Marcia - Insecurity

Insecurity - Marcia (R&B) Marcia wants to abandon the internal saboteur in order to flourish in love, as told in her latest record, “Insecurity.” The track is pure retro R&B—this blog’s favorite genre—and is giving us some Ciara “Body Party” and late 90s/00s tracks that used to crossover into the Top 40 chart. It’s a perfect R&B vocal (we hear Cassie) and Marcia has a great round tone, especially in her lower register. The expected vocal backgrounds and specials are smile inducing—the verby telephone punches and layered harmonies provide some great ear candy among the crisp snaps and swirling synths of the instrumental production. Just one thing confuses us over here—with a bop like this, why would Marcia ever feel insecure? Add this to your R&B playlist.

Best Lyric: “Insecurities, take them away from me.”

Kate Westwood - Hollywood

Hollywood - Kate Westwood (Soft Rock) Kate Westwood says goodbye to “Hollywood” in her latest record, where she defiantly announces that she is no longer chasing stardom and has found she can feed her soul through the act of artistic creation and expression alone. It’s a full on jam session, one we think would kill in a live show. Introduced with a seductive guitar, later switching to some funk riffs, the track has a rich production lead by Kate’s strong and weighty belt. The production is timeless, sitting above modern trends and gimmicks, with some fun key changes and switchups that reveal Kate’s maturity as a musician—we particularly loved the switchup at the end of the second verse. “Hollywood” is a “sing along” kinda song, and surely Kate’s fans will live in concert.

Best Lyric: “I don’t need the lights and stars to shine.”

Impact Mat - Hugs and Fights

Hugs and Fights - Impact Mat (Pop) This is a BIG song. With “Hugs and Fights”, Impact Mat delivers a modern infusion of folk vocals and dance-pop to create a record that’s a real tub thumper. With an impeccable mix and crisp vocals, the standout of the track is certainly the catchy chorus. It’s an earworm for sure, forcing the issue by utilizing a repetitive chant on the second time through that will surely get concert attendees and dance floor occupants in on the action—let alone inspiring many a shower sing along. Listening to the record, it wasn’t hard to envision a DJ jumping up and down, hands in the air, calling the crowd to do the same—it’s one of those numbers, and just in time for the close of summer.

Melanie Pierce - flame.

flame. - Melanie Pierce (Singer-songwriter) If this isn’t an album closer, we’ll eat our hat. With “flame.”, Melanie Pierce captivates listeners with a deeply personal, driving piano ballad. There’s a Taylor Swift vibe to this singer-songwriter number, delivering a timeless sound built for longevity. The record is defined by its incredible, poetic lyrics that punched us in the gut early, and didn’t let up for a minute. Diving into the well worn subject matter of being rejected in love and feeling like the other is not giving as much as you are, Melanie pulls off the hat trick of keeping the song fresh and unique on account of her olympian lyrical prowess—it was really hard to choose our favorite. Mark our words, someone will have Melanie Pierce’s poetry tattooed on them. Get ready to see it on a fan at the stage door.

Best Lyric: “When seasons change and feelings don’t, I wish you gave the same way that you took.”

Elamar - Won't Stop

Won’t Stop - Elamar (Pop) This record tricks you in the best way. In Elamar’s vibey “Won’t Stop”, the top of the track gives us quite the switchup by starting with a broody miasma of synths and a driving piano progression before Elamar’s reedy baritone cuts in, preparing the listener for a heartfelt ballad. But that gets pushed aside quickly in favor of a catchy, bass-driven funk vibe with punchy, Bruno Mars-esque vocals. Funk, motown and disco influences abound, the song feels fresh and timely, falling in step nicely beside the recent Dua Lipa offerings. The vocal is strong here, sitting front and center in the production, leading listeners to the dance floor like the pied piper. We dare you to not two-step to this one.

Best Lyric: “I’ll take my chances, show you love, cuz I’m a believer.”

