A scorn self and a heavy breathing lung. Pale face and drained body with darkness growing inside, burnt inside to ash as you have been demoted to, an observer.
Katt Rardi, a fabulous indie New Yorker drops an absolute hit track titled “The Observer”. When men are being foolish to you, that’s the track you should play with those expressive, realistic lyrics.
The track begins with a cathartic guitar loop and a cross-stick snare drum. All that on one hand and on the other hand is Katt‘s mesmerizing vocals and high notes which take place in the chorus in a way that makes you wonder “did I play an Adele track by a mistake?!”
I also liked the backing vocals, add-lips, and choral backing vocals. They gave an epic vibe along with Katt‘s heart-broken vocal lines and words.
The track kept a certain pace and never descended nor ascended it which is psychologically realistic, as in such situations ”The Observer” keeps on observing through the days and stalking their ex-partners while hanging out with someone else holding the same energy in stalking and burning your guts out with no refrain.
The track is absolutely a hit, I don’t really know why they haven’t started playing it on the radio yet. It deserves to be on the charts lyrically, musically, and most importantly, vocally. They all did their job in correlating the track. And it is like a serialism painted by the three elements.
Take a listen to “The Observer” and tell us your thoughts.
CAUTION⚠️: If you were recently dumped, and your ex is seeing someone else, DON’T PLAY THE TRACK!
“Breakthrough moments are often the result of many previous actions, which build up the potential required to unleash a major change. In his book “Atomic Habits,” James Clear stated this. What does that have to do with K-pop? Well, that’s pretty much how most things happen! Nothing just goes boom out of nowhere, and the same applies to K-pop. It didn’t invade the world over night. It has roots that can be traced all the way back to “changga” songs and “trot” music till this very day with BTS conquering the world. And other factors besides the music itself participated in making K-pop a phenomenon.
Whether you’re into K-pop or not, you’ve probably heard of it. “Gangnam style” likely crossed your road, you must have overheard a BTS song, saw a video, or at least glimpsed the name without knowing what it refers to, and if you’re a frequent social media user, then you saw a dancing video or a fan-made video. How did K-pop spread everywhere? Well, let’s begin our adventure into the fascinating realm of K-pop.
Where it all began
In order to discover the truth about something, you have to trace its history. So, it’s story time.
It all began in “South Korea,” a peninsula in East Asia located between China and Japan. Everything was great for more than four thousand years, and then Japan colonized Korea in 1910 and ruled till 1945. Things went worse after that, as the Korean War happened in 1950 until 1953, and Korea was split into North and South. Wars affect everything, including the music industry. Why is it that important to know? Because the root of Korean popular music goes all the way back to 1885, when a missionary named Henry Appenzeller was teaching schoolchildren American and British folk songs, replacing the original English lyrics with Korean ones. These songs are known as “changga.” When Korea was under Japanese authority, it flourished and spread because Koreans used it to convey their feelings, therefore the Japanese banned “Changga” since it alluded to the persecution of Koreans. A new genre, known as the “trot,” has also emerged. It was influenced by Japanese music and has a distinct two-beat rhythm.
The first Korean pop album was in 1925, (“이 풍진 세월” / “The Tumultuous Time,”) by Park Chae-seon and Lee Ryu-saek, which featured popular Japanese songs translated into Korean. Follow it in 1929, the first pop song written by a Korean composer, (“낙화유수” / “Fallen Blossoms on Running Water.”) sung by Lee Jeong-suk.
The Kim Sisters
You definitely can’t trace down the K-pop origins without coming across “The Kim Sisters.” In the 1950s, the genre started with The Kim Sisters, a pop trio consisting of Sue (Sook-ja), her sister Ai-ja, and their cousin Mia (Min-ja). Maybe K-pop groups like BTS and Blackpink made their way to the US audience and their music is all over the world, but the Kim Sisters did it first. They achieved huge fame in the US. They sang American hits even before they learnt English, as they sang them phonetically, and they performed on the Ed Sullivan Show more than 22 times. They were very talented as they were multi-instrumentalists and could sing a diverse range of genres.
