“Limbo Habitual, Vol. II”: Sofía Paola Uses Her Singer-Songwriter Roots to Explore More Genres12/19/2022 After releasing “De las manos” in 2020, singer-songwriter Sofía Paola has slowly developed her Limbo Habitual series that started in 2021 with Vol. I, which displayed her folk, indie, pop, and singer-songwriter roots, and later continued in 2022 in Vol. II, a project that finds the musician displaying her roots while exploring more genres along the way. Limbo Habitual, Vol. II starts with “Más”, an indie folk tune that displays the artist’s singer-songwriter roots. Subsequently, “50 millas” finds her expanding sounds as she takes her vocals towards more synth and pop driven genres. Then “¿Quisieras?” is a continues the exploration of electronic instrumentation as the artist takes her vocals and lyrics towards experimental pop/ambient environments. Next, “Nunca regresar” is a danceable indie folk rock tune that explores the subject of returning to a relationship, which can also be adapted to any form of said situation be it with another person, coming back home, etc. Closing the project is “Pecho reventado”, a beautiful blend of folk and atmospheric pop that gives Vol. II an ethereal closure.
In closure, Sofía Paola’s Limbo Habitual, Vol. II is a solid follow-up to the first project as the artist uses her singer-songwriter roots to explore other sounds outside her comfort zone.
0 Comments
everything feels
ephemeral these days where so much is puked. After more than a year without releasing any solo music, reggaetón artist and rapper DSurís comes back with the EP Keep Your Distance, a project that finds him exploring a few different sounds while reminding listeners that he’s still active. Keep Your Distance begins with “Soy Yo”, a sexually driven mix of lowkey reggaetón and rapping that shows the artist’s confidence. Afterwards, “Bandida” shows more of the artist’s balance of rapping and singing while experimenting with more old school Caribbean sounds and a very hypnotizing guitar. Then “¿Por qué?” is another love-fueled track that finds the musician going back to this reggaetón roots, but this time around with a sound that fits more into the traditional party vibe of the genre. Next “Las Ganas” closes the project with a hip hop record that again finds the artist displaying his singing and rapping skills while also presenting some storytelling.
In conclusion, DSurís’s Keep Your Distance is a good and to-the-point project that serves as a reminder that the artist is still active and that he’s been experimenting with a few different sounds. effervescent youth
gather in the streets to free themselves off adulthood. “I AM MUSIC”: Yancci Presents a Balance of His Roots & Sounds That Are Outside His Bubble12/17/2022 Since 2019 Yancci has been officially releasing music through Soundcloud and Spotify always displaying a hunger as he tries to achieve his goals. Recently, he presented himself in a more formal way with the EP I AM MUSIC, a project that presents the musician’s roots as well as the sounds he’s willing to explore as he formally presents himself to a broader audience. I AM MUSIC begins with “Yancci Baby”, a trap track with a hypnotic guitar loop that allows the artist to flex his possessions. Afterwards, “Mi Crush” is a blend of melodic trap and pop punk vibes that presents the singer exploring different sounds. Then “Otro” is a more traditional hip hop record as the musician reflects on various subjects while displaying his balance of rapping and singing. Next, in “El Precio de la Fama” Yancci reflects on the sacrifices he’s done to achieve his goals on a guitar-driven hip hop beat. Later, “Esperándote” changes things up as the artist shows off singing skills over a synthpop/R&B blend where he shows off his The Weeknd influences. Closing the project is “Llegamos al Club”, a fun, celebratory song that finds the artist celebrating his recent successes and all those to come.
In conclusion, Yancci’s I AM MUSIC is a project that displays the artist’s trap and hip hop roots while he explores other sounds, which allow him to show his adventurous nature and adaptability. their ebullience takes
them out of an otherwise grim reality. After releasing various singles and some projects under the name Uragiru, RealDeadBoys member ura !presents a new chapter in his career with the EP CLASH!, three songs that’ll have listeners breaking their necks. CLASH! begins with “DIRRRTY”, a bass heavy punk trap and drill fusion that’ll have listeners creating mosh pits. Afterwards, “MANIC” features Blackwill in a track that rises the energy provided in the previous song as this one also promises to break necks. Then “SHUTTHEFUCKUP !” closes the EP as the head banging continues but this time around with a mix of punk trap, drill, and gangsta rap vibes.
In short, ura !’s CLASH! is a short and to the point project that’ll make listeners want to head bang, break necks, create mosh pits and go to a RealDeadBoys show as he manages to transmit hardcore attitude via trap, drill and a bit of gangsta rap near the end. “evil twins”: Spr!ng & Antmoney Join Forces to Create an Interesting Display of Their Chemistry12/16/2022 As two of the Real Dead Boys with some of the most flawless chemistry it was only natural for Spr!ng and Antmoney to join forces once more for a complete project, a task which they achieve in evil twins, an EP that also finds them expanding their sound a bit. evil twins begins with “armani & vuitton”, a very lowkey soundscape that gives space for the artists to flex. Subsequently, “perco 10” is a record that encapsulates a drug trip, which is achieved in an interesting way, but something that could be detrimental for some listeners. Next, “evil twins” continues to provide surreal vibes as the production and vocals continue to be fused in experimental ways. Afterwards, “vibe” resumes the experimental style as the duo continue to play around with their sound and flows while sticking to familiar territory in the lyrics department. Later, “seal” is another track that relies heavily on singing and rapping about drug use and flexing, but one that is different from others due to its interesting beat. Then, “zaza” closes the project with a record that finds the artists displaying pop, rock, funk, and glitch influences to present something that could be appreciated by younger and older crowds.
In closing, Spr!ng and Antmoney’s evil twins is a project that perfectly encapsulates the artists’ chemistry, but one that also shows their willingness to step out of their comfort zone musically. dulcet sounds cover
a room full of breakfast foods & family fun. “Sober Poverty”: Unochosiete Uses Soulful Boom Bap Production to Give Listeners a Life Update12/15/2022 After kicking off 2022 in February with Tormento, rapper, poet and overall musician Unochosiete comes back to close out the year with the album sober poverty, an album guided by soulful boom bap production that allows Unochosiete to get personal while also exploring other lyrical avenues. sober poverty begins with “intro (sober)”, a brief introduction to the latest events in Unochosiete’s life. Afterwards, “la sazón” features El Sixto in a great soulful boom bap production that gives way for the artists to show off their lyrical prowess while the ending gives listeners a glimpse into the discussions Unochosiete has with the people in his circle. Then “boricua guerrero” is an abstract/soulful boom bap production that gives the artist some great space for introspection. Next “estrella e’ cine” is a hard-hitting boom bap song that reflects on people who have found ways to excel in different/alternative avenues. Later, “otra noche en río” is a danceable disco-inspired hip hop production that finds the artist observing el jangueo in Río Piedras. The second half starts with “sober poverty (la llama)” explores love through a blend of psychedelic and soulful boom bap. Subsequently, “la magia y la rabia” continues the soulful boom bap production throughout the entire album as Unochosiete reflects on growing old and the things he'll remember in the future. Following that is “psicolonizados”, a combo with El Cretinian, Planeta Zeta and Juan Van Rosa that brings some jazzy production into the mix as spoken word meets boom bap in a record that reflects on Puerto Rico’s current social and political state as well as how we can sometimes be our own worst enemies due to the way we think. Then “cruz de malta (dulce amor)” brings back El Sixto in a love and sex-driven track that'll break some necks with its hard-hitting boom bap soundscape. Finally, “despecho” closes the project with Julio Piedras as some light bomba and later guitars play in the back with some other samples while some brief conversations are heard across the track providing a glimpse into Unochosiete’s everyday life.
In short, Unochoshiete’s sober poverty is a fantastic 2022 closure for the artist as he lets soulful boom bap production be the guide in a project full of introspection, love, and observations of his surroundings. After kicking their career off in September 2022 and the release of their single “Mariwana” in mid-October 2022, cumbia-rooted ensemble Las Llamas decided to release their debut EP, En La Cumbia No Se Llora, on Halloween day as a display of their playful approach towards the genre and how they’re willing to fuse it with different sounds along the way. En La Cumbia No Se Llora begins with “María”, a psychedelic rock and cumbia fusion that’ll blend easily into playlists of the weed smoking variety. Afterwards, “Jeve” blends cumbia and bossa nova elements into a comedic love-fueled track. Then “Mariwana” is a rock, reggae, and cumbia fusion which serves as a celebration of weed consumption. Later, “Caguas” finishes the EP in a short outro that for some reason comes off as a joke, but also as a potential start to another project where the band could find themselves using cumbia to escape depths of Hell.
In closure, Las Llamas’ En La Cumbia No Se Llora is a fantastic introduction to a group that promises some fun experimentation with the cumbia sound which has, for the most part, not been celebrated as much in Puerto Rico. no x-ray vision
is needed to show you the darkness of our race. After delivering a lowkey classic with 2019’s Petty Psalms and recently releasing Korea Central with his other band, Xavier Iglesias is back with a new Hammmy album, 3 m’s, a project that continues to explore the continuous blend of indie, garage, emo, punk and blues to present what almost feels like a second journal entry in the musician’s very personal music catalogue. 3 m’s starts with “h8 2 c it”, a blend of old school hardcore emo, indie, and garage rock that finds the artist again presenting his introspective lyrics that feel like something out of a coming-of-age film. Afterwards, “naisrobi!” is a lowkey indie rock tune which delivers a lo-fi hip hop type of vibe before delving into punk rock territory near the end. Then “jingle” is an instrumental indie rock tune that later turns into what feels like a shoegaze song. Next “pop rocks/infección” is a punk rock tune which takes an interesting look at mainstream rock stars and celebrity culture. Later, “verde blues” is a blues song that uses weed as its subject matter, all of which displays Hammmy’s willingness to blend whatever genres and themes come to mind. The second half starts with “chinese food”, an emo record that feels like another piece which could be a part of Puerto Rican coming-of-age film as Hammmy explores grief. Subsequently, “quemarlo todo” blends indie and pop punk to create a song that encapsulates what feels like the end of relationship, be it love or friendship. Then “tiny eucalyptus” is a ballad, which later turns into a punk rock track with a vibe that could serve well in a coming-of-age story. Finally, “song (frank o’ hara)” is a mix of indie, punk and rock n roll that perfectly encapsulates the energy displayed across the entire project almost serving as a sonic thesis statement.
In closure, Hammmy’s 3 m’s is another piece of singer-songwriter-driven rock n roll music that explores a variety of sounds within the genre while staying very personal at heart. After delivering quite a few singles across 2022, Melvin XX has decided to close 2022 on a high note with his latest EP, EDUCR 2, one that finds the young artist expanding his sound while compiling it into an organized form that, for the most part, is fueled by love. EDUCR 2 leads with “Bienvenidos </3”, a brief intro that prepares listeners for the project. Afterwards, “Moonlight” is a collaboration with Taniaeliz that finds both artists exploring R&B. Then “Gone” is more of a trap-influenced heartbreak track that presents the musician displaying his singing and rapping abilities. Next “La Última Noche” continues to explore love, but this time Melvo decides to explore pop punk-influenced dubstep and electronic sounds in a tune that’ll probably capture some Tik Tok attention. Later, “Ya No Estás” closes the project with a synthpop record that shows the artist’s continuous exploration.
In short, Melvo XX’s EDUCR 2 is a short and to the point display of the many sounds the young artist is willing to explore while sticking to a universal subject matter, which might help him attract attention from a variety of audiences. fluoride helps our
bones. if only it could help us come together as one. “Crushed Beneath Decomposition”: Kranio Give Listeners What Feels Like a Taste of Their Future12/13/2022 After starting as a formal project in 2019 and releasing their 2021 EP Revolutionary Sacrifices, up-and-coming metal band Kranio come back with the two-song single Crushed Beneath Decomposition, a short project that provides what feels like a taste of what the group has for the future. Crushed Beneath Decomposition starts with its title track, a display of the band’s thrash metal, death metal and extreme metal influences. Afterwards, “Deathly Pale” closes the project as the band continue to deliver another power-driven performance that will break necks and create moshpits as the group blends the genres explore previously with a bit of sludge metal thrown every now and then.