Beth Olive - This World You're Living In

This World You’re Living In - Beth Olive (Pop) Beth Olive delivers a pining Top 40 anthem with her latest track “This World You’re Living In.” It’s a lush production, at times showing an 80s sensibility with respect to the song construction and melody. The song is dreamy with punchy drums and muted claps that are well placed throughout the song to give clear structure and movements, with the instrumental being one we could imagine the Weeknd using. Beth gives a strong and emotive performance on the lead vocals, particularly shining in the anthemic chorus—quite the earworm that had us thinking of the retro-vibes that Carly Rae Jepsen delivered a few years ago. In the track, Beth dreams of being with someone she feels is too good for her, too far out of her reach. But with a knockout song like this, we place Beth at the top of our list.

Best Lyric: “I’ve been late a thousand times, cuz you’ve been on my mind.”

Name Sayers - Lioness

Lioness - Name Sayers (Pop) Abstract and unique, Name Sayer’s latest track “Lioness” is quite a standout among all of the songs we’ve reviewed recently on this blog. There’s an ASMR quality to this track, imbued with tension and danger that really make you feel like you’re in the crosshairs of a predator. The vocal is almost a whisper at times, close and intimate, which when paired with the tribal drums becomes quite seductive—hypnotic even. But that’s not to say the track doesn’t have momentum, as we eventually crescendo from being stalked in the jungle to being pursued through foreign bazaar with the introduction of a miasma of new instrumentation. We really appreciate the artistry of this one, it doesn’t sound like anything we’ve heard recently on the indie scene and it projects a palpable sense of danger throughout. Get into “Lioness”, but only if you’re prepared to be the prey.

Best Lyric: “I think that lioness is stalking you.”

Tim Qualls - Forever

Forever - Tim Qualls (Pop) Driving and anthemic, Tim Qualls delivers quite the head nodder with his latest record “Forever.” Setting the mood, Tim gives us a bit of a prologue at the top of the song, using a sample of at least sounds like some retro film dialogue where a duo talks about love before a dreamy and driving beat takes hold. The descending chord progression looping throughout injects a bittersweet melancholy that is perfectly fitting with the tune’s message—yearning for a love to last. Tim’s vocals are a standout, a pure tone that tugs the heartstrings particularly when he goes up into his higher range. Heartfelt and powerful, “Forever” has Top 40 written all over it.

Best Lyric: “Someday it’s gonna end and I don’t wanna waste my time.”

Love Ghost - Haunted House

Haunted House - Love Ghost x FLVCKKA (Pop) Love Ghost and FLVCKKA come together for an impeccably produced dark pop record, “Haunted House.” With metal influences integrated into an 808 heavy future hiphop production, we get a track with a ton of depth and texture, abound with earcandy. The vocal layering here is extremely effective, reflective of the theme of having “voices in my head” as the lead is delivered in two different styles simultaneously—a reedy melodic baritone and a gutteral yell an octave up—that provide a distinctive and engaging sound. Our guest rapper gives us some bilingual flare with a rapid fire flow whose fierceness is not undercut by her otherwise angelic tone. Overall the song reminds us of the rock/rap crossovers of the 00s, priming itself for a large fanbase. Dope.

Best Lyric: “I’ve got voices in my head. And sometimes they aren’t my friends.”

Dax - God's Eyes

The Devil’s Calling - Dax (Rap)  Dax is back, following our review for “The Devil’s Calling,” this time bringing us “God’s Eyes”—a melodic rap social justice record that is as catchy as it is intelligent. A mid tempo groove led by a brooding guitar and crispy trap percussion, the standout element of the track is surely the lyrics, as fed to us by a passionate and impressive delivery we have already come to know with his prior release. Towards the end of the second verse specifically, Dax GOES IN with a rapid fire flow that will certainly get you hype. But as impressive as the spit is, it’s the lyrical content that blows us away. Using an admittedly well worn framework of seeing the Devil at work here on Earth, Dax uses the trope to preach nuanced and insightful thoughts on the state of the world, capitalism and humanity’s present day value system. Religious or not, this one will strike a chord.

Best Lyric: “We know the price of everything, but we don’t know the worth.”

Beth Macari - Summer Feelin

Summer Feelin- Beth Macari (Pop) How excited are we to have Beth Macari back with us, following one of favorites this year, “Feel The Same.” We’ve got a different type of feels this time with “Summer Feelin” where Beth gives us another big pop record with her distinctly powerful and emotive vocals. There’s a raw seductiveness about Beth that is incredibly captivating, and we’re glad to hear it here in a summer jam that beckons the listeners to wind down the windows and feel the wind in their hair as they drive down the freeway. While the production is top notch, as always with Beth’s tracks, the star remains the vocal—we are simply in love with her voice. The best we can compare her to is probably Taylor Dayne in power and maturity. The track itself is super fresh, very modern, classic Top 40 with the thudding dance kick, big club energy, and even a bit of funk. It’s just a perfect summer bop. This is now a Beth Macari stan blog.

Zachary Crawford - Alibi

Alibi - Zachary Crawford (Pop/Funk) With “Alibi”, Zachary Crawford delivers a funky jam session with clever and memorable lyrics. Beginning with a dreamy, sun drenched guitar, Zachary’s latest single boasts a lush production, creating a classic sound with some 70s funk influences. The vocal is sweet and pure, and blends beautifully into the mix of this impeccably produced track. The musicality is also superb, with some unexpected chord progressions and changeups leading to some wonderful musical moments that elevate the record. The outro is particularly striking, and beckons a repeat listening by leaving the listener on the edge. Well crafted and groovy, get “Alibi” on your summer playlist.

Best Lyric: “In a different world, I’d learn to settle down.”

Simfonia - Castles in the Sky

Simfonia - Castles in the Sky (Pop/Dance) Simfonia cast a hypnotic spell in her latest release, “Castles in the Sky”, delivering a mix of siren song and club track. The vocal is powerful—strong, round and emotive, delivering poetic lyrics imbued in passion. The song is patient, crafting a slow build and lingering in the brooding miasma of synths and strings before finally introducing the club-centric percussion of crisp snappy tops and a plucky string lead, holding back even further before the kick hits in order to create both tension and a clear structure to the record. Orchestral, lush and broody, Simfonia’s “Castles in the Sky” successfully straddles both “sing along in the shower” and “get lost on the dance floor”.

Best Lyric: “Do you ever see in your dreams all those castles in the sky?”

Wild Horse - Do You Wanna Talk?

Do You Wanna Talk? - Wild Horse (Pop Rock) Fresh and groovy, Wild Horse delivers an easy breezy summer jam with their latest record, “Do You Wanna Talk?” The musicality is standout here, with a classic sound and some thoughtful chord progressions, segues and breaks that help keep the listener engaged and make several nice “moments” throughout the record. What we appreciate most, however, are the great lyrics telling the story of a hot and cold post-breakup texting spree, giving a unique point of view on a breakup track that we don’t think we’ve heard before. We’re also in love with the lead vocalist’s tonality, reedy and resonant with a little buzz to it that accentuates a passionate delivery of those great lyrics.

Best Lyric: “Now you’ve been alone for a minute, now you wanna talk about it.”

Lucy Burke - On The Edge

On The Edge - Lucy Burke (Pop) The tension starts building right out of the gate in Lucy Burke’s latest track “On The Edge”, fitting considering the name. Sonically, the song feels straight out of late 90s/early 00s, striking us as if it were a club remix of a Top 40 power ballad. We would place “On The Edge” on the charts at the time of Cher’s “Believe,” like if Celine Dion had a rival club mix going on at the same time. The melody is classic pop, which Lucy delivers with one hell of a belt, and beckons a sing along. The song’s greatest strength is its build as “On The Edge” never plateaus, helping to pull the listener deeper and deeper into the track as it progresses.

Best Lyric: “Don’t even ask me, don’t know what to expect.”

Shai Sevin - Sevin30 Days

Sevin30 Days - Shai Sevin (Rap) Shai Sevin feels like celebrating with his latest offering, a short little appetizer called “Sevin30 Days.” In 59 seconds, Shai lets us all know that he’s been through some shit and has successfully emerged on the other side—early in the track he announces that he’s been two years clean. Putting the music aside for a second, Shai’s lyrics are specific, clever and memorable—he is definitely a very strong writer, and made it hard for us to pick our favorite line below. Back to the sound, Shai’s tone is distinctive—raspy and reedy—upon which the entire chill retro hip-hop beat revolves. Overall this impeccably produced track is giving us some early Kanye vibes. Our only criticism is we wish it was longer!

Best Lyric: “Two years clean, one hell of a statement.”