Rock (Right Now) - Geminy (Pop/R&B) This new track from Geminy does quite the switcheroo. First, you think we’re going full retro, with a very Stranger Things synth intro. But when the crisp percussion kicks in, the song transforms into something straight out of Sam Smith’s playbook. Geminy’s voice is buttery R&B perfection and the vocal harmonies are delicious. In the bridge, he really shows off a surprisingly Prince falsetto which helps spice up the track. But the best part of Rock (Right Now) is Geminy’s chewing of the lyrics—it’s a real performance and you can hear the feeling in the delivery of every word, especially in the final chorus.
Carter Ray - Forever, Plus One
Forever, Plus One - Carter Ray (Pop/R&B Ballad) The first time we played Carter Ray’s “Forever, Plus One” we thought to ourselves—Whitney Houston’s “I Look To You” if sung by the Weekend. It’s a powerful piano driven ballad, brought to life by the focused tonality of Carter Ray’s angelic voice. Sonically, the track feels very situated in late 00’s early 10’s R&B, with some little 80s R&B percussive notes to spice things up. When the sweeping strings finally enter the picture towards the song’s conclusion, you might find yourself raising a lighter and swaying as Carter croons. All in all, Carter Ray’s track is a shining example of the R&B ballad of yesteryear, which hopefully helps bring these songs back to top 40 radio.
Jadamarie - Fallen Angel
PHOTO: instagram.com/sp8sofficial
Fallen Angel - Jadamarie (Dream Pop) To call Jadamarie’s latest effort a “song” is an injustice—it is truly an experience, and the most interesting, well crafted and engaging track we’ve listened to this year. This masterclass in musicality is like a three act movie. Act one sets the mood—some crowd wallah, a meaty bass guitar and some vinyl fuzz. When Jadamarie’s angelic voice kicks in, it’s a dreamy, harmonic, verby choral arrangement similar to some of the tracks on Adele’s recent album. A very retro vibe for sure. The result is something truly heavenly, and we particularly enjoyed the moments of dissonance in the melody—who does that now? Act two is the build, featuring some deeply satisfying tension and release—it’s a corridor leading you to the finale, and the listener falls like Alice down the rabbit hole. The third act amps things up by adding a crisp drumkit to the production. All we kept thinking was that this song would be a perfect opening credits to a movie. In sum, we are truly in awe of Jadamarie’s showcase of musical artistry on Fallen Angel and cannot recommend it enough.
The Official 4PM - What Can I Say
PHOTO: TRISOGRAPHY FLIX & ART DESIGNS
What Can I Say - The Official 4PM (R&B/Pop) We stan an island jam. The steel drum and reggae influence is palpable on this track, making it really stand out among other R&B/Pop tracks. Cross-genre influences really highlight The Official 4PMs artistry, and their voice shines on throughout the song—giving lush layering in the choruses and just the right amount of vocal FX in the accenting. This genre-blending feels quite unique as the reggae influence is also quite dreamy, and serves more as a backdrop for a more traditional R&B flavor. It’s nothing like I’ve heard recently. The spoken word at the top also feels like the quiet storm jams of the 90s which instantly pulls the listener into the song. It’s clear The Official 4PM has a deep knowledge of the last 30 years of R&B/pop, and pulls all the best references therefrom. Respect.
Best Lyric: “I know I messed up, but I regret it. I know I hurt you girl and you won’t forget it.”
Super Femmes - Love & War
Photo: Anna Vinterfall
Love & War - Super Femmes (Pop) Good lord is this a catchy track. The Super Femmes are giving me straight Sugababes with a bop sure to get clubgoers dancing. With a crisp and thumping production, the Super Femmes sing in tight unison leading to a rap feature that begs you to learn every word to impress your friends when it comes on at a party. The cadence and delivery of the rap is taking me back to Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, which I didn’t realize how much I missed until hearing this Love & War. The song’s construction is also pop perfection and ready for radio (save a few f-bombs)—it catches you immediately with the intro but doesn’t waste time getting to the meat of the song. After that it’s a steady build that carries you through the song. Put this one on repeat.
Best Lyric: “You’re the sweet forbidden apple on the tree.”
Hiroki - Tell Me (When You're Gone)
Tell Me (When You’re Gone) - Hiroki (R&B/Pop) What a song for Valentine’s day! My top holiday pick, Hiroki’s infectious new track is an ode for the heartbroken hoping to finally get over an on again, off again, love. The song is production HEAVEN—the top of the track features an EQ cut that pulls the listener in before hitting you hard with the extremely catchy melody and hook. Tell Me then segues into two different guitar features—the first a dreamy sequence with a healthy dose of retro, and the final being a duet with the sparkling vocals of the lead singer. This is a song I really want to hear live—it’s such an earworm I bet it gets audiences singing along instantly, especially at the track’s final chorus where Hiroki hits you over and over with countermelody, harmony and ear candy, continuously ringing new life out of his catchy hook. I found myself listening on repeat to discover every little treat baked into this Valentine’s Day gem of a song.
