Release Date: 19 April 2024
Brainstory
Sounds Good – Album
From one of my favourite recent record labels, Big Crown Records, the band’s sophomore full-length album lives up to its name. Although I’d argue that this isn’t their it’s certainly their most cohesive album and exhibits a great next step in a band who I think will go far.
Genre:
R&B/Soul, Psych, Neo-Soul, Rock
Tasting notes:
Swirly, Psychedelic and at times wistful
Standout Tracks:
Peach Optimo – Engineered fantastically and has a real 80’s feel to it.
Hanging On – Great lyrics and feel
Looking for more:
Check out Big Crown records and their artists such as El Michels Affair & Bobby Oroza
Release Date: 3 September 2021
Okvsho
Orange Wine – EP
I came across the opening track ‘Rio Shil’ late one night whilst playing Civilisation and have had it on repeat all week. A fairly minimal yet effective approach from an up-and-coming Swiss duo, this one features many talented musicians and will have you grooving away.
Genre:
Jazz, Lounge, Groove, Electronic
Tasting notes:
Spectacular, relaxed and inoffensive, these instrumental grooves are perfect for lazy weekend listening.
Standout Tracks:
Rio Shil – An amazing opener with a killer rim snare and trumpet solos
Orange Wine – Much more uptempo with house influences
Looking for more:
Honestly, if you have anything you know that’s similar, please let me know!
Release Date: 29 November 2023
Cousin Kula
Poisoned – Single
Originally released at the end of 2023 as a single, this song features on the Bristol bands second studio album. I’ve yet to check out the rest of this album but this song has certainly put them on my radar. In the bands words the song is about ‘ about that infectious bit at the beginning of a new relationship, where literally nothing else matters but hanging out with that person’.
Genre: Psych-Soul, Funk, Alternative Rock
Tasting notes: Laid-back, oozy late-night romantic listening
Looking for more: Really reminds me of Men I Trust and influences of Toro y Moi as well
Release Date: 3 November 2023
Tara Clerkin Trio
Marble Walls – Single
As Tara Clerkin sings of finding comfort whilst listening to a church choir, one can’t help but feel moved. This song has so many conflicting elements that work perfectly together, making you feel happy and sad, inspired and humbled, comforted yet exposed.
Genre:
folk, pop, breakbeat, downtempo
Tasting notes:
Feeling evoking, but what feeling really depends on you. Intimate, Introspective and made for solo listening
Looking for more:
Alabaster Deplume’s work makes me feel similar, especially A Gente Acaba (Vento Em Rosa), although the music is different.
