29 Mar 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Jadukor - Single Review: King of the Ring

14 Feb 2021 // A review by JamieDenton
Originally hailing from Bangladesh, Jadukor (which literally means magician in Bengali) is a global citizen who now calls Aotearoa, New Zealand home. The previous sentence is about all that is known about this mysterious solo act, and that is exactly how he wants it. Performing in extensive face paint and keeping his social media extremely tight-lipped, this air of intrigue has worked wonders for many artists before him and works well for Jadukor too. If there are any clues lingering around regarding this magician’s true identity, they are extremely subtle.

New single, entitled King of the Ring, despite being only his second release, sees producer, singer, and songwriter Jadukor in comfortable territory with another blistering, confident, lean, and powerful alt-metal/rock offering. Supporting this new track is a powerful, beautifully shot and well-acted video that tackles exclusion, racism, discrimination, and basic human rights head-on in a tight ~ 4:40min story-based video.

After setting the scene with an introduction liberally peppered with shimmery guitar and keyboards, the song bursts into life like an alt-rock Frankenstein’s monster with massive guitars, bass, and drums rapidly establishing the rush of energy that carries the track. Launching into the dominant, anthemic, and very hooky chorus melody early and establishing the powerful, emotive, vocal hook is a very good move. This chorus is the primary anchor of this track, and Jadukor’s clear understanding of this is a key strength in the overall structure of this track.

However, it is the contrast between these anthemic choruses and the rapid-fire verse delivery, which features a vocal styling best described as words being spat out in a punk-esque near growl), that – for me – gives this song its character and replayability. The verses are, in contrast to the choruses, so dirty, rough, angry, nasty, and I love it. There is a sense that the verse is near the edge of chaos, just barely being held back, and when coupled with the next pre-chorus/chorus movement, it gives a great sense of the light and shade / chaos and order dynamic that great drama, magic, and music needs.

The production is solid. The instruments sound fantastic. The guitars have the classic “guitar and a massive Marshall stack turned up damn loud” tone, the bass is tight and growls just right, and the drums are punchy in the right ways. The vocals, however, hold the pride of place and they stand out just right. It is clear that they are the primary focus of the track, but that focus does not serve as a distraction, but rather a nice separation between vocals and instrumentation.

Overall, this is a solid alt-rock/metal release. It will sit nicely on the upcoming album and should definitely keep Jadukor’s converts happy while also connecting with a wider audience also.

Rating: ( 4 / 5 )
 

About Jadukor

Jadukor is a Auckland based rock artist with Bangladeshi roots.

Immigrated to New Zealand in the year 2013 he's been a part of NZ's live industry since then.

Jadukor has released his debut single Always Yours from his upcoming album Underrated on 14th May 2020.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Jadukor

Releases

There are no releases to display for Jadukor.

Other Reviews By JamieDenton

EP Review: SD-2100 vs The World
05 Sep 2023 // by JamieDenton
Hailing from Kirikiriroa (Hamilton), the multi-talented artist Sam Densem has showcased his versatility across a spectrum of musical genres and styles. Sam's approach to his craft involves crafting distinct packages of music, each with its own unique flavour and character.
Read More...
Lester - EP Review: Lost and Found
28 Aug 2023 // by JamieDenton
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland-based MC Lester (ex-Round Buddha) is not a new name within Aotearoa New Zealand’s independent music scene. Indeed, Lester has carved a distinct presence for himself since his early releases in 2017.
Read More...
Sonic Space Lab - Album Review: Cycles
20 Jul 2022 // by JamieDenton
Sonic Space Lab is the musical pseudonym of Dunedin-based, Venezuelan composer and sound engineer Luis Rodriguez, who some may know from his guitar work in Dunedin’s Tomahawk Radio. Having spent more than 20 years writing music for television, film, and advertising and collaborating with countless musicians in both musician and producer roles, Luiz Rodriguez turned his hand to Sonic Space Lab (also the name of his studio) in the mid-late 2010’s.
Read More...
Arrays - Single Review: Glass Traps
06 Jun 2022 // by JamieDenton
Auckland-based rock/metal act Arrays is the brainchild and ‘creative sandbox’ of musician/producer JP Carroll (ex-Armed in Advance, and currently also with Swerve City). Having known JP for a number of years, and having followed his career through Stitches, which became Armed in Advance, and then into Arrays and later Swerve City, he has consistently remained a strong creative force, a passionate and prolific producer and performer of music, and possibly kiwi-music’s most genuine, nicest, and most down to earth personalities (albeit one that is loaded with a plethora of terrible puns that he will unleash at any and all opportune moments).
Read More...
Speech Act Theory - Single/Video Review: Old Versus New
25 Feb 2022 // by JamieDenton
Initially conceived of as purely a studio project to fuse electronica with live drums and other instruments, Auckland-based alternative/electronica Speech Act Theory is the brainchild of producer/musician Pete Hickman alongside drummer Ben Bradford. With the project kicking off in the latter end of 2019 — which is probably not the greatest timing, with all the upcoming turmoil and disruption to live music etc.
Read More...
Steven Hue - EP Review: Assembly
15 Feb 2022 // by JamieDenton
At the start of December, I had the opportunity to review the double single Brainstare / Manatorquim by Tasmanian-based ex-pat Kiwi, Steven Hue. At that time, I noted that another three songs would be following shortly, and that, based on the strength of these original two, I was eagerly anticipating what this next batch would have in store.
Read More...
Floor Five - EP Review: The Garden
28 Jan 2022 // by JamieDenton
Indie-pop/rock band Floor Five are relative new-comers on the Kiwi music scene. Following up a couple of previous singles (2020’s Overthinking and 2021’s Strawberry Wine), the Wellington based four-piece’s partially crowd-funded EP The Garden was released just as the country returned to the red light setting of the Covid protection framework.
Read More...
Steven Hue - Double Single Review: Brainstare / Mantorquim
06 Dec 2021 // by JamieDenton
Ex-pat Kiwi now based in Tasmania, Steven Hue may be familiar to many through his previous work as former vocalist and co-writer for popular experimental band Full Code, his stint studying at the Nelson School of Music, or his commission work which has seen him produce work for art installations, short files, and video games. Turning his hand to solo electronic music, Steven has just released a double single of two new tracks: Brainstare and Manatorquim.
Read More...
View All Articles By JamieDenton

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
    Ariana Grande
  • BEAUTIFUL THINGS
    Benson Boone
  • END OF BEGINNING
    Djo
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • TEXAS HOLD 'EM
    Beyonce
  • STICK SEASON
    Noah Kahan
  • PRAISE JAH IN THE MOONLIGHT
    YG Marley
  • CARNIVAL
    Kanye West And Ty Dolla $ign
  • SATURN
    SZA
  • LOVIN ON ME
    Jack Harlow
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem