Category Archives: Experimental

Exclusive Artist Review: Equal Frequencies – “Karma” Album/LP

Posted in Album, Alternative, Careers, EDM, Electronic, Experimental, Fusion, Hip Hop, Indie, Instrumental, Jazz, Music Review, Pop, Rap, Rock, Soundtrack by

Hailing from Huddersfield in the landscapes of the UK, husband and wife duo Equal Frequencies have been hitting the ground running in the music realm for over 20 years and have collaborated on countless bands and projects. With the success and critical acclaim of their previous two albums, their third effort ‘Karma’ is easily their best yet and really showcases the duo’s musicianship factors and versatile artistic merit.

Known for their controversial lyrics, progressive Indie/Jazz signature sound and atmospheric song structures, Equal Frequencies have put together a record that is multifaceted, multi layered and hypnotically ambient with their tasteful blend of electronically infused Pop, Indie, World Fusion and Hip Hop elements. Comprised of eleven powerful and wholesome tracks, this soundtrack-worthy effort has a plethora of soundscapes that truly stand out among today’s contemporary artists from a similar calibre. Opening title track “Karma” is very rhythmic and really sets the tone for the rest of the album’s duration in a way that is cohesive and effective. You can immediately hear the melodic coherence emanating from each lead instrument while the climactic buildup throughout the measures are cleverly executed and finely tuned. It’s a solid strong first impression that will garner your undivided attention. Follow-up song “Is This How You Want It To Be” captures the same ambience and atmosphere but introduces the melody-driven vocals and crafty lyrics with a more progressive guitar progression. This track really showcases the duo’s production value very effectively and really brings the songwriting factors to the forefront. The vocals are intelligent, intellectual and thought provoking, giving the listener a more visceral listening experience and message that perfectly parallels the melodic measures throughout the song’s duration.

Another notable track on this record is “Dystopia”, another rhythmically progressive song that showcases strong vocal melodies and guitar leads. The more driven tempo really carries the rhythm section on every measure and enhances all the melodic leads in all the right places. The pacing is more carefully written and you can hear the attentiveness to detail is made very apparent. And lastly, closing track “Land Of My Dreams” is very anthemic and brilliantly blends cohesive elements of progressive Hip Hop and Indie Jazz with a Pop sensibility. The piano landscape is beautifully written and really sustains the atmospheric aura that this album passionately displays. The dynamic Hip Hop tempo blends with the melodic layers and this song in particular really showcases Equal Frequencies from several angles. It balances originality and familiarity quite strongly and doesn’t outdo itself in any way. It goes out on a high note and closes out the album with a signature touch that’ll have you doing a deep dive into the Equal Frequencies discography.

‘Karma’ is well ahead of its time and really grabs your attention both musically and lyrically. Both musicians contribute almost intimidatingly strong musicianship factors and the overall production value is something far above the industry standard for an indie release. It’s an intelligent record that’ll make it quite difficult to pick a favorite song from. The album released on June 26th and is currently available on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes and several other digital music streaming platforms. We can’t recommend this one highly enough.

Connect/Listen:

•Twitter: https://WWW.TWITTER.COM/EQUALFREQS
•Album Link: https://www.junodownload.com/products/equal-frequencies-karma/5158348-02/

© Artist Reach, LLC | ASCAP | All Rights Reserved

Exclusive Artist Review: Sarah Rae – “Poison Ivy” Single

Posted in Alternative, Careers, Electronic, Emo, Experimental, Indie, Music Review, Pop, Press Release, Rock, Single by

Atlanta-based starlet Sarah Rae is no stranger to the world of music. She’s been mastering her craft since the age of 8 and holds a Bachelor of the Arts in Literature & Music Theory. Known Fowler her very atmospheric and ambient vocal style, Sarah Rae captures the essence of beauty and the art of falling in love with her newest single “Poison Ivy”.

Encompassing a realm of passion and the solace of sensuality, Sarah Rae’s beautiful overtones are made present at the forefront from the very beginning. Combining a cleverly multi layered songwriting structure with an Alt/Indie-Pop sensibility, Sarah utilizes her vocal breaths with long ambient swells and punctually atmospheric textures that hone in on a mid-to-high range melody that soothes the appetite for feel-good energy and passionate projection. The rhythmic tempo is wrapped around a single-picking guitar melody that parallels the vocals in a way that is instrumental and experimental. Both leads compliment each other equally and the effectively placed emotion is targeted at the core of the song and really drives home the originality of Sarah’s vocal style. It’s crafty, brilliant and puts a Pop edge into modern Indie in a way that almost restructures the genre entirely.

