JOVM’s William Ruben Helms belatedly celebrates the 65th anniversary of the birth of Echo and the Bunnymen drummer Pete de Freitas.
Throwback: Happy 125th Birthday, Louis Armstrong!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates the 125th anniversary of the birth of Louis Armstrong.
Throwback: Happy 63rd Birthday, James Hetfield!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates Metallica frontman James Hetfield’s 63rd birthday.
Throwback: Happy 63rd Birthday, Ed Roland!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates Collective Soul frontman Ed Roland’s 63rd birthday.
New Audio: Skinshape Shares Shimmering and Introspective “The Blade of a Knife”
Will Dorey is a London-based producer, singer/songwriter, producer and creative mastermind behind the solo recording project, Skinshape. And with Skinshape, the London-based artist has established himself as a master of understated soundscapes, blending rich textures with an array of eclectic influences from around the world. Dorey’s work is known for being imbued with warmth, depth and a timeless character.
Every Skinshape effort reflects the London-based artist’s meticulous approach to composition and production, rooted in the distinct sonic identity made possible by the vintage analog recording equipment he uses.
The London-based artist’s 11th Skinshape album, Chapman’s Pool derives its name from a a secluded bay on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, near Dorey’s childhood home. The album draws inspiration from the landscapes that have remained a constant source of influence throughout his career.
Chapman’s Pool’s first single “The Blade of a Knife” is a shimmering tune that sounds as though it draws from psych soul, Northern soul and troubadour pop — and in a way that reminds me a bit of The Beach Boys, Bobby Oroza, Common Saints, and others. Rooted in an deeply introspective lyricism, the song is poignant, seemingly lived-in ode to the vicious cycles and loops that can wrap us up in down times, but while keeping a sliver of light — just in view. “This song was written about the mental struggles one faces in life. How we are a slave to our mind and the habits we form go round and round day after day. We wish to be free of our confusion as it stabs us like the ‘Blade of a Knife.'”
Throwback: Happy 71st Birthday, Butch Vig!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates Butch Vig’s 71st birthday.
Throwback: Happy 66th Birthday, Chuck D!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates Chuck D’s 66th birthday.
Throwback: Happy 67th Birthday, Joe Elliott!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott’s 67th birthday.
Throwback: Happy 63rd Birthday, Coolio!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates the 63rd anniversary of the birth of Coolio.
Throwback: Happy 45 Birthday, MTV!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates the 45th anniversary of the launch of MTV.
New Audio: Chrome Sparks Teams Up with Jónsi and Khalid on Ethereal and Cinematic “Sleeper”
Jeremy Malvin is a producer, multi-instrumentalist and creative mastermind the acclaimed electronic music project Chrome Sparks. And over the past decade, Malvin has firmly established a distinctive voice, building a singular world that sees him effortlessly move between electronic music and ambient composition paired with deeply emotional songwriting. Since breaking through with 2013’s “Marijuana,” the Chrome Sparks mastermind has balanced intricate production with lush melodic and atmosphere with 2014’s Goddess EP, 2018’s self-titled, full-length debut and 2019’s “Be on Fire.”
Since “Be on Fire,” Malvin has been extremely busy, focusing largely on collaborations and production for other artists, including contributing production, songwriting and instrumental work for a collection of acclaimed and rising artists, including
Slayyter‘s “Unknown Loverz,” off this year’s WORST GIRL IN AMERICA‘; Lily Allen‘s West End Girl, which reached #2 on the UK Albums Chart and received a BRIT Award nomination — with co-production credits on “Dallas Major,” “Let You Win,” and “Madeline;” Selena Gomez‘s and Benny Blanco’s “Sunset Blvd.,” off their Billboard 200 #2 album I Said I Love You First; and Mallrat’s ARIA Platinum-certified “My Darling, My Angel.”
Malvin’s work has earned praise from a growing list of renowned media outlets including The New York Times, Billboard, NPR, Pitchfork, The Fader and more.
The acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and producer’s first Chrome Sparks album in eight years, Ball of Light is slated for a September 11, 2026 release through ChromeSounds/AWAL Reportedly, Malvin’s most expansive, fully realized and personal work to date, Ball of Light marks a creative rest and the beginning of a new chapter. Expansive yet intimate, the album builds cinematic worlds with glistening and glowing synths intricate production and earnestly felt melodies. The result is an effort that sees the Chrome Sparks mastermind reconnecting with what first drew him to making music while simultaneously pushing his sound into new territories. “Over the last seven years, I’ve focused mostly on collaborations and other artists’ projects,” Malvin says, “Ball of Light is me finding myself again.”
Ball of Light‘s latest single “Sleeper” feat Khalid and Sigur Rós‘ Jonsi is built around a lush, slow-burning and cinematic production of swirling, atmospheric synths, twinkling strings and thumping beats. Khalid’s and Jonsi’s otherworldly and ethereal harmonies languidly float over the mix, seemingly expressing a lovelorn yearning. The result is a song that’s hauntingly dreamlike.