“There is an inviting element to the tone of Grace Gillespie’s voice that reminds me of vintage Joni Mitchell. And the lyrics are poignant and emotional. The melody is fairly straightforward and folksy, though the track feels a bit more broader than that description makes sit sound. There are folk elements for sure, but there is a haunting edge to this that feels decidedly commercial and contemporary.”
“Rich Jacques establishes a mood and tone immediately in this brooding track about gathering the courage to take that next step. The arrangement of ‘Edge of The Sun’ is meticulously cultivated to keep the listener intrigued. Lyrically, the track is layered with each line building nicely on top of the last. The chains are interlinked in such a way that it pulls you through like fine tuned machinery. ”
“The piano is haunting, and the lyrics poignant and powerful. Emotion dominates every facet of this single, and the duo of voices build and mix to deliver a heartfelt punch to your very soul.
This track fits the singer/songwriter vibe, but we are not simply talking about a stripped-down acoustic version of a song, because here we have a powerful ode that feels layered and complex in both the writing and arrangement, despite relying on very few elements to arrive at that rich sound and emotional resonance.”
“The world of social media is a false canvas that we all are painting our lives across, and this artful track and video from Alice Jemima takes a look at this ‘Serious’ problem.
The loose connections we form via images and blurbs are not as true or absolute as our real life relationships, and yet more and more, society is putting a heavier emphasis on the former while disregarding the latter.
Out of the context of face-to-face interaction the smallest of things are exploited and taken far too serious at times. This track is about exactly that and so much more.”
“TATUM brings heat with her new single ‘Fever.’ A dark and brooding arrangement sets the tone for this track about a toxic relationship that left her sick with regret and remorse. The keys driven melody is the perfect accompaniment to TATUM’s vocals, which expresses both the pain of a scarred heart and the repentant emotions of second guessing your bad decisions along the way.”
“Spirited defiance is at the forefront of the lyrics behind Cormac Looby’s single, ‘I Don’t Need Your Love.” This track is one of those genre bending songs that is tricky to pin down in a few words. Both in genre and in energy. A lively tempo with a decided Irish flair, the single certainly brings influence from the streets of Galway where Looby honed his craft busking, but there is a marked Pop vibe as well that hints at a Rock and Roll heritage. This is a fun little anthem that sticks with you.”
Website: cormaclooby.com
Spotify - open.spotify.com/artist/1UQmrMGtH1xpyS1Sknvocl
Apple Music - music.apple.com/us/artist/cormac-looby/1499440483
All other Platforms - distrokid.com/hyperfollow/cormaclooby/i-dont-need-your-love
“Giving up takes many different looks and this track is a heartbreaking example of that. With hauntingly beautiful vocals, Lauren Aquilina delivers ‘Bad People,” and ode to giving up on trying to be nice after being burnt and hurt.
The lyrics to this single slice like a rusty knife, and while the track was written after a bad personal breakup, the song has a resonance to society as a whole, because in these decisive times, it often feels like the assholes of the world are the only ones getting ahead.”
“The guitar melody captured my intrigue from the very first note, and Andrew Cushin has one of those unique vocal tones that hooks the listener just as fast.
The emotion behind the track shines, and despite the title, ‘It’s Gonna Get Better,’ you will be hard pressed to find a sound any better or richer than this. The imagery of the video fits quite well with the words and emotions.”
“As Valentine’s Day is approaching ‘Warm’ would be a good song to add to your playlist. Imagine yourself laying near the fire place surrounded by wine and candles. ‘Warm’ creates a romantic yet seductive mood that will have you dancing and caressing your significant other. ”
“John Hughes is gone, but his spirit is alive and well in this single from Ann Sophia. ‘Self Aware Bitch’ has that twisted high school vibe that was the trademark of the 80’s films, only this time it is created by a 16 year old actually living the material she writes.
The track is fun, but don’t let that takeaway from the musical merit of both Sophia’s performance and her songwriting.
The imagery of the video brings out the mood all the more and this track is yet but more fuel to launch the career of Anna Sophia into stardom.”
“The writing here is spot on perfection. Vocally, the first few lines felt a touch dated for me, but then the track took a turn and felt purely modern from then on. The beat and melody add to the whip-smart lyrics and make this track so sharp you simply cannot escape the hook.
