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Bang di Bang by Energy Whores

Moataz Gwaily
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Bang di Bang by Energy Whores

‘Bang di Bang’ is a single that carries a great meaning with a totally novel feel to its sound and video. Reminiscent of the oddness of Air’s quirky electronics on Love 2 and 10,000Hz Legend, Energy Whores’ latest single is a gentle assault on the senses.

Based in New York, Energy Whores is a 4-piece electronica and EDM outfit that sound like very little else out there. On their latest single ‘Bang di Bang’, the outfit are going on a protest against all the bombs being dropped on innocent people all over the world especially -in their own words- the ones used to kill thousands of children every month. Musically, ‘Band di Bang’ features an adventurous composition and a driving, synth-led instrumental atmosphere that is utilized to express the group’s subdued frustration, alongside the novel lyrics.

‘Bang di Bang’ has a composition that straddles the line between energetic and angry, and the melodies are fitting to convey a similar range of feelings. The song can be safely called gentle and smooth, but there is no denying that a dark undercurrent is flowing underneath a rather composed façade.

‘Bang di Bang’ is a song about a topic that requires far more attention from artists all over the world. Well-meaning, well-said, and instrumentally and melodically engaging, Energy Whores’ latest single does a brilliant job advancing their sound, as well as their standing as humane artists with a message to deliver.

Oh Felicity by Al Shalliker

Moataz Gwaily
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Oh Felicity by Al Shalliker

Al Shalliker’s acoustic folk and roots music on ‘Oh Felicity’ is as usual weighted, balanced, warm, and rich. A songwriter whose name is coming to mean reliability in quality, Al Shalliker’s songs are almost always guaranteed to offer something quite beautiful.

Plymouth-based singer and songwriter Al Shalliker is a talented and sensible musician whose blend of blues, country, folk, and roots music are making a return in his new full-length album The Diamond Hill, following his 2021 debut Silver Linings. ‘Oh Felicity’ leans a bit further away from the blues and into the realms of folk.

With a deliciously warm and well-rounded acoustic guitar performance to accompany Shalliker’s gravelly and personable voice, alongside a deep and buoyant bassline and a few gorgeous ad libs from a harmonica, the instrumental landscape on ‘Oh Felicity’ is simply heartwarming. The rhythmically tight acoustic guitar performance is a wonderful showcase of Al Shalliker’s sensibilities on the instrument, and the melodies he’s delivering on ‘Oh Felicity’, with their rhythmic flow and passionate delivery, are a showcase for Shalliker’s ear for melody and for his heartful compositions.

‘Oh Felicity’ comes after a long list of singles from The Diamond Hill, with each song being just as balanced, novel, beautifully penned and performed as the ones before and after it, Al Shalliker’s efforts for this latest album has produced a set of songs that is shaping up to be quite solid. ‘Oh Felicity’ is a warm and gentle piece of folk music.

EP: Emancipation by Caleb Hart

Moataz Gwaily
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EP: Emancipation by Caleb Hart

Caleb Hart’s totally unique strain of world music is not only creative and entertaining, but also soothing with its gentleness, and invigorating to the senses with its vibrancy. Emancipation is Hart’s latest, 7-song EP where he explores genre-bending timbres, rhythms, melodies, and atmospheres.

Caleb Hart is a singer, songwriter, and artist currently based in Victoria, Canada. Having grown up in the Caribbean haven of the Island of Tobago, Caleb fully possesses the tools to captivate his audiences with a delightfully rich strain of Caribbean sounds that permeate all through his reggae, soul, and pop songs. The results, on glorious display on Emancipation, are songs that delight with handpans and calypso elements, while featuring the all-too-cozy reggae rhythms alongside crisp and modern pop production. There really is very little to fault on a piece of work as focused and as concise as Emancipation.

Hart’s track record of +1100 live shows all over the globe, alongside a fruity discography of 3 records with Tasman Jude, his former band, and 3 solo albums, all paint Hart as a veteran musician fully in control of his craft. ‘Lambeau’ starts the album with the intoxicating blend of heavenly pads and Caribbean percussion that are to become a staple on all of the EP’s songs. The acoustic guitar part is sensual and gentle, going beautifully alongside Hart’s heartfelt delivery of the song’s romantic lyrics. ‘Emancipation’ is a little more playful and upbeat, introducing the album’s proper Caribbean side with its rhythms and instrumentation. An invigorating, simple, and joyful song with an arresting blend of percussion and melodies.

