Author: befree

Massachusetts-based Respectfully Said, made up of hosts K and Darius Isaiah, is an up-and-coming podcast worthy of your attention. They provide insightful commentary on music from the area, featuring hot takes, song spotlights, interviews and more.

From the get-go, it is clear that Respectfully Said are a strong voice coming from the Massachusetts area, providing multi-faceted commentary about music from the region. They analyze everything from production to vocals to the artistic culture of the area, taking into account lots of perspectives each episode. In the burgeoning music scene of Massachusetts and specifically Western Massachusetts, their focused opinions and observations cut through as important and engaging.

Furthermore, Respectfully Said’s ability to cover a diverse array of topics is admirable, and they go in-depth on these topics with both co-hosts, guests, and just with the hosts of the podcast, K and Darius Isaiah. They also include in-depth music reviews in each episode, focusing on releases from the Massachusetts area but also including music from around the world. These reviews add another dimension to the podcast, adding to it’s multi-layered style.

Overall, Respectfully Said are steadily cementing themselves as a sharp voice coming out of Massachusetts, and demonstrate strong work ethic and clarity with each new episode. It is evident that they are a strong player in the fast-rising Massachusetts music scene, and will continue to grow with it, as well as help it grow.

Massachusetts musician Kudo‘s self-titled album is an atmospheric and powerful offering, providing energetic and contemplative energies that keep the listener engaged throughout.

KUDO kicks off with the massive “Woah”, which contains reversed keys and heavy percussion. Over top, Kudo delivers some superb verses full of exciting melodies. The chorus on “Woah” is truly memorable, showcasing Kudo’s sharp skills as a songwriter. He follows this up with the defiant “Made Me/ With That”, which contains a dark, epic piano riff that hooks one in immediately. Moreover, his vocals are heartfelt and authentic, channeling intensely unbridled emotion in a graceful manner. Furthermore, the beat switch midway through is engaging and provides lots of replay value.

Next, album highlight “Trick”, featuring vocals from Sosa Da Great and Pasto Chris and production from DK, is a raw and catchy track. Once again, Kudo comes through with an excellent chorus that caps off the song in a glorious manner. He follows this up with the grand, rugged “Flak Jacket”, which is centred around massive, demonic synths and head-banging drums. This track makes for a truly imposing and impressive listen, showcasing Kudo’s full power as a vocalist.

Another album highlight is the DK-produced “All In” which features moody keys and rich bass. Over top, Kudo delivers some adrenaline-fuelled, authentic vocals that energize the listener. Finally, the album closes out with the contemplative “Feelings Don’t Die”, which features reversed keys and bouncy drums. This track has a reminiscent, reflective feel, and Kudo comes through with some personal verses here.

Overall, KUDO is a strong release that solidifies Kudo as an exciting artist coming out of the Massachusetts music scene. It is evident that he is an important player in this vibrant, growing scene, and his consistency as an artist is truly admirable.

Written by Jacob Saltzberg

Massachusetts musician DK has shared a pair of new EPs dedicated to North Dakota and South Dakota. Over top of 6 tracks in total, the talented artist displays his sharp production and songwriting abilities.

For North Dakota, DK kicks off with the appropriately named “Energy”, an upbeat track featuring rich bass and crisp percussion. DK showcases his songwriting ability on this opener, stringing together melodies effortlessly. Next, the acoustic guitar-backed “History” provides a mood that is more laid-back in nature. He comes through with a sharp hook on this song that keeps the listener engaged. Lastly, the atmospheric “Granted” is a highlight, providing nostalgic, reminiscent vibes that carry one back to past memories. DK comes through with some well-written verses that draw the listener in, as smooth synths ring out underneath.

On South Dakota, DK comes through with some uplifting vibes on the opener “Tied Up”. Here, bouncy drums provide a fast-paced rhythm as bright synths play over top. He follows this up with the melancholic, bittersweet “Kissing Booth”, which contains a strong instrumental centred around watery keys and clean percussion. DK provides some well-written vocals that keep the listener on their toes. Finally, he closes the project off with “Enjoy”, a positive, optimistic track that features a crisp, relaxed beat. This song closes the EP out on a hopeful note, providing cheerful yet contemplative vibes.

Overall, North Dakota and South Dakota are engaging, well-crafted projects from DK. It is evident that he is a voice that deserves attention in the Massachusetts area, as a member of a fast-rising yet still slept on scene.

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Haiko has shared a bouncy, energetic new cut called “IU2Ly”. Over top of atmospheric synths and clean percussion, the artist delivers infectious melodies that keep the listener hooked throughout.

The instrumental for “IU2LY” consists of bright synths that play out smoothly over top of adrenaline-fuelled drums. Beneath, rich bass glues the track together and provides a solid foundation for Haiko’s catchy vocals.

He comes through with some engaging melodies that keep the listener on their toes, delivering strong verses and a sharply executed chorus. His melodies are playful yet equally well-written, adding to the replay value of this song.

Overall, “IU2LY” is a strong offering from Haiko, providing a great soundtrack for summer and drawing the listener in from the get-go. Hopefully more is soon to come from Haiko as we move into the latter half of 2021.

New York rapper Hunnaloe has shared an elegant new visual for his smooth, nostalgic singles “The Towns Finest / Route99”.

