Music

James Chelliah x Cam May “i cannot tell, i do not know”

James Chelliah and Cam May are excited to release “I cannot tell, I do not know” on the 2nd of January 2022. “I cannot tell, I do not know” – a follow up to “Hold On, Pt. 2”, James’s highly-acclaimed collaboration with Moses Boyd and DARGZ – is an existential indie rap project accompanied by a graphic diary created by textile designer and illustrator Grace Joyram, which aims to present a detailed composite representing the range of emotions experienced and explored throughout the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.

The project is a clarion call for those blindly walking through a life lived within the preordained boundaries set by others, and a sonic jolt to those whose bodies and minds are tired of the endless fight against the accepted norm. It explores the odd simultaneous contentment and frustration felt by many over the past two years, juxtaposing the tranquillity of monotony against discomfiting feelings of stagnation and aimlessness brought about by pandemic life.

Cam artfully plays with contrasts of light instrumentation and minor melodies to emphasize James’ scathing lyrics, ensuring that frankness is breathed into each piece. ‘Yaldabaoth’ layers mellow guitars with probing lyrics that question the obsession with social media, the transience of young-adult friendships, and living life through a lens, before slamming the listener into ‘Slurp’, a hypnotic and provoking ode to social proof and the desire to belong. As James notes “I looked at the life I was living and decided that I’d had enough. I reassessed friendship expectations, ambitions, communication norms, wants, needs. I started to make changes to reflect what I wanted: less of everything the world told me was important.”

This theme of contrasts continues with the ripe melancholy of ‘Fullish’ and its considered contemplation of the always-online world, and the mocking sonics and lambasting lyrics of ‘Couch’. The use of interludes and instrumental tracks ‘Alone’ and ‘Emptyish’ serve to tease kernels of the potential for us to live alternate lives, and create a space to digest what has been heard prior. The project concludes with ‘Something, at least drawing the listener to relief in recognizing that there can be a route to peace in the gradual acceptance of the different reality thrust upon us. Of the graphic diary, Grace says, “Initially the imagery is complex, jumbled, and caliginous. However, as the pages turn, the visuals get clearer and more comprehensible, representing the gradual acceptance of a different reality as time passed. The outcome represents a new perspective that we were able to gain from each passing day; a slower world allowing extra contemplation.”

The message of “I cannot tell, I do not know” shines a light on a risk we all face – becoming victims of the machinations of capitalist culture which keep us falsely satiated and unquestioning. James says: “We started writing this project when we realized that we weren’t looking forward to returning to a pre-covid life. Every day feels like a fight against conditioning, a fight against the self. The weight of the old world is heavy, what we’ve learned is light. The usual is returning and I cannot stop it. But I won’t participate. I cannot tell, I do not know.”

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Artist Spotlight

Cali Tucker Unwraps Christmas Magic With Her New EP “Santa Baby”

Cali Tucker is back in the spotlight this season with “Santa Baby,” a beautifully made holiday EP that captures the heart, warmth, and timeless glow of Christmas classics. Cali is known for singing the National Anthem at NASCAR’s Pennzoil 400 in front of 80,000 fans and more than three million people at home. She brings the same powerful presence and emotional depth to this holiday project.

“Santa Baby” is a great holiday release for music lovers, bloggers, and new artist discovery sites. It has six tracks and lasts 20 minutes. It mixes nostalgia with Cali’s signature smooth vocals. Each song shows off her talent, but “O Holy Night” and “The Christmas Song” are two that stand out as favorites. Both performances show off her range, control, and ability to bring classic songs into modern emotional spaces without losing their original charm.

“O Holy Night” stands out as the EP’s spiritual center, with a glowing performance full of dynamics, warmth, and a cinematic stillness that draws people in. Cali gives the song both respect and a unique touch, breathing new life into a well-known hymn. “The Christmas Song,” on the other hand, makes you feel like you’re sitting next to a fire. It’s soft, heartfelt, and full of stories that make you feel nostalgic. Cali’s voice flows effortlessly through every note, making it impossible not to feel the magic of the season.

The whole EP flows easily and has a mix of fun sparkle, soulful warmth, and classic Christmas music. “Santa Baby” is the perfect song for the season, whether people are making holiday playlists, looking for new Christmas music, or discovering new vocal talents. This EP adds a new but familiar sound to today’s holiday music scene. It has a comforting feel and is easy to listen to repeatedly.

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Artist Spotlight

Kalpee Honors Heritage and Heart on His Emotion-Rich New EP Dougla Boi

Kalpee is back with Dougla Boi, a beautiful new EP that is both personal and powerful. It gives listeners a close look at the layers of identity, heritage, and emotion that make him who he is. The Trinidad and Tobago artist is confident in his own space, which is rooted in New Calypso and polished with hints of dancehall, R&B, and afrobeats. In this space, genre bends, but emotion leads.

Named after the Trinidadian word for someone of mixed African and Indian heritage, Dougla Boi is honest, proud, and warm about the complexities of culture. Kalpee opens a window into the dualities that define him across six tracks, turning personal truth into universal resonance. The EP is just under 19 minutes long, but every second is carefully planned to take listeners on a journey through courage, joy, healing, and the quiet strength that comes from accepting all parts of yourself.

The first single, “Under,” stands out right away for its calming yet emotionally charged experience. Kalpee’s voice flows over a beat that sounds both new and old, fitting the EP’s theme of bringing cultures together. It’s one of the best examples of how he can mix soft and hard sounds, which is what makes his New Calypso sound so unique.

“Everybody,” which features Full Blown, is another excellent song that has already done very well. It has a happy vibe and an infectious bounce, making it one of the EP’s most replayable songs. “Everybody” captures the spirit of community and shared experience, which is what Kalpee means when he says that identity is not a box but a rhythm.

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