Author: Marcus Adetola

Gabzy’s latest single, X, is a refreshing take on the classic breakup song. Blending the soulful sounds of 2000s R&B and Afrobeats, the track exudes confidence and swagger while acknowledging the vulnerability of heartbreak. Produced by Nigerian Grammy award-winning producer Dera, the mid-tempo melody serves as the perfect backdrop for Gabzy’s introspective lyrics. His soulful vocals glide over guitar strums, understated synths, and a gentle beat, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that transports listeners back to the golden age of R&B. While X begins as a contemplative reflection on a past relationship, it quickly transforms into a celebration of self-worth and empowerment. The…

Change, that relentless force shaping our lives, often leaves us adrift. But Swedish singer-songwriter Francis Moon confronts this truth head-on in his resplendent indie pop offering, In The Garden. With haunting melancholy, Moon’s lyrics trace the fissures that emerge as connections evolve and intimacies drift. This isn’t a trite rumination on love’s fragility; it’s an unflinching exploration of the perseverance required to nurture profound bonds. The lush, immersive production cocoons listeners in a verdant sonic landscape. Glorious synths bloom like exotic flora, intertwining with Francis Moon’s evocative vocals. In The Garden, the tendrils of melancholy take root gradually, deceptive in their delicacy.…

On She’s Not Good For Me, singer-songwriter Luna Keller opens up about her personal battle with depression in a powerfully candid way. The eighth chapter of her upcoming concept album Ocean Inside Of Me, the song strips away any pretence with its stark, confessional lyrics and understated folk production. Over delicately plucked acoustic guitar lines, Luna Keller’s smoky vocals have an almost whisper-like intimacy as she personifies her inner darkness as a toxic relationship. “She’s been swallowing my eyes; now all I see is darkness,” she laments with raw honesty. There’s no romanticising or sugarcoating as Luna Keller confronts her demons head-on. The subdued…

In the tumultuous terrain of the psyche, where thoughts contort and emotions collide like tempestuous clouds, the quest for serenity often seems an elusive pursuit. Amidst these episodes of internal strife, Leyya’s Ease My Mind arises as a melodic haven inviting listeners to a realm of reflection and comfort. The Austrian duo Leyya, comprising the inventive Sophie Lindinger and Marco Kleebaue, are adept at weaving music that penetrates the depths of the human condition. Their latest offering, Ease My Mind, is a prime example, presenting an unvarnished odyssey through the mind that forgoes trite platitudes for a resonant auditory encounter. Far from…

As the summer of 2024 unfolds, Cain Kerner’s Control continues to provide a refreshing sonic oasis, over a year after its initial release. With the track, the Philadelphia artist crafted a lush and intimate soundscape that fuses different genres effectively, inviting listeners on a captivating auditory voyage tinged with nostalgic, summery hues. The instrumentation is a masterful fusion of electronic and organic elements, perfectly suited for those hazy summer nights. Atmospheric synthesisers create an enveloping backdrop, while pulsating electronic drums provide a driving rhythm section. But it’s the textural guitar riffs that truly elevate the sonic tapestry, adding grit and…

The gentle, melodic instrumentation of Mbenda instantly envelops you in a mesmerising, dream-like haze, transporting your senses to a place of serene tranquilly. The lush synths and hypnotic beats lure you deeper into this aural oasis crafted by the masterful hands of Cameroonian singer-songwriter Blick Bassy and French-Cameroonian artist Yamé. As Bassy’s rich, velvety vocals caress you in his native Bassa tongue, cultural boundaries dissolve, and genres intertwine like lovers in a passionate embrace. His traditional African rhythms seamlessly meld with contemporary alternative and indie folk sensibilities, creating a sonic landscape that is both hauntingly familiar and excitingly uncharted. Yamé’s ethereal presence…

Tess Clare’s Never Be a Boy takes us on a spellbinding journey through the tangled web of adolescent emotions and awakenings. With soulful, earthy vocals, she invites us to walk a mile in her teenage shoes, immersing us in those awkward yet poignant rites of passage. Her vivid lyricism conjures up the seemingly innocuous rituals of youth, like exchanging secrets at sleepovers, getting ready together in the closet sanctuary, and joking about running away. Yet Tess Clare infuses these ordinary moments with an undercurrent of longing and confusion that resonates with stark relatability. We’ve all been there, crushed by the weight…

The curtain call has arrived for Matt McKnzi’s Ghost Stories chapter, but he ensures the farewell is far from forgettable. Thank You stands as the epilogue track, yet it pierces with a profundity that elevates it far beyond mere closing remarks. Matt’s soulful croon unveils an intimate retrospection, unravelling life’s intricacies through a cathartic musical embrace. Melancholic tones pervade the instrumental tapestry, their melancholic hues casting a pensive ambiance. Yet, within this introspective realm, Matt McKnzi’s vocals radiate a warmth akin to the gentle glow of a hearth. His words ebb and flow with a gratefulness that defies the sombre…

“Swim in my tears because you built the pool.” With those hauntingly visceral words, Amelie Lucille lays bare the core anguish pulsing through her latest single, Pool. It’s a searing indictment of emotional manipulation, a defiant howl against the sort of toxic relationship that leaves one partner swimming in the teardrops of their own despair. Yet, far from wallowing in melancholy, Pool emerges as a primal scream of catharsis, an exorcism of past demons delivered with Lucille’s signature blend of raw vulnerability and steely resolve. Her voice, rich and emotive, imbues even the most lacerating lyrics with a peculiar beauty,…

Get ready for a sonic assault that’ll leave your senses reeling and your body moving! Warning! by Kel-P, featuring Blaqbonez, is a dizzying whirlwind of Afrobeats and rap, a sonic tornado that’ll sweep you off your feet and into a realm of introspective euphoria. This Grammy-winning super producer and Afrobeats titan has joined forces with Nigerian rap star Blaqbonez, and the result is an electrifying fusion of genres that defies convention. The track’s mid-tempo groove is a delicious melange of traditional African percussion, pulsating electronic beats, and melodic synths that coalesce into an irresistible danceable backdrop. Kel-P’s vocals glide smoothly…