Author: befree

By Jacob Ezra

“Pessimists get on my nerves/ You couldn’t do it so now you just hatin’ on me“, Juicethedon raps with self-contained ferocity on “Limits”, a new track from his deluxe version of THE BIGGEST DON. A self-aware ode to overcoming obstacles and naysayers, “Limits” showcases Juicethedon’s sharply candid lyrical ability and compelling command of the microphone. As he strings together poignant line after poignant line, one cannot help but be drawn into this track’s raw yet ruminative atmosphere. Underscored by warm, rich production, “Limits” is a track that is easy to put on and zone out to, inspiring deeper contemplation and reflection.

Listen to “Limits” now:

19 year-old California artist Carsan has shared a fresh single called “So Many Problems”. Showcasing his sharp lyrical skills and commanding yet smooth cadence, this single’s hypnotic, infectious grooves caught our attention immediately. Featuring a laid-back, glowing instrumental that provides a warm soundscape suitable for Carsan’s fluid, confident vocals, this track is both thought provoking and catchy. With introspective lyrical content and an immersive sonic atmosphere, “So Many Problems” is a track that is highly replay-able while simultaneously providing many pensive moments.

Listen to “So Many Problems” now:

Massachusetts artist DK has shared a fresh new single called “Gaslight”. A wistful, bittersweet offering packed with infectious melodies and heartfelt lyrics, this single continues his run of singles containing consistently sharply-crafted songwriting. The instrumental for “Gaslight” centres around melancholic guitars and swirling, airy backing vocals, before heavy, addictive percussion and rich 808s drop in. As DK delivers memorable verses and tops it off with a powerful, emotive chorus, one quickly gets absorbed in this single’s hazy, stirring atmosphere. A sentimental yet catchy joint from DK, “Gaslight” provides replay value while remaining potent throughout.

Listen to “Gaslight” now:

Frettz, Knoble, JED, and Lyfe have connected for an international collaboration titled “Keep Your Doubts”. Featuring a bass-heavy, infectious instrumental centred around bright guitars and crisp percussion, this single is a refreshing banger that had us hooked from the get-go. The vocalists share a natural chemistry here as well, trading off electrifying verses with ease and charisma. Tied together by a memorable hook, “Keep Your Doubts” provides heavy replay value while also showcasing sharply crafted lyricism.

Listen to “Keep Your Doubts” now:

New Jersey producers DRIVEBY and Roper Williams have shared a collaborative album titled Armored Mewtwo Has No Friends, featuring vocals from fellow New Jersey artist Fatboi Sharif. The three share a natural chemistry throughout the record, as made evident from the first track “Status Check”, which features a droning, psychedelic instrumental centred around gritty samples and rich bass. Over top, Sharif’s baritone vocals meld with the beat to create a claustrophobic yet enjoyable soundscape. “Status Check” transitions smoothly into “Change of Plans”, which adjusts to a slower pace with a relaxed, minimalistic keys and subtle percussion. Showcasing the artists’ diversity early in the project, “Change of Plans” opposes the first track’s glitchier aesthetic with a smooth, lo-fi beat.

Songs like “Extended Journey Into Space” and “Starwind” take on an expansive sound palette with slowed down, reverb-soaked samples that feel deeply layered, while “Alone” and “Neue Drum” feel more compact and jazzier. The project’s dynamics keep the listener engaged while also remaining highly cohesive, allowing the producers to switch styles effortlessly throughout the tracklist.

An album highlight appears in the pensive, nocturnal “Traveling”, a track that finds cosmic, airy keys ringing out atop laid-back percussion. Here, the producers use of space is intriguing, with the beat feeling simultaneously straightforward and dense. They re-create this effect on other tracks throughout the album, including the subtly grandiose “In Space Floating”, which features twisting, abstract vocal samples and grooving drums, giving the song an otherworldly yet infectious rhythm.

A multi-faceted project from DRIVEBY and Roper Williams featuring heavy contributions from Fatboi Sharif, Armored Mewtwo Has No Friends is a diverse offering that mixes lo-fi sounds with noise and glitch elements. A forward-thinking record that provides many pleasant surprises, this mercurial offering beckons multiple re-listens to grasp its layered nature.

Listen to Armored Mewtwo Has No Friends now:

Sean Pixel has shared a fresh new single called “muda muda”. The prolific artist, who follows up his vibrant, warm recent song “not as easy” with this offering, continues to showcase sharp songwriting and a keen ear for infectious production here. Evocative guitars enter first, creating a wistful foundation for Pixel’s emotive melodies as crisp drums and bouncy 808s are brought in to bolster the song’s hypnotic rhythm. As he delivers smooth yet powerful verses and caps the song off with a memorable hook, one can’t help but be drawn into this song’s nostalgic, balmy atmosphere. The latest from Sean Pixel, “muda muda” continues his streak of charmingly catchy offerings.