‘Step Closer’ is another hypnotic composition that slides perfectly smoothly under what Hart calls Island Soul. The blend of rumbling sub bass, perfectly mixed in percussion that’s equally soothing to the senses and novel, with Hart’s effortless and approachable vocals and melodies, all create an atmosphere that’s perfectly hypnotic. ‘Step Closer’ is among the EP’s most relaxing and enjoyable offerings. The wondrous and whimsical composition on the album closer ‘Homeland (refix)’ is a delightful conclusion to a short and sweet EP. The upbeat and bittersweet chord movements, marimba and electric guitar fusion, heartfelt words, and engaging, dynamic rhythm section, ‘Homeland (refix)’ might be the EP’s most dynamic song.

With production carried out by Jamaican/Canadian producer Jayden Brown, the sound of Emancipation is a perfect blend of pop accessibility and the exciting and uncommon sounds of Caribbean instrumentation that elegantly carry Hart’s simplistic and stylish compositions that are equally nice in their compositions and melodies. Emancipation is a gorgeous introduction to one of the most unique artists making new music today. Caleb Hart delivered a showstopping EP that sounds and feels beautiful.

Mandible by Jackson Mathod

Moataz Gwaily
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Mandible by Jackson Mathod

‘Mandible’ is wholly captivating. The 2nd single off Jackson Mathod’s upcoming EP Studio Natives Vol. 1 is contemplative, edgy, enthralling, technically delightful, and sonically arresting. ‘Mandible’ is an extremely exciting piece of modern jazz from a masterful composer and player.

London-based jazz composer and multi-instrumentalist Jackson Mathod studied jazz at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2009, then quickly got into the world of session playing, playing with high profile artists such as Stormzy and Jordan Rakei. Mathod then enjoyed a string of successful singles in 2020, followed by his release of his successful and widely acclaimed debut album Travels in a Confined Space in April of 2021.

‘Mandibles’ starts with a play on the infamous Jaws soundtrack, taking listeners by surprise before introducing Mathod’s weapon of choice on the piece, the trumpet, with which he lays down a number of totally intoxicating solos, alongside a complex set of repeating motifs that are long-winded, colorful, and entrancing. The bass and drum groove, laying down the play on the iconic Jaws ‘duh-dum’ constitutes a foundation on which Mathod improvised solos that range from the sublime, to the surreal, to the absolutely insane. Moments of precious respite on ‘Mandible’ showcase a soloist with a sensitive ear for melodies that are warm and accommodating, while moments of madness showcase a player with no perceptible technical limitations, willing to drive listeners insane with solos so intense they grind time down to a halt.

There’s a sense of foreboding drive to ‘Mandible’ that kept this 7-minute instrumental behemoth, eerie and endlessly compelling, going for the half a dozen plays or so that I needed to write this piece. The play on the Jaws motif is both fun and inspired, familiar, yet providing fertile ground for so many melodic and rhythmic options, a great deal of which are not left unexplored by Mathod and his manic solos. In the end, ‘Mandible’ kind of feels like something you have to experience by yourself. There’s not much to be said about the fantastic trumpet work on ‘Mandible’ other than how much it effortlessly twists the mind, while retaining a sense of approachability throughout. Jackson Mathod’s Studio Natives Vol. 1 is shaping up to be up there with the finest jazz releases of the year.

Sister by Melina Hazewood

Moataz Gwaily
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Sister by Melina Hazewood

Melina Hazewood’s whimsy and charm return with a sharp turn to a sound that’s more pop-centered on her latest single ‘Sister’. The inspiring teen songwriter’s sound has always been full of wonder and curiosity, and it is very exciting to see her shapeshift, exploring more varied colors and directions with her songs.

