Lola Ellis

Music Enthusiast, Contributor for What's Hip, Frequent Listener

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Brooklyn, NY producer and rapper Kirk Knight has blown us all away with his instrumental beats album, Black Noise. Since his last release in 2015, it’s clear that Kirlan has been hard at work, refining his unique sound and skill set as a producer. The tracks all seem to follow a psychedelic theme, with swelling synths and hypnotizing 808s. The very first track on the album, “Flight 14”, certainly takes us above the clouds with melodic hooks and full, bubbly soundscapes. Each song carries a different groove while remaining within the confines of the classic Kirk Knight sound.

https://youtu.be/GqJed6mA-0s

During a recent trip overseas, Kirlan found himself in his favorite city with all the necessary equipment to produce a killer music video for the pensive bonus track, “Magic Mirror”, which is the only track with vocals on the entire album. In the self reflective song, Kirk is seen roaming the cultured streets of London, where he claims to find much of his inspiration. His lyrics are illuminated by the neon lights, while his beats are backdropped by beautiful street artwork. There isn’t an aspect of Kirk and his work that isn’t absolutely mesmerizing.

Connect with Kirk Knight here.

Check out the original post on What’s Hip here.

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A newcomer to the popular music spotlight, but no stranger to the art form is Minnesota native, Cobi. With his guitar in hand and the vocals of a rugged angel, Cobi received nationwide attention with the release of his May 2016 single, “Don’t You Cry For Me”, which he recently delivered a stunning performance of on acclaimed talk show, The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. In lieu of his recognition, he has released a new, stripped down acoustic video for his most recent single “Prophet Story”.

The music video for “Prophet Story” as simplistic as it is beautiful. Viewers gaze into a dimly lit room with nothing but Cobi, a microphone, and his guitar guiding along an effortless melody with an arrangement rich in tonality. The most compelling thing about Cobi’s video is the ease in which he goes about playing his music. It’s captivating to watch a true musician in their purest form, truly feeling their lyrics and putting forth their best effort to convey their message. With his visually stunning lyrics, powerful voice, and impeccable musicianship, Cobi is reaching for the stars.

Connect with Cobi here.

Check out the original post on What’s Hip here.

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In search of the next indie-pop track to add to your “Everything’s Going To Be OK” playlist? Look no further than Detriot singer-songwriter Olivia Millerschin’s emotion-filled creation, “Long Weekend ft. Michael Grubbs” from her most recent album, Look Both Ways. Olivia’s music carries an aura of simplicity that floats softly into your head and wraps your eardrums in a warm embrace. Her childlike soprano is paralleled by emotionally mature lyricism, yet balanced by an overtone of kindness and positivity.

“Long Weekend” recalls a relationship headed for its inescapable end, and the disappointment and longing that is often paired with the experience. Michael Grubbs’ harmonic echo during the chorus only adds to the heartbreak, yet Olivia pulls us up above the clouds with her angelic tonality. There are few break up songs that can convey sadness, yet accomplish a sense of optimism, but Olivia Millerschin hits it out of the park.

Float away with Olivia here.

Check out the original post on What’s Hip here.

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Perhaps the most innovative genre-bender to have graced the electronic music scene is Michigan producer and multi-instrumentalist, Norty. His sound is so unique that one couldn’t possibly place him under just one musical category. His resonant vocals seem to stem from indie rock, yet his beats and breaks could have been shaken down from trees in Africa, dug up from under the concrete in Los Angeles, or captured in the rivers of the far East. Norty’s music is wordly to say the least, but with each passing bar you’re reminded that things aren’t always as they seem, and you’re kept on your toes.

In addition to his recorded tracks, Norty has an acclaimed high-energy stage presence, supplied by live instrumentation and consistent progression. It’s no surprise that Norty has shared the stage with some electronic heavy hitters, such as Ratatat, Herobust, Sango, and more.

Norty’s most recent album, We Were Nearly There, is a dizzy, colorful mess of sound and soul. Even his softer tracks, like “Pockets” or “Swimming”, still throw you into a world where sound is the only means of conversation, and the music is frantically trying to tell you something. When lyrics do come in, they make their presence known by projecting relevance and and strength. Norty would never let you zone out, or even blink, which is what sets him so dramatically apart from other electronic musicians. It’s clean, but messy, like a large room full of perfectly set up dominos waiting to fall into chaos.

Go sound hunting with Norty here.

Check out the original post on What’s Hip here.

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Bringing together the past and present is Los Angeles-based The Proof. Comprised of Drew Dolan (Lead Vocals/Keyboard), Geramie Laufersky (Guitar/Vocals), Ian Murray (Bass) and Lucas Crouch (Drums), this quartet pulls together influences from musical roots, such as rock, funk, R&B and blues to create their signature sound of nostalgia.

