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Obsessed by Sydney Gordon

Viola Karmy
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Obsessed by Sydney Gordon

In an unhealthy relationship, sometimes the damage might not be caused by the partner; it might be your own self hurting you. Sydney Gordon vividly captures self-destruction emotions when putting too much out there in her latest single, “Obsessed.”

Sydney Gordon is a young, promising talent with melodic, sunny vocals based in New York. She started her musical journey at a young age, and we can see how it all paid off when hearing her music. She released her single, “Obsessed,” with her own record label, Static Impulse Records, and co-written it in collaboration with the song’s producer, Mike Cortes, and the marvelous vocals were produced by Alex Poeppel. And to give it that glammy touch, it was all mixed by Tony Maserati and mastered by Dave Kutch.

“Obsessed” is a song that portrays complex sensations of losing control and loving hard in a way that suffocates oneself, but in a lighthearted manner with its spirited rhythm and delightful performance. A groovy bass line hooks the ear right from the start, and then Sydney’s layered vocals steal one’s attention completely. She has a delicate, playful tone that delivers the shady lyrics smoothly and mashes them so well with the peppy instruments that it feels like the last color of the rainbow is joining the others to give a blast of joy.

The single entices you to hype up all along, and your heart will bounce just like the energetic drumming. It’s all well-arranged and combined to give that fiery vibe. As it’s simulating how it feels when you’re over the moon, yet sensing danger coming on its way, that soon you’ll fall off.

A euphoric feeling is waiting for you once you press the play button.

 



Glad to Exist by Monroe Moon

Viola Karmy
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Glad to Exist by Monroe Moon

Nature, music and people make a rich combination to meditate on and connect with oneself and others better. Monroe Moon brilliantly gathered these three prime matters in their latest song, “Glad to Exist,” giving us an organic soundscape.

When choosing someone to create a musical identity with and deliver music that sounds like the both of you, there has to be chemistry between you and space for your abilities to stand out together. The duo Monroe Moon has that spark inside and outside the music scene, as they’re the married couple Bunny Monroe and Theo Malkin, who play music as one with the harmony they have.

“Glad to Exist” is instrumentally, vocally, and lyrically top-notch with an ear-bliss production. It lures you into a meditative, pacifying mood as it builds a soaring atmosphere around you that carries you to a place that feels like a giant hug to you.

The single is inspired by “Comin’ Home Baby” by Mel Torme and a meditation session that led to a dream, then a reality through a soulful song. All the elements convey the introspective ambiance and embrace the message of building a deep, genuine connection with others and oneself.

The seductive, soothing intro sets the right mood for you and gives you a hint of how the instruments are mastered in this track. Monroe’s mesmerizing vocals create a light aura and plant peace at one’s core. Her voice delivers the profoundness in the lyrics and the pleasure in the rhythm. Instrumentally, it’s all well-placed, but what stands out are the energetic guitar riffs and their rocky vibe.

You’ll be left in a tranquil state with some riffs stuck in your mind and the line “You exist for me, I exist for you” being played over and over again with some soothing Shalala, and the only way to make them go away is to hit the play button again and enjoy some alone time.

Hala Bikom by Yelgo7

Viola Karmy
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Hala Bikom by Yelgo7

A trio of languages and cultural vibes with flaming blended sound and an elated performance are all offered in Yelgo7’s “Hala Bikom.”

I’ve recently been introduced to the exceptional talent of Yelgo7; when I listened to his single “Dark Knight.” And now that I’ve heard “Hala Bikom,” I know he’s a signature artist, but he doesn’t like to repeat himself and always has more to offer in his creative musical path.

“Hala Bikom” means “Welcome” in Arabic. It’s clearly shown that Yousuf Elgohary, AKA Yelgo7, has Arabic origins that he cherishes. The song is about the World Cup and, therefore, it is built around pulse-y, vibrant beats and it has Oriental and Latino dazzling hooks along with the electronic hype.

