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- Album Review: "All Back To Mine" - BANNERS
English indie-pop singer songwriter, Michael Joseph Nelson, best known as BANNERS, has recently released his 3rd full-length album, "All Back To Mine". After spending seven years in Canada to work on his music career, BANNERS returned to his hometown of Liverpool, which inspired the themes of this album and is exactly where he wrote and recorded all the tracks for it within a span of nine months. Working alongside producer Cameron Blackwood and engineer Dan Moyler, BANNERS had initially recorded 40 songs for this album. These are the 12 that made the cut! Featuring singles released throughout the past year and a handful of new tracks, this is "All Back To Mine". TRACKLIST Name In Lights Have You Ever Loved Someone Anywhere For You In Your Universe There Goes My Girl C'est La Vie The Best View In Liverpool Perfectly Broken - Duet Version Broken Hearted Tell You I Love You Life's Just No Fun All That You Made Me BANNERS kicked off his career as an artist in 2015 and has been consistently releasing music these past 9 years. He took the world by storm when his single release in 2020, "Someone To You" got high recognition, earning over 1.5 billion streams across all platforms. He ended up performing the song on season 16 of American Idol. Prior to this, his other breakthrough songs like "Ghosts", "Half Light", and "Got It In You" were featured on hit TV shows such as Teen Wolf, The Royals, New Amsterdam, The Good Doctor, and America's Got Talent. Now, all of his songs have gained millions of streams and he has over 7 million monthly listeners on Spotify. With his latest album release, BANNERS' takes us through a sound he describes as his happiest, like he's where he is supposed to be. Lets dive in. Name In Lights Kicking off the album with the strong focus track, "Name In Lights", BANNERS uses his roots to shape a folk rock and pop soundscape with Celtic influences. With it's use of strings and the rhythm, this particular song sounds like a mixture of Mumford and Sons and Coldplay, which is BANNERS favorite band. "Name In Lights" was released as a single almost a year ago in great anticipation for this album. The song is about being supportive of someone's dreams, believing in them even when they don't believe in themselves. Accompanied by a tear-jerking music video, "Name In Lights" is the perfect leading track to set the tone of this project. Have You Ever Loved Someone "Have You Ever Loved Someone" is an upbeat, fun-loving pop-bop that'll have you up dancing around like no one is watching. Another single that was released almost a year ago, we watch BANNERS show off his humorous side in a not-so-serious music video. This infectious track is about that type of relationship where you lose yourself in them to the point that your not quite in reality anymore. All you can think about is them, and you don't want it to end. We hear a strength and power to BANNERS' voice that stands out from his usual style. With a bit of an 80's synth vibe mixed with modern pop, "Have You Ever Loved Someone" is both a radio hit, and lyrically relatable, making it perfectly executed and easily lovable for anyone regardless of your personal tastes. Anywhere For You "Anywhere For You" is a stunningly emotional pop piano ballad. It's very reminiscent of the style of Lewis Capaldi. Featuring soaring vocals and an instrumental build, if you're someone who loves a strong love song, this one is for you! Everyone knows that relationships aren't easy. Life takes it course; both good and bad things happen as years go by and sometimes that can really take a toll on long-term partners. "Anywhere For You" is about reassuring your loved one that no matter what happens, you'll always be there for them. Even at their lowest low, you'll be right there by their side. On the topic of "Anywhere For You": Life is a journey and it's going to have its ups and downs. No relationship is simple and nothing worth doing is ever easy. Sometimes you have to let someone know that you're going to be there through it all. -BANNERS In Your Universe "In Your Universe" is a simple but beautiful love song. Featuring piano, guitar and a beat, it's a great transition from the previous track. The rhythm is single strung, creating this build that takes you on a groovy journey. Using astrological terminology, "In Your Universe' is simply about having someone in your life that makes the world a better place. You no longer can imagine a life without them in it. As long as you're with them, you're happy and content. You can really hear the Coldplay influence in this song, both lyrically and sonically. BANNERS shows off beautiful falsetto moments in his voice that really makes the track stand out from others. There Goes My Girl Giving off nostalgic early 2000's pop/rock vibes with a bit 80's synth is track five, "There Goes My Girl". This song is one of the brand new tracks, never heard before the album release. It's fun and groovy track about praising a girl you love who doesn't know just how amazing she is. She's so low-key that the rest of world has no idea that she is the best thing that could ever happen to anyone. You're so proud to have her that you just want to shout it from the rooftops, "there goes my girl!". C'est La Vie "C'est La Vie", meaning "That's Life" in French, goes back to that Celtic folk rock and pop sound of track one. With a really bright soundscape and stomping beat, it's a song that easily gets stuck in your head; especially the really fun synth during the chorus. The chanting harmonies and acoustic guitar give the song a really raw feeling. BANNERS shows off flawless vocal flips between chest voice and falsetto which adds a unique touch to the