Category: Uncategorized
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The Science in Me Album, Mark Winters
Deep reflection, gratitude, and a scientific curiosity come together in Mark Winter’s “The Science In Me” album. Though rife with scientific terminology and concepts, the album is ultimately rooted in human feeling and invites us to explore the connections between the worlds of the physical and emotional. Winter’s musicality is…
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Once, NOR.BE ft. Vinnie Colaiuta, Mohini Dey, Fawzi Chekili
A Desert Mirage that Turns into a 70s Chase Scene? NOR.BE’s “Once” opens with a laid-back big band motif before swiftly shifting into sun-baked, eastern-tinged sonic territory. Blending progressive rock, jazz fusion, and classical orchestration, the composer and guitarist establishes a soundscape that balances effortless cool with dramatic tension. This…
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RECALIBRATED, Amana Melome’
“RECALIBRATED The Remixes” sees established Euro-Caribbean-American singer-songwriter Amana Melome’ taking her colorful artistry to new heights. A true melting pot of musical genres, performance styles, and moods, “Recalibrated” takes on a distinctly fusion aesthetic but remains cohesive as the work of one artist rooted in her own deeply felt experiences.…
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Shock The World, Pt. 2, Coolhandtrew and Toddfromdaspot
Shock the World, Part 2 sees Coolhandtrew and Toddfromdaspot bringing their own collaborative brand of R&B that’s a little spunky, a little gooey, and at times, dare we say, a little joyful. Self-described as the “soundtrack to your quiet hour”, Coolhandtrew and Toddfromdaspot bring a combination of melodic warmth and…
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Good Samaritans, Harry Kappen
Take some good old garage rock guitars, a healthy dose of modern melancholia, Bowie-esque melodies, a little bit of saxophone sprinkled on top and you’ve got yourself a Harry Kappen tune. Sound like an interesting recipe for a rock and roll song? In “Good Samaritans”, we see the Dutch-born, Mexico-based…
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From the Outside Looking In, Daisy Howard
Picture Daisy Howard’s “From the Outside Looking In” like a giant bubble of sound with strong but malleable walls. Sounds ebb and flow through the bubble, but the firm exterior maintains its shape, mirroring the story of the song: a character who stands fast in her convictions and carves a…
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Age of Dreams, Richard Green
Compared to the other types of music we normally write about on Up and Comers, you might expect a review of a track called “Age of Dreams” to be about an indie pop anthem or a pop rock ballad. Richard Green’s “Age of Dreams” is something entirely different: a richly…
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Doomsday Clock (85 Seconds to Midnight), Stephen Wicks
There are many different ways of coping with the threats building up against humanity these days, from climate chaos to war to the rise of artificial intelligence. For some, coping involves complete disconnection from the news, electronic devices, and anything else that reminds them of disaster. For others, digging in…
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Hard Times, The Communal Well
To truly capture a feeling through a song, the artist needs to bring together a variety of key ingredients: tone, lyrics, playing style, and rhythm must all be in sync. The Communal Well manage to do just that in their track “Hard Times” off the latest album “Willow”. A reflective…
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This Is Where, Eileen Carey
Finding the Grace in Goodbye Eileen Carey has built a career on navigating the spot between Country Pop and Adult Contemporary, so it’s nice to see her first single of the year pursue a different kind of navigation – the space between romantic ideal and realistic grace. Written alongside Lily…
