New Albums of July: Eminem, Instasamka, Deep Purple

Content:

Instasamka & Moneyken - Family Business - 2, Pt. 1
Childish Gambino – Bando Stone & the New World
Clairo - Charm
Katya Miltey - Carte Blanche
Saluki - Beach Rock Hotel
Eminem - The Death of Slim Shady
Megan Thee Stallion - Megan
Denzel Curry - King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2
Kasabian - Happenings
Travis - L.A. Times
GUM & Ambrose Kenny-Smith - Ill Times
Deep Purple - “=1"
Kiasmos - II
KOKOKO! - BUTU
Ilya Gadaev - Dream and Bass
Joe Goddard - Harmonics

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Instasamka & Moneyken — Family Business — 2, Pt. 1

The first part of the album, "Family Business," was released in 2020 and became a key moment in Instasamka's career, making her a true star. The second album was released on July 5, 2024. Between these releases, significant changes were noticeable in the music industry and in Russian culture as a whole. Analyzing the differences between the albums, one can see the evolution of musical styles and trends, as well as the influence of social and economic factors on the artists' work.

Instasamka's previous album featured elements borrowed from Cardi B, as well as bright, loud compositions with explicit lyrics about sex. This unique mix contributed to her popularity, but also attracted the attention of regulators. A meeting with the head of the "Safe Internet League," Ekaterina Mizulina, led to significant changes in her work. By 2023, Instasamka's songs had transformed into standard pop compositions, where the former aggression and frank themes gave way to sweeter, more carefree melodies. It seemed as if her new tracks could have been written and performed by any other pop artist.

Instasamka and her producer husband, Moneyken, returned to hip-hop with a new album dominated by rap beats and deep bass. Unlike the first part of "Family Business," the new tracks lack glamour and fun. The music has become slow and somber, accompanied by minor acoustic guitars that create an atmosphere of seriousness. The themes of bragging about personal wealth remain, but the overall tone of the album has changed significantly.

Childish Gambino — Bando Stone & the New World

Donald Glover, better known under the pseudonym Childish Gambino, announced the end of his musical project. Since his debut in 2011, he has released several albums, expanding the horizons of his creativity. Childish Gambino started with text-centric hip-hop, but in his latest album «Bando Stone & the New World» Glover masterfully combines chilled hip-hop, tender acoustic ballads, stylish electro-soul, powerful electronic grooves, grandiose rock compositions, and languid whispers with a Prodigy sample. In the first seven tracks of the new release, he embraces all these musical genres, creating a unique sound. This album becomes an epic farewell to the peak of his career, demonstrating a variety of styles and deep emotionality. src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FA_P8o6kucGw%3Ffeature%3Doembed&display_name=YouTube&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com% 2Fwatch%3Fv%3DA_P8o6kucGw&image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FA_P8o6kucGw%2Fhqdefau lt.jpg&key=8d3909c69dfb4ee29c710191d8dd756a&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=youtube" width="854" height="480" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture;" allowfullscreen="true">

Clairo — Charm

Singer Clairo became famous in 2017 thanks to her indie pop, created with a simple sequencer. After that, she began releasing albums with more professional production, each time changing the style and producer. Clairo's discography includes the indie album Immunity, the folky Sling, and her new release Charm is inspired by vintage soul-jazz-pop. Clairo continues to experiment with musical directions and surprise his listeners with the diversity of his sound. Leon Michaels, the creator of the El Michels Affair project, has joined Clairo as producer. His work harmoniously blends elements of jazz, soul, and hip-hop. Leon has collaborated with such renowned artists as Wu-Tang Clan, rapper Black Thought of The Roots, Freddie Gibbs, and DJ Madlib. His production work also includes the new album Visions by Norah Jones, who has had a significant influence on the development of jazz-soul-pop in the 21st century.

Katya Miltey — Carte Blanche

Katya Miltey, just 18 years old, has already established herself as a new star of alternative pop. Her mature sound seamlessly intertwines with teenage themes such as love, relationships, and youthful audacity. In her song "Right I'm Right," she confidently proclaims her musical achievements, noting that her tracks are sampled by famous Western artists. This isn't just rumors: thanks to her popularity on TikTok, her voice has become the basis for works by artists such as Rick Ross and Meek Mill. There are also rumors of an unreleased demo featuring Katya's voice, recorded with Kanye West. This young singer continues to amaze listeners with her talent and creativity, and her journey in the music industry is just beginning.

Katya Miltey skillfully changes melodies mid-song, transitioning between different genres. She combines elements of electronic pop with rock guitars, and also fuses trap bass with electronic breakbeats. In a climate of stagnation in mainstream pop music, her work stands out for its freshness and originality.