Seo Taiji and Boys
The 1990s saw the rise of a new era. Thanks to “Seo Taiji and Boys,” they paved the way for K-pop music, and without them, it wouldn’t be the way it’s now. According to music critics, 1992 was the most important year in Korean pop history because “Seo Taiji and Boys” achieved enormous success, created a distinct sound and performance, won awards, and swept genres such as trot, ballad, and folk off the scene. Even though, in previous years, musicians such as “Lee Gwang-jo” sold thousands of copies of their ballad albums. Seo Taiji and Boy introduced a musical blend of hip hop, rap, Europop and techno with choreography. They were the first K-pop group, and with them, the phenomenon of “Idol” culture began. The title song, “I Know,” from their first album, was a breakthrough with its unique choreography, “Tornado Dance,” which went viral. After their fourth album, the group disbanded in 1996. In 2017, Seo Taiji collaborated with the K-pop group “BTS” and held a concert to celebrate his 25th anniversary of his Seo’s debut, and he told them: “Now, it is your generation.”
Following Seo Taiji and Boys, a slew of idol groups arose throughout the years, and to make it simpler to track them down, fandoms divided them into four generations. The first of which began in 1996, shortly after Seo Taiji and Boys disbanded, and the fourth of which includes today’s talents. In the next article, we’ll delve into the diverse talents and get to know each generation and how they enriched the K-Pop industry.
Lingering down a road that is cracked and blocked. Facing a wall silently staring at it with your helpless scratching nails. A large-sized white blank page of emptiness with a blinking pointer waiting for you to hit the keys and guns will sound.
The journey of every human being, and the usual state we all go through, “The artist’s block”. That is the story behind K.Kanye’s single “Writing Stage”.
Following the highly praised single “Loco” earlier this year, fast-rising Reading-based rapper K.Kayne has now returned to deliver his pulsing and a heartfelt new single titled “The Writing Stage”.
The beat is kind of smooth and mellow at the hit-off stage and gets slightly pacey as soon as the drums hit.
Actually, I liked how perfectly K.Kanye managed to master his flow on such type of beat, and the selection of rhymes was simple and definitive.
The add-lips in the track were quite louder than they should’ve been; given K.Kanye’s strong tone and vocal thickness.
Sometimes it felt like the rapper was running off the rhythm to be able to jump on the following bar drop, and sometimes rhymes were repeated; not in which the rapper seemed to have a lot of rhymes.
In such a case when the rapper is having a writer’s block, yet delivering such powerful lyrics, and turning the state in which he is in is absolutely skillful and genius; the first time I could see an artist crashes his block with his own art!
I liked the high turnover of rhymes and how fast the bar rhymes could be altered. However, it needed some more effort to set a significant vocal space between bars.
The track for me was hard to be mastered and it was novel and philosophic given the subject and circumstances.
7/10 would be good for me if I were to rate “Writing Stage”.
Play the track and take a listen, and tell us your rating!
It’s a warm spring morning with a nice cold breeze going through the hair, it was perfectly timed that El-Tan released his third single “Run Away“. A UK-based artist with Zambian origins who started rapping at the age of 3, and started playing numerous instruments when he was 4 such as guitar, piano, drums, saxophone, and bass guitar. Quite a childhood El-Tan had, instead of learning the alphabets he took a different road to learn musical notes and symbols.
El-Tan started to produce at the age of 9 and he has been producing his music ever since; therefore composing “Run Away” therefore was inevitable.
The track begins with a 70’s mellow synth and keeps on throughout the whole track and the beat drops with a joyful clap rhythm drums.
The alignment of the music is what is making this track sound like a hit, the instrumental introduction and distribution along the track were pretty much in perfect shape. El-Tan added a few raw car horns in the intro background which had a couple of interpretations for me, whether they meant that the streets were crowded so there is no “running away” or the producer wanted to add the touch of street sounds to the vibe the running away more. Both cases were logical for me, but I guess it was too many car horns used in that matter.
Jumping off to the body with the soft clean vocal singing of Judah Ball who adds the chorus mixed with beautiful tunes of the saxophone.
Lyrically the track was moderate and a bit shallow compared to El-Tan‘s previous releases, and I believe It was to be more distinctive and ear surprising if the artist used better vocabulary or fewer mainstream lyrics.
All in all the track could go up the billboards with ease, it was made how hits are made sounding just as hit tracks. I sincerely don’t know where are the radio stations scouts to play their listener’s such tracks!
