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Salem's Psychedelic Atmosphere
Salem
Salem by MATT TARKA is an evocative and genre-fluid listening experience, capturing the ease of indie rock while exploring the psychedelic influences of artists like The Velvet Underground. Standing on the shoulders of musical giants, they still put their own spin on the tonal palette. The acoustic guitar feels like a guiding light, defining the sound while also introducing us to a rhythmic component. It lays the foundation for the track and allows the other melodic aspects t
Sinking/Floating
Sinking/Floating MAIJAH is an alternative pop power pairing that works like strawberries and cream, delving into the duality of the human experience. As we go through change there are these moments of extreme highs and lows and sometimes the only difference between these states is the way we feel, as opposed to anything external. The nice thing about the poetic way the tracks are written is that they become deeply personal to MAIJAH while also being universal to many people’s
New Music Spotlight
deluge's Simplicity is What Makes It so Special.
Deluge by JAMES KING is a raw and honest acoustic indie folk track that stands out because of its directness. It utilises an acoustic guitar, piano, and layers of vocals. Deluge's building blocks are simple and easy to understand as a listener, which makes the impact of the piece emotionally resonant. It shows King’s maturity as a producer that he maintained that purity throughout the song. Sponsored The guitar in this track feels like the guiding light, the consistent throu
2 min read
Mountains of the Moon is the Definition of Genre Bending
Mountains of the Moon by CASSAVA GROOVE TEMPLE is an eclectic, exciting, and charming mix of electronic music, afro beats, and elements of jazz. It swerves in different directions from track to track but never feels out of place or disconnected from the tonal thread uniting the EP. Part of what makes the Mountains of the Moon so impressive is its diversity. I feel like this EP enjoys defying my expectations track after track. The creators describe this project as something “
2 min read
Papo de Profissional is full of Vintage Hip-Hop Bangers
Papo de Profissional by SAAD.BEAT is a Lofi hip-hop collection of tracks, taking inspiration from nostalgic rap that a generation grew up on. With excellent use of samples throughout, especially on tracks like Repressão Policial, this EP stands out amongst contemporaries in its genre. Its smooth and confident production is matched by comfortable and charismatic vocals that range from laid-back and reflective to emphatic, aggressive, and passionate. Sponsored Tracks like Pla
2 min read
The Crime of Silence Is Full of Emotional Twists and Turns
The Crime of Silence by AMARU is an inspirational album tackling personal yet universal themes in a pop-funk package that is fun to listen to, even when dealing with these heavy and complex topics. This direction gives you a vulnerable perspective on AMARU’s experience of moving to Europe from South America, documenting the emotions associated with such a huge life change. Sponsored The first track, Help a Brotha Out, has this unique and uneasy mix of a playful, buoyant beat
2 min read
Sun Song is Pure Escapism
Sun Song by Monotronic taps into a sense of escapism in a way that feels lighthearted and emotionally connected at the same time. Many people can relate to the feeling of life speeding up. Hence, this fantasy of escape from responsibilities and doubt into freedom feels more relevant than ever. Sponsored The vocal performance was the first thing that stood out to me. While often the delivery of these nostalgic breezy tracks utilises a higher register vocal to match the optim
2 min read
Goodbye Cody Scarp Effortlessly Balances Americana and Alternative Indie
Goodbye Cody Scarp by ONCE GREAT ESTATE is an alt-country album with a beautiful, emotional ebb and flow that's connected to its Americana and Folk roots while feeling modern and flexible enough to innovate with an alternative edge. This mix of old and new, along with the vocalist's ease and charisma, sold me on this project. Sponsored The first few tracks, Ghosts, Heart Shaped Cloud, and Goodbye Cody Scarp, feel like introductory tracks, setting the tone for the rest of th
2 min read
Mermaid Cafe is the perfect sun-bleached indie heartache anthem.
Mermaid Cafe by Douglas Savage is an Indie Folk Soft Rock track infused with the sleepy British seaside town and all the charm that comes with it. I’m sure people can relate to exploring these quiet, peaceful towns and fantasising about a different pace of life, wondering what it is like to live there. Savage has tapped into that curiosity and painted a vivid picture of flourishing love within “a dried-up old fishing town.” Sponsored There is a sense of directness communic
2 min read
Eyes of The Dragon uses absence as an instrument.
Eyes of The Dragon by Nolo Grace is a psychedelic pop anthem about expanding beyond the limitations of our physical self and finding the true potential within ourselves as humans. With such a complex concept to deliver, it becomes a challenge not to make the song feel too heady - disconnected from its melody and verbose. Eyes of The Dragon does an excellent job of communicating its complex themes while not overcomplicating its lyrics or feeling at odds with its melody. Alth
2 min read
The Vocals on Sparkler Hair Blew Me Away
Apparently it’s trippy week here on MusicTaste. I’m here to chase the dragon and show you another great psychedelic track that should be on your radar. Sparkler Hair by Marginalia is an energetic and avant-garde electronic pop composition that doesn’t shy away from its authentic sound, with an intoxicating mix of bouncy rhythm and vocal distortion. Sponsored The vocals are made up of two voices distorted in a way that combines the highs and lows of each of their voices, cre
2 min read
Remnants is a Euphoric Trip
Remnants by The Neuromaniacs is an avant-garde instrumental piece that feels like a trip from beginning to end. Distancing themselves from their previous darker material, The Neuromaniacs tap into a euphoric high with this track, utilising a shiny synth to guide you through the composition from beginning to end. This element feels like it leads the composition from the front, directing the melody and evolutions of the track's timbre. Sponsored The synth has an emotional so
2 min read
Sleazy Street Is a Guttural Reaction to Modern British Politics
With the next UK general election fast approaching, people are looking back at how the conservatives have done since they became the primary governing body in the UK in 2010. Sleazy Street by Bladderwrack taps into the palpable frustration people in the UK feel about how poorly managed their country is. "Managed Decline" has been the status quo for a long time in UK politics however, this last decade and a bit will go down in history as the point where we gave up on the "man
2 min read
Cloud Chaser Review
Cloud Chaser is an enigmatic and mysterious bedroom pop collection that uses poetic metaphor to explore the complexities of relationships. Throughout the EP, Wayne Wei exhibits the darkness and hope of love. It feels expressive without attempting to understand or make sense of the emotion. Sponsored In the first track, Cloud Chaser, Wei leans heavily into the mystery of the EP with a smokey and subtle vocal style and distorted guitars. Together, they create a dark and sordid
2 min read
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