There’s No Way - Alexia Vegas (Pop) Torn up about a recent breakup, Alexia Vegas fears she won’t be getting over it anytime soon in latest record “There’s No Way.” The song is defined by its melancholy, a dark cathedral sound with sad string swells and verbed keys, cavernous in the space it takes up. Picking up in the choruses with a punchy percussion production, the melody becomes quite the ear worm with great sing-along-ability. The vocal is innocent and pure, close and vulnerable, with some particularly shining telephone EQ high octave doubles and harmonies that really enhance the richness of the track. Tension abound but not without its pluckiness, “There’s No Way” is a pop delight.
Liliana Ferreira - Changing Faces
Changing Faces - Liliana Ferreira (Pop) Liliana Ferreira delivers a driving piano ballad with her latest track, “Changing Faces”, a song about two people growing apart in a relationship. There’s a timelessness to the track, with a traditional instrumental arrangement led by sparkling keys and beautifully complimented with some soaring violins that serve to tug on the heartstrings. Liliana is the star of the track, though, with an intimate vocal production on a voice full of restrained power. The artist is careful not to give it all away at once, and you can hear the belt just ready to break free throughout the record. There’s almost a Celine Dion feel to the track, and we recommend it highly as one of your car/shower singalongs.
Best Lyric: “Floating on the tears we’ve shed.“
Dylan Tauber - Sea People (LP)
Sea People (LP) - Dylan Tauber (EDM) Dylan Tauber splashes into 2023 with the hypnotic new concept album “Sea People”, a journey through the depths of the ocean on which you will find some pleasant pop gems. Mostly instrumental, the 11 track meditation on the mysteries of all things aquatic is bookended by “Swimming”, leading with the remix, and between dives into the depths of various pockets of the ocean.
The man behind this immersive experience is Dylan Tauber, an award winning and visionary electronic musician, who has been producing music since he began his prolific 26 year career. In addition to releasing 17 critically acclaimed transcendental electronica music albums, he has built a network of websites reaching over 5.5 million page views since 1996, and millions of video views.
Overall, the album is best described as an “experience”—something you listen to sequentially and in one sitting, allowing it into your ears almost as a guided meditation. At around 34 minutes, it doesn’t overstay its welcome, and is the perfect length for a mid day “reset”. In many ways, we feel like the track is a perfect compliment to the mindfulness movement, as the hypnotic quality of the tracks help you dive deeper into yourself and reclaim your center. We’re not doctors over here, but we do feel comfortable prescribing “Sea People” to those with anxiety, racing thoughts or really anyone who just take a moment to breathe and chill out. The album is certainly soothing for the soul.
Production wise, the mixing is top notch, with an expected complement of instruments for the genre. Some 90s house top percussions with the driving synth chords helping navigate the piece. Notably, Dylan focuses on musicality over production tricks—foley sounds, FX punches and other modern production gimmicks are spare to nonexistent—which brings a quiet confidence to the overall record. With over 2 decades in the game, Dylan certainly knows what he’s doing. Also (thankfully) absent is the kick that’s twice as loud as the rest of the instruments, which seems to be in vogue these days, allowing the tracks to blend much more evenly into a holistic soundscape that is rich and buttery on the ears. There’s maturity to the project, for sure.
As the piece stands as a unified work, it’s difficult to pick apart individual tracks as they all ebb and flow into each other, so we’ll focus on the few that feature vocalists as they most lend themselves to single territory. With “Swimming”, both the original (which closes the album) and remix (which opens the album), Dylan quickly sets the sonic tone and concept of the story he’s telling, all with the aid of a female vocalist whose voice is the epitome of a siren song, luring you into the murky waters. Light and airy, yet pointed, she glistens over each version of the track, with a soothing innocence. There’s no pushing here, the vocalist truly floats on the track and lets the momentum of the churning tides of instrumentation carry her along. It really tells you everything you need to know about the project as you start to dive in.
Our favorite track, however, is the Top 40 radio friendly “The Sea Remembers Its Own”, with a reedy, layered male vocalist sitting front and center, with the instrumentation truly stepping out of the spotlight for the only time on the record. The song is a hit, and feels perfectly at home in the modern dance era. The melody is extremely catchy, and the production on the vocal sizzles. It’s a midtempo drenched in melancholy, centered on a meditative chant.
Overall, with a clear vision and expert production, “Sea People” soars. Well, swims. :)
Alan Dreezer - Take Me Back
Take Me Back - Alan Dreezer (Synth Pop) Alan Dreezer is feeling a bit sentimental in new lush track, “Take Me Back”, which makes us sentimental for 80s pop. A midtempo, this synth laden record reminds us a lot of Boy George/Culture Club and music of that era, especially in the vocal production. Alan’s delivery is strong and passionate, theatrical almost, as he longs for rose colored memories of yesteryear. He stacks his backgrounds in that glorious 80s vocal wall, with some spine tingling adlibs and background punches at the end of the record, all while a plucky funk guitar drives the momentum forward. If you have an affinity for the 80s, this track will definitely take you back.
Best Lyric: “We were waiting for invisible sun.“
Nicky Roland - I Can Do That
I Can Do That - Nicky Roland (House) Nicky Roland brings us back to the 90s with house cut “I Can Do That”. It’s a track about reciprocity in love, both being invested equally. When the song kicks off, you’re immediately placed in the 90s house scene with the familiar snare and hats, before a punchy kick enters to take driver’s seat. The vocals are lush and layered, a silky smooth tenor with a tonality that reminded us a lot of Seal. While including all of the house instrumentation you’d expect, the song also tosses in some surprising live instruments—guitar, violin and sax—which all make their way in to have a little spotlight moment between vocal phrases. A midtempo dance groove, this cut would fit right into weekend bar hopping.
