this is the last time by pulp

pulp has put their fantastic spin on The National’s  “this is the last time”. pulp gives the song more longing and a feeling of grief, bringing down the tempo. They speak not-so fondly of, but mesmerized by, “Jenny”. pulp generates a sorrowful tone with slow, dark piano chords. The National’s thoughtful, woeful lyrics are paired with their dreary tone. “I wish everybody knew what’s so great about you. But your love is such a swamp. You don’t think before you jump.” “this is the last time” is similar to a mantra, or a promise to yourself. pulp shows off their creative directing skills and pays homage to the band with this cover of a classic.

Click here to listen “this is the last time” on SoundCloud.

Basic by Trestil

Trestil is look for a girl that’s out of this world. His new single “Basic” assures that he’s on the search for better when it comes to his love life. “Basic” is a smooth R&B track, Trestil puts his vocals on display and delivers a stellar performance. The track is fairly short, allowing listeners to listen to it over and over. The energy of the song makes it perfect to add to your daily playlist. Trestil went above and beyond with this single.

Click here to listen to “Basic” anywhere. 

A QUICK CONVERSATION WITH REESIE WOODS

      

Reesie Woods, a young R&B artist determined to let his spark ignite the music industry. His qualifications are above most, but it’s his spirit that makes his music enjoyable. With a handful of projects and singles under his belt, he has been able to generate an engaged and dedicated audience. Although he’s in the early stages of his career, his knowledge of his craft and his amazing talent are sure to take him much further. I talked to him to learn more about his latest single and what experiences crafted him into a young artist.


You music has a well tuned and mature sound, what are your roots in creating music?

REESIE: First of all thank you! Yes, I believe that my music actually really stems from my actual experiences and growth.When there was I feel like I was (am) growing into myself through these experiences. I feel as if that bleeds in my music, and everything I do creatively. Also my music influences have a big role in it as well. Such as Miguel, Bruno Mars, Alicia Keys, Diddy, John Legend, and of course Usher!


What pushed you to pursue a career in music?

REESIE: What pushed me to pursue to do music was (believe or not) Alicia Keys! I watched a video of her performing on the Soul Train awards on youtube, playing the piano, and singing. The way she was doing it, the way she was so captivating. I just knew I had to at least explore the feeling, so I began piano lessons at 13, and long story short it was wraps! Went to college to study music, discovered my love for singing, started being trained classically. Got my degree in Music Business. Now here I am aspiring to my dreams and aspirations! It hella life lessons that could be taught through learning music, and singing music as well. I am grateful for the rocky process. Truly.

R&B has been rising back into mainstream popularity. What’s something new or back in style that you’re happy about?

REESIE: First of all. This make me extremely happy. Simply because soul music has such an impact in my life. I grew up around various amounts of R&B music being played around me. I love the fact R&B is a little bit more alternative meaning that its incorporating a new sound but with the essences of true R&B. Artist such as SZA, Anderson Paak! Also, please do not sleep on this artist that goes by the name of Yebba!! She has this gospel influence to her! She is the real deal! I love artist who can really go there and really tap into the soul aspect of music. Thats my point tho. I love that the soul aspect is coming back into R&B, BECAUSE that is what R&B is.

Has quarantine helped you or hurt you creatively? How so?

REESIE: I would say it has helped me! It has help me tremendously. I had all this extra time to think, to meditate on so many different thoughts, emotions, fears, and really strengthen myself. To grow in confidence, to forgive, to grow from certain fears. Overall to not stunt my growth as becoming the person I want to be. KEYWORD “I” simply because I was so focused on other peoples opinions when my opinions should be the first and last opinion I think of. Quarantine put so many things into perspective for me, which is why my song Midnight II. just really came so fast, and so naturally. Because I was able to confront my mental barriers. YES that’s a thing. haha Speaking for myself. 

What’s the story or motivation behind “Midnight II”? It sounds like the theme to a good date night.