song. The gist of this song is, you can't stop bad things from happening but as long as you have that one person by your side at the end of the night, that is all that matters. We have a full in-depth article for "C'est La Vie", which you can read here! The Best View In Liverpool It's no secret that BANNERS love his hometown of Liverpool. He is clearly proud of where he's from; that feeling of coming home is what inspired this album after all. Liverpool has a lot of beautiful sights to see. BANNERS sings of memorable places and moments that he loves about his hometown; but the point of this song is that as long as you're with the ones you love, no matter where you are in the world it'll always feel like home. This song has a very cenematic soundscape that features a big emotional build that makes your heart skip a beat when you hear it. We have a full in-depth article for "The Best View In Liverpool", which you can read here! Perfectly Broken - Duet Version "Perfectly Broken" was originally a solo single released in 2022. It was a break-through track which ended up getting 10's of millions of streams. The track became a part of BANNERS EP released just last year, "I Wish I Was Flawless, I'm Not" and was the title of his headlining "Perfectly Broken" tour. Just three months ago, BANNERS collaborated with Hawaiian native soul-pop singer, Lily Meola to create a duet version, taking this already incredible song to another level. BANNERS' and Lily's voices blend together beautifully as they harmonize through this highly emotional song. Strings and acoustic guitar stand out as the primary instruments as the slow groove carries you along through the heartbreaking track. We have a full in-depth article for "Perfectly Broken - Duet Version", which you can read here! Broken Hearted "Broken Hearted" brings back that nostalgic, 80's synth and Coldplay influenced soundscape that is a common theme across BANNERS' discography. However, this particular song feels more raw and laid back in production than the others. "Broken Hearted" is about that love at first sight type of feeling; when you see a stranger across the room and you feel your heart sink to your stomach. You know that if you don't get yourself to go over and talk to them, that you'll forever regret it. Keeping the music light and fun-loving, this song has a build and progression that brings you higher and higher. You don't quite expect this song to be such a banger because of the title, but it is! Tell You I Love You "Tell You I Love You" is about falling in love fast; it might be too soon to say those special three little words, but you just can't help yourself. You have to tell them how you feel, whether it's a bad idea or not. "Tell You I Love You" starts off with the most beautiful and dreamy acoustic picking pattern that immediately draws you into the song. The full-band instrumentation that comes in gives this song a realness to it, something that radiates what music is supposed to be all about. It has a very classic soft rock tone while keeping that modern sound quality. It's a sonically stunning track and the effort that was put in to make it sound that way is clear. Life's Just No Fun Turning the tables as we go into one of the saddest tracks on the album and a song that wasn't heard until the release of the album, we have "Life's Just No Fun". This track is about losing the one person who made everything in life make sense. Everything was better when you had them, and now that they're gone, life's just no fun. This stunning piano ballad was written the moment BANNERS' had bought the piano of his dreams and it had just arrived at his home. Inspired by the style of Russian singer/songwriter and pianist Regina Spektor, BANNERS' put the piano at the forefront with just a little mixture of strings. The emotional build all comes from the voice and the dynamics of the piano. All That You Made Me Recording from start to finish in just one take, we have the closing track another piano ballad, "All That You Made Me"; and I must stay, what a beautiful song to end this project on. The honest emotion behind BANNERS' voice with just him and his piano is like you're there live in person with him while he performs. The sustained chords add to the emotional ambience of the song. "All That You Made Me" is about how you can't be who you are today without the people you've had in your life to help influence who you've become. It's a song of appreciation to those who have helped make your life better in some way. It's a perfect song to cry happy tears to, and the best choice to close this chapter of "All Back To Mine". BANNERS has once again proven how incredible of a songwriter he is. This particular album really defines and solidifies his style and who he is as an artist. BANNERS doesn't stick to one particular sound; he's created this mixture of genres that are completely his. If I had to use a word to describe the sound of this album, I'd use the word home. You can tell how much it meant to him to be back in his hometown to write this new music; you can literally hear it within each song. He really knocked it out of the park in this collection of songs, lyrically, vocally and sonically. There's something for everyone on this album, regardless of your personal tastes. His words are highly relatable; he sings of situations that plenty of us have been through. BANNERS' is an artist for the people, and he's not stopping anytime soon. Make sure to follow BANNERS' below to keep up with what he does next! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW BANNERS: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube | Website *Sponsored Post - Discovered on SubmitHub. A contribution was made to help create this article as part of a promotional campaign.
