The LA meets London duo Medii has planted a major flag on 2022 with the release of their LP What If This Is All Real. The fourteen track project showcases the group’s dynamic talents with influences from electro pop to 80’s, to indie dance and beyond.
The synth-laden throwback vibes that oozes throughout this LP is one of its best qualities. It’s a glue that keeps this album feeling tight throughout. Another highlight that keeps things cohesive despite the wide range of talents involved are the vocals. From front to back What If This Is All Real is packed with memorable performances from the likes of Cat Cayenne, Gemyni, Sidney Blair and more. Medii delivered a massively fun listen that manages to also express emotional sentiments that will make the LP a timeless treat.
I haven’t written a blog review/write-up/article/whatever the hell you want to call it in what feels like… well, a long ass time. But Petey, otherwise recognized as PeteyUSA on TikTok, has ripped me out of my journalistic retirement with his twelve track debut album Lean Into Life released on Terrible Records. Even if only one person becomes a fan from this I’d feel accomplished, because this LP is just that good and Petey is just that type of honest talent that deserves everyone’s attention.
We’ve all been going through it this pandemic, and a lot of us have seen numerous changes in our lives that have really just beat us down. Whether we’re using humor, alcohol, food, games like ํด์ธ์ถ๊ตฌ or music to persevere, we’ve all got plenty of things to cope with and Petey offers up an extremely authentic expression that not only gives us a peak into his relatable life, but a vastly dynamic musical escape and an anthem that will give you a kick in the toosh to push back when life is feeling like the villain of your movie.
Lean Into Life as described by Petey himself is “of the indie-rock variety,” but it’s so much more than that. Sliding through styles with ease, Petey does follow a sonic centerline but infuses a lot of electronic instrumentation into the mix for a clean balance of the organic and synthetic.
What strikes me most about Petey’s music is his authenticity. That word is thrown around a lot but it’s not until you come across someone like Petey you realize what that actually means. We can describe it, we can repeat the definition, but the term’s true nature isn’t something that’s really quantifiable. Not to get too hippy dippy, but it’s truly felt and I can certainly feel it pulsating through from start to finish on this LP.
As someone who was born, left and returned to the Golden State, I can 100% live by Lean Into Life‘s first track whose chant “I’d rather be depressed in California” which has become my go-to answer for everyone who’s asked me about moving elsewhere.
Following up are a string of my other favorites including the quirky “Apple TV Remote,” the previously released hit “Pitch A Fit!” and the heartfelt love anthem “Don’t Tell The Boys” which has literally made me cry several times while listening and thinking about my own girlfriend.
But the song that sticks out to me the most as one of the most genuine, fun, funny, sad, awesome, and unique songs is the title track “Lean Into Life.” It’s a 5 and half minute journey that is structurally different from usual expectations and is the aforementioned masterpiece that has become a mantra for my own life. Petey does everything right on this one and gives us what I imagine is his most deeply personal song. It’s minimal, yet cathartic, it builds in all the right ways. Despite showing vulnerability, it feels like this song – and the full LP – were loads of fun to craft. I could go on and on forever, but I don’t want to bore you with my adoration as you can plainly see I believe Petey to be a special musician.
Petey wants to just be a guy making stuff, and that’s something I can get behind. With lifeless brands taking over, it’s nice to see a genuine creative take the stage and deliver something extraordinary, yet down-to-Earth. I hope Lean Into Life hits you as hard as it did me, and make sure to also check out PeteyUSA on TikTok if you’re into alt-comedy. I could do a whole other review about his hilarious antics as one of my favorite TikTokers, but let’s leave it to the music for now. Enjoy.
With all of the craziness that’s going on the world right now, we felt the need to share some especially positive music to get your spirits up. The San Jose band Alan Frenz has come through clutch with their debut single “I AM” that has been accompanied by a stress-free fun music video.
“I AM” is an upbeat, jazzy hip-hop original that oozes inspiration from the get-go. Bursting forth from a beautiful piano intro, “I AM” dives in with the rest of the group’s talents including That Fool Al’s uplifting lyrics that dig deep with ease and precision. It’s one of those laidback tunes you throw on repeat and just lose yourself to. If you’d like to add the track to your quarantine playlists, do it up here!
The anonymous talent Juuku is coming into the dojo with the premiere of a brand new single called “To You.” This emotional original is the first independent release from Juuku after having worked alongside Proximity and Mr. Suicide Sheep previously. “To You” is dedicated to all fans, old and new, for continuing to support this magnificent talent.
“To You” is a highly emotional future bass production that works in cinematic elements that really breathe added life into the track. Juuku has always managed to do things a little different from the usual lot of creators and this track is another example of that iconic signature. Be sure to add “To You” to your playlists for this Winter and stay tuned for more from Juuku in 2020!
Nashville artist R.LUM.R‘s triumphant debut album Surfacing is an alternative R&b treasure. The thirteen track project not only shows off the Island Record artists song writing ability but also his versatility and the power of his falsetto. The engulfing album is emotional at times, and thoughtful at others.
Surfacing features buzzed about pre-released singles such as โHow This Feels,โ โBoys Should Never Cry,” โCold,โ and the most recent release which was also his directorial debut โLonelyโ, which all explore sensitive emotional issues of vulnerability, self-awareness, male identity, and mental health. On top of the prior releases it is filled with a slew of new bops, like the stand out “Happy” or the title track “Surfacing”. In addition to the release of his debut album, R.LUM.R has also announced The Surfacing Tour, which will be his first major headlining tour across North America. The 5-week, 26-city run across the U.S. and Canada will open February 20th in Nashville, and will wrap in Charlotte, NC on March 28th. Head over to his website to see the full set of tour dates and to pick up your tickets. Stream Surfacing by R.LUM.R below.
“Reaching For U” is a recent drop that connected Juuku and Squired with the end result being a spacey and emotional bass masterpiece. The gripping future track features airy and majestic synths, along with a stunning vocal on the top line that helps level up the collaboration into something really pretty.
“Reaching For U” has me reaching for that mouse to click play again and again. Keep an eye on these two. 2019 has been a big year for them both and 2020 is shaping up to be even bigger. For now, enjoy “Reaching For U” and make sure to add it to your playlists!
Orlando rapper Drex Carter and fellow Central Florida beatsmith Kkami connect for a new collaborative EP called THAW. The three song project is a hybrid approach that features lo-fi, bedroom pop, and hip-hop influences that blend together as smooth as butter.
โHigh Hopesโ features a verse from Mitch$$$, another bubbling Orlando based artist on the rise. THAW came out yesterday and today comes a trippy, glitched-out music video for โCity After Cityโ that takes us on a wild ride and fits in well with the audio. Keep a tab on Drex Carter, Kkami, and Mitch$$$ in 2020.
