Prolific lyricist SiriusB caught our attention for his soulful song “The Great Flood”. A track from his recent album KRITICAL THINKING, which followed up engaging projects like THE ODDYSEY and PLANET SIRIUS, “The Great Flood” is a standout joint that paints vivid lyrical pictures atop a tapestry of warm, soulful production. Featuring insightful verses delivered in Sirius’ confident, energetic tone, “The Great Flood” is a track with lyrics that captivate, making it difficult to not pay attention to each word. With a cathartic, expressive feel and detailed lines analyzing our current times, “The Great Flood” is a poignant offering from SiriusB. Give it a listen below.
London artist Lynx Cane has shared a new video for his self-produced song “MANNA”. The baritone-voiced emcee has recently been carving his own lane for his spiritually-focused, vivid lyricism and engaging sound. His 2021 Garden of Gethsemane EP demonstrated this with its esoteric verses and jazzy, laid-back sound- while the track in focus, “MANNA” instead finds Cane taking on a hard-edged, trap-laced style. “MANNA”’s bristling, electrifying synths take on a subtle rage influence, while bouncy 808s and crisp percussion build a potent groove. He handles the imposing beat with ease, delivering cutting verses with his textural baritone delivery and contrasts nicely with the instrumental’s highs. The new video, directed by Milo Ricketts-Mason features vibrant, fast-paced shots set in London that suit the song’s off-the-wall energy, featuring an engaging performance from Cane. Give the new video for “MANNA” a watch below.
JIG LeFrost has dropped off a fresh new project, titled Once in a Blue Moon: Have You Seen Me?. LeFrost’s lyrics reveal his life’s ups and downs, showcasing his ability to find beauty in the messiness of the world, and connecting with listeners on a deeper level. LeFrost has shared both virtual and physical stages with acts like Blvck Svm, The Good Perry, Maxo Kream, Billie Eilish, TI, and more. The rapper has also collaborated with multiple billboard #1 producers like Juberlee & Sims Cashion. His latest offering, Once in a Blue Moon: Have You Seen Me? is an eclectic 19-song project that demonstrates LeFrost’s creative prowess and vision with a set of songs that keeps the listener on their toes with dynamic, versatile cuts at each turn.
The distorted, futuristic soundscape of “round the world (Intro)” paints a vividly nocturnal picture for LeFrost’s captivating vocals. Atop atmospheric, Jersey-club-influenced production, he delivers rich verses before delving into a truly memorable hook. The swelling, warm production of “NIGHTMARES” follows up next, creating an infectious backdrop for LeFrost’s versatile vocals. Tracks like “WHY?” add a melodic touch with hypnotic vocal lines, while “DO YOU COPY” further demonstrates LeFrost’s versatility with its punchy, hard-hitting sound. The psychedelic, shimmering production and raw flows of “WHAT U KNOW” make for a highlight late in the project, showing focused songwriting from LeFrost atop the ethereal production.
A diverse, potent project overall, Once in a Blue Moon: Have You Seen Me? finds LeFrost refusing to simply conform to one style or sound, and in doing so he captivates across the mixtape’s 19-song runtime.
Listen to Once in a Blue Moon: Have You Seen Me? here:
West Coast legend Blu and prolific production outfit Real Bad Man recently shared their collaborative project Bad News– a blazing 8-track offering that displays Blu’s characteristic penchant for rich, vivid lyricism atop Real Bad Man’s potent instrumentation. The pair have now shared a visual for the title track “Bad News”, an immense cut that opens their recent project with captivating energy. “Bad News” finds Blu lacing the track with poetic, thought-provoking lines at a rapid pace atop dusky, subtly ominous strings and horns. As organic percussion and memorable bass build up a hypnotic groove, he launches into a verbal assault that keeps the listener on their toes with each line. The new visual, features crisp shots and an attention-grabbing performance from Blu, capturing the track’s vigorous energy.
Watch the video for “Bad News” here, from Blu and Real Bad Man’s Bad News project, released on Real Bad Man Records.
Chicago standout D2x captivated us with his song “Waves & Moonlights”, a track from his recent LP Hotel 1105.First hitting the scene in 2018, D2x has since carved a unique lane within Chicago and beyond for his soulful, introspective sound. After his momentum catapulted further with his debut album The Color Blue, D2x continued his run with his potent new album Hotel 1105. “Waves & Moonlights”, a standout track from the project, caught our attention for its elegant sound and sharply-crafted dynamic vocals.
Atop swells of graceful keys, refined percussion, and infectious bass, D2x demonstrates focus and confident mic presence with a series of vivid verses. Underscored by flourishes of electric guitars that add layers to the track, he build eclectic lines into a memorable hook that ties the song’s graceful energy together succinctly.
Give D2x’s track “Waves & Moonlights” a listen below.
Heartbreak Homie has shared a fresh new album, titled Social Butterfly. Heartbreak Homie is a versatile artist from the southside of Chicago, who prides herself on her writing skills, song making skills, ability to change her cadence and flows at the drop of the dime. As a true hip-hop lover, Heartbreak mostly delivers a melodic rap but always manages to sing and give her fans a ballad, deep R&B cut or pop hit. Inspired by greats like Michael Jackson, Drake, Chance the Rapper and Beyonce, Heartbreak makes it a priority to remain vulnerable in her music and give the listeners something they can smoke to. Her latest offering, Social Butterfly, is a potent mix of influences and sounds that draws from hip-hop, rap, R&B, dance, and more, making for a vivid and engaging listen.
Social Butterfly is a dynamic project that showcases Heartbreak’s versatility, with each track introducing new flavors and keeping the listener on their toes. Tracks like “Off With They Head” find her sharp and poised on the mic with raw rap flows atop hard-hitting production, while she is equally in the pocket on “Monarch Moon” and “Falling in Love”- slower tracks that are immersive and laid-back in sound. “Indeed”, with Jefe312 and Morgan Gold, brings in an acoustic element and provides a highlight in the process, with breezy, uplifting guitars and elegant vocal melodies. The rhodes-laden soundscape of “Today” finishes Social Butterfly on a high note, with warm sonics and poignant vocals from Heartbreak.
Heartbreak Homie’s latest project Social Butterfly finds her delivering heartfelt, expressive tracks as she stays true to herself and her creative process in an admirable fashion. Give the new record a listen below.
Nigerian singer JazzZ and Zimbabwean producer Tenten captivated us in July with their collaborative album ABSINTHE, a hazy, dream-like blend of hypnotic alternative R&B cuts. With a warm, immersive feel and poignant, organic sonics, ABSINTHE presents a character-rich, intimate offering from JazzZ and Tenten that remains as one of our favourite releases this summer.
Fatboi Sharif and Steel Tipped Dove- ‘Decay’
New Jersey’s Fatboi Sharif and New York’s Steel Tipped Dove connected for their LP Decay, which dropped in July on Backwoodz Studioz. An uncompromisingly experimental, head-trip of a record that lives up to its namesake with dilapidated, raw instrumentation and apocalyptic lyricism. On Decay, Sharif sounds at home atop Steel Tipped Dove’s frigid, asymmetrical production, weaving together idiosyncratic flows and vivid imagery in a dizzying fashion.
YL- ‘Don’t Feed the Pigeons’
New York mainstay YL’s ‘Don’t Feed the Pigeons’ LP is a refreshing project from June that captures the oft-sought NY hip-hop essence without leaning too heavily into nostalgia. It demonstrates his versatility as he tackles beats ranging from drill to ambient-infused instrumentals, while conjuring a subtly surreal atmosphere that gives it unique character.
Fatboyshaun- ‘BLOOD ON MY CARHARTT’
South Texas’ Fatboyshaun dropped off his project BLOOD ON MY CARHARTT in early July- a tour-de-force of potent lyricism atop raw, soulful instrumentation. Demonstrating the versatility that makes him a layered emcee, BLOOD ON MY CARHARTT both packs a punch with imposing lines and introspects with heartfelt cuts, with Fatboyshaun sounding equally natural in both lanes.
Ché- ‘CHÉ’
New York’s Ché captivated us with his self-titled project from July. CHÉ is an album versatile in sound and heartfelt in content, as it finds the New York artist dropping a series of thoughtful verses atop engaging, diverse instrumentation. Throughout the record, an undercurrent of youthful energy is present- with shades of hope for brighter times, while also touching upon being in the thralls of depression and frustration. Using his bicycle as a motif, the album’s dynamic pace, observational nature, and NYC references are given added context and layers, giving CHÉ a conceptual edge.
Stounson- “Break Bread” (ft. Ricky Mapes)
“Break Bread” is a self-produced cut from Seattle’s Stounson, featuring The Bronx’s Ricky Mapes, released in August. With a DIY feel and psychedelic edge, “Break Bread” makes for a potent cross-coast collaboration between the two artists. Raw layers of samples give the track a pulsating rhythm, complemented by dusty drums and potent, cutting flows from Stounson and Mapes that demonstrate a natural chemistry.
Versatile artist dietrich. has dropped off a new single called “hollywood”. The emotive, raw single finds him at his most vulnerable in a way that connects deeply to his audience, as he delivers heartfelt vocals atop sheets of raw guitars and potent percussion.
Wistful acoustic guitars open “hollywood”, as the song builds dynamically with dietrich.’s gripping presence as a vocalist and his memorable melodies. “hollywood” culminates in a powerful hook underscored by electrifying guitars, vital bass, and lively punk-inspired drums. His vocal melodies on the chorus are especially catchy, while balanced out with emotionally-drenched undertones.
Regarding “hollywood”, dietrich. says “writing “hollywood” was my first time being honest in a song. Ironically, it was the easiest to write. This is my darkest, most terrifying story I’ve ever had to tell”.
Take a listen to dietrich.’s latest song “hollywood” below and further familiarize yourself with this dynamic artist.
Miami-born, LA-based artist Lo Artiz has shared a new song called “la bruja”. This infectious, vivid R&B number continues her run of refreshing, focused releases- and it shows layers of depth in its songwriting and lyricism in the process. Backed by a tapestry of watery, expansive keys, starry synths, and rich bass, Artiz shines with sleek, emotive vocals laced with dynamic melodies. With an undertone of catharsis, “la bruja” makes for a poignant song with themes of women accessing and wielding deeper powers- providing a fierce roar within the patriarchy of the music industry.
Regarding the song, Lo Artiz says, ”La Bruja has a lot of layers. It’s about how a lot of people love to cage a bird. It’s also about empowerment and divine feminine power, knowing who you are as a woman, and refusing to accept any less than you deserve…”
Check out Lo Artiz’s latest single, “la bruja”, below.
Rising Portland emcee Milc and fellow Portland beatmaker Televangel of the renowned production duo Blue Sky Black Death have dropped off a new single called “Pain & Leather”, featuring New York standout YL. Released ahead of their new collaborative album The Fish That Saved Portland, the single introduces a luscious, silky soundscape that suits the laid-back, charismatic performances of Milc and YL. Televangel’s hypnotic concoction of airy, psychedelic samples, rubbery, infectious bass and minimalistic percussion creates silky backdrop for YL and Milc to lace the track with sleek flows, vivid lyricism, and smooth deliveries. It’s a track that pairs each element together cohesively and in a natural fashion- making for a refreshing listen. Check it out below and prepare for Milc and Televangel’s upcoming project The Fish That Saved Portland.
ROUNDHOUSE MUSIC 