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a weekly update of new music 

[nohankho-blog1]

TOPS ‘I FEEL ALIVE’ REVIEW.

Since the release of the lead single ‘I Feel Alive’ I have been going head over heels for the sound and yes, I can’t stress it enough, this is, in my opinion, a perfect 10 album. 

Jane Penny’s voice is glittering throughout every single song, it never becomes monotonous, never! Every step on the way is just as striking and it shows beautiful variants of what is working with an arresting chemistry to what is going on with the instrumentation, which I’ll dive in later. 

             I loved how the writing is pitch perfect, it’s hard to create anticipation for a hook/chorus but the verses and bridges are just sublime and when the hooks finally hit they are catchy as they are memorable and yet, they never lose the authenticity. 

One of my favorite hooks is the one for “OK Fine Whatever”

                         “The very last song holding it together                            It's alright to long, okay, fine, whatever                            You are what you want, the path that you run                           (The path that you run) Forever 'til it's done”

The vocal melodies couldn’t be more soothing.

While I recognize this is Jane’s show, the instrumentation behind never catches a break. David and Riley help set up the ambiance, an ambiance that keeps switching from song to song but yet manages to stay true to the sound concept. There is a nice balance between the synths and guitars which only makes my skin get the chills. 

The album’s very best song and probably also my favorite song of the year so far, “I Feel Alive” proves everything above. The chemistry behind the instrumentation, the tight production, the vocal melodies and the gorgeous vocals from Jane. 

This is a 10 and without it’s my Album of the Year so far. 

[nohankho-blog1]

NEW ALBUMS YOU SHOULD LOOK FORWARD TO, THIS FRIDAY (04.03.20)

Another week has passed by and we’re more than ready for one of my most awaited release Fridays of the year so far. As always, I hope you can find some good recommendations out of this post, enjoy!

1. TOPS / I FEEL ALIVE / TWEE POP 

The album I am looking forward the most, a band that managed to capture my attention with the very lead single “I Feel Alive” - which is on the contention for my best single of the year - and then kept on impressing with the forthcoming singles. 4/4, I love the tweeness of the sound and of course, the incredibly catchy hooks, writing is hugely affective and cute. 

Single to check out:  I Feel Alive 

2. YVES TUMOR / HEAVEN TO A TORTURED MIND / ART POP 

Another case where all the singles have been off the chain. As a big fan of the previous album of Yves Tumor, I can really see this being the band’s best, while improving on a bigger sound and maintaining the glorious spark of the aesthetic. I had my ticket ready to see the band weeks ago in LA, but you know, the virus. Anyway, hope to see the band as soon as this goes away. 

Single to check out: Kerosene! 

3. THUNDERCAT / IT IS WHAT IT IS / R&B / JAZZ 

Yet, another example where the singles... you know the drill... 3/3. I feel this is the album that will finally turn me into a Thundercat fan, I have been liking the new direction he is taking to his sound and I am here for it, while he’s always had stand out songs for me, nothing on the full realized sound of his albums caught my attention, but here, I feel this is it, and it is what it is. 

Single to check out: Fair Chance (feat. Ty Dolla $ign & Lil B) 

4. EVERYTHING IS RECORDED / FRIDAY FOREVER / ART POP / HIP HOP 

While this sounds completely different and renovated compared to Russell’s last effort, - which being honest, it wasn’t of my taste - I am intrigued by the singles, taking from a few different genres and mixing it quite good.

Single to check out: 11:55 / THIS WORLD (feat. Infinite Coles & Maria Somerville) 

5. YAEJI / WHAT WE DREW 우리가 그려왔던 / HIP HOUSE 

This album was just released today, Thursday, but I may as well add it here - it is just one day of difference - because what I have heard of the full album so far, is great. I loved her sound back in 2017 and this feels more of an expansion of such sound, bringing in playful guests over the juicy and well produced tracks. 

Single to check out: WAKING UP DOWN 

6. PURITY RING / WOMB / SYNTH POP 

Although I joined the hype pretty late, - this week, with the release of the new single - I did my homework and caught up with the 4 singles released so far, and I liked them, I feel this is going to be good even if I do keep thinking of Grimes while listening to the band, which is a good thing since “Miss Anthropocene” is my album of the year so far. Anyway, talking about the band, singles are promising synthpop tracks, what’s not to like. 

Single to check out: peacefall 

- A handful of albums I also recommend - without the short description -

7. ANNA BURCH / IF YOU’RE DREAMING 

“Tell Me What’s True” is one of my favorite singles of the year and if that’s any sign of the album being good, I’ll make sure I listen, the other single... meh. Worth check out though, especially, Tell Me... 

8. EMPRESS OF / I’M YOUR EMPRESS OF 

Regardless of me being incredibly underwhelmed by the singles, I still think Empress Of has a sound many could like, I hope she raises the quality of the songs with the full picture. 

