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- Review: "tomorrow" - Lexie Carroll
Lexie Carroll’s latest single fully encapsulates the feeling of being completely comfortable and safe with the one you love. “tomorrow” describes a relationship where, even in the most trying times, just being in the safety of your partner’s arms gives you an overwhelming amount of comfort. Even in the midst of “a full-on apocalypse going on outside,” as long as you are together, everything will be alright. The song begins with Carroll singing the hook in the first verse: “Tomorrow feels like it might never come.” This introduces the listener to the delicate topic, before continuing with the endearing lyrics. She then sings, “Keep me here, my head against your lungs// And I wouldn’t mind if the world stopped turning// And I wouldn’t mind if we just did nothing.” With only these three simple lines, Carroll flawlessly sets the scene for the listener, allowing them to visualize exactly what is happening. The couple is content with sitting together in this silence—a type of silence that is only found in the most comforting, loving relationships. Carroll continues with this touching notion that she is more than happy to just lay here with her partner and let all the worries of this harsh world just fade away. At the end of the song, she closes the track with the hook, and one final sentiment: “Tomorrow feels like it might never come// Just keep me here, it’s safe within your arms.” These lines end the track where it began—Carroll lying with her partner. It wraps up the song beautifully and reveals that everything she sang in between were her ongoing thoughts while they were curled up together. “tomorrow” is a soft pop ballad that consists of an ethereal production which effortlessly complements the emotional lyrics. The song immediately kicks off with a fast-paced electric guitar with a reverb sound effect that creates a soothing atmosphere. The guitar’s strum pattern focuses on specific high notes with a steady bass. As the song continues in the chorus, a second electric guitar is introduced, adding more emphasis to the bass and providing a unique dynamic to the track. When the second verse begins, a soft drum is added to the background, adding an additional layer to the song. Throughout the track, Carroll’s angelic vocals further enhance the whimsical element, transporting the listener to this safe space described in the lyrics. Her harmonies mesmerize the listener while accentuating the melody. The track closes out with only Carroll’s enchanting voice and the soft background music that slowly fades out. This ends the track in a beautiful manner, highlighting the ethereal vibe and emphasizing the captivating vocals. “tomorrow” is a sentimental ballad about true, genuine love, and the production paired with the lyrics naturally evoke feelings of warmth and comfort within the listener. Lexie Carroll is an 18-year-old singer-songwriter from London. Her music is a perfect blend of indie, pop, and folk. Her insightful lyrics and angelic voice mesmerize listeners and makes them fall in love with her. In 2020, she released her debut single, “Paint Me In Colours”, followed by her debut EP, Birthday Cake. In 2021, she took a break from releasing music before coming back in April 2022 with her sophomore EP, when the sun came up. Recently, she signed to Seven Four Seven Six record label and has released a handful of singles under the company. She is set to release her first EP with the label in May 2023. Her music has garnered support from Spotify, BBC Introducing, and BBC Radio 1's Future Pop. She has headlined a sold-out show at The Grace in London and has supported a handful of artists at their own shows. She continues to grow as an artist and reels in hundreds of thousands of listeners that anticipate every release. Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW LEXIE:
- Concert Review: Noah Kahan - Stick Season Tour in Milwaukee
Noah Kahan kicked off his latest tour, Stick Season in the fall of 2022. Noah made many stops touring around the U.S before stopping near me for the 2023 leg of the tour. I had the ultimate privilege of being one of the 4,000 people at his completely sold out show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the Miller High Life Theater. You couldn't see an empty seat inside the theater by the time Noah entered the stage. It was good to see him back in Milwaukee, a place he mentioned had been where one of his first performances occurred when he opened for the Strumbellas back in 2017. This time around, Stephan Sanchez supported Noah on the first part of his tour and you can expect Joy Oladokun and Ruston Kelly sharing the stage with him on the upcoming summer tour. Joining him on this second leg of the tour as a supporting act was up and coming artist Jack Van Cleaf. It was my first time listening to him and during the short set opening for Noah, his rich vocals and acoustic guitar captured the audience's attention and set the tone to prepare them for what was to come next. Noah had a small band supporting him on stage playing guitar and drums and besides quite a few guitar changes, there was a minimalist approach to the overall set up that kept the audience focused on Noah center stage throughout. He covered a lot of his discography during the show, which also included a short encore