Vandenborre

Every so often, a project pops up out of nowhere and it's rarely enjoyed in large masses, but it certainly deserves a much higher billing. Much like the overall package of the "Chillout" series, more particularly 04, Singapore-based Nicholas Vandeborre has carefully minced together a diverse and catchy LP of 10 tracks called "The Feast of Worms".

"Prints (On My Pillow)" featuring Jennifer Gullery is poised, playful and sultry. The backbone beat sets a mood enhancing tone but Gullery's pipes makes this song as enjoyable as it is almost eery, in the kindest kind of ways. Boisterous but almost shy (e.g. Bjork), Gullery, the most featured vocalist on the release certainly brings a tasteful approach in the other tracks she appears on "Future Deadly Inhales" and the closer "Always Conquer, Never Divide". "Promise after Promise" (feat. Dalia Benjamin, Vihan Krishnan) has an upbeat rhythm support, but again, features female vocals that navigate the vibe.

But it's not just female voices to praise as another vocalist heavily featured on this wide array of funky electronic landscape is Roland Cruz. While Cruz also brings a sultry delivery, with more of an innocent feel, more specifically on track three, "The Kingdom," the accompanying music celebrates his range in the ilk of Jamiroquai on "More Supreme".

Track six "Room Long Unchanged" is underscored by strong string-work, tasteful vocal layering's and production while the title track starts off as one of the most solemn songs, combining traditional electric guitar and drum loops but gives way to a more eclectic and subdued distorted climax

An album full of addictively entrancing tracks (see "White Dwarves or Neutron Stars"), this is the type of record to toss on while doing anything from reading to driving, cleaning to clubbing. Regardless of how you enjoy this record, you will almost certainly want to carry it around and recommend it to anyone who enjoys free instrumentation. Just 18-years-old, we're excited to see what else Vandenborre has in store for us. - Brian Rutherford (Music Emissions Lead Reviewer)

Wow what an opening, was not expecting that voice at all. The music sounded like it was setting itself up for a funkathon but then this Bjork like elfin voice emerged from the speakers. From then forward I was entranced at the gorgeous simplicity of it all. There's such a slight backdrop but even at that there is so much to admire, that bass bumble just tiptoeing around the star of the show to create a soundtrack that could even the insects beneath our feet in a state of bug-eyed fascination. This was really a surprise, a gentle and supremely enjoyable treat. - Kevin Hugger (Indiecater, MP3 Hugger)

The goal of any musician should be to stand out in the crowd. We all can copy popular music out there but is that really what our muse wants us to do? Bringing new and diverse sounds is what we should all be striving for. Our recent find Vandenborre is doing just that and seems to have hit something special.

The musical project is the brainchild of Singapore raised and London based artist Nicolas Vandenborre. Even though he is only 19 years old, Nicolas has been delving deep into exotic music and songwriting for years. After working within a local band, he decided his own songwriting had taken on a mind of its own. Vandenborre was born.

The sound is a tough one to classify but it lies somewhere in the realm of funk and acoustic with electronica and chillwave touches. The goal of Vandenborre is to explore the full spectrum of modern music with this original sound. A diverse group of musicians have been brought in to flesh out the project all coming together to create music that they feel needs to be heard.

The result is Vandenborre’s debut album The Feast Of Worms. The 10 track record is a varied journey for the mind and ears. The opener “More Supreme” wakes up the listener with some peppy funk beats. The smooth vocals of Roland Cruz add another layer of sound.

The record takes a beautiful turn with “Future Deadly Inhales”. The meandering melody reaches deep into the soul. The voice of Jennifer Gullery melts away any remaining barriers with its sultry emotion setting the mind into a state of total relaxation. The accompanying music video composed of shots taken during a trip around Europe adds a level of eye catching beauty to the track.

The sonic prettiness continues on “Prints (On My Pillow)”. The way the vocal delivery plays with the rises and falls of the mellow electronic beat is perfect. Allow your mind to wander to a better place. The instrumental “White Dwarves or Neutron Stars” shows another side of the Vandenborre sound. It blends the genre lines again bouncing from chill to electronica to funk. The production is top notch here as well as each speaker has its turn.

The title track “The Feast Of Worms” has a darker vibe that creeps into the sonic space. The funk is there but the other elements of electronica and rock build something even larger than the sum of its parts. “Promise After Promise” is a more pop friendly indie rock track with emotional energy provided in both the vocals and elegant drum beat. The album closes with “Always Conquer, Never Divide”. The over 10 minute epic combines pieces of everything else we heard on the record to one complete piece of art. There are vocal harmonies that build up an arena sized energy as well as minimalistic electric piano slices that bring the energy to a lull. The complete journey is wild one that take you everywhere you ever wanted to be. - Keith Profeta (Indie Band Guru)