Best Lyric: “How do I forget this feeling when you’re gone?”
Anna Orbison - Slipping
Slipping - Anna Orbison (LoFi Pop) The key to Anna’s song Slipping is her incredibly strong vocal performance, which the song is smart to center. The 80s infused instrumental has a constant build, lead by a tight drum delay that helps sit the song comfortably in retro. But overall the instrumental is sparse, allowing Anna’s vocals to carry the track, and that they do. Her voice is rich and soulful, and importantly distinct among the crowded field of whispy breathy female vocals that permeate today’s music scene. This is a woman’s voice—weighty and focused, flowing like honey. When it comes to the lyrics, the song is a haunting ode to the demise of a relationship that is “slipping away.” Someone going through a similar circumstance needs this song as their mantra right now.
Best Lyric: “Giving him the best of me, and I’m tearing apart at the seams.”
Ben Orlin - Isolation
Isolation - Ben Orlin (LoFi Hiphop) The lofi vibes that kick off Isolation had me instantly. Warm and chill, Ben Orlin’s Isolation is definitely a groove. At times, his voice gives a John Legend type of tonality—a warm baritone that rides the flow of the instrumental effortlessly. It pairs nicely with the lush organ that moves the track along, which itself is blending with some ear-catching jazz vocal harmonies. Ben also shows his versatility in his vocal delivery—he’s a singer for sure but there’s at times his deliver borders on rap, giving you a 360 hiphop experience. In sum, Isolation is a head nodding type of cut that is just the right bit of mellow you may need in your playlist.
Best Lyric: “Skip the bitch that be trippin over you tryna reach your goals.”
Roxi Sound - There's No Fire
There’s No Fire - Roxi Sound (Pop) So the reason I chose this song to review is that it’s giving very strong HAIM vibes, which is absolutely a positive in my book. Roxi Sound’s track boasts a modern production which is lead by a very catchy hook, but contains within it a unique indie-folk vibe that helps There’s No Fire stand out from the pack. The song achieves a timelessness by becoming a hybrid between new and old. There’s a driving percussion that feels a touch retro, but then there are those very modern delicious ear candy in the vocal effects. There’s also some nice pumping in the instrumental at times which helps keep the song interesting and carries the listener through to the conclusion. Also, Roxi Sound’s lush harmonies are a big draw and make this anthemic song very sing-along-able. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear this song on a film soundtrack to something like Booksmart or another modern coming of age story.
Best Lyric: “Stay in doors. Fight your wars. If you’ll fight for me.”
Live in Color - A Better Me
A Better Me - Live In Color (Indie Pop) Oh this one is an anthem, and boy does it MOVE. This song just builds and builds and builds and reminds us a lot of Phillip Phillips’ “Home” in both it’s production and how catchy it is. Live In Color’s crystal clear vocals shine, providing a resonant baritone at the top only to head into a strong belt from the first chorus. The production leaves Live In Color’s vocals mostly untouched, relying on the strength of the singer rather than production gimmicks. But what makes A Better Me particularly unique is the sort of “European countryside” folk instrumentation accents throughout. It is incredibly unique and caught our attention immediately. It’s like there’s this “barn jam session” baked within a modern pop production. I could see this song being the ending credits of a Disney film—like on the Brave soundtrack maybe.
Best Lyric: “Live my life like there are no boundaries, let me be a better me.”
Hannah Dorman - Wild
Wild - Hanna Dorman (Pop) So let’s call Hannah Dorman’s new track exactly what it is—a BOP. The subject matter is particularly fun as Hanna tells her suitor that she really likes how kind and respectful he is…but he should feel free to get a little “wild” from time to time. The production on the track is very crisp—the use of two different kicks helps keep the song interesting, and the guitar riffs throughout are pure earcandy. The bridge is also a TRUE BRIDGE (which I find often missing in new music) and really moves the song along in the first half, while giving you a break to further sink into the song. When it comes to Hannah’s vocals, I really enjoy the breathy accents to an overall strong presence. It’s giving very Kat Graham “Put Your Graffiti On Me” and that kind of mid-2000s track that in both sound and subject matter can particularly resonate with an LGBTQ audience. I wouldn’t be surprised if you saw your favorite local queen lip synching to this one. Tag Hannah if you do, I’m sure she’d love to see it!
Best Lyric: “You keep me on my tippy-toes, I really like that.”
