“The One That I Love” is one of those tracks that listeners of all bents will be able to appreciate. The song is effortlessly able to cross over between country, rap, and pop in a way we’ve not heard since Big & Rich or Bubba Sparxxx. Billy D. Rice’s contribution to the country-rap genre is considerable in that it moors 1970s and 1980s-infused guitar with some killer rap lines (contributed…
Pennan Brae’s “Passing Fad” has a 1970s rock style, granted it by the killer guitar work and the on-point drums encountered in the first minute or so of the track. The dreamy vocals that Pennan lays down here stand over the instrumental fray. When Brae’s voice takes a break, a sizzling guitar line in the vein of Lynyrd Skynyrd builds up to some fantastic effect. Coming back into focus, Pennan’s…
Niko Brim’s “BONITA” is a track that has it all. There’s a rap flow that is sublimely confident, a sizzling backing instrumentation that marries together horns with dreamier elements, and a booming bass beat that will blow out listeners’ speakers. Niko Brim’s flow here builds up the approach of Jeezy and the Clipse, all while spinning in his own style. BONITA is able to eat, shoot, and leave all in…
Estani’s “Droughts In The Ocean” has an utterly timeless sound to it that ensures that it would work as well in 1995 as it does in 2021. This is due not only to Estani’s amazing vocal range but to the taut instrumentation that plays behind her. Sizzling, soulful horns act as a secondary vocal element, while keys adds a good amount of repetition to the track. The song’s constituent elements…
Silvertung’s “You’re Fine” is a hard-rocking track that is able to link together a wide tradition of performers like Seether and Papa Roach into a chugging, intense effort. Booming guitars, splashing drums, and assertive vox all combine to pull fans from their seats. Silvertung showcases considerable ability during this single as the act can stop and start on a dime. The drum / guitar back and forth pushes each to…
GS11’s “Flex” has a bit of Atlanta (Yung Joc, Guerrilla Zoe) and New Orleans bounce whipped up with a bit of late-nineties Missy Elliott as the sprinkles on the sundae. Repetition of the titular phrase will burn the single deep into listeners’ brains. The featured lines incorporated here by the Plug Daughter does a lot to both switch up the song while keeping the same frantic pace. The video for…
Frank Hugo’s Count It Up immediately hits listeners over their heads with a assertive, intense flow. Full of boasts and intensity, Frank Hugo is able to make a bold statement with his latest. Instead of solely laying out his claims and assets, Frank Hugo is able to impress with intricate lyrics and a speed in delivery that is hard to achieve. What he is able to do here in Count…
48 Ratchet, the latest effort from Maribased1, may be his biggest hit yet. This is because he’s able to put forth a catchy lyrical flow and a similarly bouncy backing beat out from the onset. The feature laid down here by Beat King provides a secondary set of vocals to the cut, ensuring that there’s enough vitality in 48 Ratchet to keep fans coming out on the dance floor. The…
Kailey Nicole’s “Aim A Little Higher” is an inspiring track that showcases the value of self-worth. The track deftly mixes together the female-led country of the 1990s with the contemporary fare of performers like Maren Morris and Gabby Barrett. There’s a lot more to Kailey Nicole on this track; her voice is able to stay confident and just pops with each subsequent phrase she utters. The backing band here refreshes…
Valentine, the new effort from Grey DeLisle, has a traditional / folk feel to it. Grey needs little more accompaniment during this effort than a set of strings. The vocals laid down here build upon the work of luminaries like Dolly Parton and Joni Mitchell. The story that is told during Valentine is something that anyone that has lost their lover (for any sort of reason) will be able to…
AV Super Sunshine’s “Super Cool” is some seriously eclectic fare. It’s an impossible task to point out each of the distinct styles and genres that are blended together here. The sweeping synths present at points are reminiscent to those in The Cars and Gary Numan’s arsenal, while the dreamy vocals will appease fans of Guster and Muse. There’s a bit of new wave here, hints of alt-rock, and a whole…
STAR 2’s “If U Want To” has a fun vibe. The song is an ode to a woman and has STAR 2 showcasing touching lines and humble brags. More than merely providing the narrative for the single, STAR 2’s voice achieves harmonies that bolster the more delicate side of things. Working nicely with the bit of guitar that peeks through at points, this voice is bolstered continually by a booming…
Poshbugati’s “Girl Dad” is a reggae-infused pop track that has an amazing set of synths playing at the background. The line that the keyboard and percussion establish here touches upon both the mid-1990s Memphis scene as well as the oughts rap genre. Poshbugati’s vocals add a bit of grit to the composition. With these two distinct sides, the track is able to ensnare listeners easily. The track is able to…
MJ Songstress’s “Carousel” is a banger of a track, one that will tattoo its beats deep into the hearts of listeners. The heavenly vocals laid down here by MJ Songstress are the light to the deep and emphatic bass beat that plays at the bottom of the track. Percussion and synths combine into something infectious that will bring listeners out onto the dance floor. The repetition of the titular word…
Hi Love’s “Cold Wind” is a timeless track. With a bit of the 1960s Detroit sound heard alongside mid-oughts performers like indiia.arie and Corinne Bailey Rae, Hi Love is able to make something new and vibrant. The instrumentation that backs up Hi Love’s vox are fantastic; sweeping keys, thumping bass, and a bit of maraca – keep listeners wondering about what is to come next. Cold Wind is able to…
“Strange Luv”, the new track from Butta B-Rocka, has a fun blend of 1980s electro-pop and mid-oughts emo. The presence of Homer MC’s feature sets the stage for the funky and fun sound laid down here by Butta B-Rocka. While there are nods to performers like Britney Spears and Ke$ha here, Strange Luv ultimately allows Butta B-Rocka ample opportunity to showcase her own unique take on things. Strange Luv’s video…
Morgan Taylor’s “Lullabye” has a wonderful melange of R&B and gospel. There’s a strong set of vocals that interacts nicely with luxurious keys and a bit of booming bass beats. The range that Taylor is able to achieve during her latest single far outpaces other modern pop efforts. The call and response with the main vocals and the chorus adds further depth to the composition. Morgan Taylor has created a…
It Don’t Take Much (Because I Do), the latest effort from Bruce Sudano, is a soft, mid-tempo effort that links together 1970s easy listening rock with a bit of the desert rock genres. The touching vocals that Sudano imparts upon the composition works perfectly on top of the soulful guitar licks and on-point drums here. The cohesion that exists between these parts makes It Don’t Take Much (Because I Do)…
Heilung’s “Norupo” calls back to an much earlier tradition. The vocal harmonies achieved during their latest effort will resound loudly with listeners. Adding flutes and an emphatic drum beat to the mix, Heilung will keep fans on the edges of their seats. The gradual increase in the single’s tempo over the course of the next minute allows other pieces to enter into the equation. A secondary set of vocals and…
Elijah Wolf’s “Brighter Lighting” is an interesting jam-up of 1960s singer-songwriter and 1990s alternative. Wolf’s vocals on this new single are dreamy and jam-packed with harmonies. This ensures that the guitar, drums, and pianos are given another element to build off of. Brighter Lighting enjoys numerous layers and just enough fuzz to join things together flawless. Elijah Wolf has made Brighter Lighting into a track that speaks to a wide…