Saluki — Beach Rock Hotel

In 2023, Saluki released the album Wild East, which caused controversy among critics. Some experts described it as a "House with Normal Phenomena" of the new generation of Russian rap, noting that this large-scale and epic project contains many genres, sometimes even within a single composition. Other critics pointed out the lack of a unified concept: in their opinion, the songs sound like random fragments of unfinished ideas, and the quality of the lyrics does not correspond to the high level set by the musical design. However, all critics unanimously agree on one thing: the Wild East album is one of the most complex musical projects in Russian rap in recent years.

For his new album, Saluki chose a unique concept and changed the sound. «Beach Rock Hotel» is a psychedelic surf rock album reminiscent of Khruangbin, with a relaxed and sunny atmosphere. This release is almost completely devoid of hip-hop, giving the songs a particularly summery feel. Saluki primarily sings rather than reads his lines. However, the lyrics have become even more difficult to decipher, as his voice now sounds like a mooing instrument that blends harmoniously with the guitar sound, creating a unique musical canvas.

Eminem — The Death of Slim Shady

Marshall Mathers, better known as Eminem, achieved success in the early 2000s with his provocative and witty rap that took aim at everyone from pop stars to rappers to minorities. In the 2010s, he transformed into a more mature and self-aware artist, offering serious and even inspirational lyrics. However, Eminem continued to strive to demonstrate his former sharpness and critical sensibility while remaining relevant and authentic. This ability to combine provocation with profound content makes him one of the most influential rappers in history.

The Death of Slim Shady album represents a significant milestone in Eminem's career, in which he seeks to redefine his creative process. On this project, he once again turns to his alter ego Slim Shady, through whom he delivers his most provocative and explicit lyrics. The album's plot revolves around Eminem's kidnapping by Slim Shady himself, who forces him to create offensive and provocative songs. This approach allows the artist to return to his previous image, but with a clear message: "I didn't want to do this, but I was forced to." This creates an atmosphere of unease, where Eminem demonstrates his playfulness and provocation, but at the same time experiences internal conflicts and condemns himself for it. The album reflects the struggle between the desire to create and the need to meet public expectations.

The album faces a problem with its musical accompaniment. It fails to match the powerful and memorable beats that Dr. Dre created for Eminem in the early 2000s. The songs lack the energy to maximise the mood, which negatively impacts the rapping. On the track "Brand New Dance," Eminem adopts a lazy, self-parodic style that had already negatively impacted his previous album, Encore. This lack of dynamics and expressiveness makes the compositions less memorable and does not allow Eminem to reveal the full potential of his artistry.

Megan Thee Stallion — Megan

Megan Thee Stallion's third album was released on her own label, Hot Girl Productions, in 2023. Such an important event requires serious promotional support, but the album failed to attract attention. This is not due to the artist’s talent itself — she still demonstrates her stylish and powerful flow. However, the choice of instrumentals raises questions: most of them are slow and languid, which does not match the expected drive. Only a few tracks are exceptions, such as the energetic Cobra and the guitar-pop song Worthy. As a result, the album’s musical arrangement holds Megan back, preventing her from fully realizing her potential.

The album has one bright spot — references to anime. The track «Otaku Hot Girl» emphasizes that Japanese animation interests even such strong personalities as Megan. The composition uses a sample from the anime «Magical Battle», and the track opens with a line from the voice actor. In the song «Mamushi» The rap is performed in both English and Japanese—Megan invited rapper Yuki Chiba to collaborate. This integration of anime elements and multilingualism make the tracks particularly appealing to a wide audience.

Denzel Curry — King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2

Denzel Curry's 2022 album, Melt My Eyez See Your Future, was the most melodic and thoughtful project of his career. The rapper moved away from his usual style, which focused on bragging about wealth and guns, and instead began to analyze his life. On this album, he openly shares his feelings and experiences, which makes his work more personal and resonates with the audience.

Two years have passed, and Curry has returned to his essence. The new album is a direct continuation of King of the Mischievous South's 2012 debut, Vol. 1. It features hard-hitting, energetic rap that reflects the artist's desire for success and material well-being. The album features powerful features from rappers such as A$AP Rocky, Ferg, Ski Mask the Slump God, 2 Chainz, and Juicy J, which reinforce the composition's main message. The album promises to immerse listeners in a world where ambition and the struggle for survival become key themes.

The album immerses the listener in the atmosphere of 2012, presenting Southern rap influenced by phonk and cloud rap. The sound is characterized by powerful 808 bass, a combination of rhythmic pumping and a deep, brooding atmosphere. Although this style has long gone out of fashion, Curry boldly brings it back, which emphasizes its significance and status in the rap world.

Kasabian — Happenings

Fans are still getting used to the fact that their beloved vocalist Tom Meighan is no longer part of the band Kasabian. The decision to kick Tom out was made by the other members after an incident in which he beat his fiancée. The first album without him, The Alchemist’s Euphoria, was released in 2022 and was experimental. In this album, Kasabian unexpectedly integrated elements of rave dance music, combining them with electronic indie rock, which became a fresh sound for the band.

