California-based rising R&B artist Marcellus has been making some serious moves lately, and his latest single “Notice” is direct evidence of this. Utilizing an anthemic R&B approach with hints of Soul and Indie, Marcellus brings his very distinctive flavors to the forefront with his soft and almost falsetto vocal style, delivering a sense of subtlety that is not only comforting, but visceral as well.
The production value for this song is cleverly executed, weaving an edge that teeters on classic R&B elements but still effectively showcases many facets of today’s more modern and innovative sensibility of the genre. Marcellus’s vocal approach is cohesive, sensual and engaging. His elegant use of melody choices parallel perfectly with the guitar and piano textures, delivering a signature sound that is versatile, effective and well balanced. The track is also accompanied by a very cinematic music video that visually follows the song’s concept, adding multi layers to a track that is already on several crucial levels to begin with. It enhances the flavors, even in the mix drinks that Marcellus makes throughout the video.
Overall, “Notice” is an anthem that lives up to its title. It’s a song that you’ll definitely notice for its originality, familiarity and unwavering sensuality in its approach both musically and lyrically. It has that insatiable staying power where the song stays with you even long after it’s over. It’s also a song that’ll entice you to dive deeper into Marcellus’s discography as well as future releases. It’s the perfect gateway track into his career and artistic merit.
“Notice” is available now on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music and several other digital music streaming platforms.
Up-and-comer Ivana is quite the voice and presence to behold since emerging into the music market last year in 2022. Originally hailing from from the Poconos, Ivana’s most recent digs in the Brooklyn sector of NYC have opened up many more horizons for her, both spiritually and musically. Ivana (appropriately branded as iVANA) channels her deepest and most raw emotions, through her musical expression. Her songs reflect significant moments in her life and are manifested through ethereal, dreamlike soundscapes. She is a multifaceted and versatile artist with the type of aura and ambience that will resonate with the hypnotic portion of your chemistry as a music listener. A vital connection, if you will; her melodies are designed to take you to a much farther, deeper musical landscape
Once you take a listen to “Can’t”, you’ll see (and hear) exactly what she’s all about. Authentic, bassy, and with a Middle Eastern swagger that really sucks you in. Throughout this track, you can really latch on to iVANA’s story-telling method; utilizing her more high ranged vocal approach while paralleling with a more punchy, rhythmic and ambient electronic aura. Basically, if you’re looking to satisfy a knack for a more aggressive bass, then this song will not disappoint.
One lovable aspect you’ll hear throughout “Can’t” is just how authentic iVANA is. Her voice gives you a visceral listening experience and she encapsulates a signature sound that isn’t meant to align with anyone else’s style or stature. She’s raw, original and truly knows how to tell her own story with hypnotic sensibility from the rhythms in her songs. One other thing worth noting is iVANA’s staying power – the power to stay with you even long after the song is over. She is an artist that will easily grab your undivided attention, whether it’s doing a deep dive into her discography or career; past, present or future. Either way, despite the name of the song title – iVANA truly can.
You can hear the single now at Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes and several other digital streaming music platforms.
After several decades of being in the game, St. Paul- based Rock and eclectic powerhouse Radio Drive has been making his way across the musical landscape far and wide, amassing new fans just about everywhere he goes, and not to mention, has graced our platform here in the past. And if it’s one thing we’ve learned about him, it’s that he always knows how to step up the bar each time. And he has done just that with his latest monumental effort “Cast Out Your Light”.
This anthemic and chorus-driven tune plays out like chapters in a book. Starting off with pretty piano measures and ambient guitar swells, the buildup into the vocals and strings really add subtle yet effective foreshadowing into the more gain- driven guitars and snare driven tempos and melodies; all just to bring that subtlety right back as a pre chorus that leads into the full blown chorus. It’s this formula that truly encapsulates Radio Drive’s aura and ambience when it comes to song structure, balance, as well as composure, his compositions are very big in their execution and his use of chorus really draws in your undivided attention. If this is your first time hearing him in his full glory, then this will definitely be the track for you.
This is also the type of a song that’ll keep you coming back for more; perhaps delving further into his discography both past, present and future. RD has a lot more on the horizon and it’s a promising one to say the least. You’ll absolutely love this newest anthem. You can hear “Cast Out Your Light” on Spotify, iTunes and several other streaming platforms. You’ll be glad that you did.
Hailing from the picturesque island of JeJu in Korea; a beautiful place that easily renders itself as the Hawaii of Asia, we find the successful climate and location of Indie/Pop-Folk/Rock Artist Matthew Smith. A rising Artist that so far has encapsulated an insatiable buzz with his highly eclectic and emotions-driven signature sound that gives off several nostalgic throwbacks to early-mid 2000s emo and folk, yet still implements fresh and innovative ideas. And with his newest album Back To Me, these crucial factors are made apparent from start to finish after giving the record a listen from top to bottom.
Matthew has a sound that is familiar but also provides a plethora of originality factors that serve up a style that perfectly implements a coherent balance of originality and familiarly; offering up a sound that is familiar yet identifiable to any of the indie genre. Opening title track “Back To Me” blissfully draws reminiscence to mid-2000s Spill Canvas record One Fell Swoop but there’s so much more brilliance among the song structures and mood shifts that Matthew himself puts into i hi s songs that also separate himself from that particular record as well. But either way, old fans of Spill will instantly fall head over heals for this song and immediately render themselves invested for what’s to come throughout the record’s duration. “Back To Me” is one of those anthemic openers that comfortably leads you in with Matthew’s more subtle vocal ques and tenderness, structuring his words in a way that gives it a more storytelling vibe all while paralleling the immediate vibes and moods the rest of his band are laying as the foundation. And as the somewhat-slower buildup takes place, your investment into Matthew’s craft rises right along the musicianship factors they collectively concoct into one big, anthemic song with an incredible climactic ending. This opener will leave a big impression on just about anyone upon first listen.
Another notable number is “Out Here”, a full band track that really brings Matthew Smith’s energy and versatility to the forefront. But despite how much energy is utilized in this song, Matthew undeniably effective subtlety still works diligently. This song just explores new depths, heights and multifaceted layers among the songwriting this album offers. It’s definitely a radio-worthy track with excellent crunchy guitar tones, a punchy rhythm section and some of Matthew’s more stronger vocals to accompany the shift in sound. Heavier fans will definitely take notice of this one.
One more album highlight is definitely the more ballad like and almost lullaby-stylized Tonight”, an unrelentingly gorgeous anthem with atmospheres of subtlety and ambient measures that are performed/sung in a way that will almost put you to sleep, in a very good way. It’s a soul soother from start to finish. The acoustic rhythms and subtle musical textures and additives make this song one you’ll be falling asleep to or perhaps listening to during a romantic dinner setting. Either way, the inescapable beauty in this song is impossible to go unnoticed. Any fan of any Indie era will appreciate this record in full without any reservations or hesitations.
The album is currently available now on Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube and many other streaming digital music platforms. You will not regret giving this one a listen.
Baltimore has been well known for its influence and prominence among the inner city music scenes surrounding the prospects of rising artists in a different yet strong underground Hip Hop sector. Many major key players of the game have risen from the very bottom and its this exact concept that got rising rapper Black Reign Dat 1 to begin hitting the ground running. And after manifesting into a cohesive and versatile artist over the years with several releases under his belt, his best work to date without a doubt is his fresh new record 12 O’Clock Boys, an 11-track record of solid bangers with a sense of versatility that truly sets it apart from your every day contemporary Hip Hop release. This album comes out swinging and cruises throughout the record’s duration with its insatiable appetite for energy, perception, precision and thought-provoking, clever lyrical outbursts. BRD1 demands your undivided attention on this record and it’s very apparent from the very first track.
Album opener “Big Pressure” has a hauntingly ominous beat with a symphonic edge that really conjures up an ambient atmosphere that is both dark and effective in its execution. BRD1’s solid and strongly projected bars parallel the beat factors just about perfectly with the atmospheric tone that’s been set since the first measure. This is a track that’s not only a strong open, but a track that will immediately have you invested into what comes next. “Big Pressure” truly demands your undivided attention.
Another notable banger on this record is “Dead Rapper”, a multilayered song with an array of multifaceted features, instruments and effective implementations to really compliment BRD1’s vocal delivery. His vocal performance and production value is diligently paralleled from start to finish. It’s a big song that has been given the very fine tune treatment, serving up an anthemic number that is not only fulfilling, but altogether unforgettable.
One more track worth noting is the more upbeat and in-your-face “Top Tier”, a song that definitely does its title complete justice. This self-reflective number delivers a strong message of determination, unwavering ambition and never quitting knowing that you can reach the top of the game with enough of the hard work and grinding leading you there. The inevitability, that is. This banger also demonstrates that when it comes to writings, concepts, prospects and perspectives, BRD1 knows who he is, what he is and how he’s going to implement it musically. His signature style garners several nostalgic old school elements, but it’s with his mix of today’s more futuristic, innovative and modern sensibility that sets his craft completely aside as a complete standout of its calibre – and 12 O’Clock Boys is a clear demonstration of exactly that. Hip Hop fans of any era will absolutely dig this record. Easily one of 2023’s best Hip Hop releases, and we’re eager to hear what BRD1 has in store in the very near future as the year plays out.
Artist Reach Official Website 