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Bounge – Stealer (New Release)

The last time we spoke to Bounge, she was working on an upcoming album as well as a vinyl compilation. However, recently this high energy artist dropped a music video titled “Stealer” in which she maintains a dynamic appeal as she flails around an empty warehouse reciting the hook “heaven knows no beast like the one inside of me.” One thing I can say about Bounge is that she is consistent. The same grunge appeal that is shown in her previous videos as well as her previous artwork and just overall aesthetic is shown in this video. Although the video doesn’t provide a variety of visuals like her previous videos (specifically Haunted Eau) do, the song itself is well put together. Her airy vocals over the hard hitting beat provide just the right amount of contrast to make the song work. Bounge is in beast mode, and if she continues on this path I look forward to seeing what she puts out in the future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0-a6fc7NdA

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All Music New Releases

Rèmi Fréyo ~ The Inner Space EP [Exclusive]

The Inner Space EP

By: Rèmi Fréyo

 

We have the honor today of presenting you with the debut EP of, up-and-coming, DMV artist Rèmi Fréyo.

At it’s essence, “The Inner Space EP” is a project about the journey to self-realization. While this journey is usually something one attempts on their own, Inner Space is a love story about two individuals exploring the depths of their own souls and that of each other’s simultaneously. Remi has described, “The Inner Space EP” as an attempt to summarize the past 3 years of his life, a time when he dropped out of college and became a full-time entrepreneur, battling depression and living on his mother’s couch. The best moments of this EP reveals the heart and inner thoughts of a young black man opening up and allowing himself to become completely vulnerable for his audience. Rèmi considers “Inner Space” to be a genre that he created as well as a metaphysical place that one can go to “get away from all the negativity and shit that is happening in the world.” The EP definitely creates a peaceful, calm and serene soundscape. Having produced the entire project himself and crediting 4 specific relationships as the inspiration for the tape, Inner Space seems to be the journal of a young self-starter documenting the road to attraction and intimacy using personal experience as a solid foundation.

You can listen to it here.

UPDATE (8/24/2017): The Inner Space EP is now available for Pre-Order on iTunes & Amazon.

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All Culture Music Music Reviews New Releases The Outlet Recommends

Smino ~ blkswn (Album Review)

Smino – “blkswn”

Smino is another young musical talent at the forefront of the Midwest music scene. His latest project “blkswn” is the culmination of years and years of hard work and determination. It sounds like growth, it sounds southern, it sounds raw and uncut, but more than anything it sounds like he really took his time with this project and settled for nothing less than a masterpiece.

I’ve been watching Smino for just over a year and what I’ve noticed more than anything is his calculated strategy and the mutual love given to and received from his fans and closest supporters. Some of his biggest supporters are Midwest creative and musical geniuses’ in their own right. This list includes but is not limited to – Drea Smith, Bari, Saba, Jean Deaux, Ravyn Lenae, Monte Booker, Noname, Via Rosa, Akenya, Mick Jenkins, and more! Many of whom were featured on “blkswn.”

My First Impression

My first impression of the album was “wow this is a melting pot of so many different sounds, feelings, textures, thoughts, ideas, and cultures.” Some of my favorite takeaways (and not just because of the brilliant song names) are “Netflix & Dusse” – “Glass Flows” – “Father Son Holy Smoke” – “Amphetamine” – “Long Run” – “blkswn” – and believe me it’s super hard to stop there but if I added another it’d have to be 2 and then 3… Smino reminds me slightly of another midwestern artist that’s been on the tip of tongues quite a bit lately. Chance the Rapper’sAcid Rap” knocked down the door for artists like Smino to feel confident that having good music with a message and careful strategy was enough to break into an industry largely dominated by a select few gatekeepers. In the age of information and networking, generating a profitable business is a more attainable goal then ever before. Smino’s ‘Zero Fatigue‘ clique encompasses many of the artists featured on the project and several of them have projects out of their own…

In Conclusion…

I’m thoroughly impressed with what I’ve been hearing out of the Midwest lately and in my opinion Smino just released the most complete musical project that I’ve heard of recent. The only other project I’ve been listening to as much lately is Masego’sLoose Thoughts” and Cornrow Kenny’sDAMN.” but that’s a post for another day. Check out “blkswn” below and feel free to comment your thoughts, opinions, reactions, and first impressions, I’m really interested in hearing what you guys think! & of course share this article freely! 😉🔌

Smino is currently on his “Swanitatour. For all of our D.C. readers come vibe with us at Songbyrd on the 7th of May to hear his amazing work in the flesh. Note: He’ll also be at Broccoli Fest on the 6th.

Social Media & Music Links:

Smino – ‘blkswn

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/sminoworld/sets/blkswn

itunes: https://itun.es/us/Tu1oib

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3bTjPEgPzm1XwXsNlMVHhs

Tidal: https://tidal.com/album/71152307

Social Media:

Twitter: @SminoBrown

Facebook: @SminoBrown

Snapchat: @Smeezydot

Instagram: @Smino

Smino – Anita‘ (Music Video)

Zero Fatigue

Jean Deaux (Twitter): https://twitter.com/jeandeaux1776

Ravyn Lenae – “Moon Shoes” (EP): https://soundcloud.com/ravynlenaesounds/sets/moon-shoes

Monte Booker (SoundCloud): https://soundcloud.com/montebooker