The lyrics are poignant and inspirational. A common thread that persists amongst Ace Jonez recordings. The emerging artist has identified his purpose and creates with intention. As stated in the soundbite in the intro “My biggest thing is that, you know, I want you to be able to feel it, I want you to relate, and I want you to take something away from it for life”. The skillful lyricist amalgamates melodic thudding production with passionate motivational mantras that’s invigorating to any listener traversing through their journey in life. The vivid depiction of the intense work ethic derived to create the composition is admirable and inspiring.

The soundscape is soothing and enrapturing an apropos backdrop for a tropical getaway. North Carolina emerging recording artist Ace Jonez delivers a hypnotizing performance. Capturing the audience with a calming vocal texture while displaying an arsenal most attempt, but only a few execute. 

All great album possess certain qualities, a common thread, a freedom in creative expression, enlightenment, and a purpose or intent that listeners gravitate towards while divulging flaws with road maps for overcoming adversity. The Orange County, California emerging artist Devin Sunshine’s candor is astute the lyrics are poignant and revealing and at times jarring. In a epoch where shock value qualifies as generic, Devin Sunshine resuscitates it’s artistic Je ne sais quio. On this latests full length release titled “Runaway” the artist creates an album comparable to that of a psychoanalytic thriller the musical version of “Vanilla Sky” filled with interesting soundbites, insightful lyrics, and honesty.

Adorned with a gorgeous guitar riff, the inception is soothing and escalates precariously from the opening line. Waxahachie, Texas artist ABM Jimi delivers an emotionally charged, frenetic, bricolage on his latest release “Hotel Room”.

Standing out is a tall order for most in this complacent ridden, contemporary climate. Fusing elements of Alternative R&B, HipHop, and Neo-Soul the Los Angeles native cunningly spews conundrums unearthing her own lexicon on her latest EP titled “Ignoramus”. The EP is eclectic, acute, and salacious and finds the California artist in quest of psychedelic experiences utilizing unconventional exotic methods. Although, it’s a small sample size this EP allots her ample time to disclose her versatility, creativity, and distinguishing quality that makes this listening experience memorable.

This is a dark themed thrilling opus that incorporates HipHop, 90s rap, Acoustic, AfroBeats, Lo-Fi, and Trap elements. The Edmonton, Canadian artists displays sublime lyrical agility and intriguing subject matter. Delving into ruminating therapeutic monologues which are aligned with contemporary vivacious cuts “Growing Through The Concrete” is cemented in dexterity. The musical experience is one of ebbs and flows that denotes the highs and lows accompanied with life.

Driven by tickled piano keys dribbling along this melodic composition MaddMaxx releases a Jazz influenced trap induced gem. The Virginia native displays hypnotic flows with a cadence that’s methodical and unraveling wordplay that’s opulent and salacious on his latest effort titled “Diamond”.

The Regina, Saskatchewan, Canadian band Ripper and the Jesses are comprised of 3 members Russ (Drums/Vocals), Aaron (Vocals Guitar), Kaleb (Bass/Vocals). Their latest EP released on August 15th, 2019 titled “Velociraptor of Love” is defiant, energetic and explosive. This album is mired in retribution yet delineates a sense of content. The songwriting is honest, unabashedly scathing with a tad of vulnerability. Sonically the instrumentation is profound and employed by adept musicians.

Funk is an integral part of HipHop. From James Brown to the Parliament hiphop from infancy has payed homage to funk. Notable pairings such as The DOC and Dr.Dre, Dre and Snoop Doggy Dog, Ice Cube and The Lynch Mob, and groups like Cypress Hill have been considered the forefathers for cultivating this sound. This West Coast influence can still be heard littered in contemporary music of the day. Inspired by the aforementioned the Midwest paring of Nolan & Mr. Filthy dedicate their whole album paying homage on their latest full length effort titled “Midwest Funk” set for a December 24, 2019 release.

“Forbidden” is an conceptual album riddled with metaphors and prose. The production is grandiose, the writing is dense with dexterity. The music throughout is at times cozy and mellow. The Austin, Texas group enlists various artists for features that are cohesive. Lend Me Your Ear journeys musically on a mission to enrapture and capture the census.

Ambition is one the founding elements evoked in Hip Hop. Ambitious raps are the tenets, and framework which feverishly galvanized the world to take notice . Back when the Sugar Hill Gang under Slyvia Robinson released “Rapper’s Delight” luxury was the luring component along with innovation and panache. The Montreal, Canadian artist Bizza has proving to be of the same elk adopting some of these same doctrines on his compelling new release titled “Chandelaire Thunder”. The album features captivating storytelling, that’s ambitious in production, ambitious in concepts and ambitious in aesthetics.

The power chords from the onset sends jolts reverberating through the first measures of the song, and if that’s not enough to draw your attention the first line packs more shock value than a defibrillator. The Los Angeles, California based artist Damian Sage delivers a chilling performance on his highly addictive new single titled “Cold Blooded”. A galvanizing release for newly formed record label Dark Spark Music. This label is headed by Vicky Hamilton who’s known for her work alongside notable legendary acts such as Guns N Roses, June Carter Cash, and Johnny Cash.

