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No Mistake - Review
Delectably dark, Kelly Phoenix’s ‘No Mistake’ feels refreshingly unique and ornate amidst a seemingly endless collection of emo pop rock identical tunes. Born after running a singular Cure sounding drum loop, No Mistake feels innately ominous and dark, carrying with it a sense of despair and dreariness. The vocal harmonisation, particularly the high notes that Phoenix hits is particularly exemplary. On top of that, the scintillating electric guitar section that’s added in between gives a whole new dimension to the piece. You can see first hand how Phoenix’s more primary field of influence and comfort, that being r&b, is able to blend so strangely yet effectively with this style of dark and brooding alternative rock.
‘No Mistake’ is a dreamy ride, an almost nightmarish soundscape brought to life through this cinematic arrangement of overbearing and haunting riff and dark atmospheric production. It’s a stylistic coming together that I haven’t really ever had the pleasure to experience. The combination of this sultry and seductive r&b vocal performance, exemplified by smoothly executed harmonies somehow matches perfectly with the dark and brooding rock arrangement it sits within. A masterful confluence.
RGM
Intorducing Kelly Phoenix
Hiya folks thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today, grab a brew and take a seat.
What made you decide to become a soloist?
Ever since I was kid, I knew I wanted to be an Entertainer. I remember watching videos of Michael Jackson, Prince, Janet Jackson, Freddie Mercury and I would study their dance moves over and over until I couldn’t anymore. I was fascinated by the way they expressed themselves and how their image changed from one concept to the next. I found that extremely exciting and this is what I want to do with my music. I’ve always wanted to make music but ever since I moved to Los Angeles 4 years ago it became clear to me that I wanted to make music for a living.
Introduce us you and your musical history?
I grew up in Paris and lived there until I was 18. My dad introduced me to Rnb/Soul, Jazz, Brazilian music and my mother to pop music. I started dancing at the age of 8 and began singing on the LA club scene over 3 years ago. I am very excited to finally release a lot of original music this year.
KIMU
Kelly Phoenix channels emotions into healing energy for immersive debut single, No Mistake
Setting the frequency with an enigmatic soft-grunge vibe with syncopated instrumental guitar details and releasing breaths, we are intrigued by Kelly Phoenix‘s debut release, No Mistake.
The song, sonically inspired by The Cure, has a luscious soundscape fused with the rising artist from LA’s smooth yet emotive vocal delivery.
When discussing the writing process of the song, which was inspired by a toxic relationship, Kelly says “I came up with the majority of the words in one take. I was feeling a frustration and anger in regards to a relationship, where I saw and felt the dark and sad truth of it and released all I felt right then and there.”
It is always inspiring to hear that a song is written as a stream of consciousness, which really elevates the connection with the universe for both the artist and listener.
We love the breath details, luscious harmonies and the guitar performance within the track, and the stand-out guitar solo from Dakota Compain is exquisite, adding epic dimensionality to the piece.
Kelly expands with passion, “The guitar solo played by my friend Dakota reminds me of Eddie Van Halen’s legendary Solo on Michael Jackson’s Beat It and this song just screams 90’s alternative rock with long black textured coats à la The Crow, where the reference is even more evident in the extended version of the song that I will be releasing on the same day, which features a dramatic cinematic outro.”
The song features an emotional middle 8 in French, where the delivery reminds us of an artist called Matthieu Mendes and his song J’en sais rien, which we love.
Kelly’s debut EP is due in the Spring or early Summer and will reveal a journey of “rebirth, redemption, solitude and pain through healing to eventually reascend like the Phoenix being reborn from his ashes”.
EDGAR ALLAN POETS
E.A.POETS APPROVED/BANDS WE LIKE – KELLY PHOENIX
Good Day Noir Family,
our “E.A.Poets Approved/Bands We Like” section is dedicated to Kelly Phoenix. I discovered this Artist while shuffling songs on Spotify and I was entertained by his music.
The sound proposed by this artist is fascinating. A unique and modern compositional style that somehow manages to hypnotize you.
The choices of grooves and sounds, melodic sequences, and enigmatic vocal interpretation make this music intriguing.
A modern version of Depeche Mode even if I heard some shades of Muse obviously in a softer version.
The new single No Mistake is a beautiful song and you feel that this artist has a great compositional experience behind him as the harmonic construction is varied and refined.
The guitar solo is very beautiful, absolutely unexpected as the passage to French in the lyrics, a masterful intuition in my opinion.
Kelly Phoenix proves to be an artist of great personality and with a well-developed artistic taste.
A nice discovery that I recommend to everyone.
No Mistake is Kelly Phoenix’s Single Out Now!
RISING ARTISTS
No Mistake Review
Kelly Phoenix is a solo artist from Los Angeles, CA who has just released his first single “No Mistake”. This is a song that was built from a two year long toxic relationship, it was made out of frustration and anger. Kelly says he saw the and sad truth of the relationship and that helped shaped the song. “No Mistake” features Dakota Compain as the guitar soloist.
According to Kelly Phoenix, “No Mistake” is about a man realizing that the person he loved was actually not really serving him, that what they had was lust and not love and that through the fact that they didn’t understand each other they destroyed each other. When you’re in a toxic relationship sometimes it’s hard to see that. You get comfortable with the toxicity and start to think that it is normal.
Kelly Phoenix does an amazing job at making the song relatable, you feel less alone and less crazy after listening to “No Mistake”. This may be unlike his usual RnB and Soul but it is not unwanted. Kelly is showing off his variety of talents with “No Mistake”. This is a song that you won’t regret listening to.
After you hear “No Mistake” you are inevitably going to want more of Kelly Phoenix. You can stalk his social media while you wait for more released from him, no matter what he releases, you will love it.
RISING ARTISTS
No Mistake Review
Kelly Phoenix is a solo artist from Los Angeles, CA who has just released his first single “No Mistake”. This is a song that was built from a two year long toxic relationship, it was made out of frustration and anger. Kelly says he saw the and sad truth of the relationship and that helped shaped the song. “No Mistake” features Dakota Compain as the guitar soloist.
According to Kelly Phoenix, “No Mistake” is about a man realizing that the person he loved was actually not really serving him, that what they had was lust and not love and that through the fact that they didn’t understand each other they destroyed each other. When you’re in a toxic relationship sometimes it’s hard to see that. You get comfortable with the toxicity and start to think that it is normal.
Kelly Phoenix does an amazing job at making the song relatable, you feel less alone and less crazy after listening to “No Mistake”. This may be unlike his usual RnB and Soul but it is not unwanted. Kelly is showing off his variety of talents with “No Mistake”. This is a song that you won’t regret listening to.
After you hear “No Mistake” you are inevitably going to want more of Kelly Phoenix. You can stalk his social media while you wait for more released from him, no matter what he releases, you will love it.