Leanna Oki - Imposter Syndrome

Imposter Syndrome - Leanna Oki (Pop) Only an artist would put their self doubt over their craft back into their art. In “Imposter Syndrome”, Leanna Oki expresses her struggles concerning her career and hopes for success into a rousing, anthemic EDM midtempo bop. It’s a dreamy production, the synth progressions and sparkling bells at times making us think of the underlying tension of classics like “Time After Time”, punctuated by a distorted, slamming percussion firmly rooting the track in modern day trends. The star of the track, however, is Leanna’s strong and emotive vocal performance, clearly demonstrating how personal the subject matter is to her. With a song like this, we wonder why Leanna has ever questioned her ability to succeed.

Best Lyric: “Was the last seat taken at the royal ball?”

Carter Lagrant - Follow The Rules

Follow The Rules - Carter Lagrant (Pop) Dark and brooding, Carter Lagrant’s latest track, “Follow The Rules”, is a haunting affair with an 80s sensibility. On the record, Carter sings about defying expectations, breaking stereotypes and making your own rules, all as a hammer-like snare bangs through the miasma of swirling pads to give the track momentum. The vocal reminds us a lot of the Pet Shop Boys—”West End Girls” in particular—which shines among an epic, cinematic instrumental production. We particularly enjoyed the buzzing bass lead and all of the techno effects that pepper the track, which make the listener feel like they are being pulled into the matrix. A vibey track for sure.

Best Lyric: “Build a fortress no one could ever asail.”

Cliffs + Caves - Lost The Trail

Lost The Trail (LP) - Cliffs + Caves (Folk) Mother and daughter pair Lindsey and Claire Justice, or Cliffs + Caves, deliver a poetic musical landscape with their long-awaited 6-track EP “Lost The Trail” full of folk-inspired rhythms and emotional lyrics. The band says the EP is “an ode to the simultaneously beautiful and heartbreaking elements of life, which can be wild to experience both at the same time all at once.” But we think it is a shining example of how expert songwriting can create powerful imagery.

We’ll get into the beautiful vocals, lush instrumental productions and all the sonic goodies below, but we feel it necessary to take a moment to specifically address this band’s uncanny storytelling prowess. We have a saying here that the more specific you are, the more universal you are—it’s a counterargument to "relatability” and efforts to appeal to a general audience. There are millions of songs about love and heartbreak, and yet the poetic lyricism of Cliffs + Caves makes those concepts feel fresh and new by focusing on the details. References to chewing gum, lightning bugs, college sweatshirts, chickens in coops, being barefoot, truck beds…we could go on and on. More than just delivering beautiful music, they paint lush vistas with their songs that make them unique, catchy and memorable. It is that skill that separates the singers from the artists.

This is best exemplified on “Mint Gum” and “The Coop”—the first song about how simple objects evoke strong memories, the latter about gearing yourself up for the journey that is new love. Both songs are packed with specific, memorable and ear catching lyrics that offer something fresh and new to the well worn subject matter. The emotions are big, but the details are small—Cliffs + Caves flourish in the nuance of the everyday. Special shout out to guest David Ramirez, whose resonant baritone makes for a great duet partner in “Mint Gum.”

When it comes to just the pure joy of love, Cliffs + Caves look to the sun. In the EP’s opener “Sunrise", the band eases us into the project with the beginnings of a crush that quickly turns into an “explosive kind of love”—a sentiment married to the instrumentation which gets increasingly more rousing as the song progresses. We get a similar vibe in “Radiant”, comparing using the simple joys of the smell of jasmine and taste of strawberries to describe being in love.

When it comes to style, the storytelling feels like a more mature Taylor Swift who didn’t cross over, while the musicianship feels much more akin to Sheryl Crow. In fact, there were many moments we felt that particular songs would fit easily on “The Globe Sessions.” “The Coop” specifically gave us “Every Day Is A Winding Road” vibes.

We were already fortunate to review “Eso Si Que Es” a few weeks ago—a captivating and mesmerizing track with heavenly vocals. As we said in that review, this “is one of those records someone clings to when going through a trying time, and hearing it will always bringing them back to a particular moment in time when they worked through something difficult. This track is truly, truly magical.”

But by far, our favorite track is the closer, “Knew My Name.” An epic finale to a rich EP, the melancholy heartbreak of this track hits hard, containing the most raw and emotive vocals of the project. While the album starts glorifying new love, it ends with disappointment. “I’m holding onto the days when you still knew my name.” It’s the greatest hits of a Cliffs + Caves song—strong melody, beautiful vocals, driving and building instrumental and picturesque storytelling (“lightening bugs in mason jars”). Bonus, a soaring guitar solo to boot. This is the hit, ladies.

Overall, it was a joy to experience the artistry of Cliffs + Caves and if you are particularly a Sheryl Crow fan (like we are), you’ve just found your new favorite rising artists.

