After delivering a fantastic mix of alternative R&B trap in their first project back in 2018 and delivering various group and solo EPs since then, Los Rarxs became one of the ensembles to always keep an eye on in the scene. Now, they finally make their full-length debut with La Rareza, a project that takes all their influences and delivers them in a sexy 10-song/30-minute package that old and new fans will definitely enjoy. La Rareza starts with “Tu Nunca Has Sentido”, a mix of synthpop and funk that serves as a fantastic and relaxing intro to what feels like an encompassing of the group’s old and new sound. Afterwards, “Guitarra” is a perfect of 90s alternative Latin rock with reggaetón de marquesina in a track that’ll definitely have bodies sweating. Then “Oisi” is another great display of how the group continues to develop their brand of ethereal and alternative trap and R&B. Next “Enetepé” finds the group exploring dreambow in a song that again will have people sweating in the dancefloor. Subsequently, “Búscame” finds the group delving into dance and rave music as they continue to mix their rapping and singing skills with some alternative and hypnotic synths. The second half of the project starts with “Nomes13”, a record that could probably be considered as the only one where the group puts their rapping skills front and center showing that they too deserve a space in the hip hop community as they flex, take jabs at the industry, and show their ambitions over a hard-hitting trap beat. After that, “Melacomi” serves as a psychedelic alternative trap and R&B mix that finds the group going back to their roots. Later, “Acuerdate de Mi” is an experimental/alternative pop song that sees the group experimenting with a sound reminiscent of 2000s boyband pop mixed with their style of hip hop. Afterwards, “Arrogantel” takes the group back to their alternative R&B roots in aa hypnotic tune that’ll serve well in late night playlists. Finally, the project delivers “No Tire Foto”, a collaboration with Nester that finds the gang celebrating their status in the industry through a story-fueled house track.
In sum, Los Rarxs’s La Rareza takes a bit of everything they’ve delivered across the years into one neat package that also isn’t afraid of exploring new sounds.
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After starting his career with a few singles since the pandemic, young artist Iridezent decided to make his full-length debut with Nightmares, an album that takes listeners across the musician’s thoughts, dreams, memories and, of course, nightmares through an emo trap rooted sound. Nightmares starts with its title track, an emo trap tune that provides a haunting atmosphere. Afterwards, “Carnival” is a drill and grime inspired tune that explores what seems to be the aftermath of a bad drug trip. Then “Insomnia” serves as an exploration of the subject matter in the title through a surreal and dreamy trap beat and, the vocals, and lyrics. Next “Before I Go” entrances listeners with its hypnotic guitar sample and evocative autotune vocals. Subsequently, “Falling From The Sky” feels like a drug-fueled trip through its lyrics and mesmerizing sample. The second half of the project starts with “Circus”, a psychedelic melodic emo trap song that’ll enthrall listeners. After that, “Beautiful Smile” is yet another melodic emo trap tune that finds the musician hypnotizing audiences with a magnetic guitar mixed with autotune vocals in a heartbreak-driven tale. Later, “Forest” continues the mix of guitar-driven emo trap as the artist continues the vibe set by the previous tune. Afterwards, “Wraith” finds Iridezent again exploring drill and grime in a song that has banger potential, or at the very least moshpit potential. Finally, the project provides “Dreams”, a record that once again takes listeners into the artist’s hazy thoughts, dreams, and hallucinations.
In sum, Iridezent’s Nightmares is an emo trap project that takes listeners into the musician’s thoughts, hallucinations, dreams and more while using guitar samples and psychedelic elements to enhance the sound. “Planet X”: HF Diez Delivers a Soundtrack for Those Wishing to Enjoy Late Night Activities8/23/2022 After delivering various singles across the late 2010s and in the past two years, HF Diez stayed as one of the most active and collaborative members of the scene, something he continues to in his latest EP, Planet X, a love and sex-fueled project that serves as a nice addition for late night playlists. Planet X starts with “Baby Estás Fina”, a love and sex-fueled ethereal trap and R&B blend that finds Diez smoothly flowing over the beat while setting the theme for the entire project. Afterwards, “Cubana” is a collaboration with Mr. Huma that mixes both trap & R&B so both artists can display their singing and rapping skills. Then “Otro Fili Más” features Yoursins in an R&B beat with electronic vibes to create a nice nightclub atmosphere. Next “Slip n Slide” features Gyanma in a song that continues the theme from previous tunes while mixing R&B with a bit of synthpop. Subsequently in “Dealer, donde estas?” VEI HABACHE and FANTA ROSARIO join in a psychedelic R&B and trap beat that weirdly explores one’s relationship with a significant other and one’s drug dealer while making it all work to make both seem as one. Finally, the project delivers “Me Llama En La Nota”, another psychedelic trap & R&B blend that perfectly encapsulates the entire EP.
