The power chords from the onset sends jolts reverberating through the first measures of the song, and if that’s not enough to draw your attention the first line packs more shock value than a defibrillator. The Los Angeles, California based artist Damian Sage delivers a chilling performance on his highly addictive new single titled “Cold Blooded”. A galvanizing release for newly formed record label Dark Spark Music. This label is headed by Vicky Hamilton who’s known for her work alongside notable legendary acts such as Guns N Roses, June Carter Cash, and Johnny Cash.

The production is cinematic derived from a pop template this enchanting ensemble is equipped with the ingredients to become an anthem. The synth laden recording is utilized as the canvas to entice the listener to embrace the gripping anecdotes written. As the old saying goes put the medicine in the candy. Ostensibly the same trick your guardian used to cajole you to take medication. The same premise rings true for Vancouver, Canadian artist David Raynolds on his latest release “We Are The Voice”.

Alberta, Canadian artist Locust’s latest full length release is forthcoming, dexterous, and diverse. “I Used To Love Her” delves in further on the aforementioned premise investigating the current state of the culture and queries the metrics. All while serving up a versatile spectrum, a technical virtuoso, a musical clinic. Offering different soundscapes and production the lyrical marksman leaves ruins of all palettes queued. The Canadian artist is so enamored with the culture that his passionate rhetoric sees him at odds with it.

The Cleveland, OH band comprised of bass player and vocalist Jake Olson, guitarist and vocalist Dave Stump, and drummer, and vocalist Bret Davis display an enticing penchant for crafting dark themed anthems. ST. J ultimately records an album based on power dynamics and the reeling moments of a relationship smearing the plane of controversial subject matters, with a skillful naivety that makes it seem admissible on “Three Heads Are Better Than One” . Each track signifies the stages of a deterring but resilient bond one wrought with a spectrum of emotions. First, the denial, conforming, rationalizing, which opens a door to abuse, then dejection, and finally make up sex.

In the world of Hip Hop there’s a proverbial tree in which all who emerge in the culture originate. A tree that branches off into different categories, styles and techniques forming various niches in which fellow mc’s embrace and make their own. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin artist Victor Rose’s musical style, and approach proves he’s a descendent of this bunch of collectives which includes Native Tongue, Outkast, and more recently Odd Future. The Funkadelic, soul inspired quirky eccentricity exhibited in most of the recordings give off this musical aesthetic. One who embraces creativity, individuality, has a avant-garde approach, evoking a soulful mystic are just some of the identifying qualities exemplified by artists from this tree. On Victor Rose’s “I Don’t Know What I’m Doing” all of the above mentioned facets are evident on this album.

This is indeed a dark album indicative of it’s title. Saturated in melancholy, AKA Ellio flirts with death, and has a knack for evoking emotional compositions permeated with malaise. He has sonically embraced the Lo-Fi despondent sound, and masterfully implies this attribute to engage an audience influencing the listener to empathize with his story. The Prince George County, Maryland native delivers a chilling performance, producing a conceptual album. Bear in mind, conceptual albums are very difficult to execute, weaving together a narrative and incorporating different facets to form a fluid piece, requires one who carefully pays attention to details. In addition, one who incorporates different element of one theme, into a seamless thread finding innovative ways to keep the listener engaged while omitting monotony. AKA Ellio tethers that line on his latest full length release titled “The Darkest Corner of the Room”.

Ant Rawls spews his soul bringing to the forefront the stories of the destitute. Emboldened by his passionate ambition to use his talents to ameliorate his milieu. The Los Angeles, California artist set forth a soundtrack, a musical campaign to illustrate the dire need for change in his community on his latest release “Ghetto Harmony”.

There comes a time once every so often you have the pleasure of hearing something that moves you in a different way. This moment encompasses a variety of variables. Mostly circumstantial, for instance, where you happen to be, your mood in that particular moment, and the kind of device your operating to consume the particular song all play a defining role in how you receive it. Then, there’s some rare occurrence where those variables don’t even matter. This is said instance where Dallas, Texas artist Dame Hossana puts on a virtuoso on his captivating release titled “Prey(Intro)”.

From the onset their lyrical prowess is palpable their disdain for the contemporary mundane incessant of drivel that is defining hiphop is unsatisfactory on “Saturation”. The Proof offers a more insightful variety. The duo is comprised of Sweeden based artist Scoob Rock, and Australian based artist Sirgin. The production is exclusively manned by Relic. Both artists are extremely adroit in their skill set, one offering a smooth cadence and lyrical adeptness, while the other a distinct vocal presence, and engaging persona, both lyrically and musically inclined. The textures, and styles possessed by both culminate into a well rounded group. Adopting the boom bap, golden era palette influenced by the East Coast, The Proof is established on their riveting November release titled “Against All Odds”.

The Columbus, Georgia artist has a hypnotic delivery, captivating presence, and straightforward lyrically approach holding no punches. The sound is heavily rooted in the southern ethos. This endemic sound has Popmfs in his element as he flourishes on notable tracks such as “ATM”, “Grinding Hard”, & “Jump Out”. Other notables to consider “Where Ya Been”, and “Georgia Tech”. Popmfs pulls off capturing the essence of his aforementioned pioneers “Thug Motivation 101” and “Units in the City” respectfully on his January 2019 release titled “More Heavy Artillery”.