At a first glance, once I played this track, I said to myself “Whoa! Have I turned on the radio by mistake?” This is perfectly adequate to be played on electromagnetic waves, also it could be the soundtrack of your spring/summer vacation on a fine sand beach.
I really enjoyed the single and my rating is 9/10.
Play the track below and tell us what your rating is?
Dark pop is a genre that you don’t come across every day, when adding the word ‘dark’ to ‘pop’ it’s usually because the pop song is in a minor key or that synths are incorporated. Forts were able to pull it off and get their vision across well with their new release “The Chemist”. Between the title of the song, the synths used, and the reverb added to make it seem like a dream, an illusion, and as if you’re in a distant space, to the vocal style and approach. It’s all aligned with the main idea behind the song which is PMDD and mental issues. PMDD is a disorder that causes unbalance in the way the brain perceives the hormonal and chemical changes in the body, resulting in a range of emotional swings as serious as suicidal thoughts. A subject that is very personal and authentic that “Mars” the lead singer of the band, has been through and felt the need to speak out about it. The song reflects this disease as a monster and the artist is the chemist, trying to tame it and balance it out. She is trying to get her message across to everyone who is struggling with mental health issues, that they are not alone and to not let their issues get the best of them, and that there is more to them than their illness. It’s beautiful how someone can use their art, music, and talents to get an important and meaningful message across.
But who are Forts anyway? A charming trio with Mary Clare (Mars) as the lead singer, lyricist, and electronic producer of the band. Colton Jones, who co-produces, plays the push and electronic drum pads live and has extensive knowledge in playing many instruments. Along with Isaiah Gutierrez on drums. The 3 of them were high school friends and that was their first encounter. They are mainly influenced by artists who sing the same type of genre; dark, alternative pop with some fantasy elements, like Phantogram, Purity Ring, Grimes, Nero, and Deftones. You can check the band’s website to know more about their previous releases and hits.
‘Thrill Of It’ already spoils what this Indie Pop tune is all about. Holly Wild has outdone herself yet again with this latest single.
The track carries a psychedelic, otherwordly composition and sound that drags you in and makes you press the replay button without noticing.
Even more electrifying is the song’s topic: “A song about flirting with danger. Getting tangled up with someone you shouldn’t be with, but the thrill of the chase makes you feel alive.” –Holly Wild.
Holly is an Australian singer-songwriter with a unique energy. Her music aims to inspire and uplift people, while her lyrics talk about “letting go, dream big, be wild and free.”
The Sydney-based artist already has a not-so-humble number of streams on Spotify from her previous work, such as ‘My Tribe’ with +30K streams, ‘So Hard To Find’ with +25K and ‘No Limits’ with +20K streams.
Her music simply stands out –Holly Wild is a gem and a true find. Overall, her music is minimal, honest and mellow. Nevertheless, we cannot ignore the fact that ‘Thrill Of It’ has a haunting air that imitates what mermaids must sound like in the middle of the sea. You add the electro beats that play mid-way through the song, and you get a profound, memorable melody.
‘Not Easy’ is the latest Hip Hop single by Akso Heart. The track is an easygoing tune that supports everyone when facing a challenging situation.
“This song is about the restless nights, the disapproval from the outside world – It’s difficult, but sometimes you need to say that out loud to move forward.”
The intro is made with +20 seconds of very mellow, sensual ambient beats. Then, the soulful track makes you want to clap your hands and swing your body to the song’s rhythm, smack your fingers, and almost even scream “hallelujah”.
Whereas the vocals, with a hint of 90s Chris Brown, are the perfect karaoke lyrics to sing along while doing casual cores, commuting, or in the shower. Similarly, his music reminds us also of old-school Craig David, Omarion, and the like.
Akso Heart has been featured on BBC Radio London, BBC Radio, and Asian Network. He has also performed the opening act for BOBBY V. While his second single, ‘Changes, ’ counts with +21K streams on Spotify, and ‘Trust Me’ with a growing number of +10K streams.
“Changing your perspective is always challenging. My past singles have looked at stepping beyond one’s comfort zone, accepting and loving change, and changing one’s social circle.” –London-based artist shares what topics have inspired his previous songs.
