Author: Joey Rochert

Calboa, ‘Love Is A Pain Of Its Own’

Calboa

Words By Joey Rochert.

Calboa is a Hull-based indie rock artist who is steadily improving with each new release. Furthermore, his most recent release, ‘Love Is A Pain Of Its Own,’ is a gift for everyone who enjoys the best of indie music, and he establishes himself as one of the most exciting indie performers to hit the airways in recent memory.

‘Love Is A Pain Of Its Own’ has a similar tone to his earlier works, but he goes deeper into the melancholy territory here. Furthermore, the guitar melody that opens the music is dynamic, with emotion that immediately hooks us. Calboa begins with a fantastic vocal performance that sets the tone for the rest of the record. He sings about the realities of his life, and each vocal line hits with great conviction.

Calboa

The verse is concise and memorable. With its nail-biting hook and rhythm, it also brilliantly leads us into the chorus. Calboa also enters a new region, which sounds exceptionally different from the rest of the indie scene’s offerings. Calboa gets a handle on infectious melodies in the chorus. He’s no stranger to composing catchy hooks, but he’s never sounded as powerful as he does on this chorus. With his mesmerising charisma, he sings with character and creates a long-lasting effect.

Calboa unleashes an elongated vocal with a poignant tune that gets even more profound as the track nears its conclusion. Also, the instruments ratchet up the tempo, resulting in one of the most breathtaking indie track finales heard this year.

Photo Credit: Calboa.

Will, ‘Closer’

Will

Words By Joey Rochert.

Will’s ‘Closer’ is the summer soundtrack, arriving just as the heatwave sweeps the UK. It also couldn’t have come at a better time, as the feel-good dance flavour rips through the modern music cranium.

Will

Will, gifted and still on the rise, achieves a new level of self-assurance, and he doesn’t hold back in giving it his all here. The music is dripping with star quality, and it can hold its own against the world’s best dance tracks. Additionally, the charming addition of female voices gives a fresh dimension to his backlog and propels his promising career forward.

Photo Credit: Will.

Kingdumb, ‘Rave In My Bedroom’

Kingdumb

Words By Joey Rochert.

Raver and producer, Kingdumb is bolstering his name in the modern music industry with his new release, ‘Rave In My Bedroom’.

The track is a gift that keeps on giving, with each new listen taking it further into the soul. It’s a unique release that deviates from the standard modern dance music formula. Furthermore, if you played this record in the late 1990s or early 2000s, you would have no idea it was from the future. Moreover, it draws inspiration from DNB and rave tracks that have emerged over the years previous to now.

Kingdumb

On this track, Kingdumb explores musically, and it looks that he had a lot of fun with his musical toolkit. In addition, the songwriter incorporates a high-pitched vocal lead that sounds like something from a DJ Rankin tune. It’s anticonformity, and it’s part of what makes this track so enjoyable! In addition, the record is constantly evolving, with a new shape emerging as it progresses.

The beat lengthens in the last portion, with a slew of swirling sound effects falling left, right, and centre. Additionally, the track’s finale perfectly sums up the tune with a fast flow that will prepare you to hit the latest party hall. However, one thing that sticks in mind once it ends is the spontaneous speech to text generator in the beginning. It’s random, but it works.

Photo Credit: Kingdumb.

The Mad Game, ‘Funny’

The Mad Game

Words By Joey Rochert.

The Mad Game are an electronic two-piece whose song “Funny” is pleasing electronic music listeners worldwide. The duo is still in the early stages of their career, and it’s always exciting to hear a track from a band on the verge of something big.

The song’s title suggests that the track is amusing. It is indeed! But not in the form of criticism, considering that the pair appear to have sought this reaction. Furthermore, the noises are frequently humorous, but a serious demeanour emanates from the music, making it an exciting delight for new listeners.

The Mad Game

It begins with a gripping beat rhythm and a strangely throbbing synth drop. It has lost its high frequency and now emits a pleasant glow that is difficult to resist. In addition, a female vocal lead appears in the opening stanza, paving the way for the rest of the song.

The Mad Game cleverly incorporate their own vocals into the mix, which blend well with the primary female lead. Furthermore, the melodies flawlessly complement the beat of the music, resulting in an earworm that you will have a hard time getting out of your head once it ends. The music develops in excitement as well, and just when you think it’s going one way, it reroutes and creates a massive instrumental bridge that would shake speakers at even the most prominent festivals.

Photo Credit: The Mad Game.

Olly E, ‘Rise Above’

Olly E

Words By Joey Rochert.

With ‘Rise Above,’ Olly E, the rocker who needs no introduction, returns more vital than ever. It’s a solo effort from the British musician and composer, and as it progresses, he creates an atmosphere that’s easy to get lost in quickly.

A bright guitar tone opens the tune, pinching the ears with a bite for the right reasons. It gradually builds to the first stanza, where Olly shows that he is up to the task. The track appears to be heading straight towards the drop from the start, but Olly, being the mastermind, decides to keep us on the edge of our seats.

Olly E

Olly has a unique vocal timbre that is difficult to compare to others in the scene. We can draw parallels with artists who have previously risen to prominence, such as Placebo’s frontman, but he is in a class by himself in terms of style. This unique creative approach makes him stand out, and it will be impossible to place him amid any of the innumerable tracks published to DSPs regularly.

The refrain in ‘Rise Above’ is catchy, and all of the sounds blend seamlessly. The drums pound furiously, and the guitar riffs speed up, making the track a strong stadium filler. Also, the bass manages to make its way out of the frantic mix, and no sound is lost, which is a testament to Olly’s mixing talent.

Olly generally fills the vocal space with his lead delivery. Therefore there aren’t many supporting harmonies. As is sometimes the case with tracks like this, but a little additional backing at certain parts would have been fantastic!

