Your 2022 Winners Anthem

MUSIC

R&B REVIEWS

16-01-2022 15:21 GMT

Music by indie artist, Tamara Bubble on Soundcloud | Spotify

Tamara Bubble

"Wayward"
R&B


Your 2022 winners anthem.

Really big song by New York sensation Tamara Bubble. If you've been following this exciting fast-rising independent Brooklyn rapper slash singer slash pop star in the making, then you don’t need a rocket scientist to tell you what to expect here – nothing but excellence. And excellence is exactly what you get. If you haven't been following her already, where the hell have you been and what have you been listening to? She's only the best thing to happen in rap music since it became acceptable to wear a thong on television. This one’s got a more melodic feel than most of her recent releases and does well to showcase her R&B performance style in all its glory. This is one of those songs that will always do well to pick you up when you are feeling like you are fighting a losing battle, and give you that extra push at the gym or when you need it most in your endeavors. It’s a track about believing in yourself - the most important thing in life. 

What MTV Wants You To Masturbate To

MUSIC

HIP HOP REVIEWS

17-08-2021 13:45 GMT

Music by indie artist, Tamara Bubble on Soundcloud | Spotify

Tamara Bubble

"Superwoman"
Hip Hop


Wow-ie!!

Don't listen to this - it may destroy you

You are not ready for this.

Packs a punch.

The first time you hear this song is the last time you will hear it. Yep, you read what you read right. In fact, here, read it again – the first time you hear this song is the last time you will hear it. See? Your eyes weren't deceiving you after all, you should trust them more. "But why?", you may ask. It’s because every other time you hear it will be a blur and the only thing you’ll remember and feel afterwards is how amazing you felt the first time you heard it. If you haven’t guessed already, you’ll feel pretty superb the first time! Almost like a virgin, but better. 

Sitting comfortably in position number 4 of independent Brooklyn hip hop star Tamara Bubble’s March 2021 album “I May Destroy You”, this record packs a punch that is liable to not only knock you out cold but is also  liable to put the sparkle back in your eyes quicker than a wine cooler – depending on what form you decide to take the “punch” in, hopefully the latter. It’s fast, it’s got bounce, it’s got class, it’s got sass, it's got lyrics, it’s got attitude, and most importantly, it makes sense. 

"So why will it destroy me then?", you may ask. Well, let me explain. Have you ever experienced something so amazing it made you mad? because you feared you'd never be able to live without it again? or experience anything just as amazing? Sadly, that's exactly what this song will do to you if you are not careful. Don't hit the play button if your only source of new music or whatever you call good music is Spotify or Soundcloud's flawed and grossly off music recommendation algorithms - no, I don't like Lil Nas and his stupid full red sexy lips with way too much Vaseline because I listened to Elton John that one time (wait, did I just say Lil Nas had sexy lips? Aww hell no, never watching MTV again). And hell no, I don't listen to Kanye West because somehow it found out I dropped out of high school. Okay scratch that last part, let's just say I didn't go to high school - I went to school high; and leave it at that ey? He-he-he, just kidding, I was awesome at school and I finished - you should too and someday you could be amazing, just like me. So where were we? Ah yes - still letting Spotify and Soundcloud feed you music ey? yuk, yuk, yuk. Let's change that now before you hit the play button and risk living the rest of your life feeling inadequate because all the music you thought was amazing is way below the new bar the song is about to set. The first thing you need to do is bookmark this website and come here every day before even thinking of opening your Spotify or Soundcloud app. The second thing you need to do is go out and buy yourself a CD player - it's a round thing that plays music one album at a time, not 50,000 at a time (oh wait 50 million at a time - geez! Spotify! So good yet so bad). I love sex but I don't even want to have sex with 50 women at a time, that's too much work - it could take days even. I love music and I feel exactly the same way. Have you ordered the CD player? Once it arrives, head down to your local independent record store and interact with some of the cool people you find there - they'll tell you what's really cool, not what MTV wants you to masturbate to - yes, I said it. Okay, so now you are ready obviously. See that green (or white) thingy a little further down below the page that looks like a fake wifi symbol? Hit it really hard and then step away really quick - you're going to feel like you want to shake (twerk) something really bad  immediately.  

Explicit.