- Review: "Animal" - R3HAB and Jason Derulo
Pop sensation Jason Derulo and famed producer R3HAB have just teamed up for their brand new song “Animal” just in time for summer! This song is all about wanting to have a good time with someone you miss. Jason says he feels lonely without this girl, and he was reminiscing on all the good times he had with her. He tells her that he needs her because “every time you put your love on me/we don’t speak/we go animal.” In the second verse, he knew as soon as they saw each other, they were going to end up on the dance floor. Jason says “[they] didn’t care if they were watching,” and they were ignoring the noise. Now, he says “I’m missing more than just your body” and the farther they’re away from each other, the more his love grows - all he can think about is seeing her again. “Animal” is an infectiously groovy dance-pop track. R3HAB’s signature electro-pop sound combined with Jason’s sultry, edgy tone creates an addicting track. R3HAB’s sound is high energy, melodic, and atmospheric Although no two of his songs sound the same, it’s easy to tell if he’s produced them. Jason Derulo easily impresses with his smooth vocals that we all know and love. The track is obviously a detour from what Jason’s music sounds like, but with the satisfying beat, unique sound effects, and vocal layering, it feels so effortless. Each beat drop has a perfect build up to it as well, which makes it so gratifying to hear. This song is sure to be a hit this summer, both in the club and on the radio. Jason Derulo is a singer, songwriter, dancer, and businessman hailing from Miramar, Florida. He first got his start writing for artists such as Danity Kane, Lil Wayne, and Sean Kingston in the mid-2000s, but was also intending on becoming a solo performer. His debut single “Whatcha Say” hit number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2009. His debut album, “Jason Derulo”, which also featured other major hits such as “In My Head” and “Ridin’ Solo” was incredibly successful, which established him as a household name. He’s only grown since then, with many Hot 100 hits and countless features on songs with Nicki Minaj, Pitbull, 2 Chainz, and more. R3HAB is a multi-platinum DJ and music producer from the Netherlands. Although you may not know his name, he has remixed songs from artists such as Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and Drake, while producing hits for artists such as ZAYN, Sean Paul, Luis Fonsi, and more. Currently, he has over 70 Gold and Platinum certificates. This isn’t the first time the pair have gotten together on a track. R3HAB just remixed Jason’s collaboration with Michael Bublé, “Spicy Margarita” last month. The duo works great together, and it would be super exciting to see a collaboration from them again in the future. Written By Lauren DiGiovanni FOLLOW R3HAB: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube FOLLOW JASON DERULO: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube
- Review: "Horses Running" - Anna Elyse
At times in life, it seems as though many things can be completely unchanging. Even at our attempts to try and change, or stop certain things from happening, it’s like trying to put out a destructive forest fire. As the whipping flames find themselves climbing up the towering trees of nature, we realize there’s nothing we can do to put out such incessant destruction. Instead of turning away, we watch in silence, waiting for the pernicious results. As we watch the flames eat away and cause deleterious harm, we realize that there would have been no outcome where we could have stopped such a detrimental fire from happening. The flames being too hot to try and step in to save it, the smolder choking us, and stealing the breath from our lungs. Trying to prevent it would cause more damage than good to ourselves. Instead, we must turn away, and watch the raging flames, watch them burn away until there’s nothing left to burn. A plethora of us have found ourselves in a situation like this, where we realize that our efforts to stop a situation from happening would put forth no help, we realize in these situations that life must go on. Our efforts would be futile. 'Horses Running' by Anna Elyse describes just that in the form of a song. The lyrics go as “Like watching a merry-go-round and being shocked that there's horses running...”. Here is where the singer describes a situation that seems to keep going, it’s never-ending, and all she can seem to do is watch that very situation go up in flames, realizing to herself that there’s no stopping it. It will continue whether she wants it to, or not. And although she can turn away, and leave the premises of such a destructive situation, she can’t. Instead, she watches, seeing the flames gather and destroy. Click here to listen to "Horses Running"! The melody of this song is slow, it carries a smooth and soft tempo, allowing the beautiful voice of our singer, Anna, to carry out most of the song with detailed lyrics. Lyrics that can easily manipulate the listeners into a situation similar to the one in the song. It carries a rather morose tune with the use of the guitar, along with the lyrics that encourage lachrymose tears through its listeners. Anna’s voice also adds that additional effect the song needs for it to piece together and create a melody that carries significance and meaning, her voice delicate and paring with the smooth instruments skillfully and so innately. After listening to the song, and writing the lyrics out myself to truly connect to the message Anna so excellently includes in her melodious song, I came to realize that the meaning of the song entirely touched my heart. At the opening of the song, I couldn’t help but relate to her lyrics, to her words, so much so that tears gathered in my eyes. There are many situations in life that we face where we have to give silence as our answer, where we have to hold back on our words in order to prevent a situation from escalating and worsening. I also have to admire Anna’s lyrics, how much meaning they hold, and how much more significance they add. Her enchanting voice simply makes it all the more perfect, corresponding to the woeful mood of the song. Being able to stand aside while a situation slips right through your fingers is a difficult one to come to accept. One where you can’t even begin to set apart your emotions or try to express your feelings, and yet, Anna captures the emotions so honorably. Anna Elyse, the talented artist behind the song, is a singer and songwriter in Los Angeles California. Anna typically resonates with genres like pop, indie, and indie folk. She has two recent releases, one being ‘Horses Running’ and ‘Old Western Film’. Not only is Anna her own songwriter, but she also produced ‘Horses Running’ herself! Although many may assume Anna may have just begun her journey to becoming a singer and songwriter, Anna has been on the scene for quite some time! Her voice was previously featured in songs by the artist Logic in a few of his album skits. Anna also has many more songs that she has written and shared on all music platforms dating back to 2020. I would personally love to hear more of what Anna has to say in the form of songs and would love to see her continue thriving and growing throughout her musical talents. To keep up with Anna Elyse, follow her socials to support and cheer her on throughout her journey of being a talented artist. Written By Rosalyn Sanchez FOLLOW ANNA ELYSE: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator
- Review: "Dance With Your Ghost" - ZEVY x Ferris
EDM DJ ZEVY and singer-songwriter Ferris have teamed up to release a country and EDM smash that’s definitely one of the most interesting combinations of genres I’ve heard, and stands out as one of the most captivating bangers I've ever come across. With its stuttering vocals and glitchy beat, this song feels like its transporting you to the middle of a concert crowd, dancing and jumping along to the beat. “ Dance With Your Ghost ” dives into the struggles of moving on from a past love. Despite the relationship being over and the pain caused by broken promises and other events, the special moments and memories together linger, and are too good to forget. Drinking and smoking are used as distractions, but the ex is still on their mind. Unable to let go no matter what, Ferris sings about deciding to cling to the memories and special moments shared by metaphorically dancing with his ex’s “ ghost .” I love the fusion of a country vocal style with the rhythm of EDM and stutter house. It’s a blend that's new to my ears, unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. It definitely prompted a double take in the beginning of the song, and later a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th listen … and maybe even a little more. The song opens with multiple methods and attempts at them to distract himself from thoughts of their ex, such as: “ Even a bottle of whisky, cant take the forces outta my head. Even a cotton of cigarettes, can't get your perfume out of my bed. Even a bottle of blanco, can't fix the holes to my heart that you left. All of the promises never kept, along with the things that I'll never forget .” These mechanisms are temporary fixes, numbing the pain from a breakup for just a moment. Memories are forever, and the relief of thoughts from drinking and smoking are not, therefore making it hard for the singer to move past the separation and forget about their time together. So, the reminiscing just continues: “ I remember all the sunsets, watching all the champagne popping all night. I remember all the late nights snacking, barely laughing, everything was magic, yeah. ” Unable to let go of these thoughts and lingering feelings, the singer metaphorically dances with the “ghost” of their past, embracing and accepting, and holding onto the memories that he struggles to let go of: “ I know that you’re not mine, I’d rather dance with your ghost .” The mention of shared moments like watching sunsets, popping champagne, and late-night snacks further reinforces the sense of nostalgia and yearning for what once was. As for the musical elements of the track, the incorporation of stutter house elements adds another layer of curiosity and interest. They’re so unique that they’re hard to miss. Particularly, the chopped and stuttered vocals, such as the repetition of “ gh-o-o-o-o-stttt ” in the line, “ I know that you’re not mine, I’d rather dance with your ghost .” This combination of stutter house effects, Ferris' country twang in his voice, and the country instrumentation, definitely made this a unique listening experience for me, and I know it would for you too. This collab sets this song apart from others in both EDM and country genres. This song has earned a place