Myd’s “Let You Speak” has a funky bass line and charismatic vocals to bring fans in. The track has a timeless sound to it; there’s just as much 1980 new wave / rock here as there are hints of MGMT. The eclecticism of Let You Speak means the no two seconds of the song will hit on the same exact nerve. Myd’s ability to keep fans on the edges of…
Dovley’s “Be About It” simultaneously exists in two distinct periods of dance music. The song itself draws considerable influence from the mid-to-late 1990s electronic style while having the ability to speak to modern EDM crowds. The strong vocals that sit above the sweeping synthesizers and hard-hitting percussions further separate Be About It from the rest of dance music that is currently seeking attention. Dovley’s ability to be a pop star…
4 Life begins with a soulful introduction cut by Nani Goins that calls back to 1990s R&B (e.g. Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez). Que 9’s flow begins shortly after this. The back and forth between these two performers is a perfect approximation of a couple in love. There’s a bit of hope, a whole heaping of positivity, and an overall good message that is baked into this track. Que 9 is…
Lion Babe has a wonderful vocal delivery during her latest single, Frida Kahlo. The bit of pop/rap styling tthat adorn this single will have listeners tapping their toes as the synths and drums comprising the song’s backing beat draw influence from the 1990s. Together, these two sections make for a track in Frida Kahlo that could easily garner playlist or radio rotation. The bit of a flute that can be…
Pennan Brae’s El Camino is a bouncy rock track that is timeless in how it lays out. Dreamy vocals are matched with peppy guitars and punchy drums to make a song that will bury itself deep into the minds and hearts of listeners. Brae’s vocals are simultaneously familiar and utterly his own. It is this ability to work so well in any context that makes El Camino into a hit.…
KENBEM is a hopeful and inspiring track from Malou Beauvoir. The vocal range of Malou does more than merely provide lyrical content; it soars majestically above the synths and percussive elements of the composition. The additional vocal layers that kick in towards the chorus of KENBEM add further depth to this composition. The song has an absolutely timeless veneer to it that will ensure fans of any generation will find…
Lil Rod’s “Been Broke” discusses a situation that anyone that has had to skimp and save between paychecks will understand. There are two distinct messages that are promoted during this message – that the sheer grit and determination of individuals may be what is needed to bring one out these dire situations. The feature laid down by Squalla further hammers home how distinct the difference between richer and poorer can…
Oceanator’s “I Would Find You” is an absolutely epic track. The initial dynamic between the bass and the vocals will have fans focusing on in, while the synths add further complexity to the composition. What results during this single is a 1980s -infused soundscape with just enough new wave and synth pop to make things properly gleam. Oceanator’s got some serious musical chops as well, with the act being able…
On Stohner, MAN ON MAN make a fascinating foray into rock music. Starting things off with a heavy guitar line, the act is able to insert in a heaping helping of emotion. The band is taut as all get out – the guitar, bass, and drums all shift and move to make for a million distinct sounds on this single. The instrumental side of Stohner adds further emotion and narrative…
On Sing Til I Cry, IAN SWEET is able to craft effecting music. The narrative that is interlaced through this single is something that a large amount of listeners will be able to identify with, while the sweeping synths that come in around the 1:40 will bring in the technical-heads. What results on this track is one of the most infectious indie-pop efforts we’ve had the pleasure of hearing this…
Bachelor’s “Stay in the Car” has a bit of the 1960s and a huge heaping of 1990s alt-rock in the vein of early Weezer. The multiple layers of fuzz that surround the vocals and guitar envelop each addition like a blanket, while the assertive bass is reminiscent of the work of early White Stripes. There’s charisma here by the boatful, with the vocals acting as a solid counterpoint to the…
Eveline’s “Waiting For The Summer” a magnificent track in that it builds from early-1990s Madonna, the Pet Shop Boys, and the italo dance of the late 1990s. The production is vibrant, with the driving beat that plays at the bottom of the track tattooing its melody deep into the minds and hearts of listeners. Timely in that it discusses the upcoming season (hopefully we’ll see some resumption of festivals and…
Taurie’s Hynotize Me has a bright track that showcases the performer’s ability to effortlessly move through dance, R&B and pop styles. The vocal-focused beginning of the track showcases considerable ability on the part of Taurie, while the dreamy, distorted section that occurs quickly after will appease fans of Kid Cudi and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy-era Kanye. By building upon such a rich corpus of music, Taurie is able to…
Queen’s Anthem has an utterly timeless sound. On this track, StreetSmartz101 are able to tie together San Francisco, Atlanta, and Chicago with luxurious samples, smart wordplay, and differing contributions that will have listeners continually interested in what the act is crafting here. The back and forth pitter patter keeps Queen’s Anthem’s momentum high from the song’s first seconds to its final note. The song comes forth as a spiritual successor…
Kailee Spark’s “Passageways” brings me back to the mid-1990s, back to do the days of Jewel and Natalie Cole. There’s a dreamy pop sound to Kailee’s vocals that are bolstered through a bit of fuzzy guitars, meandering drums, and just enough of distortion to fuse the resulting effort together. I like the presence of just a hint of 1960s pop rock at the periphery here. This inclusion imparts a bit…
Lindsay Kent’s “Burning Bridges” is an engaging effort that stands starkly against modern pop music. There are contemplative instrumental arrangements that would be at home in a progressive rock album or something from the Sublime / 311 reggae-roots model blending with a set of vocals that simultaneously carry the standards of performers like Pink and Kelly Clarkson. Each element is at their peak form on Burning Bridges. The extended instrumental…
Regina Madre’s Never Be The Same has a sensual, stretched-out approach to it that will have listeners falling on every word. This composition takes hints of late 1990s and early oughts pop music and ties that sound to funk and soul. What results during Madre’s latest is a sound that is a bit Massive Attack, a bit Billie Holiday, and is wholly distinct from other music currently on the radio.…
Mack Ben Widdit’s “IiwiI (It Is What It Is)” has a fantastic blend of a dreamy guitar and a more rapid-fire flow. Widdit’s ability to create a track that is cogent and coherent based on these two distinct section is unmatched. Listeners’ head will be bopping as their emotions are tickled by this backing beat. While IiwiI closes up shop before the three-minute mark, there’s no denying that Widdit has…
On Animal, Jimmy B and the Death Rattles are able to craft a track that deftly marries together stripped-down rock, punk, and alt-rock in a catchy way. The repetition of the titular phase and distorted guitars out of mid-1980s Minneapolis make for a vibrancy to the track that’s hard to deny. The crooning approach of the vocals will interest fans of Nick Cave and Bloc Party alike. The song is…
Raphaël Angelini’s performance of Chopin’s Revolutionary Étude is true to the original while having a considerable vim and vigor. This classical composition tells a story with the mere arrangement of the keys. The dynamic between each section makes this recording tell more of a story in the space of three and a half minutes than many artists could seek to do over the space of an entire album. The technical…