OSP - Tun Up
Tun Up - OSP (Rap) It’s been a pleasant surprise over here at Necessary Outlet to get so many submissions in the rap genre that are uplifting and positive in their messages. OSP’s “Tun Up” is no different, offering an anthemic cut that will take you back to the mid-2000s of social conscious and mindfulness hiphop. I’d put this track on a playlist with, say, Common and City High. When it comes to production, it is wonderfully layered and percussion driven, an features what I’d call a unique hybrid of hip hop with almost a dubstep quality, particularly in the kick. OSP’s lyrics are thoughtful, and his resonant and husky baritone give him a particularly unique sound which will help him stand out from his peers in the genre. There are also some really beautiful harmonic vocal layering the background, filling in any gaps in the instrumental, which is a stylistic element that is always appreciated over at this blog. Finally, Tun Up’s hook is catchy and fitting to the message of the song, elevating it to earworm status.
Best Lyric: “I wanna pick fruit from the tree of life, cuz I’m the seed.”
BLOODLIN3 - Please Don't Bother Me
Please Don’t Bother Me - BLOODLIN3. (Rap) The reason I chose to review this track is because—and excuse me for revealing that I’m an old head—I can understand the lyrics, which is a rare thing to say about a lot of rap these days. This rhyme has quite the throwback vibe—maybe like a Nate Dogg song? Or Marshall Mathers LP from Eminem? I could definitely hear them on a remix of this. I also really like how BLOODLIN3 varies the vocal delivery—we’ve got our “in your face” section and then a raspy layered whisper later in the song to switch things up. It certainly keeps you engaged throughout the entire the song, because too much of the same thing can put an itchy trigger finger on the “next” button. This song belies that, carrying you all the way through to the end. And finally, we’ve got an incredibly catchy layered hook incorporating some dissonant ear candy, accompanied by a fun piano counterpoint that seems to taunt the listener right alongside our artist. The whole track screams “try me” and after hearing it…I wouldn’t.
Best Lyric: “My own mama thinks I need a brain scan…and I think I might too.”
Tha Building, Nate' the Soulsanger - TYBAH
TYBAH - Tha Building, Nate’ the Soulsanger. (Funk/Soul) Let me be upfront about something—personally, I don’t believe in reincarnation. But I feel like I now have to re-examine that belief after hearing TYBAH as it just might be that the very soul of the purple one himself—Prince—has been resurrected in this track. Before we even get to this funk jam, props the title—we stan an acronym. The song itself is driven by two things—a brilliant funk guitar that gets to shine in a pre-bridge solo (REMEMBER GUITAR SOLOS!?!?!?!) and Nate’s incredible voice. He sticks mostly to his mid-register, which is reedy and focused, piercing through the instrumental jam session going on all around him. It’s a great choice because it gets to punctuate that final note, when Nate’ goes up in to the rafters to say the song’s title, coming down this— N A T E’ D O N ‘ T W A N T N O S C R U B. Put this on your 90s Prince playlist, and maybe you’re “I just dumped a loser” playlist.
Best Lyric: “So won’t you take your broke ass home.”
Sara De Sanctis - Tardi adesso
Tardi adesso - Sara De Sanctis. (Pop Ballad) Let’s start with the central part of this song—Sara’s goregous voice. Haunting and as crystal clear as a bell, the production sits mostly in the bass, which makes room for Sara to really shine. There’s a Nelly Furtado-like quality to her vocals at times, which is something I particularly enjoy—placing Tardi adesso among the ballads from that artist’s Loose album. When it comes to the percussion, the crisp snare cuts through a miasma of lush piano and verb harmonies to create a perfectly balanced track. But in the end, it all comes down to Sara’s gorgeous vocals which drives the track, captivates the listener and pulls you into the beauty of this lush track.
CeCe - Problems
Problems - CeCe. (Pop) To talk to you about CeCe’s track Problems, I need to take you all to math class and solve a problem myself—the equation for a perfect pop song. Let’s start with the first variable, a clean and engaging production. On Problems, the production is crisp, well balanced and rich and accentuated by a well mixed guitar riff. Now add a catchy hook—CeCe’s anthemic sound is punctuated by quite the earworm, which I guarantee you will be singing in your head for days after hearing this track. When performing this track life, this is the one CeCe should point the mic out at the audience to have them sing along. Now we need to add the vocals overall, and on Problems you’ll find CeCe brilliantly playing with vocal intonation to make for an extremely engaging listen and showcasing that this artist definitely knows what to do in the booth. CeCe’s style and vibe is extremely current, and if I were to say “put this on a playlist with” I’d have to say…Charlie XCX?
Finally, the last piece of the equation, does the song take you on a journey? This is where Problems truly shines. Each verse is incredibly distinct both in terms of the vocal production and melody, which does a lot to keep you interested and engaged through the entire track. The bridge is a TRUE BRIDGE (don’t you miss real bridges?) that perfectly segues the song into the conclusion, adding a choir of background vocals.
So crunching the numbers, I think it’s safe to say that CeCe’s Problems would sit comfortably on Top 40 radio.
Best Lyric: “Somebody better call up your mama, tell’em come get your son.”