on my playlist, that's for sure. ZEVY is an EDM DJ and producer from Boston, Massachusetts but currently based in Los Angeles, California. He was introduced to the EDM world in highschool after coming across Kygo’s remixes on Soundcloud, and fell in love. He later blew up in the Boston area during his college years by playing at universities and nightclubs like Royale, Icon and Venu. He’s been praised and supported from renowned artists such as The Chainsmokers, Timeflies and dance-pop duo TwoFriends, who featured him on their SiriusXM radio show “Friendly Sessions.” At the same time, his most streamed track is a remix of TwoFriends’ song titled, “ Useless ,” which has nearly 2 million streams. Ferris is a singer, song-writer and producer from Philadelphia, but currently based in Miami, Florida. He started out with music by first recording out of his truck, and has now started his own production company to edit, shoot and direct music videos. With currently over 160,000 monthly Spotify listeners, and multiple hits containing millions of streams, his most popular song is also a collab with dance-pop duo TwoFriends, titled “ Love Love ” that has over 11 million streams on Spotify. He is also the host of the “What the F Show” that consists of original comedy skits and feel-good content posted onto his Instagram (@whatthefshow) and Youtube channel “What The F.” Keep up with ZEVY and Ferris by clicking on their social media links below, and check out their new song, “ Dance With Your Ghost ,” out now! Written By Sneet Efrem FOLLOW ZEVY: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | Website FOLLOW FERRIS: Instagram | Spotify | Facebook | YouTube
- Review: "What's Love to You?" - DeCC
What's Love to You? is a new-wave pop banger touching on the intricacies of modern-day romanticism, delivered through the gaze of a young lover infatuated with his counterpart. The song's opening line "She's the king of song you play forever I'm obsessed" sets the tone as the rest of the track entails a head-over-heels love affair between its protagonist and the target of his affection. Filled with hyperbolic lines reflecting the best form of love bombing, What's Love to You? oozes young adoration as DeCC continuously spits bars that make even the most earnest romantic second-guess if he truly loves his partner enough thanks to just how poetically Chan wears his heart on his sleeve. As he serenades his lover, DeCC makes it clear that the way he feels is seemingly unmatched and he only wishes to know if his love-drunk stupor is one-sided or if his partner feels the same way – singing "I wanna skip the stupid things, I wanna know what love is like for you". You can truly feel the intimacy and attachment conveyed through the lyrics of this tune, epitomized in the line "The perfect kinda lover but also your best friend", and is sure to be a hit with all of the lovestruck romantics out there. The latest single from DeCC starts off with a fat synth swell that filters open, before firmly cutting out, never to be heard in the track again. After the very brief intro, Caleb's voice enters with a sweet piano accompaniment. Most of the song consists of one track of Caleb's voice with a tasteful dose of reverb. While the lyrical themes and chord progressions are fitting for the ballad of any era, the production of this track is slightly more modern. Throughout the chorus sections, an ambient pluck is introduced to help deepen the atmosphere and emphasize the piano chords. The piano track is the only steady piece in the instrumentation that supports the main vocal the entire time. Towards the end of the song, the vocal tracks stack together with more layers and ad-libs to push into a finale. The song really climaxes at the end when DeCC enters into a falsetto vocal run that leads into a final, concise hook to finish off this sweet ballad. Caleb Chan, aka DeCC, is a singer-songwriter from the San Francisco area who is signed with Nebula Records. Having grown up playing the piano and guitar, Chan began making original music at the age of 12 before eventually releasing his first album, Numbers , in 2019. His artist name, DeCC, is a product of combining his birth month, December, and his initials, CC. Initially, DeCC self-taught himself to produce, mix, and record using a gaming headset and his laptop – before upgrading his gear and becoming proficient with fl studios. Fast forward a few years and Caleb has shown immense progress with his music, having had the opportunity to produce for rapper HunnaV and also co-release his EP Luv and Other Stuff with Critics Approved. His singles Put You First and On My Necklace both reached 100k streams on Spotify and the release of his track What if we met on the moon? garnered him admission into the ultra-prestigious music school at NYU. Things are only looking up for this young talent, so make sure you follow his ascent closely over the coming years as he is sure to blow up in due time. Written By Dan Caddigan FOLLOW DeCC: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Website | YouTube *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator
- Review: "One More Night" - Tessa Dalton
