Dizzy Panda deepfake you out, Bound sound the bellows, Meunier stays neutral, Peter Lake unveils a cinematic trilogy and more in today’s submissions from Groover, a platform that connects artists with critics like me for a small fee. You can (and should) follow me on Spotify HERE, check out my Top 150 playlist HERE, or 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, go HERE. But first, spend some quality time with these offerings:
Dizzy Panda | Bite My Tongue
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Electronica.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “We are Dizzy Panda, a producer duo from The Netherlands. We don’t stick to a specific genre and like to blend genres with a touch of psychedelic/dark (dizzy) or retro/chill (panda) influences. Like all pandas, we have a bright and a dark side. Bite My Tongue is moody, dark, soulful, retro, chill and pop. The track is inspired by trip-hop music from the ’90’s. The beat is repetitive, the synths experimental. Is it minimalistic or over the top? It’s probably too long for playlists theses days, but we really didn’t want it to be cut in half. The lyrics don’t fit in current times. Or is that just what we believe? It’s a small world, but there’s a lot to explore. The video was created using artificial intelligence on three pictures by the Iranian photographer Javad Esmaeili.”
Bound | The Bellows
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Post-Metal.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “D.C.’s Bound appeared to come out of nowhere in 2018 with No Beyond, an album so fully realized that many observers found it hard to believe it was a debut. Haunts shows the considerable expansion of the band’s conceptual foundation in the two years since. Thematically, it’s an exploration of place, in both a tangible and abstract sense. Sonically, its staggering beauty and surprising accessibility belie a dark heart and a constant inclination toward the off-kilter. Presented as a series of vignettes in one unbroken, circular composition, the album tells deeply personal, often disquieting stories of places where formative life events occurred — and the pull that those places still exert.”
Meunier | Mahu
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Rap.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I present to you Mahu, my new clip. My goal before the release of my album Anguille-Mais is to win more fans and subscribers — and most of all win your heart with this masterpiece. Mahu is not white, is not black, neither angry nor happy, neither beautiful nor ugly. It’s pretty neutral. Always there when you need it.”
Peter Lake | Past Lives / 6 Seconds / Blue Flower Blue
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Pop-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Peter Lake is a New York City singer-songwriter who revels in anonymity. His musical influences include Curtis Mayfield, Motown, Billie Eilish and Rüfüs Du Sol. So it’s no surprise that he has not stuck to one genre, dabbling in rock, pop, indie and house. His latest EP Yellow consists of three tracks: Past Lives, 6 Seconds and Blue Flower Blue, each having a specific theme. Inspired by a previous relationship, Past Lives centers on a romantic relationship in the throes of a unique conflict — believing in reincarnation while simultaneously understanding that life is for the living and being present in their love. Similar to love, life is provisionary. Drawing inspiration from a 2010 speech given by Gen. John Kelly honouring two fallen marines and their selfless act of heroism, 6 Seconds memorializes quick decision making while also serving as a reminder that life is fleeting. Blue Flower Blue captures the essence of the popular phrase “feeling blue.” Lake explains “Losing love is like the colors of the flowers and leaves changing color. The colors are gone and so is the love.” Yellow arrives accompanied by a video trilogy starring Jeremy Connors and Brandy Redd, produced by Eric Barrett (I’m Gonna Git You Sucka).”
Zoe Mazah | Woman Tonight
HOME BASE: Germany.
GENRE: Reggae.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “The Liberian/German singer and songwriter Zoe Mazah writes soul-infused reggae songs of big and small emotions, inspired by her thoughts and feels. Her lyrics uplift and touch the heart. Fat beats, pumping bass lines and sweet reggae guitars seduce and invite you to daydream and relax. Woman Tonight is like a tropical dream on a vintage postcard. This song invites you to get lost in the moment, seducing you to move closer to your loved one. It’s time for a little romance!”
Foolman | Fake Art
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “My name is Fred Michael Grenier. I am an independent musician from Montreal, Canada.”
Francesco Nchikala | Zobalos
HOME BASE: Democratic Republic Of The Congo.
GENRE: Afrobeat.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I’m currently working on my next album between DR Congo, Gabon, Benin and Belgium. There will be a cocktail of styles faithful to African sounds. The music is gonna be full of energy and committed lyrics like the single I am offering here.”