Overall, HF Diez’s Planet X is a fantastic and cohesive EP that matches ethereal and psychedelic vibes with love and sex-fueled lyrics over trap & R&B beats that provide a soundtrack for late night activities. After starting his career with various singles since the late 2010s and an album with this year’s chico joven vol. 1, YUNG BOI continues to evolve as an artist in his latest project, Amanece, an EP that finds him delivering his reggaetón sound while exploring something different in the first track. Amanece starts with “Avemaria”, an autotune driven dance track that’ll play well in night clubs. Afterwards, “Nevel” serves as a showing of YUNG BOI in one of his comfort zones as he delivers a reggaetón track for late night jangueos. Successively, “Throwback” is a collaboration with Gotay “El Auténtiko” that serves as another exploration of reggaetón while showing a few storytelling techniques. Finally, “More” is yet another sex-driven reggaetón tune like the previous two in the project.
In brief, YUNG BOI’s Amanece is an EP that started promising with its first track as YUNG BOI explored dance and electronic sounds, but it’s one that ultimately has the artist falling into his reggaetón comfort zone. As an active member of the scene since 2019, Yung Melz has released singles back and forth, something he’s continued to practice up till 2022 where he dropped two more before publishing Night Text, a two-song EP fueled by love and sex that displays the artist’s singing and rapping abilities. Night Text starts with “Mirada”, an R&B track that shows off the musician’s singing skills as he touches on love. Finally, “Noche Oscura” is a collaboration with Nolo Boss fueled by love and sex as they show off their singing and rapping abilities over a beat that features R&B, trap, synthpop and funk elements.
As a whole, Yung Melz’s Night Text is a short but promising EP that displays the young artist’s vocal abilities as well as some of the sounds that might be featured in his future work. After starting his career with two EPs in 2020’s Homónimo and 2021’s Vagamundos, singer/songwriter Dogs In Old Movies made his album debut with 2022’s Campos de Fuerza, a project that shows off the musician’s comfort zone as well as sounds he’s willing to explore in the future. Campos de Fuerza starts with “Poema”, an ambient acoustic guitar piece that finishes with a short poem. Afterwards, “Monte-Cielo-mar” is another acoustic guitar driven tune that will capture the attention of many Boricuas with the many coquis featured in the background. Then “Levertov” is a beautiful piece that shows off the musician’s vocal skills. Next “Campos de Fuerza” is a bit of faster-paced song that finds the artist exploring love. Subsequently, “Refugio (Acá)” is an indie folk track that serves as another instrumental ambient piece. The second half of the project starts with “Tu Mundo”, a completely different sound from previous tracks as the singer/songwriter picks up an electric guitar to deliver what feels like a surreal/psychedelic experience. After that, “Refugio (Allá)” continues the electric guitar-driven sound as listeners are once again taken on what feels like a dream-like experience. Later, “Brújula” is spoken word piece accompanied by an interesting surreal ambient instrumental in the background. Finally, the project delivers “Película”, a relaxing guitar-driven instrumental that in its second half turns into an psychedelic ambient piece as listeners can feel like they’re in some sort of dream-like experience.
In sum, Dogs In Old Movies’ Campos de Fuerza is an experience that delivers the sounds listeners are accustomed to finding in the musician’s repertoire, but also others that might hint at what his future might look like. As he continues delivering multiple projects across 2022, Ebano Flowlanski recently dropped HARDWARE, a short EP that finds him deviating from the trippy experimentation of his previous two projects and into something influenced by thrillers, action, and gangster films. HARDWARE starts with “ARZENAL”, a hypnotic boom bap instrumental that makes one reflect on gang violence. Afterwards, “KAMPANITA” is an experimental beat rooted in alternative hip hop that feels like part of a thriller film’s score. Successively, “PLOMO INFINITO” is another entrancing boom bap rooted beat that could easily be attached to a thriller or action film’s massive shoot out scene. Finally, “LISTA NEGRA” is a blend of relaxing and hard-hitting boom bap that could be imagined as a part of film montage full of violence like the ending of The Godfather.