Melina Hazewood is a singer and songwriter based in Kent, England. Hazewood’s fast-growing catalog has so far been populated exclusively by piano-led, feminist power ballads that are elegant and whimsical, loaded with classical music cues and nods to piano pop greats such as Elton John. On Melina’s latest single ‘Sister’ we see she is making a conscious change with her arrangement. Still largely revolving around the composition obviously worked on the Piano, Hazewood is utilizing an electronic beat and a snaky piece of sub bass, giving the electrified backbone a prominent place in the mix, while her steady and minimal piano part is on the back foot.

‘Sister’ is an inspiring, cheerful, and upbeat pop tune that is benefiting from Hazewood’s tighter and more focused vocal delivery. Her woozy and long-winded vocal melodies are substituted with lines that are shorter and more concise this time around, while retaining a certain aspect of colorful breeziness that is coming to be synonymous with her songs. The composition is uplifting and empowering, like all of Hazewood’s previous releases, just more focused and crisp this time around in a brand-new pop guise that we believe Hazewood should explore more on her upcoming releases.

‘Sister’ is a gorgeous piece on indie pop. Uplifting, easy to follow and easy to love, with inspiring melodies and a voice that carries them with utmost grace, Melina Hazewood never really disappointed before, and she did not disappoint this time around either.

 

Jesus and Guns by Paisty Jenny

Moataz Gwaily
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Jesus and Guns by Paisty Jenny

There’s nothing about Paisty Jenny, or their latest single ‘Jesus and Guns’, that isn’t completely entertaining. A four-piece that is equally taking themselves too seriously, and not at all serious, watching the video for ‘Jesus and Guns’ has been an incredible amount of fun. 

The blues and rock outfit can craft an intoxicating atmosphere of vocals, guitars, and beats, and can make a video that’s funny and quite memorable. Based in Carlsbad, New Mexico, Paisty Jenny is composed of Gregg Lee, Stan Liberty, Gabe Mathews, and Cody Heinke, and together they write terrific blues rock as is demonstrated in today’s single.

‘Jesus and Guns’ has a title that will be downright polarizing, but the fun and light-hearted video is sure to set the record straight on where the band’s intentions are at. Paisty Jenny are here to have fun and to make enjoyable songs with cheeky titles that are no more political or religious as they are silly and whimsical. The sonic mayhem on ‘Jesus and Guns’ comes courtesy of a multilayer vocal part, a couple of meaty overdriven riffs, and a rhythm section that’s tight and punchy. All the whimsy in the title and the video for the song are matched on the song’s snaking riffs and rich, dangerous, and edgy blues rock soundscape. 

‘Jesus and Guns’ is a load of fun from a talented group of musical veterans who are here to have a laugh and help us to one as well. 

Icarus by Powers of the Monk

Moataz Gwaily
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Icarus by Powers of the Monk

‘Icarus’ is the latest single by Powers of the Monk. A delightful piece of pop music that’s loaded with memorable melodies and performances, this remarkable piece of songwriting is gripping from start to finish.

Powers of the Monk is a pop outfit based in Detroit, Michigan. Founded way back in 2006 by songwriters David s. Monk and CasSondra Powers, Powers of the Monk have a great amount of experience under their belt, and it shows in their latest single ‘Icarus’. Showcasing a distinct strain of pop that leans heavily on indie in the airy timbres and harmonies of the voices, and on folk in the few distinct instrumental lines played on acoustic, uncommon instruments, ‘Icarus’ easily boasts a sound and a feel that easily sticks out and leaves a mark.

Other than the delightfully cloudy and restrained vocals, singing novel and engaging melodies, the songwriting on ‘Icarus’ is just as wondrous and inquisitive. With a steady groove and an instrumental palette that’s unquestionably unique, ‘Icarus’ showcases the band’s experienced ears for atmospheres and world building. ‘Icarus’ sounds like a mystical cautionary tale of a moth that decided to stray too close to a flame.

‘Icarus’ is a gorgeously written and arranged piece of folk and indie pop that left me terribly hungry for more from this capable, experienced, unique, and criminally slept-on duo of talented songwriters. Powers of the Monk have gained a new and quite eager fan.

 

My Devil At Home by GXTP ft. Sueco

Moataz Gwaily
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My Devil At Home by GXTP ft. Sueco

Dynamic and gloriously produced, GXTP’s latest single is an assault of heartfelt melodies and invigorating sonic atmospheres. ‘My Devil At Home’ is a dark rock ballad that’s tightly crafted and performed by a truly gifted outfit. 