Music Review: How Are Things Over There by The Watermark High - Electronic - Massachusetts, USA | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
ELECTRONIC REVIEWS
25-03-2021 18:05 GMT

Music by indie artist, The Watermark High on Soundcloud | Bandcamp

The Watermark High

"How Are Things Over There"
Electronic


Magic

Don’t listen to this excruciatingly blissful album if you are in a vulnerable place in your life right now, it will melt you away like a chocolate fountain on a hot summer afternoon and dip strawberries inside you till you feel happier than Elton John (don't worry it won't make you gay, just really happy). This is one of those albums that swallows you whole, turns you inside out and then has you fully surrounded by its awesomeness. It is sophisticated in ways the average listener will never really be able to put a finger on. You’ll struggle to describe how crisp it is, even the noise is silky. It’s blissfully satisfying and artificial in ways that’ll make you feel like it could be intelligent and be trying to tell you something really deep. If you’ve never been to heaven, hop on-board this musical spaceship and you’ll hear things that’ll make you feel like you’re seeing things. With 8 blissfully exciting and satisfying tracks that are great whether you are getting the day started right or ending it in on a high note after being amazing all freaking day, it makes an invaluable addition to any music collection, whether you are into classical, pop or hip hop; old school or new. Released on the 29th of January, it was written during the lockdowns of 2020, and inspired by the pandemic and everything that came with it. 

Music Review: Jealousy by Honorebel - Reggae - Florida, USA | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
REGGAE REVIEWS
21-10-2020 11:03 GMT

Music by indie artist, Honorebel on Spotify | Soundcloud

Honorebel, Herbert Skillz

"Jealousy"
Reggae


A collaborative record with one of Uganda’s top music producers, Herbert Skillz; Honorebel’s single, “Jealousy” was just one of several notable singles that did well to keep fans happy ahead of the release of his highly anticipated and long overdue album at the time, “Above The Noise”, which was released just over 4 months after to critical acclaim. The track was not featured on the album but was celebrated for several reasons including the mere fact that it had become quite rare to hear Honorebel on vocals for a whole song at the time, owing to a long series of high profile collaborative records that shaped his career and cemented his name in the history books as one of the hardest working and most successful independent reggae artists in Miami. The song gave fans a sizeable intrinsic doze of the emerging Kingston, Jamaica native's infectious performance style and unmatched songwriting skills in all their glories for 4 whole minutes. Paired with the expertise of Herbert Skillz, it didn’t stand a chance of not becoming a summer hit. 

Music Review: I'll See You Later by Wiz Kid The Weirdo - Hip Hop - Gerogia, USA | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
HIP HOP REVIEWS
19-10-2020 23:46 GMT

Music by indie artist, Wiz Kid The Weirdo on Soundcloud

Wiz Kid The Weirdo

"I'll See You Later"
Hip Hop


“I’ll See You Later” was a pretty low-key release which sadly wasn’t given as much publicity as other Wiz Kid The Weirdo songs. It only appeared on Soundcloud and selected independent music streaming platforms, and didn’t appear alongside the rest of his repertoire on Spotify, Apple Music and popular digital music services for some reason, but it certainly deserved to. Released back in 2019, it’s a mellow track that offers a very much missed vibe in hip hop, with lyrics centered around hard work, progress, moving on, and leaving the past behind; written exquisitely, with a narrative approach.

Explicit.

Music Review: Cent With A Purpose by Tamara Bubble - Pop - New York, USA | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
17-10-2020 23:14 GMT

Music by indie artist, Tamara Bubble on Soundcloud | Apple Music

Tamara Bubble, Pretty Pennies

"Cent With A Purpose"
Pop


Organic pop goodness

This is one of those albums with an uncanny ability to redefine a genre in a way no other album will be able to do ever again. Hit the play button with caution if your pop music collection has a really big ego, as this fairly small and humble low budget 5 track EP could severely f* up its self-esteem. A collaborative feel-good album with fellow Brooklyn, New York indie artist, Pretty Pennies, that combines pop, hip hop and R&B in just the right proportions to create an explosive mixture packed with good vibes, the album was released at the peak of Tamara’s independent R&B career and was one of the last notable projects she released before completely switching up her style and subsequently becoming the hip hop sensation she is today.

