Small Island Big Song-Our Island
Small Island Big Song is one of the most important music collectives you’ve never heard of. It was founded by Taiwanese producer BaoBao Chen and Australian music producer and filmmaker Tim Cole in 2015.The two have been recording and filming with over a hundred musicians in nature across 16 island nations of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Extending their scope beyond music, they’ve made a feature film, and a live concert series. Traveling globally, thinking universally. Small Island Big Song is the result of cultural integration with humanity as a scale. The scope? The globe. Our Island is the name of the album. Singing in their tongue, these native musicians create music with their vernacular instruments. Marasudj is the opening track in their album. What can truly be described as world music, the language seems to be the only disconnect. The sentiment is of unity, peace and togetherness. Themes we speak too much of, but do too little about. The backdrop unites the listener with the musician in a sense, while the harmony stands out. So many artists and one united theme creates a fascinating mosaic of brimming positivity. Understanding via energy Listwar Zanset is a bopping dance style number. The beat stands out as a solid entity, as collaborating artists add highlights. Almost a melodic praise for the gifts of the world, the song is as emotional as it is catchy. The harmonics do a great deal in uniting these artists’ unique vocal approaches. Ta’u Tama has been popular amongst listeners. It’s reggae sound creates a relaxing pool of sound that you gaze into the lush verdant of the jungle on. Purpose unknown, we still struggle to come to equal terms with nature. SIBS repurposes their energy into making art, that serves a greater purpose than them. Without witnessing Small Island Big Song in action, I can feel an energy that is uncommon. It is of the collective good, something beyond self-preservation. Reaching the depths of nature’s sound to sing her songs. Listening to what music she has given us and displaying gratitude. No visual, but the magnetic force of honest music that is beyond the artist and us. Pinasanga has the appeal and approach of a slow burn visual, slowly building like the nature of waves. The slow beats add to the tempo, but the rhythm is already established with the melody section. Which is what makes this natural approach to making music so much more interesting. It is more to do with tuning into the Earth’s frequency, not creating your own. The radio of the Earth Festival of The Living Ocean is what pure dreams are made of. With a fascinating tempo section aided by scintillating vocals, it has the capacity and purpose to make you move. Moreover, the sound of the ocean keeps you in sync with the rhythm the waves produce. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) is a whole other spectrum of sound. Using simple stringed instruments, it makes for a Western sound, yet rooted in the fever of nature. Madjadjumak is a enchanting tale, with visuals being created with verses and instruments. Each of these tracks tell a tale much larger than that you would picture with this rat race mindset we live in. Here the tracks are about freedom from all things that bind. This is where emotional tracks like Hiro’a make waves. The language is indecipherable, but the progression is complex enough to imbibe a strong sense of responsibility. Sarbon uses harmonics and the power of sand to create a funky rhythm. Each collaboration gives birth to an unexpected source of music, with a spectrum that can only be felt and is way more complex to understand. Aoka goes the other way from the previous track. Having a steady beat, it also shows us the instrumental proficiency of musicians we wouldn’t expect to visualize when we talk about a musician. Bridging the sound Ata Renga Koe has a spine of the vernacular sound, but uses Western instruments. The slow blending in creates a symbiotic understanding of sorts, a rich complex web of sound. The album ends with the emotional track Lament For A Dying Ocean. It really puts things to perspective, the album as a whole. Something that has been so much within our control but we have let spiral. There is no other planet, so alternatives belong here, with and from us. This collaboration means so much more than we could put together. These are islanders and musicians of different cultures coming together for a cause greater than them. There is nothing I could endorse more than a hopeful future and creations that acknowledge what the Earth has done for us. I'd love to see this song being used in one of the Madagascar animated movie series as it perfectly fits the vibe of some of the scenes of the movie series in my opinion. Check out the Movie review here - https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/madagascar
