Ordinary World - Corban Chapple (R&B) Corban Chapple gives us a breath of fresh air with latest track “Ordinary World.” Retro R&B at its finest, Corban’s style here reminds us a lot of early Maxwell, Jill Scott or John Legend with vocals that tonally evoke Sam Smith. Overall the track is very mature and clearly displays an elevated musicality with the jazz inspired chord progressions, live instrumentation and playfulness with song structure. The backing vocals are pure heaven as well, with some expert layering and harmonizing, and the song boasts so many changes and switchups and movements that all come together to make an incredibly engaging track that doesn’t lose your attention once, and demands a repeat to catch all the little gems you missed the first time.
Close Drive - Bed Head
Bed Head - Close Drive (Indie Rock) With “Bed Head”, Close Drive lets us in on an internal chiding to move forward following the end of a relationship. Over a crisp production lead by a driving guitar and splashy percussion, Close Drive is hoping to push through the malaise of post-relationship depression, dump the memories of the past, and get back to living. The track soars generally with its standout lyrics, but most notably in the chorus, with an impassioned plea of “get out of my head” called repeatedly as the track moves like a freight train from start to finish. There’s also a fair amount of ear candy here, some fun backing vocal effects and ambient sounds, that help both elevate and distinguish the track in relationship to its peers.
Best Lyric: “It’s over, and you’re colder than before.”
J Cru - Post Nut Clarity
Post Nut Clarity - J Cru (Pop) Alright, so, we are of course well acquainted with J Cru’s audacious musical antics, and so we were well prepared for yet another equal parts bop and “da fuck they just say” track with their latest record “Post Nut Clarity.” And while we certainly had those jaw drop moments listening to this pop ballad, what ended up surprising us was how sweet the song is. In fact, the song’s title is probably the most raunchy thing about it, as J Cru, a team we like to refer to as our idiot kid brothers, has a moment of maturity and mindfulness in recognizing a past of disconnected and unfulfilling sexual encounters having found something deeper with a new lover. With “Post Nut Clarity”, J Cru continues to occupy their own lane of chart topping sound, memorable lyrics and a healthy dose of crude.
Best Lyric: “Back in the day, relationship ended as soon as I came.”
Grace & Moji - Monster
Monster - Grace & Moji (Alt Rock) We’re getting 90s alt rock with Grace & Moji’s latest record, “Monster.” Smashing Pumpkins comes to mind when listening to this percussion driven record, which is complimented by both a catchy guitar hook and some washed out guitar atmospherics. The song, about the struggle to find inner peace, is chock full of clever and memorable lyrics, that together with the instrumental paint a melancholy mood. We also get not one, but two engaging vocalists, each with beautifully layered vocals that sit front and center in the track, giving emotive performances that bring the story of the track to life. Overall, “Monster” is a chill vibe and an impeccable production.
Best Lyric: “All those meditations, self inspirations, haven’t healed away the wounds.”
Dici - 200 Miles
200 Miles - Dici (Pop) What a catchy little bop. In “200 Miles”, Dici’s on a metaphorical roadtrip, backed by an impressive production. The track is beautifully layered with an impressively tight percussion overlaid on a driving guitar riff, which all backs an earworm melody, rousing chorus and call-out chant. More than the sum of its parts, “200 Miles” has that indescribable extra “oomf” to it, there’s magic to the track that elevates it above its peers. Ultimately, we see no reason why this shouldn’t be on Top 40 radio. The vocals give us that indie pop vibe, with certain cadences that evoke almost a hiphop feeling flow, which makes for a unique and multi-faceted record. We defy you to not sing along to this one.
