TaniA Kyllikki - HUMAN

HUMAN - TaniA Kyllikki (Dance): We have a newcomer to the blog this week as TaniA Kyllikki joins us with latest track “HUMAN”. The song’s origins come from a Facebook post, as TaniA was deeply affected by online vitriol, which inspired her and her husband (producer and multi-instrumentalist Rynellton) to create one more track for her “FREE-SPIRITED” album. On “Human”, TaniA’s vocals begin with a mystical quality, like an incantation, before the rawness of the emotion sends her soaring. The instrumentation harkens back to 00s/10s pop numbers—we immediately thought of Rhianna’s “Breaking Dishes”. With a kick heavy pulsing beat and powerful vocal performance, “Human” is a real club stomper.

Best Lyric: “What have we learned from being here?”

Sandy Martin - Ice Candy

Ice Candy - Sandy Martin (Pop) Sandy Martin brings us top 40 pop vibes on latest track “Ice Candy”. Sandy is a multi-faceted artist, having worked with top Grammy winners and placed many songs on movies and TV. She sings, plays instruments and writes her own tracks, building imaginative stories within musical worlds. On “Ice Candy”, Sandy lists her virtues—she’s sweet and wild and cannot be tamed. There’s a retro feel to the record, giving us some late 00s pop-rock vibes. The driving melody and self-affirming lyrics make this a perfect ‘windows down belting down the highway’ kind of record. You can almost feel your hair blowing in the wind. Put this one on your pregame, roadtrip or gym playlist for jolt of electricity.

Keesha Blair - Peaceful Power

Peaceful Power - Keesha Blair (R&B) Keesha Blair joins us this week with latest track, and slickly AI-produced music video, “Peaceful Power.” Keesha’s work centers on healing, empowerment and emotional restoration, creating message-led songs for listeners moving through inner work, using AI to assist in music production and vocal generation. The song is a commercially friendly R&B/Pop crossover number, feeling like a merge between Lauryn Hill and Jill Scott. Anthemic in nature, the track boasts positivity and self esteem, focused on the healing of the inner child and integration and acceptance of both one’s light and dark. This is feel good music, meant to stir the soul and encourage embracing one’s own power.

Best Lyric: “I make a home where I once hid.”

C'batch - I Guess You Want It This Way

I Guess You Want It This Way (Cinematic Reggae) 1** - C’batch (Pop) C’batch joins us this week with an EP of versions of single “I Guess You Want It This Way”. Sweeping strings introduce this breezy, summer-tinged mid tempo track, centering on the classic reggae beat but enhanced with a jazzy flare. The mix is drenched in an expansive verb, giving that cinematic quality, as the vocal croons into the rafters with a high tenor belt. On the track, C’batch tells his lover that the ball is in their court, that they have put in the work and it’s up to them to do the same in order for things to improve. With great sing-along-ability and a catchy chorus, “I Guess You Want It This Way” is a real bop.

Best Lyric:  “Let you choose your own path, won’t beg you to stay.”

M & J - she's COSMIC light

she’s COSMIC light - M & J (Pop) New to our blog, M & J drop by this week with latest single “she’s COSMIC light.” A pair of Aussies with a passion for writing, M & J is an alt pop duo from Bondi, often making music about the natural landscape of their country, while weaving in personal storytelling. On “she’s COSMIC light,” a plucky, sun drenched guitar introduces a funky yet breezy mid tempo pop beat. The track sizzles as our vocalist croons an ode to the object of his affection. There’s a carefree feeling to the record, which oozes with retro groove. All in all, “she’s COSMIC light” is an upbeat number perfect for the final days of summer.

Best Lyric:  “The fortune tellers were right, she’s a cosmic light”

Carl Kammeyer - Since You Been Gone

Since You Been Gone - Carl Kammeyer (Pop) Carl Kammeyer returns to our blog following last year’s “Only You” with latest track “Since You Been Gone.” When we first met Carl, we noted his powerful tenor vocal embedded in a beautifully mixed arrangement and dripping with emotion. On “Since You Been Gone”, we get an equally emotive 80s tinged pop bop. A melancholy guitar lilts in the background as Carl reminisces on love lost. His vocal is understated, gliding easily around a driving kick drum and synth bass arrangement that makes the listener feel like a passenger on a cruise down the highway. The yearning is palpable on the track, and the vibes immaculate. And don’t miss the lushly saturated music video.

