“It is always important to make a ‘Good Impression,’ but then again sometimes you just have to be yourself and let the truth land. Tamar Berk plays around with this idea with a lot of fun and energy on her latest single. The San Diego native has a throwback sound that would be right at home in the Pop landscape of the late 80’s. ”
“This guitar heavy track from Jake Kulak brings the timeless INdir Rock sound that could be from any recent decade. ‘Animals’ is the kind of song music lovers can dig in on and feel to the core. Simply a rock solid track musically, vocally, and in the lyrical build. ”
“44Phantom doesn’t mention ‘Kansas’ anymore. To find out why you will have to take this emotional journey with the Grunge influenced Alternative Rocker out of Oklahoma.
The song unfurls like a well-written short story in that you will deeply connect with the emotional plight as wella s the musical build.”
“Fake Dad is an LA based Pop Synth duo that has an Indie Rock vibe with just enough Pop Punk influence to add a razor edge to the sound.
’Crybaby’ is about the pursuit of fleeting fame and how desperate society has become to snatch their fifteen minutes. The track delivers a nice energy and spark and I can’t wait to hear more from this talented duo. ”
“Frances Whitney drizzles in some nostalgia and heartache on this track, but that is not to say ‘Still Have July’ is a melancholic trip and nothing else. The single also has an uplifting and hopeful tone that increases as the track builds.
The song works much like our brains in that it sort of processes multiples things and aspects all at once to give us a splashy Summer time vibe along with a treasure trove of emotions.”
“Jellyka is a Belgium-based producer/songwriter/musician who began his career in the early ’90. ‘Paper Game’ has some throwback vibes but manages to feel contemporary in its dark, brooding vibe. THis is one of those track that is mood dependent for me but when I want to wallow a bit this one is a perfect accompaniment.
The vimagery of the video is basic, but again fits the mood quite well.”
“Greyson Chance straddles the line between Rock, Pop, and Folk on this track. The Oklahoma native can be compared to acts sucha s Mumford or the Lumineers, but ‘Haymaker’ also feels in line emotionally with Americana in the vein of Jason Isbell, or even a more traditional Country sound such as Tyler Childers.
Emotionally raw and vulnerable, the track is masterfully written and performed. ”
“I like how the song starts with a strong string of the guitars. However, the first part brings alternative rock excitement with a little pop but then slows down. You can tell the different delivery in the artist because one keeps the song energy going while the other verses shifts. I didn’t grasp the storyline but it still has a nice sound.”
“Eden Rain has the kind of vocal prowess that captivates from the very first note. ‘Palo Alto’ is a song of heart ache and longing’ and how the person’s memory can sneak up on you in unexpected ways.
A tender and vulnerable song, ‘Palo Alto’ is human and the emotions are acutely tangible. Eden Rain is an artist I am eager to hear more of in the near future.”
“Trees and Timber are a vibe. Pinning a style on the sound of this track is tough, but call it Indie Rock if you must have one.
I hear Punk, Folk, Rock vibes throughout and the vocals have sort of a wry reverence to really bring them home. “All The Best’ is a glimmer of hope in a darkening world. ”
“The allure of stardom and fame has led to more than one tragic death and for some like Marilyn Monroe those deaths serve to fuel the legends and desire for everlasting mortality in the name of star power. Tiger La Flor utilizes this in her latest single, ‘hollywood cemetery.”
The track has an epic feel with hints of nostalgia sprinkled in both the lyrics and musical style. This Pop leaning track has an air of mystery and allure capturing the glory as well as the guts of a storied past.”
“Fake it until you make it is a way to get ahead professionally, but it is a poor method for finding internal happiness. And yet we all plaster on that fake smile at times and pretend we are doing just fine when we’re not.
August Echoes does a magnificent job of utilizing an upbeat musical arrangement and heavier, darker lyrics to showcase this dynamic. In a track that at first glance feels bright and cheerful, the true meaning and vibe is one of despair and uncertainty. This mirrors how many of us go through our days.
’Lucky You’ is a track with intelligence and foresight ,and if you truly listen a bit of insight into our humanity. ”
“Alana Cruz has a sound that could be Country, could be Pop, could be an emotional singer/songwriter expressing their vulnerability and the good thing is great music transcends those type of labels and simply speaks to people’s hearts.
’Telescope’ is that kind of song.
At times I heard Natalie Maines of the Chicks, Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mack and Brandi Carlile but in the end this is simply the talented Cruz, belting out her truths as she expresses what unrequited love and the yearning brand of hope that comes along with it truly feels like.”
“Zoe Ko is having fun on her latest single, ‘Touch Therapy.’ This Alt Pop gem is definitely thirsty, and that seductive Pop Punk edge drives the engagement.
Ko revels in the sexuality of the track and that libidinous energy captivates. Sometimes all we need is to be touched to unlock a new new attitude this song serves as the soundtrack for that sensation.
As the most interesting man alive once said ... Stay thirsty my friends. ”
“I had a mixed reaction to jocelvn’s new release, ‘spiral.’ The vocal talent and emotive delivery had me captivated, as did the subtle beauty of the video and imagery.
The writing was strong as well, though I was not a huge fan of the way the track wound down and for me the ending felt unnaturally abrupt, as if it had been cut off. Though overall, it was the production dynamics that I struggled with. The track felt overproduced and for my taste it would have been better served to simply let the vocal talent and emotion carry the song.
As always, let me know in the comments what you think? Did I miss the point of this one or was the talent diminished by the production and abrupt conclusion?”
“Riding a slow methodical build over the first minute, the track begins to soar with the chorus, but before that the strong emotive vocals will make you lean in in anticipation.
None of us truly stay ‘Forever young’ but good music is a good way to forget that that and lose yourself in time for a while. KTJ & CARLY know how to create engaging tracks that speak directly to a listener’s heart.
I did find myself craving more lyrically and the track ended a verse or so too soon for me.”
“Pure unadulterated fun!
Tom Mackell has a good time calling out his own behavior, and the honesty, along with his emotive delivery sells the track with ease. The melody is light and the tempo carries the listener along like a nice summer breeze.
This is a good little everyman kind of ditty, that will stick in your head long after the final note. ”
“deegie is back on the attack, unleashing to dirt on ex-boyfriends from her upcoming EP, ‘EXES.’
This song puts the spotlight on Eric, her high school sweetheart, who first broke deegie’s heart when she was seventeen. I
A Pop Punk hit in the making, ‘Old Spice’ unfurls like a movie and the the story is easily digestable.”
“This track comes in with a retro 80’s vibe. Not quite Hair Metal, but more like a Springsteen, Bon Jovi kind of energy and old school rock style that provides instant nostalgia. Beyond that, Vilhelm Buchaus infuses passion and talent into ‘Snow In The Summer,’ that keeps you glued in for the build and climax of the track. Along the way the song started to feel more contemporary for me though truthfully it delivers what I’d consider a timeless sound.”
“Velvet Rouge reminded me of Lucinda William on this track. Yes there are multiple voices, but the grit and overall tone had that same brand of defiant excellence that William does so well.
’Lonely Since The Day We Met’ builds in passion and energy throughout, and once it bites unto your psyche it refuses to let go.
This is the, in-your-face goodbye that we all want to deliver at some point in our life. Now we have an easy song to share with those offending parties as we say adios! ”