“Juliet Hawkins has that kind of raw and tender vocal talent that grabs a listener from the very first word. Fans of Brandi Carlile will hear some similarities especially in the heartbreaking tender moments. ‘What If’ is a question we’ve all asked so the emotions are highly relatable and well delivered.
I did feel a bit less of the emotion as the track progressed but this is still a track I will return to for subsequent listens.”
“Turmoil and strife seem to be the new normal in this increasingly divisive world. Music is a salve for many of us and this track fits the current mood of so many quite well. I’ll turn it over to the band PHWOAR and let them explain where their new single , ‘Waiting for the Sun,’ comes from.
”This is a song about resilience. It explores hope as a form of rebellion and learning to find strength in times of weakness. In the UK, January 20 (this song’s release date) is known as Blue Monday, which is supposedly the most depressing day of the year (coincidentally in 2025, it is also the day of the US presidential inauguration). Blue Monday was concocted to sell you stuff, using people’s mental health as an excuse to do so. This song is a reminder that mental health is not something to be made light of in order to sell holidays and stuff. It’s also a reminder to ourselves and anybody going through difficult times that the lowest ebb is never a constant. There’s always light after the darkness. Sometimes we’re just forced into waiting for the sun. x”
This song and its intent should resonate for many as we delve into an unpredictable era.”
“Ian Abel unleashes this cheeky track about axing that troublesome ex. ‘Not Our Song’ is a fun ode to saying so long.. Abel is A Brooklyn native and a fast rising icon of the LGBQT+ scene though this track certainly has relevancy and punch for all of us. ”
“Zach Santos explores the idea of making something that started as a casual thing, into more of a regular thing with ‘Something Good.’ The uplifting vibe and honest energy carry the track and hey we never know where lasting love is going to come from so why not remain upbeat and on the lookout.
This song simply feels good for the heart and soul.”
“What I love about this track is its bold confidence. Gio takes chances with a performance that straddles the line between an Emo Alt Rock vibe and a Rap flow. The lyrical build is well rendered and the emotion comes through in genuine fashion.
That said this is a track that requires a bit of patience as the speedy delivery makes it tricky in parts to discern the lyrics and stay with the build in that regard. This is definitely one of those track that grows on you and means more with each subsequent listen. ”
“Lisa Heller utilizes her vocal talent and energy to unleash ‘U LIKE THAT.’ The track is about an ongoing relationship that both parties know isn’t going anywhere but hey fun is fun while it lasts and sometimes those urges take over our common sense.
The high energy track has a Commercial edge and is right at home in the Alt Pop landscape. ”
“JESSIA unleashes a POp masterpiece with ‘I’m NOt Gonna Cry.’ The emotion and lyrical range of the track gave me Freddie Mercury vibes.
I’m not saying JESSIA or this track sounds exactly like QUEEN, because the styles differ. This is definitely a Pop song, but there is a bigger more complex edge to her talent, and the way the track did the unexpected while showcasing massive talent definitely had the flair not many artists can pull off.”
“Rock-n-Roll ain’t dead but damn is it hard to find these days. Old Man Jones is looking to remedy that with their latest album. ‘Never Wake Up’ is the second single from Shine Your Light.
Founded by John Amoriello, a founding member of the Heavy Metal band, From Nothing which disbanded after Covid. Old Man Jones is more straight up Rock & Roll and this single is a hard charging ride that stands out in the best of ways among the current musical landscape.”
“Loving someone and watching them struggle with mental health issues is a gut-wrenching thing to do. Joshua Golden highlights the track with a touch of wry humor and a whole universe worth of compassion. ‘The Moon Is A Spaceship’ takes a tangible look at a journey fraught with pitfalls and dangers, but man is it absolutely full of humanity.”