to bring his stage time total to be a little over an hour. One of the many highlights of this concert was when Noah went unplugged to do an acoustic set for two of his songs. Noah opened his show full of energy with “False Confidence”, a song from his debut album in 2019 before jumping into some of his newer ones. This track was a perfect choice to kick off the show and get everyone moving around me. Noah had a good mix of songs from his recently released album as well as including his popular ones like “Young Blood '', “Passenger”, and “Animal". One song in particular that I was most excited to hear and was highly anticipating was “Growing Sideways”, a song that I feel a personal connection to, and is inspired by Noah’s history with therapy. This happened to be one of the two songs performed acoustic as he opened up about his own life experiences leading into the track. This was followed by “Glue Me Shut" which was also done the same way with just Noah's powerful vocals and acoustic guitar. His stripped back performance had thousands of people holding their breath and listening to every single word. A lot of Noah's songs leave listeners with emotional responses, and hearing them live you could hear it in his voice how much his music means to him as well as everyone in that room. Before exiting the stage for good, Noah performed an encore with a couple songs, which of course included the highly anticipated “Stick Season” being one of them. This is becoming one of those songs where he doesn't even have to sing it because the audience knows every word by heart. Once that recognizable guitar melody began you could hear the crowd as loud as him singing every lyric as he stared back in amazement. Out of the 14 tracks on his “Stick Season” album Noah covered 11 of them during his show. The artist had everyone in the audience on the edge of their seat, and you could hear him so clearly in between the cheers. Noah doesn't need anything special besides his voice and his guitar and this season's tour helped prove that even more. Noah Kahan (Pronounced Con) is a singer and songwriter from Vermont. He has been making waves around the music industry for the last 5 years and with much success. He is well known for his music in genres like folk, indie, and pop. Noah is also recognized for his songwriting that is inspired by his own life experiences of growing up in a small town and everything in between. Listeners can relate to his authenticity and vulnerability he adds to every lyric. Noah released his first single, “Hold It Down” in 2017 then would go on to release more singles that year and his debut EP a year later. With even more singles released in between, Noah released his first full length album, “Busyhead” in 2019. After releasing an EP and even more singles, Noah shared his second album out with listeners during the pandemic. More recently, his latest release is his third album, “Stick Season” which was released in October 2022. Currently Noah has amassed an impressive following of over 8 million monthly listeners on Spotify as well as over 1 billion streams on the platform. Along with The Strumbellas, Noah has opened for artists like Ben Folds, Milky Chance, George Ezra, Dean Lewis, and James Bay before headlining his own shows. Seeing Noah live was a highlight of my year so far. If you get the chance to see him live or if you are considering going to one of his upcoming shows that aren't already sold out, you will not regret it. Written By Jenna Barton Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.
- Review: "Sunflower" - Emilia Vaughn
At just fourteen years old, Emilia Vaughn wrote “Sunflower,” a song that has gained a lot of traction upon being produced and shared with the world. It is a song described by Vaughn herself as something that is very open and airy. She allowed herself to write what she felt at that moment, challenging herself to expand her mind lyrically and tap into new parts of her imagination. Upon your first listen, you’ll very quickly see exactly what she’s talking about when describing her song to have a laid-back vibe. “Sunflower” maintains a beat and soft guitar melody throughout, and when coupled with the softness of the tone that Vaughn’s voice has, it leaves the listener feeling light and relaxed. Vaughn’s song begins with a lovely acoustic melody in the intro that immediately captures your attention. The first verse starts with Vaughn’s voice showcased over the same tune established in the intro, with a soft beat added about halfway through. She sings lyrics relatable to anyone who has a crush and wishes for their person to be in their life. The chorus is catchy, upbeat, and very laid-back. With the bridge, Vaughn showcases her ability to maintain the quality and crispness of her voice while speeding up her delivery of the lyrics. Just as we were eased into this song, it slowly fades out in a way that makes us want to continue listening. Overall, this song is extremely vibey and a must-add to any upcoming summer playlist. Born in San Diego, Emilia has been writing poetry and playing the piano for as long as she can remember. Now, she’s following her dreams as an alternative pop artist set to graduate from the Berklee College of Music in 2026. She has always had a passion for music, as it has remained the one constant of her life, in her own words. Emilia put that passion to work come 2022, when she released two independent singles and immediately came out with her first EP after this release. Her single “Sunflower” gained a lot of positive attention from the media, reaching number forty-seven on the All Access "What's in Store" retail play charts. She has another single titled “Dead Bouquets” set to come out on February 23, 2023, so be sure to stay tuned and give the talented Emilia Vaughn another listen! Written By Molly Schiff FOLLOW EMILIA:
