GRUNGECAKE

Category: Reviews

  • Andreea Bostanică brings the heat with bold new summer anthem LaBubu

    Andreea Bostanică is back and louder than ever. Her new single, LaBubu, explodes with energy, attitude, and the kind of chorus you end up singing all day without even noticing. It is not just a song. It is a full-on summer experience.

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    Produced by Cristian Tarcea alongside Andreea Mînicuță and Andrei Tostogan at the Cat Music Camp in Javea, LaBubu captures the thrill of being bold and free. The lyrics by Alex Mînicuță and Daria Rotaru bring a confident and cheeky spirit that mirrors Andreea’s unapologetic presence. The result is a track that dares you to stop dancing.

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    Andreea calls it a celebration of being yourself. Fun and fearless, the track reflects exactly the kind of energy she brings to everything she touches. The music video only turns up the heat. Bursting with bold fashion, vibrant colours, and playful luxury, it is already fueling trends and style inspo across social media feeds.

    To mark the release, Andreea launched the #LaBubuChallenge, a dance challenge spreading like wildfire across TikTok and Instagram Reels. Fans, influencers, and creators are jumping in and keeping the song alive

  • ‘Sit Down’ (Remix) breaks borders with Afro B, Rafa Pabön, Snik, and Lalo Ebratt

    Lahrel is not playing it safe this Summer. The British-Jamaican newcomer raises the stakes with the ‘Sit Down’ (Remix), a genre-bending anthem that fuses Afrobeats, Urbano Latino, Dancehall, and UK Rap into one explosive track.

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    Out now, the remix is a high-energy rework of her fan-favourite single, which already pulled in over 225,000 streams.

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    What makes this remix stand out is its global cast. Afro B brings his Afro-swing magic from the United Kingdom. Rafa Pabön slides in smooth from Puerto Rico with Latin urban flair. Greek star Snik adds grit and edge. And Colombia’s Lalo Ebratt keeps the energy wild with his unmistakable charisma. Each artist owns their verse, offering a unique twist on Lahrel’s addictive hook that ties the whole track together.

    The track comes with a visual-first campaign designed to catch fire across TikTok, Reels, and Shorts.

    Lahrel might be new to the scene, but she is building with intention. The ‘Sit Down’ (Remix) is a confident step onto the global stage, and with heavyweight collaborators from four continents, she’s making it clear, she’s ready for movement.

  • The ultimate sleep upgrade: Manta Sleep mask

    If you’re serious about getting quality sleep, Manta Sleep is a game-changer! I’ve tried many sleep masks before, but none compare to the comfort, adjustability, and total blackout effect of Manta Sleep masks. The contoured design ensures zero pressure on my eyes, making it perfect for side sleepers like me. The adjustable strap allows for a snug yet comfortable fit without feeling too tight. Plus, the high-quality materials feel soft against my skin, adding a touch of luxury to my nighttime routine.

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    One of the best features is the total blackout effect—it truly blocks out all light, helping me fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Whether I’m at home, traveling, or just taking a power nap, Manta Sleep helps me maximise my rest. If you’re looking for the best sleep mask out there, I highly recommend Manta Sleep! It’s worth every penny and has improved my sleep quality significantly.

  • Lord Sonny the Unifier unleashes new album ‘You Were Born to Save Your Life’

    Brooklyn-based alternative rock band Lord Sonny the Unifier, led by the multi-talented Greg Jiritano, has once again redefined the boundaries of rock with their latest album, ‘You Were Born to Save Your Life’.  Known for their gritty, untethered sound that blends post-punk energy with melodic psychedelia, Lord Sonny the Unifier crafts anthems of rebellion—against societal injustices, greed, and apathy, and for the limitless potential of the human spirit.

    Drawing on the magnetic spirit of the mid-60s to late-70s Rock era, the album radiates raw, analog authenticity. Jiritano’s music captures the soul of Rock ‘n’ Roll, channeling the essence of timeless instrumentation while fearlessly pushing into modern sonic territories. On ‘You Were Born to Save Your Life’, the band experiments with Psych rock, psychobilly, and goth influences, stretching the bounds of their already dynamic sound.

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    From its conceptual depth to its meticulous production process, the album is a labor of love. Jiritano, a lifelong musician, writes songs in an intimate space, layering synths, guitars, and bass to bring demos to life before crafting lyrics last. This process ensures the vocal melodies remain unrestrained, allowing the album to flow with unfiltered emotion and creative vitality.

    With ‘You Were Born to Save Your Life’, Lord Sonny the Unifier delivers a vivid musical narrative fit for the challenges of 2024, urging listeners to embrace the power within themselves to create change. It’s not just an album—it’s a call to action.

  • Megan McDuffee unleashes darkly alluring second album ‘Crimson Legacy’

    Award-winning film and video game composer Megan McDuffee is making waves in the music world with her second album, ‘Crimson Legacy’, set to drop this October. Known for her work on iconic projects like ‘River City Girls’ and her extensive contributions to gaming and film scores, McDuffee is stepping boldly into her sonic universe. Fans eager to discover her distinct voice outside of the screen will find themselves immersed in an edgy, surreal soundscape that defies genre norms.’

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    Drawing inspiration from artists like Puscifer, Massive Attack, and Nine Inch Nails, McDuffee’s album is a masterful blend of Industrial Techno, Progressive Metal, and Dark Synth Wave. Tracks like ‘Your Demise’ and ‘Forgive Me’ showcase her signature retro-futuristic style, while ‘Entity’ and ‘Twisted’ dive into trap-infused beats, reimagined through her gothic lens. This is music for misfits, witches, and lovers of the beautifully bizarre.

    “I wanted to capture the surrealness and weirdness of the movies I grew up with,” McDuffee shares. Her influences—from ‘Labyrinth’ to ‘A Clockwork Orange’—infuse the album with haunting nostalgia, transporting listeners into a fever dream of lust, revenge, and whimsy.

    With Crimson Legacy, McDuffee doesn’t just step out of the shadow of her award-winning compositions; she casts her mesmerising darkness, solidifying her place as a force in the music industry. Whether you’re a film buff, gamer, or music aficionado, this album promises an unforgettable journey into the strange and sublime.

  • Listen to Nigerian artist Ema Onigah’s latest release ‘Ave Maria’

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    Today, Nigerian artist Ema Onigah released a new track called ‘Ave Maria’ inspired by the first words of the Latin version of a prayer to the Virgin Mary used in the Roman Catholic Church (“Hail Mary”). On the record, the talented artist croons about adoration—something that most of us get to experience in one or another in our lives. He credits his partner Maria for ushering joy and happiness into his life. Although the artist has been called a player, he finds himself genuinely connected to Maria and seemingly changes his ways for her.

    Ema Onighan speaks three languages (English, Yoruba and Pidgin). Once a local drummer at the church he attended when he was younger, Onigah is of the Ogoja tribe in Nigeria, and when asked to describe what it is like to grow up in Cross River, he replied, “Cross River is filled with people who just live simple lives. Based on the fact that we are a minority group compared to other tribes in Nigeria and also the case of slow development and modernization in the country. We tend more to reckon with politics and education because we haven’t really been a leading force in other industr[ies] such as entertainment, tech and so on. We also tend to take religion seriously.”

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    It is hard enough to exist in a highly competitive music space, and to be a Nigerian artist in Nigeria right now has to be great yet tough if you are not highly sought after or supported by your peers. To help make it a little easier for Ema Onigah, check out his music and if you enjoy it, tell someone else he’s in the race. He’s written for Tekno (‘The More The Better’ album) and Reekado Banks (credits on Jaz Kris’ ‘Tequila’, ’CBN’ with Skiibii, Seyi Vibez, Teni and Mayorkun, and Olivetheboy‘s ‘GoodSin’ featuring Oxlade and King Promise, at length. He released his debut EP in 2023.

