Discover The Music Review Mixtape Vol 2.

The Music Review Mixtape is a new format for the Right Chord Music Blog. In this feature, writer Daisy Lipsey provides a round-up of the best new music submitted via our website. Today she introduces 6 new artists, with short, snackable music reviews.

Johnny Kulo’s cements his reputation as a purveyor of soulful R&B gold with ‘Poseidon’

Berlin’s Johnny Kulo has been busy over the last few months, turning out a series of soul, jazz, indie and R&B inspired tracks that showcase his honeyed vocals and songwriting skills. You can catch up with the Indian troubadour by checking out last year’s Desire EP, which will put you in good stead for diving into his newest track ‘Poseidon’. 

This one takes us down the freshest route yet, with less emphasis on a full band sound and more on the smooth and hazy production of consistent collaborator August Ingram. He’s also pulled in Big Vik on bass, who gives that essential groove to this R&B classic-in-the-making. Per Johnny Kulo’s usual brand, ‘Poseidon’ is all about that arrogant misbehaviour and the learning that he’s gleaned from it, but he leaves it vague enough for listeners to reflect on their own missteps.

“I decided to leave enough space in the mix for me to say what needs to be said in the verses. The drums and the keys came easy but I just knew I had to have Big Vik on the bass to complete the track. No track of mine is complete without August Ingram’s production and sonic design.”

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Promising dancehall-pop newcomer Alana Sukul drops ‘Good To You’

West London’s Alana Sukul has been gradually introducing listeners to her dancehall, R&B and pop-influenced tracks that provide an insight into the 20-year-old’s emotional inner world. Building on past tracks ‘Be Friend’ and ‘Closer’, the young artist has stayed within her multi-genre style for newest work ‘Good To You’. It’s a very beat forward affair, with those familiar danceable beats and melodic toplines, although we have to say that Alana’s voice is sounding better than ever here. 

We learned from her Instagram that she’s an untrained singer, yet still, she really pushes her range and the result is glorious with the higher register “woos” and “yeahs”. You might be surprised that this emotive song isn’t about love, instead, Alana shares her thoughts and feelings about the pressure that young people are under right now. With an accessible R&B-tinged funk-pop sound, Alana Sukul has framed this in a way we can all relate to.

“Sometimes as young adults, we try to live up to certain standards and pressure, this is just a reminder to live your life the way you want to.”

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‘Only With Time’ is the patient R&B ballad from Adria Kain’s new album, When Flowers Bloom

Canadian rising star Adria Kain has concluded years of hard work and diligence this month with the release of her new album, When Flowers Bloom. Not only does it feature a rework of her 2015 single ‘Ocean’, but it’s peppered with sweet atonements of self-love, celebration, nostalgia and hope framed in Kain’s stunning soulful vocal and well-crafted contemporary R&B melodies.

A standout on the record is the focus track ‘Only With Time’, which typifies the ethos of this artist’s journey towards self-acceptance. She takes it right back to the good old days of sympathetic backing tracks, slowed-up tempos and vocal athleticism to convey the sincere emotions. If this one doesn’t make you swoon, then we’re pretty sure nothing else will.

Adding some more context to the album as a whole, Adria Kain shares a synopsis of this 11-track record:

“When Flowers Bloom tells the story of falling in love after overcoming the loss of oneself through previous experiences in love. It depicts the struggle of a young, masculine-presenting woman, who after embarking on a journey of self-discovery, attempts to heal her wounds that developed through romantic relationships and the false perceptions that were taught throughout her upbringing.”

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Edwin Rosen returns with the dark and brooding ‘Vertigo’

After a whirlwind 2021, German electronic artist and producer Edwin Rosen has returned with his newest single and 2022 debut, the dark, brooding and utterly mesmerising ‘Vertigo’. Oozing with his signature electronics, sophisticated synth work and layered drum patterns, this offering continues the narrative that Edwin is ready to take 2022 by storm. 

Having sold out his first two tours, the first of which in no less than 20 minutes, he has generated a cult following in the underground music scene and youth culture of Germany. Having now released a total of 18 dates across Austria, Germany and Switzerland promoting his previous EP, the ‘mitleerenhänden’ tour, is now also completely sold out. With such a solid track record, it’s clear that we’ll be seeing a lot more from this exciting and talented new artist. 

 “Vertigo is a song about the feeling when everything seems to be spiralling out of control when it’s hard to tell if time is moving fast or slow and how one person can be the thing that makes all of it stop. It’s a song about holding on to exactly that.” 

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Heidrunna shows her sweet side in gorgeously slow-moving ‘Daydreamer’

Iceland native Heidrunna has released her dreamy, new, disco-esque single the aptly named ‘Daydreamer’. Taken from her upcoming debut album ‘Melodramatic’ slated for release on April 21, this newest electro drenched slice is gently yet gorgeously groovy.

The Nordic electro-pop star gets sentimental in this slow-moving, sway-inducing number through her lyricism as she sweetly journeys down memory lane.

Dusted with light 80’s style synths, ‘Daydreamer’ feels sweet and airy, veering away slightly from her usual palpable blend of euphoric eclecticism, she swaps her recognisable hyper-pop for a heavenly and highly welcomed detour.

“Daydreamer is one of my favourite songs that I’ve written so far. It came about as I was walking home on a crisp sunny day, I started humming this melody with the lyric ‘daydreamer’ and it made me feel incredible. So good that when I came home I went straight to the piano and started to play it… it felt so special and natural.”

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An emotive and evocative blend of alt RnB and Future Soul, Jozem has returned with his explorative new single ‘Goderich’.

Toronto based Jozem tackles the constant pressures artists face to keep creating with gorgeous new alt R&B cut ‘Goderich’. Bringing fans into his world from the get-go, he questions from his own personal experience, what happens, when that ever-illusive creative flare completely fizzles out. 

Dissecting this issue head-on within his writing, ‘Goderich’ is the result of a beautiful exploration through the ebbs and flows of creativity. As Jozem comes to the profound conclusion that in order to grasp the creative threads once more he must in fact be able to let them go. He must be able to accept that, just like in nature, we go through seasons and changes and just like the trees do not cling onto their leaves, we too must let them go and be laid bare for a time, ready for new leaves, new growth and new life to be able to come through.

Oozing with gorgeous Lo-fi, hazy and sparse production, ‘Goderich’ is a gentle gem just waiting to be discovered. 

“Goderich is a song about letting go, a song about falling in and out of love with my creative process and realizing that it is in these ‘in between’ moments of quiet that you will again find the love and inspiration.” 

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Words Daisy Lipsey

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