Brilou digs a deep groove, X-ing Stars go massive, Sufi Bonde bursts into flame, Stanely Quinn is floating — and you might be too after you experience today’s submissions from Groover, a platform that connects artists with critics like me for a small fee. You can (and should) visit to my Tinnitist Top 150 playlist HERE, or you can listen to it via the widget at the lower right of every page on this site. If you want to be in an upcoming playlist, click the link just below the widget or go HERE. But first, sample today’s universe of sounds and sights:
Brilou | Deep Down
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Cédric Martel, alias Brilou, is a composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist based in Quebec. Engaged in the musical world since 2016 as a composer for films as well as a professional musician, he started his solo pop project this year. His catchy creations, melodically charged and deeply meaningful, can both make people dance or think. His first single Deep Down is an audacious song. While its intention is to dive at the heart of an introspection, the inviting rythmm ignites the dancing spark. This extravagant piece, influenced by disco, stands out thanks to its rich textures, meaningful concept and bold instrumentation.”
X-ing Stars | Massive Control
HOME BASE: Belgium.
GENRE: Electronica.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Two ambitious pianists based in Brussels come together to touch the stars. Coming from the classical world, they each developed their own musical path: Mam by exploring classical, minimalism, post-modern and rock; Piotr while exploring jazz, pop, rock and funk. It is around electro, a common influence, that they unite their hearts in order to rise to the best version of themselves. Intergalactic, organic, acoustic, digital, while remaining authentic, the exceptional duo offers new codes: An acoustic piano with its velocity and harmonics mingles with the power of electro beats and gleaming analog sounds, all offering melodies that remain in the ear and arrangements that transport to other dimensions. Two musicians inspired by the world, human relationships, surpassing oneself and spirituality find themselves at the crossroads of the stars, hence the name X-ing Stars, pronounced Crossing Stars. Massive Control draws on sounds that recall the ’90s with a modern and original touch of their own.”
Sofi Bonde | On Fire
HOME BASE: Sweden.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Sofi Bonde is back with her new killer single On Fire. It’s a powerful pop song with the timeless echoes of Roy Orbison and Peggy Lee. The title embodies choosing fire in life, making a leap of faith and coming through to the other side. Angels Above, her single released in 2020, has been a Swedish radio favorite. Sofi is inspired by the ’50s and the grace, charm and strength of Marilyn Monroe, who always walked, talked and acted through the fire of life. Sofi’s earlier music can be heard in The Hills, Vampire Diaries, Entourage and 90210.”
Stanley Quinn | Space
HOME BASE: Luxembourg.
GENRE: Electronica.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I’m a rapper, singer, songwriter & producer. I don’t have a genre or type. I’m open-minded towards every music style. I started doing music seriously five years ago. Basically, I produce tracks with English vocals that I find for free on the Internet. My rap songs are in German, English and my native language Luxembourgish. My dream is to fill the world with music and reach as many people as possible. Music is like magic. This is what I live for. Every beat is like a heartbeat. Every word you say is like a song. Music is a cure. It can help you in any situation. It understands you or may teach & console in dark times. Music is the language we all speak and feel. Music teaches us to listen. So we should also listen more to each other. At least at doing music. Space is a song from my EP I Think It’s Techno. I tried to make a pure electro sound. I named it Space because when I listen to it, I feel like floating in space.”
https://youtu.be/1YPhqRYpeX4
Dorian Ruiz | All My Life
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “With her first track All My Life, Dorian Ruiz arrives on the scene. Poppy and colorful, this track sends out positive vibes and takes us into the world of Dorian. Through All My Life, Dorian gets to the heart of the matter and talks to us about love. Dorian has been nourished by an elegant aestheticism, song and dance every day since childhood. All My Life will be followed by other songs whose diversity will reveals a Dorian Ruiz well anchored in his time. Fresh, unique, daring, inspired and innovative, Dorian is very invested in his art.”