- Review: "You Take Up My Songs" - Riya Gadher
The more you try not to think about something, the more it creeps into your mind. It happens with anything that makes us sad, mad, or nervous. Riya Gadher’s “You Take Up My Songs” is an emotional pop ballad about not being able to get past a breakup. You can tell that she has taken all the typical measures such as ripping apart all the pictures, deleting their number, and unfollowing them on Instagram. Despite those efforts, the sadness takes up her mind and she deals with it through music. This is a great coping mechanism, but Gadher’s patience still seems to be wearing thin. The feelings that she is experiencing in this song are very relatable. Romantic or not, we all have nagging thoughts at one time or another. One aspect of this song that I really enjoyed was the instrumentation. The combination of the piano and drums adds to the exasperation Gadher is feeling on the chorus as she sings “I am hopeless, I am hopeless. I wait for the day when I’ll move on. As for the lyrics, another part of the song I enjoyed was when Gadher said her thoughts of the breakup “owned the land” in her brain. That was a great analogy to express how much these thoughts are consuming her. The sadness of these thoughts then block out the happy ones. The only way to get rid of the sad thoughts is to put them down on paper. There doesn’t seem to be a resolution by the end of the track, but I hope that Gadher was able to find relief. Riya Gadher is a singer/songwriter from London. In her short time on the music scene, she has hit the ground running. “You Take Up My Songs" was mixed at Abbey Road, one of the most iconic studios in the world. Music is a very big part of Gadher’s life, as she once said, “the piano is the root of every creation and the seed of all my emotions.” It is hard to believe that “You Take Up My Songs” is only her second single. Her first single, “Indian Ocean,” was released in 2020 and is also about navigating a breakup. I love both of these songs and can’t wait to hear what else she has in store! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW RIYA GADHER
- Review: "Any Man" - Essy
When I’m asked about my dad, I tell most people he’s dead. But he’s not. He’s just dead to me – so, on a technicality I’m not completely lying. There’s numerous events that contributed to our relationship being D.O.A. over the years, but the biggest will always be his infidelity and inability to take any accountability for it. He’s never quite understood the ramifications of his actions; they don't just affect him, but the people around him as well. It took a lot of time for the direct and indirect victims of his affair to heal and recover. Essy's "Any Man" serves as a testament to this healing process. Listen to "Any Man" by Essy here. “Any Man” is an Indie-Pop single about moving past one the deepest betrayals a person can experience: infidelity. The live recorded song details Essy’s personal experience alongside real instrumentation to capture the raw emotion that comes with this event. The song opens with a soft piano melody while our artist relays how she met the other woman her partner was seeing in the first verse. This shocking revelation is delivered with a sweet delicateness. The existence of the other woman explains why Essy couldn’t find her partner some nights in the second verse. The beginning of the third verse marks the slow introduction of the acoustic guitar as the song builds towards the chorus. Within this verse our artist remarks “To think that I loved someone / That I never knew”. It’s a heartbreaking but profound sentiment; not knowing the real person you’re committed to until their mask has been lifted. The chorus then erupts, with all the instruments involved - the guitar, drums, and piano - at full force while Essy delivers hope and a snub to the past partner. Once healed, this will be a small event from her past she can laugh about in the future while the former partner will be rendered as someone of insignificance. But having endured this has made her stronger, particularly “stronger than any man”. It also made the old her unrecognizable as we come to find in the fifth verse. But that’s okay, since she’s changed for the better due to this experience. This all leads to the powerful bridge where Essy rips into their past partner. I love the vulnerability expressed here – Essy’s anger radiates through the quickened guitar plucking before the piano comes back to shift the mood to heightened awareness. The song ends with gentle guitar strings as our artist's resilience shines through. "Any Man" shapes up to be a transformative post break-up confessional that advocates for self-love. Rachel Braig, better known as Essy, is a singer, songwriter, and musician currently based in Nashville, TN. The artist is a self-taught pianist that began writing her own music at 11 years old. At 15, she was accepted into NYU’s Steinhardt summer program to learn and hone her talent from industry vets. The artist’s college career also saw the rise of her songwriting capabilities; she began writing for EDM artists while pursuing her degree. Essy’s early graduation would find her moving to Nashville where she’d write alongside noteworthy pop songwriters before producing her own projects in 2019. In May of 2020, she released her first EP Second Thoughts, followed by her second EP Cry For Me in April of 2021 – both exemplifying the artist’s contemplative storytelling and catchy synth rhythms. If you’ve enjoyed Essy’s sound as much as I have, show the artist some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW ESSY:
