Erik Evy has returned with a new visual for his track “Quarter Life Crisis”. The latest from the Chicago artist, this song provides a wistful mood as Evy delivers smooth, heartfelt flows that discuss personal growth and the ups-and-downs of modern life. Featuring an airy instrumental containing uplifting keys and subtle vocal samples drifting atop bouncy percussion, “Quarter Life Crisis” provides heavy replay value. Moreover, the new accompanying visual is clean and crisp, enhancing the song’s focused, refreshing sound and making this an offering that is easy to keep re-visting.
Washington, DC-born, Virginia-bred artist Haisai Maché has returned with a fresh new EP called Mr. Hunchback. Showcasing his eclectic, character-rich sonics and genre-blending style, this 4-track offering finds him exploring a variety of soundscapes that flirt with electronic, alt-pop, hip-hop, and more. Textural and vibrant, these songs find him delivering catchy, dynamic vocal performances atop versatile instrumentation.
Opener “Mr. Hunchback” contains an infectious, dance-infused instrumental centred around swelling synths, energizing guitars, and bouncy percussion. Atop the lively production, Maché delivers bright, engaging melodies in his verses before delving into a memorable chorus. Next, “World Cup” introduces layered, watery reversed keys before vital percussion and addictive bass drop in beneath to give the song added replay value. Here, he delivers another series of tuneful melodies that urge the listener to continuously rewind.
“Closure” ups the pace with atmospheric keys and snapping percussion, creating an enticing groove that immerses the listener in the track’s airy sound. Maché delivers a fluid vocal performance here that enhances the song’s uplifting, expansive feel. Lastly, closer “Do You Like My Love?” brings in a warm, colorful house-influenced instrumental that blends smoothly with his upbeat vocals, making for a diverse, infectious end to the EP.
The latest from Virginia-based artist Haisai Maché, Mr. Hunchback finds him delivering a vivid, versatile set of 4 songs that flirt with a wide range of genres including pop, hip-hop, dance music, and more.
King Madi has just dropped his highly awaited album and second instalment of the Matrix series, Matrix II. The 22-track album boasts of features from Blaze Tha Meziah, Karmaa, Hidden Demons, Haley J, and frequent collaborator, Type1ne as well as others. Matrix II is King Madi’s most diverse and refined project to date. When I talked to him about what the album meant to him, he told me “this album is special because in the first album Matrix, I was in a very dark place in my life, and I was ready to give up on music and life all together. I stepped away from music for a while, but this project stands as a symbol to never give up. It continues from the previous lore of the first project and serves as a reminder that life comes in ‘waves’”.
The album, funny enough, is more or less a wave. It starts off with lots of high energy but later mellows down and gets deeper lyrically. Mental health is also tied into the sequencing of the album, which can be seen in tracks like “Awaken” and “Triumph”. Matrix II is honestly an amazing album from start to finish and King Madi didn’t disappoint with it one bit. Make sure to check out the album right now.
Minnesota artist Pardyalone has shared a single called “not a home”. Showcasing his signature mixture of energy, emotion, and authenticity laced within focused, memorable songwriting, “not a home” makes for an emotive listen. Roping the listener in with his smooth vibrato and heartfelt lyrics, Pardyalone’s performance draws the listener in and makes it difficult for them to focus on anything else. Wistful guitars and crisp percussion underscore his evocative vocals, blending together to create a melancholic, dreamlike soundscape. The latest from Pardyalone, “not a home” is a heartfelt and sharply-crafted offering.
Highland Park, Los Angeles artist Reverie has shared a new single called “No Chaser”. Powerful in sound and personal in content, this song is evocative and emotive, while showcasing her sharp lyrical abilities and deft flow. Opening with ghostly, expansive keys that drift atop gritty, pounding drums, the production on “No Chaser” is raw and ominous. Atop the nocturnal instrumentation, Reverie delivers heartfelt, passionate bars detailing mental health and addiction. Her verses are detail-rich and candid, as she draws the listener in with each bar. The latest from Reverie, “No Chaser” makes for an immersive and poignant listen.
Bronx rapper Ricky Mapes has shared a new release called “40 THOU”. Following up a prolific run of engaging, gritty singles including “BIG MAPES” and “FENTY”, this offering finds Mapes at the top of his game lyrically once again, delivering a series of sharp bars atop ominous production.
Icy pianos and hard-hitting drums open the track in a menacing manner, providing a solid foundation for Mapes’ dynamic bars and powerful delivery. Showcasing a focused command of the microphone, “40 THOU” finds him weaving together poised, confident lines effortlessly. Featuring engaging rhymes and heavy, grimy production, “40 THOU” makes for an invigorating listen overall.