Joey Paradis-MABY
Joey Paradis is an experienced deep house DJ and music producer. When he delves into his ocean of sound, he is usually creating paradise with what he finds. His experience as audience, translating to someone who makes music, might be the prime reason everyone loves what he makes. This is his latest single, MABY. Collaborating with Otto Palmborg, this is a tale of new love. Complete with enveloping beats and synth sounds that rush in like tidal waves, Joey Paradis reigns in the emotions with his brilliant production and beat work. He lays down the background as a wholesome entity in itself, creating these chunks of sounds that transition beautifully. The creative vessel that is his composition is eve-evolving, creating memorable vocal parts with banging choruses. So that the vocals aren’t drowned out, Joey indulges in soft percussion. This interacts & plays with the synth sounds without compromising the message of the song in itself. This song would be perfect in montages of new love, in films like Meet Cute and Entergalactic. There is a charisma and electricity within the song itself, memories and scenes ca stitch together perfectly with the kind of sound that has been produced and engineered with soul. Joey Paradis is no stranger to these stories, his songs like Karma, Coming Through and N8ive have been popular and enjoyable tracks that are soaked with the sound of the season. Be prepared to swing and dance with the environment he creates. Listen to his brilliant music and ability to alter moods with his single here:
Carter Fox-Cosmic Sunrise Live at Everloft Studios
Carter Fox has a unique approach to music. His hunt for tone and meticulously crafted compositions is his driving force. Ranging from chill hip-hop tunes to experimental jazz as well, this virtuoso is constantly looking for sources of inspiration and expanding his sonic horizons. This is his latest single, Cosmic Sunrise Live at Everloft Studios. With a silky, floating synth background, the bass interacts for a liminal conversation. It is in tandem, the growth and syncopation, each telling its own tale within tone and rhythm. In parts, the instrumentals break off to create their own lead pocket, becoming this exciting being that vibrates with a newfound energy. As each forages for its own path, there are chance interactions, crafted through the sorcery that lies in music. Steve Honz collaborates for this one, and the live play-by-play is an interesting outcome to watch. I encourage you to take a look at the breakthroughs and joys of a live recording session. I could hear this music for any focused transition, especially in biographies and travel logs where a picturesque setting captures the eye. The fresh outcome of the track and the powerful overlaps create their own biosphere, and so much is achieved with the keys. This leads to the top of Carter Fox and his pyramid of growing surprises. Without realizing, you might have come across many of his tracks. Songs like Eclipse and M87 are some of his hottest numbers, streamed constantly on Spotify. His compositions are a relaxing haven, and there is always something tantalizing for the senses. Carter Fox is an atmosphere god, listen to his tracks and explore his catalogue!
Mira Sthira-Snow Cave
Mira Sthira is the architect of a fantastical world of sound. With layers of inspiration juxtaposed to form her sound, it is now unmistakably hers. Traversing new universes seems easy for an artist like this-someone who wants to create a new reality for themselves. This is the newest portal to this realm. It comes in the form of her latest single, Snow Cave. Like the super hit single from Edward Maya, the beat that constricts this single has a dance core. Synth accents pulsate with the beat, bringing a sonic effervescence that is powered by Mira Sthira and her sensational voice. For this single, she collaborates with Fantastical Emporium of Sound-bringing depth and new meaning to the rhythm she creates. The edge she has is a sharp and attuned one, a leap from her single from 2021, The Woods. You can see how she is trying to stretch the membrane of her comfort and sound to include a fuller, more dynamic effect. This song could be a defining element in films like Ready Player One and even Ghost in the Shell. It shakes up the visual world constructed by the protagonist, and pushes them to a state of thought while in action. It has a ridiculously catchy rhythm which manifests through the energy of the vocalist. Mira Sthira has just begun her journey, and we seem to be counting milestones now. Check out her singles like Weird Girl and Lizard Pop if you enjoyed this song. Expect something different and exciting every time with an artist like this. Be sure to follow her for more music!