This single definitely has staying power – it definitely stays with you long after it’s over and you definitely become enticed to surf through Sarah Rae’s entire discography if you haven’t already. This ambient track encapsulates the true essence of love both with the poetically crafted lyrics, the projection, as well as execution of the vocals entirely in its multi layered and multifaceted approach. It tells a story, it reveals moods and it leaves a feeling inside of you that ignites new passions from familiar fires. You can listen to “Poison Ivy” now on Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, iTunes and several other digital music streaming platforms. You’ll be glad that you did.

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©️ Artist Reach, LLC | ASCAP | All Rights Reserved

Exclusive Artist Review: R Squared – “Different” EP

Posted in Album, Careers, Electronic, EP, Experimental, Hip Hop, Indie, Music Review, Press Release, Rap by

Emerging from the prominent Cleveland-based Midwest music scene, fresh faced Rap group R Squared have quickly began to hit the ground running with their distinctively catchy and innovative signature sound. Comprised of rising Rappers Khizzy and Robishbob, the duo has put together a debut EP of brilliantly crafted tracks that effectively showcase their musicianship factors and production value; bringing their artistic merit to the forefront while garnering complete creative freedom and artist independence by self-producing all their material and releasing it through their indie platform R Squared Studios.

Featuring five versatile songs with insatiable catchiness, R Squared’s debut EP, titled ‘Different’, brings a fresh Hip Hop sound to fruition with a futuristic aura that is cleverly executed and lyrically captivating. Opening tracks “Different View” and “Crooked” diligently combine nostalgic 90s vibes with a modern twist that puts R Squared into a calibre that is completely their own; balancing equal parts originality and familiarity to give their audience a taste of something fresh yet still identifiable. Both tracks effectively showcase both rappers with their wordsmithy tactics and duel verses that compliment each other throughout the songs’ durations. Subsequent songs “Who Am I” and “For It All” however serve up a much more modernized approach with innovative beat structures and lyrical intellect. The beats are hauntingly ominous and hypnotically visceral, enhancing the listening experience from the very moment each rapper distinctively demonstrates their multifaceted and multi layered flow through every measure. These tracks in particular really delve into the musical identity of R Squared and the undeniable versatility that is displayed throughout the EP’s duration. Closing track “Vision” ties the record together and shines a spotlight on their signature style. It’s anthemic, atmospheric and really reaches new heights in today’s more contemporary market. You can hear both artists truly deliver exceptional songwriting structures and really bring their best A-game to the project without outshining one another. The unique lyrical bars on this song have a powerful intellectual presence that is seldom heard in today’s world of Hip Hop. The sound is collective and shares equal grounds when it comes to showcasing both artist’s strengths, which truly helps deliver an EP that is a standout in its own right.

For a debut EP, R Squared sets the bar high and delivers up a finished product that will easily exceed expectations. It showcases several angles of both artists in a way that shines a spotlight on both their individual abilities as well as their collective ones. You can listen to the record now on SoundCloud, YouTube and several other digital music platforms. ‘Different’ will easily become one of your favorites in 2021’s Hip Hop spectrum.

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© Artist Reach, LLC | ASCAP | All Rights Reserved

Exclusive Artist Interview: Jeff Thill’s Sonic Descent

Posted in Album, Alternative, Blues, Careers, Electronic, Experimental, Indie, Music Review, Press Release, Punk, Rock, Single, Ska by

Emerging from the prominent Southern California music scene, multi-musician/producer and songwriter Jeff Thill has been an insatiably active artist in the market and has contributed his multifaceted skill sets to a slew of bands and projects since the 80s. Now in 2021, through many chapters of musical evolution and artistic manifestations, Thill has put together a project with an album of songs that are mind-blowingly versatile and futuristic; effectively named Sonic Descent. This 12-track juggernaut, titled ‘Full Throttle’, has been in the works over the past year and is about to unleash its first anchor single “Luna Tick.” With heavy anticipation in the air, we recently featured Sonic Descent in a recent article and have vowed to keep a close eye on the release until the album drops in its entirety. We’ve had the privilege of hearing the record from start to finish and can confidently say that Thill is definitely at the top of his game from all angles, integrating a nostalgically futuristic style that touches on several Rock eras ranging from the 80s/90s and mid-2000s all wrapped up into a modernized signature sound that balances equal parts originality and familiarity. So we got a chance to sit down with Jeff Thill for a comprehensive interview regarding his past, present, the near future and beyond.

•How long have you been active under your current artist name?

I created Sonic Descent a year ago and have since written 12 songs. None of the songs have been released yet.

•What music scene/city do you currently represent?

Are “Space Punk” and “Conspirapop” genres? Haha. My sound pulls heavily from 80’s pop/punk, synth-wave, ska, and surf.

