The contemporary British folk scene is undergoing a vibrant, genre-bending renaissance, and at the absolute vanguard of this movement is the powerhouse duo-turned-trio, Good Habits. Comprising core songwriters Bonnie Schwarz (cello, vocals) and Pete Shaw (accordion, synths)—who expanded into a formidable three-piece ensemble in 2025 with the addition of dynamic drummer Jen Walinetski—the band has … Read more
Executive Overview In the rapidly shifting landscape of contemporary American hip-hop and melodic rap, standing out requires a rare alchemy of vulnerability, technical precision, and an unmistakable sonic identity. Enter Henny Hermes—the rising New Hampshire-born artist who has steadily carved out a distinct lane for himself by fusing raw emotional candor with hypnotic, genre-bending grooves. … Read more
Executive Overview In the contemporary landscape of European improvised music, Antonio Martino’s independent A.MA label has cultivated a distinct, recognizable house sound—one characterized by acoustic transparency, harmonic sophistication, and a seamless bridge between post-bop traditions and modern chamber jazz sensibilities. Over the past several years, the label’s catalog has steadily expanded as a reliable barometer … Read more
Executive Overview Antonio Martino’s A.MA record label has long occupied a vital space in the contemporary European jazz landscape, cultivating a distinct house sound defined by rigorous composition, acoustic warmth, and expansive improvisational breathing room. Over several years, observant critics have noted a subtle yet undeniable elevation in the label’s artistic output—a sharpening of focus … Read more
Executive Overview In the contemporary landscape of independent Arabic music, few artists occupy as vital and multifaceted a space as the Palestinian-Jordanian singer, songwriter, rapper, and percussionist known as El Far3i. Operating out of Amman, Jordan, El Far3i (born Tareq Abu Kwaik) has spent well over a decade carving out a distinct sonic identity—one that … Read more
By Danai Molocha Published: October 22, 2026 Executive Overview There is a distinct kind of creative alchemy that occurs when the mundane reality of urban life collides with the timeless warmth of a jazz arrangement. For London-based singer-songwriter Daisy Veacock, the inspiration for her sophisticated blend of jazz-pop rarely arrives in the pristine vacuum of … Read more
Executive Overview Renowned Palestinian-Jordanian singer-songwriter, rapper, and percussionist El Far3i has returned with a deeply reflective and sonically expansive new single, "Rayha" (released globally on October 16 via Arab Drumz). Written through the transformative lens of fatherhood, the track signals a decisive departure from the artist’s historically melancholic motifs, offering instead a message of generational … Read more
Executive Overview For over half a century, the silhouette of a Technics direct-drive turntable has served as the visual and functional anchor of the global DJ booth. From the subterranean techno dens of Berlin and the warehouse parties of early-90s London to the high-gloss festival main stages of modern Miami, the SL-1200 series has remained … Read more
Executive Overview In the contemporary landscape of improvised music, few rising voices bridge geographic divides and conceptual complexities as fluidly as Melbourne-born, New York-based saxophonist and composer Stephen Byth. With the release of his latest album, Growth in Stasis—issued via Jeremy Rose’s influential Sydney-based label, Earshift Music—Byth cements a reputation forged through intense introspection, rigorous … Read more
Executive Overview In an era when independent music is increasingly dictated by algorithmic pressures, short-form viral marketing, and prefabricated genre classifications, the Leeds-based four-piece Bathing Suits represents a radical departure from contemporary industry norms. Formed in early 2024, the ensemble—comprising vocalist and drum machine operator Freyja Blevins, bassist Elise Hughes, and guitarists Alex Mulholland and … Read more