- Review: "Skyfall" - Harzee
“Skyfall”, Harzee’s latest release, is equally creative in production as in perspective. The song expresses the feelings that are usually secondary in a breakup. Unless, of course, it was a messy or resentful one. Those feelings range from anger to anxiety about reputation, to even looking for revenge. There’s very little grief to be found in the songs message and its tone reflects this. It is lyrical and active, making it very possible to avoid the more disheartening aspects of its backstory. And this is purposeful, his own retelling isn’t meant to be depressing because he doesn’t feel this way. He’s moving on, and he wants the listener to feel the inspiration and the passion he does. Click here to listen to "Skyfall"! The song begins with an electric melody that sets the beat for its remainder. When this breaks, and the listener hears Harzee’s voice for the first time, the beat drop really is a “skyfall”. You are immediately thrown into the upbeat sound the song is focused around. Harzee never falters, even when the song picks up in such a way. He manages to keep the beat of the song steady throughout, with every line landing. His first verse speaks of wrongdoings against him in this breakup, or even the relationship itself. In between his verses the listener can hear steady but harsh breathing, his own resilience being the background of his story of moving on. When he reaches the chorus, though, this changes. Instead of the beat heard before, Harzee displays his talent, his incredible vocals become the focus. And when that keyword “skyfall” comes, all his pacing and buildup pay off. “Skyfall” is a song with a lot of moving parts, but Harzee crafts them together beautifully, creating a dynamic, new sound. Harzee is a Memphis based artist who, despite being only 17, has been creating music for almost a decade. He’s released three singles on Spotify dating back to 2021, he’s a student of Stax music academy, and a first chair in his school choir. Most recently, he’s been named the winner for the Tennessee Songwriters Week where he earned a four-hour recording session and other benefits which will hopefully get him more in the public eye. Clearly, though, this has already been taken into effect with Harzee being featured on WREG and in several articles following his victory. As he’s discussed before, it hasn’t been an easy path. But Harzee’s incredible ability to create and his dedication to getting his creations heard leaves no doubt that he is an artist to watch, and “Skyfall” is the song to listen to. Written By Hailey Schap FOLLOW HARZEE:
- Review: "Mad At You" - Skofee
Coming from her recently released EP, Joyland, Skofee showcases her unique alt-pop sound with the new single, “Mad At You.” The song is one of six to be featured on her sophomore EP, each song showcasing themes of love, loss, and the search for happiness in familiar places. In this track, Skofee explores the frustrations and feelings of anger that accompany a relationship destined to fail. “Mad At You” continues Skofee’s tradition of mixing contemporary sounds with mainstream pop. She expresses herself through a delicious mix of candid lyrics and emotional vocals, supported by an experimental synth soundscape. Her quirky sound is one of a kind and offers something for any indie or alt-pop fan to love. "Mad At You" is a perfect combination of eccentric and distinctive sounds, making this composition so memorable and genius. In this song, Skofee sets herself apart from the alt-pop crowd as she intertwines lush synth harmonies with unforgettable melodies. Though the song explores negative feelings about a failing relationship, "Mad At You" contrasts those feelings musically. It is upbeat and features light, pleasant vocals that float above the synth-laden background. Each peculiar layer of the song comes together beautifully, and is an undeniable masterpiece that everyone should be playing on repeat. Skofee is an LA-based pop artist, quickly making her mark on the pop music scene. She was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, and grew up listening to bluegrass and folk music. After attending college at the University of Southern California, Skofee developed her love of music into a more pop-based sound. In 2020, she released her debut EP, Polished, and received rave reviews from the likes of Ones To Watch, EARMILK, and LA Weekly. Her sound has been described by LA Weekly as "super-contemporary, combining indie and pop to create a gorgeous, lush and emotional alt-pop vibe that certainly recalls Alison Krauss as well as the likes of Lorde.” Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW SKOFEE:
- Review: "Drinking Problems" - emme oneill
emme oneill’s “Drinking Problems” is like an excerpt from the diary we keep hidden in the depths of our mind. This raw, vulnerable single about hardships and complex dynamics in life and love takes you on an emotional journey from start to finish. emme searches for answers to life’s most complicated questions that seem to be a rite of passage in modern-day romance. “Drinking Problems” is a love-letter to toxic relationships that you put in a pretty envelope and set on fire.. letting all the negativity and turmoil go up in flames. Relationships that leave you troubled, your mind swirling, and your deepest scars bleeding seem to be a dime a dozen these days, and they can feel impossible to understand, let alone move on from. There is no guidebook on how to reclaim the person you once were and the hope you used to wear proudly, but sometimes the best path to healing, the best medicine, and the best chance at freedom is to look in the mirror with admiration, fake a smile until it becomes real, forgive someone who’s never apologized, and let the pain be an inspiration to fall back in love with yourself, and let the heartbreak lead you to a wiser, stronger version of yourself who will never again settle for less than what you deserve. “Drinking Problems” is a Honeyed Modern Pop, R&B fused single where emme thinks out loud and gives her audience a glimpse into an over-thinker’s mind who’s dealing with picking up the pieces of her heart that someone else destroyed. This song is bright and rich with a reversed organ chord progression that melds perfectly with emme’s ethereal vocals. You can feel the depth of every word she sings. As the song progresses, light and stunning grooves take over. We’re hooked on every lyric and can’t get the sweet melodies and real emotion out of our minds. emme wanted to show her audience that it’s okay to not be okay, and she wants to let them know that learning how to cope takes time, and healing is not linear. “Drinking Problems” is the perfect mix of authenticity and musicality, and she gives her listeners a safe space to understand they will never be alone. emme oneill is a Memphis, Tennessee native who is quickly becoming one of Nashville’s most captivating up-and-coming artists. Her music draws similarities from R&B, synth-pop, and modern pop. She uses her platform to dive into real issues that aren’t talked about enough. She wants her audience to know that she has been through hardships and toxic situations in life, and they can relate to her and slowly heal together. emme channels all her pain into her creative process to share her stories with the world and be a big sister to everyone who’s gone through something similar. This rising singer/songwriter will inspire a generation with her honesty, vulnerability, and raw talent. emme oneill is certainly one to watch out for, so check out her social media below, and become a part of her worldwide takeover! Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW EMME ONEILL:
- Review: "Close To Me" - Alex Zind
My favorite superhero satire is 1999’s Mystery Men primarily for one reason; the villain, Tony Pompadour. Tony Pompadour, better known as Tony P., was the right-hand man for super villain Casanova Frankenstein. But most importantly, Tony P. was the disco king of the crime underworld. The first-time watching audiences see him, he’s dancing in the disco room of Casanova's mansion to the Bee Gees with full 70’s attire. Sometime later in this initial scene he has an upsetting conversation with Casanova which makes him deliver the iconic line: “Disco is NOT DEAD. Disco is LIFE!” And if there could be a song that both proves this sentiment while embodying the zeal of disco, it would be Alex Zind’s “Close To Me”. “Close To Me” is an exciting Dance-Pop single about the presence of one person sending us into a continual state of euphoria. The single makes closet disco lovers like me optimistic for the reemergence of Nudisco. Nudisco is a dance music genre with a heavy interest in the 70’s disco era that features a splash of 80’s synthesizers and 90’s electronica. “Close To Me” opens with funky strings and our vocalist entering this mindset of elation. The introduction of the synthesizers immediately follows to demonstrate both the speed at which this state kicks in and the height of the excitement that’s being experienced. It’s like pure adrenaline is being mainlined from Zind’s production. If one person can induce this type of feeling, it’s no wonder why you’d want to be in close proximity to them at all times. The vocalist even remarks at several points throughout the song, “Feeling high when I’m low / I’m even more when you’re close to me”. The song’s bridge comes halfway through the song to include a catchy horn section that I’ve been replaying in my head since hearing it. After this our vocalist tells us how “heartbroken” they are when this person isn’t around. But they won’t dwell on that right now because this person is here, and all is well. Ultimately, “Close To Me” is an infectiously entertaining single that makes me wish there were more dance clubs where I lived. Alex Zind is a composer, pianist, producer, and remixer from Frankfurt, Germany. Zind began studying and playing classical piano at six years old. Not long after picking up the talent, he’d find himself performing in concerts throughout Europe. Outside of his time as a classical pianist, Zind was invited to add music and special effects to numerous Hollywood productions in the 1990’s. In 1993, the artist alongside his brother founded the record label, ZZ Music Records. After the birth of his two daughters, the artist took a hiatus from the early 2000’s to the latter half of the 2010’s. Now back in action, Zind remasters chart-toppers of the 90’s into dancefloor singles for listening audiences. His music continually shifts between Deep House, Pop, and Indie – always keeping listeners eager for the latest surprise dance-hit. If you’ve enjoyed Alex Zind’s throwback to disco as much as I have, show him some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW ALEX ZIND:
