“If you are a sucker for that timeless smooth groove of a soulful crooner, then Kristopher James is an artist you want to know. ‘Feelings’ takes you for a ride that feels like a drive on warm Sunday afternoon down a wide open stretch of road. It is the musical equivalent to the warm scent of sugar cookies fresh from the oven. It is comfort music in every sense of the word. ”
“From the very first word, Chris Murphy demands you listen to what he has to say on ‘Mr. Mister.’
Bluesy and direct, the vibe here is haunting and dark and oh-so-honest. Self-doubt can be a killer, but we all take those deep dives in sometimes. A track like this can make it easier by allowing us to see into the mind of another and realize we are all traveling the same rocky roads.”
“Some voices simply invite you in, and Suzie Ungerleider has such a talent. Formerly performing under the name Oh Susanna, this American -born, Canadian raised singer/songwriter has long been recognized as a purveyor of deeply emotional and tender offering that land in your soul. This latest track is no exception.
’Baby Blues,’ a song about how the traumatic events we witness when we’re young can haunt and indeed shape our older selves. It’s a deep subject with an upbeat punchline. “Like ghosts,” Ungerleider says, “sometimes you just need to just sit with them, feel their power, and, because they feel seen, they release their hold on you for a little while.”’”
“I will always be a sucker for bare and honest songwriting that explores the psyche of our minds., because the vulnerability often is more intriguing than the swagger so much music goes for. ‘Red Flags’ from Lisa Heller is all about our own perceived weaknesses and the emotional turmoil they instill in us, and because both the writing and the performance shine, you can feel every bit of what Heller is putting out. ”
“What can you do when you ain’t being heard? Pats and Raptor take a bit of old school flow and a bit of Mac Miller influenced sound to answer the very question that plagues many independent artists.
A serpentine like arrangement accompanies the hook and the dup combines to hook you in with a classic Hip-Hop sound. ”
“Few things can mold and shape us like newfound love. None of us came through life unscathed, so we all carry some form of baggage into any relationship we enter. But true, honest love overcomes those things and often melds the past into something that we can better face and deal with.
This catchy, hook-driven track works off that premise, and we can feel the emotional momentum as it builds with the track. Lyrically, I did crave a bit more, but the emption and sound still come across in this track from Kory Shore. ”
“Allowing yourself to fall completely in love comes with the risk that you could be hurt by that other person, and in the face of such vulnerability, we all struggle at times. Madissyn Gifford is able to distill those emotions into a tangible set of feelings on ‘Shapes and Shadows,’ a gloriously rising Pop track that relies on the vocals to carry the day. ”
“The Satellite Station captures the fragility of being human on this track. ‘Only Human’ is a soft and tender ode to the struggles we all face. Delivered in a singer/songwriter vibe, the lyrics are emotional and reflective but also come with an underlying optimism and inspiration that feels invigorating as you listen. ”
“Marie Naffah’s has a brand new EP dropping today. ‘Cold Water’ is but one track on her Golden State EP with each song offering a different reflection on a trip to America’s West Coast.
The Londoner does a marvelous job of capturing the texture and flavor of a road trip while adding in the emotional yearning of love. The rich, sultry vocals shine and draw the listener in tight. ”
“With ties to London, Brooklyn, and LA, Chríz Gabriel brings a smooth worldliness to his flow that gives his delivery a hook and edge even on a track like ‘Drip’ which on the surface is all about a clean tranquil vibe. Dig in deeper however, and the nuance of the writing adds a dimension than only a man like Gabriel is poised to unleash.
Fresh out of London, Chríz Gabriel is a man on a mission. With a talent birthed through LA culture and Brooklyn block parties, and a sound inspired by artists such as Little Simz, Lecrae and Drakeo the Ruler, Chriz is a melting pot of West coast sounds, catchy hooks, and intricate flows.
There is a hint of freestyle and stream-of-consciousness to the overall flow style, though the production and hook elevates ‘Drip’ to that next level and gives the track the added purpose to make it stand out from the fray. The video gives the viewer a glimpse of Gabriel’s personality and passion.”
“Jonnie Morris drops a flow that feels raw and ragged in the best possible ways. The emotion of the writing is present in every word laid down. There is a hint of old school 90’s flavor, but not so much that this track feels dated in anyway. More like a homage with a fresh spin.”
“A banger with a nice bit of funk to the cadence. Lyrically, the track stays fairly basic, but the beat and flow bring the track to life, so the simplicity of the production works well in this case. This is more of a party song to put on and sing along with as you hang with your homies.”
“A simple song of complex emotions and deep reaffirmation, ‘Goin Home’ utilizes an emotive vocal style from Daniel Blake to stand out from the fray. The writing is sharp and full of lines that provoke reminiscence and a yearning for comfort and calm. Blake makes it all work by infusing the performance with a soft determination.”
“Oscar and the Wolf brings a shimmering fusion of contemporary R&B and melancholy electro-pop straight out of Belgium. There are definite Drake and Weeknd vibes through there is an added softness that gives the this track a distant vulnerability that allows the emotions to land and dissolve into a smooth progression that keeps you invested in the mood of the piece. ”
“Punk Rap might not be the genre you were expecting, but it is the genre you are getting here on this track. Coming with a banging attitude and sound, Rude GRL and CC pair up to deliver ‘Like Wow,’ a two fingered salute to intolerance, prejudice and hate. Hard-charged and energetic, this is a track that will fire you up.”
“I was fully invested from the opening line. The vocal delivery spoke to me a great deal. I did struggle a bit with the melody of the chorus as it is strikingly close to Katy Perry’s “Part Of Me,’ and while I do love this track, the similarities between the two gave me an initial pause. The emotion of this track carried me through and that is what I am hanging my hat on here.”
“Kate Eaton delivers a Bluesy ode of salute to a slower pace, in ‘Slow It Down.’ With vocals that offer energy, but also an aching brand of hope, Eaton unfurls a vocal arrangement that wraps the listener up in a soft blanket and allows the words to warm the soul. ”
“f you dig a bit of Bluesy weirdness, then Jesse Roper has the track for you. ‘Horizons’ offers a soulful twist on the world of extraterrestrials, but the track really has a vague take on the otherworldliness aspect and relies on the bold vocal performance that just lodges in your bones.
Nathaniel Rateliff comes to mind when you try to draw a comparison, but the track has a unique edge that simply is hard to deny. ”
“It’s the season where everyone wants to work out. ‘Hey Sexy’ is a single that motivates everyone to stretch and conquer their inner sexy. Real Shawp’s delivery is smoove as he gets interactive in the video as an aerobics instructor. The song isn’t fast nor is it slow and the beat has a tempo that keeps you interested. ”
“The escalating tempo hooked me on this track. Coming with a staccato flow infused with attitude, Mo Nicole rides the beat letting her lyrical punches land with precision. After a steady build, the flow backs off which allows the words to carry more emotion as the message sinks in with depth.”