NEW MUSIC: FT. MAZZ, LEWIS PARKER, PINK SUITS AND BLACKABY
Kent’s New Music Friday… picking out tracks that have entered our ears in the past week!
This Friday, while you are social distancing or even heading back to work, let these new tracks from Kent artists tune your ears in to what the most musically productive county in the country sounds like right now.
We have added all tracks to the ‘cene #KeepitKent Spotify Playlist HERE
MAZZ - CAUGHT UP
Instagram: @mazz.zy
A member of Canterbury collective [escape plan], alongside the likes of previously featured artists CMillano and Kwes e, MaZz has released new track ‘Caught Up’.
Soothing guitar and chilled drum beats are beautifully decorated by a wave of smooth and almost tactile vocals.
Mazz’s very real and sincere personal take on a getting caught up in a moment, makes you feel like you know her. Though the production is high, she has the enviable ability of making everything seem effortless and under control. Like she has done this a million times before. As catchy as it is totally relaxing. Natural.
LEWIS PARKER - ALL I GOT
Instagram: @lew_ultra
One most influential UK Hip-Hop artists of all time, former Canterbury resident Lewis Parker has worked with the best, across a career of more than 20 years in music.
Back in the UK after a decade in the US, Parker has returned with a string of new releases including new track ‘All I Got’.
A funky bass hook, a wandering piano and a whole range of instrument injections builds the verses, ‘All I Got’ is a huge-sounding production. The vocals have a golden era East Coast feel to them, which is not surprising given his residency in New York and work with the likes of Ghostface Killah (Wu-Tang Clan).
It feels very much like a ‘I’m back at it’, kind of track with direct and distinct lyrics reminding fans that Parker’s skills don’t just lie behind the mixing desk. Reminder.
PINK SUITS - POLITICAL CHILD
Instagram: @pinksuitsband
Margate’s dissentient duo Pink Suits have whopped out a myriad of maverick music that is sure to slap you in the face and tickle you pink.
Debut album ‘Political Child’ is mobbed by free-thinking lyrics, fuzzy distorted guitars and thumping drums.
The echoing wails and enduring rhythms posts them somewhere between the edgiest ends of the White Stripes and US punk legends Misfits.
Their ‘Queer Feminist Anti Fascist PoliRock Political Punk Rock & Rage Band’ declaration is proudly on full display throughout, never more so than in our previously featured track ‘Fake Great Britain’.
They are willing to tell the World what many will say under their breath. In fact, they don’t just drive the point home, they stick it in a fu*king Uber, give the cabbie a five star rating and a tenner tip just to be sure. They know how to send a message.
“We are the wild ones,” they sing in title track ‘Political Child’. As if there was ever a doubt. Unconforming.
BLACKABY - LEE
Instagram: @itsblackaby
New to us, Maidstone multi-instrumentalist Blackaby, has delivered ‘Lee’, a beautiful story-telling-style track from EP ‘Everything’s Delicious’.
Starting softly, the track meanders along to a mellow melody, before upping the tempo every so slightly with a tranquil beat. There’s momentary drop into a capella before the instruments come out for a flourishing finish. There are a number of elements in this that really remind me of the Beatles’ track ‘She’, (yeah, i just compared someone to the Beatles), while the vocals are reminiscent of Ray Davies. Serene.
As a side note, Blackaby’s EP will be coming out on vinyl in May 21st, with the records made from recycled elements and are therefore a random colour. That’s cool.