In short, Kranio’s Crushed Beneath Decomposition is a short display of the band’s powerful and extreme sound with a bit of the sludge metal they might explore in the future. an entire gen was
addicted to xanax cause they wanted to escape pain. With a career that promises activity, RENSA is slowly building up a catalogue that shows quite a bit of versatility. With his new project, Catatonic, the young artist continues exploring sounds he’s explored in the past while adding elements from other genres like phonk and what feels like some live instrumentation. Catatonic starts with “Heart Player”, a melodic trap track that kicks off the main theme of the project: love. Afterwards, “Está Sola” features Someone New in a melodic emo trap tune with pop punk influences that shows some storytelling abilities. Then “Woe Is Me” continues the vibe off the previous record but with a nice twist at the end. Next “Miradas Desviadas” is a pop punk song with what seems like live instrumentation as RENSA shows a hint of what a full-band performance could feel like. Later, “Catatonic” is another collab with Someone New, but one that closes the project with a hypnotic guitar and some phonk influences.
In summary, RENSA’s Catatonic is a project that finds the artist staying grounded on his melodic emo trap and pop punk influences while exploring a bit of live instrumentation, phonk, and more storytelling techniques. walk across college
& you’ll see many wombats trying to score & leave without caring for others. In 2019, Proyecto Mercurio decided to kick things off professionally with a few shows here and there, but it took them till 2022 for them formally record a full project in ASTRO CARIBE, an EP that displays their rock and reggae roots that allow them to explore various other genres. ASTRO CARIBE begins with “Retrogrado”, a psychedelic rock track that explores how we process information today. Then, “MGCQ”, an abbreviation for “Me Gusta Como Quiera” is a rock song that explores personal freedom and independence. Then “Ensueño” is an alternative rock record that shows the band’s Foo Fighters influences. Next “A todo color” is a rock n roll track that shows some alternative rock and synthpop elements as the band explores love. Finally, “Juracán” is a closer that puts in full display the group’s reggae and dub influences hence demonstrating their willingness to explore sounds outside of rock n roll.
In sum, Proyecto Mercurio’s ASTRO CARIBE is a nice presentation letter that shows the band’s rock n roll roots that are open to expand into sounds a little outside of that comfort zone. a sense of wonder
is seen deep inside their eyes. hopefully, time doesn’t take it away. After properly starting her career in 2021 with a few singles that continued throughout 2022, Laya Kalimamakes her big project debut with Agridulce, an EP that better encapsulates the sounds she’s comfortable with and others she’s willing to explore. Agridulce starts with “wiken”, a dancehall and afrobeat track with lots of mainstream potential. Afterwards, “la daga” is an electropop tune that’ll fit perfectly in all sorts of dancefloors and party playlists. Then “instinto animal” explores love and sex in a blend of afrobeat, dance music, and alternative sounds. Next “miel” fuses trap, R&B, house, and Caribbean elements to provide a unique sex-fueled record. Later, “que rica” is a body positivity/female empowerment house song that’ll play well in dancefloors and party playlists. Finally, “mvpc” closes the project by blending elements of house and trap in a track that features the protagonist taking authority over a difficult relationship and moving on.
In sum, Laya Kalima’s Agridulce is a short that experience that manages to present many of the sounds that the artist is willing to explore while sticking to familiar themes lyrically, a combination which provides a lot of mainstream potential. read about cults &
you’ll find zealous, innocent minds full of hope. sometimes we should ques-
-tion what acts should really be billable in society. combustible words
catch fire across the web & lives are changed in a SNAP. |
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
December 2022
Categories
All
|