This new video finds Hunnaloe delivering a charismatic performance of his singles, appearing easy-going yet assured throughout. The video is cinematic and features warm coloration, adding to the reminiscent mood of the tracks. On the two tracks “Towns Finest” and “Route99”, he delivers rapid, powerful verses full of sharply crafted lyricism. Moreover, the beats are dark yet calming, containing wistful samples that carry one back to past memories.

Overall, “Towns Finest / Route99” is a strong release from Hunnaloe, showcasing his superb mic skills and providing two solid instrumentals. He shows much potential on this release, and cements himself as a new artist to keep an eye one going forward for the rest of this year.

Berlin-based artist Mr Pigeons breaks new ground on his album Pink Fossil, showcasing his unique style and combining textural and aesthetic elements in a truly intriguing manner.

Pink Fossil opens with album highlight “Elephants”, a track that encapsulates Mr Pigeons’ eclectic, mind-bending style perfectly. This succinct yet layered track contains a feeling of mysticism and spiritual depth. Sonically, the track features fragmented samples that swirl into a psychedelic blend of cosmic sounds. Dusty, deep drums complement the samples nicely, tying the song together and creating an engaging rhythm. He follows “Elephants” up with the mysterious, ethereal “Timekeeper”, a song containing dream-like flutes and subtle, crawling drums. The minimalism of this song is simultaneously relaxing and enthralling, opening up a wide range of emotions. Over top, Mr Pigeons delivers some poetic verses and a memorable chorus.

Next, the glitchy, dark “Western Wilderness” conjures an apocalyptic atmosphere through winding synths that take on an industrial tone. Moreover, the relaxed “Bearth” creates a wistful atmosphere through the use of subdued horns and deep percussion. Another album highlight comes in the title track “Pink Fossil”, which once again captures Mr Pigeons idiosyncratic style and sets a moody, spacey atmosphere. Here, he delivers some truly sharp verses and an intriguing hook. Finally, the album closes out with the ambient, massive “Pink Bandana”, which features epic backing vocals and deep bass. This track makes for a superb closer to the album, containing a colossal, earth shaking instrumental that draws the listener in immediately.

Overall, “Pink Fossil” is an interesting, ground-breaking release from this Berlin-based artist. It contains some of the most left-field hip-hop songs you will hear all year, featuring psychedelic samples that tumble and twist in unprecedented manners. Throughout the whole project, however, there is a feeling of deep spirituality and authenticity that is impossible to ignore, making for a truly intriguing listen.

Written by Jacob Saltzberg

Vancouver artist Anjalica Solomon has shared an ethereal new single called “Honey Queen”. Over top of wistful, dream-like guitars and mystical backing vocals, the talented Solomon delivers a poem about Queer love, expressing eroticism and desire beautifully.

The instrumentation on “Honey Queen” consists of elegant, laid-back guitars that drift along in a surreal state. Accompanied by ethereal backing vocals, the combination of instruments on this track draw the listener in immediately. Beneath, minimalistic, organic percussion glues the track together, providing a relaxed rhythm.

Over top of the magical instrumental, Solomon delivers beautifully crafted poetry about Queer love, capturing desire in a crystalline manner while showing much focus and attention to detail in the writing.

Overall, “Honey Queen” is a strong release from Solomon, for it is sonically mesmerizing as well as lyrically vivid. It is evident that they have much potential in the spoken word medium, showcasing natural ability from the get-go.

Something New has shared a new banger called “3TIME”. This glitchy, adrenaline-fuelled banger provides electrifying energy that makes this track endless entertaining.

“3TIME” is centred around rapid synths that contort into a twisting melody that draws in the listener immediately. Underneath the synths, booming 808s provide an infectious rhythm, paired with hard-hitting percussion. Over top of this beat, Something New comes through with some vicious, fiery verses full of clever wordplay. His flow is lightning speed, and he rips through rhyme after rhyme with ease. All in all, his vocal style is interesting and entertaining, providing a variety of flows.

Overall, “3TIME’ is a strong offering from Something New, for it is an enticing banger that is very replay-able. Hopefully more is soon to come from this talented artist, as he shows inherent potential on this release.

MUDA! has shared a fiery new banger called “NO PRESSURE”. This high-octane release is a great pump up song, featuring heavy percussion and raw synths.

Over top of rugged, high-energy synths, MUDA! delivers some intense verses full of clever lyrics. His delivery is commanding and entertaining, keeping the listener hooked from the start. Furthermore, the beat is powerful and keeps on nodding their head as they are overcome by jaw-dropping 808’s and crisp percussion. This is a track that certainly provides a lot of replay value, making it worthy of re-visiting again and again.

Overall, “NO PRESSURE” is a catchy track that combines elements of both West Coast and East Coast hip hop to create an entertaining banger. Check it out above!

TheKidSax has shared a new single called “Need You Now”, featuring Ig4 Music. This wistful song provides melancholic yet hopeful vibes that can help keep one going through hard times.

The instrumental for “Need You Now” is centred around bright guitars underscored by clean percussion and rich bass. The production on this song is both optimistic and reflective, providing an intriguing mixture of moods that keeps the listener on their toes throughout. Over top of the mercurial beat, the singers come through with some catchy melodies that get stuck in one’s head for a long time, keeping one coming back to this track again and again. Their songwriting shines over top of this energized instrumental, providing a strong offering.

Overall, “Need You Now” is an interesting release from TheKidSax and Ig4 Music that is moody and simultaneously groovy. The pair show a natural chemistry throughout the track as well, and there is much reason to hope for more music from this pairing in the near future.