Photo Credit: Olly E

Amanda Marie Wilkinson, ‘Taking My Time’

Amanda Marie Wilkinson

Words By Joey Rochert.

Amanda Marie Wilkinson, a newcomer to the pop music scene in the United States, has released a new single called ‘Taking My Time.’ When it comes to new singles, this one is right up there with the best.

Amanda also has an unmistakable charisma, and she gets her word out quickly and clearly, leaving no room for misunderstanding; her message is that she wants to do things her way. Amanda believes that modern life is too stressful, and she wishes for happier times.

Amanda Marie Wilkinson

Musically, it all starts with an overture that builds to a climax with a powerful piano solo. A synth serves as the focal point in the opener, and Amanda’s mesmerising vocals pave the road forward. Amanda has a razor-sharp edge about her that is uncommon to come by these days. Furthermore, her voice has a strong presence, and she ditches the robotic effect, which was audible in her last release, ‘Spiritual Level’.

This music appeals to me since it changes shape frequently, with the mix taking a new turn in the middle. The beat also jumps in with a modern style, and it has a heavenly sound towards the finish, giving the entire song a whole new depth.

Visit Amanda Marie Wilkinson on Facebook here.

Photo Credit: Amanda Marie Wilkinson

Mike Brew, ‘Somedays’

Mike Brew

Words By Joey Rochert.

Mike Brew is a class act, and his new single ‘Somedays’ demonstrates his vocal and lyrical prowess. He brings a mixture of sounds to the table, which distinguishes him as one of the best new performers to come from Liverpool’s thriving music scene.

The musician opens his release with a joyful guitar beat with a warm and inviting resonance inside its intonation, indicating his willingness to attempt something new. It also works well with a string arrangement, and once the harmonic strings join the mix, it’s difficult not to be drawn in by the release’s intensity.

Mike Brew

Mike contributes to the atmosphere with a sensitive yet confident vocal performance, and his lyrical journey leaves us thinking deeply. The storyline isn’t overt, but this procedure allows everyone to form their own opinions about the message. Many will agree, though, that he is reminiscing about days when you feel alive. He also looks into mental health and looks forward to better days.

The bottom groove, which binds the entire composition together, is another standout feature. It shines brighter on a speaker configuration that enables lower frequencies to travel through more freely; nonetheless, it still gleams and gives the music the low groove it wants, even on conventional speakers.

On this record, I can also detect minor influences from some of Liverpool’s greats, such as John Lennon. However, you must dig deep to hear his influences properly.

You can take a listen to the new single ‘Somedays’ by Mike Brew below. Also, be sure to follow Mike Brew on his official social media accounts. I am sure there will be plenty more gems like this one on the way very soon; well, let’s hope so anyway because this one is a treat. Either way, 2021 is looking to be a very bright year for Mike Brew.

Visit Mike Brew on Instagram here.

Photo Credit: Mike Brew

Dave Kalz, ‘Mexico’

Dave Kalz

Words By Joey Rochert.

Dave Kalz returns with a new foot-stomping delight, ‘Mexico’, from his next album, ‘Relish’, out on June 25th via Gulf Coast Records.

With this first track from the next album, Dave hits the ground running vocally. With his distinct vocal quality pounding the cheeks with persistence, he draws us in from the first second. He talks about his time in Mexico, and his story expands as he continues through the song.

Dave smashes through the six-string, and his characteristic blues-rock grooves leap out of every area of the mix, in great form with his guitar delivery. The drum is powerful, and the product’s stadium atmosphere is unbeatable.

Grab some ‘Mexico’ below.

Gulf Coast official website.

Photo Credit: Dave Kalz.

Thomas Atlas, ‘Juice’

Thomas Atlas

Words By Olivia Anderson.

Birmingham based Thomas Atlas brings the jazzy funk with his latest release, ‘Juice’.

The new release is catchy and melodic, and Thomas delivers a feel-good delight to the world. His music is energising, and you don’t have to be a considerable funk enthusiast to enjoy it. Furthermore, with nail-biting hooks that are compelling, he adds a poppy atmosphere to the top.

Thomas Atlas’ vocals shine brightly from the start and continue to grow as the song develops. Furthermore, the accompanying background adds weight to Thomas’s already robust voice, creating a captivating environment for everybody to appreciate.

‘Juice’ is also influenced by blues funk. The guitar has a lively rhythm that goes well with the lyrics. The bass texture properly shakes the speakers, and the constantly changing drum pattern keeps the party going from beginning to end.

His band, too, soars to new heights. The instrumentalists’ contributions have a distinct quality to them. Everyone who worked on this tune has their chance to shine; also, as the song progresses, all of the guns fire and the guitar lead rips through the compound, leaving the listener wanting more.

Overall, ‘Juice’ improves with each play. It never gets old, and it will continue reverberating through speakers for the rest of the year. But, to keep his brand developing, Thomas Atlas will need even more spectaculars like this one; mind you, if this track is any indication, he won’t have any trouble keeping the hook tight.

You can grab a copy of his vinyl on Rough Trade here.

Photo Credit: Thomas Atlas

Minna Ora, ‘Fire’

Minna Ora

Words By Max Jordan.

Minna Ora bestows a gift to the music realm with her new release, ‘Fire’. The track is potentially Minna’s most compelling yet and grips with a narrative akin to no other in the modern arena.

Boasting her signature quality from the first second, Minna takes us on a journey, reflecting on the obstacles many experiences and overcoming even the arduous of blocks. It is heartfelt, and Minna speaks candidly about her struggles with cancer.

Musically, the entire track is stimulating with a captivating flow. Likewise, Minna towers over the mix with a sublime vocal which gets better with every listen.

You can check it out below.

Photo Credit: Minna Ora