DISCOVERING THE NEW MUSIC UNDERGROUND AROUND THE GLOBE
Pop/Review Rehya Stevens - Be My Baby By Christmas Night
Rehya Stevens is not only a gifted and highly praised singer-songwriter; she's also an insightful observer when it comes to a vast spectrum of human emotions. Granted, it’s a rare artist who can fully plough through the tangled web of feelings and experiences encountered during the often confounding journey that encompasses life’s entirety, but Rehya has been given the gift of not only perception but also sensitivity, and with that, the ability to make music that is readily relatable to everyone fortunate enough to find it.
Pop/Review Bryanna Rain - Petrichor
Bryanna Rain is an author and vocalist based out of Richmond, VA. She’s been recording tracks for well over a decade, releasing her first solo EP at age 13 as well as publishing a picture book under the Tik A Tok imprint based out of New York. She’s a graduate of Virginia Tech, passionate about animals, and role playing video games-so much so that it became an inspiration for her debut album. Her first single, “Blaming Eternia” on the Exquisite Noise Label was released in June 2021.
Folk/Review Brothers Ivan - Ukrainian Folk Music, Vol. VIII: Glory to the Heroes
Brothers Ivan hope you enjoy this collection of ethnic Ukrainian folk songs arranged by Peter [Ukr. Petro] Ivanovich Sahaidachny. The album is dedicated to his father, Ivan Sahaidachny, and his mother, Anastasia Sahaidachny. Ivan was born in 1924 and died in 1989. Anastasia, who passed away in late 2012 in Peru, Indiana, can be heard singing with her sons Nicholas & Peter on Volume I.
Rock/Review The Project - Best Days
The debut album from The Project is the brainchild of the California rock scene’s own James Davis, who originally made waves in the 00s with his previous band Shameless as lead guitarist. The band won Best Hard Rock Band at the Southern California Music Awards in 2006, Best Hard Rock Band at Rock City News in 2005 and 2006, and Best Metal Band at the Inland Empire Music Awards in 2006.
Worldwide/Review MVI (Mark Vickness Interconnected) - In the Rain Shadow
MVI (Mark Vickness Interconnected) is Mads Tolling, violin; Matt Renzi, oboe/English horn/sax; Joseph Hebert, cello; Dan Feiszli, bass; Ty Burhoe, tabla; MB Gordy, percussion; and Mark Vickness, guitar. As a composer, this is Mark Vickness's dream ensemble. Each musician is an accomplished soloist, adept at many different types of music. They all bring an astounding breadth and depth of musical understanding and experience.
Pop/Review Shaun Scratchley - 303
"303" by Shaun Scratchley is a captivating fusion of rock and pop elements, showcasing the artist's versatility and musical prowess. From the outset, the track draws listeners in with its infectious energy and dynamic arrangement. The combination of rock and pop influences is evident in the spirited guitar riffs, driving percussion, and melodic hooks that permeate the song.
Pop/Review JSDavani - FTCHRS
Jacoby Davani (JSDAVANI) is a multi-media artist and multi-instrumentalist who specializes in experimental arts and music. With this criterion, he's free to pull inspiration from a variety of influences, mediums, and genres. He has over a decade of experience developing multi-media/sensory performances, projecting manipulated experimental films on top of music that often explored ambient soundscapes, harsh abrasive noise, avant-garde tunes, apocalyptic folk music, and sound collages-composed of found sounds/field recordings, and circuit-bent children's toys.
Country/Review Dax - To Be A Man ft. Darius Rucker
Dax is a rising artist who is currently making something from absolutely nothing.
Cinematic/Review Leonardo Barilaro - Chrysalis
Dr. Leonardo Barilaro is a pianist, composer, and aerospace engineer. And he will play the first piano concert on Mars. His compositions can be described as Contemporary Space Music, where he merges piano solo, prepared piano, synths, and embedded a wide range of experiments. Born in Venice, Italy, Leonardo Barilaro discovers the piano at the age of 6 and astronomy at 9.
