

Read ‘Light Me Up‘ review here.

  • Can you walk us through your creative process? How do you come up with your lyrics and musical ideas/melodies?

It’s different every time, honestly. A lot of times, I will start with pieces of poetry I’ve written and find lines that I really think are strong, and then write the song based off of those words. Sometimes, I start with a concept, like mental illness or addiction or toxic relationships, and then I build lyrics around that. I have also started many times with an instrumental and then written lyrics that go along with it. It just depends on how the inspiration strikes!

  • What’s next for Micki XO? Any upcoming live performances? Album release?

Oh man, so much! I’ve been blessed to have performed about 20 shows this year, and I have many more coming up! I’m also currently working with a number of artists on collaborations, ranging from rap to emo punk to R&B to pop. I am also working with a few different producers on some solo music. Just taking all the opportunities I can to grow and learn as an artist and create some awesome music for fans!

Photo credits: Michael MacDonald, Matt Stoner, and Logan Kirk Somers.

The Only by White $osa

Nadine Elwan
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0
The Only by White $osa

Prolific rising hip rap star White $osa released a song that feels like an energy drink in the shape of a hardcore hype song, on the 17th of October called ‘The Only.’’ Originating from Memphis, US, $osa teamed up with producer TP808, to create this banger. Starting his rap career in late 2018, $osa is a real major talent and has a secured fanbase in the Memphis Hip-hop scene.

You seriously don’t need to get a Redbull in the morning when you have a song like this one. The only is a track that literally documents the reality and feelings of the rapper’s come up, where he is today, and what lifestyle he has come to lead. It’s a way to talk about his success and you can easily imagine yourself in this place when you jam to this track. It’s a lyrical and musical fresh dose of confidence and victory. You really feel like there is nobody in the world who is like you.

The song features a spicy fast rhythm beat, with a playful and challenging piano sound effect that created a catchy and energetic melody. $osa not only flexes his achievements but also does it effortlessly with an astounding bar game that knows no breaths. He spits the bars like his life depended on it at a really fast pace. The musical arrangement is complex with hard bass and drums. A notable sound is the different ad lens he used at the back of the song.

Get hyped up with $osa’s new track, it’s gonna hit that spot for an elevated confidence feeling.  

Modular Heart by Blankiflúr

Nadine Elwan
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0
Modular Heart by Blankiflúr

Prepare to be bashed with a witty and textured song by Blankiflúr called ‘Modular Heart’, which was released on 20 October, from Reykjavik, Iceland. It’s an intense electronic pop tune that interweaves vocal layers and lush cinematic textures. Jerald Copp is a producer, who has made a big name for himself in the Icelandic music scene. They first started working together when Blankiflur created her first LP album in April 2021.

Modular Heart is all about going to those hidden places inside of your creative consciousness to uncover gems that can be used to express even more and to discover your multidimensionality.

This requires a great deal of emotional courage and vulnerability, which both Copp and Blankiflur were able to reach in this song. The overall sound of the song is dark and enticing, with an element of positivity to push forward as an undertone in the harmony. The soundscape is very synthy with an edge made with a sort of distorted layer of sound and with a lot of electronic sounds that give the song a pop element.

The vocals of Blankiflur are high-pitched and intense, with a very natural flow in her tone as it goes up. Her voice is calming and so many layers of her voice are used in the song, creating a lot of texture and mood. The musical arrangement is rich with grunge, a guitar sound effect that gives the song a sort of melancholic vibe, and a very heavy trumpet sound effect and piano sound effect. Also, a notable sound is clapping. This song is a gate to a deeper realm within ourselves, and the music itself shows that with the mastering of layering sound.

Garden Tourist by Craigology

Nadine Elwan
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0
Garden Tourist by Craigology

Magical, aromatic, and splendidly tasteful, musician and artist James Moore who is known as ‘Craigology’, bless our auditory senses completely with a compilation of rich works of art in his new electronic  EP release, ‘Garden Tourist’, on the 23rd of September all the way from Florida, US. Six tracks that take you into an enchanted land with nothing but beautiful scenery and scents, in Moore’s botanical-infused musical journey. Moore expresses his unique vision of music by blending strikingly different but also perfectly harmonious musical genres, combining electronica, smooth jazz, and tropical vibes, guiding the listener to a peaceful place without any rumination. Moore also believes in a holistic approach to the use of music, seeing it as a way to connect to people. The artist has been in the music industry as a writer, producer, and music player for 25 years, and particularly works with genres like jazz, reggae, and calypso. 

Garden Tourist is a sweet and fruity emotional experience that has no limits. You can envision yourself and use your full 5 senses as you walk through the way in the garden that is laid with so many different plans and flowers, imitating the jumble of genres in the EP. The EP is a way for Craigologist to further ground himself with his immersive instrumental crossover musical approach, and it’s truly distinct. The blend of the genres and transitions between them intensifies the listening experience from astonishing to something unforgettable. The overall sound of the EP is a sophisticated escape dream to a peaceful and happy place. The theme is based on a natural aesthetic that sets the tone and mood of the album as a soothing ride. Most of the tracks use magical and surreal soundscapes some of which may be spacey and others dreamy. The songs are mostly medium rhythm paced with occasional fast rhythms. The musical arrangement is a highly complex one with instruments and sound effects that are impossible to count, hence the intricate nature of the EP. Elements of Jazz are present in each track, with mysterious and sometimes playful pianos and jazzy electric guitar sound effects for most of the melodies, percussion sound effects like jazz drums and cymbals sets, soft violins, some wind instruments like the flutes, and bass sound effects for a darker taste. Some notable sounds are soft female whispers that seem to be sourced from garden nymphs, and a busy soundscape of people’s voices like in a market. The transitions are amazing between jazz and reggae, which use more jungle and tropical-inspired percussion playing that makes a dancy vibe and a faster rhythm to some of the songs.

The order of the songs seems to be inspired by scrutinizing details and moving on slowly to a bigger picture. The Ep starts with ‘Evening Whispers’’, which is something felt and not seen. Then ‘Yellow croton’’, a short green leafy plant with many colors. Then comes ‘Blue river’, maybe where you see the crotons nestled on its banks. Next, ‘’Fantasies from an orchid’’, a beautiful flower plant abundant with flowers, each resembling a fantasy as you float in the garden with your imagination. It ends with ‘On anchor in English Harbor’, which may be where the garden dream ends and you emerge to busy reality and people again. Everything about this EP is so tender and comforting. It’s picturesque, tasty, and a wonderful blend of jazz and reggae. You’d be surprised how addicted you will get to it. 

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