ROUGH ONLINE BEST MUSIC OF THE WEEK #4

In preparation for his upcoming EP, ‘not a burnt cd’ that releases early next year, Johnny Gates has recently shared the track ‘baseball’. Channelling the iconic singer-songwriters of yesteryear, Johnny puts his timeless songwriting sensibilities at the forefront of the track. Known for his slow-burning nostalgic ballads, baseball builds around a warm acoustic guitar for this standout indie-folk lament that unfolds as yet another storytelling powerhouse of emotion. Produced by David Labrel, who has worked with the likes of Ryan Adams and Lukas Graham, Johnny Gates channels his life experiences into his vulnerable and honest music. A promising new artist, ‘baseball’ showcases his sheer level of talent and proves he is a force to be reckoned with.

The moniker of striking alt-pop femme fatale Rebecca Bergcrantz, aka RAINDEAR, retains her distinct cinematic sound whilst embracing the lavish, darker side of electronica with her new release ‘World Below’. Her inimitable vocal cadence soars high above a gritty, driving electro-pop instrumental, and soft synths. Her expert vocal manipulation combined with the chorus’ hook creates an infectious melody that is sure to stay rattling around your head until you hear it again. Edgy, sinful and playful, ‘World Below’ is a unique track that is sure to turn heads.

Having spent much of the last few years creating music with those around him, producer Colin Wood, aka Coleurs, has now ventured alone with the unveiling of his latest EP ‘Distance’. Implementing elements of the 80s synthpop sound and bringing it into the modern day, ‘Distance’ manages to capture the awe and swooning nature of the genre, all while maintaining a solid and contemporary production throughout. The title track opens with a blissful harmonium and heavenly symphonies. If ‘Float’ were an allegory for finding your sound, in ‘Distance’ Coleurs has found the shore and displays a subtle, newfound confidence. The deeply poignant ‘Limitless’ features the impeccable vocals of Joslynn Cortess, and is lifted through a soaring atmosphere of subtle keys and a pushing rhythm that aims to highlight the texture within the producer’s chosen direction. ‘Distance’ is bold, carefully constructed and breath of fresh air.

Californian singer-songwriter Ed Prosek is an artist of striking talent. His brand new single, recorded at his studio in Berlin, mixed and mastered by the artist himself, is a compelling return to his roots as a classic singer-songwriter. The acoustic offering has a slightly more somber take on the original, delivered in one take and led by Ed on a stunning Steinway Grand piano accompanied by acoustic guitar backing. The track represents the first taste of an all-new forthcoming 6 track EP due for release in Spring 2019, which will further delve back into the artist’s origins, re-examining and framing them in a new light.