music

Global Sounds – New Music From Around The World

Published

3 years ago

October 20, 2021

Aanchal

Plenty of excellence for the eclectic ear this week, starting with a new video release from JINJ – an intriguing project by French-born Sevana Tchakerian and Armenia-born Gor Tadevosyan, who mix rap, Amernian folk and hip-hop. From their bio: “Conceived in the sleepy post-industrial city of Vanadzor, Armenia during the backdrop of a devastating war, this boundary-pushing duo began making music together as an emotional release from the pain of death and destruction.”

JINJ are a class act, with high-production-value mini-films which are a treat to watch. More importantly, their music is fascinating. Contemporary beats and sounds brush up against traditional melodies and instruments in a wholly organic-sounding manner. The new video, “Cheat Code,” will be unveiled October 24th. Having had the privilege of an advance screening, I can say that it’s something worth looking out for.

In the meantime, you can view their other works here.

Also released this week, a new album by pianist, keyboardist and producer Công Minh Pham, who records as Matekita. Công has been playing since the age of seven, learning both classical and jazz styles. He embraces sonic experimentation and electronic sounds, sculpting his own, floating universe. Công’s latest record, And Then The Sun Rose In The West, available October 22nd, is a thrilling blend of fast, processed beats, live instrumentation and avant garde edges. Fans of progressive music will find plenty to savour.

Last, but not least, we have Promised Thing, the beautiful new album by talented talented finger-style guitarist, Nicolas Blampain. Blampain’s technique is astonishing and deceptively simple. There’s no showboating here, the guitarist paints lovingly-crafted, immersive pictures which can’t help but pull you in. Another who started young (aged 11), Blampain is a veteran of over 1500 concert appearances. Perhaps the most striking aspect of Promised Thing is how easy it is to forget that this is a solo album. The tracks here possess such width and depth that Blampain’s guitar offers an entire band’s worth of output.

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music

Yvonne Lyon & Boo Hewerdine Introduce ‘Things Found In Books’—A Masterclass in Storytelling through Song

Published

1 month ago

February 24, 2025

admin

Attention industry insiders: Prepare for a project that’s set to redefine narrative songwriting. Yvonne Lyon and Boo Hewerdine, two respected heavyweights in the music sphere, are unveiling their meticulously crafted album, “Things Found In Books.” Launching digitally and as a finely produced hardback CD book on March 28, 2025, this release serves as a compelling exploration of stories hidden within the creases of second-hand books.

With the album’s lead single, “The Things You Find In Books,” dropping on March 14, audiences can anticipate a profound preview of what promises to be a tour-de-force in emotive and intelligent songwriting. Yvonne Lyon, known for her lyrical eloquence and strong melodic lines, continues to deliver work that resonates deeply with both critics and fans alike. Reflecting on the project, Lyon shares, “We’ve unearthed new narratives from overlooked sources, offering our listeners a unique lens that combines past sentiment with live-wire contemporary relevance.”

Boo Hewerdine, an artist whose credentials include Ivor Novello Award nominations and collaborations with some of the industry’s finest, lends his seasoned expertise to the album. “We’ve reimagined forgotten pieces as fresh, powerful stories that will strike a chord with today’s discerning audience,” he explains, displaying the kind of thoughtful innovation that sets both artists apart.

The album’s launch event will take place in the intimate setting of Culzean Castle’s iconic bookshop on March 30. This venue, steeped in the inspiration that birthed the album, provides the perfect backdrop for industry professionals to witness firsthand the duo’s captivating synthesis of music and narrative. Attendees are invited to contribute to the bookshop’s collection, reinforcing a communal spirit that underpins this project.

Following the launch, Lyon and Hewerdine will take “Things Found In Books” on tour starting in July, with stops ranging from venues like The Engine Room in North Shields to the revered Llangwm Literary Festival in Wales. Each performance promises to be a showcase of their ability to connect with audiences through heartfelt stories and refined artistry.

In “Things Found In Books,” Lyon and Hewerdine offer an album that’s not just a collection of songs, but a carefully curated experience that combines authenticity with creativity, making it a significant release for those who appreciate and understand the artistry of songwriting. Industry professionals will not want to miss this masterful execution of narrative in music—both in recording and live performance.

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