Smoka | Melodie
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Smoka is an artist from Rouen who has a vocal identity of his own, and a rap-reggae influence. Passionate about music, his story is one of movement. Born in Cameroon, he left his land following family events and found himself in Morocco for five years. After many collaborations, he set sail for Europe by crossing the Mediterranean with the help of smugglers aboard an inflatable boat in the company of other migrants. Now he is able to realize his dream adn tell his story while singing for those who come from far away like him.”
Caroline Alves | Dizzy
HOME BASE: Switzerland.
GENRE: Soul-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “A Brazilian artist based in Switzerland, Caroline Alves taught herself music. Her music is strong, gives hope and is unique. In October, she released her debut album Moonlight; four months later, she won a Swiss Music Award for Best Talent. Dizzy is one of the songs of her debut album. It talks about forgetting, celebrating and not being able to go home from the party. And not wanting to. The sonw was produced by the Swiss duo Stereotyp. The video was written and directed by Duchieudav with artistic direction by Naomie Margot. The video tells the endless story of a person wandering an empty club to remind us of the times we live in and pay tribute to as the nightclubs, bars and concert halls that are empty during the current crisis.”
Polar System | Rush
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Formed in 2016, Polar System is led by Marius Corthay (guitar / synth / vocals) and Lili Barletta (lead vocals), along with Tom Wallop on bass and Jérémy Tripogney on drums. Their first EP Polar System (2019) surfed on a rock-pop wave close to the universe of The XX. But the project has taken a turn to trip-hop and electro. Rush discusses the objectification of women. A jerky rhythm, carried by a melodic and alienating bass, take us to a world where Lili’s voice tells the story of a victim of slut shaming and cyber-bullying.”
Adriano Maria Vitali | Always Here
HOME BASE: Italy.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Just a simple love song.”
Tyndiaye | Take Your Chance
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: World.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I wrote the song Take Your Chance in 2012, when my daughter left for Australia at the age of 20. Nob big deal, except that she only spoke Spanish and Occitan! I needed to convey all the confidence and love I had for her, so that her life’s journey is successful! The photo for this single was taken during a photo shoot she did in Australia!”
Jovanna | Brain On Fire
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I am a 20-year-old singer-songwriter from Miami. I’m consider myself a spiritual badass. I am probably reading my horoscope as you are reading this. I love animals and the color purple, although lately, everything in my life is red, just like my fiery hair color. I am also addicted to coffee. I mean, who isn’t?! Currently, I am student at Berklee, studying music business and songwriting. Brain On Fire is my debut single. I wrote this song in my bedroom over a period of time as I struggled with OCD and anxiety. Putting the lyrics on paper was part of my healing process. I think people will relate to my song because unfortunately, too many young people deal with mental illness at some point in their lives. I want them to know that they don’t have to struggle with mental illness alone and it’s definitely OK to talk about it.”
El Fanjo | Le Temps Fera Les Choses
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Hip-Hop.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “It is on a vibe combining rap and reggae that El Fanjo invites us to discover his musical universe. It is in a festive atmosphere that he works on his outings, with one desire: To stir up the crowds. At a time when the French scene is in search of originality carried by real talents, En Janjo represents this seed of original artists who try to stand out. Le Temps Fera Les Choses is from his new EP.”
Joffery Hollsworth | Empty Spaces
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Hip-Hop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “As a Canadian singer, songwriter, composer and rapper, I endeavour to create music that both makes you dance and think. The track is fun to dance to, but the second and third choruses are where it really takes off! Also, for those who are focused on lyrics: This mostly talks about the environment and caring for our planet.”
https://soundcloud.com/jofferyhmusic/empty-spaces/s-UBIkNmGxSaX
F The Rain | Are We Lost Yet
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Hop-Hop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I’m F The Rain, a French artist from Paris, and this is my first single. Are We Lost Yet deals with the ups and downs of life, and the struggles and disillusionment we all encounter while growing up. I reveal to you a dark part of my universe in a melancholic way.”
Greymatter | Be Yours (ft. Christian J)
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Electronica.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Dance music sleeping giants, Greymatter and Christian J join forces to create a big one for summer. Christian J aka Chris Allen is one of the most revered producer-engineers in electronic music. Greymatter aka Graham Luckhurst continues to steadily release his unique blend of dance & electronics on a variety of labels.”
