Melancholic electronic producer Fytch has released a fantastic new single called "Burned" with beautiful vocals from Pauline Herr and production that is simultaneously smooth and serrated. Explaining the theme, Fytch wrote: "Burned is about how a relationship can quickly go from a day in the sun to a sunburn. But through the pain we can grow and learn to prepare for what comes." Fytch is currently on tour in the U.S. with Droeloe, finishing up at Terminal West in Atlanta on April 26th.
Illenium's powerful new single "Pray" opens with moody guitar and vocals from Kameron Alexander that morph into beautiful emotional cries over soaring melodic dubstep. The theme of brokenness is enhanced by glitchy sound design, particularly in the second drop and outro. The single was debuted at Illenium's recent performance at Believe Music Hall in Atlanta and will feature on his upcoming album later this year. Lucky fans in Europe will get to hear it live soon as he's set to tour there starting in Spain on April 10th.
Musician and game developer Martin Englert's creative latest single "We Just Need New Stars" is the first in a series on the apocalypse and humanity finding new worlds to live in. Despite the intense topic, the track is upbeat, with catchy, well-crafted pop vocal hooks and a hopeful tone that humanity can find a way to survive.
Englert wrote: "Regarding to this song I wanted to create a song with a message that tells about the fate of the inhabitants of the earth who faced the approaching extinction from space. About humanity, who must finally unite to find a new home and survive. The inspiration for me were not only recent reports related to Apophis or Bennu. I think that as people, sooner or later, we will have to face many other threats that can come from the depths of the cosmos. And we can definitely afford to find out more about them in time. I believe that our next generation will be able to do it and find new stars along with the planets on which it will be possible to settle! And hence only a step to create your own worlds, which topics I will cover in my next song."
Izzy Thomas steps out guns blazing on her debut single "Trouble (Pull That Trigger)". The track is an anthem of self-worth and self-respect, narrating the frustrations that so many female artists face in the music industry. Thomas wrote: "This track is a message now as an experienced artist, saying whatever doesn't kill me, better run! Although it came from that particular place for me, I would say it is an anthem for anyone with a message to sing". With gritty synths and guitars, powerful rock vocals and explosive energy, the fantastic new single shows Thomas is a force to be reckoned with.
Japan was so much fun, there were so many amazing places, people, and snowboarding in Niseko was incredible! Solid Muse is now back in action though and our first track back for you comes from LA-based rapper and Solid Muse regular MVTTHIAS! His new single "Come Close" has a wavy, relaxed sound with MVTTHIAS taking up the first verse before guest rapper Dave B takes over for the second.
MVTTHIAS has been through a lot having started rapping at parties at 17, to falling into drug addiction, to picking himself up again, graduating from Musician's Institute in Hollywood and returning to the music scene as MVTTHIAS in his mid-twenties. And he's been on a roll since, consistently releasing quality hip hop singles. Come Close marks another step on his way up this year.
Solid Muse is taking a break throughout March. We won't be posting a song a day as we normally do, but below is a playlist of 31 songs in advance to cover you until we return in April (playlist also available on our YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music)!
Why? Well lately, Solid Muse has mostly been run by just one guy, and that guy is the luckiest guy in the world. He's getting married! So... I (Matt) will be taking a break for that and to honeymoon in Japan with my wife! 楽しみ! But when we get back to Perth, Solid Muse will back in business and posting daily again!
Thank you all for being a part of Solid Muse and supporting independent music! <3
Moscow-born, Nha Trang-based DJ/producer Max Fishler has released a new house banger called "Holding Back". The track has a grooving house beat and fantastic evolving atmosphere making use of pitch-bent sounds and deep, pitched down vocals. The track is sure to get the dance floor moving, and if this is him holding back, we'd love to see him at full throttle!
Scandinavian indie band Sail By Summer have released a new, more rock-leaning single called "Casual Drive". The track opens with overdriven bass, almost spaghetti-western style and reverb-laden lead guitar, and fantastic soft rock vocals from lead singer William Hut. It has a modern indie rock yet 90s feel to it, and marks their third release since their debut in September. With quality like this, they're set to go far!
Electronic producers INRVISN and NOTOK have teamed up for their new track "What It's Worth" with beautiful vocals from Alina Renae about coping with the loss of a loved one. The track opens with Renae's vocals and a marching build into a big melodic bass drop, maintaining a strong yet emotional feel throughout. INRVISN wrote on Facebook: "The biggest song release of my life (so far) came out today on Artist Intelligence Agency. We worked on this track for about a year. Very excited to finally get to share "What It's Worth", made with NOTOK and Alina Renae".
Kaivon burst onto the scene in 2016 with his debut single "Reborn", showing off his melodic electronic style, and has followed the theme of rebirth since. He says: "I want to make music that inspires people to be the true versions of themselves. That makes people feel feelings they have never felt before. To make people live in the present moment for just a second because those moments when we are all hand in hand and time stops... are the most beautiful sights I have ever seen."
His latest track "Anything" has a particularly powerful and emotive sound combining the vocals: "You and me together, we could be anything" with massive dramatic synths and orchestral elements. The track ends with a gothic angelic choir giving it an epic, otherworldly quality.