“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.”
“Putting this single in any particular box is a tough task. Chief Kelly delivers a vocal sound that is perfectly attuned the the Indie Alternative designation, but this single has definite Hip-Hop sensibilities as well.
What stands out most for me is the passion and energy of the performance, and that makes ‘Lovely Bones’ a gripping listen no matter what label you stick on the track. The build and progression had me in its grip to the end. ”
“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.”
“Adam Douglas is a man of the world. Born and raised in Oklahoma, but now calling Norway home after a fair amount of travelling, he offers a timeless sound and style that transcends genre and demographics. WIth a soulful groove and a sultry crooners vocals, Douglas truly does ‘Build A Fire’ that will keep listening leaning in for the warmth.”
“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.”
“With a theatrical build and a slow vocal build, ‘Ritual’ is the combined effort of Parisian duo Adrien & Thibault who are known together as Digitalz. The track unfolds like a well written Electro Pop story with the music and production conveying as much emotion as the lyrics and vocal performance. ”
“We all have those old camera shots that transpose us back in time in an instant. With the new single, ‘Camera Roll,’ Lex Holmes unfurls the emotions of such a trip and the times behind it.
The Indie Rock sound, and slow tempo of the track combine to hook the listener in and put them in the perfect place to reflect on their own set of images.”
“A Punk anthem for everyone out there riding around with burger wrappers on their floorboard and disdain in their heart for the status quo. An energetic, straight forward delivery keeps you leaning in on the lyrics and in the end the track feels like a reaffirmation for everyone unwilling to compromise and fall in line with the masses.”
“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. ”
“Kane Miller is no stranger to our readers and listeners and the talented Canadian songwriter is back with a Folksy ode to the insecurities of love. A tender guitar melody and Miller’s emotive vocals draw us in and make us feel every word. ”
“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.”
“Elijah Banks creates the emotion with a spot on performance that borders between Hip-Hop, and a more soulful R&B groove.
’Hard 2 Forget U’ is a track that owes its message to the one that got away, or escaped, or perhaps never quite was. It harkens of dashed love and missed opportunity in a yearning sort of way.”
“The Satellite Station delivers a tranquil atmospheric sound here on this track about the fleeting brightness of many relationships. Like ‘Satellites’ crossing the sky with a brief, but a bright glimmer, these short arcs of our lives have a bigger impact on the cosmos of our existence even though they come and go.
This is definitely a mood piece perfect for those reflective times when we are considering our own place in the universe.”
“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”
“Getting hit with a reminder of a romance that once was, can be a painful blast from the past. Especially when you least expect it. The emotional blow has the power to spin both mind and body.
Sydnee Carter delivers that impact with her single, ‘Drug Was You’ and for anyone that has ever experienced that kind of emotional derailment the sing gives meaning to the feeling. The track has a nice Commercial sound while still managing to land with impact.”
“Coming straight out with an energetic Rap flow that will make you go ‘Woah,’ TJA and Jay Willy then transcend into an edgy Electro Trap interlude that owes its existence to their love of the Skrillex and Rock Ross track ‘Purple Lambo.’
The track tailed off just a bit for me in the back half, but is still a talented and interesting production that I will add to several of my playlists.”
“An old school vocal Funk gospel, delivering modern hope and truth! Gold Ford’s anthem of humanity is a plea and a call for togetherness which is exactly what we all need right now. The vocal talent soars, and the feel good vibes shine on ‘Walk With Me.’”
“Blending a nice bass track, with a Trap cadence and tempo, YNG ONE drops this flow which hooks and holds the listener start to finish. I did crave a bit more as the track is on the shorter side, but this track is a definite banger that will get you up and moving.”
“Long before I called So Cal home, I grew up in the windy plains of the Texas Panhandle, so this track by Ryland Moranz spoke to me and my past in a way that few songs do. Call this melancholy Folk, as the tempo and vibe here is of tarnished, bleak places that still somehow speak to who we are. At least those of us who have called such places home.”