Songs of Presence & Absence – Evi Vine
British musician Evi Vine conjures dark and daring soundscapes on the elegant melody that is ‘Songs of Presence & Absence’. Atmospherically it is grand, suiting how eloquent the vocals are. “I write songs about the circular patterns of man, and reflecting beauty and violence in the world,” says Evi Vine, and we can see the likes of these themes brilliantly executed on ‘Songs of Presence & Absence.”
You can listen to Songs of Presence & Absence here:
We Almost Were Human – Thalerg Collaborative Project
Evidently, ‘We Almost Were Human’ by Lyon-born songwriter THALERG has a profound element to it just from the title, alluding to the idea that humans have of humanity. The vocals uphold a graceful, distinguished quality throughout, and the instrumental is just as sophisticated. A repeated piano sequence is dominant in the intro, soon morphing into a light drum arrangement. Backing vocal harmonies enhance the sweet ambience.
You can listen to We Almost Were Human here:
Glam and Glitz – Winnie Wanders
What sparked my interest in ‘Glam and Glitz’ from Brooklyn-based artist Winnie Wanders was how ‘now’ her sound is. The blend of outstanding production and dazzling energy is ideal for those fans of the current releases of Charli XCX and JADE. Lyrically the song is flippant; ‘And my swag is iconic, my sound electronic‘ and each listen you notice a line you didn’t before.
You can listen to Glam and Glitz here:
King Cab – Kunstgress
‘King Cab’ is the latest single belonging to Norwegian rock band Kunstgress’s debut album ‘Where the lost wander’. This storytelling anthem opens with the hypnotic vocals right away, synchronising admirably with the instrumental. The melody has an addictive element to it through verse and chorus, and it becomes clear just how good quality a rock song ‘King Cab’ is.
You can listen to King Cab here:
Raccoons (Don Letts & Gaudi Remix) – Caravan Palace
Reggae and Dub Royalty Don Letts & Gaudi have delivered a thrilling dub take on ‘Racoons’ by pioneering Parisians Caravan Palace, a single from their 2024 album ‘Gangbusters Melody Club’. It’s undoubtedly a busy instrumental, but the brilliantly textured production makes this work so incredibly. An authentic piece altogether, that’s for sure.
You can listen to Racoons (Don Letts & Gaudi Remix) here:
The Code Mane – The Illumin8tives
Alabama-based group The Illumin8tives have released their debut ‘The Code Mane’ this month, carving out an innovative sound. There’s a depth to the production and something distinctive about the rhythm. The continued shifts between a slow, powerful vocal and the crisp flow of rap verses demonstrate this unique artistic expression. “The Code Mane would be a psychological thriller if it were a movie,” said the group.
You can listen to The Code Mane here:
House of Cards – Harry Cleverdon
Australian Country singer-songwriter Harry Cleverdon released this month the lead single ‘House of Cards’ for his upcoming album. The melody is really fun, but the storytelling lyrics suggest something deeper; ‘That’s okay I guess, cause we made this mess, it’s only love on the line.” The chorus especially makes way for the vocals to shine, which radiate a tone so emotive.
You can listen to House of Cards here:
Earth – Jericho Cortez
New musician on the scene Jericho Cortez has released her debut album Supernatural , which includes the melody ‘Earth’. The opening piano notes have an air of melancholia to them, setting the scene before the vocals enter. Both instrumental and vocal tone then work together to bring the lyrics to life such as ‘No one can compare, I just let it go’ – a line embraced by the melody. The atmosphere then shifts into something darker, revealing a versatility about ‘Earth’ and creating a vivid listening experience.
You can listen to Earth here:
TAKE ME – Ciinderella Balthazar
Opening with such soulful vocals for ‘TAKE ME’ was a fantastic choice from Belgian artist Ciinderella Balthazar. A dramatic quality is present, used to build up to the chorus. The instrumental is sometimes subtle, in comparison to the power of the vocals, but this is crucial in crafting the majestic character of the melody.
You can listen to TAKE ME here:
Charlie Brown Shoes – Stephen Mugford
‘Charlie Brown Shoes’ is apart of up and coming musician Stephen Mugford’s debut album released this week. The word impassioned came to mind immediately upon hearing his vocals amongst this strong, catchy and memorable tune. There’s an amalgamation of older and some more modern components here, and that’s what makes the instrumental so refreshing.
You can listen to Charlie Brown Shoes here:
You Can’t Stop – William Hut
William Hut, hailing from Bergen in Norway, releases ‘You Can’t Stop’ – introducing us to the melody with the observational lyric ‘I’ve seen colours fade’. The unusual production aids the introspection demonstrated lyrically, and the vocals are patently immersed in the instrumental. It’s a listen you won’t forget considering it’s pure originality and the story behind it concerning an America that’s burning and a Europe that’s close behind.
You can listen to You Can’t Stop here:
Summertime – OVGRAE
Korean-American singer OVGRAE brings the perfect summer anthem, reflective of its title, to us this month. ‘Summertime’ airs an ethereal complexion within the instrumental, furthered by a vocal so smooth and easy to listen to. Lyrically, each line reads like a story, with references to the past, present and future.
You can listen to Summertime here: