During Oceans and Mountains, Nuke The Soup is able to build upon Green Day and The Highwaymen to make one of the most unique tracks we’ve heard. There’s a familiarity present that feels inspired by mid-1990s alternative, but the taut instrumentation and smooth vocals are able to do something special here. The vocals are able to pull double duty in creating a cogent narrative and adding another layer of harmony…
AJ Smith’s Billy Joel showcases a performer that is able to build upon the rich tradition of piano-led pop performers. Beyond the titular musician, Smith is able to draw in the spirit of Elton John and Robbie Williams to create something truly emotional and effecting. There’s little more needed during this single than Smith’s vox and some keys as he is able to utilize a considerable vocal range to make…
Always Lookin’ Fly As Fuck is a confident, fun effort that showcases TripleYoThreat’s considerable faith in himself. Twinkling keys work with quick lyrical patter, building upon the framework of acts like Wiz Khalifa and Soulja Boy. The bit of Three 6 that plays in the song’s backing beat moors the lyrics to a classic rap tradition. A crisp production ensures that each word that falls from TripleYoThreat’s mouth can eagerly…
McCall’s The Unmapped Man has a driving piano / drum dynamic that allows Tris’s dreamy vocals to shine. A taut 3:30 in run time, McCall’s latest easily refreshes the lo-fit alt rock of the mid-1990s with just the right amount of emotive guitar work. A rich narrative is laid down during The Unmapped Man that reads as richly as a Pynchon novel. The keys that join themselves to Tris’s vocals…
Kitty Mama is a great introduction to Shiadanni. The thick, sweeping backing beat on the single establishes a perfect response to Shiadanni’s vocals. With nods made to 1990s R&B, modern pop, and even hints of EDM and trap, Shiadanni ensures that her song is relevant to the largest potential audience. Turn On My Brain slows things down to allow for fans to have more of an intimate look at Shiadanni’s…
Revival has a good amount of dusty, deesrt rock guitar to provide a grittier counterpoint to supersonic vocals that are laid down. Straddling the line between rock and country, The Imaginaries are able to bury an infectious tune deep into the minds and hearts of listeners. Thinking ‘Bout You has a soft, touching approach that deftly links together Americana, modern country, and pop. The two-part melodies allows each to reach…
Different is a trap track that blends together a taut lyrical flow with a different take on the genre. By blending together real world experiences with a revelatory moment, Pastor Jamaal is able to reach out to others that may be going through the same sort of problems. During Different, he is able to create an effort that is robust as anything a Lil Uzi Vert or a 2 Chainz…
Changing Your Story has some power and fury behind it. Carr is in rare form, hitting highs and lows while weaving a story of praise. Her backing band is on top of their game, creating an instrumental backdrop that deserves to be focused on just as much as Jekalyn’s story of praise. The ability of said band to stop on a dime and move into a wholly different sound is…
Give It To Me Baby showcases some of the most touching and sensual vox that we’ve ever heard from Trav Torch. The range that he hits during this new cut places him alongside the who’s who of R&B, whether it be a Jodeci or Brian McKnight. Smart use of the titular statement will tattoo the single’s melodies deep into the heart’s of anyone listening in. The narrative quality of Trav…
On Power Of The Lightside, Makes My Blood Dance build upon the tradition of Avenged Sevenfold, My Chemical Romance, and HiM to make a track that has serious rock chops while some seriously catchy vox. The hardcore-inspired breakdowns that are weaved into opportune times provide further variation for this track. With the ability to change to orchestral metal to gritty glam, MMBD is able to reach fans of a wide…
One by One (Little Things) is the initial effort on PK and the In-Betweens’ recently-released EP, A Lifetime of Almost. Taut playing, charismatic vocals, and a dynamic sound that continues to impress even after multiple plays, this first single builds off of the tradition of 1990s rock and college radio. Hints of Live and Our Lady Peace be heard here. The secondary vocals provide further depth to the composition; listeners…
On Don’t Say, Brandon Hutcheson is able to immediately draw listeners in with emotive and sultry instrumentation. When his vocals kick in, the song gains a fullness that would work perfectly on pop rotation / playlists. The song builds upon the traditions of performers like Trey Songz and early Chris Brown with hints of Justin Timberlake and Justin Bieber. The subtle nod to EDM producers in the song’s backdrop add…
Thought-provoking, Algorhythm’s Slipping effortlessly floats through psychedelic, progressive, and 1970s easy listening and jazz modes. The tautness of the act’s compositions unites these disparate elements. With a bit of electronic haze imbued upon the vocals, Algorhythm is able to seamlessly link together instrumental and vocal sides. The rising movement that marks the 2:35 mark of the track ushers in hints of Santana, Zappa, and Pink Floyd. While Slipping does reach…
Aries In 2021 there’s a focus on creativity and feelings – areas where you may feel that you are held back somehow. Developing a disciplined approach to these things is a must if you are to make any progress at all. Realise that you can’t have it strictly on your own terms, that too much control can wither it away. This is a time during which confidence and self-expression are…
On Sixteenth Summer, Liam Mogan is able to imbue each beat with a charisma that is hard to deny. While the track straddles the line between pop and country, there’s enough of a nod made here to EDM and even rock to jazz up the widest possible swath of fans. The bit of hope and carefree living that is discussed during the single is replicated perfectly by the backing instrumentation.…
RiSE, the latest single from Nadia Vaeh, immediately showcases tremendous vocal talent. The scintillating backing instrumentation links together synth, sequenced drums, and a booming sound that lends a lot to the deep end of the composition. With nature sounds (a “bird chirp” sample) included here, Vaeh is able to make a fulfilling effort that continues to showcase new twists and turns even multiple plays in. The presence of Hazel Rose’s…
During New World, Normal Machine (David Cohen and Amanda Silvera) are able to blend together a dark, industrial sound – imagine KMFDM mixed with Orgy – with supersonic pop-themed vocals. Building off of the sound of Willa Ford and Kittie, Amanda’s vox are able to reach tremendous highs and rich lows. A distortion-laced guitar interacts with splashy drums to establish a grim and gritty backdrop. New World’s combination of voice…
During Lemonade, Good Fella Uno is able to lay out some seriously soulful lyrics. These bars are given further highlighting through a laid-back production that deftly repeats a bit of guitar strum. Marrying the guitar line with booming bass beats, this backdrop provides the perfect counterpoint for GFU’s unmatched voice. The track has just a bit of world-weariness to showcase that the performer has lived all of the perils and…
The first few seconds of Kamilah Shani’s Certified have some of the most rapid-fire deliveries this side of Busta Rhymes or Twista. There’re other influences that bubble up to the surface on this single, as well; hints of Trina and Nicki Minaj can be discerned here. Shani is able to separate herself from the vast mass of rappers due to a crisp patois and tounge-twisting lines that will trip up…
Mix It Up is an extremely catchy effort that builds upon the tradition of performer like Sean Kingston and Nico & Vinz. With rapid shifts through R&B, pop, and rap, iinvad3 is able to call out to a wide swath of listeners. With some soulful vocals leading up to and including the song’s chorus, Mix It Up is one of those earworms that will continue to bounce into listeners’ brains…