Josh Tepper - Poison Apple

Poison Apple - Josh Tepper (Pop) There’s a beautiful retro feel to Josh Tepper’s Poison Apple that helps place this track not only among modern tracks, but also let’s it blend perfectly into an 80s or even mid 90s playlist. The song has drive right out of the gate, which continues throughout the track, incorporating small instrumental flourishes as the song progresses—we are particular fans of the guitar that chimes in during the last chorus. As to Josh’s vocals, he has quite the pure tone, and continues to showcase his range as the song progresses. We have to say we enjoy his higher range quite a bit, beginning to showcase in the bridge and hitting a crescendo during the final chorus. Catchy, dreamy and well produced, this track has real sing-along-ability.

Best Lyric: “Somedays it felt like slaying a dragon, both knowing that the end would happen.”

Wotts - Wheel

Wheel - Wotts (Indie Pop) Wheel is one of those tracks you can imagine playing during a montage in a movie, or during the ending credits. It’s a feel good song, a contemporary track that infuses a lot of retro sensibilities. Like, we think rereleases should substitute this song in any parts that unfortunately used a Smash Mouth song (sorry Smash Mouth fans). The mixing and mastering is perfection, with the crisp strum of the guitars complemented beautifully by that crystal clear bell. We also particularly loved the end of the track when Wotts’ husky baritone pulls back from the big choral sound down into a more intimate solo. This is a wind down the windows and breeze down the freeway kinda track.

Best Lyric: “We’re going after ever after.”

Jun Parker - Dancing In The Dark

Dancing in the Dark - Jun Parker (Pop) When Dancing In The Dark first starts, you think it might be a retro R&B cut from the chord progression, but soon we dive directly into a driving electronic pop bop. However, the little moments of retro continue to creep in, with a few Jackson-esque harmonies peppered through. The instrumentation has an 8bit feel to it—taking you back to the days of Super Mario Brothers and Donkey Kong. When it comes to vocals, Jun’s straight tone is strong, and he has a talent for emoting. We recommend this one as a cardio track, paired perfectly with your time on the treadmill or elliptical.

Best Lyric: “Dancing with the shadows, of whom? Something we will never know.”

Steve N' Chris - REMIX KINGS Mixtape (Remix Album)

REMIX KINGS Mixtape (Remix Album) - Steve N’ Chris (HipHop) First things first, Steve N’ Chris are an incredible duo.  From the lyrical flow to the R&B vocals, these two seemed born to collaborate.  Taking on tracks by some of hiphop’s biggest artists takes a lot of confidence, and each track oozes with it.  Self-described Pro-Human artists, the REMIS KINGS Mixtape dares to take on tracks by DJ Khaled, Babyface, Lil Baby, Tems, Diddy, Metro Boomin and more, and we’re happy to report is a complete triumph.  More than a simple collection of remixes, it is a cohesive effort that celebrates not only these tracks, but all of hiphop and R&B.  

The dynamic they bring to their remixes feels very much inspired by hiphop of the 00s and 10s.  The vocals are giving us Joe, which we appreciate, and occasionally a little Mario.  The rap flow comes close to Twista at times, and occasionally Ludacris.  It’s a great throwback vibe baked into every track.

But that’s not to say the production isn’t modern as hell.  The songs are mixed and mastered incredibly, preserving the bounce of the 808 with the crispness of the top percussion.  We also really enjoy the synthesized choruses occasionally used to punch up the vocals, introducing some very tight harmonies and occasional dissonance which is pure earcandy.  It’s as if music from the aforementioned eras was produced today.  And on a few of the later, more R&B tinged tracks, we even feel some parallels with what Jimmy and Terry have recently been doing for Janet on her Unbreakable album–a modern production on a retro vibe.

The album is constructed and sequenced perfectly.  From the introductory GOD DID, segueing into more rap-centric songs, before starting up the R&B with our personal favorite, Free Mind, before finally hitting the bedroom tracks hard in Sex In The Porsche and Keeps On Fallin.  It is no overstatement to say there is not a single track to skip on this endeavor.

So let’s get into some of the cuts themselves.  As we said above, our personal favorite is Free Mind, originally by Tems.  For us, this is the radio single, and gives us a meld of Mario’s “Let Me Love You” and Fabolous’ “Into You”.  In years prior, this would be a cross-over track topping both R&B and Top 40 charts.

Keeps On Fallin, originally by Babyface and Ella Mai, preserves most of the original track and all the Babyface-isms in the harmonies–a 90s sensibility both the original and this take shine with.  GOD DID, however, is giving us straight early Kanye productions.  Jimmy Crooks is where we’re getting a Ludacris sensibility, particularly in the rap flow, while the synthetic strings feel of the “Indian Flute” Timbaland era–not to mention the “do it, do it, do it, do it” punctuations lifted directly from his early Missy work, specifically “Hit ‘Em Wit Da Hee”.

We cannot recommend Steve N’ Chris’s masterful set of remixes enough, especially if you are an aficionado of hiphop from 90s to present.  The entire album feels like a love letter to the evolution of hiphop which we stan.