REESIE: The story behind Midnight is about a girl I was in a situation with. It’s about you two wanting to be together, but these cycles keep happening, and getting in the way of the actual talking phase. Meaning we can never get pass our issues, because of these assumptions. So that why I write the hook. “Love me tease me know you think about me, Hate me but you miss me tell me how you really tryna be” So Midnight II. is literally about a phase in a relationship. Thats why the music video describes it so well. Because by the end of the video is a sense of relief between couple because you know it’s love there but shit keeps getting in the way. Thats Why I say “save me from your midnight” meaning I just want to see you lets talk, lets get through this.

What’s your next step in music as far as keeping fans engaged while concerts are still somewhat far in our future?

REESIE: Definitely more videos! I love video foe real real. More covers, and behind the scene footage of my process. More music is coming, and musical features I am crazily hyped about! Also we have more releases soon with our clothing line Protagnia! So be on the lookout and support!

Will “Midnight II” be a part of larger body of work? When can fans expect more from you?

REESIE: Haha. It still really early for me to tell actually. Because I wrote Midnight II. based off a feeling and I just kinda go with my true feelings. Fans can expect more from me this year for sure. I just getting warmed up. I feel as tho I reach the point were I can really express myself musically, and more is coming sooo sooooon.

Click here to listen to “Midnight II” anywhere.

Age of the Beat Stars

Hip Hop has morphed dramatically since its origin in the 70s. Each generation adds its flavor and layer of creativity to the art. As we’ve fully stepped into the new decade, it has become increasingly obvious that producers have come for the crown. Rap has always been about the rhythm and poetry created by the DJs and emcees. But the years have brought a new audience, and a new sound. Melodic, drill, and trap rap are now international. Hip Hop is global and connecting personally with the lyrics isn’t necessary. Countries as vast as Russia, Korea, and Italy have adopted rap music. Where verbal communication falters, the rhythm does all the talking.

Now, simply what’s heard sonically is enough to connect one to a song. The impression of the bass, the emotion and tone of the vocals is key to evoke a response. Entire cultures are infused into Hip Hop, then shared even further through streaming and social media. At the core of these experiences are the producers and engineers. They’re able to create instrumentals so timeless and organic that it doesn’t take a certain listener to appreciate it. Producers search for fresh and enticing sounds to add texture and brand the beat into listeners’ brains. This all comes together in the studio as engineers take the best qualities of the beat and the artist’s vocals and create the hits of today. 

It’s hard to say you haven’t liked a song just from the beat, especially the drop. That energy is hard to ignore. Production in itself has always been a prominent skill in creating music. Now, thanks to social media, young listeners and artists can follow their favorite producers, learn from them, and listen to all of their songs. Producer collectives have launched their recording careers. In this era, the artists are the instruments. Internet Money, the multi-faceted music collective, has earned themselves over twenty weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. Stars can be discovered at any stage when it comes to production. A young and driven collective is more than capable of leaving their mark. The collective Neilaworld acquired credits on multiple platinum projects in 2020, including Pop Smoke’s Shoot For The Stars, Aim for the Moon. In this new decade, everyone gets their credit. Anyone can be a star.

pof by glasear

The concept that producers are artists in themselves has become more prevalent in the last decade. Producers are pivotal to the recording process and give songs their life force. Producer glasear takes it up a notch, creating a world within his music. His latest project “pof” is a quick look into his creative ideas and possibly his sound at its purest.

The EP begins with The First Step “Monoto”, it has a surreal essence. The tempo changes at glasear’s will. Like a dream, you're at the mercy of imagination. The soft bass and fluttering chords allow the track to flow. It mends perfectly into “Spyro (The Second Step)”. This instrumental sounds like falling deeper into the rabbit hole. The pacing of the drums gives off haste and the feeling that time is running out. It ends with a transition to a much calmer sound, almost like transcendence. Next is “Absorb (The Third Step)”. This track has similar elements to jazz. It’s freeing. Each instrument and sound has its own, distinct identity within the song, but they manage to complement each other and have the space to create something more. “Absorb” feels looser and more carefree than its predecessors. “Bliss (The Final Step)” has a rock influence with heavy drums, distorted strings, and angst that will engulf each listener. On the surface there’s chaos, but only to guard the soft, angelic vocals. Each just as precious.

