'CENE MIXTAPE #34 - MUSIC REVIEWS / JULY 2024
Reviews of Sobstory, Lunatraktors, Jessica Florence, Yoshe Rose, The Valla & Spike My Heart
Reviews
ON HOLD - SOBSTORY / 4:24
Having only started releasing under the name SOBSTORY, two giants of the electronic music world have come together to delve deeper into their love of underground sonics, club culture and old Rinse FM YouTube rips. Sam O’Neill and Alex Cramp (who hails from Sevenoaks) - better known as TCTS and PARX - have already amassed more than 170 million streams in their respective artist projects. But with SOBSTORY their music will be designed to have no limitations, taking influence from techno and rave to breaks. Signed to Norman Cook’s Southern Fried Records, the pair have already released ‘Deep in my Feelings’ and this latest tune ‘On Hold’. We speak to them exclusively in the next edition of ‘cene Magazine. Explore.
LIFE, CLAY AND EVERYTHING - Lunatraktors / 3:57
A joyful collab between Thanet’s ‘broken folk’ duo Lunatraktors and Channel 4’s master potter Keith Brymer Jones is a euphoric spoken-word tribute to the value of creativity and self-transformation.
With happy echoes of Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Everybody’s Free (to Wear Sunscreen)’ (1997), the song marries Keith’s homespun charm and boundless positivity with the Lunatraktors’ unique blend of melodic mischief-making and manic percussive energy. The result is part affirmation, part artwork — a beacon of warmth and generosity of spirit. The release coincides with the return of MARJ and KEITH’S theatre tour, Life, Clay and Everything. Back in 2022, Keith asked Lunatraktors to make some music for his final ‘rant’ in the show; two years on, this track is the result. Belief.
FALLING BACKWARDS - Jessica Florence & HL / 3:50
Combining a soulful voice and deliciously heavy DnB tunes Margate’s Jessica Florence is ‘Falling Backwards’ in more ways than one. Having put together the track with producer pal HL, Jessica is currently on the other side of the world, travelling New Zealand, but has shown the immense power of the interweb in releasing a track while in another hemisphere.
Apart from the track being a melodic rip roaring pleasure, the plan is that if ‘Falling Backwards’ reaches 15k streams or buys in its first month, Jessica will do a bungee jump/swing or skydive…backwards…while trying to sing it. I, for one, would like to see that happen. Jump.
SUMMER DARLING - Yoshe Rose / 2:22
Born in London, raised in Kent, Yoshe Rose has been coming through a smooth blend of styles.
Warming vocals which switch between her own rap/sing style, Yoshe’s tracks always have a melody worthy of head bopping. Writing from the heart, the music is a mixture of afrofusion and R&B feels with a keen pen, as displayed in ‘Sumer Darling’.
“...being a summer baby, I’ve always wanted to write a love letter that expresses how I feel about the summer time and this song is a love letter to the season that fuels, rejuvenates and revitalises me. A season to look forward to, to create memories in and to have a lot of fun,” she says. Warm.
ANARCHIST - The Valla / 2:46
Having started out playing house parties for their mates, the indie-pop trio have gigged and busked their way into having an incredible following.
They have released two singles this year in the more ballad-based ‘Fight This Feeling’, but we have picked out their harder track ‘Anarchist’, with its punchy drums and electrified guitars. The harsh and jolting strums make your eardrums pay attention, while the slick lyrics and polished vocals from lead singer George won’t leave your side for some time. Its energy has the ability to speed you up and slow you down. You won’t be turning off. Dynamic.
MESSY - SPIKEMYHEART & FLUX ROSE / 2:26
Ashford’s Cyberfairy popstar SPIKEMYHEART infuses a blend of alt-rock and hyperpop, with powerful guitars, edgy vocals and shining production from partner FLUX ROSE.
New track ‘MESSY’ is a reminiscence of growing up and the first lustful moments of meeting a love. The bubblegum melody is an amazing foil for the clever, pacey lyrics that throw both sharp barbs and love bombs into the mix. It’s breathless and addictive and amazingly undefinable. It’s the pink velvet glove over the iron fist. I love it. Gleaming.
