Entertainment

Sub Lights Shine With Their indie- Electronic, Social Commentary Album Medicine

New York City duo Sub Lights releases their indie-electronic psych-pop project out of the bedroom and onto the stage with their first album, Medicine on November 1, 2021. Medicine is available on a platform that the band supports, as well as all major digital streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music. The lead singles off the album, “I Wanna Start a Riot,” were inspired by the #metoo movement.

The band members, Stephen & Meredith Duncan, used the NYC lockdown as a way to channel their passion for social justice into music. As they both share songwriting, instrumental, and vocal duties, the album delves deep into the murky depths of the psyche and wrestles with issues that other artists often shy away from. “I Wanna Start a Riot” is a prime example: building on the hook–a product of one of Stephen’s nocturnal songwriting sessions–Meredith took the torch and finished out its fiery melody and lyrics, while the two collaborated in their studio on layered rhythms and synths. Medicine’s other tracks, like “No Alarm,” “The Bleeding Machine,” and “Sympathetic” similarly bloomed from core ideas (from the protest against political corruption to personal grief and a hopeful statement on solidarity) into full collaboration.

As Meredith says about the band’s process: “Our music acknowledges the beauty and grit of life. Living in New York has a way of making you feel connected and more aware of how unique yet the same we humans are. The random conversations in close spaces, the unexpected kindness of strangers, and the utter diversity of experience become fuel for our songwriting.” After a lot of experimentation, late nights, early mornings, deep meditation, and variously enhanced psychic explorations, Medicine has emerged as a “soundtrack for the psy-pocalypse.”

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Artist Spotlight

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 makes a stand for afrobeat against corruption on latest release Na Dem feat. Tom Morello.

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 deliver a powerful afrobeat statement with “Na Dem,” Featuring Tom Morello and produced by Femi Koleoso. The track has been a fan favourite even before its official release, and comes with the unmistakable spirit of protest, truth-telling, and social accountability that have long characterized Afrobeat’s most impactful moments.

The song’s heart is a direct challenge to corruption and the abuse of power. Instead of singling out one profession or institution for its critique, “Na Dem” identifies a larger culture of dishonesty, targeting bad lawyers, bad doctors, bad politicians, and anyone who would sell their integrity for personal gain. The message is sharp and uncompromising and delivered with the urgency that has become a hallmark of Seun Kuti’s artistry.

The inclusion of Tom Morello adds another level of intensity to the record. His presence adds to the song’s rebellious energy, creating a powerful intersection between the rhythmic activism of Afrobeat and the confrontational edge of rock. The result of the collaboration is a track that is both timeless and of the moment.

The song’s dedication to principle is what rings true. The moral center of the record is Seun’s statement that he would never prostitute his conscience for money. It turns “Na Dem” from a critique into a declaration of personal values, responsibility, and resistance.

Connect with Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 on Spotify || Instagram || Facebook || Youtube

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Artist Spotlight

Marsha Bartenetti reinvents in her own style “New York Minute”

Marsha Bartenetti’s latest release, “New York Minute,” written by Don Henley, Danny Kortchmar, and Jai Winding, offers emotional depth, turning a timeless look at life’s fragility into a reflective, cinematic journey. Stephan Oberhoff’s arrangement perfectly frames Bartenetti’s voice, and Kevin Bate’s expressive cello adds a warm resonance that makes the track feel like a movie.

The way each instrument sounds makes it feel planned, which lets the listener stay in the fleeting moments the song so beautifully describes. Bartenetti’s singing is the best part of the song. She shows an openness that feels real, as if she has lost something and still fully embraces love and presence with complete honesty. Her choice of words and small changes in tone make the lyrics feel even closer.

“New York Minute,” is a new version that pays tribute to the original while showcasing Bartenetti’s own style. The movie-like instruments and heartfelt vocals make the song feel both personal and universal. It makes us think about how hard it is to let go and hold on.

Connect with Marsha Bartenetti on Spotify || Facebook