Come on! Been following Lexa Gates' journey since 2018 and over that time, she's dropped several projects; just getting better and better. I believe this is the first single for an upcoming project, which given how hard she's worked isn't surprising, but what's different this time is that Gates has been receiving a bit more attention, getting posted and showcased on Rap and On The Radar respectively among other publications as well.

On this track, Gates sounds more comfortable than ever ... read more

Been a fan of Fish Hunt ever since I randomly stumbled upon "Staying Small" when searching bandcamp for King Krule covers.

I loved their debut album with tracks like Bird Song and Mother's Humour being my favourites, and kept track of their later releases, as I felt that Lucy Mondello had some real potential.

So when Fish Hunt dropped a compliation tape to fundraise for a new project, safe to say I was very excited. Cut to the eventual release of this record, and I feel overall ... read more

Dove is a Pigeon is the debut album of New York/Atlanta based band, Whirlybird.

The group consists of one Avery Milner who serves as lyricist, vocalist and plays guitar, as well as Matthew Hare on bass and PJ McFarlane who is (primarily) on lead guitar.

On this LP, Milner and the group work with long-time collaborator, Matt Mattson of Pendulum Studios, who takes charge of production, engineering and mixing. Finally, this record was mastered by Greg Hendler of Meadowlark Audioworks.

I first ... read more

This "finished" demo track was uploaded to Mimi Bay's official Youtube and Soundcloud pages the other day (at the time of writing) and I think it might well be one of my favourite of hers. The soft piano paired with Bay's fantastic voice works wonders. I feel an almost Sufjan Stevens influence on this track - which is not at all a bad thing in my opinion! Finally, I think the glitchy warping synth elements toward the back end of the track give the progression a nice sense of lift from ... read more

I have been really excited for this project, ever since it was first mentioned all the way back in 2019/2020.

Over the last few years, it has been relatively quiet on Caska’s front regarding their musical output; a couple demos here and there but otherwise not so much.

In 2020 there was “WHACK” - a more classically hip-hop styled track complete with chipmunk vocals and a real sense of Spaß (to appropriate a Brechtian term) in both Caska’s vocal delivery and ... read more

This Harry Teardrop track has been on repeat since it's initial drop last year - I've been eagerly anticipating this since a live snippet was showcased in a youtube video on Teardrops' official account. In terms of sound, this is a true blue alternative rock song, complete with searing riffs, pounding drums and wonderful sense of attitude in Teardrop's vocal performance. I should note that, despite this track landing squarely within the Alternative genre, there's an interesting moment in the ... read more

I'm liking this new cut from Caska's upcoming album, the instrumental is an interesting, swirling blend of Alternative Electronic/Hip-hop music and has this beautiful sense of lightness to it. I felt a slight Björk influence as well, specifically from the song "It's Not Up To You" in its thumping kick and similarly delicate instrumental. Lyrically, this track centres around the theme of growing up and becoming one's true self and sees Caska reminisce about their past. I ... read more

Ever since my first listen all the way back in the summer of 2019, this mixtape by New York based artist Carmen Caska has struck me as really special. I loved the cohesive structure and the way in which the lyricism shifts between light and dark in terms of mood. There's a palpable sense of internal struggle on this mixtape, with tracks like "That's All She Wrote" and "You'd Hate Me If You Knew What I Was" deftly exploring this experience - with a particularly evocative ... read more

Really loved this project, it's a powerful excercise in simplicity with Archy Marshall, his guitar and the surrounding environment being the main components. I was enthralled by the analog recordings, which give the film a wonderful dated feel - as if this came straight off the back of an unmarked VHS tape from the distant past, perhaps owned by an old friend or aging family member.

A particular highlight for me was Alone Omen 3, which features a wonderful line in "The ache and thunder ... read more

I enjoyed this one and am looking forward to hearing it within the context of the album as a whole.

I loved this double single.

“Riches” is a peppy jazz inspired work that explores Miso’s ambitions and approach to her career. The production on this one (on both tracks, to be honest) is very clean, with the keys and drums being a real highlight, and in terms of structure, there is a killer post-chorus. I particularly enjoyed hearing Miso’s voice in a lower, more conversational register towards the back end of the track.

“Where Did I go” is slower paced ... read more

Personally, the biggest draw for me when it comes to Mimi’s work has always been her voice, which has a clarity and smoothness to it that simply makes for a treat to listen to, and she does not disappoint on “far from home”.

Instrumentally, this project is very palatable with a strong dream/bedroom pop influence. On tracks like “no doubt” the song structure is tight, and the melodies catchy- what more can you ask?

This said, the EP could still perhaps have ... read more