Click here to listen to pof on SoundCloud.

Break Dat Bank by Lil Turbo

Lil Turbo has been releasing hits to break the seal on mainstream music and his latest single “Break Dat Bank” has placed him one step closer. The song, produced by Lukrative, features fast snares and bouncy drums. Lil Turbo has a villainous tone as he talks about avoiding the feds, fighting off racists, and still making a bag. The song and its chorus are catchy, making it hard to skip and even harder not to add to your playlist.

Click here to listen to “Break Dat Bank” anywhere.

Life’s Hard, Love Hurts by Lil Sad Boi

Life’s Hard, Love Hurts is a raw and organic EP created by Lil Sad Boi. He expresses his emotions fully, shouting out legends before him such as Lil Peep and XXXTENTACION that used their emotion as slates or mirrors for their music. Lil Sad Boi connects through the most human emotions: loss, heartbreak, and wanderlust. He’s searching for the answers that many of us are diving into. Each song, from “X Wing” to “Cali Girl” is a reflection of a love lost or barely able to come to fruition. This project is definitely residing in the realm of Emo Rap. Lil Sad Boi manages to put his mind and way of expression on the line to make a masterpiece fit for those feeling a little too lonely.

Click here to listen to “Life’s Hard, Love Hurts” on SoundCloud.

Outside, Inside by Makai Keyes ft. Foe Snow

The search for love can be treacherous, but Makai Keyes and Foe Snow manage to make the love pains sound whimsical. “Outside, Inside” is a snappy almost-love song. Makai is searching for someone who will let him in, but the journey hasn’t been all sunshine. “I’m on my own so you know I’m alone now, but I done learned a lot of things that I know now.” Foe Snow speaks his peace, adding his own distorted flare to his vocals and the instrumentals. His verse steps into the realm of R&B, making the track all the more dynamic.

Click here to listen to “Outside, Inside” anywhere.

Crash Tonight by Funeral

“Crash Tonight” is the first song I’ve ever heard from North Carolina rapper Funeral, but it definitely won’t be the last. Emotional music has always been a staple in popular music, but now it’s merging into Hip Hop more than ever before. Funeral is a part of a generation of artists that enjoys being vulnerable, and despite the genres' harder history, has a deep connection and talent for Hip Hop. “Crash Tonight” has crass and worn vocals mixed with hyper pop distortion and frankly dark lyrics. Similar to mega artists like Trippie Redd and the late Juice WRLD, Funeral in “Crash Tonight” manages to take a subject matter that would usually be grim and makes it rhythmic and brighter than the assumed emotions and story behind it. Funeral and his SoundCloud listeners would agree, he’s on the verge of a blowup.

Click here to listen to “Crash Tonight” on SoundCloud.

Trapatar by Keko

How is he not famous yet? 

That was my initial thought after listening to the opening track of Trapatar by Keko. The Atlanta rapper’s latest project has all the trappings of any artist you’d see in a Cole Bennett music video or featured on the next Drake single. Keko has a casual and almost childish cadence, one somewhat akin to Lil Yachty’s low but childlike voice. Keko sets himself apart from most with his approach, acting as if each instrumental is an opponent. He wants to have the best flow for each sound or style he’s working with- at least that’s how it sounds. This allows him to rap on the heavy trap and drill beats as well as some of the less conventional styles. Each track on his new EP hits differently, but it’ll only draw you in more.

Click here to listen to Trapatar on SoundCloud 

No Hook by BunnyTheDon

BunnyTheDon keeps a tight grip on her cash and an even tighter grip on the industry. Her new single and visual “No Hook” is sure to lure in more listeners. Similar to the music video, shot by FilmedByTylan, BunnyTheDon is a woman in a predominantly male game. She finds confidence is proving herself. Her lyrics aren’t copied and her drive to be better than the boys at this is genuine. As a Maryland native and a boisterous MC, she’s sure to have fans all across the country in no time.

Click here to watch the “No Hook” music video on YouTube.