Listen to “muda muda” now:

By Griffen Elliot

Yngboyewy is one of those new artists that excite me. His discography only began in 2020, but Ewy has already proven to be a prolific songwriter- and a good one at that. Throughout his tracks there seems to be a fluid blend of different genres like indie, pop, and hip hop, and his latest release “<3” is no different. The track opens with an acoustic guitar strumming behind a synth melody while Yngboyewy vamps hip hop-like vocal stabs, even including a producer tag before the beat drop- all of which has been ingrained in you to make you believe you’re about to hear rapping. So, it’s a real fake-out when it launches into the main more indie-centered theme of the song. This fake-out however, does not diminish the quality and flow of the song as a whole and adds replay value, in my opinion. Yngboyewy is a hidden gem.

Listen to “<3” now:

By PJ Ouellet

Canadian artist Dxadpoxt returns with his second single of the year, teaming up with YUNG FUFU for the release of “Lone Traveller”. Wavey and packed with subtleties, a hypnotic guitar line drives the track as both artists deliver powerful verses. “Lone Traveller” is both soothing and engaging, reminiscent of the modern west coast sound of the early-2010s. Light keys and harps float in and out from start to finish, while angelic, yet ghostly choirs support Dxadpoxt’s hook to round out a spirited offering from the pair.

Stream “Lone Traveller” on Spotify now:

By Abakam Michael

Michael: What was your first introduction to music?

SS Jay: My first introduction? Man, I don’t know for real lol. Earliest memories is of mom playing Teena Maria. She would make me sit down my brother and throw a concert in the living room. She couldn’t sing for shit but the joy and determination on her face made me sit there and enjoy every word she “horribly” sang out. Lol.

Michael: What inspired you to start making music?

SS Jay: J Coles “Friday Night Lights” and Early Drake. A lot of other artists have reignited my passion throughout the year but those boys are TIMELESS. I just wanna create something like that.

Michael: How would you describe your sound?

SS Jay: To be honest? I don’t know, never thought about it. If I had to describe I would just say it’s Jay. When you hear you hear all my vulnerabilities, my fears, my vices. Different songs fit into different categories where one is hard hitting and fast the next introspective and thought provoking. But it all comes down to it being me and my different sides.

Michael: What’s your creative process like?

SS Jay: Low lights, beat catalogues, and the notes app on my phones.

Michael: You plan on dropping anytime soon?

SS Jay: I dropped my latest “Life can wait” last month and I’m loving the response. I’m working now on a project and more stuff to release soon.

Michael: What does “Life can Wait” mean to you?

SS Jay: To me it’s just a pause for real. Fuck the stress, the hardship, and the disappointments that comes with life. It’s like a timeout, a moment to catch your breath and gather yourself.

Michael: Can you tell us more about this project you’re working on?

SS Jay: I wanna drop a video and a little EP. My video ideas are out of this world and I have to find the right person to help me execute it or I’ll never get it done lol. I need my first video and
everyone after that to be something different and something special.

Michael: What you hoping to achieve at the end of the year?

SS Jay: I just want my music heard and to be able to do this full time. I’m only giving myself a year and a half to pursue this so I’m all in.

Michael: What would you label your career highs?

SS Jay: Right now lol I won a song writing contest for 500 and I just surpassed 25k plays on Spotify. That alone is a huge victory for me. I’m just hoping I can hit 100k and then on and on.

Michael: How do you cope with the feeling of being under appreciated as an artist?

SS Jay: It makes me mad low key but even more hungry to prove myself. I know if given the right resources I could make shit SHAKE.

Listen to “Life Can Wait” by SS Jay HERE.

By Griffen Elliott

CHLSY is a Nashville-based rock band that has brought back a wave of 90ʼs nostalgia with their newest single “garden”. This song’s opening guitar riff is simple but has a certain quality to it that piques your curiosity, this is then followed by the vocals which are as gorgeous as the lyrics of the song, which can be quite poetic at times. All of this is then builds to an absolute smack in the face of killer riffs, pounding drums, and driving bass all expertly complimented by an impressive vocal top line that will bring you back to the days of 90’s hard rock and grunge. The final result is a song that is impossible not to headbang to. I predict big things for CHLSY as this talented group continues to hone their craft.

Listen to “garden” now: