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- Review: "Gimme Love" - Airyen Vay
Have you ever wanted more from someone but they aren’t showing you how much they care? In what feels like a romantic drought these days, people aren’t openly affectionate towards their partners, and Airyen Vay feels it too. In her new single “Gimme Love,” she captures the all-too-familiar feeling of wanting your partner to express their unapologetic appreciation towards you. “Gimme Love” will tug on your heartstrings because of her emotional performance and the song’s relatability. Airyen Vay gives us an honest track with her heart on her sleeve for all listeners to witness. The song gives us the confidence to embrace vulnerability, even when it’s hard to let your partner know how you truly feel. “Gimme Love” has all the components for the perfect pop/R&B ballad. Airyen Vay provides strong, captivating vocals on a bold beat, and the solid production elevates the song. She sings with soul and passion, making listeners feel deeply. She breathes life into the impelling lyrics. She shows off her voice with impressive high notes, harmonies, and runs. Her voice pairs perfectly with the song, like the last two pieces of a puzzle that fit together. The chorus is repetitive and catchy, giving the song incredible replay value. The hook stays with us and leaves us wanting more. If the song were a color, it would be gold. The song has shimmer, but it also holds so much weight. The song is rich in sound and emotion. Airyen Vay is so dedicated to making her dreams come true that she moved to the United States from Botosani, Romania, to jump-start her singer-songwriter career. She started taking vocal lessons and learning instruments like the guitar, piano, and flute when she was nine years old. Growing up, she competed and won a few talent competitions in Romania, but the United States was calling out to her. Airyen Vay is now based in Los Angeles, California, writing songs that speak to people's hearts. Her music is a mix of R&B, pop, and soul, but she has been writing about equality, freedom, human rights, and love because she believes that is what the world needs right now. Airyen Vay has released a few songs, with her latest being “Gimme Love,” and she’s currently working on her debut album. Written By Victoria James FOLLOW AIRYEN VAY: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator
- Review: "Better Type" - Coco Quinn
"I don't know how to reply," multi-talented artist Coco Quinn wilts on her latest single, "Better Type." The exquisite new track has all the hallmarks of a classic breakup ballad, but Quinn paints the picture in with unique and heartbreaking detail. Told by a boyfriend that long distance wasn't going to work, only for him to turn around and make it work with another girl; the Dance Moms alumni has good reason for being speechless. Lush strings and reverb-soaked piano cocoon her bafflement in the resulting sense of grief. "I'm left alone with my thoughts," she sings, "wondering where I went wrong." The cruelest part of his betrayal is the questions it left her with. Left unresolved, Quinn rattles off questions in the place of concrete feelings. This direction perfectly captures the mental spiral in the wake of misplaced trust. "Why does love always hurt?" When she lands on this question, time briefly stops. Despite it's agony and confusion, it actually centers the song in a moment of clarity. Love can result in senseless pain, and nobody is immune to that, regardless of how perfect they try to be for someone. As she realizes, the ones who inflict that pain are often the least impacted by it. "How are you so alright; feel like I'm gonna die!" There's a brief silence before Quinn launches into the final chorus. Knowing there are no answers to respond with, it is the loudest of silences. Coco Quinn first gained prominence for her appearance on Dance Moms . Displaying a talent for dancing, singing, acting, and modeling, the young star hasn't stopped at reality tv. Her long lists of credits range from playing a role on the Brat TV series, Chicken Girls, being featured on multiple mainstream media broadcasts, and garnering over nine-million streams on Spotify. Musically, Quinn has received attention for her covers, well-shot music videos, and original songs. "Better Type" arrives following major buzz from pre-release teasers on Tiktok. The single was co-written with industry titan, Zach Sorgen. Written By Andy M. FOLLOW Coco Quinn:
- Review: "Overbearing" (Stripped) - Maiz
Maiz’s Overbearing is a haunting nocturne that serves as a self-reflection for the song’s titular main character as she attempts to unravel the shortcomings that lead to the fragility of her relationship. Thematically, this song is quite refreshing, as it breaks from the current pop norm of placing blame solely on the ineptitude of an undeserving partner, choosing to place blame on both parties in the relationship instead. Maiz seriously pulls at the heartstrings of her listeners on this track, as her hook somberly repeats “Let me know if I’m overbearing … Only my heart is the one that’s tearing, you’re tearing me apart” – painting the picture of a smitten lover who only wanted her affection reciprocated and is now left questioning if the immense love she’s shown has left her exposed to heartache. This song also spotlights the harmful role gaslighting can play on the health of a relationship with the lines “You talked your sh*t, said I was too much” and “Said I was too much, I let it mess with my head”; leading Maiz to questioning whether her actions were smothering, and subsequently attempting to kowtow to her companion, singing “I can clean up the mess we made”. Overbearing tastefully parallels the feeling of being love drunk with the obvious resentment that comes from the romanticism not being returned, something that is sure to have all listeners emotionally invested in this pop ballad. Overbearing opens with a monophonic synth lead, followed by delicately layered vocals and an arpeggio synth that give the song a nice, tight structure. There are some beautiful dark keys that add a feeling of drama and weight throughout, especially when paired with the mellow bass that can be heard pacing the track. It also sounds as if there’s been flowing water recorded at the beginning, which when paired with the single’s cover art of champagne being waterfalled into an open mouth, creates some artful imagery for listeners to envision as they auditorily consume Overbearing . The music is an interesting blend because it contains keys that could be found in an Adele track, drums from a Frank Ocean classic, and a lead synth that is reminiscent of 90s west coast rap song similar to what Snoop Dogg was putting out in that era. Everything in this tune comes together cohesively and, to me, is a perfect embodiment of what pop music should be: the best elements of all genres of music sonically fused into one mesmerizing piece of art. Maiz is 21-year-old singer-songwriter from the small town of Chatsworth, Georgia who has developed an infectious sound that can be considered alternative pop with RnB undertones. Growing up in a town with only one red light, this young starlet was tapped into her rural roots and originally had dreams of being a country music singer. She began making music at just 12 years old after taking guitar lessons from her neighbor, someone she would later go on to make music with a few years later. Heavily influenced by her love of pop and alternative music, Maiz began crafting her own tracks daily on her bedroom floor using just her iPad and iPhone. At 17 years old, she made the leap to recording in a professional studio with a full team behind her and eventually caught the attention of EAZY ENTERTAINMENT as an 18-year-old. Drawing inspiration from her own personal life and those around her, Maiz’s music dives into the nuances of everyday life – a sentiment which can be felt when listening to her debut EP Short Circuit , which dropped earlier this year. In order to support her dreams of being a musician, the young artist works a 9-5 doing real estate appraisals alongside her family. That sort of work ethic will serve her well as she continues to blossom as a pop star and further cement herself as an artist you need to keep your eye on as she continues her ascent up the ranks of most exciting female artists coming out of the American south. Written By Dan Caddigan FOLLOW MAIZ: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator
- Review: "How to Get Over You" - Kaiyah Mercedes
The classic tragedy of trying to get over a person, and the difficulties of trying to get over that grief. This is what artist Kaiyah Mercedes explores in her latest song, “How to Get Over You.” The ballad is beautiful yet painful and it certainly haunts your brain as you listen to the story Mercedes paints in such an angelic manner. Mercedes has such a gorgeous voice, and it only accentuates the lyrical content of the track. What makes this song special is that Mercedes isn’t afraid to portray the aftermath of unrequited love, which isn’t as accepted in the social norm as much. Kaiyah Mercedes isn’t afraid of expressing the aftermath of being rejected by someone you cared for and it only makes them a better artist. The descriptions sung by Mercedes in the opening verse portray how during grief those small details about a person burn in your mind, which only makes moving on much more difficult. Because it is a simple piano ballad, the song isn’t that busy, this choice works well with the context of the story. However, there are certain details within the production of the song that really shape the ambiance. The added atmospheric effects and sounds transport listeners into the world Mercedes wants us to explore. As previously mentioned, Mercedes’ voice is beautiful and really matches the emotions of the lyrics. “How to Get Over You” does well in its portrayal of unrequited love, and it was a great introduction to the artistry of Kaiyah Mercedes. Kaiyah Mercedes is a 17-year-old artist from Melbourne, Australia. Her debut album “Hindsight” was released in October 2022 and did well in radio play. Since she started making music at a young age, she has accomplished so much and has cultivated quite a number of listeners. “How to Get Over You” was initially written when they were 14, but they were later able to revisit it with a much more mature lens. The song is off of Mercedes’ upcoming sophomore album. Kaiyah Mercedes is certainly an interesting artist and it’s exciting to see what comes next for them. Written By Chantal Charles FOLLOW KAIYAH MERCEDES: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator
- EP Review: "The Dreamer" - Laura Lucas
Laura Lucas takes her listeners on an emotional ride through candid lyrics and dreamy soundscapes in her sophomore EP, The Dreamer. The 6-track project consists of deeply reflective songs that explores themes of “longing, vulnerability, clarity, and hope.” Her powerful, yet sweet voice captivates audiences from the very first note and leaves them hanging on to her every word. Recorded in Melbourne with platinum award-winning artist and producer, Dustin Tebbutt, Lucas wears her heart on her sleeve as she expresses her personal experiences through cathartic lyricism and indie-folk productions. TRACKLIST Wake Up, Breathe In Fonder I Imagine You Are Happy Mirror on the Wall Valentine's The Dreamer Laura Lucas is a singer-songwriter from Canada, now based in Australia. From a young age, music had always been a strong element to Lucas’s life. At the age of ten, she learned to play guitar and turned to songwriting. This gave her a safe space to express herself, giving her solace and comfort when she needed to escape. Due to her introspective songwriting and captivating vocals, her style has been compared to the likes of some of the industry’s biggest names, including Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, and Phoebe Bridgers. Despite her innate talent, it was not until 2019 when she embarked on an exchange trip to Australia that the artist “came out of her creative shell.” She began to showcase her talent and became involved in the local music community. That same year she released her debut single, “Poetry”. After several more singles, she released her first EP, Light the Candle, Hold the Mirror. In just the few short years since her first release, the singer has collaborated with multiple musicians, such as Lawson Hull and Rod Coote, and performed as the supporting act for artists, including Harrison Storm, LANKS, and more. Follow her on all social media to keep updated on any future releases and announcements! Wake Up, Breathe In Lucas sets the tone for the entire project with “Wake Up, Breathe In”. Its flawless folk-pop instrumentation complements her mesmerizing vocals and draws focus on the profound lyrics. The song latches onto the themes of hope and clarity. It shares the freedom in goodbye and the joy in new beginnings. Lucas illustrates how different her life is without her former partner. Everything has changed, but she realizes that maybe it is for the better. Acclimating to life without them was hard, but it was somehow easier than she had expected. With the soothing guitar, soft beat, and airy vocals, “Wake Up, Breathe In” is the perfect introduction to the entire project. Fonder “Fonder” is a wistful track that tackles the theme of longing through the deeply vulnerable lyrics. Lucas built the track around the popular phrase: “Distance makes the heart grow fonder.” The melancholic atmosphere is established instantly with the dreamy alt-pop soundscape. The delicate piano and synth waves inform the listener that they are in for another deeply nostalgic track. Throughout the song, Lucas describes this gloomy scene of being without the one she loves and navigating life in this sullen state. She is yearning for them to return, wondering why they won’t come around anymore. At the beginning of the chorus, she sings, “well my heart’s spent all this time growing fonder,” revealing the clever hook. This leads into the heartbreaking revelation: “But I kinda wanna dream a little longer.” She is only able to see the one she loves in her dreams, separated by distance. Lucas leaves the details behind the track vague, making the audience question the reason for the space. Maybe they are long-distance or perhaps they are broken up and she is reminiscing about what they once were. Or maybe they were never even together, and she is dreaming of what might be. Regardless of her intentions, she eloquently describes this feeling of longing. With its wistful soundscape, “Fonder” earns a rightful spot on my personal indie-pop playlist. I Imagine You Are Happy “I Imagine You Are Happy” is the only track on The Dreamer that contains a featured artist. Lawson Hull joins Lucas in this sweet folk-pop track about reminiscing on a past relationship and wishing them nothing but the best. The song kicks off with Hull’s voice leading the first verse and chorus. Lucas takes over in the second verse, as she continues the story of hope and nostalgia. In the pre-chorus, Hull’s voice picks back up to harmonize with Lucas. Their voices blend beautifully together, as if the two artists were a musical match made in heaven. The outro contains only Lucas, as she repeats the lyrics of