The release of Happenings returns to more familiar musical experiments. Its style is reminiscent of "You're in Love with a Psycho" from the album For Crying Out Loud. The track features elements of cosmo-electronics, but they are simplified to create a powerful stadium sound. On the album Happenings, the tracks are shorter and more dynamic, while the arrangements remain mass-oriented, making it easy for the audience to sing along.

Travis — L.A. Times

The tenth album by the Scottish post-Britpop band Travis will come as no surprise to fans. The band doesn't strive for experimentation and continues to follow the musical direction for which they were nicknamed "chair rock." Perhaps it is this predictable sound that has become their calling card for 25 years. The album showcases the band's signature style, which combines melody and lyricism, attracting both longtime fans and new listeners.

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Travis's album "L. A. Times" is interesting thanks to its unique sound. The band continues to follow their musical principles, maintaining the recognizable style that has become their calling card. In this album, they explore new themes, while remaining true to their roots. Travis's sound combines melody and emotion, which makes their music appealing to listeners.

The musicians use familiar instruments and arrangements, creating an atmosphere that easily touches the heart. Although many expect them to experiment, they prefer to delve into already familiar musical motifs, which allows them to remain relevant in the music scene.

In "L. A. Times" The album draws on a variety of genres, offering a diverse yet cohesive sound. This makes it appealing to both longtime fans and new audiences. The album demonstrates that Travis are willing to evolve while remaining true to their sound, highlighting their uniqueness in contemporary music.

The album is filled with melancholic tracks and acoustic arrangements. Fran Healy's vocals never reach a climax, pensively delivering songs about his divorce from his wife and the loss of a friend. Despite such heavy themes, which could inspire emotionally charged and intense compositions, Travis maintain their style and continue to delight listeners with their calm music.

The title track, "L.A. Times," is a particularly standout on the album. The band unexpectedly switches from post-Britpop to trip-hop, adding the sound of an acoustic guitar. Vocalist Healy whispers rather than sings, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of artists like Tricky and Massive Attack. This track showcases a unique blend of genres and artistic diversity, making it a centerpiece of the album.

GUM & Ambrose Kenny-Smith — Ill Times

The Australian psychedelic rock scene is seeing a lot of collaboration between musicians. This time, Jay Watson from the band Pond, known for his performances with Tame Impala, and Ambrose Kenny-Smith, a multi-instrumentalist from the rock bands King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard and The Murlocs, have teamed up. This interaction highlights the dynamism and creativity of Australian music culture, where artists from different groups create unique sound projects, enriching psychedelic rock with new ideas and styles.

The album successfully combines the styles of both musicians. Watson brings a sweet charm and tenderness to the album, creating a smooth sound. Kenny-Smith adds his signature harmonica and reveals a soulful voice that blends seamlessly with psychedelia, funk, and soul. The result is an upbeat and danceable album—exactly what you'd expect from Australian psychedelia. This project showcases the artists' unique sound and creative synergy, bringing new nuances and emotions to the music.

Deep Purple — «=1»

Deep Purple's 23rd album marked the debut of new guitarist Simon McBride. He replaced Steve Morse, who had been in the band for almost 30 years and decided to retire to devote more time to his ailing wife. The new album showcases fresh musical ideas and sound, which can attract both longtime fans and new listeners. Deep Purple continues to evolve, while maintaining its roots and unique style, which makes their work relevant in the modern music space.

Simon is only 45 years old, while the other members of Deep Purple are between 76 and 78 years old. Despite their age, the band is in excellent shape. Since 2013, Deep Purple has been collaborating with producer Bob Ezrin, whom vocalist Ian Gillan considers the best producer of his career. Since then, the band has released five albums, and their creative energy remains at a high level.

Deep Purple continues to follow its proven formula, established on recent albums. Their work practically does not include long compositions; most songs fall within the 3-4 minute range. The band's solos are also distinguished by their economy and do not increase the length of the tracks. It is important to note that Ian Gillan can no longer demonstrate his legendary four-octave range, which fans admired in the seventies. Now his voice sounds in the mid-range, which is accompanied by moderately fast riffs and a carefully crafted musical background.

Kiasmos — II

Icelander Ólafur Arnalds and Faroese Janus Rasmussen became famous thanks to their unique combination of electronic and live music. Arnalds is a talented multi-instrumentalist who masterfully works with both classical and modern electronic sounds. Rasmussen, in turn, prefers electropop, minimal techno, and house styles. Their compositions harmoniously intertwine live drums, string quartet, and piano, complemented by calm electronic rhythms. This creates a unique atmosphere and attracts the attention of listeners, combining traditional musical elements with modern technology.

