Author: TwirlyHatMatt
Submit tracks to TwirlyHatMatt
Posts by TwirlyHatMatt
Alternative, Ambient, Pop | Zella Day prepares for festival season and shares her new single “High”
Posted by admin on May 7, 2015
These past few weeks have been busy for Los Angeles based songstress Zella Day. She is wrapping up her US tour with Coasts and preparing for a busy summer full of playing festivals and the June 2nd release of her album KICKER.
This new single follows up a video for the standout hit, “Hypnotic”, and adds another phenomenal song to the catalogue.
“High” is a massive and orchestral piece of work that manages to entice listeners while not conforming to a typical pop sound. It’s artists like Zella Day that continue to push the boundaries of music and make songs equally experimental and enjoyable.
While she comes from humble beginnings in her small Arizona town of 7,000, Zella clearly has her sights set on the world.
Pop | Tove Styrke translates the success of “Borderline” and “Ego” to her live show
Posted by admin on May 7, 2015
This past Monday in Washington D.C., the rising Swedish pop star known as Tove Styrke took the stage in front of about 100 people and performed as if it were her last show on earth. However, this is just the first stop of her first ever North American headlining tour.
Tove (pronounced too-vay) has been in and around music for the better part of her life, and it’s evident in her live show. The intimate crowd is beckoned in closer to the stage as she starts her second song and standout hit, “Borderline”.
Despite playing her, arguably, most popular song right off the bat, Styrke keeps the fans engaged throughout the rest of the night. She dances around the stage playfully donning an all-red Adidas track suit that makes you feel like you’re back in a 90’s hip-hop music video.
While clearly soft-spoken and mild-mannered Styrke remarks to fans about how she is so excited to be in the US and playing for us. It’s impossible to believe that she is being anything but authentic. Especially since after closing out the night on her grungy, high-energy “Even If I’m Loud It Doesn’t Mean I’m Talking to You”, she hung out after the set taking pictures and talking to fans.
Tove Styrke has just begun her journey to pop-stardom, but is clearly on the right path. Be sure to catch her on tour.
Chill, Electro | Mary J Blige – Real Love (Softest Hard Remix)
Posted by admin on May 4, 2015
Softest Hard has been popping up across the music world for several years now and it seems that she has settled in to her spot as a talented producer and DJ. Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, Softest Hard is currently based in Los Angeles. Her remix of Mary J Blige’s “Real Love” is soft and gentle while still being intriguing and exciting to listen to.
It’s no small feat to take on an MJB classic, and luckily Softest Hard did it justice.
Electro, Hip-Hop, Mixtapes | Quinn – Change of Scenery (EP)
Posted by admin on May 4, 2015
Quinn is no stranger to Fresh New Tracks, after we premiered his lead single “Never Done This“, readers and listeners got a taste of his pop-leaning “FFYL“. Originally from Michigan, only a year ago Quinn was making music from his dorm room that could easily be written off as “college-rap.”
Now, only a few short months later –in that same dorm room– Quinn has matured both sonically and lyrically. For an artist trying to be a darling of taste-maker, cool kid blogs, while simultaneously attempting to capture a mainstream audiences ear, it’s imperative that he or she be brutally self-aware.
“Everybody hit that shmoney ’bout a week ago // yeah I know that’s not my style, but I still play it though,” raps Quinn on Change of Scenery‘s opening track “Native Tongue”.
In a world where artists are immediately boxed off or even disregarded to a specific genre, Quinn is breaking through the mold. Listen below as he sing-raps and grabs attention with ease through his Top-40-ready hooks.
Chill, Cover, Pop | Ricky Smith – Who’s Gonna Save My Soul? (Gnarls Barkley Cover)
Posted by admin on April 29, 2015
It takes quite a bit for a cover to catch my attention. Ricky Smith has quite a bit. His take on Gnarls Barkley is risky, unique, and intriguing. The production is kept simple, church organs serve their purpose while keeping the focus on Smith. Even the video does not draw away from the central point of this work: Ricky Smith has a powerful voice and is demanding your attention.
While little is known yet about the young artist, this will certainly not be the last you’re hearing from him.
Hip-Hop, Rap | The (W)rap Up Vol. 5
Posted by admin on April 28, 2015
Kojey Radical – Bambu
There’s something about a deep-voiced British accent that is soothing to listen to. Which in this case is quite surprising once you grasp how destructive Kojey Radical’s lyrics actually are.
The London-raised emcee uses a spoken-word delivery, and accompanied by the dark and beautiful video makes a 4 minute story and movie worth watching.
Ravyn Lenae – Blossom Dearie
Once again we venture out of the confines of rap to bring you a new release from the 16-year-old Ravyn Lenae. With a poise, sound and talent far beyond her years, Ravyn chirps her sweet melodies atop Monte Booker production in “Blossom Dearie”.
A strong follow up to her first ever release, it seems that Lenae is on the fast track to break from the Chicago bubble and take things to a new level.
Daye Jack – Easy (Live)
Although not the official music video, Daye Jack dropped a one-take accompaniment to his stand out hit “Easy” via Kinda Neat. He displays the true artistic ability he possesses and uses his rapping as a tool to highlight the catchy and full choruses.
Billy Chambers – Followers (ft. Solomonilla)
Hometown favorite Billy Chambers has returned with yet another bouncy track assisted by Solomonilla. Billy continues on his roll of exciting new music and pushes the boundaries of each genre he dabbles in.
With every song it seems there is a new development in artistry, and still a young kid Billy has plenty of time to continue honing his craft.
Alternative, Ambient, Chill | Janelle Kroll – Numb
Posted by admin on April 20, 2015
Following the successful release of her single “Sunny Days”, Janelle Kroll has returned with yet another genre-bending song, titled “Numb”. It’s rare to find a sound that maintains pop sensibility while being experimental and unique. “Numb” manages to balance these polarities and has attracted a wide array of fans.
She opens up for Marian Hill this Wednesday in NYC at Rough Trade, and will be performing at Lollapalooza this Summer.