Music Review: Je M'en Fous by Seiswork - Experimental - Brussels, Belgium | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
EXPERIMENTAL REVIEWS
09-10-2020 16:59 GMT

Music by indie music composer, Seiswork on Soundcloud

Seiswork

"Je M'en Fous"
Experimental


It's all in your mind

Brussels music composer and producer, Seiswork returns with another mind-boggling track that is guaranteed to get listeners thinking hard, if nothing else at all. The 9 minute music composition is just as disturbing as it is compelling to listen to. There are no easily identifiable sounds or musical instruments; just mysterious, quiet,  muffled noises and whispers. It starts off suspenseful and then unravels to become even more suspenseful. It’s like having a bad dream about a bad dream waiting to happen that never really happens. It’s like a villain lurking in the dark forever and never emerging for the final battle. It’s almost like the sound of fear, or maybe the sound of darkness. This dull and mysterious musical composition tells a story and paints a picture without a single melody, chord, or as little as a note. It stimulates a different emotion in every listener, one that is unexplainable and impossible to put into words every time. This is not a song, it’s a musical masterpiece. 

Music Review: Testing by Cj TheBest - R&B - Texas, USA | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
R&B REVIEWS
30-07-2020 18:13 GMT

Music by indie artist, Cj TheBest on Spotify | Soundcloud

Cj TheBest

"Testing"
R&B


Good vibes

The first time you hear this sexy, slow-burning, ear-watering masterpiece, you’ll want nothing more than to grab whoever’s closest to you and press them really tight against your body with love – don’t say you weren’t warned. This will take you back to the days when groups like KCi & Jojo and Boyz II Men were sitting on top of the world. It’s a love song about never giving up on love. Really simple, quiet and smooth vibe all the way through, yet so hot it'll melt your wax.

Music Review: Gold Digger by Cj TheBest - R&B - Texas, USA | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
R&B REVIEWS
29-07-2020 17:42 GMT

Music by indie artist, Cj TheBest on Soundcloud | Apple Music

Cj TheBest

"Gold Digger"
R&B




CJ switched up his style for this one with a Rock ‘n’ Roll beat and it worked really well. R&B and rock? One for the books! It’s the first song on his last album, “Round 2”. It set the tone for what was, and still is, one of the most promising and most authentic R&B music careers this decade. If you haven’t heard it yet, something’s wrong with you. No, really; if you haven’t heard it then your music diet is missing real R&B - that’s not healthy at all, that’s like not eating your vegetables. And no, smoking them doesn’t count.

Music Review: Sick Of It All by Elliott Waits For No One - Alternative Rock - Illinois, USA | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
ALTERNATIVE ROCK REVIEWS
26-07-2020 14:56 GMT

Music by indie band, Elliott Waits For No One on Soundcloud | Spotify

Elliott Waits For No One

"Sick Of It All"
Alternative Rock


Everything is exactly as it should be

A very mellow record that sounds and feels like something a lot of work went into. Every single note, every word, every drum hit; every riff, seems like it has a specific purpose and rightful place in the mix.

“Sick Of It All” was the first track Jenny and Brian of the newly formed band, EWFNO wrote together. It’s featured on their self-titled debut album, “Elliott Waits For No One” which was released on the 14th of June to critical acclaim in Illinois, USA where the band is based. As the title suggests, it's a very dull, melancholic record about, well, being sick of it all; and failing to appreciate something that has been right in front of you all along. It’s a relatable song that, if nothing else, will remind you that the sky is always blue, and that through the darkest times there is always something (or someone) good somewhere out there in the world for you. 

Music Review: Something We Did by Crissi Cochrane - Soul - Ontario, Canada | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
SOUL REVIEWS
18-07-2020 15:03 GMT

Music by indie singer songwriter, Crissi Cochrane on Bandcamp | Soundcloud

Crissi Cochrane

"Something We Did"
Soul


Do not touch

This week on her blog, Crissi Cochrane took time out to shed light on some of the inspirations and deeper meanings behind the lyrics of this exceptionally delightful record. It is just one of several sensational tracks featured on her critically acclaimed 2020 album, “Heirloom”. The first thing you need to know about this song is that you’ll probably never hear a song like this ever again – if you do, it’s probably a remix. This is one of those songs that instantaneously earns a spot at the top of your most prestigious and most precious music playlist as soon as you touch the play button. It’s soulful in ways words can’t even begin to describe, exquisitely performed and so delicate that if you could touch it you probably wouldn’t. It’s a nostalgic love song that will take you to a special place.

