GRUNGECAKE

Author: grungecake

  • J Cole plans to rerelease ‘2014 Forest Hills Drive’ with 8 unheard records

    The label co-founder announced it on Friday, November 29.

    To celebrate the tenth anniversary of his 2014 album ‘2014 Forest Hill Drive’, J Cole plans to rerelease the fan-favourite LP with eight new tracks that the public hasn’t heard. His lucky fans will have the gift of owning the album in vinyl or compact disc form. Ten years ago, J Cole released his ‘Forest Hills Drive’ album on December 9, 2014. The album launched hit records like ‘Wet Dreamz’, ‘No Role Modelz’, and more. It debuted at #1 and sold 371,000 copies in its first week. J Cole didn’t have any featured artists on the original album. The tenth-anniversary edition comes out on December 6.

    //www.instagram.com/embed.js

    [media-credit name=”Dreamville” link=”http://www.dreamville.com/artist/cole” width=800 align=”center”][/media-credit]

  • Billy Joel: “I never liked my own voice”

    During a recent interview with John Mayer for his new radio show ‘How’s Life’, Billy Joel confessed to his fellow musician that he never really liked his voice.

    About the disappointment he feels connected to his vocal abilities, “I always wanted to sing like somebody else — I never liked my own voice,” he said. “I would go in the studio and I’d do a recording and I’d come back in the control room and listen and go ‘Oh God, it’s that guy.’ And I’d always be disappointed — no matter how good I thought the writing was, I never liked my own voice. Always wanted to sound like somebody else.”

    He doesn’t feel his voice was as wonderful as Ray Charles, Sting or Elvis Costello. When you have time, watch the 2:36 clip below.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IocgJEgzIjI&h=315]

  • Geoff Gibbons releases soul-stirring new single ‘Beautiful Broken Things’

     

    Vancouver singer-songwriter Geoff Gibbons invites listeners on a heartfelt journey with his latest release, ‘Beautiful Broken Things’. This evocative track is a poignant reflection on life’s trials and triumphs, exploring the scars we carry and the beauty that emerges from our most vulnerable moments.

    “Everyone has their battle scars,” says Gibbons. “This song is about honoring those experiences—acknowledging the mistakes, missed chances, and moments we can’t take back while recognizing that through it all, there’s always another day. We are all, in essence, still beautiful.”

    Gibbons seamlessly weaves folk, rock, and Americana influences, creating a soundscape that feels both intimate and expansive. His soulful vocals infuse the lyrics with raw emotion, while the lush instrumentation conjures imagery of long roads, open skies, and shared human experiences.

    Featuring powerful lines like “We’re beautiful, broken though we are” and “We never sold our wings,” the single captures the universal struggle of finding strength in fragility. It’s an anthem for anyone who has faced life’s challenges and come out the other side, a little scarred but undeniably resilient.

    ‘Beautiful Broken Things’ continues Gibbons’ legacy of delivering music that resonates deeply with his audience. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering his work for the first time, this single is a testament to his talent and emotional authenticity.

    ‘Beautiful Broken Things’ is a song that will leave an indelible mark on your heart.

  • Pol Sembrano breaks new ground with teaser EP ‘Anywhere’ ahead of debut album

    Filipino-American composer and classically trained pianist Pol Sembrano is embarking on a bold new musical journey, stepping beyond his classical roots to explore the realms of electronic music. Based in Seattle, Sembrano introduces fans to his evolving sound with ‘Anywhere’, a four-track teaser EP that previews his self-titled debut album. This venture marks a striking shift from his piano-centric compositions to synth-heavy, danceable tracks that blend pop hooks with experimental textures.

    Drawing inspiration from the vintage synth sounds of the 80s and 90s, ‘Anywhere’ combines intricate melodies, existential lyrics, and a polished production style reminiscent of icons like Depeche Mode, New Order, and Blondie. Sembrano’s work is also infused with a touch of indie sensibility, creating a unique fusion of danceable energy and thought-provoking artistry.

    “I’ve always been confident in myself as a musician, but this project allows me to explore dimensions of my artistry I couldn’t before,” Sembrano says. “I’m inspired by any song with a great hook, strong bassline, and lyrics that speak to the heart.”

    Listeners can expect a soundscape rich in melodic interplay and subtle nuances, all wrapped in an experimental yet approachable framework. ‘Anywhere’ is a bold step for Sembrano, revealing his versatility and ambition as an artist unbound by genre. With this EP, he not only teases his debut album but also signals the arrival of a fresh and compelling voice in electronic music.

    Prepare to dance, think, and feel—Pol Sembrano is here to push boundaries.

  • 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.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw7RmYJsKHI&h=315]

    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.

  • The Beatroot Road’s debut single ‘Underground Roots’ plants seeds of musical innovation

    The Beatroot Road, a boundary-pushing Alternative/World music collective, has unveiled their debut track, *Underground Roots*. This release marks the first step in an ambitious musical journey that will culminate in their debut album, slated for Spring 2025. Led by multi-talented percussionist Mark Russell and violinist Hazel Fairbairn, the project invites a global lineup of artists to collaborate on tracks released every six weeks.

    [media-credit name=”The Beatroot Road” align=”center” width=”665″][/media-credit]

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXrErDEoZnY&w=560&h=315]

    ‘Underground Roots’ is an uplifting anthem of resilience, blending African and Latin rhythms with profound lyrics that reflect the enduring strength of roots, both literal and metaphorical. Kenyan vocalist Lucinda Karrey delivers the stirring lead vocals, supported by Fuki Anditi’s vibrant harmonies. Russell’s intricate percussion work takes center stage, featuring instruments like the conga and Cabassa, along with a surprising addition—the bodhrán, a traditional Irish drum—emphasizing the group’s innovative fusion style.

