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Albums | One-to-watch artist SANJAY serves up deep electronic vibes on new single “Dive2”
Posted by VMan on December 8, 2023
Multi-instrumentalist and electronic producer, SANJAY, wraps up the year with the
release of ‘Dive2’ – the third single taken from his forthcoming debut album,
‘Ancestral Visions’. It’s a sublime showcase of the Joshua Tree-based breaking
talent, packed with spiritual song writing, deep electronic grooves and juxtaposed
with SANJAY’s trademark injection of indie dance.
From headlining on the Playa at the legendary Burning Man to touring the world
with members of the Gypsy Kings, to the release of his ‘Initiation’ EP in 2021,
SANJAY has been quietly gathering a cult following. His guiding principle, Music is
Medicine, has attracted fans in ViVA label head Steve Lawler and the Grammy-
nominated Zoo Brazil. Whether flexing his skills as a dexterous DJ, engineer,
guitarist or singer, SANJAY is an adept all-rounder making music with a purpose
that fires the imagination.
The release of this latest single, ‘Dive2’ follows the stripped-back, minimal remix
by LA-residing, Davi, best known as a key label associate at Crosstown Rebels
and All Day I Dream. It’s a special track for SANJAY on many levels and follows, in
narrative fashion, the release of ‘Dive’ from his 2021 EP. Sanjay explains,
“I was going through a tough time in my twenties and my spiritual teacher told me,
“Dive in deep to the darkness” when he was teaching me meditation – a mantra
which became the main lyric in ‘Dive’. Yet I always felt like there was another part
to that song… I’d fallen out with my oldest friend, there was a lot of betrayal, and
we weren’t speaking – it was a tough time. I wrote the second part of the lyric when
I was on a beach in Hawaii; ‘Dive in deep to the darkness AND be the light’, for
him. Even though I couldn’t speak to him, this was my anthem to him to get to a
more ascended, better place. I think it’s relatable to anyone going through a tough
period.”
Dive2 is instantly hypnotic with its opening sequence of heavy electronic drums.
SANJAY’s profound vocal refrain ‘dive in deep to the darkness and be the light’
comes in, set to epic sonics with deep emotion. Further deep synths contrast with
acoustic guitar and the ceremonial chanting of the Huni Kuin (the indigenous tribe
from the Brazilian Amazon rainforest who featured in the original recording of
Dive), altogether create an atmosphere that evokes visions of life and rebirth.
SANJAY’s debut album ‘Ancestral Visions’ will arrive in early 2024, combining
pop culture and spirituality, drawing diverse inspiration from Nine Inch Nails,
Prince, Tame Impala, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Neil Young and Kanye West.
The genesis of ‘Ancestral Visions’ took shape during SANJAY’s expedition into
the depths of the Peruvian Amazon. Upon returning, he embarked on a
personal journey performing, recording, mixing and producing at ARC Studios in
Nebraska (owned by Bright Eyes). Sanjay offered his heart and soul to his album,
showcasing the powerful force within each of us, weaving transcendent musical and
lyrical elements with the belief that music is medicine.
Albums | re:abel drops “Concentrate”
Posted by VMan on December 6, 2023
re:abel is a project from Melbourne newcomer Ryan Gasparini who is crafting a unique blend of Future/UK Garage electronica, which has a sound that can be likened to a mix between Overmono, Burial and Joy Orbison. Just last month Ryan teamed up with Mammal Sounds Records for an uplifting atmospheric release called ‘Carbonceramics’, which also came with news of a three-track ep coming our way soon. This week he is giving us the second taste of that EP with the subtly darker and explorative sounds. “Concentrate” by re:abel is available everywhere now via Mammal Sounds Records, tune in above now and read a quote from him on the release below!
“‘Concentrate’, the second single from this release, assumes a much darker, brooding presence than the single ‘Carbonceramics’ that came before. Building with broken UKG style drums and echoes of reverb drenched vocals, before dropping into hard-hitting sub bass and dub-inspired chords, that transport you to rainy city streets and neon-lit underground bass music clubs.”
Albums | Summon Luke? Drops new track, “Conjure”
Posted by VMan on December 5, 2023
Columbus, OH has birthed its fair share of musical talents, and among them stands Summon Luke—a visionary artist who, with each release, propels himself further into uncharted territory. His latest single, “Conjure” is a testament to his evolution, showcasing a seamless fusion of alternative pop, rock, and electronic industrial influences that resonate with an otherworldly charm.
As 2023 draws to a close, Summon Luke punctuates the year with an epic release that solidifies his status as a singular force in the music scene. “Conjure” has a haunting vibe to it at times, hinting at the artist’s willingness to explore darker dimensions within the realm of alternative rock. The result is a transcendent indie rock opus that captures the very essence of Summon Luke’s artistic identity.
Albums | Speech Debelle Shares New Single “11:11”
Posted by VMan on November 28, 2023
British hip-hop artist Speech Debelle is back in the spotlight with her latest single, “11:11”, taken from her fourth studio album, Sunday Dinner On a Monday, which is out now. This album marked a significant return to the music scene for the critically acclaimed artist, whose career took off with her Mercury Prize-winning debut album, Speech Therapy, in 2009.
Speech Debelle’s music has always been characterised by its sensitivity, introspection and an ability to weave poetic testimonies, playful narratives and thought-provoking discussions on power, politics and pleasure. Her sophomore album, Freedom Of Speech, produced by Kwes in 2012, further solidified her reputation as an artist unafraid to explore a wide range of themes in her work.