Mystic Tommy | Escape
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Electronica.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Tommy Mercier is a 21-year-old producer, composer and musician from Poitiers. He discovered the piano in 2016 as a self-taught musician, before discovering the electronic scene. In 2018, he started composing his own music. With his first EP Escape, released on July 2, Mystic Tommy takes you into an ambient electro universe filled with soaring sounds, catchy rhythms and sampled cut-up vocals resembling the young artist’s life. Escape is about liberation, and featurees a very aerial, very dark, very rhythmic two-part instrumentation inspired by moments from a difficult past and the tests, questions, and successes in the life of an artist.”
Chainsaw Rainbow | Blonde With Dark Roots
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Noise-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “In the tradition of bands like The Velvet Underground, Jesus And Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine, Chainsaw Rainbow continue that creative path where noise and pop song structures intersect. Chainsaw Rainbow are the brainchild of L.A. singer-songwriter / guitarist / producer / auteur Dominic Massaro. His minimal, raw and primitive solo project combines warped drones, pulsing noisy distorted guitars and colorful lyrics. Dark and meditative, Blonde With Dark Roots is the opening song of his new album Pink Noise Overdrive.”
Nicolas Torracinta | Falling There
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Folk.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I’m a musician and singer-songwriter from Corsica in France. I just released my first album a couple of weeks ago. Falling There is one of the first songs that I wrote.”
https://soundcloud.com/user-939962269/falling-there-1/s-Da5gZOZcz9R
Merci Fcking Beaucoup | Heya
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Electronica.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Ambient deep house, a style that is both minimalist and powerful, compositions that call for introspection and vibrate a sensitive chord … this describes the electro of Merci Fcking Beaucoup. Antoine is an author, composer and multi-instrumentalist from Le Mans. The DJ with pop-rock influences takes us into his unique universe: Electronic music tinged with cinematographic references and loaded with sensory stimuli that encourage daydreaming. Merci Fcking Beaucoup’s debut album is Monsieur S’il Vous Plait.”
Artekk | Summer Nights
HOME BASE: Germany.
GENRE: EDM.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Artekk is making music driven by a desire to motivate, inspire, comfort and spread love and joy to all those that hear it. Born Robert Schulz, Artekk has a vast array of musical influences, primarily ’90s rave, hip-hop, punk and drum ’n’ bass. His music is so unique that he established his own special niche known as EDM Lovestyle. His goal is to push the boundaries of our perception as well as inspire and drive us to introspective conversations.”
Palmtreeprince | Let Me Know
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “London’s Palmtreeprince, originally from Zimbabwe but raised in Ireland, champions a sound that is congruent with his eccentric character. It’s a unique take on modern pop, with an overriding message of love crafted in unison with his producer Lvae. He says: “It’s something we’ve been chipping away at since 2017. We believe we’ve found our lane, and we’re sticking to it.”
La Biche | Belam
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “First single from an album to be released in the fall, Belam is a composition touched by an artistic freshness. Singer-songwriter La Biche has arrived, and plans to settle on the French-speaking pop scene for years to come. With sensual and casual voice, plus a daring approach to words and composition, the bewitching Belam invites dance and travel.”
Silkhi | Sentiment
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Hip-Hop / R&B.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I have evolved all my life in music. A year ago I promised myself to make an album that would really show who I am. For a year I worked as hard work to offer you a quality album and really show you who Silkhi is.”
Red Nobilis | Tori
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Folk-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Born in Marseille, Red Nobilis discovered music at the age of five via the classical piano he practised for many years. Later he discovered Muse, alternative rock, acoustic and electric guitar. After many years with a band, Nobilis went solo in 2019. He composes, writes, plays, produces and records eveything himself, except for drums. His music dives into a world where saturated guitars, melodies and warm harmonies meet, supported by a clean voice and vibrant crescendi. His forthcoming EP Slice of Life will emphasize warm, colourful melodies without losing energy and contrast.”
Bea Kadri | Pillow Talk
HOME BASE: Lebanon.
GENRE: Dance-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Lebanese singer and songwriter Bea Kadri is an up-and-coming R&B soulstress. Growing up listening to ’90s pop, R&B and hip-hop laid the groundwork for her sound. She plans to release her first EP in November. With inspirations stemming from artists like H.E.R. and Jhene Aiko, Bea’s sound focuses on a chill and sultry vibe, while her lyrics offer a personal look into her mind and heart. Bea has performed all over Beirut, London, and Dubai, even appearing at the BRIT Awards in a choir behind Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton. Bea notes that “Pillow Talk is an intimate conversation with the universe where I’m getting impatient to see her make my dreams come true but still staying hopeful and grateful about the journey. There’s a message of counting blessings, staying consistent, focused and humble throughout this sweet rollercoaster we call life.”