On their most recent release, “Happy Street”, the song title speaks for itself. The song begins with bluesy riffs sang by Dolan, before transitioning into a ‘struttin’ along a sunny sidewalk’ type of groove, layered by lyrics fueled by optimism. The sound of The Proof recalls the likes of legendary Bill Withers, with an alt-rock twist reminiscent of The Black Keys or Red Hot Chili Peppers. If one word could summarize their music, it would be ‘soulful’.

Connect with The Proof here.

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Multi-instrumentalist Jake Knox takes the music scene by storm with his recent alt-rock EP entitled, “Normal”. A musical prodigy since a young age, Knox has mastered various instrumentals, such as guitar, bass, piano, and drums, which led him to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music, where he began to pursue his musical career. His self-produced EP contains songs that fall somewhere between alternative rock and indie, pushing edgy and excitable refrains and diverse vocals that truly make his music stand out.

On Jake’s most recent track, “Hold” ft. Nikole Luebbe, he clearly demonstrates his musical versatility. Within the same atmosphere yet dramatically different, “Hold” presents a swaying down tempo acoustic guitar, underlined by a plethora of unique instrumentals and graceful vocals. With such a wide range of musical ability, we can’t wait wait to listen to what Knox produces next.

Connect with Jake here.

Check out the original post on What’s Hip here.

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Search no further for the next track to add to your break up playlist, as New York City band, Loose Buttons, release their newest EP, Sundays, this February. The indie-rock quartet aims to create an anthem album geared toward moving on and moving forward, after lead singer Eric Nizgretsky’s recent breakup. The first single from the EP, entitled “Milk & Roses”, named after a restaurant in Greenpoint where Nizgretsky recalls his last evening out with his ex, calls upon apathetic yet energetic vibes to contrast the soul-filled lyrics.

Following the success of their 2014 debut EP, Damage Gallery, the band’s new collection of self reflective, reminiscent words will pull you along the ride of resolving the chaos that comes after a love lost. But this isn’t just another breakup album, as Loose Buttons strive to push a positive vibe while drawing inspiration from the best place to find it: the heart. Keep an eye out for Sundays next month.

Move on and move forward with Loose Buttons here.

Check out the original post on What’s Hip here.

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With the mainstream music scene currently in locked into influences from EDM and rap, Los Angeles musician Wyndham graces the indie-rock scene with his new EP, Double You. Gathering inspiration from the sounds of nature in various world destinations such New Zealand and Europe, Wyndham puts together instrumentations that not only elegantly frame the dissonance of his vocals, but are uniquely his own. One of the album’s singles, “Gypsy” gives us a soft and captivating sound, with lyrics that provide imagery that might inspire your own creative spark.

Beyond sharing a stage with top notch bands such as Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and Bon Iver, Wyndham has locked in some heavy hitters that are featured on the EP, such as bassist/ producer, Gus Seyffer, and composer/ drummer Andrew Borger. On the surface, Wyndham’s music may fall into a singer-songwriter or folk genre, but upon listening, one quickly discovers influences from rock, punk-rock, and even a hint of beach pop.

Perfect for a road trip pick me up, a coffee shop afternoon, or an after work tune to wind down, Double You has something for everyone.

Connect with Wyndham HERE.

Check out the original post on What’s Hip here.

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Singer-songwriter Belle Rousse has emerged onto the pop scene with a dreamy electronic sound paralleled by real recorded instrumentals. The Atlanta, Georgia native excites her listeners with a cinematic sound accompanied by fiery red hair and the voice of a fallen angel. A story-teller by nature, Belle is no stranger to writing songs close to her heart that move like dialogue out of a romance novel.

In her recent release, “Wild And Free”, Belle lulls us into a trance with echoing instrumentals and ethereal high notes. Despite the mournful violin guided by Belle’s voice, “Wild And Free” beckons positivity, as it musically and lyrically explores endless possibilities. Alike her inspirations Lana Del Rey and Ellie Goulding, the quietude of her voice beautifully frames the poetry of her lyrics.

Connect with Belle Rousse here.

Check out the original post on What’s Hip here.

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New York music scene regulars, Mainland, piece together cut-up aggressive post-punk vibes described by the band as “something you can shake your hair to really crazy”. With one foot in the indie-rock genre, Mainland’s sound falls slightly to the left of Interpol and The Strokes, yet slightly to the right of Misfits and Sex Pistols.

Locking in a premiere on Interview Magazine, Mainland’s latest release, “Dummy Test” has been  described as having “a rough and ready sense of urgency”. Mainland frontman, Jordan Topf, conveys a feeling of revolution and rebellion through his contentious yet carefree storytelling and punchy, upbeat guitar undercuts. “Dummy Test” grabs you by the ears and throws you into mosh pit of liberation.

Liberate yourself with Mainland here.

Check out the original post on What’s Hip here.

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Mesmerizing his listeners with catchy and incredibly unique electronica is Vancouver’s Amine Bouzaher, better known as SIMPLE MACHINES. With the use of instruments such as live-looped guitar, violin, keyboard, and bass, Amine beautifully ties together his orchestral sound with hip-hop infused beats that contain sounds you have never heard before.