In brief, Ebano Flowlanski’s HARDWARE is an interesting compilation of beats that take show listeners once again that Ebano can create movies out of his music, this time focusing on thrillers, action, and gangster films. As shown across 2022, Ebano Flowlanski is not slowing down and CHICHIGUA is further evident of that. It is a project that also displays his continuous experimentation with surreal and psychedelic beats. CHICHIGUA starts with “ASCENSO”, an experimental mix of electronic ambient and lo-fi boom bap instrumental that feels like a tumultuous trip to sky. Afterwards, “KABUYA” is a mix of boom bap with chopped and screwed that shows off the artist’s psychedelic influences. Then “TRUENO Y LIGHTNING” is a mix of electronics, synths, boom bap and industrial that continues to show his expansive sound. Next “BLUNTZ EN EL OVNI” feels like a mix of boom bap with 1950s B-movie sci-fi as the producer mixes the classic hip hop sound with a bizarre electronic sample. Later, “GODZ GUNZ” continues the vibe set by previous tracks in the project but with an added haunting sample. Subsequently, “HELL LEVEL” takes the vibe into a retro gaming direction as Ebano mixes 8-bit production with a bit of his hip hop production. Successively, “ZINEMA” takes things on more of a sci-fi synth score route as the beatmaker creates what feels like a piece he would feature in a film. Finally, “VIDA HOLOGRAMA” is a beat that closes the psychedelic sci-fi experience on a high note as listeners will feel elevated by the loop in this piece.
To conclude, Ebano Flowlanski’s CHICHIGUA is a fantastic piece of experimental beatmaking that continues to show just how far the producer is willing to go to create a different experience in each project, this time around by mixing sci-fi elements with psychedelia, surrealism, synths, hip hop and more. “La Medicina”: Ebano Flowlanski Continues to Expand His Sound on this Weed-Inspired Beat Tape8/15/2022 As he continues to be one of the most active musicians in the scene right now, producer and beatmaker Ebano Flowlanski continues his very active 2022 with La Medicina, a weed-inspired production that continues to show his expansive soundscape. La Medicina starts with “Smooth Me”, a mix of ambient and industrial that kicks off this weed-inspired project. Afterwards, “El Porro” is a collage of psychedelic sounds blent with lo-fi boom bap that’ll send listeners on a trip. Then “La Manzanita” is more of boom bap instrumental that continues to display Ebano’s mastery of the craft. Next “Nubes de Kush” serves as a blend of psychedelia with industrial production and southern hip hop. Later, “Humo” is an entrancing soundscape that’ll keep you bobbing your head. Subsequently, “Dab Kingz” is an interesting exploration of industrial and surrealism that feels like a bad trip. Successively, “THC inc” mixes the surreal feeling explored before with futuristic sounds that feel like the experiment from A Clockwork Orange. Finally, “La Medicina” brings listeners back to a more relaxed experience as Ebano goes back to his lo-fi boom bap roots before experimenting with some sounds that would make J Dilla and MF DOOM proud.
In conclusion, Ebano Flowlanski’s La Medicina is another fantastic display of the artist’s expanding sound as he continues to blend his instrumental boom bap beats with psychedelia, industrial and others in a weed-inspired journey. “Loops”: Cerpin Continues Exploring Beats in Different Ways While Sticking to Lo-Fi Boom Bap Roots8/12/2022 After delivering various singles across the pandemic and showing an experimental and expanding sound in cacos son otakus de closet at the beginning of the year, producer and beatmaker Cerpin continues to explore different sounds rooted in instrumental boom bap across his new EP Loops. Loops starts with “Presentando:”, a very brief intro interlude that does exactly what its title mentions. Afterwards, “Pa’ BB” is a shiny and tropical loop that’ll take listeners to the beach. Then “🌄” is lo-fi instrumental boom bap beat that features a hypnotic flute sample to keep listeners tuned in. Next “Barbasol” delivers a piano-fueled loop that will listeners attached to their headphones. Later, “Kobe-19” is a beat that samples some classic R&B and soul, which will shake audiences’ minds with its surreal switches. Subsequently, “Adult Swim (Instrumental) provides a relaxing vibe that feels nostalgic, dreamy and happy all at once”. Finally, “Soft Served” is another chill production fueled by a fantastic soul sample finishing the project on a beautiful note. Overall, Cerpin’s Loops is a project that continues to show the producer’s growth as a musician who continues to take samples and shapes them into interesting and dynamic soundscapes.