A QUICK CONVERSATION WITH CHLOE RAIN

Chloe Rain wrote her debut album for her, but she also wrote it for you. Each song is an extension of an emotion that we all feel. It’s the sadness of being cheated out of happiness or a glimmering opportunity, Unfair is a heartfelt and selfless display of love and growing pains. Although not perfectly polished, Chloe Rain and her friends of artist make this project a stepping stone for her musical career and what fans can anticipate.  

What encouraged you to make Unfair your debut album instead of a mixtape or EP?

CHLOE: i originally planned on making it another ep, but as the tracks came to be, i knew that myself and the people involved were album material. i also wrote the whole album in four days so i acknowledged how natural it was coming to me and took that as the universes way of saying, this is it. but what really pushed me was once i listened to it front to back for the first time i just knew it was my debut album.


What have you learned about yourself as an artist while creating this album?

CHLOE: i learned that i can do a lot more styles than i think i can, ikyk was the first time i wrote over a beat like that, and the lyrics literally slipped off of my tongue. i also learned that i’d rather put out a big project than a bunch of little ones, i like to tell a story through my art and although i can do it in four minutes, why limit it to that.


COVID-19 has ruined plans for millions. Did you experience any complications due to quarantine during the process?

CHLOE: honestly not really, i’ve been pretty lucky because most of what i do has been online so far the only semi complication, was i thought i had the virus so i couldn’t sing for about a week, but i ended up just having a cold thankfully. but that was the 5th day of working on it so the day after writing all those songs all i wanted to do was record but i knew it would only make recovery longer

Any plans for visuals in the future, this year or next?

CHLOE: i have a video in the works right now, and i plan on doing more in the next year or so, i have a lot of ideas in my head, i just need to work on bringing them to life

Is there a story behind the song “Asshole”?

CHLOE: asshole is just a song that i felt like everyone could relate to. i’ve done wrong like everyone, but i feel like you do one thing and everyone paints you out to be the bad guy. it was kind of my way of beating everyone else to it because i knew the people who this album was about would hit me up or throw shade and i had a song on the album to hit them with what i assumed they were thinking. & a song to the haters. 

Have you felt any pressure to meet or exceed standards while releasing your music?

CHLOE: honestly, no.i’m to a point in my craft where i can bump my own songs and love on them. i knew putting this project out no matter what the numbers said or who loved it, i was confident in my craft. and it was more than good enough.

What can we expect from for the rest of the year?

CHLOE: i have a lot planned, i’d except some singles, and potentially another ep.

Click here to listen to Chloe Rain anywhere.

No Average by Digital Dior ft. Yung Gosse

 

Music label Digital Dior has taken visible steps within the industry to make themselves a household name. Their latest release “No Average”, featuring Yung Gosse and production by Papi and Rich Illuminati is a fierce leap forward. The single holds the essence of UK Drill, popularized in the US by late rapper Pop Smoke. Between Papi and Rich Illuminati, they’ve managed to conger dark energy through heart-thumping bass and adding a more sinister tone via a synth. Lyrically, Digital Dior and Yung Gosse hit it right on the head. The tempo is quick but cold. “No Average” delivers as a complete and mindful body of work with a clear message: we’re coming for you.

Click here to listen “No Average” on YouTube.

I Can’t Smoke In The Gallery by Pulp

“I Can’t Smoke In The Gallery” is a slow and solemn track essential for moments when you just need to unwind. The grave bpm of the beat is hypnotic and Pulp’s soft vocals are meditative. The piano chords and drum beats can only best describe a sunny park scene. Pulp manages to create layers within the song, each with their own experience. Although the track has such light and optimistic tones, the lyrics hold a contrasting tale. You may just have to take another listen.

Click here to listen to “I Can’t Smoke In The Gallery” anywhere.

Unfair by Chloe Rain and Kyng Kilo

“Unfair” is an enchanting song complete with lively electric guitar and whopping bass. Chloe Rain is the lead vocalist for the track, fully grasping the power of her raspy tone and mesmerizing belts. Kyng Kilo’s verse comes in after the second half of the song. The change is jarring enough to transport into his realm. Each artist maintained great vocal performances, their emotional chords tied their styles together perfectly. By the end of the song, you’ll want to hear more for both of these bright and developing artists.