9. M. WARD / MIGRATION STORIES 

I remember hearing “Unreal City” back when it came out as the lead single this January and I said, oh, it’s good, I want more, but then the next singles flew under my radar and I forgot, glad it’s finally out this Friday. 

10. Quick Shout-Out

Nnamdi Ogbonnaya / Melkbelly / Peel Dream Magazine / Ashley McBryde / Ellis / Locate S,1 / Rod Wave 

Most of them have good singles but I couldn’t hype them enough and I failed to come back multiple types, either way, I feel these albums are worth checking out as well, if time is on my side. 

[nohankho-blog1]

NEW ALBUMS YOU SHOULD LOOK FORWARD TO, THIS FRIDAY (03.27.20)

As every Friday, music will come to overwhelm the streaming services, and while you may be waiting for your favorite artist/band new release, I will help out with a list of albums coming out this Friday that may be of your interest, if my quick description and thoughts of the singles buy you in. 

1. DUA LIPA / FUTURE NOSTALGIA / SYNTH POP

The biggest album of the week - and one of the albums that changed the release date thanks to the coronavirus - will be coming from Dua Lipa and her sophomore effort “Future Nostalgia”. Personally, I am really looking forward to hear what Dua has to offer since I was a huge fan of her very catchy debut back in 2017, the singles are promising - “Physical” rules! - , offering a more tailored production. Let’s see if Dua can come out with a great pop album. 

Single to check out: Physical

2. JORDANA / CLASSICAL NOTIONS OF HAPPINESS / BEDROOM POP

A re-release of the debut album that brought the 19-year-old to sign on a deal with Grand Jury Music, this release will expand with up to three new tracks, one of the most promising bedroom pop figures at the moment. 

Single to check out: Sway 

3. BON IVER / BLOOD BANK EP (10th Anniversary Edition) / LIVE 

Having seen Bon Iver live is already one of the highlights of my life, for sure, and this live EP of “Blood Bank” - one of my favorite EPs of all time - will indeed, rock the emotions out of you, I promise, there are just a few bands that are able to capture the magic of such songs and reshape them into something truly magnificent with live perfomances. 

Single to check out: Blood Bank (Live from Ericsson Globe, Stockholm SE, Oct 31, 2018)

4. NAP EYES / SNAPSHOT OF A BEGINNER / INDIE ROCK 

The band first came to my attention with one of the catchiest indie rock singles of the year “Mark Zuckerberg”, which I found to be incredibly well written, fun and energetic, it was enough for me to keep track of them with the singles which followed, and so far they haven’t disappointed, I have to say there is a nice balance between ballads and danceable tracks. 

Single to check out: So Tired 

5. DEEPER / AUTO-PAIN / POST PUNK 

What really grabbed me during the singles roll-out was singer/guitarist Nic Gohl’s lively perfomances, they went along perfectly with the sweet melodies the singles had to offer, kind of cute for a punk album. 

Single to check out: This Heat 

6. ACTIVITY / UNMASK WHOEVER / ART ROCK 

Intriguing as it gets, the New York band has released three singles so far, each one of them stood out thanks to the eerie and grainy production which I am a fan of, hoping their debut album will be as good as the singles. 

Single to check out: Nude Prince 

7. LITTLE DRAGON / NEW ME, SAME US / SYNTH POP

The two singles release were killer, this album looks just as promising, I hope that this is the project that finally makes me get into Little Dragon.

Single to check out: Are You Feeling Sad? (Feat. Kali Uchis) 

8. MARGARET GLASPY / DEVOTION / ALTERNATIVE ROCK 

Some of the most exciting vocal work I have heard this year with the three singles Margaret released through these three months, and I also loved the nuanced incorporation of synthesizers into folk like instrumentals, this has everything to be one of the best albums of the month. 

Single to check out: Killing What Keeps Us Alive

9.  CABLE TIES / FAR ENOUGH / POST PUNK 

I like the madness and the high-powered songs I have heard so far coming from Australia’s punk trio, I expect nothing but ragers. The singles have been a fun time, however, I just hope the full picture is more realized, if that happens, I’ll be in for the long term. 

Single to check out: Sandcastles

10.  BRIAN FALLON / LOCAL HONEY / FOLK ROCK 

If you like Phoebe Bridgers, I feel like this might be up your alley, since I am a diehard fan of Phoebe, I sense I will enjoy this album big time, the singles are cute/sad, his voice is sweet, it’s there to love. 

Single to check out: Horses 

- A handful of albums I also recommend - without the short description -

11. NICOLAS JAAR / CENIZAS 

Haven’t heard singles or anything - if there have been any - but a Nicolas Jaar album is always well received, even more when he’s just released an amazing album under A.A.L.

12. OLIVER TREE / UGLY IS BEAUTIFUL 

No singles yet but his EPs have been GREAT. Hyped for the debut. 

13. Quick Shout-Out

Waxahatchee, Half Waif, Knxwledge, Sorry, FACS and Bongeziwe Mabandla also have albums coming out this friday, some of them have had great singles but not enough for me to write something. 

Hope you enjoy the albums listed!