Going back to his latest work, ‘Not Easy’ is a very smooth, effortlessly peaceful tune. The right track to add to your music library and play whenever you want to clear your head while still keeping the energy going.
On Earth, we all struggle and stumble on a daily basis. So, we clung to any lifeline we could find. Music is an efficient way to forget about our issues and brighten our day, and if it’s a well-crafted piece, it’ll levitate us into space. Staring off into space by Salt House Lavish meets this desired result and more.
The music producer and multi-instrumentalist, Andrew Laverick, is the brilliant artist behind the solo musical project, Salt House Lavish. “Staring off into space,” from his forthcoming album “Take a Deep Breath People,” is his latest masterwork and, based on hearing it, we’re waiting for a remarkable album.
“Staring Off into Space” is a one-of-a-kind soundscape. It sounds and feels precisely like its title. For nearly three minutes, you’ll be floating in space, surrounded by darkness punctuated by colorful galaxies, gleaming stars, and whatever your imagination and sensations can conjure up while listening with your eyes closed.
The track kicks off with delicate female vocals with a melancholic tone, and as it progresses, the vocals start echoing to resonate with your heart and to fit the atmosphere. There’re mystical, dreamy vibes that make the single light, yet it’s dark-pop, psychedelic, and conveys bleak emotions. The production effortlessly hypnotizes you. And the fact that it was all recorded in the artist’s kitchen demonstrates his musicianship and how he’s pushing electronic music to new heights.
Close your eyes, loosen up, and let “Staring off into space” take you on a cosmic adventure by hitting the play button below.
Some musicians use a scary technique to make us appreciate life and fully live it by conveying a wake-up call of what we would lose if we didn’t. It may be efficient, but AiViA is not that kind of artist; in his latest single “Have You Ever Really Lived,” he bursts life into our souls, inspiring us to make the most of our lives.
The Swedish electronic music producer Jimmy Ersson, who goes by the alias AiViA, has made a single that would make you want to travel around the world, Practice your favourite hobby no matter how busy your day is, try things you’ve been afraid to try, make a nice gesture to a friend or a complete stranger, finish the book you’ve left to dust, and believe that whatever is on your bucket list is doable and begin your quest for it. Because otherwise, “Have You Ever Really Lived”?
“Have You Ever Really Lived” has an infectious energy that will have you bouncing all along and feeling as light as a feather. The brilliant, poetic lyrics assist listeners in shifting their perspective so that, rather than focusing on cruel real-life facts and daily dilemmas, they can see how marvelous the world is and what there is to embrace and enjoy. The vibrant beats envelop you in excitement and pleasure. The vocal performance is phenomenal! You can’t deliver a message unless you believe it, and powerful vocals like these, combined with an upbeat, enthusiastic attitude, perfectly characterize the lyrics. The production is topnotch, and the way each element holds the single’s spirit and adds sparkle demonstrates how professional and skilled AiViA is.
Every now and then, ask yourself, “Have You Ever Truly Lived?” And the song below, which would suit any mood and brighten any gloomy situation, will be your guide to beginning to live positively.
Dreamy, minimal Electro-Pop ‘I Need To Know’ by Lavara talks about the different aspects of love. The breathy track is all about looking for answers about affection, closeness, and relationships:
“Is it possible to love each other the way we did ten years ago?
Did I realize that you can go?”
The track, recorded right at his studio, is Lavara’s comeback single. The melody feels as if you were driving slowly through a zig-zag road, with the ocean on one side and the sunset on the back.
At exactly 2:00 minutes, the song has a nice drop, where it goes silent for a moment and creates an interesting reset effect.
Meanwhile, the vocals are nostalgic and passionate, like someone excited to talk to their loved one while also aware that they are not the same person they used to be when they met. The singing voice also carries a lofty tone that boosts that wistful tone and beat of the song’s backbone.
The Paris-based artist Lavara finds inspiration in artists like James Blake, Bon Iver, and Ry X. His production style evokes a synthesis of Indie-Folk and Electronica.
‘I Need To Know’ is a must-add to your late-night drive, cigarettes after coffee, or midnight snack playlists. The tune will take you to a utopian, romantic scenery or throw you back to one of those exes you had a rocky road with. Either way, ‘I Need To Know’ takes you places, and it is safe to assume the track itself, as well as Lavara, will both go places.