- Review: "Prison" - Tess Anderson
"Prison" is the newly released single from singer-songwriter Tess Anderson. Her new release is reflective of her journey in evolving her sound to be most unique to her. “Prison” is an introspective look at the thoughts of Tess, and the ways in which they hold her back. The song uses the idea of a prison to symbolize the magnitude of entrapment Tess experiences within her own head. Furthermore, Tess expresses that it was not external forces that placed her into this prison, but it was done on her own accord. It is Tess who perpetuates such thoughts, and thus has built the walls of her own prison. Thankfully, in taking an inner look Tess is able to realize that she has the potential to go beyond the barriers of the prison she has built for herself. Upon this realization, Tess ends the song with a tone of inspiration, and determination for self-growth. The sonic structure of “Prison” is creative, impressive, and perfectly incorporates many elements that give the song depth. Even more so the instrumentals, generate a rawness, that aids in driving home the emotional content of the lyrics. This rawness and focus on instrument based sound makes "Prison" a refreshing listen when compared to the majority of pop songs released today, that are highly composed of electronic beats. The raw and band like sound, latches onto listener's ears and makes them more receptive to the introspective themes of self-growth expressed in the lyrics. Tess Anderson is a singer-songwriter based in Vancouver, Canada. Her music feels overwhelmingly candid, allowing audiences to really connect with her. Tess Anderson is not new to making music by any means. Tess was just 12 years old when she debuted her career in music. Later, she would continue to pursue her career through receiving a diploma in artist development, music production, and audio engineering. After receiving her diploma Tess would release her debut EP in 2021. The release of this EP allowed Tess to play over 75 live shows that year, whilst also receiving widespread recognition for her talents in Vancouver. Written By Alison Holst FOLLOW TESS ANDERSON:
- Review: "Best Before" - Sivilian
We’re often met with overwhelming surrealism when comparing our present self with our younger counterpart. Encountering memories of our past can feel intensely bittersweet. Sivilian’s new single, “Best Before” perfectly communicates this idea of confronting your past self and pondering your growth as a human being. “Best Before” was written in Sivilian’s childhood bedroom, as he reflected on his youth after quitting his career in the advertising industry. Sivilian incorporates deep emotion contrasted by humor and sarcasm to offer a realistic and semi-lighthearted reaction to growth and aging. For instance, the single pokes fun at the first twinges of back pain and the small victory of still being asked for your identification card at the grocery store. Yet lyrics such as, “Coming of age sounds better than growing old”, bring back the underlying fear of fleeting time and wasted opportunity. Sivilian’s new single, “Best Before” combines the profuse emotions of self-reflection, slight comedic lyricism, playful instrumentation and passionate vocals to create an infectious indie-pop anthem. Soft yet intricate guitar strumming and heartwarming synths introduce “Best Before”. Sivilian’s soothing voice and subtle rasp makes the perfect sound for the indie-pop genre. The single’s thrilling chorus contains powerful vocals and moving instrumentation. The infectious rhythm and lyrics urge audiences to sing along. The song’s dreamy bridge is full of ethereal background vocalizations and divine synth noise. Sivilian’s wide vocal range is present throughout the tune, with beautiful high-pitched harmonies and powerful belts. “Best Before” merges energetic instrumentation and heartfelt singing, creating a touching coming of age anthem. Based in Zurich, Switzerland, Sivilian is a multi-creative storyteller, who utilizes the platforms of singing, songwriting, photography and filmmaking to create impactful and emotional art. His stage name, Sivilian, is a combination of his birth name, Adrian, and the name of his sister, Silvia, who gave him the impulse to start a pop project. Growing up in Bernese Oberland, many of his early projects stemmed from boredom. Sivilian’s debut single, “Invisible to Automatic Doors” was released in 2020 and was later made the title track of his first EP. This EP features five infectious tracks, most notably, “Fragile” and “Dead Inside” which has accumulated over 61k streams on Spotify alone. His 2021 single, “Last Waltz” reached over 35k streams and was later remixed in 2022 by Melouie, a Berlin based electronic music artist. Sivilian shot the music video for his song, “Boredom Paradise” in just 24 hours in a studio and hotel room, completely by himself. Likewise, he created an award-winning video series titled, “A Guide to the Apocalypse”. He is currently a finalist on the second season of “Sing it Your Way”, a Swiss talent show. Sivilian’s many talents truly set him apart as a gifted artist and storyteller, with the potential for limitless opportunity in the music and film industry. Written By Julia Hooper FOLLOW SIVILIAN:
