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Symbolism by Caracol
Symbolism by Caracol
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Caracol is a bilingual singer-songwriter based in Montreal, Canada. Not too long ago, she released a music video for her “Flooded Field” single featuring Illa J (brother of the late Jay Dilla).

“I could be your island. Headlights in the distance reaching out in silence if you won’t tell me how the water came. How can I really get you out of it? Your heart is a flooded field. Tell me what it means. Don’t know how to get to you.” – lyrics

‘Flooded Field’ tells an interesting tale of a supportive woman who wants to comfort her significant other.

Apparently, he has built a wall, so she doesn’t know how to get to him. But she has patience, therefore, she urges him to open up so she can nurture him with love.

‘Flooded Field’ contains a relatable storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and groovy instrumentation flavored with an electro-reggae aroma.

‘Flooded Field’ is a featured track on Caracol’s latest album, entitled, “Symbolism”.

The 11-track project sums up her past musical experiences and her beginnings as a percussionist and back-up singer in reggae bands.

Also, it highlights her work as a sound engineer in film music and her presence in the songwriting community and pop music writing camps.

Her “Symbolism” adventure began when she met producer Joey Waronker during a creative trip to Los Angeles.

After falling in love with her demos, he decided to work with her, and during the recording process, Caracol reached new heights.

Caracol was recently nominated at the Canadian Indie Awards in the Electronic Artist of the Year category.

Her music influences include Santigold, Lykke Li, Grimes, Beach House, Wild Belle, and Portishead.
  
The Hacienda Classics by  Various Artists
The Hacienda Classics by Various Artists
2006 | Compilation, House
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"When Oasis first started, very early on we used to cover ‘Feel The Groove’ by Cartouche. There’s a tape of that live gig knocking about somewhere. I was the dance music head in the group. I was into indie music like everyone else, New Order, The Smiths and then one night in 1987 someone took me to the Hacienda because I’d been reading about this music and I just stood there, drinking Colt 45, thinking 'Well, this is shit…' But then someone else took me the week after and said, 'Have one of these.' And put a little pill in my hand. And within an hour I thought that this music was the greatest thing that I’d ever heard in my entire fucking life. It was a life changing experience. The thing about the Hacienda was it was a superclub before superclubs existed. Acid house only lasted two years and that was it at its best. If you go to a club now you might as well be listening to the same song all night. Back then they played everything, hip hop, electro, acid house, techno and it was all mashed up. It was on your doorstep and full of people who were skint. It was only two quid to get in, they sold Rizla behind the bar so you could skin up and acid and Es were just entering the cultural stream. They were the best years of my life and probably every other day since I’ve thought, 'I wonder what those tunes were called?' Then I heard this album was coming out, I put it on at home and I was instantly transported back into that nightclub. And I thank the people who put this album out. It reminds me of great days when I was young and enjoying life to the full."

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Jonathan Higgs recommended Electro-Shock Blues by Eels in Music (curated)

 
Electro-Shock Blues by Eels
Electro-Shock Blues by Eels
1998 | Indie, Rock, Singer-Songwriter
8.0 (4 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I was a big fan of Mark Everett ever since I heard ‘Novocaine For The Soul’; I heard it once on the radio and bought the album the next day. It was perfect, almost like a Nirvana that were still alive. Little did I know that was their only song that was really like that, but I still fell in love with them, I loved Beautiful Freak. I guess I was following them so closely and thinking about his various woes so much and then this record came out. It was set in a hospital and a lot of things seemed to be set in a hospital for me, musically, at that time - The Bends had a lot of those themes on it too, for example. On the one hand there was this idea of the monotony of being in a hospital, the absolute depths of his misery, but at the same time he can’t seem to stop himself writing these theme tunes for happier scenes, like ‘Susan’s House’. He’s just got these terrible, heart-breaking lyrics but attached to these jovial little songs. There’s also loads of really cool sampling and the musique concrète stuff he does, particularly on Electro-Shock Blues, where there’s lots of ambience and you don’t know what instrument is playing what. It’s got a kitchen sink sort of vibe. “Arrangement-wise too you’ll get really unusual stuff happening; lots of bass and then something weird with no drums. He broke a lot of rules for me when I was starting out and I started thinking, 'Well, you don’t have to have that in your song if you don’t want...' You could just have the beeping from a heart monitor and sing over that."