Click here to listen to “Unfair” anywhere.

Slide Down By Lil Xelly Music Video

Lil Xelly has teamed up with one of his most loyal and iconic collaborators MOSHPIT, for his “Slide Down” music video. The Maryland rapper has his usual outgoing and careless demeanor as he pilots a Mercedes from outside the driver’s window. MOSHPIT disclaims that the entire video was created with just one scene worth of raw footage. This doesn’t hurt his creativity. He may work the best with the most simple of conditions. He depicts winding roads on top of mountains, fighter jets and Lil Xelly in the eye of the storm. Thanks to Xelly and producer ChinaTown, “Slide Down” has that essential upbeat energy to get you through your day, even if it isn’t going the best. 

Click here to watch “Slide Down” on YouTube.

A QUICK CONVERSATION WITH LOGAN WRITE

The focus on lyricism isn’t dead, and SoundCloud is not a platform of the past. Everything has its peaks and valleys, everything that rises must fall. Hip Hop artist Logan Write lives by this. His music is an infusion of classic rap flows with a shift in experimental writing and instrumentals. His bars run on like train tracks. You wouldn’t believe, once you get to the end, where you started from. He’s studied and nearly mastered his lyricism and boom-bap style. Now, he’s taken that knowledge and created a thoughtful and exciting EP, Late Night. I took the time to ask him about his affinity for music, commitment to staying true to his roots and what’s next for him, as soon as we are all allowed to leave the house.

How has growing up in the Midwest shaped your style of hip hop? You’ve stayed true to a more boom-bap style flow.

LOGAN: Livin on the east side of indy during my childhood it put me in a community where rap and hip-hop was more prevelant. There was a lot of old heads and I think that led me to perfer boom bap styles. But I try to put a spin on it.


You only have two projects and a handful of singles on SoundCloud, yet your music sounds professionally crafted. How long have you been creating music and what drove you to pursue such a career?

LOGAN: Im very self conscious about my music so Im always looking to improve production, creativity, and sound quality. I’ve been makin music for about a year and a half now, still a long way to go. Ive always loved freestylin and I wanted to transition to songs and after I had fully finished my first song I was hooked.


You pledged to remain true to roots in “Still the Same”. What keeps you sane and grounded while developing a name for yourself?

LOGAN: Id say the constant concept of who I want to be as a person and as an artist, Ill obviously change little by little as I grow but I want to stay goin in the same direction always.


How did your collaboration with 9Livez for “Alone” come about?

LOGAN: I was workin on Alone and decided that I was goin to put a feature on it and the first artist to come to mind was 9Livez. Man is amazing and he agreed he actually came through to my studio and recorded the verse right there.


Have you had your first live performance yet? If not, do you have plans in the near future?

LOGAN: I have! I opened for Ugly God in 2019. And I plan to as many more as I can!


What step in the process of creating a song do you find to be the easiest? Whether is the concept, recording, or finding the right beat.

LOGAN: I feel like none of the process is easy for me, I put a lot of time into makin all my material. Finding the right beat would be probably the hardest though.


Your music surely speaks for itself, but what do you feel sets you apart from other artist?

LOGAN: Im always comin out with different styles of music and the music im working on now is unlike what people makin today.

Click here to listen to Logan Write on SoundCloud.

Let It Go by Makai Keyes ft. Moses B

Makai Keyes’ music video for “Let It Go” doesn’t cut corners. Instead, it completely removes them and gives you a closeup and blunt perspective of Makai’s thoughts and views. It’s minimalistic, to say the least. Whether those views are being held upside down from outside of a window by two masked (white) thugs or sitting on a bench atop of a grassy valley. Visually, “Let It Go” is as warm and inviting as Makai’s vocal performance. His rapping is well-paced and versed with soft vocals from Moses B that slide the track from catchy to award-worthy. The two have managed to capture the essence of moving on, the frustration- and freedom.

