Reviews

There’s a difference between making a song and building a world, and Ricky Earlywine goes all in on the latter with “sovereignty.” Based out of Lacey, Earlywine is architecting every inch of the sound, from songwriting to engineering, stacking over 90 vocal layers into a dense, cinematic Pop-R&B anthem. Drawing…

PRÉSENCE ABSENTE pulls you in before you even realize it—and Alex Tolm makes sure you stay there. As a debut, the album leans into experience, unpacking the tension between being physically present and emotionally distant. Rooted in piano-driven arrangements and framed by a blend of French poetic tradition and modern…

There’s a common complaint that trance music has lost its emotional core, but GazHaz seems determined to prove otherwise. With “Like a Family Photo,” a standout from Trance Is Dead, the Newcastle upon Tyne producer leans into something more personal than peak-time drops and festival clichés. This isn’t just about…

There’s a noticeable shift in tone when Krey Galin steps into “Lo Que Te Toco.” Hailing from Recife, Galin moves away from the glossy pull of club-ready sounds and leans fully into something heavier, more personal. Released in February 2026, the single feels more like a confession, shaped by real…

There’s a certain boldness in turning big, messy global systems into music that actually grooves, and Wes Carroll pulls it off with The Capitalocene. Released in 2026 under the Wes Carroll Confabulation, this four-track EP dives headfirst into conscious issues. Blending hip-hop, soul, jazz, and roots, Carroll builds a sound…

There’s a certain restless energy in “lil runaway” that feels like it was made somewhere between a late-night drive and a bad decision, and that’s exactly where Outlaw Cartier thrives. Formerly known as Chxrles, the Philadelphia-based artist leans into a hybrid sound that fuses darkwave gloom with post-punk grit, while…

There’s a fine line between chaos and charm, and Phytö dance all over it with “Like Poles.” The track arrives as a bright, off-kilter burst of energy, less heartbreak ballad, more neon-lit spiral through attraction, confusion, and self-delusion. Known for blending funk grooves with a modern, slightly nostalgic twist, Phytö…

There’s nothing surface-level about Psyche—and I.K.P. makes that clear from the outset. This four-track EP is a mapped-out emotional arc, named after the asteroid symbolizing the soul’s journey. Drawing from a life shaped by military service, homelessness, recovery, and rebuilding, I.K.P. turns survival into structure. Each track feels like a…

There’s a quiet rebellion in making things shorter when the world keeps demanding more—and that’s exactly where Apstara steps in with One Minute Mantras I: Awakening. The Los Angeles-based artist, also known as Juliet Lyons, trades sprawling compositions for something far more intentional: bite-sized, one-minute soundscapes designed to ground you.…

If there’s one thing The Hypnotiks understand, it’s how to make groove feel like second nature. Hailing from Paris, this tight-knit collective has built its name on reviving soul and funk with a lived-in, no-frills energy—less museum piece, more late-night jam session that spills into the streets. With “Stone Cold…