Matt Saxton-Animal
Matt Saxton knows his way around complexity. Some say simplicity is the polar opposite. I truly believe it’s what is the rudiment of the most virtuosic elements of art. His single, Animal is a testament to this belief of mine. It is a simple, beautiful and effective track with simple yet hard hitting lyrics. Animal is from the same artist who brought you the song Seabird. That track was a very successful, highly streamed track. What is common from Matt Saxton’s songwriting is to keep it relatable yet simple, something everyone can find a different story and meaning in. I know this isn’t about me, but Matt’s song triggered a memory. It was during quarantine, and when I was noodling around on the keyboard, I played these same four chords. They aren’t complex, yet they convey a very essential emotional discourse with perfection. I’m no songwriter so I did nothing with it. In another part of the world, someone did. Matt Saxton uses the rich honesty of the piano with some basic drum backdrop and harmonics. That’s it. No frills and solos and other complicated stuff that hinders relaying that message. The primal nature of man and the defaulting of DNA. Where instinct takes over and conscience and civilized behavior are buried. Where one thing effects us all in the same way. These are just undertones from this hauntingly beautiful track that inspires and propagates humanities greatest boon and bane. I can picture this track being played perhaps in the ending of Oceans Thirteen right at that beautiful climax! Perfect! Check out the plot summary here - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0496806/synopsis
Blake Dagley-The Nashville Sessions
Similar to Chicago’s popular album with the same name, Blake Dagley is here to rediscover his sound. The Nashville Sessions is Blake’s latest album release, a triple A side of energetic, whole soul music. With a bit of folk, Americana and blues whirlpool that he entertains, Blake wants to really earmark a signature sound. Though his voice is instantly recognizable, these are his best compositions yet. Let’s get into it. It is important that you realize your strongest suit. Blake has a semi-husky warm voice that is inviting yet invigorating. Ain’t Going Down Like This uses this to his advantage, paired with simple instrumentals. His track entertains the possibility of really letting a progression marinate before exploding into something larger. As this paper plane unfolds, you start to put together Blake’s design, simple yet effective. The Nashville Sessions are underway with a great track. With a much softer opening, Paradox uses the dreamy, floating tone of the electric. Blake proceeds with his pipes on display, touching lyrics that make you pause for a while. It is a bare to the bones approach to watch someone discover themselves through their art. Not only does it chart your progress, but takes a while for honesty to seep through. The instruments do a 50/50 with the vocals, each lifting the other to an elevated state of thought in performance. A tribute to oneself, executed with truth. Songwriting and purpose Milly has another great simple melody and clean progression. We all love hearing a silky, fingerpicking pattern that dictates lot of the song. Milly shows Blake’s passion for reason, and turning infatuation and affection to something bigger to the best that humans can do. Create. The Nashville Sessions see Blake take an acoustic, often skimmed over part as one loses themselves in crafting instrumentals. It is true songwriting skill here. From Melodies: Vol 1, this is a nice step into the wild. It is something that teaches artists who chase complication or massive airtime the essence. Not only of music and songwriting, but drive. This is a three track Magna Carta from Blake Dagley, and he has foraged for his own sound. As you watch Into the Wild or The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, you'll hear this perfectly fitting into the setting. So go ahead, and enjoy!
Quinn Sternberg-Cicada Songs
Within the million or so genres that exist, there are a special few that are beyond my understanding. Purely refined, versatile and mathematically precise, jazz is one of them. Quinn Sternberg is not your ordinary jazz musician, he's been on his own odd time roll since 2016. After his release Weird World, he has explored the extents of his creative boundaries passionately. 6 years later, this is his latest album, Cicada Songs. The twisted tempos of jazz The opening track is June, something that is a soft cruise down this road of jazz Quinn so easily navigates. The album having sharp turns to straight drives, there was a desire to know what this album transpired from. "I think the overall sound of this record is based on a combination of bands that I was really interested in at the time, but each individual song has its own narrative that I tried to funnel those sounds into." , Quinn says. It is clear from the sound in June and the immediate shift of tone, tempo, rhythm and heart in the title track that he is purely out to enjoy himself. "Ron Miles, Marquis Hill, and Kurt Rosenwinkel were definitely high on my listening list, and I wanted to combine what I was hearing in their music with my own aesthetics to animate the 8 different scenes." says Quinn, about his thematic travel. Using this dramatic effect of splitting the tone and sounds, each track can extract the characteristic of these artists Quinn admires, with his signature delivery. The funky core of Cicada Songs is a massive juxtaposition from June or the cinematic flow of Remember the Birds. A new approach and style Quinn says "A lot of the diversity in soundscapes on this album comes from the instrumentation. This was the first album I've done with both a guitarist and a keyboardist and the first one where I've played both electric and acoustic bass." This is heard in the tonal shift between the