•What are some of your music influences?

Bands like Devo, Buzzcocks, Ramones, and Flock of Seagulls as well as ska influenced bands like The English Beat with a touch of Dick Dale thrown in for good measure.

•The pandemic has really thrown a wrench into the live music experience and for artists altogether. How has it affected you and your career?

I was laid off from my day job and found myself with a ton of down time. Thankfully I discovered Fiverr and re-discovered my love of writing and recording music. It blew my mind that I could lay down the rhythm and vocal tracks, then easily collaborate with amazing musicians from all over the world to help bring my visions to life. Over the course of my 12 song adventure I worked with musicians from Los Angeles, Nashville, Poland, Russia, Finland, and Spain. Each song started in my head but soon became a truly organic experience that never ceased to amaze and excite me. The icing on the cake was finding an incredible mixing and mastering genius named Roman (ERMixing) who is signed with Warner Music in Poland. He gave my songs the retro vibe and punch I was looking for.

•What kind of concepts do you tend to write about as an artist? Shine some light on that.

As a former stand-up comic and lover of all-things science fiction, my music tends to incorporate high-concept themes. Almost like episodes of Black Mirror but with a touch of humor. I like to delve into fun conspiracy topics like bigfoot, UFO’s, hidden technologies and government secrets. In fact, the album was written as a 12 part “Space Opera” loosely connected by a mysterious, central figure who’s a time traveling, phase-shifting, spacefaring musician.

•What’s in store for you in 2021? Give us the goods.

I plan to release a handful of singles leading up to the album entitled, “Full Throttle.” The first single, ‘Luna Tick’, releases on May 26th with pre-saves available now. In addition to releasing songs from Full Throttle, I’ll be shooting a series of music videos that let the listeners know exactly what the songs are about. Don’t you hate it when a music video seems to have nothing to do with the song? Me too. Of course, in-between all of that I’ll be writing new songs for the next album which will follow a similar release pattern in 2022.

Connect with Sonic Descent until the single/album releases:

•Official Website: http://www.SonicDescent.com

•Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/SonicDescent

•Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/sonicdescent

•YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqYlW-ZWGruBjlNyBQo-XRg

© Artist Reach, LLC | ASCAP | All Rights Reserved

Exclusive Artist Review: Grafting The Vine – “Golden Gate” Album

Posted in Album, Alternative, Careers, Electronic, Emo, Experimental, Fusion, Hard Rock, Indie, Industrial, Instrumental, Metal, Music Review, Press Release, Rock by

The passion behind Grafting The Vine’s creative mind comes from a place of past adversity, trauma and a journey of tragedy to triumph. And this album proves that it’s also a place where some of the best art is created. After amassing critical acclaim from the artist’s debut effort, Grafting The Vine comes out swinging from every artistic direction on sophomore album ‘Golden Gate’, an 8-track juggernaut of instrumental anthems comprised of raw energy and emotions encompassing an authentically passionate signature sound.

Utilizing a progressive and heavy stylization that diligently combines crucial elements from several influential Rock eras, Grafting The Vine encapsulates an ambient and atmospheric aura that is effective and visceral – bringing together a dynamically unique sound that stands out from other artists of a similar calibre. Opening track “Otis Burning” serves up a clear and cohesive demonstration of this progressive style and truly introduces a crafty structure that sets the tone for the rest of the album’s duration. The track “Ushauri” is more rhythmic and in-your-face with distinctive low-end guitar progressions with hauntingly ominous leads. This track has a pounding rhythm section with intricately placed drum fills that cruise each measure into a dynamically transitional structure. The multi layered and multifaceted guitar parts are clear, concise and pay precise attention to detail in the overall execution.

“Alpha Romeo” is very symphonic and anthemic, delivering a wholesomely full sound that brings each distinctive measure to the forefront to shine a bright light on the artistic merit of this song. It’s like a deep and dark painting without leaving out any colors, even if there is an absence of brighter ones. Closing track “Dream Collective” ties the album together with a progressive presence that showcases the songwriting structures throughout each track. Overall, this diligently crafted prog-metal record acknowledges the essence of emotional creativity that is made apparent in every song. It emanates with raw passion and balances energy with subtlety in a way that is rarely heard in today’s modern music realm. While ‘Golden Gate’ has an anthemic and futuristic approach, you can still hear several clever elements from many previous Rock eras.

This album is a must-hear for anyone that wants to dive deep into musicianship factors and dynamically executed production value. It just released on May 1st and is available now on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, BandCamp and several other digital music streaming platforms. You’ll be more than glad you gave it a listen – it’ll easily become one of your favorites for 2021.

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©️ Artist Reach, LLC | ASCAP | All Rights Reserved