Music Review: Feel Good by Tamara Bubble - Hip Hop - New York, USA | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
HIP HOP REVIEWS
01-07-2020 15:35 GMT

Music by indie artist, Tamara Bubble on Soundcloud | Apple Music

Tamara Bubble

"Feel Good"
Hip Hop


Just do it

New York rapper, Tamara Bubble’s December 31st, 2019 single, “Feel Good” will make you feel like you’ve been severely bamboozled by the music industry, and hip hop artists in particular for at least a decade. Forget about all the so-called feel-good music you’ve heard recently, taking into account hip hop, R&B and even pop; now rinse out your ears mentally (don’t poor water in them, that’s bad). Now when you hit the play button keep telling yourself this is really happening, because you won't believe it is. This record is so good you are liable to hit the pause button a few seconds after it starts, just to be sure your heart can digest the beat and is ready for a whole 3 minutes of the lyrical happy ending massage that ensues. The track is so good that if it won a Grammy it would give it to Kanye West. It’s not needy, pompous or desperate for recognition, just superb and spectacular in its own right.

It premiered during Season 3 of ABC Australia’s “Mustang FC”.

Explicit.

Music Review: Distance by Christie Huff - Country Pop - California, USA | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
COUNTRY POP REVIEWS
27-06-2020 21:35 GMT

Music by indie artist, Christie Huff on Soundcloud | Deezer

Christie Huff

"Distance"
Country Pop


Big

The first thing that strikes you about this song is how heavy and sweet the drums are. It immediately sets a seriously exciting tone for the whole record, and as the song progresses, it unravels into something more spectacular than you could have ever wished for in even your most overzealous pop fantasies. But wait, this isn't pop - it’s pop-ish, with a hint of R&B and a generous sprinkle of country. “Distance” is a country pop song about wanting to be close to someone you love. Released at a time when we were all realising the difficulties that social distancing posed and still poses, it’s a song that resonated well and is still resonating well with so many.

Music Review: Elliot Waits For No One by Elliot Waits For No One - Rock - Illinois, USA | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
ROCK REVIEWS
24-06-2020 18:55 GMT

Classic Jenny Franck photo before Elliot Waits For No One band

Jenny Franck

"Elliot Waits For No One"
Rock



Elliot Waits For No One (EWFNO) is the new Illinois, US band that, according to critics, is poised to completely shake things up on the Midwest’s rock music scene. Comprising of seasoned music industry veterans Jeff Tortora, Brian Troch and singer songwriter Jenny Franck, the band made their debut just over a year ago. Their highly anticipated self-titled album, “Elliot Waits For No One” was released on the 12th of June, just over a week ago. The 10 track album has everything from slow burning ballads to high-octane records that are liable to burn the flesh off your bones if you make the mistake of playing them too loud. Listen out for “Sick Of It All“, “You Can’t See Through Me“ and “Everyone Knows“.

Music Review: Only You & Me by Crissi Cochrane - Soul - Ontario, Canada | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
SOUL REVIEWS
23-06-2020 17:20 GMT

Music by indie artist, Crissi Cochrane on Soundcloud | Bandcamp

Crissi Cochrane

"Only You & Me"
Soul




Super-chilled with a smooth groove that’ll make you want to move, “Only You & Me” is a slow, exciting, romantic song for that special someone in your life. It’s one of those records with the uncanny ability to turn the lights down low and make everyone else and everything in the room disappear except you and her. Throw this on when you are spending quality time. Featured on Crissi Cochrane’s latest album, “Heirloom”, which was released back in February to critical acclaim, “Only You & Me” quickly became and remains a fan favorite. A remixed version of the track is scheduled for release on the 26th of June.

Music Review: Flaunt by Saachi Sen - Pop - London, UK | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
28-05-2020 23:05 GMT

Music by indie singer songwriter, Saachi Sen on Soundcloud | Apple Music

Saachi Sen

"Flaunt"
Pop


Smile

Released on the 17th of April, in the thick of London’s lockdown, Saachi Sen’s “Flaunt” is an exciting new track that was just as well-timed as it was well-received. With so much meaningless pop music out there, tracks like this are always a very refreshing reminder that there are still artists who not only know what they are doing musically but also take time to write heart-warming songs that mean something. This is one of those records with the uncanny ability to turn any moment into a fresh, cool, breezy spring morning and inspire the much needed comfort and calm that these dire times call for. It was recorded at Spotify’s prestigious Secret Genius Studios in London.