“Alba Rose unleashes some ‘Sunshine’ with her Neo-Soul single. The hard drum beat did get in the way for me at times but her smooth vocals still carried the day and I could feel the golden warmth of the sun on my face as I listened to her performance. ”
“Dreaming helps keep us all alive and hopeful but when those dream never quite come to fruition or always feel out of reach we lose hope. Caroline Romano dives into the resulting emotions with her track, ‘Born To Want More.’
This Alt Pop track highlights her tender vocal vulnerability as well as her songwriting prowess. ”
“PTK Lothbrook comes directly at the listener on this track and the in your face beat and delivery catches fire as a result. ‘Sell The Land,’ was written out of the anguish and emotions of a divorce and the lyrical power hits. The flow has some Pop style, though that does not diminish the intricacy and timing of the Rap delivery so the artist did a great job of managing this tricky performance.”
“This time of year we all begin to dream of a warm escape to sit on sandy beaches under a warm sun. ‘Rio Magic’ from The Real Mack The Knife just might be the next best thing.
The light, airy tone and exotic glow of the track makes it easy to close your eyes and imagine you are heading out for a night in Rio, or at least sitting on the beach imagining one. ”
“Jake Dillon has the ability to hook listeners with one or two words. This emotive delivery is a strength of his work though you can’t dismiss the writing which has that simple, yet poignant quality that hooks the audience with its relatability.
’Camp out at Wal-Mart’ is a song about the personal journey that is life and it drips with humanity in all the best ways. ”
“Gabe Lopez is a successful musician but you might not yet be aware of this solo work. As a music producer for RuPaul’s Drag Race, Belinda Carlisle, platinum KPOP artists and more, Lopez has already made a mark in the musical landscape, and now this new track , ‘Long Road,’ might elevate this talented artist to even greater heights.
The song has an haunting, heavy quality that makes the emotions inescapable. A track that means more with each listen, this is a song that has a timeless sound and appeal.”
“London artists have a distinct sound that I really like. This R&B duo’s video fuses an upbeat yet contemporary vibe, though they linger on the hook a bit too long. Still, it’s a cool retro visual paired with a good sound.”
“Hey, you up?
The same thought process that leads to those kind of texts is what Tessa Dalton is singing about in ‘Hit The Lights.’
This Indie/Alt Pop track is about that poor decision making we all make as we romanticize and gloss over all the red flags visible in the light of day. It’s a fun track that gets ina nd makes its point with talent and precision and doesn’t carry on too long.”
“Two dudes from rural Tennessee wrote a Rock song called ‘Danish Eyes’ in LA, then went across the pond to record it in England. Yeah, you read that right and that’s the absolute beauty of Rock and Roll.
The Criticals are rock throwbacks ina way as they do things most pop stars and fame chasers are unwilling to do, and they do it to stay fresh and on the cutting edge. This isn’t a band that chases trends, but rather embraces who they are and works to create the best version of themselves on a constant basis.
If you’re not listening to The Criticals already, you should be!”
“The vocal tone and emotive delivery is what held me initially to Ava Valianti’s latest single, ‘Wishing Well.’
That said the writing is poignant and meaningful and offers a melancholy type of nostalgia we all feel from time to time.
The world marches on, and with it change is inevitable, but as we say goodbye to the many little things that were part of our childhoods we also lose little pieces of ourselves. Those losses do as much to shape who we are as the new additions that replace them. We are all constantly shedding our skin, in both a literal and figurative sense and this song captures it so well.”
“We are all chasing something, happiness, contentment, a thrill maybe? Leo Sawiken is no different and his track, ‘Am I Ever Going To Fly Again’ is all about trying to recapture one of the life’s magic moments.
The song starts slow, with a melancholy vibe that replicates the disappointment we feel when we realize that despite our best efforts, this time we failed to find that sparkle and shine. This is a cerebral song that leaves you thinking about your own life and experiences in a meaningful way. Style wise it falls into the Indie Rock plate with a side of human angst. The emotions are real and tangible and highly applicable to most of us have shared the same sentiments. ”