Brandon Vee - Why

Why - Brandon Vee (Rap) With his new track “Why”, Brandon Vee reminds us of the good old days when Outkast tracks and songs with Sleepy Brown or Faith Evans features would cross over into the Top 40. With a lush and expertly mixed production reminiscent of, say, City High, Brandon Vee’s passionately delivered and brilliantly written lyrics are accompanied by some standout R&B vocals on the hook. But the star of the track is Brandon, hands down. His flow is a meld of some of the GOATs—at first we felt a little Common but with some of the edge of early Kanye, but then heard some diversions into Lil Wayne and Nikki territory that convinced us Brandon is not just an artist, but a student of hiphop. Sounding classic and fresh all at the same time, “Why” is a track you revolve a playlist around.

Best Lyric: “Don’t they owe you for all the fear they installed in you?“

Harun Rune - Moschino

Moschino - Harun Rune (Rap) This one sounds dangerous. With his new track, “Moschino”, Harun Rune delivers a unique minimalist production that is truly engaging and primed for repeat listenings. The track is led by the booming, crunchy 808 that takes up nearly all of the space in the room, thudding hard to make your car—and your neighbors’ windows—rattle. Peppered around that meaty center are flares of atmospheric sound effects (birds chirping, etc) and a warped bell that gives the overall production a very early-mid 2000s Timbaland/Missy vibe. Even the vocal production is distinct and fresh. Using a dampened EQ and distortion, Harun’s vocals are pumped through a small speakerbox seemingly sat in the back of the room, forcing the listener to lean in to get his message. It’s incredibly effective, creating a menacing and mysterious track with Harun in the power position.

Leuer - I Can't Believe I Found You

I Can’t Believe I Found You - Leuer (Pop) Leuer has had his eureka moment in “I Can’t Believe I Found You,” an indie pop record focused on that specific feeling of awe and wonder at the moment you fall in love. There’s an anthemic feel to the track, some real gravitas, that gives it a cinematic quality. You could certainly hear the song being played over a film’s montage of a lover’s courtship after coming together—it’s a real “run to you in a field” song, if you know what we mean. But what gives Leuer’s record its heart is certainly the piano—as each chord is struck you feel the depth of emotion in the song. Full of tension, build and a kick that thuds like a heartbeat, we think this one is a great cardio track for when you need that extra boost to climb that last hill.

Best Lyric: “Is this the way life’s supposed to feel?”

Meraki Trice - You'll Regret Me

You’ll Regret Me - Meraki Trice (Avant-Garde) Ever take ayahuasca? No, neither have we, but we imagine that Meraki Trice’s new psychedelic trip of a track will make you think you have. In the avant-garde, cathedral housed “You’ll Regret Me”, Meraki Trice takes listeners on a plunge down the rabbit hole into a swirling miasma of tribal rhythms, 70s inspired wailing funk guitars, and haunting choral arrangements that are truly soul stirring. This is as much of an incantation as it is a song, conjuring images of bodies twisting around a massive bonfire under the moonlight. The song is pure build, growing in its intensity and otherworldliness until suddenly dropping off, leaving the listener wanting more.

Baaj & Baaj - More 'n More

More ‘n More - Baaj & Baaj (Indie Pop) With “More ‘n More”, Baaj & Baaj defies genre by incorporating elements of pop, rock and EDM to create a driving and catchy record. Sonically, there’s a late 90s/early 00s club feel to the track—similar to what Madonna was experimenting with around her “Ray of Light” and “Music” eras. It’s a rich, textured instrumental, on top of which a yearning lead vocal pleads. While a tad brooding, the song is actually one of a tantalizing future between two partners. But the star of the track is the lilt of the piano, adding a contrasting layer that gives the track depth.

Clinton N - Away

Away - Clinton N (Pop) On Clinton N’s collaboration with Mercedes, “Away”, we have a catchy top 40 track about shedding toxicity from your life and finding yourself. Driven by a thudding kick, this masterfully produced record is full of earworms and production tricks that make for a very engaging listen. With a chill R&B crossover vibe, the song is vocal-forward, and in style reminds us a lot of Justin Bieber’s “Sorry” and other mainstream hits of that time period. The melody is very catchy, and we think will stick in your head long after you’ve finished listening. The track gives the aura of new beginnings, a wistfulness for letting the past go, and feels like a fresh morning breeze hitting your face as you set out on the first day of your next chapter.

Best Lyric: “Tell me all the thing I could do it is making me want to pack up my things and go to a new place.”

