Word Around the Sound is… Josiah French released his full-length debut album Lonely Lovers Hotline and it’s dripping with raw emotion and experimental R&B soundscapes. Expansive moments of instrumental expression tingle as they settle in your ears, sending shivers down your spine like the touch of your lover’s fingers tracing down your body. It’s an intimate and provocative project that begs to be played under the moonlight.
At times, it feels as if you’re peering through the curtains into Josiah’s bedroom, getting a glimpse into the most vulnerable moments of his life. He wrote, produced and recorded the entire project himself giving it that heartfelt vulnerability that comes from being in one’s own safe space. At the same time, though, the production can take you on a journey sailing around the globe of his influences and finally harboring in a bay of soothing sounds.
Josiah French – “Calls” Music Video
Throughout the project, Josiah implements trendy TikTok tactics that explore how speed affects his sound, slowing and speeding things up as he sees fit. A beautiful example of this is in the seductive “Treat Ya So Good” where he starts off with the slowed down version and switches into the sped-up version to close it out.
On top of that, the features he got from Charlie Cash on the salty “I’m Not the One,” followed by the saucy verses from Yohiness and Divine Augustine on “10 After 3,” add more layers to the already dynamic album.
For as silky smooth as a majority of the album is, the raw emotion that Josiah injected into it is conveyed through intermittent guttural expressions that bring a rock and roll quality to his music that you might not expect out of the R&B crooner. Altogether, his varied approach works because it reinforces the authentic elements that make his art so unique.
Josiah French – Lonely Lovers Hotline
Campana, A’sean & Dave Shanaé – “Any Minute”
Campana recently released the cinematic single “Any Minute” that features a music video directed by Finn Baker. The beautifully shot track “encapsulates the ups and downs of a relationship within today’s culture and climate,” as explained by the video’s description on YouTube. With a verse from A’Sean and a hook layered with Dave Shanaé’s vocals, it’s no question to me that Campana knocked it out the park with this composition.
TK Been Poppin & Nobi – “Fuck F Minor”
Building upon the release of their single “Fuck F Minor,” TK Been Poppin and Nobi have now dropped a new visual for the track. Both artists attack their verses as if they’re going to war, which reflects in the video as they don military inspired outfits and strategize their next moves. Sending off rapid fire bars, they make an impact from the beginning and continue their high-octane delivery until the very end.
Crissy P – “Wake Me Up”
Crissy P is one of those super smooth, ultra chill, I’m a kick some bars to you in this pretty monotone voice type dudes but it works. His selection of beats is always on point for the vibe he’s going for, complementing his effortless flow with every track. His latest release “Wake Me Up” emphasizes his soothing style with a beautifully polished finish.
Oblé Reed – Retrovision Visual Experience
Oblé Reed isn’t about just putting out a good listening experience, with every project he goes above and beyond to give us the full package with enticing audio and visuals to match. His latest project, Retrovision, has a music video for each track that have now all been compiled together by Nash Pearson to create a full album experience that immerses the listener into Oblé’s creative headspace.
Samurai Del – “Must Be Nice”
Samurai Del knows how to capture the energy of the Seattle summertime sunshine. His music provides the same amount of vitamin D and electromagnetic good vibrations that the sun does but with a groovier BPM. His new track, “Must Be Nice” taps into that ultraviolet frequency for a truly spectacular moment that kicks off the summer with a splash.
Skatey P & Saint Deon – “The Departed”
Skatey P recently linked up with Saint Deon to film the music video for their track “The Departed” off of Skatey’s 2023 album Skatey Hawkins Tolo. The soulful production and emotional weight of the lyrics lends itself to the serene nature surrounding Port Orchard and Vashon Island– the two locations chosen to film the video in. Beautiful shots of water and greenery fly by as Skatey cruises through the scenic roads, delivering a video as poetic as his lyrics.
1-800-FL0Wrs – 1-800-FL0Wrs
If you’re looking for something fresh and fragrant to listen to, dial 1-800-FL0Wrs for a brand-new album to add to your collection. As if you dropped acid during peak tulip season in the fields of Skagit Valley, the eclectic duo of John Martin and Katie Nowinski their use their multimedia project 1-800-FL0Wrs to explore what it means to grow as a human being, embracing change, as well as the weird thoughts that live in the back of your brain. Life can be serious and light-hearted at the same time. This album highlights that duality brilliantly through quirky productions and catchy melodies with a sprinkle of life lessons throughout.
THEM – Girls Mind EP
Indie-pop rockers THEM have released their sophomore EP, Girls Mind, that features five songs that grapple with the transition from teenage woes to young adult relationships and the tumultuous emotional shifts that come with that era of life. Dreamy melodies and cool, refreshing vocal deliveries line the inside of the project, while the formulaic composition of the songs provide a sturdy foundation for the girls to impart their personalities onto.
