TranscendNoise

10. The Hotelier – Soft Animal // Settle The Scar ( Goodness ) “Soft Animal” is a heartwarming moment of realization, facing the nature of mortality and learning about the ongoing cycles of existence. While it can be understood apart from the album, it is the literal successor of “Opening Mail for My Grandmother” and sees the singer Christian Holden reencounter his dead grandmother as a newly born doe. This moment of realization goes as far as believing in some notion of a God and being talked down by others, who cannot share such spiritual meaning. Regardless of one’s own standpoint, the serene nature of the verses and the exploding chorus of this song build a powerful dynamic, almost serving as a repercussion of such an encounter and the inner upheaval and revolution it can bring. Lifting this experience even higher is the band´s complete lack of any elements that allude to darkening of mind, representing a balanced sensibility of knowledge and centering yourself in the way of a...

10. Saba – Comfort Zone Strange dancing Chicago rapper Saba is the best newcomer in Hip Hop this year. Well, he has been around but this mixtape will hopefully turn a bunch a people on to him. Comfort Zone works in almost every direction of hip hop you want it to. There is the socially conscious, the fame-rap and many positive messages. Saba´s style of rapping is as variable as it is enjoyable. For someone making this kind of blend, not going into the dark, scruffy or gangsta rap might be a stepping stone as such, but hopefully, with affiliation to the likes of Chance The Rapper and the overall urge to finally deliver more positivity in hip hop music (read: messages that evoke thinking and not having a good time) hopefully Saba will see great success and musical growth in the future. Read my full review here. 09. WIFE – What´s Between James Kelly, the man behind WIFE is better known for his work with Alter of Plagues, a black metal act , that as many ...