Best Lyric: “I’m sorry for what I’ve done to make you up and run.”

BR33Z WORLD - BALLING IN THE CLUB

BALLING IN THE CLUB - BR33Z WORLD (Rap) This week we welcome BR33Z WORLD to the blog with latest track, “BALLING IN THE CLUB.” Oakland-raised and San Francisco-born, BR33Z WORLD crafts cinematic records imbued with survival, street life and ambition. The DJ Mustard vibes abound on this party track, bringing us back to the 10s with a crossover club jam you might expect from Chris Brown, Trey Songz and the like. The instrumental revolves around that familiar buzzy synth bass, which when combined with the hype man “heys” in the backing gives us all sorts of nostalgia. BR33Z WORLD’s lyrics get straight to the point—he sees a girl that he wants and damn does she smell good. Perfect record for pregame, house party or DJ set.

Best Lyric:  “Tryna make a player break rules just to get her.”

C'batch - Next Time (I Won't Be Falling/You've Got Me Falling)

Next Time (I Won’t Be Falling/You’ve Got Me Falling) - C’batch (Pop) We’ve got a retro pop smash on our hands with “Next Time (I Won’t Be Falling/You’ve Got Me Falling)” by C’batch. It’s a 90s vibe on this one, with us feeling like you could pull this from a Jordan Knight album, or really any boy bander who took a shot at their own solo career to storm the Top 40. It’s that perfect mix of pop and R&B that ruled the charts in those days, combining a driving anthemic instrumental with soft, heavenly layered vocals. This one screams karaoke favorite, or maybe just crooning along in your shower. We’ve got this one on repeat.

Best Lyric:  “Needing control, but frozen in time.”

R.Nelson - Good Morning, Beautiful

Good Morning, Beautiful - R.Nelson (R&B) R.Nelson joins our blog this month with his latest project “Music and Written By…..R.Nelson. Vol 1: Grown Man Energy”, for which reviewed first track “Good Morning, Beautiful.” Honestly, it’s all in the name, as this track is not just beautiful, it’s stunning. R.Nelson’s soulful voice captivates as the soft, jazzy cafe vibe instrumental hits in the feels and warms the soul. It’s a track about the easy love of the everyday, just taking in the sight of one’s love waking up and starting their day. Lush, soulful and sparkling, “Good Morning, Beautiful” is the perfect pair with a breezy summer day and serves as a great opening to R.Nelson’s latest project. We’ll certainly be waking up to this one to start our day right.

Best Lyric:  “Sun don’t even rise until she hits the light.”

Tuff Rhythm & dharkfunkh - Baby Tell Me

Baby Tell Me - Tuff Rhythm & dharkfunkh (Disco) This week we are joined by Tuff Rhythm & darkfunkh with latest single “Baby Tell Me”, their second release following the success of their breakout hit “The Drop.” Tuff & dharkfunkh are a powerhouse UK duo in the global electronic music scene, delivering high-impact sets and dancefloor anthems. On “Baby Tell Me”, we’re getting all the retro vibes as buzzy 80s synth bass bounces along, backing a tight delayed female vocal. The track stands shoulder to shoulder with the female synth pop of that era, giving us Nu Shooz “I Can’t Wait” and early Madonna vibes. This track was made for the club.

Best Lyric:  “Checking your location, fixing up my complection, you said pull up I’m outside, no hesitation.”

WiLL - I Can't Wait (Radio Version)

I Can’t Wait (Radio Version) -WiLL (R&B) WiLL debuts on our blog this week with a hypnotizing afrobeat jam about rushing to see his man in “I Can’t Wait”. The LGBTQ+ artist hailing from Washington, DC, WiLL writes music from a place of humanity, and aims for his emotionally grounded work to resonate beyond his community. It’s a tropical vibe on this record, a hip winder for sure, and it feels perfectly timed for the summer months. On “I Can’t Wait”, WiLL is infatuated with a lover, electrified, and ready to go at a moment’s notice. Vocally, WiLL is impressive, slipping into and out of his falsetto with staggering ease, as he’s supported by ear candy laden plush background vocals.

