A Lo-Fi Background Funk

                                                                                                          Men I Trust                      

                 Members: Emmanuelle Proulx, Jessy Caron and Dragos Chiriac    

                                                                                       Top picks: Show me how, Numb 

With a satisfyingly reserved base and reoccurring drum pattern which soothingly romanticises every song, this Canadian trio ooze a sophistication needed for a dinner date playlist or perhaps a more indulging commute to work. If you’re craving a psychological ocean side escape during your mundane drive which you too often associate with an unsatisfying pre-work blue, this is the band for you. The ambient layers serve as a mental masseuse whilst mimicking the lo-fi dynamics of elevator music. A pivotal feature I admire within this style of music is the occasional vocal gap. MIT often purposefully allow a few instrumental waves to pass before introducing Proulx’s angelic voice. The subtlety almost allows room for a soft appreciation of the sound. Unlike most electronically inspired production, the minimal layers are left unrobed to radiate their natural elegance and purpose; we are able to lightly welcome a soulful riff which laden’s across the album. In the hopeful ease of social restriction, the band are due to perform in London’s Brixton academy on November 24th 2021. A gig I anticipate to exude tranquility in this intimate venue. 

     Mild Orange

       Members:  John Mehrtens, Josh Reid, Tom Kelk and Jack Ferguson

Top picks:  Foreplay

Whilst allowing Spotify to work its algorithmic magic, I was blessed with the introduction of the Kiwi Indie rock band, Mild Orange. Much like most Indie bands, Mild Orange was conceived amongst a musically gifted group of uni friends who paired modern production with their electric talents to create a dream-pop indie ensemble. In a world of fluid genres, the four have incorporated mildly inspired soulful qualities to their electric style of production, also named ’melting melodies’. With over 17 million views on YouTube, it is safe to place ‘Some Feeling’ as a victor in the bands success. The soulful husk that introduces the piece gives me just as much of a 70’s funk as the intricately easy breezed guitar solo’s.  A rich base and electric guitar navigating the song, makes for a swayful melody, in which the two cruise in sync, mimicking the gentle surroundings of the bands origin. Freeing enough to loosen your mood whilst simmering in the background.

                                                                                          Charlotte Day Wilson

 Top picks: Work, Summertime 

This SOCAN song-writing nominee who commonly taught herself production via GarageBand as a teen, rightfully lands a feature with a soulfully atmospheric sound. The natural beauty, originally from Toronto, Canada, (a place which seems to birth musical ambience) produces her own light melodies after studying piano as a child. Quite the illustration of multitalented female producers within a previously male footed industry. For what I can only assume to be a brassy snare leading the rhythm throughout Wilson’s buttery RnB style, cultivating movement, there is no question that her mellow sound caught my attention. Her gentle vocal’s lying on the harsh edged rhythm fills a vacant background. The Canadian’s quirky blend of traditional acoustics, particularly the organ which tranquillizes the beginning of her hit ‘work’ perhaps signifies her sound. Each instrument in its bare beauty, performs for a savory take on RnB. A take that soothes the association of rap whilst exposing the genre to a wider audience.