The tale of a jaded lover considering a reconciliation, but only after the gets the damn answers she needs. Attitude prevails and pulls you deep into this relationship even if you’ve never been there yourself.”
“This track puts into words the vibe many a dude has been faced with after falling in love. None of us set out to become a ‘Sad Corny Fuck,’ but when those emotions stat to boil up and out of us, that is what happens.
This tracks was produced by recent GRAMMY darling FINNEAS, and it does carry the same emotional impact that his work with Billie Eilish, but JP SAXE’s masterful vocals carry the day here and I can’t wait to hear more music from SAXE.”
“When the bridge is torched and left to burn, there are people standing on both sides. Sometimes we are holding the match, and sometimes we are left staring in disbelief at the embers.
This tracks is about the latter, except for the bridge was torched long ago and now the person wants to come back over to your side. Brandon Hunt delivers vocals that express the emotion quite well in a singer/songwriter style. With a touch of rawness and vulnerability, the performance isn’t pitch perfect but in the broken notes we truly feel the pain, and that’s where this track truly comes alive.”
“The musical vibe of this single is light and airy, but lyrically the song delivers a mood much darker. Over a nice Pop groove, Gina Livia lays down her lyrics of feeling isolated and alone. Being stuck ‘in her head’ and not willing to put herself out there. The track feels real and her vulnerability comes across in the performance as she longs to overcome these feelings in order to live life to its fullest. ”
“Helena Mayer delivers a Pop track dealing with the jumble of thoughts, emotions, fears, and doubts, that fill all of our heads. The track is about taking charge and not becoming overwhelmed by our own memories. The vocals are talented and engaging and the beat keeps the track moving forward with precision and bounce. A track that feels right for your workout playlist, or any other time when you are working toward a better you.”
“With a bit of gravel to his voice, Brandon Colbein drops the emotional verses of ‘Mess’ on us and we can feel the disoriented pain of a bad a breakup. Then the chorus hits and Colbein’s voice smooths out into a higher pitched tone of emotional disbelief. The melody and the beat here deliver that same juxtaposition giving the song a back and forth feel that is exactly how most of us a feel when we are an emotional mess. The arrangement of the track shows as much talent as the vocals and songwriting making this a track with legs enough to become a lasting standard. Can’t wait to hear more from this talented artist. ”
“There were times that these vocals reminded me of Lorde, and then there were elements that conjured thoughts of Katy Perry. Then again, the songwriting had that Taylor Swift feel. The common link here is that all of those women are extremely talented and that too is the case with Josie Dunne.
Dunne is not a simulator, but rather an innovator, and this song stands tall on its own merits. Matter of fact, the entire project shines so bright that you find yourself thinking ... The last time I heard something this good it was from a well established star. Thus the inexplicable need to draw comparisons.
Well-established or not, Josie Dunne is a star. Catch her while shooting to the top and thank me for it later when you look like the cool music explorer than you are for telling all of your friends about Josie Dunne first.”
“This track is all about the vocals. Peri El does a masterful job with pace and tempo and allowing the emotion to develop. There are moments of power and wonder, but the track is strongest for me in its quieter moments.
Toeing a line between a classic Adult Contemporary sound, and a more Commercial/Jazz vibe, the track changes when it hits the bridge. That interlude is brief, but works very well to give a unique spin on the track and keep the piece feeling solidly contemporary.”
“This track has an old school Adult Contemporary/ Country feel in the vein of Linda Ronstadt. The vocals are heartfelt and emotional and I could feel every last word. Lyrically, the single is delivered from the viewpoint of a forsaken lover who is not quite ready for the relationship to be over. ‘Whatever You Wanted’ is less about desperation, and more about hope. The plea of the heartbroken lover is soft and touching and explores a situation most of us have found ourselves in at some point.”
“This track brings an oddly mesmerizing mix of sounds and emotions. There is an almost, Napoleon Dynamite quality in the synthesized do-it-yourself vibe to the initial melody and beat. And yet, the whole thing also delivers a sophisticated set of vocals and complexity that comes out in layers. The lyrics are well-written and the production decisions are both compelling and befuddlingly perfect.
This single is hard to categorize, but perhaps Bedroom Pop is the best choice.”