Categories
Blog Roundhouse Features

NAHreally and The Expert share thought-provoking album ‘BLIP’

NAHreally and The Expert have dropped off a new album titled BLIP. This new LP from Massachusetts-born, New Jersey-based emcee NAHreally follows up his poignant 2022 album HACKINAWAY, and it finds him connecting with prolific producer The Expert for a thought-provoking collection of character-rich, ruminative songs. BLIP draws the listener into a hypnosis with a set of focused songs that are detail-oriented and relatable- putting a refreshing twist on observational lyricism while dissecting life’s minutiae from the outside looking in.

Songs such as standout track “Breaking Down in Real Time” featuring Open Mike Eagle, display NAHreally’s sharp eye for detail atop The Expert’s pensive production, as NAHreally tackles anxiety around aging in a manner that zooms in and gives listeners a clear picture. Jazz-tinged songs such as “Movement & Light” use ethereal production and vivid, poetic lyricism to convey a bittersweet wistfulness- while “Read the Room” discusses the awkwardness and uncertainty of human interaction atop potent, dark instrumentation from The Expert. Overall, BLIP is truly a journey through light and dark, and various integral emotions, while exploring the quirks and little complexities of being human.

Take a listen to NAHreally and The Expert’s new album BLIP here:

Categories
Blog Roundhouse Features

Bub Styles shares raw new visual for “Can’t Buy Class” (ft. Lord Sko)

Standout Brooklyn artist Bub Styles recently dropped off his potent album Outerwear SZN 4, and he has now come through with a fresh video for “Can’t Buy Class”- a highlight joint from the project featuring Lord Sko. “Can’t Buy Class” pairs a grimy, raw energy with understated elegance- laced with sleek key riffs, punchy percussion, and dynamic, charismatic vocals from Styles and Sko. The two demonstrate a cohesive chemistry as they trade imagery-rich verses atop the track’s gritty, nocturnal instrumentation. The new video, directed by Gee, captures the tracks off-the-cuff rawness with crisp shots, engaging editing, and potent performances from the two emcees set to the apt backdrop of NYC’s streets at night time. Give the engaging new video from Bub Styles and Lord Sko for “Can’t Buy Class” a watch here now.

Categories
Blog Roundhouse Features

Raz Fresco, BhramaBull, and CKooliente are “Victorious” on new single

Producer BhramaBull has dropped off a new track called “Victorious”, alongside Toronto emcee Raz Fresco and New Orleans’ CKooliente. A meeting of three standout minds in hip-hop’s underground, “Victorious”‘s effortlessly soulful, laid-back feel comes through in its weaving, graceful vocal samples, warm keys, and rich rhythm section. The emcees sound poised and sharp atop BhramaBull’s ethereal beat, as they trade raw verses while demonstrating a natural chemistry. Focused and in the pocket, Fresco and CKooliente’s assured tones match BhramaBull’s rugged yet smooth production style for a truly “Victorious” offering. Give it a listen here now.

Categories
Blog Roundhouse Features

MOMO AZUL! (Masongo Ogora & SoulLoops.) shine on ‘THE ALBUMLUDE’

By Jacob Ezra

California duo MOMO AZUL!, consisting of emcee Masongo Ogora and producer SoulLoops., come together for a soulful, uplifting release in THE ALBUMLUDE. A reflective, warm set of songs that feel freely expressive in a refreshing manner- THE ALBUMLUDE‘s potent, hopeful energy refuses to be constrained. With much character and engaging songwriting that often opts for unorthodox approaches, THE ALBUMLUDE is a vibrant, likeable offering from MOMO AZUL!. “GRIEF GUY // COMMERCIAL BREAK” introduces a carefree like-ability that lingers throughout the record, distilled by its chorus, which truly grows on the listener as time goes on. “DIM TO 2% BATTERY” feels like a sonic sigh of relief with its laid-back, thoughtful sound- while songs like “HALF-HUMAN 2ME” blend in free jazz and lo-fi elements for psychedelic offerings. Overall, THE ALBUMLUDE is a sonic journey that surprises and charms at many points. Give it a listen here now.

Categories
Blog Roundhouse Features

Jaysanityy dives deep on ‘bag man julio’

Jaysanityy has dropped off a new album, titled bag man julio. The prolific artist has become known for his ear for hypnotic, soulful production, and especially his ability to go deep with his lyricism and content. Building a prolific catalogue of releases that put a forward-thinking twist on boom-bap, he continues to expand his sound with bag man julio, which features Jordan Ali, omontizay, and more. Jaysanityy has a penchant for building expansive worlds with his songs, while injecting a heavy dose of potent introspection. Both grounded and surreal, bag man julio cuts past the surface level from the get-go for a thought-provoking listen. Highlight tracks include the ethereal, epic “50 years of hip hop”, with the powerful catharsis it displays in its vocals, as well as the rich, meditative “generational artist”. bag man julio feels like one of these albums that just tunes the external world out, and inspires a deep dive within. Give bag man julio a listen here now.

