Artist Spotlight
The Veldt Release New Album
In a single glance, you probably wouldn’t be able to tell that The Veldt is a rock outfit working out of the underground rather than the mainstream – their music has all the trappings of something elite and polished to the finest of details, right down to the contemporary indie influences that so many legendary artists in the genre have been embracing in a bid to keep up with the rising interest in post-punk acts. In the bones of their composing, we can find traces of everything from the shoegaze of old to first-gen noise music, and although this can be said of a lot of players in the domestic underground, The Veldt’s album Entropy is the Mainline to God might be one of the first instances of a modern alternative release garnering the level of attention it has in this era of new waves within a once insular scene.
BANDCAMP: https://theveldtmusic.bandcamp.com/
“Check Out Your Mind,” “New Blood,” “Slave Ship Serenade,” and “Red Flagz” are more harmony-focused than some of the other material on the album, but there isn’t a single track included in Entropy is the Mainline to God that doesn’t feature a mood as the centerpiece of the song. Whether they’re putting everything on the line in metaphorical carnage ala “Requiem for Emmett Till” or getting a little more multi-interpretive and specifically enigmatic with “Sweeter” and “Electric Revolution,” you don’t have to be a professional critic to recognize just how much of a personal investment The Veldt so clearly has in everything they’re singing about in this full-length release; perhaps even more so than we’ve seen in the past thirty years of their output.
I like the instrumental play in “Walk With the Spirits,” “Get Away (Interpolation),” and “New Blood,” and while it’s more of an understated component of the catharsis in “Soul Power,” it’s always a very provocative point of allure in Entropy is the Mainline to God. I get the impression from The Veldt that they don’t want to be regarded in the same light so many of their one-dimensional rivals in the underground have been in the indie press; had this not been the case, I don’t think they would have taken as intellectual a route when structuring the best moments in their new album. There’s an appreciation for intricacy here that is anything but commonplace, anywhere in the industry, and it could play a big part in bringing this act the kind of spotlight they’ve spent so many years earning.
The Veldt drops a fine new LP in Entropy is the Mainline to God that lives up to every bit of the hype it’s attracted on both sides of the pond this year, and while I wouldn’t say it’s the only rock record you should listen to before 2023 is over, there aren’t many that have the sort of compositional versatility its tracklist boasts in spades. Entropy is the Mainline to God has the framework of an alternative rock record but the cosmetic polish of an indie pop affair, and when married together, these two factors produce something that is uniquely The Veldt.
Sebastian Cole
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.
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.
Connect with Kalpee: Instagram
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