tracks, where each controls the motor movement of the song itself. Take the relaxed flow of Porch Cat for example, it has notational character very different of that to the complex clockwork of What A Day. "Being able to switch between the two basses and various combinations of guitar, Rhodes, and piano gave us a lot of different textures to work with. It also helps to have a super creative and versatile drummer like Peter Varnado to give the songs a unique contour." It has vastly amplified the tempo that is mirrored and replicated on all the instruments, a jam harnessing cosmic energy. Weird World is now miles away from Quinn's current sound and mind. "I think as an instrumentalist and as a writer I'm more inclined to use the bass as a compositional tool than to try to do "cool things" on the bass. The first couple albums have a bunch of bass solos because I thought that was a necessary thing, but this time around I just wanted to play bass lines that supported the music. I'm trying to play solid parts now even in improvised contexts where the part can change rapidly." The approach and process have changed massively, which is where we see the maturity in sound from Quinn Sternberg. On composing and working When asked about the most complex song on the album that would have felt easy, Quinn said Remember the Birds. "Sometimes as a composer I spend so much time writing a piece and gaining an intimate understanding of it that by the time I bring it to the band I've forgotten that the rhythms and chords I wrote are super weird. This was a tune that I wasn't really worried about initially, but it's proved to be quite challenging to play live." I would suppose that would be the case for all of jazz, but hearing this track reminds you how masterful the genre is to understand and appreciate. Sinusoidal also asked what other plans Quinn Sternberg has with regards to collaborations and parallel projects. "I have a handful of projects that I've worked on recently as a sideman that I'm excited to see come to fruition. A couple of rock groups I play in, Mighty Brother and Ari Carter Trio, recorded albums the same month as the cicada session that will both be out before too long." "On the BAM/Jazz side of things I recorded a couple albums with the Doug Stone/Marcelo Pinto Quartet and Kirk Duplantis that I'm stoked for. There are a ton of amazing players that I'd love to collab with, but I'll be thrilled if I can keep working with the guys I'm currently playing with." You could hear the drama of Quinn Sternberg's playing with Cicada Songs while watching slow-burn drama unfold on Birdman or La La Land among others. So watch chaotic scenes unfold with us!
Yorige- Kalėdų Belaukiant
Yorige has a sensational way of inviting you into a scene. Their sound represents freedom, a dose of magic and the uncanny ability to transport you with their sound. Kalėdų Belaukiant is their latest single, once again opening a portal to a moment beyond time and space. Time to float on notes of chimes and bells to a promised land. How she gets her heavenly sound is a celestial connect. It takes tons of experience and fluidic chord changes for the arrangement that has come to fruition. The lack of percussion twirls the focus on the beautiful instrumentals and vocals, the dance that happens between them. The vocals almost phase between the foreground and background, being careful not to disrupt the ethereal flow of the track and the moment therein. It is a wonderful composition, and paints quite the picture. This is what I envisioned. It is a climb to the peak, a pinnacle that has been evasive. The scene begins with the beleaguered struggle of climbing a peak, trudging across snow. As the goal approaches within arms reach, the song begins, joy flushing the protagonist’s face. I imagine a film like Everest or even Eight Below capturing this song with the scenic beauty of the song and the exasperated desert that is populated with the warmth of this song. As we’re approaching the holiday season, I must remind you that the literal meaning of the song is Waiting for Christmas. I know this is less dramatic than what the word painting I made, however, Christmas movies have a predictable pattern. The drama in this beautiful song could never be captured in those films, do check out Motina by Yorige as well. This is one talented group who continues to craft exquisite music and inspire.
Thrillkiller-Dirty Diana
Delivering a cover of a classic can be risky business. That is if you’re not as suave as Thrillkiller. They are true Michael Jackson fans with the way they detail the sound. Creating the perfect sound environment, these guys have a promise in their songs not many artists can give. This is a cover of the MJ classic, Dirty Diana. The King of Pop would be proud is an understatement. They make a devilishly detailed intro to precise vocal output that has been furnished. The synth slowly soaks up the silence, while the vocals have pitch precision to another degree. The chorus is what will blow you away, the ethereal mix of guitar and synth bringing the house down. The vocals by Thrillkiller are crystal perfection here as well, not compromising on any eye for detail that MJ used to have in his songs. If you’re wondering whether these kids can bring in the atmosphere which the King could for his live shows, you better bet in their favour. Thrillkiller and their fusion of rock and synth creates a dreamy, explosive atmosphere that has an organic and fresh build. This is one song I would have loved to see as a cover, on This is It, the MJ documentary. I have been a long time fan and usually sigh at covers that try to bring in a “twist”. Here, the hats are tipped off in honour, without trying excessive stunts that might diminish the message and tone of the song. Catch their other tracks like San Francisco Moto and Passion Killer to bring home the kind of sound you can only dream of!