Pop/Review Takar Nabam - Empty Whiskey Bottle
Takar Nabam is an Indian singer-songwriter who infuses mellow alt-rock references with hints of Himalayan folk and the music of North East India to create a soulful concoction of liberating World Music grooves, ethno-jazz riffs, and dreamy vocals. From India’s Arunachal Pradesh region bordering Tibet, Takar’s music embodies the truth that it’s the journey that matters, and not where it should eventually lead to.
Pop/Review Liam J. Edwards - Unnecessarily Complicated: The Epilogue
Liam J. Edwards dedication to both music and LGBTQ+ advocacy is evident through their contributions to Sgeti Records' limited edition cassette and their feature in QX Magazine. Their journey in music began with the release of their debut EP, 'Unnecessarily Complicated: The Prologue,' in December 2021, which has garnered over 36,000 streams on Spotify to date.
Pop/Review Binoy - BoysBoysBoys
Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Binoy is a singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer with an affinity for cinematic pop music. Growing up in this location allowed Binoy to be exposed to various musical perspectives and cultures that are often ignored in Western music. Shaped by idols including Taylor Swift, Fleetwood Mac, and Mika, Binoy uses his songwriting abilities to authentically represent his experiences and feelings as a queer person of color.
Rock/Review Al Mitchell & The New Born Sinners - Georgia
As is typical for the introverted, Al Mitchell learned to be resourceful, honing his craft as both a songwriter and producer within the confines of his own four walls for the better part of a decade. In his latest incarnation, Al Mitchell & The New Born Sinners strike a perfect marriage between his past and future musical directions, blending dirty guitars with beautiful synthesisers and a passion for live drum sounds.
Rock/Review My Glass World - Citizen of Nowhere
British duo My Glass World deliver an eclectic meld of rock, pop, jazz and classical as they take listeners on their personal musical journey. Offering a catalogue of 6 albums to date, there’s a lot to listen to, and reflect on. My Glass World in its current incarnation has two members: Jamie Telford, and Sean Read. Both have worked together on three My Glass World Albums: Still Life with Machine Gun, Tree. Shadow. Piano. and a third album Assorted Marvels due for release in early 2024.
Rock/Review The Killing Tapes - Falling Down (RED)
The Killing Tapes was formed in 2020 by Marcus Crede (Kreatur and others) and Peter Svensson (Mary Celeste, Hello Heartland). The lyrics and demos were presented to Peter by Marcus in the fall of 2020, and they immediately began to work on the material together. Shortly into the writing process, they both realized that the songs were of such quality and importance that they began the writing and recording of the album Black.
R&B/Review Joe Lington - Focus
Joe Lington, a gifted R&B and soul artist hailing from the enchanting landscapes of Ireland, has been causing ripples in the music industry. His voyage into the realm of music began with the gentle guidance of Lisa Gold Gervais, where he immersed himself in vocal and piano lessons. This early training laid the foundation for his future musical endeavors.
R&B/Review Partyat4 - FWM
Partyat4's artistry allows him to effortlessly combine rap and classic R&B to establish his musical style and flow. This talent inevitably seeped into his bones at a young age, as he is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, native. A ground that is known for producing artists with natural finesse and cool character. His name, originating from a mixtape he spontaneously dropped years ago, speaks to all those who encouraged him to pursue music from the beginning.
Reggae/Review François Marius - Rasta Dance (Radio Edit)
François Marius is a Canadian Reggae Pop singer.
Pop/Review Toby TomTom - Black Swan
Toby TomTom is a self-contained artist from Akron, Ohio, now based in Long Island, NY. He composed, arranged, produced, and played all of the instruments on “Black Swan,” including flugelhorn, guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, percussion, and vocals. Toby's influences include Tupac, Marvin Gaye, Tower of Power, Prince, Miles Davis, George Harrison, Migos, Debussy, and John Denver.
Rock/Review The Ruby Tears - Learn To Fly
Born from the weirdness of the first COVID lockdown. To date, The Ruby Tears has been an entirely online collaboration between Manchester solo musician John Goodfellow and Liverpool guitarist and songwriter Jeff Skellon.