Music
“Japan, 1996” Takes Listeners on Soup and Cigarettes’ Melodic Nostalgia of Love.

In a harmonious blend of indie-pop and rock, Soup and Cigarettes, the Bristol-based quintet, unveils their latest gem, “Japan, 1996.” Released on the 21st of July, 2023, this single is a melodic testament to the band’s distinctive sound and artistic growth. With influences from iconic groups like the 1975, the Smiths, and the Cure, Soup and Cigarettes have crafted a track that resonates with nostalgia while embracing a contemporary flair.
At the heart of “Japan, 1996” lies a lyrical exploration of the inexplicable rush of emotions accompanying falling in love with a stranger. Lead singer Tom’s poignant storytelling takes listeners on a sonic journey through the intricate landscape of emotions. The song’s title, a reference to a specific time and place, adds an extra layer of charm, inviting us to explore the beauty of fleeting moments.
The song begins with catchy guitar riffs that immediately establish a captivating beat. The dynamic combination of Harvey Norton’s lead guitar and Cerys Kavanagh’s rhythm guitar produces a complex and lively sound. Hayden French’s basslines provide a sturdy base for the song, adding depth to the arrangement. Meanwhile, Emily Evans’ percussion keeps the rhythm lively and energetic, ensuring the music vibrates.
“Japan, 1996” seamlessly weaves melodic basslines, captivating synth undertones, and Tom Dalton’s evocative vocals. The result is a harmonious marriage of sound and sentiment that encapsulates the essence of Soup and Cigarettes’ musical identity.
This single is a testament to the band’s evolution following their successful debut album and a string of acclaimed live performances. Soup and Cigarettes have honed their craft, carving out a niche that bridges the gap between indie pop and soft rock, captivating audiences with their distinctive style.
The song “Japan, 1996” is not just a piece of music but an emotional experience. Its captivating tunes and sincere lyrics serve as a reminder that love is a universal voyage that transcends all limits. Soup and Cigarettes have yet again showcased their talent for creating impactful music that profoundly touches the hearts and souls of their audience.
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Soup and Cigarettes’ “Japan, 1996“ on Spotify.
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Electronic
DJ Zapper channels emotions in new anthem “Let Me Know You”

“Let Me Know You is a towering leap forward for DJ Zapper. It is a song that says a lot while establishing a blueprint for third-stream romance and one that goes deep into meeting the dance floor. This colorful mix of electronic dance, pop, and house music on all platforms represents a new chapter for Zapper in a songbook that fuses raw openness with floor-filling energy.
In “Let Me Know You,” Zapper leads you on a dig past the glossy surfaces of the genre. The song is about wanting a more genuine connection to another person. “I wanted it to feel honest and emotional while still being something you could dance to,” Zapper says. The end product is this enthralling fusion of serious vocals, solid rhythm, and addictive synths that grab you by the ears and swirl you around while igniting a surprising emotional connection.
The production is pin-sharp, the beats pulsing hot through the speakers, and the melody is as large as you would expect right from the first note, and this song’s got you hooked. But “Let Me Know You” stands out for the emotional intensity of the songwriting. Zapper’s signature mix of electronic pulse and soulful late-night storytelling gives the track both a toe-tapping quality and a resonance that reverberates more deeply. There’s an intimacy here, a rawness, that pulls you in close and, simultaneously, feels personal, universally relatable.
The way DJ Zapper can combine feel-good dance vibes with something that connects with other human beings is a signature of his sound, and “Let Me Know You” is a perfect case in point. The song promises to win over fans old and new with its uplifting beats and heartfelt honesty. With the intention of Zapper sharing this music with the world, he has also made the promotional effort to reach playlists and share through social media/his label Lucky Number Seven to ensure that more people than ever hear this music. If you’re looking for a tune that straddles the line between lively dance floor beats and emotional rawness, DJ Zapper’s latest track, “Let Me Know You,” has you covered. Get ready to feel connected and get ready to hit the dance floor.
Hip-Hop
Smartzee rises strong with new single “Back Down”

Smartzee’s latest single, “Back Down,” is a chest-thumping statement of survival wrapped in powerful emotion and a cutting perspective. “Back Down” grabs you with energy that might have been, you are left with the feeling, forged in fire. The production is aggressive from the get-go, leaving no doubt that this is not a song that will tiptoe around emotions.
Smartzee is a throwback to the mentality of a part beaten-down kid from the hard-knock existence of growing up in a challenging backdrop, part sharp-suited financier fighting his way through the business labyrinth. His comparisons between his life and an athlete looking down the barrel of the final buzzer are startling, beautiful, and achingly true.
There’s a bracing, upfrontness about the way Smartzee recounts his story. This is about survival. His lyrics reach into the fragile but relentless inner monologue that compels us to keep going when everything else tells us to stop. The voice in your head gets up, dusts itself off, and challenges life to take another swing. And that voice reminds one so much of Smartzee on this track. The delivery is raw, spare, and powerful, and it never falls into melodrama. Every bar feels lived-in, and every metaphor is earned. This is a confident, chest-out statement of intent to keep climbing, however steep the mountain.
“Back Down” is one of those songs you put on when you have a big decision to make, are having a tough day, or are going on a long night of chasing dreams. It’s a personal confession and a universal anthem for anyone who’s ever felt underestimated. On “Back Down,” Smartzee encourages us to lace up, buckle up, and walk down that same path with him.
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