Guilty Giraffe's Dreamy and Transformative Sound Shines On Their Self-Titled Album

Westchester’s trail blazing quartet, Guilty Giraffe, released their self-titled EP last Friday showcasing the bands guitar shredding sound, grungy aroma and dynamic blend of subgenre that graciously form into one magnificent record. A collage of both new and previously recorded songs, Guilty Giraffe illustrates a guitar-leading album that’s aggressive, breezy; yet experimental with every growling vocal and acrobatic rifts. 

Forged by lead singer/guitarist Mathew McGinnis and former drummer Felipe Reis, the Yonkers-based outfit released their debut album, “A Time to Slime,” in 2015. After signing with independent record label, Mint 400 Records, Guilty Giraffe released their sophomore album, “Server Error.” Subsequently, the band linked up with new members Will Vellek (guitarist), Shane Sumano (bass) and Kevin Knebel who came on as drummer after Reis’s departure from the band in 2018. The band released their lead single/video to their song, “Washed Out,” this past January ahead of their self-titled release.

FILMED AND EDITED BY ORION PERENYI. RECORDED AND MIXED BY WILL VELLEK. MASTERED BY SAM STAUFF.

Known for their raspy post-hardcore style, Guilty Giraffe throws down a compelling and enchanting production with the album’s kick-off song “Babyface.” The cool electrifying guitar play by Vellek, and unique vocal charm by McGinnis, reign supreme on this track. The grungy pop-centric melodies of “Kmart Goth” and “Xanax” also illustrate Mat’s crooning vocals and the band’s energizing licks that are fueled with noisy elements and masterful effect pedals. 

On the LP’s lead single and visual, “Washed Out,” Guilty Giraffe portrays their dreamy guitar play and spellbinding pop aromas with enticing vocals and charming melodies. While on “Try and Figure,” the grungy-esque flare and surreal atmosphere pulls the album together perfectly with signature amps and a killer breakdown. The quartet’s airy production, “Cool as a Fan,” showcases their talent on experimentation and reach of their composition. 

Will Vellek (far left), Mat McGinnis (center left), Kevin Knebel (center right), Shane Sumano (far right)

Embedded with a grungy slime-rock sound, Guilty Giraffe captivates audiences with their cloudy aesthetics, ingenuous pedal play and soothingly wholesome vocals that are displayed masterfully through every song. With their distinct creativity and transformative sound, Guilty Giraffe have solidified themselves as one of the leading emerging indie bands coming out of the Westchester DIY scene. A band that’s a must watch, and listen, for those seeking a fresh sound in this genre.

Catch Guilty Giraffe at Margarita’s in Yonkers tonight for their album release party. Listen/follow Guilty Giraffe today: available now on all streaming platforms.

Guilty Giraffe

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The Car Bomb Parade Gives Us A Thrashing Energized Record On "Opiate For Madness"

Hardcore, two-steppin’ and riff thrashing their way across New York - it’s The Car Bomb Parade! This petal-to-the-metal hardcore/punk band is having us all whiplashed from their impressively wicked new record “Opiate For Madness.”

With an album cover reminiscent of Three Monkeys and The Russian Sleep Experiment, this record truly is a dark-minded warped thrash-fest that illustrates the awesome power of this four-piece band.

CBP kicks off their album with a heavy thrashing melt-down reality session about how f**ked society is on “Generation F**ked.” Their energized riffs and concrete bashing sound is even more superb on “Original Hardcore Mentality.” On “Live For This, Die For This,” CBP delivers an anthem for all “the punks, skins and hardcore kids” that’ll pump up any arena or stadium. With sick vocals, a vividly electric guitar line and knuckle-pounding beats - this track is one of our favorites.

With a call to fk everything on, “Fck The World,” and a respect-driven piece on, “Half-Mast White Flags,” The Car Bomb Parade is one of the scenes leading punk-metal bands and their raw, intense don’t-give-a-f**k attitude is pure New York punk at its finest. A true grind and first raise to all us deaerates that want to speak our mind.