In 2014, Kiasmos released their only full-length album. Since then, the duo has limited itself to only two EPs, the most recent of which was released in 2017. Now, ten years later, the musicians have released a new album that significantly expands their sonic palette. The new tracks harmoniously blend techno rhythms with dynamic breakbeat fills. Delicate ambient textures intertwine with expressive synthesizers, complemented by violins, cellos, and piano. This album highlights Kiasmos' unique style and demonstrates their capacity for experimentation and musical evolution.

KOKOKO! — BUTU

KOKOKO! is a unique experimental group that combines African and European musical traditions. The instrumental part of the group is represented by musicians from the Congo, and the vocal parts are performed by the talented Mackara Bianco. French electronic musician Xavier Thomas adds elements of electronic music to the group's sound, creating a unique style. KOKOKO! attracts the attention of listeners with bold experiments and original arrangements, which makes their music unique on the international stage.

The KOKOKO! group reinterprets the traditions of African dance music, creating a unique sound based on Congolese drum rhythms and a distinctive vocal style that combines mystery and intensity. Their music is a synthesis of ethnic grooves with powerful electronic arrangements, incorporating elements of techno and hip-hop, reminiscent of the style of the duo Run the Jewels. By using polyrhythms in African drums, KOKOKO! creates a sonic palette that is radically different from Western rave, offering the listener more complex and multi-layered rhythms. KOKOKO! brings a unique sound, combining electronic rhythms with guitar and bass lines. Although such beats are usually associated with metal, KOKOKO! chooses a danceable post-punk sound, which gives their music a special dynamics and energy. This combination creates a powerful impression and makes the listeners move to the beat.

Ilya Gadaev — Dream and Bass

Ilya Gadaev became the sole DJ of the group Cream Soda after the tragic death of Dima Nova. Despite this, Ilya continues to develop the group, creating new songs. In addition, he decided to launch a solo project, which is different from the work of Cream Soda. Ilya's new music is filled with a unique sound, and the title and cover art reflect his inspiration from the melancholic breakbeats of British producer Burial. This transition to a new style allows Ilya to express his creative individuality and draw attention to his solo work.

I sought to convey the emotions we often experience in dreams, on the road, or after strong impressions. These are the moments when we process what happened and try to commit it to memory. This is not dance music, but its echo that remains with us on the way home from a party. This sound reflects our feelings, creating an atmosphere of reflection and recollection, immersing us in a world of emotions and experiences.

Ilya Gadaev is the founder of STVOL RECORDS, a musician and producer who strives to promote original and high-quality music. STVOL RECORDS is a label focused on developing new talent and releasing unique musical projects. The main goal of Ilya Gadaev and STVOL RECORDS is to create a platform for artists who want to express themselves through music and reach a wide audience. Support and promotion of artists working in various genres are key aspects of the label's activities. STVOL RECORDS actively collaborates with musicians, providing them with the necessary resources to successfully develop their careers.

Dream and Bass features house, but it is distinguished by a nervous and jittery atmosphere. The breakbeats don't inspire dancing, and the monstrous dubstep basslines exert emotional pressure. Ambient textures immerse you in melancholy, and the synthesizers recall fragments of long-forgotten melodies that continue to echo in the mind. This music creates a unique mood, combining elements of tension and nostalgia, making it memorable and profound.

Joe Goddard — Harmonics

Joe Goddard, a member of the synth-pop band Hot Chip, presented his new solo album. In this release, you can notice both elements characteristic of Hot Chip's work and unique features that distinguish his solo work. The album combines a recognizable synth-pop sound with new experiments, which makes it interesting not only for fans of the band, but also for a wider audience.

The sound of Hot Chip has always been eclectic, combining elements of synth-pop, disco, house, R&B, indie and funk. The band's music often has a melancholic mood. Joseph Goddard's new album shares similar characteristics, but takes a step back, giving guest vocals a central role. Harmonics is a musical fantasy that explores the question: what if Hot Chip replaced its current vocalists with prominent pop artists? This creates a unique atmosphere, enriching the sound and bringing new emotions to familiar melodies.

The atmosphere of the album's compositions is significantly different. The first three songs create a feeling of glamorous disco-pop from the eighties. Classic Hot Chip-style tracks are also present, including the song New World (Flow). This diversity of styles makes the album interesting and multifaceted, attracting the attention of listeners who appreciate both retro and modern musical trends.

There are unexpected musical compositions, such as "Miles Away," which harmoniously combines a house beat with the vocals of Guinean singer Falle Nyoke. Joe has highlighted his more experimental tracks, including the retro-rock song "Follow You" and the sophisticated house with the vocoder in "On My Mind." These works demonstrate diversity and creativity in musical approach, which makes them unique in today's music market.

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