“An ode to gritty teenage romance, ‘Ireland in 2009’ is packed with soaring vocals, anthemic production and Caroline Romano’s signature unfiltered lyricism. “It’s a story of falling in love in car parks and waking up in your school clothes,” she says. “It’s about being far too young to know anything at all and the all-or-nothing emotions that come with juvenescence.”
For me the song simply has heart and emption and a genuine ”
“This track won me over with clever writing and the power of an apt metaphor. Of course the vocal talent also shines, emoting the feelings behind those well-written lyrics.
Musically this one could have delivered more punch or a unique spin, but the other elements are so strong I stayed intrigued and on the hook for the duration. The video adds a bit of humor and fun. ”
“There is an old school feel on the fringe of MJ Wood’s latest single ‘You Are,’ and yet the song feels decidedly contemporary. I hear influences from the past from talented artists such as Phil Collins, but the track still is fresh and original as well, and that is a testament to the artistry and passion behind the song.
Written as a love song to his wife, the lyrics are heartfelt and genuine and that shines in every moment.”
“Ronnie Rage has the talent to pull off a soulful delivery that is both vulnerable and defiant at the same time. Conveying complex emotions is tough, even if you tackle one, but ‘MazeRunner’ is the rare track that brings a varied nuance that comes through in every listen in a slightly different way. The flow is clean and pure and borders on an RB type groove at times, but still instills a modern Hip-Hop vibe that makes Rage stand out from the crowd. ”
“Hard to say what I enjoyed more ... the emotive talented vocal performance, or the strong writing that constantly surprised me by spinning the direction I thought the next line was headed.
Kat Penkin offers up this smooth Electro Pop groove that gathers you in you with its rhythm as well as its message. A fun listen more than worthy of inclusion on your playlists.”
“Finding your personal ‘Okay’ in the face of turmoil is never easy, but sometimes trying is all we can do, becasur hte ugly truth is .... not everything is magically made better by time, medicine, or anything else. Anna Dellaria captures this with a delicate and haunting beauty with her tender and talented vocal performance. The track lifts and soars and dips and dives as does our lives and this track feels much like the ride we call life.”
“Sneaky clever writing and attitude lift this track from Maximillian Thanksalot above the fray. ‘Toe on the Trigger’ is an in your face Pop Punk track that blends intense lyrics and hard guitar licks to create a vibe that carries the day.
This is the kind of track you have to give a few listens to pick up on everything being laud down but you won’t mind at all. A true mood setter. ”
“A dark brooding Indie Rock sound that hit me like Joan Jett fronting Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. The emotion is present in the delivery as well as the music, and the writing insures that you have little choice but fall in and feel this one start to finish.
ROE and Ciaran Lavery team to bring the track to life, and the combination works to perfection on this single.”
“Coming to SXSW in March 2022, Sarpa Salpa is a British band that has one foot in the synth heavy sound of the 80s, and another firmly panted in the contemporary world of Indie Pop. ‘Your House’ has a nice Indietronica vibe to it even though lyrically the track is heavier and darker than the arrangement might first suggest. I liked this emotional juxtaposition and in it found my own groove to stay invested and connected for the entire build and duration.”
“This is one of those tracks I wanted to dismiss, but instead quickly found myself on the hook and moving along with the cadence and beat. This is pure ear worm type track that will stick with you even if you don’t want it to, but it is also the kind of song that gets people up on their feet and moving. The writing delivers some punches and the attitude of the performance carries those lines quite well.”
“We’ve all been deceived and fooled by another person, and that treachery is even worse when you fall for that person in a romantic way. ella jane’s track is a tongue in cheek Pop ode to revenge on such people. The lyrics are sharp and witty and this song is sort of like Sheryl Crow as Dexter in musical form.
A fun ride with incredible talent to back it up!”
“Dawson Fuss delivers emotions in new single “Free”. The song focuses on a journey to connect with others but also wanting to understand who you are. The search for clarity and freedom is a journey of its own.”
“Kill Carter’s new single “Crash In A Benz” is an out of the box experience. Sitting next to a car with nature surrounding him focusing on an apple that signifies the one that broke his heart. This lyric video provides emotional healing at a smooth pace. ”
“Breeze Davinci rides a smooth flow and an addictive beat to bring out ‘Mind Games.’ The vocals lean on the production dynamics a bit too much at times, leaving me craving more emotional resonance, but the impact still comes through enough for me to engage and stay tethered to the build. The writing and groove are strong and the track is one I will certainly add to a few different playlists.”
“Katelyn Tarver is an accomplished singer/songwriter that deserves far more accolades than she has received thus far.
’Hurt Like That’ is yet another feather in her quiver of talented tracks and both the performance and the writing sparkle here. Give this track a listen, then take a deep dive into Tarver’s library and discover the wonders that awaits you.”
“Fans of Jason Isbell and Phoebe Bridgers, will find it easy to connect to Suitcase Souls and their new single, ‘Nashville October.’
Deferring to the band here is what they say of the track ... “‘Nashville October’ is the smoke smell in your jacket from last night’s backyard hang, the photos in your camera roll of a selfie that *barely* fit everyone, the feeling of letting go of a past season to grab hold of right now and living in the moment.”
The track does have that worn nostalgic feel that makes our memories both fuzzy and acute and in that the emotions is easy to find and feel. ”
“Valley Boy stays true to the title and offers up a set of lyrics that might indeed be ‘Disgusting’ by the norms society puts on us all, but the writing and delivery are certainly honest and engaging and those two qualities go a very long way in making music feel alive and true.
The build and progression shifts and grows in intensity toward the end and this makes us feel the power of simple, declarative truths that we all hold secret for fear of being judged. In this, the song offers an understated brilliance.”
“Seventeen year old AJA comes with with emphatic energy and verve on the new track, “Better Off Without You.’ The attitude wins the day here in this ode to breaking free from toxic people.
AJA is a young talent but her age does not diminish the power or substance so keep an ye and an ear on this rising talent for years to come. And be sure to add this track to your playlists to call up anytime you are feeling fierce and determined to exorcise the idiots from your own life. ”
“The Morning Herald sounds more like something you’d read over coffee, rather than plug into your ears and listen to, but this Philly band delivers a dash of Chili Peppers roasted over an Arcade Fire served with a side of Tame Impala for inspiration.
’Under The Roof’ is the kind of Indie Rock song that feels timeless in its approach and sound, and the overall vibe drips with the savory juice of rock and roll. ”
“Super producer, Stark teams up with Soul singer, Kestra to bring ‘Your Sweet Power’ to life. Riding a funky bassline, the track sweeps you up and into the lyrical build. We’ve all had that teacher or mentor that we can hear whispering to us even when they are nowhere around and this song captures that power in a soulful groove that is easy to sway along with and connect on a deeper level as well. ”