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Week27 |Tobi’s New Music Monster Picks

Writer: goldenstateservicesj
goldenstateservicesj
Jan 6, 2019
4 min read

A totally random, whatever came to mind first, selection of the latest additions to ourNew Music Monster

Music Reviews written by Tobi Davis

Tobi's new music monster

Artist:

Good Problems Track:“Cadaver”  Indie Grunge 4 piece, Good Problems serve up a 3 minute 2 second slice of home-brewed DIY Delight, with new single, “Cadaver” . Very much the noisy new kids on the block, the Liverpool based band dropped their first single, “Curio” just last year; a swaggering, trashy six-string distortion fest with thumpy bass-line and intoxicating roomy vocals. They followed up with the strikingly different, ‘Heavy Head’; driven by punchy drums and dry upfront vocals. Jen, Liam, George, and Nat hit the New Year running, releasing latest single, “Cadaver”  on January 1st. The track moves in glorious waves of warm, fuzzy saturation, framed deep in smartly judged and generous use of reverb; the instrumentation benefiting from the size and depth of the ambient treatment. The production feels physical and chunky, making for a tremendously satisfying listening experience. And although in achieving all this, the mix sacrifices a little definition down the center, the overall emotional impact of the presentation, more than justifies this slight compromise. Creative use of vocal delay and pitch FX add engaging and entertaining ear candy; Jen Baranick’s vocals complementing and contrasting the arrangement; her indie-pop voice, rich in soul and tinged with just the right amount of anger. The confidence of Good Problems third release, speaks of a band quickly coming into their own. With the video for “Cadaver” (‘rustic and DIY af’ – their words), live shows and new singles (‘on a different level of awesome’ – again, their words), all coming up, Good Problems are a band to watch in 2019.

Why? Because it’s gonna be on a different level of awesome; rustic and DIY, as f**k.

You can catch Good Problems live on Sunday 20th January, where they’ll be supporting Redwood at the Sound Basement.

Artist:

Dmstry Track:“Broke and Gifted” Workaholic music production robot Dmstry drops a tasty slice of beat, rhyme, and electro-sonics, with single, “Broke and Gifted”. The Zambian born Choolwe Siamubotu aka Dmstry, began crafted beats and tracks in 2010. While his work producing other artists draws upon a wide range of genres and influences, his solo work is, by his eclectic standards, more focused. His first solo release arrived last year, with dance floor pumping, wave synth assault, ‘The Mystery’. Second single, ‘Roar’ continued in the aggressively EDM theme, with heavily pitch FX-ed vocal hooks and smack/strobe saws and risers; only a slow drone in the subs and lows, suggesting any possible Hip Hop influence. The slow drone returned for follow-up Double A-Side release, ‘Savage’; electro ear candy fizzing from left to right, across the stereo field; bit crushed snares and kicks, snapping and punching the track along; Dmstry spitting words throughout. With the Hip Hop influence standing tall, “Broke and Gifted” delivers a brooding, dread, and determination on the lo-fi and the downbeat; smart use of contrasting synths and well-judged arrangement, creating a compelling soundscape. Dmstry’s flow delivered in tight runs/fits/starts, and change ups; creative use of expression, articulation, and language, adding flavor and character. The tidy mix presenting the track in a well-balanced frame; making light work of taming and handling the various low-frequency elements while maintaining width and depth. With music being used on both Zambian and UK radio, and a steadily increasing catalog of quality productions, Dmstry is steadily establishing himself as a music maker of weight and integrity.

Every busy, check out Dmstry’s latest single, “Praise Riddem”

Artist:

Alice in Videoland Track:“Souls on Fire” / “Shocker” Swedish Electropunk four piece Alice in Videoland delivers a double dose of EBM beat, synth-assault, and attitude, with new drops, “Souls on Fire” and “Shocker”. Formed in 2002 by lead singer Toril Lindqvist, Alice in Videoland spent the next eight years writing, recording and touring their way to a worldwide fanbase of devoted listeners and the reputation as one of Europe’s stand out Alt Electro bands. The nonstop grind, however, had taken its toll, and despite world domination beckoning, the band found themselves disinterested and indifferent. In Deciding to take a break, the individual members took time out to concentrate on their own projects. In 2015 the self-described, ‘world’s greatest electropunk band’ returned with a new single, ‘Let Go’; a contrasting production of shimmering, bubble pop electro-synths and slapped EBM beat. Latest double drop, “Souls on Fire” delivers a snarling, driving sequencer bass and accompanying synths, fizzing and biting in aggressive (dis)harmony; drums land flat and packed. Lead singer Lindqvist’s vocals soaring above the track in modulating reverb and delay; her delivery at once, triumphant/aggressive/defiant/confrontational. The track hauls at speed, thick with musical idea and layer; pausing only to dive deep into subs, before breaking open, fiercer and tighter. In contrast, alternate drop “Shocker” lands tight beats, stabs of sonic and riff; vocals percussive and carefully worked layer. Whereas ‘Souls on Fire’ arrives in great walls of incredible electronic sound, “Shocker” is relatively sparse, built upon sonic space and works the stereo field with dab and jab. The combined listening experience, an inspiring demonstration of the sublime talent of Alice in Videoland; refreshed, revitalized and ready to claim their rightful title as the world’s greatest electropunk band. Stay tuned. Don’t touch that dial.

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. Check out Tobi Sonics – Mixes + Remixes!

About The Monster Thread The #MonsterThread is a community of Independent Musicians, Bands and Artists supporting each other in making and sharing Indie Music.

 
 
 

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