Best Lyric: “Autumn leaves are blocking out the vision.“
Claire Reneé - Sadder Days
Sadder Days - Claire Reneé (R&B) It’s a welcome return to classic R&B with Claire Reneé’s “Sadder Days”. The song has a unique point of view on a breakup, as the track is about being blindsided by an abrupt end to a relationship, a tale told with clever and memorable lyrics. When it comes to the sound, the best way to describe the track is mature, it’s definitely “grown folks” music. We even have a fade out! A FADE OUT! Claire’s voice is a beautiful instrument, centered on a vulnerable and intimate alto, with a tone that reminds us a lot of Tweet. The musicality is also very impressive, with a distortion on the keys that evoke the sense of rain drops, an image perfect for the cut. Bittersweet yet sultry, “Sadder Day” is a great soundtrack for a rainy day in bed.
Best Lyric: “Barefoot on the sidewalk, this happened so out of the blue.“
Stacey Jackson - Soldier
Soldier - Stacey Jackson (Synth Pop) The 80s are alive and well in Stacey Jackson’s latest track “Soldier.” Synths galore plus a thudding club beat, Stacey harkens back to the power pop anthems of yesteryear as she serenades listeners with an empowering track about stepping into your power and having confidence to tackle life’s challenges. It’s a pep rally, really, a mantra you can imagine a listener gravitating towards when they need that extra boost of confidence and self esteem. Stacey’s vocal is strong and focused, and perfectly in line with the chart topping 80s ladies we all remember. Get Stranger Things on the phone, we’ve got a new song for their soundtrack.
Best Lyric: “I’m a soldier in my mind.“
HARA - Say When
Say When - HARA (Pop) With “Say When”, HARA wraps you up in a warm blanket because this track is hella cozy. It’s a summertime affair here, a hazy day in the summer sun evoked by the washed out guitar and swirling synths. The track is propelled forward by a driving bass and crisp percussion that actually reminds us of the instrumental of something completely different—Biggie’s “Juicy”. While those songs couldn’t be more different, it’s the groovey two-step vibe lead by bass and sparkling keys that puts these together in our mind over here on this blog. Giving all its listeners and much needed breath of fresh air this year, HARA’s “Say When” is certainly one to sway to.
CMFRT. - Gangsta Party
Gangsta Party - CMFRT. (Hiphop) With “Gangsta Party”, CMFRT. reminds us of 90s/00s crossover hiphop/r&b with a simmering mid tempo that is just straight up feel good music. Backed by a subdued synth caked in analog retro fuzz, we get our expected thudding kick and trap inspired top percussion as CMFRT. raps about a first meet with a girl utilizing an ear catching effect on the lead vocal. Stylistically, we’re reminded of throwback acts like Bone Thugs ‘N Harmony, with the vocal being a hybrid of rap and melody. Chill vibes abound in CMFRT.’s catchy little bop, which we think makes for a perfect addition to your house party playlist.
Gianfranco Pescetti - Stopless
Stopless - Gianfranco Pescetti (EDM/Beats) Alice falls down the rabbit hole in Gianfranco Pescetti’s latest track, “Stopless.” This instrumental EDM work runs like a freight train from beginning to end, driven mostly by the thudding kick and walking bass. Doused with shimmery synths, the track overall has a mystical and ethereal feel. Gianfranco does well with structure here, constantly shifting the track to introduce new elements to keep the listener engaged. Our favorite moment was surely when the flute entered, a surprising and welcome feature that elevated the track into more than standard club fare. Ear catching and danceable, this one should be on a club DJ’s playlist, for sure.
Lukx - Curiosity
Curiosity - Lukx (R&B) Lukx is back with some “Curiosity”, a new track that feels straight outta the ‘98-’02 era. The king of feel good retro R&B, Lukx’s track this month (he releases monthly—prolific) is giving us a lot of TLC “No Scrubs” (and all the music of that era that took its influence from that hit record) with that signature looping guitar pluck. As always, Lukx’s husky and melodic flow permeates the track, broken by his expected impeccably crisp percussion. In this latest record, Lukx steps out of the “can’t we all just vibe?” lane that he occupies so well to talk about ambition—his, of course—and pursuing things for the right reasons. We really hope all these singles culminate in an album sometime soon, as Lukx’s groovey midtempo flare seems like the perfect soundtrack for a roadtrip.
