Every now and again something turns up courtesy of the algorithm and you can’t help but pay attention. Last year I stumbled across a track called Avalanche by James Lee. Now, if you aren’t aware I’m a rock girl at heart. Throw in some big pop hooks and I’m all over it like a rash. Avalanche was a song that hit. A glorious groove, clever uses of synth, pop sensibilities and a masterclass in dynamics with a break that Slipknot would die for.

James started his journey in Kpop group Royal Pirates in 2011 as their bassist, but a tragic accident in 2015 nearly resulted in him losing his hand. Attempting to adapt to his injury he played synth for a while before his condition deteriorated, forcing him to leave the group.

After a batch of successful surgeries James left Korea and returned home to Los Angeles, where he began working on his solo project. This birthed ‘The Light’ EP which slipped into the top ten in numerous countries.

His love of metal, indie rock and KPop can be found sprinkled through all of his back catalogue. From his longing wistful ballad ‘I Fall Apart’ to the synth djent stylings of ‘Roses’, James' sonic landscape is vast, uncompromising and perfect for the world we reside in.

Check out his latest offering C4stles.

https://jamesleeofficial.com/

James Lee

Francis Doom

One of the artists that we’ve both been adoring recently is New Jersey based musician Jay Sakong aka Francis Doom. His melodic, melancholic blend of shoegaze indie rock burst onto the scene in 2024 with the release of his first album ‘I Caught A Light’. Filled with such beautiful hooks, deep introspective lyrics, and grooves so deep you’ll need to get a ladder to escape them.

Francis Doom is Jay’s first project away from OWEL; the American Indie Rock outfit which produced such awesome albums as 2019’s ‘Paris’ and the follow up master piece of ‘The Salt Water Well’ released in 2022. Their dreamy soundscape, mixed with electronic elements and swelling strings, was produced by Jay the vocalist, songwriter and guitarist of the group.

During the spring and summer of 2023 Jay began work on the Francis Doom project with long-time collaborator and fellow OWEL member Nunzio Moudatsos. Proving the best things always have the most humble beginnings. The ‘I Caught A Light’ album was recorded in a converted shed at the back of Nunzio’s house. The guys aimed to create music that felt both ‘Vintage and New’. Something that Jay’s writing and producing along with Nunzio’s engineering and cool as hell bass lines hit perfectly. But when the man himself describes the project as “like a ballroom, on fire, in space” who are we to disagree!

Check out Francis Doom’s debut full-length ‘I Caught A Light’ and several one-off singles including "Night Vision," "Sleep Sonnet," and "I'm A Ghost".

https://www.francisdoommusic.com/

https://francisdoom.bandcamp.com/