Breon S.Y.N.D.E.L-Double or Nothin
Breon S.Y.N.D.E.L and his fairytale life. After a tale of survival, Breon now has some of the realest, rawest interactions with hip-hop. Not only does he create an echoing, blissful environment to listen to the tracks, but each track is like a tracker for progress, a milestone. His newest single is that gamble with excess, called Double or Nothin. Let’s see how he dabbles with darkness. With lyrics like “Going off I put molly in my lean, Dozing off then I see the purple dreams”, he entrances us. His rendezvous with his vices have left him intoxicated for more, and he details his tales of experimentation. As the chorus brings the scarce reality of his world, he knows his words invite you into this universe. The echoing background is just another step of the way, as you slowly soak in the sound he also imbibes. The synth play in the distance makes for a decent canvas for Breon S.Y.N.D.E.L to go at it with lyrical ingenuity. His brushes with the end is something that he reminds himself of, and he is grateful for his existence. We are too, with the kind of contribution he gives to hip-hop. I would love to hear this track featured for Gata in the series Dave. Not only is Breon S.Y.N.D.E.L someone who would fit the narrative, but his lyrics have a tie in with reality. Check out his album B4 and singles like Aquarius to really get to feel his bold lyrical plume. Check out and vibe to this single!
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!
Harshini Magesh-Seven
Harshini Magesh is a star who will find her own way. Her style is uniform, and comes from a number of instances and inspirations. Though she is inspired by K-Pop and hip-hop, her songs bring in her own take and method. This is her latest single, Seven. Maybe some numbers have a spiritual link. Harshini Magesh talks about waking up at seven and going about her day. It wouldn't be a singer's life if it didn't have a twist. Using a classy pop beat, her lyricism folds and weaves through this to form her verse sections. It is a brilliant, fun way of going about a song and really focusing on what your lyrics mean. There is a levity to her writing, and her sound is engineered to her pitch, making the song that much more appealing. She gives breaks in the instrumentals for her vocals to have the spotlight. The chorus section sees Harshini Magesh have a multi-layered harmonic section. It is inspiring, and a peek into the life of an artist. There is a draw between hip-hop verses and her lyrics, rhymes and the divides you see in the phrasing. It is a sweet and simple single that you want to loop for the day. Her other singles include Carnatic reincarnations, tracks reimagined as an artist inspired. The dynamism in her voice and vocal range allows her to rely on melodic transfusions and the resultant audio miracle. The newest single Seven is a biographical take, something we would love to see in a cinematic reinterpretation of her life. Enjoy watching a new star rise with her single!
Alec Berlin-Patchen Avenue
Alec Berlin can personify any place with sound. He has done it with his unique, vocal like approach to compositions. Each song has a different tonality and aspect of musicality to it. This is the title track from his popular EP, Patchen Avenue. Another guitarist who has this unique ability is Eric Johnson. Each of his songs actually sound like the music he makes, Alec Berlin has the same soul to his music. With a bluesy ring to his guitar, Alec makes a tantalizing composition that has a light marching percussive quality to it. Around this, he makes a simple, ringing chord change. There are some strong alternates to the lead, bringing you down different parts of the lane in Patchen Avenue. It is like he has a direct wiring to the place and completes the soul search with this booming sound. The soaring, joyful sound is accented by the wailing guitar sounds in the far background. The exceptional production work allows every part of Alec Berlin and his guitar voicing to be heard and understood. This is where he excels in his sound and performing capability, bringing the house down with arrangements that stick in people’s mind forever. Another listen, another playlist. This sound would have been a perfect interlude piece in Boyhood, or even in one of my favourites, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. It is as fun as it is deep, almost a sketch of the lane and the happenings. Alec’s sound is something that is enviable, and has grown to be more unique and signature to his sound. We expect to keep hearing exceptional compositions from him. Till then, follow and listen to his brilliant compositions here!
