'Bones'n'Stones' By Teika & The Raw Beat Is A Timeless Masterclass In Cinematic Sound And Vocal Brilliance
- STAFF
- 9 hours ago
- 5 min read
By: Staff
Explosive, unpredictable, and emotionally fearless, Teika & The Raw Beat deliver a breathtaking triumph
We were absolutely floored by the electrifying discovery of a Berlin-based band that has created something rare and formidable with their latest release, Bones'n'Stones. This album is nothing short of a masterclass in immersive musical storytelling and genre-blending performance, from its very first note to its last echo. With that, we introduce the incredible Teika & The Raw Beat, a group whose dynamic artistry and cohesive power make this debut not only unforgettable but essential listening.
Our journey into Bones'n'Stones opens with the title track, “Bones'n'Stones" a composition that immediately asserts its ambition. The introduction unfolds like a cinematic overture, a mid-tempo crescendo powered by distorted guitars, a densely layered bass, and sweeping violins that soar with an almost aerial elegance, evoking a sensation akin to eagles in flight. It’s a commanding and dramatic entrance that declares, without hesitation, that this album is playing on an entirely different level.
When the vocals by Mateja Kert enter, her breathy, seductive tone alters the entire atmosphere. Her delivery doesn’t just ride the rhythm, it defines it. The percussion instinctively follows her idiosyncratic cadence, creating a flow that feels entirely organic, not orchestrated. Her phrasing stretches each lyric with an effortless legato, transforming syllables into waves of feeling that blur the line between voice and instrument. The slow, deliberate drawls she offers make the lyrics land with a weight that silences all surrounding thought.
There’s a remarkable cohesion between the musicians, an unspoken synergy that creates a unified, fluid energy throughout the arrangement. The performance feels liberated from any rigidity of sheet music, driven instead by instinct and pure collaboration. This fluidity brings a jazz-like vitality to the track, grounding the grandeur with human pulse. It’s not just a song, it’s an experience that locks you in place and encourages complete immersion.
Inside of all of this, Mateja Kert possesses a rare gift, the ability to transform the simplest phrases into vivid, almost tactile sonic experiences. Her tone control is masterful, her choices unpredictable yet always precise. There’s a sense that she’s manipulating the air itself with each phrase. When she delivers the line:
“It’s only bones”,
it lands like a revelation. The intensity of her emotional connection to the line is so visceral, it feels like a moment that will linger in the minds of audiences and critics alike.
The instrumental crescendo that follows is staggering in its emotional depth. The piano, delicate yet deliberate, twinkles with purpose, unfolding into a raw, cathartic swell that feels like watching a soul shed its skin. This moment is cinematic, transformative, and unforgettable, easily among the most stirring musical climaxes we've encountered in our countless hours of listening. This track alone would earn a spot in our top 100 of all time.
Moving forward into “The Garden,” the band shifts gears and lures the listener into a quiet opening, soft and deceptive in its calm. Just past the one-minute mark, that calm erupts. Mateja Kert unleashes a vocal fury that’s gritty, guttural, and charged with authentic emotion. The transition is jarring in the best way, from tenderness to tempest. When she sings:
“the pride in my heart, they carry you on or tear you apart”,
It doesn’t feel like lyrical fiction. It feels confessional, journaled in real time. Her performance transcends vocal execution and ventures into theatrical territory, not in excess, but in depth.
The arrangement behind her keeps pace with ferocious energy. Strings slice through the mix with surgical intensity, while the drums and bass thunder with enough force to jolt you physically. The sound feels alive and immediate, like something that’s happening right in front of you. Once again, it's a performance that’s bold, technically tight, and emotionally fearless.
Lastly, “Falling in Love” brings us to a gentler, more exposed moment in Bones'n'Stones. A solitary piano line begins, delicate and haunting. It lays the groundwork for a quietly devastating vocal performance. Mateja Kert enters with a breath-light delivery that carries immense emotional weight. This ballad-style track is steeped in longing, and the emotional tension is as palpable as it is unrelenting. As the piano intensifies, she gently repeats the refrain,
“Cuz I’m falling in love with you”,
imbuing each word with fragility, strength, and unwavering sincerity. It’s a moment so intimate, it feels as though we’re in a massive theater yet sitting only inches away from the stage, captivated in silence.
This performance, like the others, is charged with a rare kind of truth. There’s no artifice, no excess. Every phrase, every note is filtered through lived experience and artistic intent.
Every track on Bones'n'Stones offers its own atmosphere, yet all are tethered by the unshakable identity and chemistry of this ensemble. The clarity and meticulousness of the production make it possible to appreciate each individual contribution in its full power. Still, at the heart of it all, Mateja Kert remains the centerpiece, a magnetic force around which this entire orbit of sound revolves.
Bones'n'Stones isn’t just a collection of songs, it’s an expertly crafted body of work. The musicianship is elevated, the production is immaculate, and the vocal performance is transcendent.
We couldn’t be more impressed, and we’re absolutely thrilled to have found Teika & The Raw Beat.
“Bones and Stones” by Teika & The Raw Beat is a haunting, transcendent experience that redefines musical storytelling
Teika & The Raw Beat is the artistic vessel of Mateja Kert, a fearless songwriter whose creative vision is built from a rich blend of personal history and cross-cultural influence.
Originally from Austria, Kert’s artistic sensibilities were deeply shaped by her years in Ireland, where her connection to emotional storytelling and lyrical intimacy matured. Her work fuses British romantic nuance with a raw alternative edge, always centered on an authentic, human voice.
This ensemble is not just a backing band, but a group of uniquely expressive performers who elevate every track. Georg Kostron brings weight and texture through his commanding basslines. Guilherme Rodrigues delivers a cello presence that is haunting and emotionally charged. On drums, Gidon Carmel provides the heartbeat, equally subtle and powerful. David West’s violin lifts the arrangements with sweeping emotion, while Kelly O’Donohue’s contributions on trumpet and French horn add warmth and grandeur. Mateja Kert herself, on piano, builds the emotional and compositional core of the music, bringing each track to life from its very bones. Producer Cameron James Laing captures the essence of each performance, letting every note breathe and resonate with full impact.
We’re so absolutely thrilled to have found Teika & The Raw Beat and can’t wait to hear what’s next.
Stream, playlist, and share “Bones and Stones” by Teika & The Raw Beat and be among the first to experience its brilliance.