On his latest single, “Wayward” w/ Wobbelix ft. I M U R, Bouzaher starts us off with a soothing guitar that frames the soft and angelic vocals of I M U R, before evolving the simplistic beat into a rich and vibrant pulse animated by hidden melodies and dissonant percussion.

The complexity of SIMPLE MACHINES’ music is something to be experienced by all, as Amine has developed an aesthetic that is fresh, innovate, and contemplative. His songs carry a certain ambiance that allows its listeners to get lost in the rhythm of his intricate soundscapes and precise instrumentation.

Take a journey with SIMPLE MACHINES here.

Check out the original post on What’s Hip here.

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From Detriot, Michigan comes a colorfully-clothed, guitar-gripping, motivated-by-Motown young artist by the name of William Bolton. Willy B began his music career under the mentorship of hip-hop entrepreneur, Ryan Leslie, and quickly took the neo-soul genre by storm through his self produced, guitar infused cross-genre sound. Inspired by the classics of funk and jazz, Bolton infuses his music with samples made contemporary by the beats that carry them.

In his recent release, Bad Girl, Bolton delves into the essence of funk with a horn section, vibrant drums, and grooving guitar riffs. With bouncy vocals that criss cross between R&B and Radiohead, then make an unexpected turn into hip-hop soul, there isn’t a genre left untouched by this catchy tune. Bolton’s seemingly effortless stitching together of the genres combined with his flashy, upbeat sensibilities takes hold any music lovers attention.

Get colorful with Willy B here.

Check out the original post on What’s Hip here.

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Evoking memories of creative bursts and insomniac nights, Toronto duo W I N C H E S T E R produces music unlike any I’ve heard before. With a sound evocative of Shiny Toy Guns, Sigur Ros, and The Naked and famous, it’s almost impossible to place W I N C H E S T E R into a definitive genre. Lauren Austin and Montgomery de Luna have developed an explorative sound that takes its listeners on a journey through the twists and turns of their colorful melodies, accompanied by a visual experience that can be seen on their youtube channel.

In their latest release, “I’m Not Ready To Go Yet”, the duo sends us adrift a serene intro that includes a tip toeing piano played over a resonant soundscape. One almost misses the beautiful and unique vocals sneak in, as they begin softly and then lead an electronic build up before a cinematic conclusion.

Connect with the Lauren and Montgomery here.

Check out the original post on What’s Hip here.

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Rising from L.A.’s indie pop music scene comes Carly Van Skaik, a soulful and progressive singer-songwriter whose music will reignite emotions left behind long ago. Following the success of her self titled EP a few months back, Carly has released a new single that encapsulates the atmosphere of a young woman relinquishing her heart break.

Composed upon the backdrop of a colorful autumn scenery, “Red Leaves” describes the melancholia of moving past the expectations of a failed relationship. Delivering haunting yet angelic vocals through a unique melody that instantly has you singing along, Carly places her listeners directly into the imagery of her own heartache.

Carrying like a dactylic conversation, Carly sings, “Bare branches swayin’ in the breeze/ I’m trying to stand up on my own feet/ Your voice it whispers softly in the wind/ I used to miss you”. The anguish of her poetry is tempered by an ambient dance beat reminiscent of Purity Ring and Warpaint. With a dynamic track like “Red Leaves”, Van Skaik is sure to captivate the hearts and minds of indie pop lovers everywhere.

Hear more of Carly’s creativity here.

Check out the original post on What’s Hip here.

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New Jersey based singer-songwriter Cat London delivers refreshing emotionality through her tender approach to songs about love and self-reflection. Backed by Paul O’Keeffe on bass, Anthony Freda on drums, and Rich Aveo on piano, the quartet has released a passionate and reflective EP entitled Dangerous Me. Through a satisfying collection of slow yet energetic pop ballads similar to the likes of Lana Del Rey, London explores the hinderance of self-doubt and delves deep into the contradicting layers of her own psyche.

By the success of her 2012 debut EP, “Box of Chocolates”, London performed at various legendary venues, such as The House of Blues San Francisco and Carnegie Hall, and has shared a stage with world-renowned musicians such as Bon Jovi guitarist Bobby Bandiera and Grateful Dead vocalist Bob Weir. London’s music bears an empathetic kindness that can be embraced by all its listeners, which has led her to become involved in anti-bullying charities and run a kindness campaign front lined by her 2012 single, ““The Right Way” featuring Jerzy Jung.

Each track on the introspective album explores a divergent aspect of her convoluted self. Toying with the complexity of the human condition, London puts forth a dark and enigmatic persona in “Dangerous Me”, then deviates into vulnerability with the somber tune “With Him”. The EP concludes with a detached yet careful lover in “Involved”, which was featured on the television show, The Song.

Get in touch with your true self with Cat’s music here.

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