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Sunday 29 May 2016

Lil Silva feat. Kent Jamz - "De Ja"

13th May saw the release of Lil Silva's latest EP, entitled JIMI (Journey Inside My Imagination), released on Good Years. It's six tracks long and the music that is featured on it bares more in comparison to the 2014 release Mabel, rather than last years more UK funky/dance orientated Drumatic. I love the way that in interviews Lil Silva describes his sound as "Lil Silva", and at the moment my favourite track from the new EP is "De Ja", featuring the luxurious vocals of Kent Jamz.

When a track is called De Ja, it's a chance that it is designed to evoke past memories. I think it does by the lovely string sound that features. The sound that is featured sounds like a throwback R&B track, with the way everything melds together, but not cancelling anything out. It also feels like there is a leisurely confidence as the beat moves along. This is also aided by the warm delivery of the excellent vocals. There is a wistful, almost knowing sense of the mistakes that the protagonist has made, whilst being aware that they may be made again.

As always with Lil Silva he has created an EP that will inspire creators to create music. His sound is constantly evolving and the way he can create dancefloor filling tracks like The Play, all the way back to the early/late summer haze of the aforementioned De Ja and Lines. He has the Lil Silva sound and expresses it so confidently on this EP, you can't help but to be drawn in and inspired.

Monday 23 May 2016

Strong Asian Mothers - "Out of Love"

I first came across this track on BBC Radio's Introducing London show. Strong Asian Mothers are a 3-piece act, compromised of Amer, Kalim and Josh, who have been playing in various bands together since childhood. It sounds like they have found their their true identities now, as it is quite clear what Strong Asian Mothers are; an electronic pop act, who utilise elements from trap and hip-hop, with interesting vocal melodies. To play the lazy comparison game when I hear their tracks I can hear elements of Rustie (trap-style drum rhythms and an at times euphoric sound), Django Django (the melodious singing accompanying the beats) and Yeasayer (the worldly style vibe).

Their latest effort is called Out of Love, and is taken from a forthcoming EP called Lynx Africa. The first thing that grabs you is the insistent keyboard/organ melody at the start. There's something retro about the sound used, and then it's combined with a verse that is sung in a tone that manages to convey the feeling of lost love,  which seems to be the theme of the song. It's sung at quite a rapid rhythm, complimenting the trap-influenced drum beat really well. I love the way this is then juxtaposed with the chorus which only contains the words "Out of Love", but harmonised in a beautiful way and it's like the rapid delivery of the verse resolves into the beautiful chorus. When the breakdown happens about 2 minutes in, it works to an amazing extent.

This tune performs a great trick into thinking that you have heard a long track, but it in fact clocks in at the radio friendly format of 3:24. I think this is due to the range of ideas that are displayed throughout it. It certainly doesn't feel rushed and there are a wide range of influences to dissect before you come to the conclusion of whom Strong Asian Mothers are. In conclusion what they are at the end of the day is an act well worth keeping your eye on!