  • #BlackOutTuesday: Treat Black artists better

    The music industry has had its control over our art for far too long. I do not have a critique for Kelis telling the music industry what they need to do to treat Black artists better and her issue with her contract with the Neptunes and their management. It is already public news that the music industry takes advantage of artists and use unintelligible jargon in arrangements. I do not disagree with Raphael Saadiq, either. Streams and the math behind converting streams into revenue amongst these streaming services is highway robbery. Steps in the right direction are significant, but permanent and more concrete gestures need to turn into laws in favor of the artist, not the major corporations. Estates and catalogs need to be protected and respected. Royalties paid.

  • Dancehall singer Brando Caviir pleads for the community to ‘Rise Up’: Listen

    In times of peril and uncertainty, recording artist Brando Caviir aspires to be a guiding light!

    Brando Caviir, the singer-rapper of Jamaican descent has emerged from the woodworks with a fresh motivational single entitled ‘Rise Up’. The chorus is power-packed with encouragement as Caviir recites the words:

    Rise man a rise up, success a the target, so me aim for the skyyy up… Rise up as me born as a winner, Mommy later me gone for the dinner.

    The track was executively produced by Andrew ‘DJ Slow Motion’ Dixon of Motion Vybz Label and beat created by Bepo Beats. As this pandemic progresses, it’s never a bad idea to plug in some inspiration throughout your daily activities and Brando provides just that. Stream ‘Rise Up’ below.

  • Philadelphia singer D Kirk KV’s debut album lacks vivacity and brimming charm needed to compete with today’s music: Review

    As someone who has had the honour to listen to and support several artists, it is always a privilege to give feedback to anyone who wants it. So, when artists at all stages of their careers reach out, I must review them as any industry personnel would. Otherwise, it may cost them in the long run. When we received an inquiry from Philadelphia’s D Kirk KV on Instagram, I couldn’t wait to hear what he had. At first, I wanted to assign the review article, to one of my contributor’s, but I didn’t feel they were seasoned enough to convey our collective thoughts, professionally. Instead, I decided to take it on.

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    Three months ago, D Kirk KV released an eighteen-track album called ‘Oceans’, which features production from various producers including DJ Mustard (‘Special’ featuring RNB Base) and CashMoneyAp (‘She’s A Vibe’ featuring Bptheofficial). The most notable songs are ‘Birthday’, which boasts the best hook on the project but doesn’t credit the featured artist, and ‘ithinkiminlove’ featuring Hrtbrkfever because of how it incorporates Wayne Wonder’s 2003 popular Reggae song ‘No Letting Go’.

    For me, D Kirk KV’s production choices are great, but surprisingly he doesn’t meet the bar of most of his musical collaborators. Often, throughout the project, his monotonous crooning style seems to decrease the energy level of the alliance. I’d like to hear how he progresses over time. As a songwriter, his concepts have connectivity, but his overall vocal delivery must improve to attract the audience he wants. As an audience, we’re left wondering what makes the Philadelphia artist standout from his vicious competitors.

    Listen to the project below. To us, it feels more like a mixtape created by an artist trying to find their way than a fair introduction full-length LP.

  • Milwaukee’s Hakeem Paragon brings hopeful insight to life with the release of ‘A Sunflower in the Shade’: Listen

    Hakeem Paragon, goes above and beyond in his music to emphasize the importance of truth, loyalty and resilience that helps with keeping a positive mindset throughout the dark times of life. This leads fans to his latest project ‘A Sunflower in Shade’. The project starts off with an emphasis on honesty with ‘How You Feel’ urging those around him to be forward with the love or the hate they got and sharing parts of himself to listeners. This sets the tone for the project as the project is an honest testament of his feelings towards life and his journey as he pursues success.

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    He follows up with ‘Nice Things’ which indicates his passion for attaining the luxuries of life. ‘Big L’ and ‘Turns to Champagne’ and ‘Bad Boy’ all give hope to listeners, but sharing the resilience of both the rapper and his hope for his listeners! ‘Vegan Versace’ gives a reminder of loyalty that his people have for him. The project ends with ‘Blossom’ and ‘Love Don’t’ in which he shares some of the revelations his journey has brought him through.

    Hakeem Paragon is a gifted rapper, and this body of work is not only sonically pleasing. This project provides an open and honest look into the mind of someone who is goal-driven and determined to be at the top. It will be exciting to watch the rapper as he continues to make his way there!