Author: Darrell Smith

‘It’s Just You’ is the latest track from London based duo Nancy, masterfully capturing a bleak and pained situation with sincere honesty. What began as a writing session, soon transformed into something powerful. Both artists were frustrated and disillusioned, but together something clicked. “We never intended to be a band, but the songs came so naturally and quickly. We instantly felt a special connection to the music and knew it had created a world of its own.” – Nancy As soon as the delicately recorded guitar and percussion open the song, the feeling of complete disillusionment is apparent with the…

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This track, highly inspired by works of the ’80s is a phenomenal addition to the new music already seen in the early days of this new decade. This is a dramatic track, charged with emotion and extreme musical prowess, the addition of a soaring guitar solo from Ludwig Göransson further adding fuel to this already raging bonfire. Salem Al Fakir and Vincent Pontare, otherwise known by their alter egos Vargas & Lagola, are certainly used to delivering spectacular music. The Swedish songwriters and producers have over 8 billion streams attached to their music and have written music for the likes…

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The latest uplifting single from London based Tom Speight is a refreshing escape, a majestic and exquisitely realised slice of acoustically driven pop. ‘Heartshaker’ is the fourth release from his upcoming album ‘Collide’, and he has been gaining much deserved support from Radio 2. This is yet another track which will be highly deserving of some serious Radio play. On the track, Tom quotes, “‘Heartshaker’ was written after travelling back from New York City. I was in a relationship at the time and it felt like everything was moving very fast for me and I was struggling to take it…

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As soon as the haunting lonesome guitar begins on ‘Weightless,’ the first track of Adam French’s new album it is apparent this is the beginning of something special. Adam French has done a masterful job of capturing a story. A story of eerie contemplation told using magnificent instrumentation and glorious production. Everything is kept to a bare minimum, but this works to the album’s advantage. Stunning vocals take the listener on a journey, of blissful backdrops and solitary locations, made even more clear with the way each song is constructed. Desolate sounding drums echo in the back of the mix,…

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As soon as his reverb and echo-filled voice starts singing, it is highly apparent Fil Bo Riva is on to something magical. Something special and transcendent. ‘L’impossibile’ is a fantastic return to form, very much in the same vein as the previous track I looked at, L’Over. The video for ‘L’impossibile’ is a beautifully shot piece, with the qualities of a home video. This somehow manages to beautifully capture the raw and emotionally charged song, giving it depth and displays the longing and desperation of his voice. Atmospheric and deep, it showcases a story in grainy solitary fashion, bringing to…

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With wistfully enticing guitars enveloping the aural spectacle of this beautiful track, London based Jolé has succeeded to produce something magical and intoxicating. It holds a simple and brutal honesty, in the same fashion as my favourite EP of last year, “Purple Road” by Fergus. This song has a certain character about it. A fluidity, and whilst being ephemeral, and leaving the listener yearning for more, it only makes the track more mystical. The seductive style of guitar playing adds so much to this beautiful song, both intricate and simple at the same time, and intrinsic to the lyrics and…

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Well my friends, its almost here. The end of 2018 is almost upon us, and what a year it’s been. It has been a hell of a year for new music, with some genuinely fantastic releases. Some were very surprising and have managed to stick with me. These are the albums and EPs that are going to be making this list. These are the albums that are truly worthy and deserving of being part of my 2018 playlist. So Let us begin my top 8 albums and EPs of the year. Why eight? Because I like to be different. 8.…

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It feels apt, as the end of 2018 dawns upon us that a track concerning change should surface. Perhaps it is the perfect moment for such a song. Fabian Luttenberger’s latest track, “Kouyou,” blends aesthetically pleasing synths with sheer and crisp drum loops to deliver a strangely affirming song, while also managing to be full of dubious overtones with the looping vocals. Perhaps this is one of its greatest and most vivid strengths, bringing to the forefront an encapsulating and mesmerising commentary on change. In this case, the transformation of a relationship, while the surroundings stay the same somehow. Whilst…

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As soon as the dirty distorted guitars opened this track, I knew I was going to enjoy it. The latest single “L’Over” from Fil Bo Riva is a mesmerising and layered offering, which beautifully captures that feeling you get in the pit of your stomach. That feeling that envelopes you and doesn’t let go. “I think the song is trying to celebrate this weird twist of feelings” Fil Bo Riva summarised. “It’s pretty much a homage to the little ups and downs that come with every liaison, a song inspired by that incredibly strange feeling that we call jealousy.” The…

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In this day and age, with the mass of new music accessible to the general public via streaming and YouTube, it is sometimes arduous to gain the steady footing to ensure, as a musical artist, your work is seen and heard. It is also just as perplexing for the general music lover to know what is worth checking out and worth investing some time to absorb the music currently available. It is no surprise really when more prominent artists gain much more of the publicity. Be that on the radio, TV or in black and white in magazines and newspapers.…

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