BANKS - UNDERDOG

BANKS is an artist that has become known for her downtempo electronica and dark r&b. After two widely successful albums ‘Goddess’ released in 2014 and ‘The Altar’ released in 2016, she is slowly coming back with new music. After giving us a new single called ‘Crowded Places’ earlier this year she is back with another new track titled ‘Underdog’. The track features the enigmatic electronica and the brooding vocal tones BANKS has become well known for. With a catchy chorus and minimalist electronic rhythms woven into the track, this is a very welcome return from BANKS as she continues to impress, producing some of the most dynamic and cutting edge electronic music today. 

MAGGIE ROGERS - SPLIT STONES

Maggie Rogers is a new artist that hit the ground running when it came to her music career. As a student at NYU she had the chance to let songwriter and record producer Pharell Williams listen to the rough demo of what was to be her debut single 'Alaska'. After being stunned into silence and gaining the approval and a co-sign from Pharell Williams Rogers already had a lot of expectation and pressure before she even started to release her own music. Her unique blend of folk and electronica is something that few, including Pharell, have heard before. After releasing her debut single Alaska and touring after the release of her EP ‘Now That The Light Is Fading’ earlier this year to much praise, she has only grown in popularity and success. It's been a while since we have heard anything from her but a week ago she released a new record titled 'Split Stones'. The record gives us the familiar Maggie Rogers sound that we have become accustomed to, a mix of natural vocals, folk elements and electronic house rhythms. Her first record Alaska featured field recording from when she went on a solo hike around the US. Similarly this song features small sounds and noises she recorded while going on a month long trip around the state of Oregon. Rogers initially started out as a Banjo player at a young age, when studying as a music student at NYU she began creating pure folk and country music. It was only after a summer trip to France during her time at NYU that she discovered a newfound love and appreciation for dance and electronic music. Her passion to create music that blends these two genres, often labelled ‘Folktronica’, is the reason she really stands out as a new and fresh artist. Her music adds a new twist to the traditional folk genre. 

The new track features multiple build up’s and crescendos with looping sounds of Roger’s exhaling breath and electronic drum machine percussion. Paired with her familiar husky, soulful and folk driven voice and a collection of sounds recorded from her travels, the song is an upbeat and dance-y track that further cements Roger’s ambitious musical style. The percussion quickens leading into a rousing chorus with Roger’s crisp and clear vocal tones. This new song is Roger’s ‘parting gift’ as she leaves college and begins a new chapter in her life. The song is a thank you to all the new fans she has gathered in the past year and for the success of her first tour. It marks a brief hiatus for the American singer songwriter as she works on new material that is more focused on her experiences out of college. In a note she posted on her Instagram account alongside the link to the new music video, Rogers said “This is me saying goodbye for a little while. Here's to the end of the beginning and the start of everything else". With the way she has already developed as a songwriter and a musician, I cannot wait to hear more from this unique and very talented songstress.