“Mundo Nueve”: NINETY SIX Displays His Lyrical Mastery While Exploring Other Sounds in the Process8/10/2022 After starting delivering a variety of singles across the years as well as projects in Been Down Got Up in 2020 and Dreams Outta Six in 2021, NINETY SIX recently released Mundo Nueve, an EP that finds him displaying his rap skills while exploring a few sounds that were previously a little foreign to his discog. Mundo Nueve begins with “Ca$ino”, a bass heavy tune that immediately hooks you with its beautiful soul sample. Afterwards, “Feel It” is a Spanglish R&B and boom bap mix that finds the young rapper mixing his singing, rapping, and storytelling skills. Then “Bounce” is a collaboration with EASY DRE that’ll have people doing what its title demands in this trap and southern hip hop inspired banger. Next “Lex Ave.” is another tune that easily lends itself to the jangueo atmosphere as he NINETY SIX flexes his rapping skills while touching on self-reflection, some adventures in New York and more. Subsequently, “Nerd/Suspect” brings back the boom bap sound as the musician once again self-reflects over a fantastic soul sample before switching to more of a trap beat where he just displays his mastery of rapping. Finally, “2am in San Juan” is probably the most reflective and emotional song in the project as NINETY SIX reflects on everything around his life and what he must do in order to achieve his dreams. In summary, NINETY SIX’s Mundo Nueve is a great EP that displays the artist’s continuous growth as he expands his sound a bit while showing his rapping, singing and storytelling abilities as he reflects on various subjects.
After starting his career with a few singles in 2021, CANDE released his first EP, XOXO, in 2022 showing off his rapping and singing skills through a variety of sounds in what seems to be his presentation letter for a larger audience. XOXO starts with “Euphorie”, a track that starts with an ethereal atmosphere before turning into a love-fueled trap tune. Afterwards, “lua violeta” is a mix of boom bap and southern hip hop as the young musician continues to display his rapping and singing skills. Finally, “sogno.” is another song that shows CANDE’s ability to make banger as he delivers a blend of trap and pop with a hypnotic sample that’ll earn its spot in party playlists. As a whole, CANDE’s XOXO is a nice and quick project that highlights the young musician’s ability to create short bangers that can be easily digested and added onto all sorts of playlists.
After releasing various singles across the years starting in 2019 and even an EP with MALENTENDIDO, Demesé joined forces with FREEDOM PR on 2021 to slowly release and create what would be his new album MALICIA, a project that finds the young rapper exploring various subjects while slowly expanding his sound. MALICIA starts with “Amanecí En Río”, a story-driven reggae and hip-hop fusion that serves as a fantastic introduction. Afterwards, “El Desmadre” is a great blend of 2000s hip hop and reggaetón that could play well at parties. Then “Necesito Deso” finds the musicians blending R&B, rapping and a hypnotic guitar loop in a love and sex fueled tune. Next “Party En La Urba” is another story-driven track that provides an entrancing beat so listeners can easily pay attention to the lyrical movie being displayed by Demesé. Subsequently, “Jodio Fekero” is a simple rap song where Demesé takes a jab against fakers. The second half of the project starts with “Casi Me Ofenden”, another display of Demesé’s rap skills as he reflects on what he needs to do to achieve his dreams. After that, “Divino Pero Humano” serves as a mix of reflection and flexing by the main artist as he compares himself to greatness while staying humble in a bass heavy industrial beat that later switches into a boom bap and then into a guitar instrumental. Later, “Amo De Nuevo” serves as a blend of southern hip hop and R&B as Demesé touches on love while mixing his rapping and singing skills. Afterwards, “Un Día Pa’ Mi” is a great jazz rap reflection on how sometimes alone-time can allow us to understand who we are and the person we can become in the future. Finally, the project delivers “La Music”, a mix of southern hip hop, R&B, neo soul and dance music that feels like a track that could be a part of a coming-of-age hip hop film.