Best Lyric: “Driven by money, sex and power. I see people surrounded by towers.”
Kendall Bowser - You Don't Call Me
You Don’t Call Me - Kendall Bowser (Pop) Kendall Bowser delivers an ode to a former love who is long gone in her latest track “You Don’t Call Me”. It’s a tub thumper with punchy percussion, paired with a sweet lilting melody. The vocals are pure and bittersweet, heartstring pulling, with beautifully layered doubles and backgrounds. We’re getting early Taylor with this track, early Kelly Clarkson, with a touch of HAIM. Country-infused for sure, but definitely centered in pop/soft rock. It’s certainly a relatable subject matter, and paired with this wistful sound as Kendall takes you on her journey down memory lane, we think the track becomes very sing-along-able. Will definitely be a star of any live set list for Kendall.
Best Lyric: “Now I’ll never see the drunk words turned to sober truths.”
Tammy Mariah - Can't Take It Back
Can’t Take It Back - Tammy Mariah (Pop/Dance) Tammy Mariah soars with dance floor jam “Can’t Take It Back.” Her message is simple—her ex can’t take back what they did to her so she’s moving on and not returning. It’s a great subject matter for a club track, which is exactly what Tammy delivers, to the joy of DJs everywhere. House infused (boy do we love those glorious keys), this track is exactly what you want on your summertime dance floors. The production is crisp with a tight punchy kick and splashy upper percussion, driven by funky synth leads. And thankfully, “Can’t Take It Back” is the gift that keeps on giving, with four other mixes released for your party playlists.
Best Lyric: “Look at what you did to us.”
flora - Easy
Easy - flora (Pop/HipHop) Slinky and sexy, flora brings a seductive little earworm with her latest effort, “Easy.” First, let’s talk about this top notch production. Intimate and close vocals with a varied instrumental, we get the welcome telephone EQ punches and beautifully layered backings, doubles and harmonies, all blending seamlessly with a punchy hip hop instrumental. We’re getting Lorde, we’re getting Billie Eilish with this one, and we could certainly hear this track synced to a show on your favorite streaming app. The lyrics are also top notch, clever and ear catching. But the star is flora’s brilliant vocal performance—restrained and mature, with an ear pleasing husk to her rich alto that feels very of the moment. With this track, flora stands above her peers.
Best Lyric: “I’ll be back on my feet in the morning”
Antonia Dwyer - Veneno
Veneno - Antonia Dwyer (Hiphop) Antonia Dwyer delivers a hip winder with her latest effort, “Veneno.” It’s got 00s hip hop all over it—a lilting and hypnotic Spanish guitar and percussion quickly overlaid with a thudding hip hop beat. Antonia delivers a hybrid of sung vocals and rap, with a flow as spitfire as Twista had during the time period the song invokes. Antonia’s tone is pure, with an entrancing delivery that helps pull the listener into the track, which itself is hyper chill. It’s a breezy mid tempo two stepper with enough sass in the lyrics to set the track on sizzle. We recommend this one for the car—windows down, summer sun, just cruising.
Best Lyric: “My name in your mouth it will burn like el fuego.”
Rafaèlla - Renaissance
Rafaèlla - Renaissance (Pop) It’s the dawn of a new era for Rafaèlla, as she announces on her latest track “Renaissance”, an ode to stepping into your power and starting fresh. This intimate little bop is a toe tapping dancey midtempo, with a simple, crisp and well polished production that let’s our artist’s vocals carry the song, sitting front, center and intimate. The track crackles with energy, a bit of tension and even an element of danger, with a slow build that never raises the burner beyond simmer as this track is only Rafaèlla’s prelude to what is to come—she’s not giving it all away just yet. Overall, the track is a sizzling tango with some Greek spice to it that is quite tasty, and leaves our mouths watering for more.
Best Lyric: “It’s time to rewrite my life.”