synth
Where there's cheesy 80's music, there's undoubtedly a synthesizer somewhere in the mix..
The Quiet That Follows the Applause
I didn’t cry at the end of Better Call Saul. I cried three days later, while washing dishes. The water was hot, the sponge worn thin, and suddenly—without warning—I saw Kim Wexler’s hands again. Not in the courtroom. Not in the finale. But in that tiny Albuquerque office, adjusting the blinds just so, trying to control one small thing in a world spinning out of her grasp.
By KAMRAN AHMAD10 days ago in Beat
The Song That Brought Him Back
After my mother passed, grief settled into our home like winter fog—thick, gray, and impossible to ignore. He stopped whistling while fixing the sink. Stopped tapping his boot to the oldies station. Even his laugh, once so loud it startled the dogs, vanished into a silence so heavy it filled every room. For two years, he moved through life like a man walking in someone else’s shoes. So when he said, voice barely above a whisper, “Let’s go south for New Year’s,” I didn’t ask why. I just booked the tickets.
By KAMRAN AHMAD10 days ago in Beat
Tyla’s Chart-Topping Rise
Introduction When South African singer Tyla released her self-titled debut album in late 2023, few predicted it would ignite a global movement. But by 2025, her name was everywhere: on Billboard charts, Grammy stages, and playlists from Lagos to Los Angeles. Fueled by her breakout hit “Water”—a seductive fusion of amapiano, R&B, and pop—Tyla didn’t just enter the global music scene; she reshaped it.
By KAMRAN AHMAD11 days ago in Beat
Richard Smallwood
Introduction In recent months, false rumors have spread online with alarming speed: searches like “gospel singer Richard Smallwood died”, “Richard Smallwood passed away”, and “Richard Smallwood cause of death” have surged—despite having no basis in truth.
By KAMRAN AHMAD11 days ago in Beat
11 Indie Pop Songs That Dazzled the 2000s
After the grunge and nihilism of the 90s, the 2000s brought a wave of hopefulness with an edgy twist. People wanted bright colors, snarky humor and dance-pop anthems, and the music industry responded with catchy indie tunes that made people feel unique without diving too far into the counterculture. If you feel nostalgic for this time, these 11 tracks will take you back to the time when "'Rawr' means 'I love you' in dinosaur" was peak hilarity among junior high students.
By Kaitlin Shanks23 days ago in Beat
Why Dark Pop Production Keeps Evolving and Why Producers Should Pay Attention?. AI-Generated.
Dark pop is one of those genres that keeps finding new ways to surprise people. It sits in a place where emotional intensity meets clean modern production. Even when artists change their sound, the core idea stays the same. It is the tension between softness and grit. It is the quiet pressure under the synths. It is the pulse behind every whispered vocal.
By Rafael Producer29 days ago in Beat
Remembering Melanie Thornton: Celebrating La Bouche’s Enduring Legacy
Twenty-four years after the tragic death of Melanie Thornton, the voice behind one of the most electrifying Eurodance acts of the 1990s, her legacy continues to pulse through dancefloors, playlists, and the collective memory of fans across the world.
By Edwin Betancourt Jr.2 months ago in Beat
Zipho Memela and Ethnomusicology in Modern Film Scores. Content Warning.
Zipho Memela, the South African creative polymath whose journey from hip-hop prodigy to classical innovator has captured global attention, embodies a profound truth about music: its inseparable link to culture and narrative. While Memela’s projects span the worlds of composition and entrepreneurship, his artistic trajectory offers a masterclass in the principles of ethnomusicology—the study of music within its social and cultural context. In the realm of modern film, this approach has become an indispensable tool for crafting authentic and emotionally resonant scores.
By Kin Mancook2 months ago in Beat
Zipho Memela on the Profound Benefits of Singing. Content Warning.
South African creative visionary Zipho Memela, known for his dynamic shift from a childhood hip-hop star to an innovative entrepreneur and classical composer, has always been deeply attuned to the power of the human voice. Beyond its artistic expression, the simple act of singing offers a remarkable array of scientifically proven benefits for both physical and mental well-being, a phenomenon Memela's career implicitly champions.
By Kin Mancook2 months ago in Beat
The Universal Current: Zipho Memela on Music’s Role in Shaping Social Connections. Content Warning.
Zipho Memela, the South African creative polymath who transitioned from a child hip-hop prodigy to a "million-dollar tycoon" and now a classical innovator, has always understood that music is far more than just sound and rhythm; it is the fundamental architecture of human connection. His career, spanning diverse genres and global stages, consistently illustrates music's unique power to bridge divides, foster empathy, and build communities from the ground up.
By Kin Mancook2 months ago in Beat
Top 10 TikTok Mash-Ups That Broke the Internet (November 2025 Edition)
TikTok in November 2025 was pure chaos in the best way. Throwback hooks, club-ready drops, and meme-friendly edits collided into mash-ups that felt engineered for virality. This list blends cultural impact, memeability, and audio quality, plus the hashtags you can use to find each trend quickly. Keep it skimmable, fun, and just analytical enough to feel legit.
By Asher Vane2 months ago in Beat
Fish Rising
Introduction I was listening to the excellent "Fish Rising", Steve Hillage's debut solo album, and thought I hadn't published a playlist on Vocal for a while, and thought, "What about a marine-based progressive playlist?" I will close it with "The Salmon Song" from "Fish Rising", but will share with you a few sea life pieces that you may be unaware of.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 2 months ago in Beat