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Hypocritical - Single by NOA
Hypocritical - Single by NOA
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
NOA is a 22-year-old singer-songwriter from Toronto, Ontario. Not too long ago, she released a music video for her lovely electro-pop tune, entitled, “Hypocritical”.

“As an artist and songwriter, I want to give others a voice through my writing. With my new single, I want people to know that they’re not alone and we’re only human. ‘Hypocritical’ was inspired by my own breakup aftermath. The realization that everything I didn’t want my ex to be doing, I was doing myself. also, in a post-breakup state, it’s so easy to get hung up on wanting your ex back, or at least not wanting him to move on. But in reality, whether you recognize it or not, you’re likely already moving on.” – NOA

‘Hypocritical’ tells a post-breakup tale of a young woman who struggles to let go of her ex-boyfriend.

Apparently, she has moved on with her personal life, but still wants to be with him, even though he no longer belongs to her.

Also, she doesn’t want to see him with another woman, even though she’s romantically involved with another guy.

‘Hypocritical’ is the first single of a series of songs that NOA will be releasing this year.

The likable tune contains a relatable storyline and ear-welcoming vocals. Also, the song possesses playful instrumentation scented with a dancy indie-pop aroma.

“Seeing my ex’s Instagram stories and Snapchats really highlighted these ‘Hypocritical’ feelings for me. Sometimes it’s okay to go through the motions and have these thoughts. But at the end of the day, we have to face ourselves in the mirror and continue to grow from the ups and downs.” – NOA

NOA’s fans have followed her to sold-out shows from Toronto’s Drake Hotel to Los Angeles’s Hotel Cafe.

Her music contains emo-themes from relationships to female empowerment and self-realization.

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/noa-hypocritical/
  
The Juice: Vol. 1 by Emotional Oranges
The Juice: Vol. 1 by Emotional Oranges
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Emotional Oranges is an enigmatic outfit based in Los Angeles, California. Not too long ago, they released a music video for their “Good to Me” single, which is featured on their “The Juice: Vol. 1” EP.

“I say, what I don’t know. What I don’t know can’t hurt me no more. You play outta control and you never worry about letting me know. The things that you hide, my girls think I’m crazy. Say I’m wasting all my time. Still, I’m hitting up your line.” – lyrics

The Danilo Parra-directed audiovisual explores the artistry of partnership while playing with various mediums from pottery and dance to showcase romanticism.

The narrative tells an interesting tale of a young woman who shares a problematic relationship with her promiscuous young beau.

One day, she catches him involved in an unfaithful sexual act, which prompts her to state in furious anger that she no longer wants to be with him.

But, she’s too in love with him to let go. Also, she has said that she was leaving one too many times, only to return shortly afterward.

Even though he cheats on her, she’s still optimistic about their relationship and hopes he will start being good to her.

“This video deals with the haunting feeling of losing someone you’re truly connected to. When an intimate relationship between two people is very strong, they begin to solidify together. And when that type of tight bond is psychically separated, the spirit is still there and continues to be connected. Pottery and the idea of building something with your hands felt like the perfect visual representation of our message.” – Emotional Oranges

‘Good to Me’ contains a relatable storyline and ear-welcoming vocals. Also, it possesses groovy instrumentation flavored with electro-pop and modern dance elements.

Get acquainted with Emotional Oranges’ music by streaming their “The Juice: Vol. 1” EP.
  