In sum, Demesé and FREEDOM PR’s MALICIA is a good fusion of sounds explored in the past along with new ones as both musicians touch on a variety of subjects from the introspective to romance and even a little bit of flexing showing rapping, singing, and productions skills in various forms. After releasing a variety of singles across the years and two full length projects with Presagio in 2020 and Antes de Irme in 2021, las21almas decided to bless the 2022 summer with a project full of flexing across trap, drill and grime inspired hip hop tunes in his latest EP De PR a La Manzana. De PR a La Manzana starts with “El Boy”, a trap that finds las21almas flexing and reflecting on his mission as an artist where he displays his rapping and singing skills. Subsequently, “Ya Mismo” is another track that finds the artist reflecting on his career as he shows off his rapping skills. Then “La Manzana” finds the musician flexing over a mix of trap, drill, and grime. Next “Me Vole” serves as another blend of melody and rap where las21almas flexes and reflexes on his ambitions. Afterwards, “4 Lifers” finds the young musician mixing drill sounds with R&B in a romantic tune that switches the project’s pace a bit. Finally, the project delivers “Tamos Bajo” another song influenced by trap and drill that mixes the artist’s rap and singing skills as he reflects on his life and career. As a whole, las21almas’s De PR a La Manzana is a project that finds the artist exploring a few different sounds from his comfort zone while flexing his rapping and singing skills as he, for the most part, explores one single subject.
As a solo artist and member of Los Rarxs, FOKINFROID has been one of the most active members in the alternative rap, trap, R&B and reggaetón scene in Puerto Rico bringing a punk rock attitude to said sounds. Recently, he released his latest EP, Joaquín y los Cuchillos, a project that finds the musician adapting his aesthetics to different soundscapes. Joaquín y los Cuchillos starts with “Pretty Bitch”, an alternative and industrial that uses hip hop roots to deliver a unique and entrancing musical experience with familiar subject matter. Subsequently, “Foreplay” is a dark and ethereal R&B and industrial fusion that delivers explicit sexual visuals. Then “La Colta de tu Pai”, an experimental blend of alternative rock and lo-fi hip hop where FROID continues to flex his creative muscles. Later, “Reptil” shows FROID delving into more experimental territory as he blends alternative rock with his always infectious delivery along with pop and industrial synths. Finally, the project delivers “Tote Bag Bby”, a tune that shows FROID’s electronic and dance influences in a banger that’ll have fans of Moby and The Prodigy moving their feet. On the whole, FOKINFROID’s Joaquín y los Cuchillos is a fantastic display of the musician’s ability to continue experimenting with different sounds while adapting his flow and aesthetic seamlessly in the process.
After delivering various singles since 2015, JB La Doble Voz took a brief break from full length projects after 2020’s El Concepto before delivering 2022’s BENDICIÓN, an album that displays the musician’s reggaetón, trap and hip hop influences. BENDICIÓN starts with “SOY PAPÁ”, a celebratory hip hop track that revels the new accomplishment while flexing on the competition using the father metaphor in different ways. Afterwards, “LLAMA” is a reggaetón tune that finds the musician exploring love while exercises his singing skills. Then “TE TUVE” finds JB exploring heartbreak in a reggaetón and salsa blend. Next “INDICA” in a record where JB displays his rapping skills over a trap beat. Next “NO VA CONTESTAR” features Sam Claudio in a “party de marquesina” reggaetón track that’ll play well in late night dancefloors. Afterwards, “LO QUE SEA” serves as a blend of reggaetón and R&B influences in a tune that explores love in a more explicit manner. Finally, the project delivers “DESDE ARRIBA”, a record that finds the musician exploring the subject of death with soundscapes influenced by psychedelia, trap, and rock. In short, JB La Doble Voz’s BENDICIÓN is a project that finds the artist exploring familiar territory musically and lyrically except in tracks like “SOY PAPÁ”, “TE TUVE” and “DESDE ARRIBA” that see him come out of his comfort zone.
