Artist Spotlight

Last Relapse reawakens with their new single “Rats in a Cage”

Atlanta’s Last Relapse is back with a new single after taking a break from the stage for 13 years. It feels like both a reunion and a revelation. “Rats in a Cage” is part of a bigger project that started with the comeback single “Everyone Dances Outside of Their Bodies.” It captures the band’s new goal: to finish what they started and finish the songs that life got in the way of.

If you remember Last Relapse from their time in the Southeast scene in the late 2000s and early 2010s, you’ll recognize the new single’s DNA: raw confession wrapped in widescreen, dreamlike guitar work. But it also has a forward push that shows real growth. “Rats in a Cage” starts off with a lot of energy. The fast beats, catchy hooks, and happy melody make you want to sing along. The bright sound of this song is easy to get into, yet it also possesses a rebellious edge that keeps the listener engaged. Underneath, there is an undercurrent of questioning and urgency.

Artist Spotlight

Gus Ormo finds a gentle balance of sound on latest release “Claroscuro (APAPE)”

Gus Ormo‘s latest release, “Claroscuro (APAPE),” is an instrumental piece built from a carefully selected set of sounds. Clean shakers, piano, bass, trumpet, flutes, acoustic guitars, drums, lead guitar, and tambs make up the track. The vocal element is absent from the foreground; the instruments themselves establish the piece’s character.

The arrangement shows the contrast of its different textures. Bass and piano provide the grounding, with trumpet and flutes supplying the melodic color. Congas, drums, and shakers provide percussion, while the acoustic and lead guitars enrich the instrumental palette. These elements are incorporated into the song’s somber mood, but it remains mostly soft and emotion-driven.

What appeals to “Claroscuro (APAPE)” is its dedication to an instrumental expression that is soft on the heart. It’s not the words that convey the mood; it’s the instruments. Gus Ormo combines strings of rhythm, melody, and texture to produce a piece that sounds deliberately restrained, and each section contributes to the overall musical picture.

Connect with Gus Ormo on Spotify

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Artist Spotlight

Gus Ormo brings warmth and tenderness on latest release “Latidos”

Gus Ormo’s latest release, “Latidos,” is an instrumental, so it must rely on its musicianship to carry the emotional weight. Instead of a vocal to guide the listener, the arrangement features clean shakers, piano, bass, trumpet, flutes, acoustic guitars, drums, lead guitar, and tambs. The combination is a well-layered musical setting, with a somber character and a soft approach to the heart.

The piano and guitars add important touches to the arrangement, the trumpet and flutes add more color. Percussion, congas, drums, and clean shakers add movement but don’t detract from the gentle nature of the track. The bass anchors the song, while the lead and acoustic guitars provide an additional layer to the instrumental mix.

What sets “Latidos” apart is the quiet emotional intent. Instead of singing of its feeling, the piece creates a solemn and tender atmosphere with its collection of instruments. Still, Gus Ormo’s method stresses the connection between the instruments. It is an instrumental piece that should touch the heart with softness and not in excess.

Connect with Gus Ormo on Spotify