GXTP (named for a poem written by Triple Sixx about people hoarding guns and toilet paper during the pandemic) are a Los Angeles three-piece rock outfit composed of Triple Sixx, Jason Paul, and Sasha Sirota. The trio’s music is dark and intoxicating rock, and what made them tick and cause such huge ripples since their full length 2023 debut is gloriously on full display on their latest single ‘My Devil At Home’, featuring Sueco.

The talented outfit sure know how to craft a rock song that’s equally gripping and restrained, with capable display of their individual instrumental abilities, and deliciously crisp production. ‘My Devil At Home’ is a dark ballad about an intoxicating love with somebody that fulfills the protagonist’s every desire, and the composition is just as engaging as that relationship dynamic. The onset of the heavy-handed beat and distorted rhythm guitars are kept economic so that when they occur on the chorus, they are impactful and huge. The song’s organic feeling vocal delivery is also approachable, and the dynamic drum part flowing fluidly alongside it makes the whole piece move forward at such an enjoyable pace.

‘My Devil At Home’ is a single that showcases all that GXTP have going for them. Tight songwriting and capable performances, rich and dark production, and fantastic production quality showcased in the well-shot and edited video for the song. GXTP are a talented rock outfit with a long and fruitful career ahead of them. ‘My Devil At Home’ is going to go down as a memorable chapter of that career. 

 

Maniac on Mute by Circle the Earth

Moataz Gwaily
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Maniac on Mute by Circle the Earth

Circle the Earth is like a multinational supergroup featuring immense talents that span 4 countries and 3 continents. The group’s latest single ‘Manian on Mute’ is a terrific display of the kind of electrifying presence and arresting charisma the group has.

Circle the Earth is a 5-piece rock outfit composed of American founding bassist Michael McBay, and the vocal powerhouse that is Angeleno Aviva Scott, accompanied by Brazilian Drummer Sandro Feliciano, Taiwanese keyboardist Sandy Chao Wang, and Japanese guitarist Kazuki Tokaji. The outfit are definitely capable of rousing some considerably sized thunder, which is on ample display on the fiery ‘Maniac on Mute’.

‘Maniac on Mute’ mostly revolves around the hair-rousing vocal delivery from Angeleno Aviva Scott, a truly talented and inspiring performer. The ensemble behind Scott’s vocal pyromaniacs is having a fireworks show of its own, with tight, crunchy rhythm guitars playing alongside an intricate and dynamic bass and drum groove that closely follows in the footsteps of Scott’s vocal part. The synths provide the song’s electric aspect, and they help elevate the song’s general sense of power through a varied performance of pads and leads.

The thunderous presence of Circle the Earth and their latest single ‘Maniac on Mute’ make for a delicious electronic hard rock journey that energizes the senses with superbly delivered instrumental lines, and an absolutely epic vocal part.

Red White and Blue by Kaos Bender and the Traveling Trailer Park

Moataz Gwaily
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Red White and Blue by Kaos Bender and the Traveling Trailer Park

Kaos Bender’s Red White and Blue might be released in a fitting time with the election week going on. But for us, we are quite content to focus on its scruffy and personable rock and roll sound that got us hooked from the first to the last moment.

Kaos Bender and the Traveling Trailer Park has its roots dating back to 1986 in Las Vegas where Kristy Kaos and Jazz Bender first met, starting an ultra-glam outfit before dissipating and growing apart in the early 90s. The duo stumbled upon one another, rekindled the musical flame, and regained the passion in 2009, eventually reforming the band that we are now calling Kaos Bender and the Traveling Trailer Park.

‘Red, White, and Blue’ is the latest release by the outfit, and it is an infectious rock and roll number that features tight and crunchy riffs, some nice and gruff rock vocals, a crisp production, and a vintage rock and roll sound that is bound to put a smile on your face.

The bittersweet composition on the song also makes it very impactful for patriotic purposes that we sadly do not share, but we can easily imagine the kind of impact the hip and energetic single can have on the American rock-loving voter on election day.

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