It’s why we couldn’t find better band to grace the stage at The Underground for our scene and hood.

We’re musicians. We’re artists. We’re here. We’re The Bronx!

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Deem Spencer Reveals His Vulnerability On His New Album "Pretty Face"

As one of New York’s emerging lyricists, comparing Deem Spencer to the mainstream’s typical emo-trap/rap emcee’s can seem like a bit of a stretch, but the Queens protege has been quite vulnerable on his last two projects, stemming from personal upheaval, despair and emotional struggles.

On 2017’s, “We Think We Alone,” Deem Spencer showcased a foggy and grieving account of his psyche after the death of his grandfather. 2019’s, “Pretty Face,” illustrates another emotional turmoil that Deem faces, but from a different set: his ongoing battle to sustain the romantic relationship with his long time girlfriend.

If “We Think We Alone” engulfed Deem at his darkest state, then “Petty Face” certainly strips Deem at his core, revealing the introvert’s most heartbreaking and tormentuous feeling of love lost. Which I would think seems as a rarity for the emcee’s stern, some-what cold demeanor, that Deem portrays both on and off the stage.

For the duration of the album, Deem attempts to salvage what’s left of his 4-year relationship, which is painfully expressed through his emotional depth, quirky muted vocals and a gloomy creative approach. The record is laid out over a statement that Deem gnarly croons in repetition on the album’s first track - “Really, I been tryna tell shorty how beautiful shorty is to me but shorty not tryna hear it from me - “ which is ingenuously the album’s track list read out in a sentence.

With its aesthetic storytelling and lyrically raw honesty, this record displays Deem at his best, and yet worst ways, as he struggles to identify with his own vulnerability and grief over a solid and beautiful production that carries the young emcee on every track.

Some of our favorites on this record are “Is,” “Tryna Tell” and “Not Tryna Heart It.” All excellent tracks that you can add to your playlist this weekend.

Listen to “Pretty Face” today - out now on all music streaming platforms.

Deem Spencer

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Trippie Redd Unreils His Beautiful, Yet Messy Voyage, of Complex Emotions on "Life's A Trip"

With his signature screeches and melancholic melodies, Trippie Redd released his debut album, “Life’s A Trip,” last month that illustrates the young emcees beautiful, yet messy voyage of complex emotions and unapologetic honesty across his two solid deliveries: hip-hop and punk rock.

Raised in Canton, OH, Trippie Redd gained famed and notoriety in 2015 after releasing a series of mixtapes and videos that went viral across SoundCloud and YouTube. His unique versatile style of combining emo/cloud-rap, with the rebellious energy of garage and punk rock, made him an instant sensation online that accelerated his rise amongst audiences looking towards hip-hop to endure the struggles of depression and drug use.

“Life’s A Trip” is one of Redd’s finest works to date. A bold record that allows the emo-rapper to unveil his highest glowing melodies and viciously precise bars, all while confronting his deepest emotions and personal endeavors over hollow guitar riffs and some of the best trap/boom-bap production this year.

 The heavy hitters on this record, “Bang” and “Bird Sh$t,” showcases Redd’s unique vocal expressions, with an inviting lyrical approach that’s bolstered with smooth head-boppin’ productions. His feature with Travis Scott on, “Dark Knight Domino” (the albums leading single), also displayed Trippie’s trap/cloud roots, illustrating a stern musical approach and heart pumping beats that masterfully aligns with Scott’s lyrical depth and genre-binding arrangements.

Directed by White Trash Tyler - Music video by Trippie Redd & Travis Scott (C) 2018 TenThousand Projects, LLC

 Trippie Redd draws out his honesty on the hauntingly scorn opener, “Together,” where he croons, “I gotta keep it together ain’t no tweakin’ now / I gotta pull it together ain’t no holdin’ on.” His subsequent track, “Taking A Walk,” is a witty obituary that’s fluid with stuntin’ vibes, vivid imagery and autumn-esque flows that fall gracefully with every crawl.

