“You ever have a chorus you just can’t get out of your head? Ever just wanna make a bad decision and feel sexy whilst you do it? Mirror by ROREY is all of that and more. Taken from ROREY’s Apt 7D Ep, this record made to be screamed at the top of your lungs whilst you check yourself out in the mirror like “Damn I look good... even when I’m a mess. ”
“Picture the scene. You’re in your room, you’re pining for an unrequited love, and as your brushing your hair in the mirror this record comes on and that simple hairbrush becomes the microphone and your room the stage. Thats how this record makes me feel. It taps into that early love, that first really pining for someone and all you want to hear is “I love...” well you know the 3 words. ”
“I love the use of good imagery to set a scene and convey the world in a tangible way. Ariana Fig uses ‘Cherry Coke’ as a substitute for alcohol and addiction the way those in recovery find a new fixation but these new infatuations rarely fulfill the user in the same way leading to a constant struggle and this song highlights that so well both in the writing and emotive delivery. Fog’s tone is talented but also vulnerable and genuine and you can feel every word. ”
“Delivered in a classic Indie Pop sound, Holly Wild unleashes ‘Hard To Love,’ a track about struggling to love someone that isn’t as easy to be in a relationship with as perhaps they appear from the outside. The track is a lesson to us all, as we sometimes take things for granted or hold back from the ones who love us the most. Then again sometimes we just have to go with the clues others present and realize they are takers who are never going to give what we need.
This is a track that can be seen both ways and each listen offers something new. A definite add to several of my Spotify playlists. ”
“The soft edges of this track held me close and kept me leaning in as the emotions washed over me. Ships Have Sailed offers a timeless Indie Rock sound that grips the listener with ease. This song was written for the singer’s then unborn daughter and is meant to offer a peaceful bit of advice and guidance that we all can stand to be reminded of from time to time.
’Edge Of An Ocean’ is a great metaphor for life and the different waves and challenges we face. ”
“The melody and build here offer a timeless sound that honestly could come from any of the last three decades. The writing is sharp and the vocals sell the emotion quite well.
Media House is a band that sort of falls between the genre cracks as they have a diverse sound in the two tracks I have heard, This, ‘Car Sales Men’ being my favorite of the two though I will definitely be checking out more of the band’s work as both submissions were quality. Don’t sleep on the lyrical metaphor here that is very cleverly crafted.”
“Life gets weird sometimes. It can feel like free-falling and Prismala is right there to catch you tonight. He might not have the answers but ‘Breathe’ makes it feel better. Soaring vocals intertwining like ballet, this song is the hug you get when you don’t even know you need it. Just close your eyes, lay back on your bed and breathe.”
“Rachel Newnham is a rising artist out of the UK. Her new single, ‘Nobody Loves You Like I Do,” is an emotive and heartfelt ode to being underappreciated in a relationship. Newnham’s talented tone and genuine vulnerability is evident in every line and note. The track has a stripped down, bare feel that works well with the writing and this one will hit home for those of us who have been there. ”
“Three Second Chances brings the energy and a throwback spirit on their new track, ‘Living Out Loud.’ If P!nk put out a disco track I imagine it would sound a lot like this though the vocals here have a bit of 80s tone and style as well. The track still manages to feel contemporary and easily swept me up and along for the build. ”
“Reemerging after a difficult breakup is tough, and comes on a unique timeline for everyone, though the magical realization that suddenly you are going to be okay is a true revelation and that is exactly what this track captures.
Someone Else’s Rain delivers the song with a smooth easy groove and ‘Cry Them For You,’ is a timeless emotional jam as a result. Heartfelt and genuine this is a song that will have lasting power as it transcends both time and genre. ”
“Kate Thornbury’s vocals have a hint of Stevie Nicks thought he delivery style is a bit more Phoebe Bridgers or Brandi Carlile with an sound that falls between Indie Rock and Americana.
’Napkins’ starts with a bit of sunny nostalgia but takes a deeper darker turn as the track progress and the dreams that were once written on disposable napkins are long gone but the emotions of heartbreak linger on.”
“An Electro pop track about losing touch, though not that deep connection, with an old friends. The reminiscing tone of this track was intriguing and I feel like this is an underexplored theme in popular music. Alta Falls delivers a classic synth Pop sound with a modern contemporary twist.
The talent is what makes the track work, though for me the writing and unique subject and resulting emotions truly single this track out in a unique and refreshing way.”
“This track is one of those that feels light and airy and makes you feel good from the very first listen, only after you take a deeper lyrical dive do you realize the writing is a touch darker than the initial vibe. This juxtaposition makes the song all the more interesting, and means you can listen and appreciate the intent no matter your mindset or mood. Give this one a go, and let backo warm your ears with some sweet ‘Sunshine.’ ”
“There is comfort food but this track is an ode to comfort retreats ... like a ‘Beach House.’ In creating the song, Jadnelys has given the world a comfort track. Okay, so that isn’t an actual term but it should be,. The sound here is a bit nostalgic and wraps around you and leaves you sated like a good comfort meal. ”
“We all live in our own little bubbles and Angel Abaya sings about that on this track. ‘The Bubble’ sounds a bit like Natalie Maines singing Pop and lyrically he track is about how sometimes we find comfort in our own little sanctuaries whereas other times we want to pop our protection and explore the world and meet new people that inhabit it. ”
“Music certainly has its fads and trends, though sometimes a simple, yet timeless sound is what best captivates and holds a listener. That is the case with ‘Jetlag’ from STARRY EYES.
The writing is intricately delightful, and the classic build and sound could come from several musical eras though the end product does not feel dated in anyway. The vocals unfold in a smooth emotive tone and make you lose the world around you as the meaning and emotions penetrate your brain. ”
“We all grow as we age and mature, and at times, two people who were once madly in love grow in different directions leaving an emotional chasm between them. Chris de Sarandy laments such an evolution on his track, ‘Who I Once Knew.’
The song reminded me a bit of Coldplay with more of an Indietronica vibe pushing it forward. The vocal performance is spot on, delivering passion and emotion that the listener can easily feel and connect with.”
“Nikki White taps into the past with her latest single, ‘Fairweather Friends’ which has a retro 80s feel at times, without feeling dated or coming across as interpretive. This track, about letting go of those friends who are only around for the good times, is original and fresh paying homage to the glory days of Pop.
White’s vocals sell the lyrics well, though the writing is strong enough to stand up to repeated listens so the emotional depth is there as well.. Overall, a solid Indie Pop track that highlights the talent quite well.”
“Shayla McDaniel delivers this track with a vocal precision that intensifies along with the lyrical build, and by the first chorus I was hooked for good. With each subsequent listen I felt more connected with both the words and performance. This is a track that wraps around you like a warm blanket and simply feels like genuine comfort.”
“I don’t always connect with the soft distant production values of Bedroom Pop, but some track simply fit well into such a structure and set of dynamics. Lisa Heller’s ‘Hollow’ is such a song as it dips and soars in the same manner our emotions do and the writing, in conjunction with Heller’s talented delivery, brings that all to life on this disarming single. ”