​Markus Homm, Brad Brunner, AG Swifty
The Big Con
Sublease Music
 
This trio of titanic talent take the wheel for the latest offering from Sublease Music. A veteran on the dance and techno scene, Markus Homm has been headlining venue nights since the times of the early era. Teaming up with Brad Brunner and AG Swifty, Homm directs and distils his virtuosity with the help of today’s modern luminaries. Giving the newer names a vital lift in terms of musical kudos and foundation, this triple artist release takes seriously the ethic of the genre and the bubbling of new directions that keep it alive. Making use of minimal house rhythms and manic percussion lines, The Big Con is available to stream from today.
 
Thick bass rattles through an alignment of hats and snare. A staggering to the beat gives a jolt to the awareness as the bass hits on the second one. Rumbling and progressive lo-side beats burst through in pulsations of heaviness. A tonal melodic sits quietly on the top of the throbbing underside. The talkative and tubular sound of tuneful drums dances in a happy motif across the rage of sudden bass. Stabs on synthesiser join in, carrying a vocal ooh in the lines. The percussive use of the syllabic lyric invents a dancing clarity to which we can move with grace. Rampant beats scatter and froth in multiple directions of stereo as the music simmers into a quieter moment. The mix hits out again with equal force to culminate the progression into a stream-lined bash through rhythm, bass, and style.

You can follow Markus Homm on Instagram

and Facebook

You can follow Brad Brunner on Instagram

and Facebook

You can follow AG Swifty on Instagram

and Facebook
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Jill Barber
Homemaker
Vancouver
 
Released via Outside Music on the 10th of January, British Columbia’s Jill Barber presents Homemaker. An ode to all parents and their daily challenges, Jill Barber sends a message to let you know you are not alone. Known for an intimate and pretty finger-picking guitar style, this new album is the first record that Jill has produced herself. Working with Erik Nielsen of City and Colour in the studio, the record has everything it needs and everything the artist imagined. Taking a step back from the string arrangements that fans already know, this new set of songs features a stripped-down and traditional technique that brings the song writing to life with a more subtle direction.
 
A stroke of guitar brings a smooth melody that sways in a warming breeze. Jill Barber begins to sing; her voice strikes as beautiful and soulful. The lyrics recognise the human side of being a parent. Delicate harmonies resonate in the background and a drumbeat emerges from the mixture. We listen intently as the alluring music draws in closer with compassionate lines. The silky delivery reveals truths about being a real person with responsibilities and trouble. Doing our best as a parent is all we can ask for, and the music reminds us that we can’t be expected to be on top of the world every day.
 

​Find out more by visiting Jill Barber online

You can follow Jill Barber on Instagram

Twitter

and Facebook
​

Benji Tranter
Satellite
From Songs To Make You Happy
 
With two brilliant Eps to his name already, it’s been around five years since Welsh Marches resident Benji Tranter put his name to his sounds. Having recently spent time with the power-pop three-piece Ski Lift, his band has reached lofty heights with plays on BBC Radio and beyond. Now that he’s returned to his lo-fi home-grown sound with the debut full-length album, Benji Tranter presents the video for Satellite. As Britain enters the space-age with its first ever rocket launch tonight, putting home-made satellites into orbit, it’s an ideal time to update you with this relevant and artistically stunning song-writer. Produced by Benji himself and featuring a selection of talented friends, Songs To Make You Happy is available from January 20th. 
 
The music begins with a broken guitar riff that blurs into drums. The chords begin again once the beat is established, and a happy tune ensues. The lyrics leap from the bars in giddy dances as a chugging guitar rhythm keeps time with the sway. We can sing-a-long with the words as the crisp and listenable delivery makes it difficult not to. Laid-back and full of personal groove, the tuneful creation of music rests on sturdy laurels as harmonies and musicality fortify the sound.
 
You can follow Benji Tranter  on Instagram

Kid Alina
Life Goes On
Germany
 
3 million streams amassed at just thirteen years old, we’re all thrilled for Germany’s Kid Alina who is clearly gifted with pure talent. Her first four releases have enjoyed multiple thousands of radio plays, too, so it’s a real pleasure to be able to bring the next one to you today. Kid Alina’s style of funky EDM with clever melodies makes the music fun and exciting with a sound good anywhere production.
 
A choppy synth melody begins with swirling backgrounds. Kid Alina starts to sing, an effect gives her voice a futuristic edge that slices into the middle. Melodic vocals merge with funky beats and groovy bass. Uplifting and party-inspiring, the music reaches into the body and makes it move. Fun and inventive lyrics keep the pace with expert layering and use of studio magic. Brilliant projection blurs with expert digital inflections to give the track a bouncy, fresh, and morish quality. 


​You can follow Kid Alina on Facebook

and Instagram
​

The Yets
Lesser Evil
South Carolina
 
With a brand-new glittering EP on the airwaves, South Carolina’s The Yets push forward two video tracks to head up the adventure. Lesser Evil is one of these monsters and it’s already getting praise from across the board. Inspired by bands such as Jefferson Airplane, Concrete Blonde, and Fleetwood Mac, (eBay links) their classic rock and new-wave sound is thriving in the modern day with new blood pumping with persistent talent. Two seriously hard-working musicians bring the band to life. Robin Wilson offers her voice and soul while Craig Anderson Snook brings studio wizardry and dudishly good guitar skills to the fold. Released on the band’s own Royal Terns Records, The Yets EP and their two videos are set to stun. 
 
It begins with a synthesiser and rhythm that spirals in a double helix of sound. A vocal begins with a lifting sensation. Guitars thrust a dreamy wave of chord into the flow as the beats settle to a laid-back groove. Robin begins to sing, her voice smoothly dances over the verse as the musical expression builds to a climax. The vocal begins to jump and fling through the choppy air as guitar bursts with distortion and a rocking intention. The sleepy and relaxed section returns with streams of synthesiser and reverb before another lift into the raucous chorus enters.
 
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Find out more on The Yets website

Follow The Yets on Facebook

and Instagram

Buy music from The Yets on Bandcamp
​

Riigs, Skenna
Amsterdub
The Netherlands
 
A new 2-track EP from Riigs and Skenna takes the artists further into the realms of dance and electronica. Teaming up once again to bring another edition to the Londam roster, this duo has unified several key processes in the dance-floor sound to focus the energy and uplift that revellers love. Otherwise known as Jeffery Raat (Skenna) and Mark Allin (Riigs), Jeffery has been keen to extend his Londam label with even more exciting move-makers. The EP also contains a Skenna exclusive entitled Jacuzzi. The pairing of tracks stands at over ten minutes of high-energy rhythm and sound.
 
It begins with a one-two beat. House style bass and snare resonate with high-end fizz and sparkle as deep and lush synths reach down to caress the underside of the sub. Elevating percussion sounds add flavour to the beats between the steady rhythm as melody rises in harmonies and waves that creep along with fragile evolution. Extra layers merge in, a funky bass begins to chug to the beat as drums add chatty rhythms to the mix. Vocal sounds whisk along the side-lines in ghostly moments. A mixing of rhythms, drum sounds, synthesiser, and vocal effects bring an intrigue and adventurous sense to the progression. Snappy, quick-stepping, and full of exploratory factors, Amsterdub draws a vivid picture in rhythmic sound.
 

​You can follow Riigs on Instagram

and Facebook

You can find Amsterdub by Riigs and Skenna on Bandcamp
​