    Russell describes ‘Underground Roots’ as “a song of hope,” encapsulating the essence of their sonic exploration: “So if you wonder how the underdog can manage a grin, it’s cos the roots are underground and the blood moves within.” The track is accompanied by a visually stunning music video, combining live footage from Kenya with mesmerizing 3D animation from global artists Griang and Mesut C.

    While ‘Underground Roots’ carries an African/Latin vibe, The Beatroot Road promises a kaleidoscope of styles in future releases, keeping fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter of this dynamic project.

  • Black Tish Unveils Groundbreaking Double-A Single ‘Industrial Tribute’

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    Belgium’s legendary industrial band Black Tish is back with a bang, proving once again why they are considered the “missing link” between the genre’s roots and its evolution. Known for their raw, groundbreaking sound and a storied past stretching back to the late ’80s, Black Tish’s latest release, ‘Industrial Tribute’, is a double-A single that seamlessly pays homage to industrial music’s origins while paving the way for its future.

    Earlier this year, the band reignited their flame with the release of ‘The Hanged Man’, an EP featuring tracks penned during the COVID lockdown by bandleader Bob Coecke and bassist Bruce Warner. Now, Industrial Tribute takes things to another level, blending vintage industrial grit with modern innovation. True to their rebellious ethos, Black Tish has emerged as a beacon for industrial music’s next chapter.

    Frontman Bob Coecke’s story is as fascinating as the music itself. Once a pioneering figure in Belgium’s underground scene, Coecke shifted gears in 1998 to explore the cutting edge of science. Now Chief Scientist at Quantinuum and a world-renowned quantum physicist, his groundbreaking work on a quantum AI-powered music project, ‘Quantoven’, is reshaping how we experience sound.

    With ‘Industrial Tribute‘, Black Tish reclaims their place in the music world, bridging decades of history with the promise of a sonic future, unlike anything we’ve heard before.

    Stay tuned—this is just the beginning of Black Tish’s resurgence.

  • JBNG: The Rising Stars of British Columbia’s Indie Rock Scene

    Emerging from British Columbia’s vibrant music scene, JBNG is a powerhouse quintet making waves with its unique blend of shoegaze, post-punk, and indie rock. The band features Groome on vocals, Alejandro Yoshizawa on lead guitar, Jonathon Goldie on rhythm guitar, Tim Charman on bass, and Matt Koopman on drums. The project began as the brainchild of Groome, a lifelong musician and accomplished bass player, who discovered his vocal talent as a therapeutic outlet for managing bipolar disorder. His journey to finding his voice has resonated with fans and brought an authentic edge to JBNG’s sound.

    [media-credit name=”JBNG” align=”center” width=”800″][/media-credit]

    With over 100,000 Spotify streams, JBNG has quickly built a devoted fanbase. Their hit track “Barely Know You” has amassed almost 100,000 streams, cementing their place as ones to watch. From the dreamy, crunchy textures of “Barely Know You” to the fiery, politically charged energy of “Brutus,” JBNG’s music defies easy categorization, offering a fresh take with every song.

    As JBNG continues to refine its sound, its distinctive style only grows more captivating. With Groome’s dynamic vocals at the forefront and a lineup of skilled musicians behind him, this band is on a trajectory to become one of Canada’s most compelling musical exports. Whether you’re into introspective ballads or electrifying anthems, JBNG delivers a sonic experience you won’t want to miss.

    Keep an eye—and ear—on JBNG. They’re just getting started!

  • 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.’

    [media-credit name=”Evan Kane” align=”center” width=”1000″][/media-credit]

    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.

  • Danny Peck releases groundbreaking album ‘Where Hope Goes, Fear Follows’

    Acclaimed composer and innovator Danny Peck have unveiled his latest project, ‘Where Hope Goes, Fear Follows’, a deeply personal and sonically groundbreaking album. Known for his prolific output under monikers such as DEP, A Defiant Heart, and his name, Peck has spent decades crafting emotive, genre-defying music. This new release represents a turning point in his career—an intimate exploration of reinvention and legacy.

    [media-credit name=”Danny Peck” align=”center” width=”770″][/media-credit]

    The album emerges from a period of transformation. In 2023, Peck relocated to a small town in Michigan, where he built a studio from scratch, replacing nearly every piece of his equipment and software. “I kept my trusty Korg keyboard, but everything else was a reinvention,” he explains. Moving away from the tracker-driven methods he had relied on since his early days experimenting with MS-DOS in the 1990s, Peck embraced a freer, more organic approach to composition.

    [media-credit name=”Danny Peck” align=”center” width=”2048″][/media-credit]

    The result? An orchestral yet modern sound that blends post-rock, electronic, and EDM influences into a cohesive, emotive journey. ‘Where Hope Goes, Fear Follows’ delves into universal themes of starting over, growing older, and confronting mortality. Peck describes the album as “a lifetime culmination of my creative process,” born of personal upheaval and a relentless drive to innovate.

    This release not only solidifies Danny Peck’s legacy as a musical pioneer but also invites listeners into the deeply human story of an artist redefining his path. ‘Where Hope Goes, Fear Follows’ is available now on all major platforms.