“Ava Della Pietra has the kind of talent that immediately commands your attention. Of course her stellar vocals are not Ava’s only talent, as this Broadway actress is no stranger to the spotlight. The theatrical influence does come through in her vocal style, though not at the sacrifice of the Indie Pop vibe that also conjures thoughts of Taylor Swift at times.
’Happy For You’ is an emotional journey well worth taking. ”
“Bright Kelly offers up an emotive Indi Folk track that has hints of Springsteen, John Prine, and a more obscure but equally talented Tom Russell. ‘Shake Til the Fever is Gone’ is not the kind of Commercial track we generally feature but is the kind of song that is honest and genuine and speak to the heart. A songwriter’s ode to acceptance I guess you might say, the track is one that delivers on its emotions with purpose. ”
“Jake Knox gives us a rocking Ska track about climbing out of the pits of despair. We all get in those low mental spots and how we respond can not only determine our future trajectory but can shorten or lengthen these buts of despair. This is the kind of track that reminds we are not alone in an entertaining fashion and can help us to pick up and move on when we need to. Knox describes it as ‘the most personal song he’s ever written’ and in that passion, listeners will find their own relevance. ”
“Jenn Howard offers up a bit of New Orleans flair on this track that falls between a funky Jazz sound and a singer/songwriter vibe. Maybe you could call this Americana if hard-pressed to place the track within a single genre, but either way the song has soul and heart and comes with one of those melodies that gets down in your bones and makes you move. Joined by Ivan Neville, this one reminds me of my nights down on Frenchman Street in NOLA.”
“The Collection brings a fresh new approach to the world of love songs. ‘Love at the End of the World’ is about finding love in a world that is falling apart and how we all need to keep living as best we can in the face of conflict and turmoil. The emotive vocals hooked me the writing is smart and intelligent while maintaining an emotional relevance.”
“There is something about The Scarlett Opera that puts me in mind of Queen and while it is hard to pinpoint exactly, I think it is a bold uniqueness that simply feels like freedom. Freedom of convention, freedom rules, and freedom of spirit that can only come with you create art for yourself first and an audience second. ‘Big City Thing’ is a flamboyant celebration of artistic freedom that gets in your ears and then in your soul.
Rock and Roll with flair and verve and a total disregard for what anybody thinks about that.”
“Pauric O Meara offers this heartfelt track as an extended hand for those down and out and needing help or at least an encouraging word.
’Come Home’ is a call for those who have wandered off path and need a safe haven. The emotive vocal style and musical build combine to instill hope while still maintaining an edge of anxiety which gives the track an added sense of credibility and resonance.”
“Charlotte Sands wants to be a voice and an inspiration to all the people who consider themselves to be outsiders, freaks, or imply different than the so-called normies of the world, and ‘Alright’ is an anthem of sorts created for that purpose.
The soaring vocal talent is accompanied by an emotive delivery and passion that is tangible throughout the track. I felt every word of this track and will be adding it to a number of playlists.”
“It is not often that a Pop Country track lands for me, but Shantaia deliver this track with an emotive strength that lands with genuine emotional resonance that transcends genre and rises above the fray of Mainstream Country. ‘Know You’ has an almost 90’s Country feel that reminds me of the days when Shania, Martina, Trisha, and Faith dominated the Country landscape. ”
“Memories often start benign enough but if we have regrets and pain associated those same memories can make our mind fall into chaos and anxiety. This track follows that same path with a nice gentle entry before building into a bit of ordered madness. And in doing so, the writing perfectly captures how many pf us deal with this sorts of mental trips. I was left craving more which is both good and bad I suppose.”
PHOTO CREDIT ANNIE REID
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“Art is often born of heartache and despair and this track certainly has that feel. ‘Flashbacks’ is all about reflecting on the past and dealing with the mix of regrets and missteps we all make. The back and forth nature of the two sets of vocals play well off each other and makes the emotion truly tangible int he way few Pop songs manage to pull off. ”
“Stubbornness can be a good thing when it comes in the form of determination. Songbird highlights that aspect in ‘Stubborn’ a track about not giving in when problems arise and trusting in love to carry your forward no matter what. Stubborn love is what it takes for any relationship to survive and that along with an infectious energy carries this track forward and makes it oh so relevant. ”
“Trying to love someone whose heart still belongs to another is a futile effort and on the track ‘Hanted,’ Eiza Murphy explores the frustration and hopeless feeling of doing exactly that. The emotive vocals sell the story and emotion quite well on this short but effective gut punch of a single. ”
“Swedish rap artist, Xersize delivers a flow that certainly pays homage to Eminem in style and sound, and lyrically the track has the same style of emotion and punch. Alongside a chorus, delivered with spot of perfection from Madeleine Liljestam of the metal band, Eleine, Xersize unveils ‘Scars,’ but they are not alone as we all have marks upon our body and mind that shape who we are, and how we view the world around us.”
“While set in LA, this track has a universal appeal and perfectly captures the magic of a night where you are free to explore and take on the world soo or alongside friends. The chill vibe and silky vocals feel like that drive where traffic is light and you catch every green light along the way to a place you are eager to be. ”
“Blurring the lines of Punk, Alternative and Emo Rock, Sir Echo has a retro vibe that at times feels like the Bangles in a blender. ‘Raven’ is about the battle between fantasized or romanticized versions of a person, and the reality that they come with a complex history and set of flows just like every other person.
Love might be blind, but eventually every relationship is tested by reality and here those ideas take flight thanks to dark wings and thrumming guitar strings. ”
A smooth R&B groove with heavy Pop leanings about letting the bad stuff roll off and way from you. It is far too easy to hold grudges and plot revenge, but then the offending party lives inside your head so sometimes we have to let go of our resentment and trust Karma to work her magic. This song is an artful reminder of that.
“If you think Country Music is defined by the glossy, superficial pablum cranked out of Mainstream Nashville then you probably have no idea of the wide ranging talent that is keeping the traditional sound alive all across the country. Texas is no doubt the hub for Independent artists to not only honor the traditional sound but push it forward and Natalie Prauser is one of those genuine voices doing exactly that.
’East Texas’ offers a lonesome, down on your heels vibe. A classic drinking, or thinking, or simply living in reality song that resonates with heartfelt emotion.”
“Bad Flamingo is a duo I have frequently shared here at LA on Lock and ‘Devil and the Deep Blue’ continues their genre bending air of mystique. I’ll call it American for lack of a better alternative but this power duo refuse to be clearly defined in anyway and that is certainly part of the charm. This track has that dangerous spaghetti western vibe the band often exudes with a Rock and Roll edge that can’t be denied. ”