After collaborating on the Prisma beat tape earlier this year, producers Kheb and Solecito have maintained a solid relationship and chemistry that continued on their Prisma Bonus Tracks EP and this new 3-song project, Inkompleto. Inkompleto starts with “callau”, a hi-hat & bass driven tune that shows Kheb flexing and reflecting on the current state of the scene. Afterwards, “una forifai” serves as the longest track in the EP and one that displays the musicians’ southern hip hop influences as they reflect on the state of the scene and their future in the industry. Finally, “una voz” serves a slow jam that displays a bit of the duo’s continuous experimentation. In short, Kheb & Solecito’s Inkompleto is a short and interesting EP that finds displays the musicians’ production chemistry and willingness to add more rapping and singing to their collaborations.
Despite the many difficulties set by the COVID-19 pandemic, Puerto Rico’s underground rock scene has continued to strive with groups staying together to deliver new projects while new bands forming to show off what they got as well. One of the latest ensembles to form is Costras, a punk outfit that performed live in many venues before delivering their first project, Demo. Demo starts with “$7.25”, a raw look at the living wage the average Puerto Rican works for every day just to get by and how many across the island have rebelled against it. Afterwards, “No Sé Qué Hacer” is a melodic hardcore track that displays the band’s growing sound in a track that explores relationships and how they can crumble down. Then, “Somos Costra” serves as a mosh pit hardcore record that serves as presentation of the group and how they’re people living their own lives without the interference of others. Next, “Mátame” displays the ensemble’s willingness to explore heavier sides of hardcore in a song that explores heartbreak and suicide. Lastly, “Quiero Vivir” is a fantastic blend of the various sounds explored across the project in another presentation of the band’s ability to create music for the mosh pit. In brief, Costras’s Demo is a great presentation letter from a band that is slowly finding its sound and space in a scene that continues to survive despite the many circumstances that try to take it down.
After delivering a few singles and two EPs (Bairopolis and Frío Tropical) across 2020 and 2021, Ana Machotook a brief break in early 2022 before delivering their latest project, Realismo Mágico, a short but beautiful one that fuses sounds such as hip hop, reggaetón, dream pop, bolero and more. Realismo Mágico starts with “Drogas En La Playa”, a blend of dream pop and hip-hop elements that continues to display the musician’s experimental nature in a love-fueled song. Afterwards, “Clásico” is a collaboration with Enyel C that fuses hip hop and reggaetón to deliver another love track. Then “Caribbean Style” features Robertito Chong in a tune that mixes dancehall, afrobeat and hip hop vibes in an upbeat and fun number that isn’t afraid to deliver observations regarding Puerto Rico’s current relationship with colonization and gentrification. Next, “Amiga” is a beautiful bolero that finds Ana reflecting on their relationship with a friend who possibly passed away or left as part of Puerto Rico’s continuous migration. Later, “¿Qué Pasó?” is a blend of autotune, tropical and reggaetón vibes that once again shows Ana’s storytelling skills. Subsequently, “Llueve” serves as a beautiful blend of pop and bolero that explores love and how much one is willing to do for a partner. Finally, “Pero Gané” mixes R&B, synthpop and dance music as a great closer that continues to demonstrate Ana’s disposition to experiment. In brief, Ana Macho’s Realismo Mágico is another fantastic project that shows the musician’s willingness to experiment with different sounds to deliver a project rooted in familiar subject matter.
After delivering singles across the years starting off in 2016, salsa group Onda Moderna finally released their debut EP LMQTA (La Moda Que Te Acomoda) in 2022, a project that displays many of their influences while staying true to their salsa roots. LMQTA starts with “Mujer”, a heavily danceable salsa number that fuses elements of pop and rock. Afterwards, “A mitá” is a song that displays the group’s many Latin influences from bomba and cumbia to salsa and merengue. Later, “Amor de Embuste” displays elements of R&B fused with world music as the group continues exploring the subject of love. Next, “Subo Al Cielo” fuses elements of salsa, reggae, funk, and jazz to create another unique arrangement. Subsequently, “La Cosqui” is a collaboration with José Luis and Joshua Marcell that delivers yet another very danceable salsa number that’ll have generations moving their feet. Finally, the project delivers “Feibú – Merengue Version”, a merengue song that takes a look at how people often use social media. Generally, Onda Moderna’s LMQTA is a great display of how the group mixes their salsa roots with many other genres to deliver unique arrangements that’ll have listeners moving their feet across the dance floor.