Categories
Blog Roundhouse Features

A.M. Early Morning and Nightwalker connect for new ‘Pitchin Quarters’ EP

A.M. Early Morning has shared a new EP called Pitchin Quarters, produced entirely by Nightwalker. The project finds the pair demonstrating a natural chemistry as they lay down a series of heartfelt, jazz-tinged tracks that reflect their work ethic and focus. Opener “Hard Times” makes for a reflective listen with its warm, nostalgic jazzy production and raw lyricism. The glowing soul loops and assured vocals of “Progression” conjure an undertone of triumph, while title track “Pitchin Quarters” paints a starkly real, vivid picture atop enotive production. An engaging EP that radiates authenticity, Pitchin Quarters presents a solid new release from A.M. Early Morning and Nightwalker. Give it a listen here now.

Categories
Blog Roundhouse Features

Chow shares surreal new LP, ‘Pisces’

Massachusetts artist Chow has dropped off a new album, titled Pisces. A collection of raw, surreal hip-hop tracks featuring Jadooks, Jay Cinema, Jesse the Tree, and more- Pisces finds Chow distilling his left-field hip-hop sound into a series of dark, hypnotic joints that blend in noisy, often experimental lo-fi elements. Following up his well-received project earlier this year with Jay Cinema, Alchemy, Pisces continues Chow’s prolific 2024 run with a set of songs that feel at once familiar and challenging to the listener.

Gritty, ominous loops with funk-laced rhythm sections bring together definitive tracks like “Been Up” and “Too Long To Quit”. The ethereal production and focused flows of “Praise”, produced by dj noonsomewhere, showcase Chow’s versatility further. Closer “Love So Strong” is a potent example of Chow’s tapestry-like approach to sampling and provides a further window into his unique sound as the album closes. Take a listen to Chow’s new album Pisces here now.

Categories
Blog Roundhouse Features

Andre Lawrence shares refreshing new album ‘Dustrial Denim’

New York’s Andre Lawrence has shared a new album, titled Dustrial Denim. Produced entirely by fellow NYC standout Arlo Walker, Dustrial Denim is a poignant, sleek collection of observant East Coast hip-hop tracks that blend classic 90’s boom bap influences with refreshing twists.

“Dawn (Intro)” is an expansive, vivid intro that acts as Lawrence’s mission statement- as he paints pictures with his lyricism atop Walker’s layered soul sampling. “Lo Definition” follows up next with a rugged, yet crystalline, track with a laid-back nostalgic feel and charm. The wistful keys and relatable verses of “Mind’s Good” draws the listener in immediately- while “Rich”‘s smoky, jazz-laced soundscape and potent vocals make it a highlight from Dustrial Denim.

Listen to Dustrial Denim here and further familiarize yourself with NYC’s Andre Lawrence.

Watch the music video for “Rich” here:

Categories
Blog Roundhouse Features

JIREH drops off a potent release with “ONTHEGUYS”

JIREH has dropped off a fresh single called “ONTHEGUYS”, produced by gutty and andrés ian. Another expressive track from the rising Baton Rouge artist that shows he is unwilling to be put in a box- “ONTHEGUYS” is laid-back and yet full of character and style. Above sleek, watery keys, buoyant percussion, and infectious bass, JIREH’s relaxed, confident delivery cuts through as he weaves together dynamic rhyme schemes. With a nimble flow and penchant for clever, poignant lyricism, JIREH continues to prove himself as a standout coming out of the south. Listen to “ONTHEGUYS” here now, a single from JIREH’s upcoming LP.

Categories
Blog Roundhouse Features

Semiratruth shares expressive release “The Star” [Video]

By Jacob Ezra

Chicago artist Semiratruth has dropped off a self-produced new release titled “The Star”, which includes a fresh visual accompaniment. The standout Chicago musician, who released the well-received album I Got Bandz For the Moonlandin’ in 2021 and appeared recently on “Glass Ceiling” alongside H3IR– returns with a poignant, focused release in “The Star”. Glistening with ethereal sounds and evocative lyricism, “The Star”‘s emotive, freeing feel coupled with Semiratruth’s sharp songwriting makes it an engrossing joint. Putting into the listener into a dream-like hypnosis with warm, kaleidoscopic samples and soothing vocals, “The Star” is a character-rich, soulful song from Semiratruth. The new visual, filmed by Kelechi Agwuncha and George Schaefer, captures the song’s celestial feel with a series of spiritually-attuned shots that feel surreal in the most natural way possible. Watch the music film for “The Star” here:

Listen to “The Star” on Spotify: