Ceyeo - Lost

Lost - Ceyeo (Rap) What strikes us about this track, what pulls it out of the retro lofi hiphop soundscape it inhabits, are the maturity of the lyrics. With a backing soundscape often used by social conscious rap, Ceyeo’s “Lost” is more ‘mindfulness rap.’ On his latest track, Ceyeo walks us through inner turmoil in a way that is deeply personal and intimate. It is clear that the track is autobiographical, and that Ceyeo has, or has previously had, emotional or mental health struggles. The track is truly special in its grounded take on the all too common issue—Ceyeo does not wallow or complain, he expresses shock over what has happened to him, desire to be better and heal, and struggle to find understanding and the help he yearns for. While we are sorry Ceyeo has had his struggles, the silver lining is this deeply personal and moving track we know will touch others and help them feel seen. We certainly were.

Best Lyric: “I hate not being a stronger person.”

Sage Phoenix- Forever (EP)

PHOTO: Sage Phoenix

Forever (EP) - Sage Phoenix DJ (Pop/R&B)  Sage Phoenix brings some delicious pop/r&b with their four-track EP Forever.  Sage’s debut, following 2021 single Lose Our Minds, this collection of plush, midtempo tracks delivers a cohesive package of chill R&B with crossover pop appeal—if you want to make a top 40 comparison, think Neyo, but add a bit of 80s synthpop to it as well.  So…if Neyo did the Stranger Things soundtrack?  It’s very much giving that.

The EP starts with title track, Forever, the most uptempo song of the entire outing, and the middle ground of the 80s meets contemporary R&B genre mix that Sage has claimed for their project.  The listener is immediately pulled into the EP by those glistening wind chimes–reminding us of classic R&B ballads like Janet’s “Funny How Time Flies”--and wastes no time diving right into a two-step inducing bop.  The restraint on the vocal production is appreciated—traditionally in songs like this the lead vocal is distorted, verbed and buried into the instrumentation.  Here, in a very Sam Smith way, Sage’s strong vocal performance is left to shine, sitting front and center.

Next, Sage slows it down and is joined by Syauqi Destanika for a glorious duet that in our opinion is the standout track of the entire project—Angel.  The production is lively, and begins leaning more into the 80s synthpop elements, particularly with the lofi drums.  Sage and Syauqi’s vocals are a beautiful pairing, and it’s when the two sing in unison that the track hits the heavens.  It’s a great example of how something can be more than the sum of its parts. The Phil Collins-esque gated drums complete the track to make it the strongest of the impressive set.

Carrying on with the synthpop vibe but picking up the tempo a bit, Make You Mine is led by those buzzy lofi synths that continue to make a strong comeback in contemporary pop, accompanied by some twinkling rhodes and sawtooth lead lines for several helpings of earcandy.  With this track our transportation to the 80s is complete.  The most notable part of this midtempo is Sage’s voice.  It’s on full display here, particularly when they hit the higher registers.  It is up there in the rafters that Sage’s voice rings as clear as those rhodes in the background.

Finally, Without Your Love closes the project with a more traditional piano driven production—leaving the 80s behind for more of a 00s Mary J or Mariah Carey ballad.  While our personal favorite is Angel, Without Your Love is the clear radio single for the project.  The lyrics are vulnerable and the Sage’s focused tenor is accompanied by the most beautiful backgrounds of the entire EP—nearly stealing the show at times.  It’s a great finale to a tight package of well crafted, genre-melding ballads.

All in all, Forever is a strong collection of timeless R&B midtempos and ballads where Sage is left to shine by the strength of their vocal performance.

Tyler Brooker - Hypocrite

Hypocrite - Tyler Brooker (EDM) Tyler’s new house anthem Hypocrite is one of those “go f**k yourself” tracks that is sure to fire up your commute or cardio session as it delivers high octane intensity. The lyrics are very pointed, and great for a listener to use when alone and shadowboxing an old argument. Hypocrite is a track for that “well what I should have said was ____” moments that we all have. The production is BIG, cinematic in scope, and we know could really fill up a dance floor. But what makes the track special for us is specifically the tonality and delivery of the lead vocals which is giving a very David Bowie feel. So if you need some raw anger to power your trip to the gym or fighting through traffic, this is one for your playlist.

Best Lyric: “You hypocrite, why did you have to try it?”

J Cru - Man Cake (feat. Fresh Micks)

Man Cake - J Cru (ft Fresh Micks) (Rap) We really love it when a song is so f***ing clever that we can’t choose our best lyric. Hands down, the track is hilarious as two presumably hetereosexual men sing about their delicious fat asses that the ladies love. The comedic comradery between J Cru and Fresh Micks is very natural, with the two bouncing off of each other from one jaw-dropping lyric to the next. But that’s not to say the song isn’t a serious bop—it belongs right up there with any of 20 Fingers’ tracks (Short Dick Man, Boom I***ed your Boyfrend, etc)—and one you’re not only going to learn the lyrics to, but also groove to on the dance floor. The overall vibe of the track is giving us LMFAO, which we think is a lane in pop music currently wide open for occupying.

Best Lyric: “Suns out, buns out, gotta stay lubed up. This ain’t Photoshop, I ain’t using no computer.”

Jonathan Shapiro - My Dawgs

My Dawgs - Jonathan Shapiro (Rap) Looking at Jonathan’s picture, we’re afraid he may be too young to know the reference we’re about to make, but in his chill midtempo flow My Dawgs, he’s bringing us back to the days of Bone Thugs ‘N Harmony. His rhymes flow easily, riding the crisp production almost melodically, giving the track a very “sing-along-able” quality. The lofi percussion with swirling rhodes are punctuated nicely by the occasional audio effect and background chant, and marries nicely with his lead vocal production. His lyrics are quite clever, which made choosing our best one difficult, and while the song feels like an introduction to who Jonathan is, his playful wittiness in his word choice and phrasing tell us even more about him than the lines themselves. But at the end of the day, My Dawgs is a drink and a two step kinda jam, and we’re here for it.

Best Lyric: “Can’t keep me in a box, too fidgety. Can’t keep me in a roof, too chim-i-ny”

Beth Macari - Feel The Same

Feel The Same - Beth Macari (Pop) Beth Macari delivers a genre defying in Feel The Same, giving us mainstream pop perfection infused with elements of retro R&B that used to be the bread and butter for nearly all of the pop divas. Beth’s voice is powerful—putting her in the Christina/Pink pop lane—and boasts raw sexuality in both tonality and in the lyrics themselves. There’s also a touch of funk to this track in the punctuated “like like” hitting in each of her super catchy choruses. While Feel The Same is probably best categorized as a midtempo, it boasts plenty of energy to translate to the dancefloor. And if you want a real treat, don’t miss the music video in which, like Kelis before her, Beth’s milkshake brings all the boys to the yard.

Best Lyric: “I don’t mean to hurry things, so it’s gonna be last call.”

Aruna - Confessions

Confessions - Aruna (Pop) Aruna delivers a 00s singer/songwriter vibe with Confessions, which we could confidently imagine appearing on Top 40 radio. Lyrically, the song is a unique take on lovelorn, describing a situation where Aruna’s been friendzoned and has to hear about the lovelife of a friend she has feelings for, who she fears in the end she must say goodbye to. We really appreciate a song with a strong narrative, and Aruna’s heartfelt delivery of an engaging melody gives the track all the punch it needs and highlights her strengths as a storyteller. We recommend this song highly if you’re into the likes of Vanessa Carlton, Michelle Branch and even Sheryl Crow, if you want to take it back further. There’s also a Taylor Swift esque quality to it—not to the sound, but to the message, and so we also recommend this one for your next karaoke night.

Best Lyric: “Jealousy’s my best friend now, I know her well she’s always been around.”

Savoy Ellis - Don't Break My Heart/The One (Sped Up)

Don’t Break My Heart/The One (Sped Up) - Savoy Ellis (R&B)  There’s a Jackson-esque quality to this R&B vibe, particularly in the engaging melody which shows Savoy’s musicality and understanding of motown chord progression. A bit of Human Nature and the Janet B-Side This Can’t Be Good, the song is delivering some delectable retro. However, the tight percussion production keeps the song firmly grounded in the present, which helps give the track a timeless quality and avoids chasing current R&B trends. The uncredited singer on the track is given the 00s Kanye “sped up vocal” treatment which Savoy Ellis restrains from getting into chipmunk territory. Get this track on your retro R&B playlist ASAP.

Best Lyric: “She seems too good to be true, let me know is this the real thing or fool’s gold?”

Alec Rose - Underwater

Underwater - Alec Rose (Pop/Folk)  The song hooks you the moment it starts, with a lilting guitar arpeggio pulling you immediately into this dreamy, ephemeral ballad, and keeps you engaged as the production incorporates an unexpected distressed percussion and a subtle driving bass. Alec’s vocal delivery is intimate and vulnerable, finding increased strength in the bridge, where he takes a surprising octave shift that beautifully highlights his range as a singer. We can see this song placed in an indie flick—someone looking out the car window as they reminisce about a lover. Or a montage just before the final act showing intimate moments of a love lost—wrapped in bedsheets, kissing in the rain…a soundtrack for every melancholy heartstring pulling trope we love so much. We also deeply appreciate the lyrical prowess of this track with parallelism in the verses giving way to beautiful simplicity in the choruses mostly driven by the instrumental. Sparkling with its beauty and well crafted in its structure, this is one you put on repeat.

Best Lyric: “If I could dream underwater, would you keep me awake if I sink?”

Ellakate - I Wanna Fall in Love for the Night

I Wanna Fall in Love for the Night - Ellakate (Pop)  Well isn’t this an Adele worthy ballad? Vocally, the song is gorgeous—Ellakate’s delivery is focused, deliberate and restrained, with a true understanding of “build.” Her tonality reminds us a lot of Norah Jones, and we could hear this track sitting comfortably on a playlist with Come Away With Me in particular. While the song might be about temporary love, the vision this song conjures for us is that of a bride and groom dancing at their wedding. The production takes a backseat to the vocals, a gorgeous piano accompaniment that shares Ellakate’s deliberate and restrained performance. But that’s not to say there isn’t a healthy dose of earcandy as well, with heavily verbed background harmonies being a treat every time they appear. So light some candles, get cozy on the couch, and lose yourself in what is best described as a timeless love song.