After taking a step back from music for a few years, Speech Debelle devoted her time to her other passions and impressed audiences as a semi-finalist on Celebrity MasterChef, showcasing her culinary skills and inventive recipes. Unifying her love for both music and food, Speech created the podcast The Work Brunch, where she cooked and discussed music, life and inspiration with esteemed guests such as Lianne La Havas, Nitin Sawhney, Shabaka Hutchings and Mikill Pane. With her third album, Tantil Before I Breathe, Speech took her artistic expression to a new level by pairing each of its nine songs with a delicious, inspired recipe, combining the elements of music and food into a unique, immersive experience.
More recently, Speech Debelle was featured in the BBC‘s three-part documentary series First Ladies of Hip-Hop. This documentary celebrates the remarkable contributions of female hip-hop artists over the last 50 years and recognises the triumphs of British women in hip-hop.
Now, Speech Debelle is making headlines once again with latest single “11:11”, a track that encapsulates elegance, grace, bravado and rap. Produced by Skripture, with additional production by Dem Drums, the song exudes the energy reminiscent of classic hip-hop. The single arrives alongside an equally impressive music video directed by Aiden Harmitt-Williams.
Speaking about “11:11”, Speech Debelle says, “The track reminded me instantly of classic hip-hop. It has that energy that makes you want to let everyone know what you as a rapper are meant to do with a beat.” “11:11” is a testament to Speech’s continued creativity and her ability to evolve as an artist while staying true to her unique style.
Albums | Check out “Gum” by Arky Waters
Posted by VMan on November 28, 2023
Arky Waters is an Australian newcomer who is crafting a unique blend of breakbeat/tech-house electronica which has a sound that can be likened to a mix between Bicep, Overmono and Godford. Listen to the single above now!
Just last month Arky Waters announced he had a new ep on the way while also giving us its first preview with new single called ‘Take My Time’, and he’s returning this week with the ep’s second offering, a fast-paced techno release called ‘Gum’, which he says…
“After COVID finished I tried to go to as many events as I could in order to support the music scene. Even on days I didn’t feel like it, I would drag myself out and go to all the local raves that were going on in Sydney – crews like Illicit, Allfriends, Pulso, City Soup and Motorik. I’d go by myself most times but it was never a lonely experience because the communities were so open and friendly. Everyone was doing something different but they were all celebrating music. It was kind of beautiful. I ended up making this track as a tribute to that time as I was exposed to a lot of techno that I had never heard before.” ~ Arky Waters
Albums | Producer/multi-instrumentalist Bass Physics unveils melodic bass single “FLY AWAY” (feat. CASS)
Posted by VMan on November 27, 2023
Bass music has the power to transport listeners to other worlds, and this is especially true of the sounds from Denver-based producer/multi-instrumentalist Bass Physics. Having gained a fervent audience who are enamored by his sparkly, hard-hitting bass aesthetics and live set – a vibrant performance style that sees him oscillate between electronic hardware, piano, and guitar – Bass Physics has cultivated a distinct sonic and visual language that gives fans a reprieve from their earthly struggles.
His creative sensibilities have led to performance slots at some of Denver’s most storied music institutions, including Red Rocks (5x), Decadence (3x), and a sold-out show at Bluebird Theatre – not to mention three performances at Cancun’s electronic music destination event Ember Shores. This year, he also remixed the Illenium, Grabbitz, and Wooli collaboration “You Were Right.”
Now, Bass Physics is revving up towards his debut album, Lost In Space, a full-length project that promises to deliver a collection of cinematic, mind-melding soundscapes. Filled to the brim with melodic compositions, immersive sound design, and, of course, otherworldly bass production, Lost In Space will be a holistic artist statement – a reflection of Bass Physics’ creative identity and a time capsule of his evolution up until this point.
Today, fans get their first taste of Lost In Space with melodic bass banger “FLY AWAY,” the LP’s lead single. A collaboration with vocalist CASS, “FLY AWAY” blends heart-thumping bass, angelic vocals, and intricate production flourishes all wrapped in a lush, extraterrestrial presentation.
“FLY AWAY” kicks off with an ascending, euphoric synth chord progression before bringing in CASS’s verse over a thumping, propulsive drum rhythm. The track then builds with CASS’s lyrics alluding to escaping reality before transitioning into an earth-shattering central section – a monumental drop that combines blazing bass design with trunk-rattling, trap-influenced drums for maximum catharsis.
“‘FLY AWAY,’ the first single off my new album, is one of my favorite songs in the collection. Lately, I’ve been sensing a collective phenomenon of people who are feeling trapped inside forces outside of their control, maybe even in their own minds. This song is for anyone who sometimes feels like all they want to do is fly away from reality. I think the way the sound of this track encapsulates the yearning of someone who just wants to feel free. It features some of my favorite production yet, and CASS absolutely crushed the vocals.“ – Bass Physics
Albums | DLG. connects with Koastle on “STRANGERS”
Posted by VMan on November 26, 2023
“STRANGERS” not only reinforces DLG.’s ability to craft infectious tunes with universal appeal but also highlights the seamless collaboration between DLG. and Koastle. As both artists continue to evolve and captivate audiences, it’s evident that their musical journey is just getting started. So, buckle up for the ride and let “STRANGERS” be the soundtrack to your own love story. Tune in above now!