David Baron-Some Infinities Are Larger Than Others
David Baron is now the helmsman of the Woodstock sound. Blending pop and synth, with modular and analogue moments, he is crafting a new pedestal. He brings an edge to music that is unseen and unheard, relating to the experiences of artists and their stories. He might not be Aesop, but he has fables to tell. This is his album, Some Infinities Are Larger Than Others. There is a chance you have heard of David Baron and his compositions. His 2020 album Whisperers is a breakthrough in indie music, having a collection of songs like no other. He maintains that profile and sound with Stardust. Fiona Glenn lends her cosmic voice to populate this song with panache. It has a heavenly, floating instrumental section which she glides over with ease. The lyrics enamour and entertain, without pushing any fibre of pretence. It is a brilliant arrangement, and only gets richer and denser with every section. Stones in the River Bed opens with some arpeggio keys. They set the textured carpet on which Donna Lewis can glide, float and explore on. It is an acoustic delight, it is ample yet pulsates with the energy of the next verse. By the time the strings come through, you feel the goosebumps rise. The progression is almost flawless, and the dance is a spectacle. Boy in the Lighthouse is a jazz styled experimentation that spreads its wings with pride. It has groovy sax sections, and plays with piano elements while having an edge that is uniquely David Baron. Recognizable sections float by, and take you for a journey into the unknown. Two Places at Once creates a sultry background with sax and bass. It floats upon the soft synth background, while having digital interactions with keys. While we are on this voyage, David Baron wants to show us a whole new world. We oblige with a smile. The groove is so deep and enjoyable, it wavers with the enigma of a newborn’s personality. Father And Son is an emotional sail, set to sea. It is an experiential and meditative piece, something for reflection. To capture this, David Baron uses strings and synths, flowing into each other like memories and experiences. As the core melody is retained on the piano, the strings depart, finding their own way. It is reminiscent of a relationship, from prenatal to separation. Not only does it capture all the elements, but flourishes in their colour. With this album, David has approached a cinematic frame that is difficult to imagine. The Tree of Life immediately came to mind, for the instrumental as well as vocals. For the short album that it is, Baron has stretched the fabric of his songwriting to the metamorphosis that it teased. Listen to the album, and let us know what you thought! Support by getting the album here:https://www.hereandnowrecordings.com/some-infinities-are-larger-than-others
KOTC Clan-Mirror Selfie (Mirror on the Wall)
KOTC Clan bring the heat when they make music. With just 2 singles out, their songs have thousands of streams. Listeners love their melodies, catchy lyrics and chorus that are always memorable. Here, we see their debut single, Mirror Selfie (Mirror on the Wall). You might associate that line with Snow White, but this is a whole new take. KOTC Clan have a powerful chemistry, something that comes with having ideas that come together seamlessly. Their track has an infectious bounce to it, and makes you want to lean into the groove. The popping beat builds to the chorus, but with a smooth, honey like consistency. The electronic infractions are pulsating, they are the highlights to the tight bars that are dropped with accuracy. The produced vocals blend into the rhythm section, becoming the complex tetrahedron of sound that it is. It is a solid dance track through and through, and there seems to be no doubt why it is so popular. This is a song that resonates with party culture, and KOTC Clan seem to have taken lead. Any teen movie party scene could host this song. From Superbad to Project X, this is a song that will drop the beat when needed. KOTC Drew, KOTC Vibe and KOTC Gamal with the band make up this clan. With their other single, they seem to have gathered the required traction to make it click. The sound they achieve is simple, but layered with some hooks that need experience and a toe into the zeitgeist. Fortunately, it seems like this crew own that pool of water. Now, every day is a party.