After delivering a few singles these past few years and an EP with 1997, Alan The Kid has continued to stay as an active member of the scene with his recent project Nunca Olvidarme, a fantastic sophomore effort where Alan The Kid presents his ability to create a vibe that can be shared across late night activities. Nunca Olvidarme starts with “mistakes”, a song that finds Alan The Kid already exploring a different sound when compared to those found in previous projects as he goes on a bit more of an atmospheric synthpop wave. Subsequently, “treinta de febrero” serves as an exploration of the previous vibe with a bit of ethereal R&B. Then “puzzi guxxi” is a collaboration with Nasshi that finds both musicians exploring a very bouncy mix of trap and R&B as they continue to with the late-night vibe presented across the project thus far. Next, “residente en el 6 4 1” continues the aforementioned ambiance, but this time around Alan shows more of his rapping skills on the beat. Afterwards, “INTERLUDE” features Al Norte in a track that furthers the atmosphere presented in previous tracks but mostly across his vocals and lyrical choice. Finally, the project delivers “NoNoNo”, a fantastic closure that demonstrates Alan The Kid’s ability to encapsulate an entire sound in one song while displaying a bit of everything in his skillset. As a whole, Alan The Kid’s Nunca Olvidarme is the type of project that’ll serve as a vibe for late night activities be they in the club, dancefloor, bed, motel or whatever space deemed perfect for a bit of dancing before having sex with ambiance creating soundscapes made up of ethereal and psychedelic trap and R&B.
After delivering various singles across the past two years, IVVS continues to explore different sounds with his sophomore project, SODA, an album that feels like a trip across the darkest times and into the lightest ones. SODA starts with “QUE EL CAMBIO ASUSTA PERO ES NECESARIO”, an interesting instrumental intro that sets up the upcoming journey. After that “TEST ME” serves as another delivery of electronic ambient music that finds the musician delivering some atmospheric vocals. Then “THE TRIAD” feels like another electronic ambient exploration, but this time one that takes us into sci-fi dream worlds reminiscent of Wong Kar Wai and Wachoswki siblings cinema. Next “SGT I’M SOARIN’ LA” continues the vibe provided in previous tracks, but this time around with more traditional instruments as IVVS takes us into even dreamier soundscapes. The second half of the project begins with “I CAN”, which provides an uneasy feeling of drowning in one’s darkest thoughts, memories and/or dreams in the same way films like Trainspotting and Requiem for a Dream can get into one’s mind. Afterwards, “HEAVEN IF WE TRY” serves as one of the lighter and more upbeat tunes in the album thus far as IVVS provides another dreamy soundscape, but one that could be envisioned in a heaven-like setting. Subsequently, “TESLA” functions as a perfect follow-up to the previous song as it continues to deliver a similar feeling before delving into an even more elevated heavenly sensation in an experience where one can feel a bit of the influence of Frank Ocean’s Blonde. Finally, “KODAK” finishes the experience in another slow, but emotional tune that summarizes the adventure IVVS has taken us through this entire time.
Overall, IVVS’s SODA is a project that finds the musician displaying his ability to create many atmospheric and dreamy scenes while taking the listener through an emotionally fueled journey. After starting with some singles here and there in 2021, djeii delivered a debut full-length project 19, an experimental album that shows the many sounds the young musician’s willing to explore to stand out in the ever growing Puerto Rican music scene. 19 starts with “serotonin syndrome”, an electronic exploration of autotune, drone and glitch music that feels like a presentation of surrealist dream. Afterwards, “tngo miedo q me veas” takes listeners out of the previous experience and into one that seems a bit more upbeat with its display of house and drum & bass influences, but one that’s still surreal in presentation. Then “(estoy) haciendo lo mejor q puedo” serves as a display of acoustic guitar and synthpop influences while maintaining the futuristic vibe displayed across the project so far. Next the project delves into “escapismo”, another synthpop tune that will send listeners to throwback worlds of the 1980s or futuristic sci-fi realms with its industrial fusion. After that, “algn sálveme d mi” is a song that once again displays the musician’s guitar music influences as he mixes said sound with emo vibes and autotune vocals. The second half of 19 begins with “nunca pasa nada”, a mix of dream and synthpop that continues to display djeii’s vocals and ambient building production. Subsequently, “por no decirte lo q siento” is laid back blend of synths, emo, and R&B that might make fans of Yung Lean and Frank Ocean happy. Later, “tomorrow is my birthday” is a combination of ambient and noise that feels like an experience inside the musician’s thoughts or dreams. Next, “i hope u have a nice life” is a short foray into blending indie rock with autotune vocals and a bit hardcore. Finally, the project delivers “the world will end on july 10”, an interesting ending to an already fascinating project; a track that certainly delivers on providing the feeling and ambiance of its title.
