San Francisco trio KARMACODA released their new album, You and I, on July 26, 2024, through Sola Musa Music. With a diverse twenty-year career spanning electronica, chill, trip-hop, R&B, rock, and dream pop, they’ve earned multiple awards and acclaim. Their evolving sound blends R&B and jazz lounge, drawing comparisons to artists like Adele, Lana Del Rey, and Massive Attack. KARMACODA has garnered support from CLASH Magazine, Wonderland Magazine, NOTION, EARMILK, and others, with airplay on NPR Music and RTÉ 2XM.
The album’s standout track, ‘You and I’, is an ethereal love ballad showcasing Jessica’s captivating vocals and a mesmerizing blend of piano melodies and lush instrumentals. It explores the complexities of a tumultuous relationship filled with love amidst challenging highs and lows.
Jessica shared: “This album is always going to hold a very special place in my heart. It is filled with love, friendship, joy and emotion. It is creative and doesn’t squeeze us into a specific genre. It is just KARMACODA. I love it.”
Noir-esque songstress Y A N A croons, seducing listeners in black and white, her sultry voice a soft, yet confident palette of attitude and breathiness. Having teamed up with Gena, a recognised producer in Blugaria’s music scene and a member of the Hip Hop group So Called Crew, not to mention a featured artist on Stereofox’s Bulgarian Beat Wave, vol. 1 compilation, the songstress has released her latest offering. ‘Fast Lane’ is the first single from her forthcoming 9-track album titled Under My Skin, which will land in stores on the 25th of May via Stereofox.
“Under My Skin is a journal,” she says, opening up to listeners and readers alike. “Very intimate, real, vulnerable. It takes you through my fears, desires, parts of myself I’ve never been honest or brave enough to share.” Her latest single is her first diary entry, so to speak. In it, she writes about love and euphoria in swirling curls, inscribing the bliss of the honeymoon phase in an open book of her binding.
Maryze previously announced her debut LP 8 with a stormy-sweet queer nightclub-ready banger “Experiments”, followed by this she would share song ”Emo”.
Emo is the song Maryze always wanted to write to her high school boyfriend. It tells the tale of a love story turned toxic when you realize the person you thought you knew never really cared. “Did you ever listen to the songs I sent to you?” she asks repeatedly, sounding hurt and angry that her ex never took the time for things that meant something to her. She’s at a point where she’s checked out and numb, no longer fighting for a relationship that isn’t working anymore. The vibes are emo/rock/punk with vocal inspiration from Avril Lavigne and Paramore, bass tones emulating Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz (Maryze’s longest-standing crush that her ex used to make fun of her for liking, calling the band lame), and a nod to Green Day’s tremolo guitar effect from “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”.
“I made the song with producer and long-time collaborator Solomon K-I (who is featured on guitar),” Maryze shares. “We actually met playing in an indie rock band 10 years ago and our former drummer Graeme McDonald is featured on live drums.”
Consequence of Soundadded it to their Song of the Week roundup, noting: “Throughout “Emo,” Maryze appropriately gets her vengeance, cranking up the volume and launching into a nostalgic, ‘90s era alt rock chorus. It’s an introduction to the singer’s grittier side while still remaining catchy and unique, and it demonstrates Maryze’s urgent need to stand up and be heard.”
Bulgarian instrumental hip-hop producer Bojidar Vasilev a.k.a. TromBobby has teamed up with New Jersey vocalist Jermaine Holmes for this forthcoming album release PAUSE VOL.1. The album is slated for release on the 21st of April via Stereofox. We got a taste of this new album with ‘LONGING’ which featured vocals from Jermaine Holmes. With a sensual fusion of jazz and an undeniable groove, we are hooked on this track and look forward to what the rest of the album is going to sound like. We chatted with TromBobby about his latest project and artistry below.
What are some of your earliest memories of music?
I guess it will be hearing the Bulgarian National Bigband when I was about four at Studio 1. My grandmother took me because her brother was the conductor. I also remember being fascinated by the sound that the lowest piano keys made. Could play them for hours.
Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?
I start with either the melody or harmony. Then continue with bass and drums. In the case of ‘Longing’ – Jermaine recorded it on a different beat. It was like a resampled, faster version of a very slow, older one. After he sent me the vocals, I deleted everything else, kept the tempo and reharmonized the whole thing. The next single that we’re gonna drop was made for something like two days. Sometimes you need to search longer for the right vibe and sometimes it’s right there from the start.
Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?
I would say music creation is my thing, just because I love the process. Although, live shows can charge you for days, giving you a better perspective on how your music can be improved.
What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?
That moment when the audience sings the lyrics that you made up in your head in a moment of honesty. That’s beautiful.
If you could put together a radio show, what kind of music would you play?
Sweet soul music.
Name five artists and their albums who would appear on your radio show
D’angelo – Voodoo
Jimi Hendrix – Electric Ladyland
Otis Redding – Dock Of The Bay Sessions
Arthur Verocai – Arthur Verocai
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles – Special Occasion
What would you like to achieve with your music? What does success look like to you?
A Grammy would look great in my parents’ house, although paying the bills and living a normal life thanks to music feels like a blessing every day.
One last thought to leave your fans with?
Peace & love. “Keep in mind that I’m an artist and I’m sensitive about my s*it”.
