Albums | 44 ardent drops new 14-track album, ‘leo’
Posted by VMan on December 15, 2023
44 Ardent is an indie-dance/house project from Australian artist Callan Alexander (aka cln), which has a sound that could be likened to a mix between Caribou, Tourist and Odesza.
When creating the 44 Ardent project back in 2018, Callan had decided to keep his real identity under wraps. The initial intention for project was simply for him to have an outlet to continue releasing the more electronic/dance focused music he was creating while his other main project, cln, began moving into a more alternative indie/pop kinda realm.
Since then, however, 44 Ardent has taken on a life of its own, and Callan is excited to reveal this project to his entire network of friends and fans, giving it the recognition it deserves.
“44 Ardent was initially supposed to be a secret/anonymous side project, but I’m not very good at keeping secrets. Quite a few people have figured out that it’s me/cln, so I’ve now decided to let the cat out of the bag. I created this project as more of an electronic outlet as cln has shifted a little bit more into the indie world. Electronic music has always been my favourite type of music to make, as you have total creative freedom. I was making so many songs that couldn’t really be released under cln, and I needed to find a place to put them. 44 Ardent is that place.” ~ Callan Alexander
Throughout 2023 Callan has given us six exceptional 44 Ardent singles, but there is still so much more to come from him this week as he shares a very generous 14-track album titled “leo”, which as he reveals below is a culmination of various genres & styles of electronic music that he has spent a lot of time exploring this year.
“leo is the culmination of all of the 44 Ardent music that I’ve made over the last year or so. I have noticed that a lot of the best producers have an approach where they focus on pumping out lots of quick ideas, and then refine the best ones. I’ve tried to follow that to an extent, making heaps of music very quickly and then only finishing the ideas that I really like. This album is the end product of that. There is a real mix of genres and styles, as I’ve tried not to corner myself into any particular sound.
I hope to keep releasing lots of music under this alias and am very grateful to my manager Jez for believing in the project and pushing it forward. Thank you for listening xx.” ~ Callan Alexander
Indie | Casper Sun Makes his Descent Upon Earth with “Wavy Luv”
Posted by VMan on June 18, 2021
An otherworldly figure making his descent upon Earth, Casper Sun‘s scope isn’t bound to one singular universe. Transcending the confines of planetary restrictions, Casper Sun now excitedly unveils “Wavy Luv,” the lead single from his highly immersive debut LP Sunshine Radio.
A lead single rooted in acknowledging that what one needs is different than what one wants, “Wavy Luv” is an ode to introspection. Fusing indie instrumentation with a compelling vocal blend of hip-hop and R&B, Casper Sun’s single is a nuanced amalgamation of classic styles. Showcasing an impressive mastery of genre-blending techniques, “Wavy Luv” is Casper Sun at his outright best. Singing from the heart, the ethereal creative chronicles a tale of self-desire and passion with an emphasis on treating oneself with unconditional kindness. Speaking on his album’s lead single, Casper Sun says the following: “I know how it feels to get something you’ve wanted for so long, and realize in the end that it’s not what you need. I wrote a story about Casper coming to terms that what he needs is different than what he wants, and the rest of the album explores what those needs are, and how they battle with his passion and desires.”
Check out the “Wavy Luv” visualizer below, and stay tuned for more from Casper Sun!
Pop | Alice Gray Steps into 2021 with ‘Double Decker’
Posted by VMan on June 18, 2021
Constantly innovating her own unique sound, Alice Gray’s musical reach knows no bounds. The San Diego-born, Los Angeles-bred songstress cut her teeth on Garage Band beats before turning to singing and songwriting full time. In the 2nd grade, the creative started a band with her friends, where they wrote and performed their own music with accompanying dance numbers. From 2nd grade until the end of her college studies, Gray put her music dreams to the side to pursue a degree in Fine Arts, only to return to that first love of music on the heels of participating in her first ever songwriting class. Now, Gray boasts a cool 3 Million+ streams on Spotify alone; not to mention, her music has been featured on TV shows including Light As A Feather and Shadowhunters. After debuting hit singles “Del Mar” and “Summer’s Gone” with Aaron Taos in 2020, the indie-pop maven returns with a captivating “Double Decker.” Fusing sonic instrumentation with lush pop beats, Alice Gray creates a spellbinding treat in just over 3-minutes. Honeyed vocals swell over electric guitar riffs as Alice Gray creates a pop performance for the ages in her 2021 debut. A uniquely defined aesthetic best characterized by pop perfection, Alice Gray’s “Double Decker” is available now.
Alternative | Cristina Soto Revists Her Tritonal Collab, “Lifted,” with Acoustic Mix
Posted by VMan on April 29, 2021
In 2020, singer-songwriter Cristina Soto revisited her breakout hit with electronic power-duo Tritonal, “Still With Me,” and her Illenium and Said The Sky collaboration, “Painted White,” with acoustic mixes. As Soto’s hit classic with Tritonal, “Lifted,” approaches its tenth birthday this year, she continues her hot streak by returning with a new acoustic rendering. The indie / acoustic infused take on the original is a very different vibe but I am still really into it. The mellow soundscape is blissful and feels like a sunny afternoon in Spring, and as I write this it’s exactly that so it’s a perfect fit. Enjoy it now above!
Alternative | Psych-pop band Novacane return with nostalgic indie song “Bad Breath”
Posted by VMan on April 4, 2021
Back from a brief musical hiatus, bandmates Dylan Latimer (singer+guitarist), Oliver Lester (bassist) and Zach Clifton (drummer) rejoin forces as psych-pop outfit, Novacane who have returned with their latest single, “Bad Breath”. The new video and single is a pysch-meets-indie-rock jam that feels as smooth as a summertime breeze. If you’re on the look out for a new indie band to keep a tab on, definitely contemplate adding Novacane to your list!
Alternative | LA Parties Unveils Impressive Debut Single “LA Parties”
Posted by VMan on March 19, 2021
“LA Parties” is a song about looking at the ‘Instagram life’ – what we see on TV and social media – and discerning it as fake. It was written amidst chaos as LA Parties (real name Andy Gorel) was enduring during a very difficult and depressed period of his life. The breakout artist had just turned 20 years old, and had mangled his hand in an accident – leaving him to believe he’d never play music again. “I struggled greatly with how this visual world we live in would see me, and the prospect of not being able to pursue my greatest passion, music,” says Gorel.
That was in September 2017. Gorel spent every moment he could, re-learning how to play the guitar. By March 2018, he had miraculously recovered enough to write “LA Parties” alone in his West Philadelphia apartment. It began with the simple guitar part heard in the intro. Coming off of a booze-packed, party weekend full of new friends and new crush, “LA Parties” came to fruition.
Hitting the ground running, “LA Parties” is the wondrous debut single from LA Parties. A hard-hitting alternative rock single tailor-made for the 2020s, LA Parties is an artist you’re going to want to keep an eye on.
Stream “LA Parties” on Spotify below.
Electronic | SNSES – ‘Cycles’ ft. Karra
Posted by VMan on May 15, 2020
On letting go, SNSES chronicles a story of empowerment and moving on in his “Cycles” featuring Karra. The uplifting indie electronic tune is out today, Friday, May 15.
A track once sitting as a sweet demo birthed itself into the music world after just one studio session. Chalked up to synergy and skill, “Cycles” is the beautiful brainchild of SNSES, the California based creative making twinkly, inspiring sound. An ode to breaking past toxic phases of life, “Cycles” aims to encourage listeners to rise up against ultimately unhealthy relationships. Featuring a mirage of dance music and breezy pop elements, “Cycles” featuring Karra is SNSES at his best.