- Review: "Deux" - Elijah Blake x Jordin Sparks
Elijah Blake and Jordin Sparks have teamed up again for another incredible collaboration. After the high praise of their joint EP, 1990 Forever, fans are overjoyed with the release of their latest single, “Deux”. The duo has been teasing this collaboration for a few years, as the track is a duet remix of Blake’s solo track, “Rendezvous”. Sparks provides her own verse in this song, with a twist on the original lyrics and production. The track explores the intricacies of a sensual relationship and the secret meetings they partake in. Before the intimate lyrics are introduced, the first verse describes her mundane everyday work life. The track begins with Sparks singing the new lyrics: “7:10 just getting in// It’s been a hell of a day// Studio straight to the stage” and “Cruising the 101, traffic always in the way.” These lines set the scene of a long, tiring workday that is met by Los Angeles’s frustrating rush hour traffic. Then, the track slowly transitions into the passionate lyrics, such as “Been anticipating, it got my heart racing// Impatient, I bet this night will be one to remember.” This stark contrast emphasizes that without their partner, their life is dreary and dull. But when they are off work, their mind is only focused on them and how they make each other feel. Sparks continues to sing, “Had to be at the door to see your reaction// Oh baby your gift is me, I’m at your service// Look at you smiling// Out here acting nervous// You better prove to me this trip was worth it// Need you to focus, I know I deserve it.” These lyrics fully transition the track into the seductive storyline, before Sparks starts singing the chorus, and Blake takes over by singing the second verse found in the original track. The flow of the song is so natural that unaware listeners would never know it was a remix unless they have followed Blake and Sparks closely over the years. Their chemistry with each other is so effortless and “Deux” is another excellent addition to their collaborative discography. “Deux” is a sensual pop song with hints of R&B that effortlessly blend together to create an unforgettable track. Sparks immediately kicks off the song singing with the keyboard sound in the background. The simplicity of the production allows her flawless vocals to welcome the listener to the track as they are mesmerized by her heavenly, yet powerful voice. After a few measures, the bass and the high-hat synth sound effect are introduced, guiding the listener through the track. When the chorus hits, the production switches gears, transitioning to a guitar that provides a jazzy vibe to the track that ebbs and flows perfectly with Sparks’s outstanding falsettos. Then, Blake starts singing and the second verse commences. The synth production changes slightly from the first verse, keeping a similar production of his original solo track. In the background, the guitar comes and goes with the melody, providing an effortless flow to the track. Similar to Sparks, Blake’s voice astounds the listener with the beautiful vocals and incredible breath control. In the background, Sparks sings enchanting harmonies that perfectly complement the melody. The pair has a long history of collaborating, and “Deux” only further exemplifies how well they work together. Their vocals were made to harmonize with one another and lulls listeners into a feeling of comfort. Furthermore, the official music video for the track perfectly encapsulates the seductive element of the track through the fiery visuals and undeniable chemistry. With “Deux”, Blake and Sparks leave fans anticipating even more phenomenal collaborations. Elijah Blake is a two-time Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter, and producer. At 16-years-old, he signed with Atlantic Records and collaborated with Trey Songz. Then in 2012, he released his debut Mix Tape, Bijoux 22. Then in 2014, he released his debut album, Shadow & Diamonds. Blake has a long impressive list of songwriting credits, including collaborations with artists, such as Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and Usher. Jordin Sparks is an American singer and actress. In 2007, she became the youngest contestant to win American Idol at only 17-years-old. Her self-titled debut album came out later that year, selling over two million copies worldwide. The album included hit songs such as “Tattoo” and “No Air”. Not only has Sparks released unforgettable hits, she has also starred in several television shows, movies, and two Broadway musicals. She has made herself a household name, proving her undeniable talent. Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW ELIJAH: FOLLOW JORDIN:












