We Speak Music

Sohodolls release dramatic new single ‘Queen Of Spades’

Published

11 months ago

May 24, 2024

Don Reed

Striking new Sohodolls single ‘Queen Of Spades’, opens with a sinister mystical choral chant, then explodes with pounding, glitchy synths, driven by fast-paced rhythms and with Maya Von Doll’s seductive vocals luring the listener into a web of thick gothic gloss.

“This song is about me imagining what being powerful feels like and what turbo-vengeance might look like after a series of betrayals by your lover, court and friends.” explains Von Doll. “I love medieval history. The stories of Anne Boleyn and her daughter Elizabeth are fascinating. They were both underdogs. Their intelligence was underestimated, and they both had their hearts messed with. I think everyone can relate to that”, she further explains.

The track continues the recent Sohodolls resurgence, after their 00s single ‘Bang Bang Bang Bang’ became an unexpected viral TikTok hit among Gen Z glitterati when Madonna posted a recording of her daughter Estere Ciccone performing her own original choreography to the track. The track rocketed up the Billboard Top 50 and is now sitting on over 200m streams across platforms with the band being inspired to reform and drop a string of tantalising new singles.

Recent Sohodolls releases like ‘Letter To My Ex (Thank You Goodbye)’ and latest single ‘What Kinda Love’ have picked up considerable press & radio attention, including airplay from Nels Hylton on Radio 1’s ‘Future Alternative’, Frank Skinner on Absolute Radio and features with highly regarded music blog Atwood Magazine.

‘Queen Of Spades’, which was produced by Otabek Salamov (aka NEEDSHES), shows Sohodolls once again delivering high-quality and unpredictable music to be reckoned with. ‘Queen Of Spades’ is a deliciously dark and high-drama track, that takes influence from Led Zeppelin for its hard-hitting guitar riff, but with techno beats and sprinkles of UK garage and drum and bass, all doused in ultra-feminine sweet and catchy vocals.

We Speak Alternative

GINO BLACK RELEASES IMMERSIVE INSTRUMENTAL SINGLE “THE DREAMER”

Published

7 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Ethan Cole

THE DREAMER – A cinematic journey for visionary minds, blending ambient soul, lo-fi textures, and hip-hop rhythm.

Every now and then, an instrumental comes along that doesn’t just play in the background — it speaks, it moves, it stirs something ancient and unnamed within you. Gino Black’s latest release, “THE DREAMER,” is exactly that kind of sonic experience. It isn’t just a track — it’s a soundtrack for visionaries, an audio canvas painted with colors you’ve only seen behind closed eyes.

A Journey Through the Subconscious
Clocking in at just under four and a half minutes, THE DREAMER unfolds like a meditation — equal parts therapeutic and cinematic. From the opening chords, you’re suspended in a cloud of lo-fi ambiance, textured synth layers, and soulful keys that beckon you inward. It’s as if Gino Black cracked open the subconscious and translated its language into rhythm.

The beat is subtle, never intrusive, but it pulses like a quiet heartbeat — steady, deliberate, and full of intent. There are no vocals here, and none are needed. Every note is its own verse. Every chord change is a plot twist in a story only the listener can truly understand.

This is music that trusts its listener. It’s not here to instruct or entertain in a traditional sense. It’s here to accompany you — wherever you need to go, mentally or emotionally.

A Sonic Manifesto
Gino Black, known for his unique fusion of cinematic hip-hop, soul, and ambient production, has built a sonic identity that leans heavily on emotional gravity. With THE DREAMER, he deepens that identity. It’s minimalistic, but never simple. Each sound is intentional, and the spaces between are just as powerful as the notes themselves.

There’s a philosophical quality to this release. It asks the listener
What does it mean to dream, especially in a world that demands you stay awake, alert, and grinding 24/7? 

This track doesn’t offer answers. Instead, it invites you to rest, to visualize, to imagine yourself beyond your circumstances — something revolutionary in today’s overstimulated culture.

A Reflection of the Artist
Behind the music is Gino Black, the South Florida-based producer, artist developer, and founder of Powerblast Worldwide. Formerly known for his cinematic rap collaborations and motivational podcast MUSIC THERAPY & MOTIVATION, Gino Black has become something of an underground philosopher-producer — the kind of artist who blends discipline with depth, hustle with healing.

He’s produced hits for artists like Ari Martin, She Loves No One, B0JACK, Cutty B. Spooky, and BOMBTHREAT, and his solo catalog reflects a man who has lived, struggled, evolved — and most importantly, learned how to articulate emotion without words.

In an industry still dominated by viral hooks and algorithmic trends, THE DREAMER feels like an act of quiet rebellion. It’s art for the sake of expansion — not just artistic, but human expansion.

Final Thoughts
THE DREAMER isn’t for everyone — and that’s its power. It’s not fast food for the ears. It’s a slow-cooked meal for the soul. It demands your presence. It rewards your stillness.
Whether you’re journaling under moonlight, visualizing your next big move, or just trying to breathe deeper than yesterday, this track provides the perfect sonic space to do it in.

⭐ RATING: 9.3 / 10
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