“Recording at the legendary Royal House Recording Studio, ‘I Been,’ just might be Ice Meez’s best work yet. The Northern Californian rapper has caught the ear of Platinum artist Tee Grizzley who flew Meez to Detroit to record this track.
Riding a confident mid-tempo bounce, the track has a commercial edge making it accessible to all without sacrificing the West Coast vibes or edge that has defines California’s scene for decades.”
“Ready for an energetic Pop lift me up? ‘Be Ok’ is a song about facing down your doubts and finding some positivity even when you don’t feel it initially. The band, Born Runner (by their own admission terrible runners in reality) offer some hope among the hopelessness witht he track which is delivered with a hint of homage to the Retro Pop sound of the 80s.”
“A Country-Blues song about Houston, Texas from a Liverpool artist might not have been on your bingo card but here it is just the same. ‘Houston’ is a road song about new beginnings and perhap a little redemption too. The growl and gravel does have a hint of Uk influence and that adds to the uniqueness as does the funky guitar groove driving it all.”
“A nostalgic look at love that once was can be a powerful thing and the emotion really depend on how things ended as well as our own outlook on life. ‘Echoes of Us’ from Steve Maggiora is a track that chooses a positive bit of reflection on love lost.
Delivered in a classic Indie Rock style, the song feels rather timeless and could have been right at home from almost any modern musical era. The perfect song to fondly remember what once was and smile.”
“Don;t let the sugary Pop vibe fool you, ‘Toy Gun’ from Avery Cochrane packs a lot of kick. The simple, yet wryly delicious video adds to the sharp edge of these lyrics and Cochran’s spot on delivery makes damn certain you feel every pointed innuendo and assertion.
This is an Alt Pop track that hits every mark, the light fun build and singalong lyrics are what you’d expect, but not every songwriter can deliver such a direct and pointed message and make it all entertaining at the same time.”
“Born and raised in New York, but now based in Los Angeles, Chi Rose is an independent Alternative R&B and Pop artist.
Tender, vulnerable vocals highlight her performance in ‘6 AM,’ adding to Chi Rose’s reputation as a soulful and cinematic artist that never shies away from emotional storytelling.”
“A multi-cultural affair with artists and producers from Canada, Hungary, The United Kingdom and the United States jing forces, ‘Love Me Again,’ is a vibe heavy EDM track.
Soaring vocals ask the questions while the beat and build rises and dips sweeping listeners along to the very end. ”
“Nothing fuels art like misery. Suffering is part of being a human so it is often comforting to get the pain out or to hear that you are not alone in your pain. Albert Kass wrote ‘fallin’off’ after what he calls the darkest, deepest part of his life and that is tangible in the song.
You can call this Alternative Rock or probably it would more accurately fit in the Americana genre alongside the likes of Jason Isbell or Tyler Childers.”
“Singer/Songwriter Ira Ellison’s objective was to write an honest, open, and vulnerable track.
”Call Sign’ certainly hits that mark. Delivered in a growling whisper you can feel the emotion in every line and while fairly languid in its arrangement the track still delivers a strong build and emotional payoff along the way.”
“Canadian artists, Burd and Keyz are joined by Nigerian-Canadian artist TOBi on this track about perseverance, faith, hope, and transformation. ‘Miracles’ is an energetic and uplifting track that blends hip hop, R&B, Afrobeats, gospel, and soul.
The groove is infectious and the lyrical build layered and nuanced enough to bring you back time and time again to take away more each time.”
“Ben Francis is bringing a bit of positivity and sunshine from the UK with this track, ‘Everything’s Alright.’
The Indip Pop track is an uplifting tune that brings a hint of Reggae melody wise but pure Pop vocals keep it light and airy in an energetic fun way. The everything’s alright refrain dominated lyrically but sometimes we need to hear something on repeat before we start to believe it for ourselves.”
“Tessa Joy knows how to demand attention and she does so from the very start on her latest track, ‘Dancing On Your Heart.’ A big, bold vocal style unleashes this Electro pop song and hooks the listener with both a strong performance and a tight, wry set of lyrics that hit hard every step of the way. Pure Pop glory!”
“Some songs conjure images almost like a movie. That was the case for me with Pool Girl’s ‘Frannie You’ll Be Alright.’
The Electro Pop track is about friendship, and having each other’s back. It’s about that one person who always has your back and believes in your dream maybe even more than you do. And the song makes you not only feel all that but see the characters as they navigate the day to day in pursuit of something more.”
“The Sunspots are throwing it back with some Retro Soul. ‘The World Can Be Beautiful’ was recorded in Costa Mesa, California and deliver bit of hope and sunshine in a modern world mostly devoid of both. The talent and groove is exactly what we need more of to feel good about our fates in these troubled times. Songs like this help turn the tide back to the goodness side of things.”
“If you are craving a feel good Synthpop track look no further. FREND has joined by SKV to give us ‘Arcade Elevator.’ In some way this track has that unexpected feel in that it just continues to grow and blossom as you listen. Like a great conversation with a friend you just sort of lose track of time while immersed and speaking of friends that is exactly what this song is all about.”
“Carlyle delivers a thinking person’s song with ‘Without the Weed.’ Rising an unusual, yet artistic, structure and delivery the song is one that takes multiple listens to pick up on all the nuance. A blend of R&B and Pop sensibilities the best comparison might be Prince though more in structure than sound. An interesting track that you can dive in on and find new meaning with each listen.”
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story The Pacific Northwest has been growing musicians for decades now and while sounds and style certainly morph and evolve, PUNKTUALS throws it back a bit with their single, ‘Dog Bit.’
I wouldn’t quite call it grunge given the musical style, but the vocals certainly have that flavor. Almost like Alice in Chains meets Ozzy.”
“Drew Drake’s “Let The Groove In” is a feel-good dance track that blends retro funk, disco, and R&B into an easygoing groove. The upbeat production and playful energy make it the kind of track that encourages you move your feet.”
“For You” brings together Beenie Man and Snoop Dogg for a smooth fusion of dancehall, hip-hop, and West Coast flavor. The laid-back chemistry between Snoop’s effortless flow and Beenie Man’s energetic delivery gives the track a breezy, feel-good vibe.”
“Charley Stride’s “Seasons” is a reflective, melodic track that blends R&B, pop, and soul into a warm, emotionally rich listening experience. Her smooth delivery captures the beauty of change and the different chapters life brings, making the song feel personal, relatable, and easy to connect with.”