Prolific Canadian songwriter Maggie Szabo has released her popular pride anthem, “Don’t Give Up” on DSPs for the first time. This authentic and heartfelt song is dedicated to transgender youth around the world who live in fear and suffer from rejection and exclusion. The uplifting pop anthem’s music video was originally released in 2017 to a wide reception, and has now been released on all DSPs for streaming.
“Don’t Give Up” opens with grand, expansive choral vocals and airy, atmospheric synths before bouncy percussion is added to give the song an enticing groove. Atop the shimmering instrumentation, Szabo delivers powerful, infectious melodies that demonstrate her sharp songwriting abilities. Crescendoing in an explosive, inspiring chorus that lingers in the listener’s head long after listening, “Don’t Give Up” is an anthemic offering that provides a potent and important message.
The latest from Canadian artist Maggie Szabo, “Don’t Give Up”‘s heartfelt vocals and heavenly instrumentation make for an uplifting, poignant listen.
Tell us about your new song? And what’s the story behind it?
My new song is called “Remind you”. And it’s about reminding the person that you love that you basically, love them. A relationship isn’t always smooth sailings, there are a lot of bumpy roads and this song is me recognizing that, calling myself out on my flaws and saying that I’m happy to have someone who’s able to put up with my mess. It’s basically telling your partner that you’re grateful for having them in your life even with the “less happy” moments in the relationship. It’s a reminder that you’re both in this together and that you won’t let go
What makes your music unique? And how would you describe it?
I wouldn’t say the sound portion of the music that I make is the most unique there is. Although I’m working on that. But what makes me stand out I’d say is the story behind each songs. Because my songs are all very personal to me, because they’re inspired by real life events at least for the most part. I provide something genuine and I think that’s what the people that listen to me resonate with. It’s not over the top situations but things that you can relate to if you’ve gone through similar things. Im being me in those songs, the vulnerable me, the happy me the confident me, depending on the songs. Not some made up version just to look cool. I use my music mainly as an outlet for my emotions and so people with the same emotions will relate to it
Which is the best moment in your musical career that you’re most proud of?
Since I’m just getting started I haven’t had anything major happen yet to be honest but as things are slowly growing and i get to see people connect with my songs is an incomparable feeling. So I’m confident that the moments will come, I’ll just keep working towards them. It’s only been around 6 months
How do you balance your music with other obligations – family, friends or work?
I try my best lol, to be honest it’s tough. I work on weekdays and I use almost any free time I get to work on something music related. I’m not the best when it comes to planning things out lot. But somehow it works out for me at least so far it has
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
First thing I’d say is to make sure you know what you’re getting into. Secondly whatever you do treat it as if it was a stranger handing it to you. If you wouldn’t like that song from a stranger then that means go back and work on it. Lastly just start doing it. Practice is the best teacher, keep your eyes and ears open and you’ll learn as you go
If you had one message to give to your fans, what would it be?
I’d say thank you to the people rocking with me and I’m going to do my best not to ever disappoint them.
Thank you for joining me on this adventure
What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects?
Definitely more music. Mostly singles for now I do want to drop and 𝐸𝑃 at some point but I don’t know when that will be. I also want to try to work with more people. Music videos. And I also want to create more types of content where I can connect with people. I don’t really know how I will do that but that’s definitely something in the plans. We’ll see what the future holds.
Rising Los Angeles singer YaLLa the Melodica has shared a new single called “Are You The One?” This fresh track showcases sharply-crafted, infectious instrumentation and evocative songwriting that pairs retro influences from 80’s pop with refreshingly modern stylings. “Are You The One?” opens with warm, vivid guitars and airy synths, before bouncy drums and electrifying synth bass are brought in to give the song a memorable groove. As Melodica’s vocals float smoothly atop the instrumentation, the listener is drawn into the song’s vibrant, balmy soundscape. Capping the track off with a catchy, atmospheric chorus, “Are You The One?” provides replay value with its graceful sonics.
An apt soundtrack for warm nights as we move towards summer, “Are You The One?” is an infectious, character-rich offering that finds YaLLa the Melodica delivering an evocative and engaging performance. Considering this is only her second release on streaming platforms, “Are You The One?” feels poised and showcases the kind of focus in her songwriting a veteran might possess.
Over lush, slow instrumentation, Ty Jouska recalls a former relationship and the pain he associates with it. The melodies Jouska strings together are both interesting in form and delivery. Through this combination, Jouska reveals a multitude of feelings for the audience: the relief of growth after a questionable relationship, the discomfort that is driven by internal confusion, and the bittersweet conclusion that he both loved and was unable to love the person of subject in “Am I Over You.” And though the track seems to drown in uncertainty, Jouska’s confidence and unique style helps elevate the track past typical self-loathing. It’s charming, sweet, and an overall easy listen.
ROUNDHOUSE MUSIC 