With a sturdy foundation from the beat, bd Gottfried’s “Live, Fight & Die” kicks into gear on the back of a memorable string melody that is as glowing as it is effervescent. The rhythm is relaxed, but there’s an underlying sense of urgency in the music pouring out of our speakers so seamlessly. In this colorful, guitar-powered release, texture and tonality are as important as lush lyricism and a sensational…
Mi Festa has rapid-fire flow with a bit of party-infused backing beat. What results in this track is something that will get people on the dance floor while having their attention drawn in entirely to what is being presented here. The trio of Nemesis, Niclasz, and Rapsodika provides further depth to the effort, keeping things just as fresh during Mi Fiesta’s final seconds as it was when the song began.…
Half of You, the latest track from Rob Eberle, builds upon the vocal tradition of performers like Rufus Wainwright and Leonard Cohen. The single gradually brings in percussive eleemnts and keys to further ramp up the emotional intensity. The ample highlighting given to both Rob’s vox and the accompanying instrumentation ensures that both elements are able to shine alone or as parts of a much greater whole. Half of You…
ViennaCC’s “Gold Is What The Girls Want” is an interesting synth-rock track that links together Roxy Music, Devo, and Frankie Goes To Hollywood to make for a tremendously hooky track. The oodles of charisma that ViennaCC’s vocals insert into the single is hard to deny. The dynamic between the vocals and drums push each to a special place, while the dynamic approach to the song’s arrangement ensure that listeners are…
The collaborative effort from Pure Order and Abstract Rude is one of the most intense and engrossing singles that we’ve heard so far this year. There are so many things occurring with each and every second of the single, whether it be the rapid-fire lyrical flow or the more psych-tinged backing instrumentation. The unification between the guitars and drums make for a backing beat that will continue to remain fresh…
Love Yourself is an important track of self-empowerment. The latest single from Selah Soul, Love Yourself affirms the worth and utility of everyone that’s fortunate enough to listen in. I appreciate that the production allows the vocals space enough to shine and impart that ,message, all while allowing the instrumentation to rise up at all the right times. The bit of more reggae-infused bars at the middle point of Love…
Selah Soul’s Keeper Of My Way is a timeless R&B track that is stellar in its execution. Each of the constituent members are able to add their own unique take on things while building the single’s cohesion up mightily. The vocals are both able to establish a narrative for the track while working with the synth, bass, and drums to make for a dense and fulling arrangement. Keeper Of My…
The dynamic between the tremendous emotional intensity of Dave Luv’s vocals and the synths that begin Some Days is collaborative, pushing the resulting track deep into the minds and hearts of listeners. There are hints of MGK, Juice Wrld, and Oliver Tree that can be discerned throughout this effort. The honesty that is presented at all points of Some Days separates Dave Luv from the other performers attempting to rocket…
More Time will immediately draw listeners in with deliberate and strong piano arrangements. The allure of Pete’s vocals here keep fans hanging off of every word. These vocals draw upon the tradition of performers as wide-ranging as Billy Corgan and Billy Joel. With each subsequent lyric, Muller is able to insert more of his own inimitable approach. As the song continues to progress, More Time’s intensity grows. The dynamic between…
Talkin’ Ugly Truth, Tellin’ Pretty Lies, the latest effort by Bruce Sudano, has a ropy, thick bass line and a call-back to the high-water mark of 1970’s soul. The call-and-response presented here pushes the track into rarified air. The inclusion of gospel-esque organ at the back of the track makes the effort even more heady. Listeners will have to put Talkin’ Ugly Truth, Tellin’ Pretty Lies on multiple times before…
On Don’t Be Yourself, The Rocket Summer is able to emote tremendous emotion and build upon a very close and cozy sound to craft something utterly brilliant. As additional pieces are added to the mix, listeners will find themselves engrossed in the composition. What we’re particularly impressed by are the different feelings that Bryce are able to establish without much more than his inimitable voice. Don’t Be Yourself is a…
The Art of Letting Go is a hopeful, sunny track that links together fun. with Sublime to make for something that simultaneously works well with modern pop-rock as well as mid-oughts rock. The production of the track allows for sunny vocals, punchy drums, and a hooky chorus to all be highlighted. With the collab cutting off at a hair above the three-minute mark, fans will be left wanting more. Everything…
Better is one of those dance tracks that we will be hearing for years around clubs. That is because Meresha is able to create something that is tremendously reverential of the electronic music of the 1990s while having a crispness to Better’s production that allows it to hang with other modern EDM tracks. Everything’s working at a high level here, whether it be the silky-smooth vox or the infectious dance…
Robyn McCorquodale’s Eagle is a song that draws upon the proud American music of the mid-20th century. One could easily see this as a musical interlude in a “boys go to war” B&W film. Robyn’s vocals soar above the delicately-crafted instrumentation, establishing a situation where listeners will be eagerly hanging on every word. The gradual inclusion of electronic-tinged drums to the mix keeps the song’s momentum high while allowing Robyn…
On Aftermath, Jessica Carter Altman is able to blend together emotive pop, jazz, and new wave into a timeless track that benefits from Jessica’s tremendous vocal abilities. The instrumental side of Aftermath is similarly impressive, with the sultry brass working as a perfect counterpoint for Altman’s vox. The balanced approach of the guitars, horns, and drums on Altman’s latest imbues the single with melodies that will stick with listeners long…
Darren Waller’s “Faith Test” makes as much of a splash into rap music as his plays do in games. The production incorporates an ethereal sample and drill-esque beats to provide a solid foundation upon which Waller’s bars can shine. The lyrical flow laid down by Darren showcases drive and determination, with goals of occupational as well as spiritual success as endpoints. When instrumentation and vocals as combined, Faith Test ends…
Blind Emotions, the newest track from Love Crushed Velvet, is an 1980s infused synth-pop track that will have fans immediately paying attention. The layered instrumentation on Blind Emotions acts like an onion. As one continues to play Love Crushed Velvet’s new song, they will continue to find new twists and turns that the act has incorporated within. We’re particularly impressed with the vocal range that A.L.X. achieves here. These vocals…
Carolee Rainey’s Hard Times In The Heart is an engrossing track that immediately draws fans in through a pairing of heartfelt vocals and guitar. There are hints of classic country performers (e.g. Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire) and artists like Stevie Nicks presented here. The delicate production of Rainey’s latest song imbues the composition with a close-knit feel; listeners can imagine that they are in a smoky bar or coffee shop…
Stewart Taylor’s new single Nightmares showcases a tremendous vocal range and a production that ensures that both instrumentation and vocal sides are able to coalesce into one cohesive effort. The song utilizes the R&B of the late 1990s and early 2000s as a start point, ensuring that there’s a certain familiarity to Stewart’s voice. This ensures listeners’ attentions are focused on what is to follow. Nightmares is a welcome addition…
May Fall’s Sleep is a dreamy pop track that calls back to the days of New Wave for inspiration. With twinkling keys bolstering the alluring vox, SLeep is one of those efforts that will have fans singing along after their first experience. The song is coherent while keeping things interesting. Each of the tracks’s sections contributes something else to the effort. Sleep’s bridge is precisely what is needed to keep…