Overall, djeii’s 19 is an experimental project that displays many of the musician’s influences and willingness to explore, but also one that could serve as the soundtrack to a Gen Z coming of age movie. After starting his career with some singles across 2022, young singer Marcus OM joined forces with RedMedito release their first collaborative project Hobby I in what seems to be their first publication as Otra Monotonía, a project that sums up what they’ve been doing so far in one package. Hobby I starts with “Intro”, a reggaetón track featuring Carlos OM that mixes the traditional sound with some entrancing synths. Afterwards, “Desatada” is another reggaetón record that asks listeners to dance “hasta abajo”. Then “Tranquilos” is a song that finds the group experimenting with the traditional reggaetón formula with some interesting samples. Next “Propuesta” serves as a love and sex-driven tune that plays around with a bit of R&B. After that “Trabajo” is a song that explores the balance between love and work. Later, “Volveras” is another love-driven record. Finally, “Cantalo” is a closer that shows some of the group’s electronic influences as they fuse them with their traditional reggaetón.
As a whole, Otra Monotonía’s Hobby I is a collection of tracks that presents the group’s reggaetón roots and the experimentation they’re willing to do for now. As an artist who’s been a part of the scene for over a decade, it’s always interesting to see how Kefas grows and explores new territories in his work from project to project. After releasing a couple of singles in 2021, he decided to put out his latest full-length, Vendrán Días Mejores, earlier this year to continue playing around with his brand of pop. Vendrán Días Mejores starts with “Los Recuerdos”, a blend of soft rock, pop rock and bedroom pop that tells a love story. Afterwards, “Mantís Religiosa” is a blend of blues and psychedelic rock that again explores the subject of love. Then “Tu Lengua” is a collaboration with Sara Holgado that finds the musician experimenting with elements of flamenco that make Sara’s vocals stand out beautifully. Next, in “Hijos de Babel”, Kefas displays his funk and disco influences. After that “Me Parece Bien” closes the first half of the album wby displaying Kefas country musings. The second part of Vendrán Días Mejores begins with “Si Algo Se Va”, a record that shows Kefas again exploring love, but this time in a pop rock song that has a lot of mainstream potential. Subsequently, “Trenes” is a story-driven tune that shows Kefas’ musicianship in a track that has the potential to be in a Disney musical. Later, “Hablé De Más” is a collaboration with Ethel Aldrete that mixes blues and hard rock as Kefas’ shows his heavier side in a tune for those looking for a headbanger. Next, “Espejos de Hoteles” finds Kefas reflecting on the life of a musician as he mixes blues and pop rock to create a dark and emotional ballad. Finally, the project ends with “La Pureza”, a synthpop and rock blend that finds Kefas telling a story that explores the topic in its title.
In sum, Kefas’ Vendrán Días Mejores is a great display of how Kefas is still willing to explore different sounds despite his double-digit career. Hence, avoiding the comfort zone at all costs. |
AuthorFernando E. E. Correa González is the author behind over 30 self-published poetry books. He has been published by literary magazines & journals [Id]entidad, El Vicio del Tintero, Sábanas Magazine, Smaeralit, The Occulum, Tonguas and Hound Magazine. Other than writing, Correa is also the host of FENCast, a podcast dedicated to documenting the Puerto Rican independent art scene. Aside from this, he experiments with filmmaking, photography, drawing, painting, multimedia and transmedia. He currently lives in his native Puerto Rico. Archives
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