Mali Ama
Not You
Atlanta


Taking a fresh and new outlook to a traditional R&B foundation, Mali Ama is raising the spirit of old and embodying it with a great modern style. Gaining serious attention on both sides of the Atlantic, Mali Ama continues to progress with prowess through the musical journey she's created. Defined by her fans as the perfect choice for a lockdown drive or an afternoon in the garden, the relaxing and mindful music of Mali Ama is getting serious.


Emotional motifs flutter through plucking synthesiser sounds like angelic harps mirroring on an ocean. Mali Ama begins, her voice flows in sweet treacle like doses over vibrant and luxurious tones. Harmonies rise in the vocal mixing as the primary vocal is seconded with polyphonic inflections and explorations. A build in bass rises as the smooth delivery forms ever higher crescendos to the song. It's a memorable song and it really wants to flow into another.


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Dark Funeral
Let The Devil In
From We Are The Apocalypse




30 years since their beginning during the second wave of black metal that swept over Europe and the States during the mid 90s, Dark Funeral continue to enthral and enchant with their lead-guitar based maniacery. Formed in 1993 by Lord Ahriman and Blackmoon, who sadly passed away, the induction of Heljarmadr as the new vocalist enabled the band to continue with their sound. Backed up by leagues of hard-core fans who love the feeling of the music and the band's epic artworks, it seems that nothing can get between them and their beloved warlocks of theatrical wonder.


It begins with a rumble of drums, deep and resonant toms scatter along kick and splashes of cymbal. Guitars begin with harmonious chords that swirl and meander across a dreamy motif. Vocals begin, the traditional black-metal sound to the voice curdles and boils with primordial emotion. The bass and drumming rear up like shadowy stallions as the melodic guitars maintain interesting and rhythmically relevant passages. A definitive surge of powerful distortion and imagery of fantastical horrors forms a clear and enjoyable thrust through everything that makes the genre.


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Listen to Dark Funeral on Spotify

My Twisted Heart
Heartbreaker
Cork


The hugely talented Po Ki Ching has returned to the fold with another alt-rock emo-hop rendition of skill. Having moved from Hong Kong to study at the UCC in Cork, it's become clear that from his Irish base things look a lot more musical and forward facing. Garnering his abilities and wrapping them in vibrant know-how, My Twisted Heart continually produces the blazing songs and with each effort, the kudos counter gains another handful. A member of the local supergroup The Outsiders, Po Ki Ching can also be found producing sounds alongside Outsider YP and Kestine.


Dapples of synth plink like raindrops on still water as the music straightens its shirt and prepares to launch. Swirling harmonies emerge from higher tones and voice changes as rhythm begins to stitch a punctuating flow. A rhythmic break links to a dubstep sentiment as the lyrics begin. Enriched by effects and oddly satisfying angular production, the melodic and mindful composition flows free like sky fishes soaring through currents of warmth.


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You can listen to My Twister Heart on Spotify


Soundcloud


and YouTube

Fly The Nest
Say Hello
Ballinteer


Perhaps a nod to the British multi-instrumentalist Nitin Sawhney who released a track of the same name, Fly The Nest bring their contemporary style to the gesture of friendliness we all need. Solo musician Stephen Cooper has always moved around since he was young, and since performing in a number of bands, Fly The Nest fits his personality more than anything. A professional musician, Cooper can be found writing advertisement soundtracks when not producing his homely rock-folk chart entries. Inspired by giants such as Oasis, London Grammar, Catfish and the Bottlemen, and The National, with heavy shoes to fill and a head above the crowd in talent, it's exciting to witness the growth of this new composer.


Keyboards and drums begin softly as chords lift into tones and song. The vocal begins to the wail of gentle guitar distortion and the first verse brings in the emotion. A chorus then builds with rock chords and tuneful melody. Runs of progression link drum fills and memorable lines. Snappy drumming resonates in a consistent and pervasive beat as dynamic vocal delivery creates an exciting and well-formed piece. Brilliant mixing and a generous dose of talent shimmers on the airwaves.


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and Twitter


Listen to Fly The Nest on Spotify


and YouTube

The Innocent Bystanders
Dawning of the Day
California


Reinventing rock and soul for the modern listener, California's The Innocent Bystanders are breathing new fire into the easy to love genre. Since opening for The Rolling Stones, and a critically-acclaimed debut Attractive Nuisance EP, the group are taking the swagger to the next step with another phenomenal pressing. Their next album, called The Book Of Life, is on form and this happens to be the latest single from it.


Smooth acoustic strings strum to the meandering flow of an oceanic tide. Blues notes ping and cry as wonderfully crisp vocals begin. We hear the words, they flow as drums and bass gather in a sombre yet uplifting slow-drive through emotional clarity. A chorus of easy to imitate sounds craftily carries no literal meaning yet brings out the vibrancy anyway. Vocal harmonies then greet the singer as she gives a new dimension, giving way to a bright and evocative sax solo. Catchy lines and brilliant bandmanship brings Dawning Of The Day to light.


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Billy Harley
So Sorry
Swansea


Immediately striking me as a better looking version of my next-door neighbour, Billy Harley is enjoying a successful run of music releases and is now reaching radio stations around the world. The pandemic has created a new type of musician, one who hasn't performed in a venue before and yet still manages to rack up stream stats and industry interest regardless. It just goes to show that talent can shine in any situation. With a debut album doing the rounds and this snap-up single that figureheads the record, So Sorry from Life's A Puzzle puts Welsh song-writing at the front of the room.


A vibrant acoustic guitar opens with a punchy and powerful rhythm. Billy Harley begins, his evocative and sensual voice wavers and wraps around the chords in an elegant melody. RnB inflections jingle with the clever rhythms as the vocal throbs with quick-shifting pitches that acrobatically hang to the structure. Electric guitar breezes in from the stereo side as the chorus enters, a bass thumps behind, then the verse begins again. It's almost rap with the speed of the words, we can hear them clearly yet a skilful projection gives rise to an effervescent and dynamic performance.


You can visit Billy Harley on Instagram