Whereas the Milwaukee Hip Hop, Alternative, and R&B scenes have been thriving in 2024, it seems like the Electronic music scene has been left behind a bit. There are a couple of Electronic artists from Milwaukee making a name for themselves out there, but I feel like it could use even more eyes when compared to the other kinds of music that are thriving here. One rising Electronic artist from Milwaukee who is doing a good job of changing that sentiment is Philia. He has been really gaining momentum over the last year or so, and he has been doing well to help build the Electronic music scene in Milwaukee. After growing up performing in church choirs and gaining an appreciation for creating melodies, Philia got really into Electronic music as an adolescent. He drew inspiration from artists like Flume, Odesza, and Aphex Twin, inspiring him to start creating his own music a few years ago. After dropping some singles on Spotify and a bunch of remixes on Soundcloud at the beginning of the 2020s, Philia has started to take off and make a name for himself over the last year or so. In addition to frequently DJing Dance clubs throughout Milwaukee over the last year or so(such as The Sofia on Jefferson Street and St. Bibiana on Brady Street), Philia dropped a couple of very dynamic singles and remixes over the first half of 2024. Tracks such as ‘In My Head’ and ‘When We Were Ten’ with Alaina May have really helped him gain some traction in Electronic music communities online this year. These intriguing singles have led to the release of Philia’s debut EP, Talking with a Head, which was dropped a couple of weeks ago on July 26. Here is my review of Philia’s Talking with a Head. Please let me know in the comments below how you feel about Talking with a Head by Philia, and also comment the names of any other Milwaukee-based artists or Independent artists you think I should check out!
Philia gets Talking with a Head going with the aforementioned single ‘When we were Ten,’ which features Alaina May. This joyous and uplifting track is a great way to begin this project, as it has such a nice tone that can put anyone in a good mood. I did already do a write-up on this one a couple of months ago(which you should definitely go check out if you have not yet), so I will not go into too much detail here. Like I did in that write-up, though, I do want to shout out Alaina May here. As enjoyable as the instrumental is, her soothing vocals take this one over the top and make ‘When we were Ten’ such a delight. ‘When we were Ten’ is an awesome opener, and puts the listener in a state of bliss as this EP starts up. ‘Nashotah Bicycle Club’ was actually the second single released from this EP in anticipation of it coming out. I did not get around to writing about this one when it was dropped, and I regret that, as it is just as entertaining as the first song. Like that first track, the tone of the melody on this track will put the listener in a state of bliss when they hear it. The synths that drive this melody are so bright and luscious; they get me to want to take a bike ride while stoned on a sunny day down by the river to enjoy nature. There are pretty cool sound effects that come in and out of this melody that honestly sound like birds chirping. These chirping sound effects make the song all the more perfect for a nature walk or bike ride on a beautiful summer day ‘Nashotah Bicycle Club’ has a bit more of an energetic and upbeat sound than the track that precedes it. The beat for this one is pretty fast-paced and groovy, making it tough to not want to dance around my apartment when I listen to this one. ‘Nashotah Bicycle Club’ is a lively and bubbly track with a feeling that makes it so perfect to listen to on a beautiful summer day.
‘When The Lights Turn Off’ is a song with a slightly more downtrodden tone than the first two. The synths that drive this one are still pretty bright and sweet, but there is an element to tone on this one that makes it feel a bit melancholy. I really enjoy how complex and full the melody for this track is. This melody is driven by a delicate piano riff, and it is complemented by a variety of synths with different filters, tones, and levels of distortion that make it feel so full. The synths that complement the melody come in and out with levels of variance, giving this track so much texture. Although the beat for ‘When The Lights Turn Off’ is pretty quick, it still has a very laid-back feeling somehow. The beat contributes to the ethereal feeling of the instrumental, making me feel like I am floating when I listen to this one. The instrumental is very entertaining, but the vocals provided by Kyah Bratz take this track over the top. Her rangey vocals and full tone give this song a cozy element that makes it super welcoming. ‘When The Lights Turn Off’ is another very pacifying welcoming song that I dig a ton. Philia closes out this EP with ‘Moonlight.’ This is easily the darkest song on the record. That is not saying a ton, as it still has a charming tone, but the melody that drives ‘Moonlight’ is certainly a bit more gloomy than the ones that precede it. The melody for this track is mainly provided by low and pretty distorted synths with a warm yet pensive tone. This melody is complemented by a variety of synths with several different tones that are put on top of it. I enjoy the bright and shimmery synths that are put on top of this melody a ton, as they give the song a sparkling tone that makes it feel a bit more positive. The beat for ‘Moonlight’ is significantly more punchy and energetic than the ones that precede it. This track has a downtempo House beat that will make anyone want to move when it comes on. ‘Moonlight’ is the kind of song that makes me want to spend all night on the dance floor that Philia is DJing at. The vocals on ‘Moonlight’ are very pitched up, which in addition to those shimmering synths, also helps give this song a sense of brightness. It is kind of ironic that the hook on this track is “Everything is gonna be alright,’ considering its melody is slightly darker than the songs that precede it. ‘Moonlight’ is a great way to end Talking With A Head, as it sends the EP out with a bang.
Philia has been on a hell of a run over the last year or so, doing a great job of making a name for himself as one to watch. This new EP Talking with a Head continues his momentum and shows why he is an artist who everyone needs to hear. If you are into alluring, convivial Dance music, this is an EP that you will really enjoy. Talking with a Head has a bright and fun sound that just makes me feel good when I listen to it. There are moments on this EP with a very relaxing and easy-going feeling to them, and there are super energetic moments that make me want to party. The melodies on this EP are super vibrant and fun, and the vocal performances more than match the vitality that these melodies provide. Overall, Talking with a Head is a very cool debut EP from Philia, and it makes me excited to see what he has coming up next!
EAST SIDE VIBES 