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Colin Newman recommended The Amateur View by To Rococo Rot in Music (curated)

 
The Amateur View by To Rococo Rot
The Amateur View by To Rococo Rot
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"How I got to know about it was through knowing their original record label Kitty-Yo and working with people in Berlin and going over there, and then I met Ronald, and this album summed up a moment for me. Dance music had so completely dominated the 90s. Really you could only ever talk about music in terms of the beat. There was techno and electro and then there was drum & bass, and they were so dominant; there was no other music. I remember thinking at the time, at the height of drum & bass, why would you listen to any other kind of music besides drum & bass? That's the only kind of music there is. There's Britpop, but that's rubbish. And then towards the end of the 90s all that started to fade and there was Tortoise suddenly appearing with what Americans who didn't do dance music did as instrumental music. And then from Germany you had To Rococo Rot. I think they gave me that record, because I think the version I've got is a promo. And again it's one of those records we just listen to over and over again. Wire did a tour, I think it was in 2000, and when we started we hadn't provided any music to go on before the band. And in every venue they were playing something like Soundgarden. Sorry, but I can't stand Soundgarden. I can't take it. So then we said well why don't we give them some music to put on? And I had that album, so we had that on before every show and it was really good. It was like you have some thrashy support band and then some thrashy dirge playing after that and then Wire coming on and it's like an evening of dirge. So to lighten it up we put something else on that puts the audience in a different space. And it also set us up in a different way. We got to feel differently about what we were doing. It was very effective for that"

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Cry Baby (Pt. 1) by Maja Francis
Cry Baby (Pt. 1) by Maja Francis
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Maja Francis is an Electro-Pop singer outta Stockholm, Sweden. Not too long ago, she released an excellent EP, entitled, “Cry Baby (Pt. 1)” EP.

I’M NOT A DISCO


Francis sings about being lonely and dancing on the dancefloor with tears in her eyes. She needs human contact from someone she’s currently in love with.

But there’s one problem. That person has his eyes on someone other than Francis.

Also, Francis makes it clear that she’s too real to get caught up in the bright disco lights. What she needs is a kiss under the moonlight around a warm fireplace.

FEEL

Francis recites a poem about her feelings. She urges listeners to wear their feelings like a tiara. Also, she sings about expressing yourself while in public.

STRESSED

Francis realizes her failed relationship started well but has now turned sour. She mentions crying her eyes out when the relationship was over.

Also, deep within, she wants to know why? Why did he leave her stressed out? It’s bad enough feeling lonely, but seeing him on the street is unbearable. Usually, she’s expressive. But when she sees him, she can’t utter a word.

SAVED BY THE SUMMER

Francis shines brightly on our favorite song on the EP. Her warm voice sounds wonderful and expresses the warmth of a summer vacation filled with lots of fun. No longer does Francis think about her ex? She has moved on to bigger and better thing.

BREAK

Francis recites a poem about her mental state of mind after her breakup.

CRY BABY

Francis ends the project with a lovely ballad. During a previous interview, she told us that this was her favorite song on the EP.

Francis sings that it’s therapeutic to cry. Also, crying is a prerequisite for letting go of a hurtful past.

CONCLUSION

Maja Francis’ “Cry Baby (Pt. 1)” EP is an excellent project filled with heartfelt tunes, relatable lyrics, and an evergreen theme. Also, it guides listeners on a recovery path towards achieving happiness after a hurtful breakup.

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/maja-francis-cry-baby-pt-1/
  
L.A. - Single by Kyan
L.A. - Single by Kyan
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Kyan is a singer-songwriter and producer from Cambridge, England. Not too long ago, he released a music video for his “L.A.” single, which was shot in South Africa.

“I came across an incredible self-portraiture photographer, Danielle Terblance, on Instagram. I had had this video concept in the back of my head for a while to create a narrative around a series of still images. We created it using 500 photographs, edited down from the 4,000 we took over the two shoot days. The piece follows my character as a fallen angel, attempting to navigate his way through the South African landscape back to The City of Angels (L.A.).” – Kyan

‘L.A.’ tells an interesting tale of a young guy with an aching heart who relocates to L.A to get his mind right.

Apparently, he tries his best to cope with life after experiencing an emotional breakup with his ex-girlfriend. Even though L.A. is five thousand miles away from where she stays, he can’t seem to get her out of his mind.

Later, he admits that he’s been lying on a sofa for a week. Also, in his mind, she’s everywhere he goes and in everything he knows. Therefore, he realizes that he needs her in his life.

‘L.A.’ contains a bittersweet storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and lush instrumentation flavored with sentimental elements.