Click here to watch “Let It Go” on YouTube.

Apply That Pressure EP by G.Soulow

Over the last few years, R&B has been pushed out of the musical spotlight by trap and drill music. North Alabama artist G. Soulow has made it his mission to rejuvenate R&B’s presence in pop music, and marry it with trap elements. His EP Apply That Pressure has a healthy and organic mix of rhythmic vocals and trap lyrics and instrumentals. “Gotta get a bag. Can’t go nowhere. Gotta stay focused. My music my biggest effect.” z

This project doesn’t have a single song that isn’t worth playing all of the way through. As a young artist, his talent lies in his vision and storytelling. G. Soulow is capable of depicting exactly how he feels or the message he wants to convey through his writing and musical arrangement. “Bestfriend” has a classic rhythm and blues tone while still creating that new school energy with its hook. G. Soulow has certainly spent ample time perfecting this project to not only be a solid and enjoyable body of work, but to also make it a valuable artifact in his discography. Apply That Pressure will remain timeless because of his attention to detail and believing that it’s quality not quantity.

Click here to listen to Apply That Pressure on SoundCloud.

A QUICK CONVERSATION WITH LIL SAD BOI

Lil Sad Boi lets his emotions flow, and puts all of that energy into his music. He takes situations and circumstances that leave many numb and allows them to channel into his art. His latest single “Naruto” mellows the storm of anxiety that many across globe feel each day. His goals seem set and his focus on simply creating music for those similar to himself have already carried him far. In this interview, I sought to understand what brings him the confidence to be emotional, vulnerable and honest while still maintaining balance and privacy.

Has music always been your passion?

SAD: No, basketball was my passion for the longest time from like 5/6th grade even thru high school. But everything changed my sophomore year when my cousins asked me if I wanted to make a song. I was like what you mean and they had a little studio setup in their room. We made a freestyle and after that day I wanted to keep making music. It was like my calling. So my cousin was friends with an artists named teammate markus from my hometown and I met him. I recorded my first tape at his house a couple months after making that freestyle.

As you’ve grown up, how have you and your style changed?

SAD: I’ve changed a lot. When I was first making music I was just rapping. I was listening too a lot of g Eazy at the time and I wanted to be just like him. Then as my music taste started to branch out, my style changed. I was always a big drake fan and I noticed how he’s like the best and why is that. Well he doesn’t just rap he sings too. Once I could see that that’s when my style changed. 


Is there a story behind “Lil Sad Boi” and why you chose it?

SAD: Well my first name was cole train and my cousins gave that too me. Then when I was starting to get more serious I changed it to 9 9wl (nine owl). I just wanted to be different and my name was inspired by 6 dogs. The music I was making wasn’t really fitting my name and I started to get inspired by peep a lot. And i want to make a big impact just like him. I was also very sad at the time and I was thinking of changing my name to lil anyways so I was like why not just change it to lil sad boi. 


How important is it, to you, to have support from your hometown?

SAD: It’s very important. It’s where I’m from. It means a lot. They’ve known and seen my grown since day one.


What do you want people to take away from your music?

SAD: What I want people to take away is that there not alone. I want to help them thru my music. Depression and anxiety or whatever problems you are dealing with, I want my music to help them thru those rough times. Although my music can be sad and dark sometimes I still want to spread good energy and love to my fans and the Haters. 

Can you share any details about your upcoming projects?

SAD: Right now I’m working on something. I’m making a lot of music with my bro gvrci. We’ve got a lot of music together so we might drop a collab tape. But I’m Working on a project tbh I’m just creating and creating tons of songs at the moment. 


What sub-genre of hip hop do you believe will be the next big thing and why?

SAD: Emo rap. It kind of already is the next big thing but what peep did was so impactful. Then juice came along and had a huge impactful as well. And I think the next big artist to do the same will be iann dior. I feel like I’m apart of the emo rap genre and it’s just so impactful to the people who listen. I love making music for myself because it’s my passion but I love making it for others.

Click here to listen to Lil Sad Boi on SoundCloud.