A totally random, whatever came to mind first, selection of the latest additions to our
New Music Monster
Music Reviews written by Tobi Davis
Artist: All the Rest
Track: “Our Youth”
Georgia-based Indie four-piece All the Rest drop a tight slice of compelling synthpop groove with new single, “Our Youth”.
Boasting impressively original and ear-catching synth-sonics, the 3-minute 24-second track works its playlist friendly duration at pace; Bass (Tre Houman) and drums (Jud Harris) playing off each other, to create a shifting, syncopated groove that dares you not to move; the obligatory, ‘Industry-standard’ grid-snapped precision set off nicely by an creative approach to rhythmic structure. Frontmen Caleb Smith’s and Baylee Waller’s voices contrasting and complementing in an engaging back and forth through the verses and a rising, soaring harmony in the choruses; framed by funky electro-phonics, derived from synth FX pedal and/or synth (I suspect a bit of both – answers on a postcard, please); the song providing a cool, neo-80s vibe throughout with inspired sound creation.
Backed-up by smartly judged use of pitch and filter FX on both vocal and instrument alike, ‘Our Youth’ engages throughout. Light on its feet and with an eye to the skies, All the Rest’s latest single wins you over with accomplished production and instrumentation; but wins your heart with strikingly honest lyric, delivered in a series of pop-perfect phrases and hooks. With both musical integrity and instantly singalong chorus, “Our Youth” clearly demonstrates All the Rest are ready and able to bridge the gap between the Indie act and mainstream success.
Facebook.com/alltherestmusic
Twitter: @alltherestmusic
IG: alltherestmusic
Artist: Kyan
Track: “L.A.”
With sweeping majesty in instrumentation and soulful honesty in vocal rendition, independent artist Kyan delivers a singular and standout pop/soul epic with new single, “L.A.”.
Disarmingly lowkey in its opening moments, new song “L.A.” breathes into existence with gentle, but precise dabs of strings, shifting ambient and drum bursts that tumble and fall, cinematic. The instrumentation grows in pulse and surge to great ocean swells of string and emotion. Wonderous backing voice joins in soul-deep tone and harmony. Cymbal and crash shatter, explode and rasp; the track rising Olympus high. Throughout all Kyan’s voice soars magnificent; expert use of vocal technique and tone delivering a steady-build/slow burn of inevitable truth; part confession/part prayer.
With great finesse and deft hand, production technique is used to frame and enhance the 3-minute 43-second pop odyssey; inspired use of sound design casting an entire world of sonic texture; well-judged FXs applied with taste to create depth, variation, and movement within the stereo field. Sincere in intention and audacious in action, “L.A.” is pop music of the highest measure and offers further testament to the great talent and even greater potential of Kyan.
Facebook.com/kyanmusic
Twitter: @kyanmusic
IG: kyanmusic
Artist: Felin
Track: “Woman with a Knife”
With swagger and strut, attitude and gut, Stockholm-based independent artist Felin delivers a sharp dose of cinematic electro-pop, with new single, “Woman with a Knife”.
In delightful taunt and quietly coiled malice, “Woman with a Knife” rises from the shadows in precisely orchestrated layers of building instrumentation and production. The 3-minute 3-second track shifting like musical theatre on a razor’s edge; kick and bass landing deep and proud, snare and percussion delivered with punch and slap. Sparse arrangement of piano and guitar making compelling use of sonic space, allowing the silence to hit hard. Felin’s vocals teasing, sardonic, and foreboding in the verses; rising anthemic in the chorus; tall and confident, brazen and unapologetic.
Delivered with dark humor and driven by raw emotion and considerable anger, ‘Woman with a Knife’ makes for a striking and intoxicating listening experience; threat, promise, rallying cry, and inspiration; “Woman with a Knife” is all of the above; framed in starkly cinematic tones. Felin’s latest single will echo through the bedrooms, college dorms, car rides, and homes of women everywhere. You better not f**k with a woman with a knife.
Facebook.com/thisisfelin
Twitter: @thisisfelin
IG: thisisfelin
Share your music via Thursday’s #Musichouruk 8 pm – 9 pm (UK Time) for considering on our New Music Monster Playlist and review as one of our New Music Picks!
About Tobi Davis (BRASH! Magazine/Blog Writer)
Good producing is like good plumbing. If you do your job right, no one notices. Mix, Remix + Master. Run @monsterthread w/ Singer Songwriter Jon Magnusson. Host Thursday’s @musichouruk. Music Reviews for BRASH! Magazine. Promote. Occasional Lyricist. Love my beagle Enzo + fav bands Little Empire and Moxi.
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Facebook.com/TobiProducer
Twitter: @producedbytobi
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About The Monster Thread
The #MonsterThread is a community of Independent Musicians, Bands and Artists supporting each other in making and sharing Indie Music.