Alberta, Canadian artist Locust’s latest full length release is forthcoming, dexterous, and diverse. “I Used To Love Her” delves in further on the aforementioned premise investigating the current state of the culture and queries the metrics. All while serving up a versatile spectrum, a technical virtuoso, a musical clinic. Offering different soundscapes and production the lyrical marksman leaves ruins of all palettes queued. The Canadian artist is so enamored with the culture that his passionate rhetoric sees him at odds with it.

The Cleveland, OH band comprised of bass player and vocalist Jake Olson, guitarist and vocalist Dave Stump, and drummer, and vocalist Bret Davis display an enticing penchant for crafting dark themed anthems. ST. J ultimately records an album based on power dynamics and the reeling moments of a relationship smearing the plane of controversial subject matters, with a skillful naivety that makes it seem admissible on “Three Heads Are Better Than One” . Each track signifies the stages of a deterring but resilient bond one wrought with a spectrum of emotions. First, the denial, conforming, rationalizing, which opens a door to abuse, then dejection, and finally make up sex.

In the world of Hip Hop there’s a proverbial tree in which all who emerge in the culture originate. A tree that branches off into different categories, styles and techniques forming various niches in which fellow mc’s embrace and make their own. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin artist Victor Rose’s musical style, and approach proves he’s a descendent of this bunch of collectives which includes Native Tongue, Outkast, and more recently Odd Future. The Funkadelic, soul inspired quirky eccentricity exhibited in most of the recordings give off this musical aesthetic. One who embraces creativity, individuality, has a avant-garde approach, evoking a soulful mystic are just some of the identifying qualities exemplified by artists from this tree. On Victor Rose’s “I Don’t Know What I’m Doing” all of the above mentioned facets are evident on this album.

This is indeed a dark album indicative of it’s title. Saturated in melancholy, AKA Ellio flirts with death, and has a knack for evoking emotional compositions permeated with malaise. He has sonically embraced the Lo-Fi despondent sound, and masterfully implies this attribute to engage an audience influencing the listener to empathize with his story. The Prince George County, Maryland native delivers a chilling performance, producing a conceptual album. Bear in mind, conceptual albums are very difficult to execute, weaving together a narrative and incorporating different facets to form a fluid piece, requires one who carefully pays attention to details. In addition, one who incorporates different element of one theme, into a seamless thread finding innovative ways to keep the listener engaged while omitting monotony. AKA Ellio tethers that line on his latest full length release titled “The Darkest Corner of the Room”.

The Columbus, Georgia artist has a hypnotic delivery, captivating presence, and straightforward lyrically approach holding no punches. The sound is heavily rooted in the southern ethos. This endemic sound has Popmfs in his element as he flourishes on notable tracks such as “ATM”, “Grinding Hard”, & “Jump Out”. Other notables to consider “Where Ya Been”, and “Georgia Tech”. Popmfs pulls off capturing the essence of his aforementioned pioneers “Thug Motivation 101” and “Units in the City” respectfully on his January 2019 release titled “More Heavy Artillery”.

First impression lasts forever and Armelle optimizes the opportunity with his opening line “On a mission so I’m about to get it, hope you N***** ready when I make a million.” Emphatic statement proclaiming his intention, and his purpose for embarking on this journey as an artist. The rhymes are in such rapid succession, displaying his lyrical prowess. Henceforth, showcasing each bar allowing it to leave its residue on the listener’s psyche. Coupled, with a spacious palette the production could simply be described as tranquillity. With each instrument filling the measures with purpose, driven by the electric guitar the riffs played are flawless. Unflappable, in his approach, establishing his mantra from the onset Georgia’s own Armelle is putting the music industry on notice, and is on a mission to fulfill his ambition on his latest EP titled “Here I Go”.

Finding one’s purpose is the journey of life. With the opening track "Live Lavish" Bridgehampton, New York artist Finessor proclaims his mission statement with an aspirational recording. Adorned with piano keys, saturated in a melodic cadence, this opener is the first impression, and Finessor bares his soul. Vulnerable, and determined Finessor's candor is explicit with a vivid road map to success. As Finessor harmonises “sometimes I feel that these good times will never last, sometimes I feel I have no one to watch my back, can't trust no h** I'm on the road, I need this cash, I told my bro, I'm bout to blow, let's get this bag". Navigating through lulls, and a slew of adversities Finessor's zeal to lay claim to a better life is contagious. Living up to his name sake the New York artist meanders through tickled keys, and thick drums straddling somber lo-fi ballands with contemporary trap drums. Displaying an ability to cover a wide range of topics that's honest and conceptually cohesive Finessor has identified a sound. Conceptually, his paradoxical compositions has prepped him for this journey on his new full length release titled "Made For This".

The quality is rich, the mixing and mastering is sublime. The lyrics are a mixture of astute quips and conundrums. The singing, mixing, and production offered in this album is crisp in quality, creatively inspiring, and sonically meeting industry specifications. The melodies and cadence for the duration of this project is majestic. The song writing is on a prolific level think REM, Pink Floyd, and Bod Dylan. Songs that are cryptic with profound meaning digging beyond the surface to grasp a deeper understanding. The New York based band Alpha Cat is armed with exceptional talent to create thought provoking music on their latest album titled “Thatched Roof Glass House”.