LUKX - Rotation

Rotation - Lukx (Hiphop) We’re always excited around here when another Lukx track drops. This month, Lukx delivers a house party cut with “Rotation”. With a 90s West Coast Hiphop vibe, Lukx gives us a Snoop Dogg kind of head nodder with some Andre 3000 tonality in the vocal. Listening to it, you almost expect a Nate Dogg feature. The song has a warm, analog, feel good retro mood, driven forward by a steady guitar pluck to give the otherwise easy-breezy track some tension. And that vibe is a perfect match for the subject matter as Lukx tells us all we should just take a deep breath and chill—put down the phone, wake up in a good mood and ignore the inner saboteur. Good message, and a perfect record for lazy summer days.

Best Lyric: “You don’t need to scream I can hear what you say.”

Matthew Joseph - Get Out Of My Way

Get Out Of My Way - Matthew Joseph (Pop) Catchy and infectious, Matthew Joseph’s newest track “Get Out Of My Way” sees the artist claim their space, and state their determination to not let any obstacle get between them and the pursuit of their creativity. We hear a blending of three styles here, the clear pop radio top 40 vibe but with some slight touch of 80s in the synths, married with a vocal that is actually quite punk (we get real Panic! At The Disco vibes in the delivery and tone). Coming together, these influences create a very sing-along-able number, which feels like it could be a karaoke favorite.

Best Lyric: “Now is my time to rise. It’s my time to shine. Now I’m aiming for the sky.”

Jolene Lozano - Saturday Morning Blues

Saturday Morning Blues - Jolene Lozano (Neo-Soul) This is a masterful production. In “Saturday Morning Blues,” Jolene Lozano is channeling early Ariana Grande—like all the way back to “The Way” kinda vibes—with an R&B bop that also infuses some jazz and funk elements for an overall lush production. It’s a classic jam, elevated above placement in any specific time period, with the exception of the quality of the production which places it right in the here and now. Regretting the mistakes of the prior night, Jolene requests her love to just stay inside with her the next day and chill. I hope he agrees, and they put on this bright and dreamy record to help set the mood.

Best Lyric: “Gotta pay the price for the mistakes we made. Cuz midnight we stumble in late.”

NYRE - Glitter with a Vengeance

Glitter with a Vengeance - NYRE (Pop) Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, as they say, and that’s the best way to describe the vibe of NYRE’s new track “Glitter with a Vengeance.” In a very Robyn-esque way, NYRE serenades a former lover who’s moved on. The vocals have an innocence about them, despite the pointed and edgy delivery, adding a nice contrast of sweetness to the looming and foreboding darkness of the track. The instrumental is full of tension, ominous, and rolls in like a black cloud. There’s an 80s sensibility with the synth touches, but it’s careful not to make the track feel dated, specifically helped by the tight trap-inspired percussion production. Overall, we say this one is a great post-breakup song for when you’re feeling your feelings.

Best Lyric: “You always brought out the worst in me.”

Genuine Leather - Even If I Could

Even If I Could - Genuine Leather (Lofi) Genuine Leather delivers some serious 80s vibes in his new synthpop bop “Even If I Could.” Evoking Phil Collins, the record is a synth extravaganza, which often take centerstage as the lead vocals swirl in the background in a miasma of reverb. Beginning with quite the chill vibe, the song escalates quickly into an anthemic chorus with great sing-along-ability. The 80s are truly present at the lead out, where a ripping guitar line ushers us out of the track. Overall, “Even If I Could” evokes the big top 40 pop hits of yesteryear, sitting comfortably among them as a peer.

Best Lyric: “Annie spots a good thing as we push the shark back into the water.”

Neve Bowen - Haunting Sound of Love

Haunting Sound of Love - Neve Bowen (Dream Pop) Neve Bowen is a woman in search love, and in need of a sign from the universe that it exists for her. In "Haunting Sound of Love”, Neve delivers a beautiful and appropriately haunting vocal-forward track backed mostly by a simple dreamy guitar. The vocals, close and intimate, soar above the production as if floating in air. What most impressed us was the subtle build of the instrumental that we didn’t even notice until the angelic wall of background vocals chime in at what we thought was the bridge like a heavenly choir, tugging on the heartstrings even more forcefully. However, this bridge is actually the conclusion, leaving the listener hanging on the edge, just as Neve hangs on the edge of hope.

Best Lyric: “Loneliness holds me and pins me to the ground.”

Marlene Larsen - Galore

Galore - Marlene Larsen (Dream Pop) Well this one is just full of surprises. A stomping midtempo, Marlene Larsen’s “Galore” is an ode to the temptation to transform, using a timeless sound to touch on current hot topics like gender conformity. Marlene’s vocals are as strong as they are versatile, at times slinky and feminine (in moments giving early Gwen Stefani) and playing a perfect counterpoint to the grungy guitar that drives the instrumental, until she overtakes that edge with a shocking and powerful belt—paralleling the song’s messaging with the play between feminine and masculine energies. In combination with the striking and memorable lyrics, Marlene’s “Galore” is a standout, and we could hear this placed at the end credits of a streaming show.

Best Lyric: “Do I dare become someone I’ve always wanted to be?”