The Williams Brothers Band-Queen of the Honky Tonk
The Williams Brothers Band really needs no introduction. They’ve been spreading blues, rock and country joy ever since, and even before they formed. Positioning themselves as a stellar live band, their music is full of soul, emotion and references. This is their 2018 single, Queen of the Honky Tonk. Slide guitar, drawling vocals and a warm, familiar saloon setting are the atmosphere of this song. Not only does the track set itself to a comfortable tempo, it has some great slide guitar work to focus on while listening. The audio is especially great with this kind of visual, a dusty pub where eyes fall on a beautiful damsel. The tones of each of the guitars is easily heard and understood, mastered with purpose. It brings a smooth setting of country vibes, while the blues attack is felt as well. After the George Jones reference, we go into a cool solo that kicks the spice up in this track by more than a notch. Spotlight shining, the song has dynamic edges that aren’t familiar with every band. These extremes come from experience-and the brawl in the pub withstanding. You could picture this in Crazy Heart, Urban Cowboy or any scene with a true, American country pub featured in it. Not only is the narrative interesting to hear, it is essential to hear the attention to detail and sound with this kind of music. The Williams Brothers Band has kept up since then, releasing Outlaw Country and Keep Us Fed. We’re sure they’ll be back for more bluesy, country goodness, so make sure you subscribe!
AnnaBella-Liar, Liar
AnnaBella is a duo you won’t find very often. A songwriter duo of a vintage doll, Anna and the singer/performer Bella, who have a symbiotic relationship in music. The doll writes, the singer performs. This results in a volatile combination of hard rock and voluminous guitar sounds. This is the latest single from this duo, Liar, Liar. There is more than a hint of contempt from AnnaBella. The truth can be evaded, but only for so long. They wait for judgement day, with hands clasped in joy. This is a rock song that brings slowly burns into the chorus, and is a rocking one. The chords strike hard and relinquish, trying every effect to bring in the drama for the lyrical push. The verse section has some simple, luring electric guitar groove. The drums help in leading the track to the punch of the chorus, the bridge almost reminiscent of a choir. The hook is in the chorus, brimming with the energy necessary to power the track through. The production allows the kick to be felt, not only heard. I would definitely chart this for the biography for AnnaBella. This is an interesting tale that would have an intriguing story, and the scene almost looks too perfect. As the guilty is traced, you see these masterminds cackling with joy. You can hear this intense combo in their other singles like Homewrecker & Replaced. They are just getting started, and we can’t wait to see where they go. Till then enjoy their single and watch your back!
BLOODCAT-catcall$ 4 (director's cut)
Someone like BLOODCAT needs it to be just about the music. The image behind it can be a blur, an enigma. Any image you see of this artist doesn’t show their face, and that's their capacity as an artist. Let's talk about the music, like they would want us to. This is their album, catcall$ 4 (director’s cut). You need to see their growth as a prolific rapper in this year alone. BLOODCAT has released a constant barrage of albums this year, this being a director’s cut version after the deluxe. Their music has always encouraged thought and dialogue, and they don't shy away from ideas. The first single is charcuterie, laying bars over a distorted synth sound. This is a proper club track, but pay attention to the lyrics, and you’ll know what they're talking about. This selection of meats on the boards are deep cuts from their own life, experiences and how they've dealt with them. The groove is deep and executed with confidence. In reason and rhyme The vocals are on highlight with picture purrfect. The brilliance is the back and forth between the vocals and the hip-hop bars. The minimal instrumentals showcase the verses, creating the dissonant reality between the chorus and how it organically builds. As you’re amplified to this moment, vip creates the pedestal on which BLOODCAT has been placed. It deals with the importance and dialogue of being in the spotlight, and the oddities surrounding it, with resolve and finesse. A song like bonsai helps break from the mould as this artist would be placed. It has a reverberating soul to it, the rhyme scheme and attack is different. Though BLOODCAT is adept at navigating pathways of any hip-hop style, their lines are straight and edgy. With this song, they get comfortable and fold with the groove. Bankzy is quicker, working on the dynamism of the background, and the bank they make. There’s a reason raps like this are constantly featured on playlists, this rapper wants only their rap to speak the volumes they need. Two-step pussy brings a different rhythm section to a trap dream. It has an electrifying energy to it, something that you’d like to vibe to. The premise is zealous and exciting, teaching the sound to form around the artist as well. Titrate to the tune Funnel cake has a choir soul to it, in more ways than one. The core is modulating, but tears a hole in the expected aural tone. The verses bite into experiences one by one, and draws parallels that teach from it. In some ways, it is Lamar’s approach to how he raps, everything threaded to the attachment in the tangible world. Starface and 7up use some cool rhythm formed through BLOODCAT and their recording style. The use of pauses and changes in rhyme schemes make this song organic and original, never receding to the plainness of mediocrity. The songs in this cut are perfect for BLOODCAT’s own biography, a film that would be peppered with interesting and exciting happenings. It is something I’d love to see, even though parallels can be drawn from Creed & Champs. You can follow this artist for a steady stream of music on Spotify. Demon Slayer! and picture purrfect remain favourites, though you should listen for the story. Listen to their music and be sure to follow for more!