Enoka - If You Really Want It

If You Really Want It - Enoka (Pop/EDM) Enoka’s newest track, If You Really Want It, is a dance floor banger that really makes you wait for that incredible payoff. Not giving it all away at once, the track has a slow build that keeps the listener in anticipation as Enoka ever so slowly turns the dial up.   The lead vocal in the chorus harkens back to “If You Really Want Me (Respect)” from Robyn, while the track itself, with its house style keys and buzzy lead bass, sits comfortably among the cuts DJs keep on repeat when charging up a dance floor. So we say put If You Really Want It on your pregame playlist, but be ready to hear it again (and again) when you hit the club.

Best Lyric: “I can’t go on like this, cuz I’m breakin up. If you feel it too, you need to show me.”

Clare Easdown - Wrap Me Up

Wrap Me Up - Clare Easdown (Pop)   Clare Easdown’s Wrap Me Up could also easily double as an entry at a slam poetry reading. The lyrics are beautifully constructed, and equally beautifully delivered. Tonality, there’s a Mel C quality to Clare, reminding us of some of her post-Spice Girls solo efforts. Clare has an excellent command of her words, and her delivery and enunciation feel very intentional—this is someone who is paying attention to detail. Clare perfectly delivers the vulnerability and fragility required by the message of the track, which is complemented by an almost R&B/trap instrumental production—crisp snares/hats with a driving 808. This is a track to wind down to—so light your candle, pour a glass of wine and lose yourself in this lush production.

Best Lyric: “Wrap me up in a silk, soft sheet. Whisper me words of beauty.”

Leif Riggs - Phantom (produced by InsaneBeatz)

Phantom (produced by InsaneBeatz) - Leif Riggs (Rap) -  From the lyrical flow to the driving instrumental, Lief Riggs’ Phantom (produced by InsaneBeatz) feels like a fun trip back to 90s rap, particularly of the West Coast variety. As if he were a descendant of Dr. Dre’s crew—and maybe even just a touch of Coolio when it comes to the timbre of Lief’s voice—Phantom is one we recommend bumping in your car. Like, it conjures the image of cadillacs bouncing on hydraulics—you know exactly what we’re talking about. But what elevates this track in particular are the incredibly clever lyrics matched with an equally impressive flow, which made it very hard for us to choose just one best lyric below. The song stands as a great introduction to who Leif is as he raps about his journey, ambition and skills. This is one to put on repeat and learn every word.

Best Lyric: “And in a coss toss, if I’m up against the odds, I will sharpen my skills and tally my kills.”

Jay Roecker - A New Day For You

PHOTO: Evie McNeil

A New Day For You - Jay Roecker (Synthwave/EDM) Jay Roecker’s new track is a throwback to synthwave and pure 80s goodness. From the drumkit to the synth choice to the chosen delay for the lead vocal, this anthemic EDM track is just begging to get into the Stranger Things end credits.   The construction of the track shows an expertise in song structure, from the build up through the conclusion to the twinkling bridge, sandwiched between the oft-abandoned intro and outro in today’s modern music scene. Jay’s vocals are strong, full and round, blending perfectly with his background vocals into a lush, hard-hitting production. Put this one on your 80s playlist right near Take On Me, True Faith and Shake The Disease.

Best Lyric: “Use your inner eye, let me be your guide.”

Lukx - Everyday

Everyday - Lukx (Pop/HipHop)  Lukx is back with yet another hyper-catchy lofi hiphop groove—Everyday. We’ve reviewed Lukx’s past effort, Hello, and like that track, Lukx delivers an expertly produced retro jam giving us all the warm feels of 90s r&b/rap, complete with those twinkling rhodes. A proficient lyricist, Lukx creates yet another earworm chorus. In the verses, the track begins with Lukx’s husky baritone rapping in his native tongue, before eventually returning to English, and his flow is impeccable. Apparently Lukx will be releasing a new track each month, so you definitely want to give this artist a follow so you don’t miss yet another hit in the making. This one goes on a playlist with Nate Dogg and Cam’ron.

Best Lyric: “I see a world with another eye, from another lens.”

Chris Caulfield - Porchlight

Porchlight - Chris Caulfield (Pop). This track is definitely vocal first, with a shining performance by Chris chock full of personality. We really appreciate someone who really sells their lyrics, bringing their whole heart behind the performance—and Chris certainly does that on Porchlight. Despite the track sitting comfortably in Top 40 pop sensibilities, there’s almost a punk sensibility to the delivery—a slight rasp that gives his vocal heft, smokiness and maturity. Also, the chorus is quite the earworm and will definitely take up some serious real estate in your head long after you’re through listening—something you’re going to want to do again and again. Put this one on your commute playlist—you’re going to want to crank up that volume and sing along with Chris at the top of your lungs.

Best Lyric: “You don’t smile because he can’t light up your life the way I can baby.”