the chorus. The song ends on an ambiguous note, as she repeats the line, “When I saw you at the party, you didn’t look away.” This leaves the audience wondering if the two rekindled their romance or if they continued to only wish one another happiness from afar. With this open-ended storyline, Lucas once again showcases her captivating songwriting talent. Mirror on the Wall While every song on The Dreamer contains melancholic lyrics, “Mirror on the Wall” is perhaps the most gut-wrenching of all. The reflective ballad explores looking back at a failed relationship and noticing all the toxicity in retrospect. She meticulously illustrates to the listener that she was not simply unhappy in this relationship, but that she was utterly miserable and void of any joy. She describes the dark thoughts that engulfed her and her unrelenting desire to continue to try, despite the blatant lack of love and trust. Throughout the relationship, she “never got to sleep at night” with him in her bed. She never felt comfortable or safe. She further confesses the heartbreaking line: “Sometimes it’s like there’s someone else in my head who makes all the decisions without my consent.” This situation spiraled out of her control and she felt trapped. She wanted to break free, but somehow kept allowing herself to be pulled back in. She admits that she was lying to everyone—to herself, to her partner, and to everyone she knew. But now, her eyes are open and she sees the truth. With this vulnerable topic, she approaches her trauma with a mature outlook, giving herself clarity through her cathartic songwriting. Valentine's With a title named after the holiday of love, one would think “Valentine’s” would be a sweet romantic track. Instead, the gloomy folk ballad is about “the tension between wanting something and being afraid of it at the same time.” Lucas shares her struggle of feeling alone but being petrified of giving herself up to someone. In the first verse, she sets up this idea with the lyric: “There’s too much at stake, I lose every time.” This may refer to her past relationships, admitting that each one has failed before, so why would a new one be any different? Despite her loneliness and desire to find love, she is afraid of the vulnerability that comes with relationships. The song is for anyone who has found themselves prone to self-sabotage. For the people who end things before they begin, in an attempt to avoid the inevitable heartbreak that may come. Through the wistful soundscape, complete with dreamy layered vocals and the mesmerizing viola, played by friend Indyana, Lucas conveys this feeling of longing and melancholy with absolute perfection. The Dreamer In the final track, Lucas takes the idiom, “the grass is always greener on the other side,” and turns it into a flawless folk-pop ballad. The common phrase is used to describe when someone is unsatisfied with their own life, and assumes that there are better things out there for them. Whether it is a new relationship, a new job, or a new city, people often think that this change would satiate their desires. Sometimes, they are happy with their decision to take a chance and other times they are left disappointed. Lucas describes her own experience with this by detailing her fear of losing everything she has ever wanted. She articulates this with different desires, such as wanting to move to San Francisco, but being afraid she would dream of Los Angeles instead or climbing the tallest mountain only to miss the ocean. However, she decides to let go of her fears and have faith in the future. She uses the song as a reminder to herself that she does not need everything she wants in order to be happy. Instead, she allows herself to appreciate what she does have and to be grateful for the life she has been given. In the chorus, she sings the profound line: “They say the dreamer is always greater than their dream.” This lyric is a clever way of saying that no matter where she goes in her life—personal and professional—she will always stay true to herself and recognize her blessings. With the introspective lyrics and ethereal soundscape, “The Dreamer” was the perfect way to close out an EP with the same name. The Dreamer is a flawless project with each track providing a different insight on multiple aspects of Lucas’s life. Her poetic words provide a sense of familiarity and comfort within the listener. From the hope and acceptance of the title track, to the clarity and heartache of “Mirror on the Wall”, Lucas eloquently captures these moments in her own life and allows her vulnerability to resonate with listeners. Throughout the album, the mesmerizing productions and the singer’s compelling vocals were the perfect recipe for this indie-folk record. The Dreamer is for anyone who is a fan of soothing instrumentation and honest storytelling, making it another impeccable release by Lucas. Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW LAURA: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *Sponsored Post - Discovered on SubmitHub. A contribution was made to help create this article as part of a promotional campaign.
- Review: "Autumn Innocence" - Andie Mackenzie
Emerging singer-songwriter Andie Mackenzie has just released her new single, “Autumn Innocence.” It’s a folk-inspired track that delves into a story from one of her personal experiences last fall. She starts off the song by creating a sort of mysterious vibe, talking about this budding romance. She says this guy would make her Sunday nights less sufferable because “you would preach about your life.” This is one of the first of many religious references Andie makes in the song. From there, she tells listeners that this guy would always tell her “[she’s] too good for [him,” yet, she still had faith in their relationship. Yet, Andie says this guy “took away [her] autumn innocence.” Innocence and purity plays a big role in Christianity, but this guy, who is Christian, takes that innocence away from her. She felt so loved by this guy she would kill for some of his attention and die in his crossfire, practically worshiping him. Andie delves into the darker aspects of their relationship, saying “good Christian boy who skips confession/no saint but you played the part.” She now feels disillusioned by this guy who played the part of the saint in her life. Yet, she would still do anything and everything for him because he took her heart and soul. This song features a lot of complex and deep religious references and metaphors that you can really dig into listen after listen. This song perfectly personifies the feeling of autumn. To me, it feels raw and vulnerable, and it puts me right into that picturesque fall scene. The song starts off with a unique acoustic guitar rhythm that is heard throughout the song. The production is rather simple in the first parts of the song, featuring only Andie’s voice and the guitar. As the song goes on, she adds in some piano and another acoustic guitar. Then in the chorus, there’s now an electric guitar and some drums in the production, which reflects the intensifying lyrics in the song. This more intense instrumentation carries into the second verse, exemplifying her doubts and frustrations with her relationship. The harmonies in the background during the guitar solo are perfectly crafted and have this angelic or ethereal vibe to them. Despite all of the wonderful aspects about the production, the one that sticks out to me about “Autumn Innocence” is Andie’s voice. Unlike a lot of pop music, she uses little to no autotune on her vocals which gives this song the rawness and the organicness that I love. Andie Mackenzie is a San Diego, California native who is currently a sophomore studying Music Business at NYU. She started her musical journey at three years old, when her parents introduced her to the violin. However, the violin was soon replaced with a guitar in her hands. By the time she was eight, she could play piano and started writing songs. From then on, songwriting became a huge part of her life, and it wasn’t until middle school she mustered up the courage to show her mom her work. By the time she entered high school, she knew music was going to be her future career. However, SoCal never truly felt like “home” for her, so she turned to her mothers East Coast roots and now calls New York City her home. In her time in New York, she has performed on some iconic stages like Sounds of Brazil and Rockwood. Embracing ABBA’s harmonies and Christina Perri’s acoustic style, two of her favorite artists, she released her first song in May of 2023. A short four months later, she put out her first EP, “Afterthought.” The title track from that EP currently has over 20k streams on Spotify. Andie is looking forward to releasing her first album and collaborating with new musicians as well. She wants to make being an artist a full-time job, but also wants to use her music for philanthropic work. With a talent like Andie’s, it’s clear that she will soon take the music scene by storm and produce beautiful, quality works for many years to come. Written By Lauren DiGiovanni FOLLOW ANDIE MACKENZIE:
- Review: "Let The Fire (Phoenix Remix)" - Lynda DeFuria
Some artists use the remix as a way to overhaul a song's foundation, but they just as easily be an avenue to explore artistic choices that weren't made in the original production. New York—based artist, Lynda DeFuria takes this more subtle approach to reimagining her 2022 track "Let the Fire," with the new "phoenix remix." The track remains grounded in the belting catharsis of its former incarnation, but pulls the anthemic dance-pop into the direction of club-pop. The first song busted through the door with a chimeric fusion of pop-rock, balladry, and dance-pop. Once the brand new remix wraps its first chorus, the original's rock-infused drums are replaced by club beats and the acoustic guitars are replaced by strobing synths. It's an electrifying change, but the daring defiance at its heart remains the same between versions. As an ensemble responds to her calls, shouting "it might be worth the hurt," its equally as invigorating. With the electronic edge given to "Let The Fire (phoenix remix)," some of the lyrics shadows are deepened. "Once it takes ahold, there's no one who can save you," she sings in the opening over nothing more than a synth. The echo on her vocals pull its helplessness into a void. A chimey, club synthline enters as she declares, "I'll rise again." It keeps the song's momentum on simmer, building up into a burning phoenix, as the title suggests. Fans of the original will be initially surprised by the shift in momentum, drawing out the build-up, but the climactic peak hits even harder for it. "Now I know," layers of DeFuria's voice call into the sky in the closing moments. It's ascended to an ephiphany. New York—based singer-songwriter Lynda DeFuria has built a career of versatile and impressive performances. From performing at the Lincoln Center to national TV's "Showtime at the Apollo," the Vegas-born star is a powerhouse in dynamic vocal performance in both music and theater. She released her debut album, Ticking Clocks , in 2013, but has not slowed down since. "Let The Fire (phoenix remix)" is a new version of the song of the same title from her 2022 EP, Keeping Time . The track released as a part of a new, deluxe edition of the EP with brand new reimaginings and remixes. You can check on the "What's New" on DeFuria's website (linked below) for updates on what creative projects she's currently partaking in. Written By Andy M. FOLLOW Lynda DeFuria:
- Review: "One Before The One" - JESSIA
JESSIA candidly conveys her authentic emotions and heartache in her vulnerable new single, “One Before The One”. The melancholic ballad is a unique break-up song that recounts the classic tragic story—being the last person someone is with before they find their life partner. Through a gloomy production and solemn lyrics, JESSIA describes her experience with being “the practice run partner.” This phenomenon is more common than one might think, where they are always the last person someone dates before they find the one they marry. JESSIA's poignant words eloquently illustrates the mournful heartache in a manner that effortlessly resonates with listeners. In the chorus she sings, “When your training wheels come off// I'm having trouble getting past this// I'm only perfect if I’m practice// Just slightly not enough// Always the one before the one.” She uses unique metaphors and popular idioms to familiarize her audience with this concept, while maintaining a poetic element to the lyrics. After seeing her former partner get engaged and have his happy ending with the person he dated after her, JESSIA cannot help but feel scorned. Especially when this is an experience she has undergone more than once. While this circumstance is not uncommon, I have never heard it relayed through songwriting, making “One Before The One” an unforgettable indie-pop tracks that belongs on every solemn break-up playlist. Alongside the desolate storyline, “One Before The One” contains a gloomy soundscape that perfectly complements the lyrics. From the very first note JESSIA captures the listener’s attention and holds it until the very end. Throughout the song, her stunning voice mesmerizes them along with the delicate instrumentation, emphasizing her remarkable artistry. The song begins with a soothing guitar and airy vocalizations that set the melancholic scene. This continues into the first verse where JESSIA's compelling voice leads the track. In the pre-chorus, additional sound effects are added to increase the dynamic as the song builds to the chorus. After a brief pause in the production, the chorus kicks off and a soft piano and subtle synth are added to bring the fuller sound to the song. Soft piano keys lead the transition into the second verse, with the guitar strumming in the background. The second verse is very similar to the first, with the addition to the piano keys, enhancing the emotional soundscape. At the end of the second chorus, layered vocals sing the hook, emphasizing the dramatic build into the bridge. While JESSIA guides the listener through the emotional climax of the track, her background vocals echo the lyrics. This effect accentuates the vulnerable and heartbreaking element of the song. JESSIA closes out the track with an outro that utilizes the original production of the first verse, bringing the track full circle. With the gloomy lyrics and somber production, “One Before The One” is a perfect ballad, highlighting JESSIA's outstanding talent. JESSIA is an independent singer-songwriter from Vancouver. She made her debut in 2020 with her single, “Tell Me”. The following year she blew up with her viral single, “I’m not Pretty”, which garnered over a hundred thousand streams on Spotify alone. The success of this single caught the attention of Grammy-nominated artist, Bebe Rexha, who was then featured on the track’s remix. Furthermore, JESSIA's debut EP, How Are You?, was supported by iconic industry tastemakers such as iHeart, SiriusXM, and Billboard. The singer has also toured with OneRepublic, Maroon 5, and Dean Lewis. With only three years since her debut, JESSIA has earned over 375 million total global streams across all platforms, nearly 150 thousand followers on Instagram, and over a million followers on TikTok. As she continues to build an impressive following, JESSIA is currently working on her next project, set for a 2024 release. Check out her social media for updates and new releases! Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW JESSIA:
- Review: "Sugar and Spice" - Amber T
"Sugar and Spice," the latest single from Amber T, continues the musician's exploration into the alternative pop sound. The singer-songwriter has made a career in creating songs within various genres, but this is her most rock-influenced one to date. Amber T describes the track as a perfect "sad girl winter anthem," and she is not lying. The song is chilly and emotional yet remains melodic with a fast tempo. The title uses the known phrase "Sugar and spice makes everything nice," and clearly turns it on its head. Amber T revamps the phrase in the chorus to say, "You're sugar and spice, but nothing feels nice now, no," about a toxic relationship. Her lyrics, such as, "I want to let go as soon as you get too close," come from a genuine emotional place describing the difficulty of cutting someone off, especially when they were once "sweet" in your life. "Sugar and Spice" implements a rock sound and emotionally charged lyrics to create a vibrant, angsty relationship ballad. The track is dynamic, layered, and fun. For the first few seconds, a graceful violin sting sweeps in. The track sounds whimsical and light, as if it is from a Disney movie. This is only to hit hard immediately with the real instrumentation of guitars and drums. This juxtaposition, used in other pop-punk and rock-pop anthems like Olivia Rodrigo's "Brutal," creates a sonic experience for the listener while also just being fun. Amber T takes sounds from wailing electric guitars to a driving drum beat to create a melodic, alternative pop song that is perfect for rocking out in the car. Her lower, smokey vocals fit this genre's sounds perfectly as well. "Sugar and Spice" is a wonderful pop-rock fusion that Amber T will hopefully continue to create in the future. Amber T is a U.K.-based singer-songwriter. She is only 19 years old and has already accomplished quite a bit. Multiple of her songs, such as "Wrapped Up," have reached over 100,000 streams on Spotify, and the singer has currently amassed over 4400 listeners on the platform. Her songs have been on the radio numerous times, including several BBC stations. She has even been called brilliant by Elton John--yes, that Elton John. The artist has officially released music since 2019 with her debut, "Tick Tock," including several remixes from ENV and MissyK, which has since hit over 150,000 plays on Spotify. "Sugar and Spice" is an exciting new release from the singer, whose discography is available to stream now. Written By Lauren Nolan FOLLOW AMBER: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator
- Review: "Warmth" - Christine Sako
Sometimes we become suspicious when things work out better than expected. When something feels too good to be true, we get an overwhelming sense of disbelief. Christine Sako offers comfort to those who need a reminder that they deserve the good things happening in their lives through her new song “Warmth.” The song gently reassures listeners and herself to embrace the success headed their way. Although Christine Sako wrote this song because she was stuck in the “too good to be true” mentality, the song is proof that something can be good and true at the same time. “Warmth is a breath of fresh air. It is authentic, inviting, and worth listening to. “Warmth” begins with Christine Sako playing guitar and singing in a gentle voice. She stacks vocals and creates harmonies that complement the melody and add depth to the overall sound. As the guitar fades into the background and is kept at a distance, the beat becomes more innovative and electronic. The beat is peppy while the tempo is slow, creating a compelling dynamic within the song. The indie-pop ballad radiates optimism and comfort. Christine Sako utilizes a subtle echo effect in “Warmth,” to further the depth of the harmonies. The echo also adds spaciousness to the audio. It allows for the song to form a soothing atmosphere where you have the freedom to get lost in it. "Warmth" is unique because multiple textures are present throughout the song, but they unify to create a masterpiece. Hearing “Complicated” by Avril Lavigne in 2002 inspired Christine Sako to start a career in guitar playing and songwriting. She toured with the indie-pop band Now, Now in 2009 and opened for Paramore on their ‘Brand New Eyes’ European tour. Sako drove to San Diego from her hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and began writing and recording her debut album, “The Math Project,” released in 2014. She has released a handful of songs in the last few years leading up to her most recent single, “Warmth.” The talented musician can do more than sing and play the guitar. She also plays the drums, keys, and bass. Written By Victoria James FOLLOW CHRISTINE SAKO: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator
- Review: "String of Pearls" - Joey Miceli
Joey Miceli uses his lyrical talent to bring listeners into an emotional realm filled with lost love, unrequited adoration, and all the romantic strife that accompanies being in an unhealthy relationship. String of Pearls runs the emotional gamut of someone who’s fallen head over heels in love, only to then be snubbed and profoundly hurt by their partner's venom – embodied by Joey's line “Even when I felt the closest you had me at a distance, like I was a goddamn witness”. This song gives a charmingly melancholic look inside the hardships of being in an unhealthy, yet addictive, relationship; straying from the cookie cutter fairy tale love stories you typically hear about and instead focusing on the brutal truths that come from deteriorating affection – a level of impassioned toxicity that is epitomized in the sullen lyric “you had me at sadistic, I took you with your sickness”. More than anything though, String