“Cam Carter brings a Southern tone to his flow here on this track produced by Van Leeuwen. Carter has been on the rise of the LA scene after making his way out west, but the musical roots of his past are hard to deny. A little bit of that Memphis soul leaks into both his lyrics and the vocal attitude of this track which seems to intensify in energy as it progresses. ”
“This track captured my attention with honest lyrics that are easy to follow and with strong imagery of the video. I did find myself wishing for a bit more variation to both the performance and the melody, but I was entertained from start to finish and that in itself makes for a ‘Pretty Great’ song.
The Pop tone shines bright here and you won’t mind the time you spend watching and listening to the Fickle Friends. ”
“Ysdubz drops an up beat track with a steady flow and an engaging beat. ‘All Match’ brings razor sharp lyrics and a uptempo rhythm to keep you on the hook for the duration. The track has an energy behind it that lifts it, and by extension — your own vibe as you listen and get charged by the juice pumping to your ears. ”
“There is a moment on this track, right about the :40 second mark where Lola Scott elevates the vocals from a talented chill vibe to a raw, passionate allure that didn’t just pull me deeper in, but yanked me there thorough the sheer emoting of her feelings.
Lyrically the track is calling for a return to those early euphoric days of a new relationship, but for me it was that extra quiver and quake in Scott’s voice that connected the dots and gave this track such a strong emotional resonance. ”
“Tourist Club give us a chill, Electro Pop ode inspired by trips to the desert. There is something ethereal and epic about the vast stillness of the American Southwest’s deserts, so it makes perfect sense that this track about letting go of the past, and letting in ‘The Now’ would be inspired by such a place of stark beauty.
There is a hint of the 80’s to the melody, and yet this track feels like a contemporary track that will speak to many right here in ‘The Now.’ ”
“This is a dark heavy track with brooding lyrics calling for a change to the word ‘We Are’ living in.
Written before the proliferation of the virus and our current situation, the track feels almost prophetic now.
Heavy emotional vocals unfurl and underneath them intermingled with the powerful lyrics is an air of hope and faith, though this song is still a hard punch to the senses.”
“The art of storytelling within the strict confines of a three or four minute song is a challenging jump, that not many are able to land. Cam Carter is able to do so here with a quiet almost staid flow that is brought to live by the engaging hook of the chorus. Teaming up with Ghostwriter LA, Carter is able to bring out the nuances of the lyrics and deliver an emotional track that means even more upon subsequent listens.”
“Can I get an hallelujah for this Sinful Pop sermon?
Sam Creighton combines an edgy attitude with sharp, and at times witty, lyrics to create this track preaching against the judgmental and righteously indignant.
The imagery of the video adds to the attitude of the track and the overall experience is a fun one ... unless perhaps you are one of the pious critics of others people’s brand of fun.”
“This is a fun song decrying the rise of the ... Videoblogger. Delivered in Pop glory with a hint of an 80’s retro vibe, The Blockchains give us a tongue in cheek track that pokes a bit of fun at these ‘Stars’ of today.
The track kept me amused and entertained, though in today’s hyper sensitive world I do see the risk a band takes in possibly alienating the very folks that could help or hinder their exposure. Of course all bloggers, video or otherwise, are not creating equally and I like that the band is unafraid to speak their minds.”
“This is a no frills track, but don’t take that to mean the single does not deliver an emotional impact. Jade Hilton stands alone with her guitar, and pours her soul into the delivery of the lyrics. You can feel this fact in every last note and her soft, genuine vocals pull you in and hold your attention. Lyrically the single is a plea not to take her or their relationship for granted.”
“ Imagine closing your eyes and allowing the music and melody to take over you. This is what SOUL PUSH displays in their new visual ‘Calypso’. You can see the group having on blindfolds but that is just to remind you to listen with your ears and heart as they push your soul with their music.”
“This track hooked me with the writing up front. Are the vocals pitch perfect and smooth? No, but they are genuine and honest, and I felt every damn word because of that.
When you have something to say, and you can say it with conviction, you don’t need some false shiny luster to make your words shine.
This is Hip-Hop truth with an air of vulnerability to make it real. ”
“A straight up Rap love song that comes at you hard and genuine. BYNX has the vocal chops to deliver an old school flow, or to sing a chorus with a touch of tenderness. I appreciate that these lyrics are meaningful and emotional without slipping into an overly sappy or sentimental way.
This is a love song you can play directly to your girl and make her smile, or while riding with your boys and not face ridicule. ”
“Cinoevil drops this sharply written track that cuts straight into you with a banging energy and steady vocal flow. The track features battle rap veteran, Shotgun Suge and is a powerful verbal onslaught that showcases Cino’s skills as an emcee. The beat is infectious and with each listen the writing comes through to provide even more engagement. The single is part of a 14 track album that dropped in early March.”
“Dylan, Guthrie, Petty, Isbell. Elements of these great songwriters, and others, come through in the vulnerable raw lyrics of Ryan Cassata. The melody too has been created to covey the inner thoughts of this talented artist.
Sure the masters of the craft have influenced Cassata, but I would be remiss not to proclaim the individuality as well. ‘Catcher in the Rye’ is a song about falling in love after a traumatic past filled with violent hate crimes and bullying in Cassata’s conservative hometown on Long Island. Cassatta explained more by saying ‘In this music video, I go back to my hometown (Bay Shore, NY) and visit some of the places that hurt me the most as a young queer/trans person.’
The video is bleak in the gray tones, but in the words there is a hope, a spirit that is part defiant and part relief, a sense of I’ve survived and now it is my time to thrive.
This recording was done live, without embellishments or retakes and this fact only adds to artistry as we listen to a true songwriter bare their soul. ”
“The beat is smooth and relaxing. Pictured in gold and covered in pearls Teenear’s new visual for ‘Dolla $igns’ is a love song but she reassures her hustle also. From the studio to the photo shoot, she shows her self working while telling us her perspective and feelings about her love.”
“This is my favorite love song that I have heard in a long time. This track does not dive into purple prose or corny affirmations, but takes a simple idea that I wish I ‘Knew You’ longer than I have. This is the feeling that comes with the realization that life is so much better when shared with that one special person, and for that reason you being to resent the fact you did not meet sooner.
The Pop vocals express this with a sweetness that feels genuine without being overtly sappy. ”
“Lourdiz is a rising star to watch. Her vocal flow hits hard where it needs to, and settles into an infectious rhythm at other junctures of this track. The writing captures to dynamics of an artistic lifestyle quite well, as the struggle for the hustle is not a linear path, but an up and down battle that is not for the weak of or timid.
The fact Lourdiz is but 18 years old , and has this and so much else figured out bodes well for the talented star in the making.
Lil Gotit joins in here giving this track even more depth and variation.”
“This is a songwriter’s track through and through. The emotion is real and raw and while the vocal performance shows some breaks with a flat note or two, it is these same imperfections where the track shines with genuine emotion. This track about coping and dealing with loss and like that emotion the single often feels exposed and vulnerable. Because of this, you can truly connect with these well-written lyrics.”
“Anthony Vince has true vocal versatility which allows him to sing with a Commercial vibe, and then slip seamlessly into a Hip-Hop flow. Both works quite well on this track. There is an element of 90’s Alternative to the sound as well.
’One Of Your Shows’ is lyrically about coping with the end of a relationship, and while the writing certainly has its moments, the strength of this track is Vince’s diverse vocal capabilities. ”