Carson Ferris - Speed Limit

PHOTO: Gabe Taylor

Speed Limit - Carson Ferris (Pop). Carson’s voice shines on this track, flying way up into the rafters with ease and with a purity and innocence surely indicative of what we assume to be Carson’s young age. This is a BIG song, anthemic in nature and with some serious drive. It’s a train running at full speed right from the start, and is one of those numbers you could hear in the climax of a movie as the hero learns their lesson and heads towards their triumph—there’s a real “epic adventure” feel with Speed Limit. When it comes to the lyrics themselves, they match the feel of the production perfectly. They’re clever and perfectly in line with Top 40 sensibilities. It’s a unique message of pushing oneself hard in pursuit of success—which even if Carson slows down to maybe like 40mph, we are confident will get there.

Best Lyric: “Sometimes I feel like I’m over my speed limit, going too fast.”

Aimee - Hurt Like Hell

PHOTO: Ryan Douglas

Hurt Like Hell - Aimee (Pop)  From the first few seconds of this track, you know it’s an anthem. Aimee’s voice is expertly produced—front and center, strong and intense, with a great build throughout. This is a track I would put on a playlist with some classic JoJo—Get Out and Too Little Too Late. It also belongs on your karaoke list because this bop has got some serious sing-along-ability. Back to Aimee’s vocal versatility, the slow down of the bridge and switch to a more airy, vulnerable tone is absolutely stunning. And man, in the finale when the music drops out for just a millisecond only to make room for a punctuating snare hit before steamrolling downhill through to the end—pure magic. Hurt Like Hell is definitely one our favorites.

Best Lyric: “When you find someone new, better hold her. Maybe you might do all the things that I told yah.”

Mara Liddle - Facebook Official

PHOTO: PrimaLux Photography

Facebook Official - Mara Liddle (Pop). It’s been awhile since we’ve heard a real saccharine sweet track. What we particularly enjoy about Facebook Official the vocal delivery choice in juxtaposition with the tenor of the lyrics. The lyrics are quite cute—a teenager writing in her diary about her crush. Like, I could see this song in an update of the musical Grease performed by a modern-day Pink Lady. But what’s really interesting is Mara uses a very robotic, almost ambivalent tone, which helps keep the track from venturing into musical theater. It’s really clever, and definitely carves out a unique style for this artist. In fact, Mara’s voice bakes perfectly into the instrumental—it’s almost as if it’s another instrument in the arrangement. And when it comes to the vocal production, Mara’s voice is put through a synthesizer to get that noticeable autotune effect, which works great with the quirkiness of the lyrics and unique delivery choice. We dare you to not shimmy along to this twinkling gem of a track.

Best Lyric: “I sent you message you left on unread. Is it just me or is it something I said?”

Chris Bloom - Peace of Mind

PHOTO: Autumn Stein of Autumn Layne Photography

Peace of Mind - Chris Bloom (Pop). I mean, this is just Top 40 perfection. Chris Bloom’s shining tenor soars through the guitar driven Peace of Mind, accompanied by a lofi hiphop percussion production that marries so well with Chris’s crystal clear vocals. Soft and reedy, Chris bolsters an intimate vocal performance with lush background doubles and harmonies which really elevate this indie-pop track into something special. The melody is catchy, with the repeating descending chords creating quite an earworm, and the lyrics are both thoughtful and clever. There’s really not much more to say other than that Chris Bloom is a star in the making.

Best Lyric: “Even if I runaway, can never leave myself, yea. And I’m not going nowhere.”

Apoorva - Phoenix Unbound

PHOTO: Autumn Stein of Autumn Layne Photography

Phoenix Unbound - Apoorva (Pop). Apoorva’s latest track, Phoenix Unbound, is hauntingly beautiful. There’s a “Blackhole Sun” vibe to this one—something in the guitar and parts of the melodic line—while also incorporating small touches of what we assume are musical cultural references (we hears some spanish flavors in the guitar, a few Indian-sounding riffs between sections). There’s a supernatural quality to Phoenix Unbound that begs music supervisors to put this track in their gothic fiction shows. But the song’s greatest strength is Apoorva’s voice—the leads are strong, and the backings are pure magic, creating a swirling layered soundscape soaring in a dark cavern. While the main melody sits comfortably in alto, imbued with an intoxicating smokiness, Apoorva proves on her nearly scene-stealing harmonies that she has the range—floating up in the rafters with a siren call. Lush, shimmery and soothing, put Apoorva’s Phoenix Unbound on your chill vibes playlist.

Best Lyric: “Awakened by fire.”

Blair Djuna - Don't Tell Me

Don’t Tell Me - Blair Djuna (Pop). Blair Djuna’s latest track, Don’t Tell Me, is a gift that keeps on giving—a multi-layered experience that keeps the listener at the edge of their seat. The song’s structure and movement through its various sections are expertly crafted and at times surprising, in the best way possible. Genre wise…well we can’t quite pinpoint it. Anthemic pop plus a tinge of disco and some synthpop retro? It’s really bringing the best of all of its inspirations—a wide, verbed choral chant that beckons you to sing along, a voice modulation that pulls you to the dance floor, and some disco percussion that keeps you there. Chock full of earcandy, this infectious track certainly makes you move, and Blair’s voice is strong, focused and versatile. This one goes on your cardio playlist, trust. 

Best Lyric: “Floating in your galaxy, heading for destruction all alone.”