of Pearls is about healing and personal growth; it’s about taking the high road with class, using heartbreak as a medium for bettering oneself in order to continue triumphantly along life’s path. The beauty of this song is that it calls for grace and understanding during a tough break up, choosing to remember the good instead of the bad – a truly touching sentiment that is sure to resonate with all listeners out there. String of Pearls is yet another chef-d’oeuvre from Joey Miceli; highlighted by the singer’s encapsulating voice, enthralling acoustic finger-picked melodies, and some tastefully sprinkled in strings – ultimately setting an intimate mood between Joey and his audience. This song is carried by consistent acoustic noodling and soothing harmonies, allowing for the congeniality of this track to get stronger as it progresses. There is some cool vocal processing on Miceli’s background descants that give the track a pleasant atmosphere and sense of space, really opening up on certain parts to give the tune more depth. On the technical side of things, String of Pearls is filled with myriad of subtleties that give it a je ne sais quoi which only adds to the mystique of this single. One of those technical subtleties is the one bar instrumental break where Miceli’s voice is pitched up to almost sound like a synth – arranged in unison between vocal phrases to nicely fill space and prevent other elements of the song from clashing. It’s further accentuated by a faint background pad that can be heard throughout the song, serving as a sort of catalyst for the vocal doubling on the bridge before it transitions back to single vocals. The addition of reverb to the chorus allows the hook to flourish before the song leads to a clean, concise finish – wrapped up with a dry ending that puts a nice * chef’s kiss * bow on top of this hit single. Originally from Las Vegas, Joey Miceli is an uber talented 24-year-old singer-songwriter based in New York City. Despite his young age, Joey already has five studio albums under his belt – a testament to the sheer amount of artistic talent this budding star has to share with the world. He broke ground with his debut album Talkative , quickly followed by his next projects Serendipity and diagnosis season – the latter of which being a concept album written in only two weeks in “an effort to captured unfiltered isolation” by the artist. His project BEAU: ACT I was written and produced with the help of longtime collaborator and “dear friend” Santino Cardinale and released in the summer of 2022. The Standard Portrait , Miceli’s most recent album, is a brilliant expression of the artist’s own personal tragedy and navigates the worship of self-affliction, attachment, and recovery through the dissection of art and literature. With new music on his horizon, make sure to keep your eyes locked on Joey Miceli as he continues blossoming into one of the most exciting male talents coming out of America. Written By Dan Caddigan FOLLOW JOEY MICELI: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator
- Review: "Fault Lines" - Magdalia
As much as you desire to, it can be very difficult to keep together a relationship that has been doomed from the beginning. In Magdalia’s latest single “Fault Lines” she explores a relationship that has been shaky and difficult for a while, and you can only do so much to keep it together. The song is tragic and deeply emotional, and it breaks your heart to be a witness to this situation. There’s a great vocal performance achieved by Magdalia on this track, and it certainly matches the energy of the song. The song perfectly executes uncovering the ugly truth of troubling relationships and how painful they can be even when you’re fighting hard to maintain them. “Fault Lines” is worth the listen as it is very vulnerable and allows Magdalia to show off her talent. The production style and piano in the beginning really shape the ambiance of the song and are a great way to prepare listeners for the rest. The constant references to the earth cracking beneath their feet is what really brings the song to life as it puts the listeners into the mind of the speaker. As mentioned before, Magdalia sounds hauntingly beautiful on this track, and you can truly hear the pain in her voice. The chorus is powerful, and it expresses that moment of defeat when you can no longer hold together what has been breaking for this long. One line that stands out is “And the world it said, you were never meant to shine,” because it really shows how out of our control these situations can be, and why it’s so difficult to even try to change fate. Overall, this song is powerful and Magdalia shines bright on “Fault Lines.” Magdalia is an independent artist from Melbourne, Australia. She is inspired by many artists such as Florence & The Machine, Lorde, and Taylor Swift. While you can hear these influences in her music, she still has a very unique style throughout her work, and it is proof of the powerhouse she can be. She has been doing well and gaining traction through competitions and charts, like the 2023 Listen Up Songwriting Prize and the Real Songwriters of Melbourne. With her song “Fault Lines,” we can see why Magdalia receives so much credit for her songwriting and it will certainly be exciting to see what she will do next. Written By Chantal Charles FOLLOW MAGDALIA: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator












