Music

LVRN Gets In The Christmas Spirit With Shelley And Young Rog’s Jazzy ‘Feliz Navidad’ Video

LVRN beat the holiday rush with their Christmas EP and add an extra present for fans with their new video. …

Earlier this year, the Virginia singer/rapper formerly known as Big Baby DRAM quietly changed his name on streaming services to his government-issued first name Shelley, although he generously tagged himself “FKA DRAM” so fans could still find his catalog. However, he hadn’t released any new music under his rebranded moniker until his label, Love Renaissance (or LVRN), issued its first-ever holiday album, Home For The Holidays, last month. Today, the label shared the first video from the project, which features Shelley and newcomer Young Rog covering José Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad.”

Featuring a quick intro by LVRN’s resident DJ Kitty Cash, the video documents the two crooners recording their rendition in a thoroughly decorated studio complete with Christmas trees, stockings, and fairy lights. Shelley — who’s recently taken to filming cooking content for his Instagram throughout the pandemic — looks like he’s been baking some cookies for Santa and his labelmates, wearing a printed apron and holding a blunt as he embellishes Rog’s mellow take on the holiday standard. Fittingly, the production still features a subtropical flair, with bossa nova percussion and a soft, Spanish guitar backing the singers’ smooth vocals.

Other standards that appear on Home For The Holidays include “Santa Baby,” sung by Summer Walker, “This Christmas,” by Eli Derby, and Shelley’s second take on “The Christmas Song” after he dueted the song with his mom on his own holiday EP in 2017. Meanwhile, 6lack and Summer Walker take a turn on James Brown’s “Santa Claus, Go Straight To The Ghetto” with “Ghetto Christmas,” while rappers Westside Boogie and OMB Bloodbath put a ratchet twist on a classic with their irreverent “12 Days Of Bhristmas.”

Check out Home For The Holidays here.

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Album Review

Dian Sheng explores identity, life and love with “Sid” album

Dian Sheng releases his long-awaited first English-language album, “Sid,” a genre-defying collection of songs that includes pop, rock, electronic, and jazz. “Sid” is a deep, meditative exploration of identity, relationships, and self-growth, spanning 29 minutes and 12 seconds across eight tracks. This album is a personal exploration of the complex emotions of mankind and the vitality and jubilation of life.

From the opening track, “Right Now,” Dian Sheng establishes a sense of urgency and reflection. The upbeat song “I Come From Far” examines the connection between the self and one’s environment. It has joyful beats and layers that make you think and feel like part of the narrative.

The jazz ballad “Undecided Love” delves into the complexities of modern romance, featuring tender vocals and instrumentation that showcase Sheng’s delicate touch as a songwriter. “It Will Be Alright” is an empowering anthem about overcoming life’s biggest obstacles, combining electronic beats with a rock influence.

“Seventeen” is bursting with youthful energy, and its production captures the restlessness and emotionality of adolescent life. Two introspective songs with similar atmospheres, “The Way Before” and “This Life,” match chilling melodies with moving lyrics that touch on bygone relationships, self-awareness, and the quest for meaning we all experience.

The album concludes with “Shining As Your Name,” and the final few minutes of this piece alone evoke a strong sense of hope. Dian Sheng demonstrates his ability to join emotional depth with new styles. “Sid” is an invitation into the rich musical universe of Dian Sheng, where you can both consider yourself and feel influenced.

Written by:

Faith Koch

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Artist Spotlight

Feel the vibe with Sporty-O’s new EP “The P.L.U.R. Project,” a blend of emotions and sound

“The P.L.U.R. Project” begins like a rush of light across a crowded dance floor as jubilant, purposeful, and very human. This seven-song, 29-minute journey from the EDM pioneer Sporty-O is a cultural reset built around peace, love, unity, and respect.

Sporty-O establishes the emotional timbre for the entire project from the first track of its lead single, “Spirit Higher.” The song is anthemic, its purposes well outlined despite a high-gloss production. It’s a centerpiece that establishes the mood of an intensive exploration of sound and self-awareness.

“The P.L.U.R. Project” is just as much about managing your feelings as it is about moving. Sporty-O creates each record with intention, writing things that make people think on the dance floor. Another high-energy song is “Happy Together,” with Lorme and Chris Willis, pulsing warmth and togetherness. “SOLD!” has a clean, feel-good sound that embodies the community spirit of EDM culture.

Sporty-O embraces a multi-genre EDM palette on the EP, fusing forward-thinking sounds with uptempo beats. Tracks like “Revolution” with Specimen A and “Geek’d Up” with Baby Sweet provide lots of energy and edge. “Piece Of My Mind” is more introspective, while “Cheveyo” features a diverse array of collaborators and culminates in a rich, layered sound, all while maintaining a global welcoming spirit.

What makes this project unique is that it serves both and reminds people of the origins of dance culture. Sporty-O aims to help people rediscover the heartbeat of the community. “The P.L.U.R. Project” is an EDM experience that reaches beyond the speakers, colorful and thoughtful about meaning in music-based culture.