Music Review: Night And Blur by The Bilinda Butchers - Dream Pop - California, USA | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
DREAM POP REVIEWS
24-05-2020 17:28 GMT

Music by indie band, The Bilinda Butchers on Soundcloud | Bandcamp

The Bilinda Butchers

"Night And Blur"
Dream Pop


Going to lunch... see you tomorrow

Stop everything you're doing, this isn’t one of those overhyped run-of-the-mill albums you've become so so accustomed to over the past decade, it’s a collectors’ item. It’s so good you probably won’t share it with anyone. In fact, after you've listened to it for the first time you’ll probably make multiple backup copies and hide the original somewhere no one will ever look, and retrieve it only for the most special occasions. If you are not familiar with the utterly complex and excruciatingly exciting independent California dream pop trio that is The Bilinda Butchers then head over to the menu, click on "Roster" and familiarize yourself with what you are getting yourself into before embarking on this eye-opening musical escapade, or the consequences could be dire for your music collection. Don’t worry, you won’t end up deleting all your favourite albums – just most of them.

Music Review: Lazy Anthem by Coolidge - Hip Hop - Mississippi, USA | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
HIP HOP REVIEWS
22-05-2020 22:27 GMT

Music by indie artist, Coolidge on Soundcloud |

Coolidge

"Lazy Anthem"
Hip Hop


Happy

Released on the 27th of March, just before the world started going into lock down one city at a time, the new single by Mississippi, USA’s rising hip hop star, Drevo Coolidge is a fun, feel-good record that wants nothing more than to uplift you and make you happy. Inspired by Bruno Mars’ “Lazy Song”, it is a more pop-oriented record than we’ve seen from the critically acclaimed Southern underground rapper in a while, and by far one of the best according to many. So good in fact that critics are speculating that this could be "The One" that catapults him to international superstardom and cements his name in the history books as one of the most authentic and most talented new hip hop artists from the South this decade.  

Explicit.

Music Review: Like A Lady by Crissi Cochrane - Pop - Ontario, Canada | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
19-05-2020 14:55 GMT

Music by indie artist, Crissi Cochrane on Soundcloud | Bandcamp

Crissi Cochrane

"Like A Lady"
Pop



Kiss me
Smooth, sensual, and infused with so much love you'll need someone to hold once it's over, “Like A Lady” is a record that, like most of the songs in Crissi Cochrane’s repertoire, offers a sound and overall vibe that is very much lacking in today’s music. It’s elegant, softer that a baby’s quilt, and you’ll feel like you are floating on clouds once you hit the play button.

Don’t listen to this song if your dream girl has a playboy tattoo in the small of her back (or maybe a downward-pointing arrow even - yuck!). This is one of those records you only throw on when you are in the presence of a real lady - you know, the ones that laugh softly with a hand over their mouth, and talk like there's an angel sleeping on their tongue. 

By the time you are done listening to this you’ll be running a hot bath, sprinkling rose petals everywhere, pouring a glass of fine white wine and lighting candles. 

Music Review: Confirm Humanity by The Watermark High - Electronic - Massachusetts, USA | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
ELECTRONIC REVIEWS
01-05-2020 19:54 GMT

Music by indie music producer, The Watermark High on Soundcloud | YouTube

The Watermark High

"Confirm Humanity"
Electronic


The end of the world

In a few years, when the robots have taken over the world and we are all forced to seek refuge in caves far, far away from civilization, or in Africa (robots will never survive there), “confirm humanity” will be a phrase you’ll hear as well as say very often. This track reeks of annihilation, or whatever comes after Covid-19, the Greatest Depression and the Armageddon. It is futuristic, beautiful, hopeful, scary, sweet and sad all at the same time. It’s an instrumental record that takes you to the edge of the universe and tells you a story without words. It’s one of those songs that puts you in the mindstate of a maestro, which is exactly what its creator is, and then just leaves you there to bask in your own awesomeness. Once you hit the play button you are sucked into a world where only your thoughts prevail, where your mind is the world and you are God. When you return, you’ll know everything and fear nothing.