“The narrative concept came from my personal experience of traveling to L.A. after a breakup with my long-term girlfriend and record label. I’d always viewed L.A. as this distant, shining beacon of dreams and opportunity. Then, all of a sudden, I was going there under really difficult circumstances. Due to the breakups, the trip had switched from being something I was running to, to something I was running from. In the weeks before the trip, L.A. became an escape, a chance for air amongst the intense emotional claustrophobia I was experiencing inside.” – Kyan

Since releasing his debut EP, entitled, “The Purple Experiment”​ ​​in 2014, Kyan has toured with the critically acclaimed trio, ​London Grammar​​.

Also, he has had a series of collaborations with the likes of ​Cedric Gervais & Just Kiddin, Duke Dumont​​, electro-pop king ​Madeon​​, ​Benga​​, and ​Knox Brown.

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/kyan-la/
  
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Nick McCabe recommended EPs 1991-2002 by Autechre in Music (curated)

 
EPs 1991-2002 by Autechre
EPs 1991-2002 by Autechre
2011 | Compilation
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I was in hospital this year and I made a point of listening to Exai and Oversteps, and Oversteps is amazing. I completely missed it at the time because I thought they'd disappeared way up their own arses. Academic music for academics. There is an element of that, I think. But those EPs remind me of walking around London completely off my head. It's the best music for that. For me, they represent coming back to electronic music after doing my homework. I immersed myself so much in the idea of the heritage of where my music came from that I missed out on rave culture and a whole scene that I belonged to, having come out of that whole electro/breakdance thing. I felt like I'd taken a wrong turn. But coming to Autechre… What I heard in them was Sonic Youth in electronic form. You've got that whole thing of mutated music turning itself inside out. Destroying itself as well. It induced a bit of a head rush and a panic that was actually quite enjoyable. Walking around London with a huge pair of headphones on completely off my tits listening to Autechre is the city experience for me. I like the overload of it. But they are also capable of beauty – I think that's what makes them so real. I have struggled with a few of their records. Chiastic Slide was one I bought when I first moved to Kilburn and I really didn't think much of it at the time. But what's amazing about Autechre – even at that point when they hadn't become IDM gods – was you knew that you had to persist with them; that it wouldn't reveal itself on first listen. You had to dig a bit, the same with Sonic Youth. I persevered with Sister and it became a favourite after a while. Chiastic Slide is now my favourite Autechre album. You can't rely on them to just do what's expected. Picking the EPs is a bit of a cheat, but some of my favourite tunes are on them – 'Cichlisuite' and 'Envane'."

Source
  
RO
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Michael is a 14-year-old who has electrical powers and is joined in this novel by his fellow Electro-Clan members. In this book, Michael and his friends must battle the Elgen again in order to save his mother from their clutches. It was nice to see the world we had come to inhabit in the first book expanded in the second. We got a deeper look into the Elgen, their plans and one of their other secret locations. If you haven't read the first book, this may spoil you so please read that (or my first review) before you read the second book's review.

I felt the same way about the second book as I did the first. The overall idea of this story was very intriguing, although I found the writing to be lacking at times. One of the biggest elements that drew me out of the story was the author's inability to choose a word other than <i>said</i> to describe when a person was speaking. It became frustrating to listen to the characters talk when the entire page just repeated, "he said... she said... then they said... he said again." By that point, I was pretty over the word said. It definitely detracted from the story, which I found enjoyable overall.

There was a little more character development in this novel than the first, as I found myself connecting to the characters more. Although I still don't find that they are three-dimensional enough, I do care if they succeed or not. The relationship between Michael and Taylor was very insta-love-y in the first book, but I liked seeing more support for it in this book. It is starting to feel more authentic and less like an overused trope.

As there are five other books in the series, I hope that the character development and world building will be improved upon. It definitely continued from the first to the second book and I felt more knowledgeable about the world as the story continued. The author definitely writes for a younger audience; the writing style was not as developed or mature as I would expect for a young adult reader.

I would recommend it to middle-grade readers, as well as young adult/teen readers who enjoy their fantasy books in a familiar setting. Don't expect flowery writing or deep characterization, just let the story take you on a fun, easy journey.