“Casey Baer brings vocal power to this track about the pursuit of the dream. California and the ‘Hollywood Hills’ have long called dreamers of all types, but the struggle to stand out and achieve those goals is fraught with pitfalls and dangers and it gets damn tough to make it unscathed. This ballad details that struggle quite well, and you can feel the hope and anguish within the words.”
“Delivering a classic sound with enough modern flair to keep from feeling too retro, the latest single from Running Lights, ‘Not The One’ is an anthem to past loves and the realization some relationships are never meant to last. The overall vibe is positive even as the lyrics reflect on a broken past.”
“Principles..Hopes..Diligence.
Jon Hope is back with friends. He delivers ‘Where we Come From with Jim Jones and THS with Israel Wusu’. The poetic split is an introduction to survival with reflection on that Hope Shxt. People must understand that no matter how hard your life is or how deep of the hustle you are in there is still hope.”
“You ever wanted to talk but felt like it was pointless? ETHOS XCIX new single ‘Leave Me’ is a direct intro to a pointless feeling. The song starts with realizing you are fxcked up and can’t be saved. He recaps on things he has heard before but at the end of it all he is twisted. I also like the solo EDM instrumentals throughout the song. ”
“It’s the vocals for me. The Shadowboxers allows us to not only listen to them but levitate and feel the song. ‘Forever’ is delivered at a smooth tempo that speaks on love and mental connection.”
“If you ever needed to feel empowered when all hope is gone ‘Last Stand’ is the song for you. Our ancestors are always with us and have made a-lot of sacrifices for us. This song is poetic revolution of what a-lot of people believe in. The ballad allows you to imagine yourself walking but realizing you are not online in this battle.”
A collaboration like no other, ‘Last Stand’ pulls through an emotional and breathtaking sound that is sure to tug at the emotions. Equipped with an outstanding acoustic guitar track and hard-hitting drums, this slow burn promises a rollercoaster ride of bliss. With smooth yet bouncy bass lines, the two talented hip-hop artists deliver thought provoking bars of lyricism as they channel the strength of their ancestors to push them through the dark times ahead.
“Simple honesty in the trademark of this track by STF. Genuine emotions are to be found not only in the actual songwriting, but the tender delivery as well. Reminded me a bit of Phillip Phillips. Add this one to your reflective playlists for those times you want to take a calm memory trip into your past.”
“Ella Collier releases ‘Crush’ just in time for Valentine’s Day, and no doubt this one will be shared by hopeful couples this weekend and beyond.
Light and airy in the best possible way, this Electro Pop track captures the euphoria and hope of falling for someone. This is the kind of single that will have you singing along before you know it.”
“Purely intoxicating! Maude Latour offers up her latest single, ‘Walk Backwards’ which is rich and bubbly and and altogether inebriating in the very best ways. Poppy, but without a hint of bubblegum, the track deals with the blurred lines of love, friendship, and romanticism in bold and direct ways.
The song has a voyeuristic feel with a nice groove that makes it impossible not to stay thirsty on.”
“The best art is an expression of true emotions, and while some artists can tap into the emotions of others to convey experiences beyond ones they have faced themselves, sometimes only through the raw sting felt pain can art be distilled. This is the case with ‘To My Face’ from Libby Larkin.
After an uphill battle through self-expression and closure, Libby is finally ready to release her first EP, titled ‘L|A’, in February of this new year. It all started when she caught her best friend and the girl she was seeing in a secret affair. As if a scene from a movie, she caught them revealing the entirety of their fling on a voice recording. With the recording on her phone and an unhealthy desire to bask in her heartbreak, Larkin decided to make a three song EP. Releasing on the Friday before Valentine’s Day, the project is titled “L|A” which stands for the city where this happened, and ironically also for the guilty’s initials. Each song contains a snippet of the recording from that dreadful night, and getting a glimpse of the full story is available by listening to all three songs in order.”
“Maguire’s new single ‘Melt’ is a ballad with emotive vocals.