Best Lyric: “Tell me that you wanna stay, that this doesn’t have to end with day.”

Jean~Baptiste - PART2

PART2- JeanBaptiste (HipHop/Rap)  OMFG the lyrics to this song. Before you think what we’re about to say is a bad thing, let us explain—we laughed several times listening to this song. Not in a mocking way, but in the same way we guffaw when we hear a Cardi track—the aggressive “go F**K yourself” lyrics slapped us in the face so many times and all we could do was smile widely and eat each one up. The production is crisp, and we particularly love this little synth effect buried in the background which immediately brought Aaliyah’s “Four Page Letter” to mind. In fact, the production feels very 90s/00s Timbaland/Missy and we couldn’t be happier about that. Jean Baptiste’s talking their shit, and they love it—and so do we.

Best Lyric: “B***h you need to mind your business, one day I’m gonna buy your business.”

Wowashwow - Class Enrollment

Class Enrollment - Wowashwow (HipHop/Rap)  The first thing you notice on this track are the beautiful warbling keys that pull you into the vibe of the song. But trust that this track has a real build and goes a lot of different places, switching up the percussion in verse 2 that defies you to stop paying attention to the expertly crafted lyrics layered into them. Wowashwow is giving us a real Kelis vibe on the airy vocals which seam to float throughout the track, which ultimately is drive by our artist’s expert flow. In that respect, the rap lines have a centered/grounded delivery in a register similar to Latto, which pairs really nicely with the contrasting sung lines. It’s certainly a bop.

Best Lyric: “Flowin’ like water, n***a drinkin’ up the lyrical.”

Red Skies Mourning - A Beautiful Mess

A Beautiful Mess - Red Skies Mourning (Pop)  What a beautiful song. Red Skies Mourning gives a swirling soundscape in A Beautiful Mess which gives us heavy alternative 90s vibes despite also sitting comfortably in hiphop. Chock full of memorable lyrics, the track’s chorus is an earworm and the overall production does a great job of setting the melancholy vibe. Closing our eyes, we envision a music video where our lead singer is walking backwards while singing to camera, as dark clouds roll in on the sky. This broody number belongs on your rainy day playlist, paired with a big glass of wine and an evening of reminiscing on loves left behind.

Best Lyric: “You help me walk when I can’t move.”

Marc Rangel - Song Cry

Song Cry - Marc Rangel (R&B)  Like Jay-Z before them, Marc Rangel is making the song cry, but also the person it’s directed at by telling them that they can basically f**k all the way off. Let’s start with the best part—this song’s lyrics are G R E A T. It was so difficult to choose a best lyric because so many of them made us smile. The smart thing about carefully crafting these lines is that it begs the listener to put the track on repeat until you memorize every single one—that’s certainly what we’re doing over here. The song is also well produced—particularly loving the buzzy bass lead that chimes in right where you want it—and the vocal line is given the intentional heavy hand of autotune that fits perfectly with this song’s vibe. Hey Marc, this blog can really only say one thing— GO OFF! :)

Best Lyric: “Won’t let no loser get me in my feelings.” [it was so hard to pick just one]

Antony Alexander - I Ain't Coming Back

I Ain’t Coming Back - Antony Alexander (EDM)  Antony Alexander’s latest track is an incredible feat of production—a well crafted EDM song geared not just for the club, but also for radio. From the sidechained pulse of the synths to the sparkling vocal delivery and well placed EQ fades, this track will certainly leave you spinning in circles and yearning for summertime, an outdoor happy hour and a vodka soda. The crystal clear vocals are giving us the lovechild of classic Robyn and Kylie Minogue, adding an appreciated retro feel to a very modern soundscape. And like all good pop/dance records, it’s telling a former love interest to get lost, which is a great way to connect to a very particular audience member who will put this jam on repeat and among their post-relationship playlist.

Best Lyric: “I ain’t coming back, there’s nothing left to say, we will never learn to work it out anyway.”

Nekter Gun - Don't Wanna See You Leave

PHOTO: Sean Ward (IG - @seanwardphotog)

Don’t Wanna See You Leave - Nekter Gun (EDM)  We challenge you not to dance around the room to this infectious track from Nekter Gun. The perfect pop-EDM record, with stellar production, is aimed straight at the dance floor. The song takes a page from the likes of Robyn in terms of it’s lyrics—the song is pleading and yearning, but tied to a high octane dance track. The tried and true conflict of ballad-ready lyrics and EDM is fantastic. What makes the song stand out for us is the anthemic melody and thoughtful lyrics—a lot of the time in EDM you can pretty much sense where it is going musically, and this defies normal logic with a few well chosen melodic roads that kept us engaged through the whole listen. This is a top 40 jam in the making, and belongs as a staple on your cardio playlist.

Best Lyric: “Taking up my time, blowing up my mind.”