Mark Winters- Copper Queen
Mark Winters is a barrier breaking musician based out of Texas. He has a mix of pop, rock, techno and blues with his music. Mark's musical repertoire ranges from singing, songwriting, guitar playing and Aeronautical and astronautical engineering. His songs are neither bound by genres or inspiration, he uses his life, poetry and his aeronautical knowledge to write his music. Mark Winters released Boundary Layer- his new album, last year and it is filled with such a wide variety of songs. “Heartbeat”, “Signal” and “It moves in you” being some of them. “Copper Queen” is a song that’s from the album Slipstream. The song doesn’t beat about the bush, it’s very obviously about his love and how he loves everything about her. There are two drum beats and Mark Winters’ voice immediately follows, we hit the ground running with this track. He serenades his lover with his favourite qualities of hers. He sings “Sails running into the wind, my copper queen, she’s all I see”. The song generally has such a laid back atmosphere to it but the beats are very much peppy rock in nature. Even though the beats feel very sharp, his voice adds such a rounded soothing quality to the number. Copper Queen being used in a live action movie could be unlikely. The song already has such a strong narrative of its own, therefore might end up overpowering a scene. However it can fit in extremely well within the universe of an animated film. The vividness of Copper Queen and the elaborateness of say a Pixar film can complement each other greatly. A WALL-E falling for EVE or Carl Fredricksen falling for Ellie Fredricksen (from UP) can be imagined with Copper Queen in the background. Mark Winters could be the face of Rainbow Rock as a genre if there ever was one. He is not only crossing boundaries genre wise but also nation wise as he has listeners across the US, Mexico and the UK. Mark Winters loves interacting with his listeners on all social media platforms and encourages it as they help inspire him.
Josh Long-Tidal Wave
Josh Long is close to mastering putting pictures into words. Usually complicated to imagine if only relayed to you, aided by his instruments, he is someone else. This is an artist that can create an enchanting tale or fable with the minimal. His latest single is called Tidal Wave. The atmosphere of the shore is difficult to capture. I reiterate, Josh Long does it with ease. You can feel the sand between your toes, taste the salty air and watch the sun set at the horizon. As you feel the gentle sea breeze sway, you get imbibed in the song. The slight echo to the vocals with the gentle guitar accompaniment is sea salt caramel. The swing is in every moment, keeping the lyrics with the feel and well framed setting. Overdoing a track like this with layers would have ruined it, but Josh tailors it to the essentials. The ringing out guitar in the verse section with the simple harmonics get stuck in your head. It is a brilliant song, from an artist who is making art that is reaching an evergreen seasonal feel. The solo is simple and bridges two recipes that feels like fusion. I could definitely imagine this in Moonrise Kingdom and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, both having splendid beach scenes. The remarkable visual storytelling and poetic ability from Josh is what makes this an instant hit on the repeat list. You can listen to the unplugged version of this for more of a ballad feel, or his tracks Last June & Love in You. It is the making of a musician who can clip memories for the audience. Follow him for more music and support this raconteur!
Intercontinen7al-Beautiful Mind
Intercontinen7al are a remarkable feat by themselves. A collaboration that is truly global, they have recorded music in all the continents. Having 30 musicians from over 15 countries, the cross-section of inspiration and cultural inflows is impressive and often times overwhelming. Their latest single is from their album Intercontinen7al, Vol. 3. This one is called Beautiful Mind. With a Hindustani music touch to the opening riff, it is an ethereal experience to listen to. In solidarity, it creates this rich background for the vocals to come. Like a church choir, they enter with power, poise and purpose. The lyrics are moving and positive, yet put on a pedestal the rhythm section that so drives this song. Apart from admiring the process of having so many musicians join for a single cause, it is important to hear the subtext within the music. Though there is no purpose in dissection, the beauty of the song resonates much more when you create this palette with so many colours and derivations. Intercontinen7al create almost a prog-rock instrumental region that is a dream to explore. A brilliant song, it transports you to this plane where the aural kaleidoscope is explored in more ways than one. Movies like Miss Bala, The Nowhere Inn would be some great movies to have this kind of song. Its mellow pace and organic flow and development in tone makes for a magical listening experience. As a project, they have achieved an incredible task of making some beautiful music with great impact. Listen to their 3 volumes released on Spotify and follow them for a truly global experience in music!
Vince Chinaski-Eat Your Peas!
