It’s hump day again, and the indie music just keeps on pumping. Here are our reviews of another five albums released in March.
Artist Name: Freedom Baby
Album Name: How You’ll Grow
Label: Self-released
Genre: Pop
Track Listing: 1. When we Go; 2. My Force; 3. The Stranger; 4. Drag the Lake
Publicist: Auteur Research
Review: With an amazing instrumental opening, featuring some intense trumpet and heavenly harmonies, Freedom Baby’s latest EP takes off with all the dynamics of an opening number in a Broadway musical. The music is pure pop, with the relaxing accompaniment underneath soaring vocals that take the listener to a new level. This music is radio friendly and also worthy of placement in television and film. This one is definitely going on repeat, as we could listen to these four amazing tracks over and over again. They have an amazing similarity to the orchestral sound of ELO and Spandau Ballet, with the vocal harmonies of Tears for Fears. Definitely worth checking out, especially the powerful “The Stranger.”
Recommendation: We highly recommend you Get this one. We can’t wait to see what’s next for Freedom Baby.
Artist Name: Yuki Ame
Album Name: Anamnesis
Label: Self-released
Genre: Electronica
Track Listing: 1. Circles (ft. Zoe); 2. Blue Room; 3. Love Me; 4. Mykonos; 5. Elisa
Publicist: Practise Music
Review: The first thing that stands out is the incredible voice of Zoe on the first track, riding high above the electronic sounds created by Yuki Ame. Too bad she isn’t on every track. But even without those stand-out vocals, the music is interesting enough to grab the attention of any listener as Ame takes off on an audio journey into his world, where non-traditional music reigns. These tracks would make good material for a great DJ dance mix, and we strongly encourage budding DJs everywhere to check out this material. There are so many levels to the songs that a creative person would find the resource like a treasure trove.
Recommendation: If you love electronica, or love to create dance mixes, we strongly encourage you to check this one out and use these amazing tunes to create more art.
Artist Name: Oklou
Album Name: The Rite of May
Label: Nuxxe
Genre: Electronica
Track Listing: 1. Valley; 2. Samuel; 3. They Can’t Hear Me; 4. Valley 2; 5. Holy Lost Arizona; 6. Friendless
Publicist: World Friendly Society
Review: This interesting EP begins with a primarily instrumental number, which is then brought back for a second time in the middle of the EP. In between these two tracks are four more beautiful tracks, beginning with the incredible “Samuel,” which has an awesome R&B feel that is very radio friendly. We have very high hopes for the future of Oklou, and think that she is on the precipice of success. We really love “They Can’t Hear Me,” and think it would be a great placement on the Fox television series Empire. Her music is anything but conventional, allowing her a world of possibilities on which to take her music to an even higher level. She has a very bright future, and we can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
Recommendation: This artist deserves your attention. We suggest that you Get her EP now, and create your own catalog of amazing electronica.
Artist Name: Porter D’Poet
Album Name: Dreamin’
Label: SMG
Genre: Rap/Spoken Word
Track Listing: 1. I Wish (ft. Sanjardo B); 2. Dreamin’ (ft. Joseph Loren) Shaddy Version; 3. Do You Remember (ft. BDA The Producer); 4. Perfect Timing (ft. Sanjardo B & Selecta Chronic)
Publicist: Serafina Media Group
Review: With an airy musical accompaniment, these spoken words rise up and grab hold of the listener’s consciousness, sinking into the subconscious mind as only truth can. It is easy to relate to the words, as they speak of love and relationships, universal themes to all of us. This collaborative effort makes these four tracks an important addition to the musical world, especially the title track, which features the words of Martin Luther King’s immortal “I Have a Dream” speech. They save the best for last, as “Perfect Timing” is a reggae masterpiece.
Recommendation: Whether or not you normally listen to spoken word, this one will change your view of this unique musical style. Definitely give it a listen.
Artist Name: Girl Sweat Pleasure Temple Ritual Band
Album Name: Hyper Rituals
Label: Evil Hoodoo Records
Genre: Experimental
Track Listing: 1. Mantra of the Pleasure Temple; 2. Rite to Power; 3. The Incarnation of Pleasure
Publicist: Cardinal Fuzz Press
Review: If you love noise, then you have found the perfect band. There is some intense creativity in this noise, though, that cannot simply be dismissed out of hand. It has a touch of the B-52’s imbedded within the intense guitars, chants, drums and screams. This music is not for the general populace, but for those discerning few that enjoy something different. This album would make a great soundtrack for use by the CIA and Special Forces in interrogations, as its repetitious sounds will break down any resistance. As this is their debut, the only direction they can go is up.
Recommendation: This one will most likely only appeal to a handful of music lovers. For the rest of us, just forget it.