Best Lyric:  “Checking your location, fixing up my complection, you said pull up I’m outside, no hesitation.”

sykro69 - King of the weekend

King of the weekend - sykro69 (Pop) Summer’s in the air and good vibes abound in sykro69’s latest track, “King of the weekend”, a feel-good pop number that’s perfect for the sunny days of July. UK artist sykro69 blends rap, UK garage, drum & bass and electronic music into emotionally driven records, spanning genres to embrace versatility. On this record, the target is aimed straight at pop Top 40 with a track made for beach parties, rooftop happy hours and just cruising down the highway. It’s a perfectly timed light hearted groove about living for the weekend and sitting on the top of the world while doing it.

Best Lyric:  “Live in those moments you see on the screen.”

Tyler Brooker ft PHAZE - Step Aside

Step Aside - Tyler Brooker ft PHAZE (EDM) it’s been three years since we last touched base with Tyler Brooker, having previously reviewed 2023’s Hypocrite, and so we’re happy to have him back on the blog with latest track “Step Aside.” On “Hypocrite”, Tyler served us an in-your-face house number with pointed lyrics over a huge production. On his latest track, we get a mellow island jam and an artist in a much better headspace. Here, Tyler is extolling the virtues of a potential love interest, and how they have him magnetized. It’s the perfect breezy dance floor track for summertime beach parties and rooftop happy hours. This is one you wind to.

Best Lyric: “Melodies born outta’ love fixing hearts split.”

Keesha Blair - Access Declined

Access Declined - Keesha Blair (R&B) Fresh off our review of “Truth Always Shows Its Face”, Keesha Blair is back with us again with track “Access Declined”. On her previous neo-soul gem, we credited the smoothness of the production, rainy coffee shop vibes and expertly crafted poetry on the lyrics. With “Access Declined”, we keep those R&B feels but with a much more upbeat, punchy track. The pen game is just as strong, as Keesha sings from her chest that the fairweather friends in her life will be left outside the gate. Keesha also gets the opportunity to show off her vocal prowess, flying into the rafters with a heartfelt belt. Sassy, smart and with a strong point of view, Keesha shines on “Access Declined.”

Best Lyric:  “Keep that same energy both in public and privately.”

Keesha Blair - Truth Always Shows Its Face

Truth Always Shows Its Face - Keesha Blair (R&B) We have a newcomer to our blog this week, Keesha Blair, who brings us her latest track “Truth Always Shows Its Face”. Songwriter, music creator and custom music director, Keesha Blair centers her work on healing, empowerment, boundaries, truth and emotional restoration. The track is an expertly polished R&B/neo-soul gem, which gives fuzzy vinyl feels and rainy coffee shop vibes with its understated keys and crisp drum kit. It’s a total groove, with Keesha’s easy and free vocals sliding all over the track, punctuated by plush backing vocals and occasionally hitting us with some spoken poetry-slam style deliveries. And that is probably the word that sums up the track best—poetry. Despite all the song has going for it, it’s the pen game that stands out to us the most.

Best Lyric:  “Lies stacked on lies until they caved on me.”

The New Citizen Kane - metalLIC

metalLIC - The New Citizen Kane (Pop) The New Citizen Kane returns to us for the first time this year after six prior features on our blog, this time bringing us “metalLIC”. This latest track is an explosion of synth goodness, with all the 80s electronica feels. It’s a dreamy cut, romanticizing the moment in one’s life when you stop analyzing and just start feeling, so our artist tells us. With his razor sharp baritone slicing through the miasma of swirling keys, his falsetto soars on the chorus, giving the airy lightheartedness of release that the song aims to convey with its message. It’s a wind down the windows on a sunny day, cruise down the freeway type record.

Best Lyric:  “By the morning hesitation won’t mean a thing.”