In retrospect, he might sound like Bowie. Appear, not so much. Vince Chinaski is a pugilist with the forms of music. He learns, spars and creates something that hold a brawl within ropes. With a life in music that has included creating, touring and learning, each song is an experience unlike any other. It is an honour to review this song by him, truly. When you hear his sound, you’ll feel the same. This is Eat Your Peas! So think of Rene Magritte when you listen to Vince. It is a treachery of images, of sounds even. Consider this juxtaposition, a sweet, summer chord transition mixed with the stalwart calculation of Bowie. That is what Vince sounds like, sometimes. It is complex to understand, easy to enjoy. The more you delve into the song, you are envious. Is it that simple as a song, or has he made it feel that way? With a chorus and harmonics that is playful yet dreamy, you’re transported into something that belongs to no particular genre, yet is a meld of them all. From Television to jazz style grooves, this song develops and secedes into something greater than itself. Suppose an opened up origami art - you’re looking at the folds to make the masterpiece that could be. The Bucket List is the first movie that came to mind listening to this song. Light and dreamy, it is a miracle of layers coming together as a unified whole. Some of his more popular songs are Opportunities and She Comes in Colours. A massively underrated artist, Vince Chinaski will give you a different sonic experience with his music every time. Listen to his powerful music and follow him for more!
Eight Thousand Birds-Blue House
If you have a belief that music can unite, it has never been more relevant now. Eight Thousand Birds have that kind of story, musicians living in the golden age of technology. It united them and created a project that still leaves me in disbelief. From two different parts of the world, both came together for one love. The result is a unbelievable prodigy to the world of new music. This is their latest single, Blue House. You can delve into the rich imagery of the lyrics, or the metaphors they lead to. What I want to understand in this particular track is the sync. While being in virtual connect, this duo has managed to make a song that is like a jam band’s product. Hayley Chewins and Alejandro Zarazua come together to make an innocent, touching track. The strings lead, a vehicle to transport Hayley’s beautiful voice. The slight effect on her vocals depicts a distance, owing to the song. It might also draw parallels to the musicians being so far away from each other. The pianos, strings and gentle percussions create the malleable four walls of this blue house she sings about. Whether it is freedom from it or finding it within, the belief is within this shelter of melodies. It is incredible to hear the detail in sound, the poetry in the moving lyrics and the soulful sound the song creates in the end. From Ladybird to Somewhere Slow, the realization of home and what belongs and doesn’t is an imminent feeling in this track. It has the fluidic transition scenes with depth need as well, so I’d love to see a song like this feature movies of this kind. After their instrumental Into the Garden, this is their first track together, and it sounds great. Follow them for more music with meaning!
Tom Craven-Let it Fall (My December)
Tom Craven has a sound that imbibes Bruce Springsteen for the new generation. Craeating an impressive following almost exclusively by touring, he is the people’s musician. Not letting the pandemic derail his dreams, he has continued and rambled through, projecting his true love for music, composition and life. Translating moments through melodies is something he is proficient at. Let it Fall (My December) shows us all sides of this musician through a beautiful song. You might wonder how artists coped with being holed up in their homes during the pandemic. An artist like Tom Craven chooses to revisit his favourite music, create poetry and set it in motion. If you’re staring at the spokes of this wheel, each dynamic element translates to an experience learnt. A bluesy sound surrounds his latest single, while it deviates, divulges and flows like a creek’s tributaries. The percussive chugging of the guitar ticks with time, while his unique voice is the most honest rendition of the lyrics you can ever hear. Tom doesn’t complicate the song, if anything, you could cover it within the evening. Accessible music is what is emblazoned in permanence, and Tom is an artist who reaches out to make it so. I urge you to check out his curated playlists as well. Not only do you see the inspiration streaming from it, but it is a splendid collection of underrated artists and underground songs. I’d have love to have heard this song on As Good As It Gets, a brilliant movie by all accounts. The easygoing nature of this track also allows simplistic transition within scenes. Listen to true indie artist brilliance with his 2018 EP Take Courage, among other image-rich tracks. Follow him for more music like this!