In cooperation with the music producer, Greg Recchia, they came up with a catchy, addictive tune that is likely to be an international hit. Whether you care about the game or not, the track will surely boost you with an insane dose of energy. The only negative thing about it is that it ends quickly. Yelgo7 neatly wrote the passionate lyrics in three languages and offered a stellar vocal performance with his enthusiastic timbre.

You might give up your daily dose of caffeine today, as “Hala Bikom” below will give you enough adrenaline to get you all the way through it.

 

Embodiment by Claire Bigley

Akram Soliman
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Embodiment by Claire Bigley

Embodiment is the latest composition from New Orleans-based pianist and composer Claire Bigley. Being a classically trained pianist, Bigley creates movements with the confidence of a classical musician as well as the intricacy of a modern one. Most of her pieces, this one included, feel like they were improvised rather than written. And to no surprise, Bigley herself stated that her creative process is in fact improv-based. The new piece Embodiment ebbs and flows in a way that touches your soul and awakens unspoken emotions in you. This is a power that instrumental pieces like this always have, despite what their genre may be, but this piece, in particular, has captivated me with its arrangement.

In every moment of silence in between the notes, I feel like I’m craving for the next sound or next movement, even though the whole thing is just 3 minutes it’s those silent moments and the intervals in which the melodies are placed that actually matter. Some movie scenes make you think of a certain song or music piece, and then there’s this world-class composition that Claire Bigley made to make us visualize and live through the multitude of emotions that it can transcend. It’s like a movie soundtrack that was written before the movie itself, and that’s what makes it stand out for me.

 

IN A DREAM by Mark Wink

Moataz Gwaily
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IN A DREAM by Mark Wink

All the way from Vienna comes to us Mark Wink with a groovy, electropop gem that’s danceable, infectious, and very catchy.

 In A Dream is a single, backed by a video, with very little in terms of lyrics, a hint of a dystopian message, and a lot of charisma. Wink acts as a composer, audio and video producer, and a general mastermind, and in this song, this mastermind takes us to a future where robots have taken over everything, a future where everything worked well, but fun was drawn out of life, as the dreams disappeared, or maybe all of this is just a dream? We’ll let you decide.

The music carries a lot of colors too. Probably inspired by Daft Punk’s heyday, their Discovery Era, the music is arpeggio driven, with a stabby synth playing a jumpy, syncopated arpeggio over a few nostalgic, but effective chords. The drums are light and crisp and play simple, supporting grooves, while the voice repeats “I’m Just Stuck in A Dream”. The video is charming, while considerably lacking in originality. A few parts are imaginative and well-made, but in general, the notions are dated, and the message has been brought up before.

 The music on the other hand simply carries too much more punch and identity. Nothing to report on the music, though. Pure Synthpop joy through and through.

 

Wing by Brambles

Moataz Gwaily
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Wing by Brambles

The Australian via UK artist Brambles’ latest release is a fiery synth-wave single that would beg your feet to push the gas way above the speed limit.

To those of you who have not had a proper introduction to Brambles, I don’t know where to start. With a career spanning nearly a decade, they are not a one-and-done situation, and with this experience, they managed to get millions of streams on Spotify and got featured on Netflix shows, among other accolades.

 Their floaty new single, titled ‘Wing’, is stunning. Masterful production and restrained songwriting make the song tasteful and easy to digest. The music is purely electronic with rumbling bass and driving synths playing the unsettled progressions, modal, undecided, and enigmatic. The vocals, meanwhile, are charming and suitably altered, with heavily autotuned parts that surprisingly don’t sound off-putting or interruptive. The lyrics are also contemplative, and personal to Brambles with a hint of vulnerability.  A calculated affair of synth-pop goodness.

Consummate professionals will always put out quality products, and true musicians will always manage to pull off difficult equations to deliver their messages efficiently. Synths can be cold and alien, or soft and warm, Brambles manages to use very cold and alien soundscapes to paint a picture that’s warm, vivid, and lush.


Knuclebuster by Tyler Brooker

Norhan El Sebaie
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Knuclebuster by Tyler Brooker

Tyler Brooker is an EDM producer who is slowly but surely, carving a name for himself in the EDM world with his dedication, hard work, and passion. The artist has been working on his music since his years in college; he’s been developing, listening, learning, and evolving, reaching his current and distinctive musical identity. 

His previous releases have received huge recognition like “Battle Stations” and “Golem” which both received over 33K streams on Spotify only, followed by “Saint” original release and Dekcr remix, which received over 22k streams combined. Not to mention his interviews and features on BBC Essex and BBC Suffolk, and his remix of Bayraktar with Lisa Schettner reached the official Ukrainian Charts. Brooker is inspired by the genre’s giants like Tiesto, David Guetta, Diplo, KSHMR, Knife Party, Tobu, Calvin Harris, and others.

Apart from being a software developer by day and a talented EDM producer, Tyler helps upcoming artists and producers to find their musical identities and gives them all the information they need to kick-start their careers.

“Knuclebuster” is his latest release, an uplifting track that anyone could relate to, as it reflects the emotional challenges we face when trying to get back up after several fails. The fast-paced, highly energetic track is full of gritty synths, intense bassline, and progressive rhythm, contrasting with a soft, smooth vocal line. The song is fit for the next Tomorrowland festival or those wild summer parties in Ibiza.

The Ones Who Don’t Sleep by Sïan Able

Viola Karmy
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The Ones Who Don’t Sleep by Sïan Able

“For some of us, falling asleep is innate, for others, it is an eternal pursuit.” ― Sïan Able

 

The Brussels-based rising and poignant artist, Sïan Able, has made a melancholic yet dreamy anthem for all those who suffer from insomnia out there, offering them a consoler friend who could shut the overthinking for a while.

 

“The Ones Who Don’t Sleep” has a blue, gloomy atmosphere yet somehow has a soothing effect thanks to the mellow piano notes and melodic vocals. Both instruments and vocals brilliantly depict what sleepless nights feel like when one tries to reassure themselves and calm down, but their thoughts attack like an unexpected storm.

 

The piano opens the single delicately, and soon Sïan Able’s sombre yet dulcet vocals enter and create a dreamlike ambiance that, soon enough, with the realistic, aching lyrics, becomes more of a nightmarish one. With the rest of the instruments and the backing vocals overlapping, it gives the feeling of bright lights refusing to let go every time you close your eyes, trying to sleep.

 

How each element of the song delivers both light and dark vibes is impressive and well delivered. It somehow leaves you relieved and down at the same time. And that’s a side of insomnia, as the lyrics poetically convey.

 

The song features the departed Nina Simone’s voice with one of her memorable words that sounds like the shining answer to being set free. It interferes with Sïan’s sincere performance, offering the feel of many voices in one head and flying, conflicted thoughts.

 

Lastly, the music captures the sleepless ghosts of the night. It’s so real that you’ll see yourself in it if you had one of those nights when you wanted to sleep but you did everything but that. It’s well-thought-of, and the red and blue footage, along with Sïan Able’s honest performance, makes it authentic.

 

It’s definitely a recommended companion for your sleepless nights. You’ll feel less lonely with a rhythmic touch.

Live Again by Serena Kaos

Moataz Gwaily
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0
Live Again by Serena Kaos

Serena Kaos is a Portuguese artist currently based in the UK. Her songs are stunningly open, sublimely crafted pieces of indie pop, ‘Live Again’ is a perfect case in point.

The delicate instrumentation is entered quite tastefully into the massive mix, with floating synth pads creating a dazzlingly inviting atmosphere with the mysterious chords, while the gently strummed guitar plays a cozy part with a watery, clean tone, with the Vibrato bar used quite artfully as to engorge this sense of space and lostness. The drums hammer away under massive reverb, sounding ornamental for one half, and a solid, driving beat for the other half. The highlights for me would primarily be Serena’s beautiful and warm vocal delivery, and the playfully fractured phrases she sings later in the song. Secondarily, I would pick the tasty guitar solo that plays in the instrumental coda, a striking moment.

Serena has only been in the UK for a year or so, and she’s already reaching highs with her beautiful songs which artistically deal with the Serenity, and the Chaos in life. Eloquent, mysterious, and very, very inviting sound.

Album: Neighbours by Frowein Pedersen

Moataz Gwaily
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0
Album: Neighbours by Frowein Pedersen

I love Jazz for the freedom it can provide its practitioners. If you play Jazz, you’re given an automatically issued license to do whatever you want to (or can) do, experiment with time, tonalities, timbre, concepts, techniques, or any combination you want of those things. This, of course, is a double-edged blade, on the one hand, you are given this vast ocean of freedom to explore, but on the other, it’s very tricky to stay on the natural side of things, the spontaneous side of experimentation, of exploring the possibilities from the direction of serving the music and furthering its musical boundaries. 

Frowein Pedersen is a Danish-German Duo, acting from Zurich. And they are total consummate professionals, as spontaneous as they come. Phillip Frowein is a masterful producer and DJ, taking care of sampling and looping on this project, his partner, Aske Lyck Pedersen is a pianist and a drummer. They are joined by Adungo on the bass and the guitars, to give us one of the most profound Jazz releases of 2022, Neighbours. Experimental, yet entirely approachable. Dense with textures and timbres, buzzing with ethnic tinges in instrumentation and percussion, yet entirely relaxed and natural, playful and witty, yet mature and interesting. Let’s delve deeper.

The album kicks off with the steady groove of J. Park Theatre. A street-conscious bass and drums riff drives this piece with immense charisma. A tinny guitar plays a vividly fitting lead line, packed with attitude. Contagious, I didn’t want this riff to stop, but all that comes afterward is just as good. Until We Meet sits on the opposite end of the spectrum. Wide, airy, and rhythmically chilled, with an upright bass that’s tastefully compressed, sounding massive. The keyboard sounds are delightful and haunting alongside the bass and the Broadway Jazz-influenced line provided by a trumpet. Lycks Piano features little to no piano. What it does feature is a foreboding atmosphere built around a mysterious bass part, with nuanced percussion, full of clicks and urban samples, with a hint of Handpan thrown in for good measure. Entirely captivating. Visiones is a short one that features an earth-shaking sub bass, should be experienced with quality headphones. The rest of the piece is airy and trebly, with what sounds like distorted brushed cymbals. Cima Citta comes next. An Acid-Jazz-influenced piece. The keyboards sound hermitical and air-conditioned with the dense, deep, bass part. An unexpected addition is an ethnic flute playing a charming riff. The next 3 cuts are experimental interludes, running around 1 minute each, and each containing a distinct idea to discover.

The second half of the album starts with the brilliant No. 15. Trip-hop and lounge music meet jazzy experimentation. The horn section provides a third of the trick, the unique and light piano timbres provide another third, and the tight rhythm section in the second half provides the third part. The stunning piano solo carries the song on its back and elevates it to dazzling heights. 2nd Floor Epiphany is a crazy cut-off this record. Based in its entirety on a rhythmically twisted bass part in 12/8. The accents are entirely lost on that bass riff, sounding like it will cyclically revolve around an axis to oblivion, it’s further augmented with a shuffling drum part that similarly throws you off. It made me feel delightfully lost until I managed to count alongside it, and that was a true epiphany. Lindia is relatively approachable, in rhythms and harmonies. Not that this detracts anything from it, but this simplicity is nonetheless made up for by dense experimentation with instruments, ethnic timbres, and smart sampling. Wind Of A Planet is basically a drum solo. Half of that is based on an ethnic percussion part, and the other half is the Aske Lycks Pederson’s wonderful drum performance, truly delicate and delicious. The closing title track is an airy and open piece, with tonally ambiguous music, feeling lost and forever hovering mid-air, it’s a pleasant experience and a fitting closer to an otherwise hectic collection of musical pieces.

This album can perhaps be described as Bonobo’s early work on creative steroids. Taking the ethnic timbres of those releases and putting them on steroids, then adding various colors of Jazz on top, to reach soaring creative highs. Perhaps it’s better not to compare Frowein Pedersen’s work with anybody else because the comparison will eventually fall flat, Frowein Pedersen has a uniquely distinctive sound that’s mature, intelligent, and hugely compelling, and this release of theirs is an absolute delight.   

 

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