Mastria

There's a certain level of pain when you hear yourself in a song. Not in an exciting way, but in a subtle, unexpected way. The first time I heard “Part of the Problem,” it did something to me. I did not expect the direct impact that it had. Rumour Den is a Northern Irish duo, having written together for a long time, and that's reflected in the feeling of this track. Nothing is forced. The music has grown around the words, not over them, and you can hear the choice all the way through. It begins with a sort of push or pressure, as if someone is preparing to say something they have been delaying, and then it becomes quieter and more accepting. AJ Gilmore's voice carries it all and doesn't exaggerate it. It's like a voice that has seen a little bit of this world, that's not trying to be a part of it. It's a tale of a man who believed he was doing a favour for somebody and gradually realizes that he was not. He was only holding things back. That realization come...

I put this on without knowing much about it. When it was done, I simply sat there for a moment and was not quite ready to move on. This is not a common occurrence. Fish And Scale's "Letter from Paulus" is a song like that, one that finds its way in before you're ready to let it in. The music slowly builds up. The piano is the first instrument, followed by the marimba, which gives the piece a warm, almost ceremonial quality. Those two aren't together that often, but it just makes sense. The guitar then joins in without taking over the sound. None of the instruments try to stand out. They all do exactly what the song needs. More than anything, I remembered the voice. Fish And Scale, the project of Roland Wälzlein, sings as if he's been carrying something around for a long time. It begins softly, as though he were talking to himself, and then gradually opens up as the music builds. When it reaches its highest point, there's a bit of roughness in his voice. It...

I wasn't expecting this song to make me laugh. It's weird to say about a rock song, but I was genuinely impressed. Baïki's "KosmoX" came across as a funny sketch with a really good bassline behind it. I played it again immediately after so I could absorb it properly and work out what I had heard. The music is pretty good. The rhythm section keeps things moving, and the guitars aren't overpowering. It seems quite simple at first, but the more you listen, the more little things you pick up on underneath. It's really the vocals that stand out. The singer performs with a straight face, as if he's reading a business plan that he knows is absurd, but he's still reading it. Somehow it works a lot better than I thought. It is sung in French, and I don't really speak French, so I did a bit of research to find out what it meant after I heard the song. The second listen was different. It is about people wanting to leave Earth and destroy another planet ra...

I stumbled upon "Don't Waste My Time (LA mix)," and that's how I find great songs. I don't know why, but I flipped my phone over in the first few seconds to check out what was playing just because of the bassline. It really pulls you in. I didn't even get to the end of the song before I knew it was going to stick with me. 4fro Nick assembles the song in a natural and unforced fashion. The guitars fit nicely next to the bass, and a keyboard plays in and out without bothering anyone. It took me a couple of listens to fully take in the vocal, but it still feels understated. It never rushes. It sounds more like he's speaking to one person than singing to an audience. That gives the song a certain confidence. I changed the track to "Get There Before Noon (LA2 mix)," and the vibe shifted, but it still had a connection. The rhythm section is a little more aggressive, and the guitars are a little more edgy. It moves with purpose, as if it knows exactly w...

Anna Thoresen's Groundhog Day did stick with me. It has this slow and steady appeal that sucks you in, like thoughts you can't escape from. The song slowly builds with a natural progression. There is never a sense of urgency or anything overdone. Her voice is strong and sincere. It's a gentle beginning with the clean guitar, followed by more sound and feeling from the larger parts. Anna Thoresen assembles all the pieces in a balanced fashion. There is no hindering. The main melody remains with you and continues to change throughout the listening. At times, I had to deal with the same issues in my life again and again. Even when I tried to do things differently, work problems or relationships felt like they were the same. The song reminded me of those times and how I felt frustrated and hopeful that there was still hope for change. I'm impressed by the opening up of the music in some sections. It grows, then shrinks, and then there's space for your own ideas! Anna Th...

Light Up the Sun by Sean MacLeod is warmly felt. When things are bad, there's someone there. The song is steady, but it's not rushed; it's just gaining momentum. It gives you time to feel the message it's trying to convey. His voice is clear and expressive. It begins with the acoustic guitar, and then the other instruments join in at the right moments and take the song to the next level. The sound is open, ensuring that every part has room. The main tune gets stuck in your head and becomes more memorable as you listen to it. There have been days when I felt my mind was filled with worry and uncertainty. The song made me remember those moments and that there's always something better that can come through. It had a soothing effect that I didn't anticipate. Hope and the reality of hardships seem very real. One section of the song is more open than the others, and then returns to the main section. It's a change I always feel right about. The entire song flows n...

Just the title got me excited enough to want to listen. The combination of words, polite but a little off, made me feel like the track was working to prove something. It feels like it's going to take this idea and run with it. The feeling lingers, even before the music starts. You're Pretty When You Panic starts with synth, but after a few seconds, it becomes a groove that you recognize. There's a calm vibe, like the way people feel right before an action scene in a movie. Then the drums come in and everything changes fast. It does not gradually build up, it just happens. This is the first single from their first EP, and VHS Panty Riot is a UK project. It is in the darksynth realm, with themes that remind me of chase music from older movies. It doesn't sound like a copy of that style, though. It's like someone who grew up with these movies and brought them into their music. I found myself thinking, the more I listen to this, the more I realize that there is never a ...

MILYAM's Lost in the Jungle immerses you into its world. The music is like entering a space where you slow your thoughts and the clarity of your feelings increases. It's a quiet performer that can give you peace and make the world around you fade away for a bit. Her voice flows smoothly along the song, warm and true. The beats remain gentle and consistent, and other sounds gradually enter the scene. MILYAM provides a seamless integration of all the elements that feels natural. Nothing takes precedence over the others, but each piece is complemented by the next. I began to reflect on times when life was unclear and uncertain. This song reminded me of that feeling of worrying and wondering about what is next. It reminded me that we can sometimes feel lost, but there is something better that we want. I like the fact that the music shifts a bit at a time. It gets fuller, even as it takes its time to develop. MILYAM allows the feeling to build slowly. This patient attitude offers a ...

The Nile is Dalinda's deep breath you didn't know you were breathing. It is gentle and seductive. The song is strong, but tender, and lingers long after the final note. It leaves a soft feeling behind. Her voice stays naturally within the music and has authenticity throughout. The acoustic sounds and little details flow underneath like a quiet river. Dalinda's music is open and spacious, allowing room for growth. There's no taking away from the core message of the song. It brought to mind the ways that family ties extend across space and history. The type of love that also includes the pain of being away from someone. The song took me back to those who make a difference in us, even when they are not around or when they are gone. One long section is carefully placed and gradually rises before falling away again. That's a natural change and not forced. Dalinda understands how to let the music flow through the emotions that we all have within. Not pushing anything. It ...

Grekula's Detached was stuck in my head from the start. This song is like a dream come true when you think about it. It's very relaxed and personal and it feels genuine. It doesn't seek your attention, but gradually draws you in. He's perfectly in place within the music and he has a nice emotional heart in the song. The piano glides through the track and other sounds add in all the little details around it. Grekula keeps the arrangement simple and clear, allowing each part to play a supporting role to the feeling. I was thinking about the person I was years ago, and how I've changed since then, when I heard this song. It made you think of a weird sense of seeing your past from a distance. It got me thinking about how much we know about ourselves when we were younger. The track in the middle develops in a carefully natural way. It slowly opens, reaches a deeper area and then goes quiet. Grekula knows his way around building emotion without overdoing it. The music all...