Tessa Dalton's latest release "One More Night" expresses the addictiveness of individuals and relationships in its lyricism as well as its pure impact, getting the listener hooked after one listen. The song takes place following a messy breakup to what is spoken of as a beautiful relationship, and implied to be much worse. Ending a relationship at all leaves anyone with a feeling of emptiness, but those who are not so lucky to find the long sought after "closure", experience this tenfold. Tessa Dalton, seeming to be one of these many, offers a relatable outlet for this nagging need for a happy ending. Her repetition in begging for "one more night" is a perfect recreation of these thoughts and of the craving that comes with them. While this, on a surface level, asks for a last night to end the relationship, the night she describes is right in the middle of it. She reminisces and pleads for the nights they once shared, or at least the untainted memory of them, but then these are the nights that would never lead to an ending. "One More Night" vulnerably explores the debate of losing unsavory memories to maintain the beauty of good ones: if its worth the risk of gaining worse memories due to the loss of the knowledge they brought. The tone of the piece is very down to earth. It begins with the strumming of an acoustic guitar that creates a personal, intimate, air to the instrumentals- reflective of the intimacy felt on those good nights. This guitar carries on throughout the song, even at the chorus keeping the pace of the song down to suit its depressive themes. Tessa Dalton's voice carries her lyricism expertly, having a cascading effect with how she states each memory that represents their repetitiveness and tiring nature. Her skill as a vocalist is impressive to say the least, natural and soft with peaks at her extreme talent during the most emotive portions of the song. If the song didn’t feel familiar enough, the way she ends it, singing slowly over nothing but the guitar, creates a conversational motif that is stunningly moving. Tessa Dalton grew up (“grew up” being used loosely as she is still only nineteen) on her family’s farm in rural Idaho. She was raised with music, playing various instruments throughout her childhood and mastering them early on. Her first was the violin at eleven years old, soon after though, she found her calling- the fiddle. She won competitions across states and began teaching the instrument as well as the violin, guitar, and leading voice lessons. She’s continued her education on it, currently in the bachelor program for commercial fiddle at Belmont University in Nashville where she’s now based. After her move here, she began her work as an independent artist. She began performing live across Nashville and has now released her first single, “One More Night”, stream it below. Written By Hailey Schap FOLLOW TESSA DALTON: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube
- Review: "Pretty" - Maggie Ries
Maggie Ries released her debut single, “Pretty.” She brings the 2000’s Avril Lavigne vibe to the table with this one. This song sends such a positive message about the way we should view ourselves. I remember being young and insecure, feeling like my skin didn’t fit my body. Growing up with social media can also change our perception on what beauty is, giving us false expectations for ourselves. I love the line where Maggie said, “Crazy that in reality, those bodies are photoshopped.” I can’t even count the amount of times I have envied peoples bodies based on their social media photos, when in reality everything is posed and filtered. Maggie opens the song up with talking about her niece coming to her about mean girls making fun of the way she looks. I think a lot of us can relate to that happening when we were young. It’s one of those things that is so common and genuinely affects us when we look in the mirror. I love the empowering take Maggie put on this song, reminding us that we are all beautiful. Her line “They’re just like you and me” is so incredibly powerful. We are all the same at the end of the day and we forget that. She tore beauty standards apart by saying there shouldn’t be any. Maggie Ries is a new singer-songwriter making her way. Her genre will focus on energetic alternative pop. She writes from the heart and has a gift I can't wait to hear more of. “Pretty” should be an anthem we sing for the rest of our lives. It is such a refreshing reminder that not everything is what it seems and we are all pretty in our own ways. All of her socials are linked down below so go follow her to stay updated for when her debut EP releases. She will be a force to be reckoned with. Written By Emylee Herring FOLLOW MAGGIE RIES: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube
- Review: “Beauty Queen” - Benedict Cork
Some of my favorite songs are the ones that allow me to get deep in my feelings and reflect. And today, I may have not only found a new favorite hit, but an artist as well. Benedict Cork, an English musician, recently released his latest single, “Beauty Queen”. Cork says he wrote the song during lockdown, as he was unable to perform his music, which led to a lot of negative feelings associated with feeling validated by his audience. I think this song is so beautiful, and I can relate strongly to its message. While I may not be a professional singer, I do a lot of professional writing and photography. All I want is to hear good praise about my short stories, my photoshoots… everything. But when I don’t get that validation, it can feel like a punch in the gut, or like I don’t possess the needed skills to set me apart from others. So yeah, this song struck with me on a deep and personal level. Benedict Cork has one of the most gorgeous voices I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. It’s clear as day when he begins to sing the first lyric that his voice is incredibly healthy. He was able to reach higher notes with ease, as well as dip deep into his lower register without issue. Also, I think his runs deserve a special shoutout, because they were executed flawlessly! I won’t lie, when I first heard him sing, I thought it was very similar-sounding to Sam Smith. And I think his musical style is similar as well. However, I can also sense a bit of Ed Sheeran in his tone, which I think sounds awesome. Benedict Cork… you have gained a new fan. Born and raised in Bishop’s Stortford, England, Cork has been learning and playing music since he was 8 years old, starting with learning the piano. His fans may recognize his older sister, SuRie, who represented the United Kingdom when she competed in Eurovision 2018. Sir Elton John himself once even labeled the “Have A Good Life (See You Never)” singer as “sensational” and a “name to look out for”. Cork has many devoted fans, getting him around 250,000 monthly listeners on average. I am so happy that I got a chance to listen to and review this song, it’s one of a kind and a new favorite. Go stream “Beauty Queen” everywhere now! Written By Isabel Mays FOLLOW BENEDICT CORK: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube
- Review: "Lovers Game - YDEA
When discussing the idea behind her latest single, "Lovers Game," singer-songwriter YDEA says the song is about "taking back my power." This sentiment flows throughout the track, which is about moving past someone who does not treat you the way you deserve. With its anthemic vocals and instrumentation, the song sounds huge, and its message is even bigger. On "Lovers Game," YDEA promotes self-love and independence. Lines like "Taking back my time / all the love that I left behind" make perfect mantras. The track is not just a stunning ballad but acts as a reminder to the audience to know and value their self-worth. "Lovers Game" is sonically gorgeous, with lyrics that are inspirational and necessary for listeners everywhere. One aspect that makes YDEA such a strong artist is her vulnerability. The singer-songwriter crafts such emotional resonance within "Lovers Game." YDEA's vocal performance is a triumph. It is both technically impressive and packs such an emotional punch. The moment she belts, "I'm no longer falling behind / Cause I made up my mind," in particular, is a total high point. The production contributes to the track's evocative nature with its strong bass, dynamic structure, and heavenly background harmonies. Every aspect of "Lovers Game," from its melodies, singing, and of course the lyricism work together perfectly to create such a powerful ballad. With only two songs under her belt, YDEA proves to be an artist to look out for. The Danish singer-songwriter started releasing music officially back in 2023 with her debut single, "Forest Fire." "Forest Fire" is another anthemic, emotionally charged ballad with a strong emphasis on lyricism from the artist. YDEA's musical inspirations include Billie Eilish, Joni Mitchell, and Bon Iver, which shines through in her discography. Like those artists, YDEA's sound is based on simplicity and emotional earnestness. Both of her tracks currently hold a combined 3000 streams on Spotify and are available to listen on all streaming platforms now. "Lovers Game" is a strong follow-up single and I can't wait to hear what YDEA has in store next. Written By Lauren Nolan FOLLOW YDEA: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Soundcloud | Facebook *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator
- Review: "These Nights" - Kid Travis
Rising singer-songwriter Kid Travis' track "These Nights" is a glimpse into his late night thoughts around a breakup. He vulnerably admits to going insane, feeling numb, and not having much to believe in anymore. The self-penned lyricism is set against a more happier backdrop with its high-energy instrumentation. Here, Kid Travis' rich vocals shine through, as he expresses all that is going on after losing a person that he never wanted to see walk away. If you're looking for a new addition to your favorite breakup playlists, "These Nights" is definitely the perfect track to add. "These Nights" is an exciting blend of pop rock, trap, and punk influences, as Kid Travis transcends the typical bounds of each genre. He sings about a breakup and encapsulates the feeling of not being able to move on with lines like "I'm never gonna stop loving you" and "These nights I've been lonely / And I'm missing your face." However, the somber lyrics do not hit listeners too hard because of the exciting production that feels like Kid Travis has freshly crafted a sound entirely his own. Between impassioned vocals, strong lyricism, and groovy instrumentation, "These Nights" is a masterful release. Kid Travis released his first tracks to streaming platforms in 2019, and since then, has accumulated over 640,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. His YouTube channel also has over 480,000 subscribers. On this platform, he posts both original music and covers, the latter of which has received recognition by artists including Dominic Fike, Bryson Tiller, and Post Malone. Kid Travis' interest in exploring and combining music genres has allowed him to craft an exciting edge in the industry. If you enjoyed "These Nights," make sure to explore the rest of his discography and keep up with the latest information on his music by clicking the social media links below. Written By Sydney Gray FOLLOW KID TRAVIS: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube
- Review: "Nobody's Tired" - Clara Lars
“Nobody’s Tired” delves into the emotions behind wanting to escape from everyday life. As you analyze your life, you realize the negative choices you have made are because of burnout. You find yourself staying up late and becoming sicker as the years go by. Being busy and participating in regular life drains you and there is little you can say to reassure others of your health. The only comfort you allow yourself is your own fears, but you can no longer continue down this path. All you want now is to pick up your life and run far away. It seems simple, just abandoning your life, selling your worldly possessions, and running to an island. You understand this is unrealistic and would be almost impossible to survive on your own, but it seems much better than your current life. It feels like a necessary escape, distant from the blaring sounds of an exhausting city life. “Nobody’s Tired” structures itself around the tempo of the melody and lyrics. One of the most impressive aspects of this single is how it picks up speed in the chorus. The fast pace of Clara Lars’s vocal performance is quickly kept up with through the instrumentation. The chorus almost reflects a rap verse with the sudden yet welcome change of pace from the verses. A good bridge can truly set a song apart from others. This bridge drops off from the quickly paced chorus and stands out in two ways: the vocal performance and the lyricism. The vocal performance somewhat slows and makes you instantly focus on the lyrics. The lyrics differ from what was previously heard, mentioning specific things like Saturn's rings and fire. You lean in for more as it repeats and emphasizes the narrator’s tired nature. Clara Lars is a singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, California. She has been a passionate music lover since she was a child. She has been playing the piano since she was a child and continues to create songs with it. Clara has been creating her own songs for years but began it seriously during 2020. In 2022, she released her debut EP with Chris Coady, who is known for producing and engineering songs for groups such as Beach House and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Her music reflects a moody and atmospheric nature that she uses from her own life experiences. Make sure to follow her on social media and give “Nobody’s Tired” a listen! Written By Willow Gray FOLLOW CLARA LARS: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok
- Review: "Onto Something" - Fab Dream Society
The Fab Dream Society’s newest single entitled, “Onto Something” echoes the complexities of human connection. The lyrics take us through an exciting journey about love, desire, and most poignantly; self-discovery. One compelling point in the song includes imagery of a halo with a corresponding reference about none other than Beyoncé herself, “Oh, you got a halo like Beyoncé.” At its core, “Onto Something” is an energetic song which details a romantic pursuit. The song’s early lines, “So feel the rush, it’s in my touch” greatly summarize an infatuation the singer is feeling. The chorus of the song reflects on the unpredictable nature of love (which we all experience at one time or another), “Guess you never saw it coming/ can’t you see we’re onto something.” Additionally, the ambiguousness of the track’s lyrics allow its audience to discover their own meaning. From the moment “Onto Something” begins, the vibrant energy of the single washes over you. The song effortlessly merges the grooviness of disco with the accessibility of pop. The instrumentation can only be described as immersive. Between the pulsating beat and synth-like melodies; there is certainly great depth and texture to its sound. The vocal ability displayed in “Onto Something” is nothing short of fantastic. Fab Dream Society is certainly able to evoke a sense of joy through this song; which ultimately allows its lyrics to come to life. Fab Dream Society is a music project hailing from the vibrant city of Oslo, Norway. Their signature sound embodies the essence of catchy pop music. By infusing influences of contemporary R&B with Pop, they create a fresh experience for listeners everywhere. Possessing a collaborative spirit, Fab Dream Society teams up with a number of diverse songwriters, producers, and vocalists to craft their music. On this particular single, their partner in crime was none other than Carlos Ukareda. Although it’s early in the career of these talented musicians, they have garnered the attention of 1,300 monthly listeners on Spotify, and you can be sure their music will continue to resonate with a growing audience. As they pave their path through the music scene, the anticipation for future tracks by Fab Dream Society only increases. Stay tuned and stay connected with the Fab Dream Society on all social media platforms to be the first to catch a listen to their new projects! Written By Casey Hascup FOLLOW FAB DREAM SOCIETY: Instagram | Spotify | Facebook | YouTube