Redd draws out his hip-hop roots, however, on “Missing My Idols,” “Oomps Revenge” and “Gore” that’s ripe with sharp lyricism and fiery-engulfed flows. 

On “Missing My Idols,” Trippie pulls out his Lil Wayne card with a Weezy-esque style shout out to his idol, while also grilling the competition, as he accounts for his inspirations.

In the soul gripping, “Oomps Revenge,” Trippie showcases his lyricism with a laid back vibe and meticulously refunded bars. He draws out his emotions again by acknowledging those who’ve stood with him - both past and present - throughout his struggles and those who’ve shoved him aside during his journey to the top. “I don’t think they get me/Build a legacy and hope my n***as be up with me/,” he spits, “And everyone that’s with me/I used to feel alone, but I know my brothers soul is with me/I know oompas soul is with me.”

Official Music Video | Diplo - Wish (feat. Trippie Redd). BBTV_MadDecent, [Merlin] BecauseMusic (on behalf of Mad Decent); UMPG Publishing, Create Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, CMRRA, Abramus Digital, ASCAP, Downtown Music Publishing, and 9 Music Rights Societies

On “Gore,” Trippie spits that heat over a ripely ill beat that shatters audio systems. Redd defiantly croons, “Even if it kills me, imma win,” with a liquidly fresh melody and soaked up bars that electrifies a thunderous delivery.

As one of the most polarizing and versatile young artists to ascend from the cloud/trap genre, Trippie Redd’s debut album excels in both sound, storytelling and lyricism. The record strips away at the Ohio emcees most emotional undertones, which reconciles his strength, empathy and self-preservation. 

At a time where mental health is such a pressing issue in our society, and it’s profound impact across the hip-hop space, Trippie Redd sustains himself as a beacon of light for many of his listeners and peers experiencing the same challenges. Though his complex ability to reach across genres, Trippie Redd’s music has already defined a generation that’s trying to keep it together and how faltering now is not an option.

Add “Life’s A Trip” to your playlist today.

Trippie Redd

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Venture Klan Continues To Raise The Bar With The Release of "We Good"

A hip-hop collective deeply committed to its community, savvy artistical style and fascination for urban fashion and Japanese Anime, Venture Klan continues to raise the bar with the release of their second EP, “We Good.” 

And they are good indeed! With a passion for lyricism, flaming hot beats and vividly intrusive flows, the Harlem-based hip-hop group continues its emerging dominance as not just artists, but a movement as well.

Founded in 2007, by Ave Campbell and BukDaWorld, Venture Klan has forged a hip hop arsenal in the streets of Harlem that spans music, networking events, a fashion label and unique interests from anime to classic 70’s kung fu flicks. 

Despite their versatility, hustle and vision, Venture Klan has brought out some of the hottest beats and rhymes to come out of Harlem in a minute. 

On their opening track, “Blitz 2000,” Venture Klan brings out the sauce with pulverizing beats and a gumbo whipped flow that opens the album up perfectly. On the moonlight chiller, “Tsukuyomi,” Venture Klan displays their production expertise in full form with a deep versatile beat, gentle keys and an entrenched Asian sound that illustrates the groups reach within their artistry.

Venture Klan also has a reputation of turning shit up! With tracks such as, “Favorite Song” “Harlem” and “Bitcoin,” VK puts the pedal-to-the-medal over heavy trap beats, fueled with stinging rhymes and combative lyrics - just right to turn up.

On “Pressure” and “Reach,” Venture Klan brings out that Harlem-flow with infectious samples, razor-edged bars and head-boppin’ arrangements.

If you’d like to catch Venture Klan live, they’ll be performing their new EP this Saturday at the 2nd annual VentureMania event: a networking/performance platform for musicians, creatives and community leaders. The event will take place at the Dwyer Center on 123rd St and Nicolas Ave. Tickets currently available on EventBrite. If you're located in the New York City, we definitely recommend you check it out.

Add “We Good” to your summer weekend playlist today!

Venture Klan

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