As she stands in a hall way she begins walking and searching for the truth. As she finds him their souls are shown connecting in a peaceful dance. The singer songwriter just doesn’t deliver us a new song off her forthcoming EP “Fantasies” she delivers us art.”
“Nate Ouellette will draw comparisons to Justin Bieber, and it will be interesting to listen and see how his career develops and evolves to see if he embraces those similarities or drifts from them.
’Fantasy’ is a smooth track with an intricate lyrical build and an on point production that keeps you leaning in. This track would be right at home on the radio today and hopefully will find the audience it deserves.”
“The best Pop music is able to say something and covey real emotion without sacrificing the catchy hook and energetic vibe. ‘Happy’ was written specifically about the unburdening elation and confusion of waking up without the fear and anxiety of hiding. Sarah Barrios created the track about the coming out experience, and it is certainly powerful in understanding that dynamic for those of us on the other side who have never lived through such an experience. That said this track also has a broader appeal for any of us that are emerging from beneath fear or darkness of any kind.”
“Sometimes an artist has enough of that so-called ‘IT’ factor to carry a tune, and that was the case here for me as Tiny Jag conveyed enough passion and attitude to keep me leaning in and listening on a track that did not always do enough to stand out from the fray, arrangement wise.
The talent is unquestioned, and there are some great lines and emotion, but I would have liked to find that one moment to make me truly fall in. That said, the talent and ‘IT’ factored carried me through and I can’t wait to hear more from this artist.”
“New York-based singer-songwriter and rising artist Brianna Marie kicks off her 2021 with brand-new single “Haunting You”. An exquisitely addictive song, it showcases Brianna’s empowered attitude, bold lyricism and stunning vocals, ensuring she is one to watch in 2021.
I like the sound of suspense snippet in the beginning. Then as her vocals come in she gives us a dramatic yet pop delivery. Brianna Marie’s new single ‘Haunting You’ is about feelings that exist whether or not you are near the person. She tends to describe her feelings and is curious to know if the feelings are mutual.”
“Haunting You” also reveals an extremely appealing theatrical component to Brianna’s sound; it’s very anthemic and orchestral, which isn’t typical to pop and helps her to stand apart from other artists in the genre. With “Haunting You” setting the tone for Brianna’s 2021 in a major way, we’re anticipating a great year ahead for her, and we can’t wait to see what else she has in store.”
“Amanda Ayala has had successful runs on NBC’s, ‘The Voice’ as well as Prime’s, ‘Who Will Rock You?’ Now the talented vocalist is belting out her emotion on a new single, ‘Hooked.’ This big Electro Pop track has a dark undercurrent that brings enough grit to keep the listener leaning in. ”
“I had mixed reviews but realized the song stuck with me. ‘The Kids Are All Rebels ‘ is like a twisted Disney anthem. Callie Reiff has the bad girl pop vocals that let’s you know rules are meant to be broken. ”
“Alyssa Caroline comes with Commercial/Indie Pop single that speaks to to the insecurities lurking in most of us. There is a bit of a Taylor Swift flavor in the emotion, but for me the writing here is more honest and straightforward. ‘Not The One’ is an ode to anyone who feels like they are more of a second choice than a priority for others.”
“This is a track that shifts and bends, giving you several different vibes and grooves. Coming with an ensemble feel that reminded of Wu Tang, ‘Wound Up’ offers a soulful groove that you can’t help but fall into and sway along with.
Great for hanging with the people you call family whether they are related or not, or simply chilling by yourself the mood here is inescapable.”
“SZNS deliver unflinching attitude and allure that wraps around you and refuses to let go. I could attempt to describe the intent behind this Electro Pop track, but instead I’ll turn it over to a direct quote from the band —
’Behave’ is for every girl who’s been told to act like a lady: to sit up straight, be polite, to let the grown ups talk. Our entire lives we’ve been told that we’re ‘doing too much’ or acting ‘too intense’ - Behave is about being unapologetic, and taking up the space you deserve, despite what anyone else might say. If being demure and soft-spoken is good behavior, then I guess we never learned how to behave. ~SZNS”