Best Lyric: “I can do that, if you do the same for me too.“
Moon and Aries - Traffic
Traffic - Moon and Aries (R&B) We’ve got our second track in a row from Moon and Aries, “Traffic”, an unexpected soulful and jazzy turn following our review of dreamy synth midtempo “Blurred Vision.” The versatility is front and center, with Moon and Aries leaving the mystical and ethereal mood of the prior single behind in favor of a jazzy, bass driven and smooth saxophone accompanied rainy day cafe jam. Subtle and sultry, the vocal retains the command of the prior track, soaring with some great backing adlibs in the final chorus. Our favorite part of this midtempo groove is certainly the bridge, which allows the song to take a quick left turn into a clap backed chant that helps bring the listener deeper into the track. In sum, this “Girl from Impanema” esque track trots along with tension, and belongs on your chill groove playlist.
Best Lyric: “Thank goodness this car is classic as it lays this groove.“
Sam Lyon - Altered
Altered - Sam Lyon (Art Pop) Sam Lyon delivers a lush, large and epic track with her latest ballad “Altered.” When we say the song is big, we mean it, with cascading piano lines, soaring strings and a ramp up into splashy percussion and choral backings, the song is cinematic in scope. Sam’s vocals are rich and strong, yet never battle the production for dominance. They sit in the center as the track’s core, as if they are conjuring the maelstrom of instrumentation around Sam. There are unexpected musical turns here as well which also make an engaging listen—several minor descending runs that add a darkness that took us by surprise. Lush and heartstring pulling, this is a record you want to belt along to.
Best Lyric: “I won’t let the sun go out, no not today.“
Josh Tepper - Built Me (Duet Version)
Built Me (Duet Version) - Josh Tepper (Pop) In “Built Me (Duet Version)”, Josh Tepper and feature artist Madisyn Shipman give us an extremely inventive take on the breakup track. Our singers take the well worn subject matter by explaining how the destruction of a relationship actually prepared them for their next love, making the track quite fresh and unique. The vocals themselves are pure pop, the track reminiscent of 00s/10s Top 40 duets, and the track feeling like something Justin Timberlake and Timbaland may have come up with—mainstream with a hiphop/R&B sensibility baked into the foundation. Our singers’ tones compliment each other nicely when layered, and each hold their own in their featured moments. It’s a bop.
Best Lyric: “While you breaking me down you were building me up for another.“
Christa Lee - we don't need to kiss
we don’t need to kiss - Christa Lee (Soul) Christa Lee leads us through a nostalgia imbued waltz on her latest record, “we don’t need to kiss.” The production twinkles and sizzles, with a melancholy guitar helping drive the lilting instrumental forward. Christa’s voice is honey, layered throughout with the perfect balance of intimacy and strength. In the chorus, her adlibs hang in the air of a cathedral, creating a dizzying and intoxicating feeling. The song has a timelessness—Nora Jones or Duffy but far more lush—giving a rainy day cafe vibe. Also, the chorus is a beautiful earworm that stuck with us long after listening. Jazzy and soulful, we demand that Christa’s team gives us a vinyl release.
Best Lyric: “Nostalgia creeps into my bed and goes to sleep.“
Love Ghost - Snap
Snap - Love Ghost (Rap) We think ‘menacing’ is the best word to describe Love Ghost’s latest record, “Snap”, a punk/rap hybrid that serves as a warning to anyone that’s going to fuck with them. 808s and crisp top percussion, the track is masterfully produced, danger imbued throughout with the twinkling synth hovering in the background. But what elevates the track, and makes it unique among its peers, is the distorted doubling on both our male and female leads. For the female lead, it’s a high pitched banshee, adding a rawness to her otherwise silky and seductive vocal. For the male lead, it’s a garbled, grungy, deep bass beast, layered on his punk rock vibe. Fresh and multi-faceted, we think this is one you’ll want to bump in your car.
Best Lyric: “If I’m being honest, I don’t really like you. If I’m being honest, I do wanna fight you.“
Etham - Waiting for You
Waiting for You - Etham (Pop) Etham is holding on for the chance to rekindle a former flame in his latest track, “Waiting for You.” We start with vocal—a glorious tenor that soars throughout the track, blessed with a beautiful falsetto that Etham seems able to just slip in and out of so easily. Some real vocal acrobatics on this one that deserve some praise. The song itself is epic—anthemic in feel and masterfully lush and layered. Without abandoning classic song structure, the production builds tension throughout by constantly switching up instrumentation—they really hold those drums back until we beg for them—which help make the track engaging. But what drew our ear the most was the play with space. Deft in the application of reverb, Etham swings back and forth from intimately close to lost in a cathedral throughout the track, which along with the rousing instrumental really gives you that “hits me in the chest” feel. No reason this shouldn’t be a Top 40 track.
Best Lyric: “My heart is locked on you like sun to the moon.”
Chloe Mayse - Mad in Love
Mad in Love - Chloe Mayse (Dream Pop) Chloe’s got it bad in her dreamy, sun-drenched track “Mad in Love”, lamenting a love that she’s anxiously obsessing over. The track is hypnotic, at times giving island/beachy vibes, and other times rainy day coffee shop vibes—which juxtaposition actually makes perfect sense considering this is someone describing her greatest love while also being torn up about it. The song is incredibly lush, with the chorus giving us a wall of layered and verby vocals that make us feel like we’re being wrapped up in a blanket. At the same time, the lead vocals are crisp and centered, not getting lost in the haze, giving Chloe the spotlight to tell her story of anxious love. It’s a dreamy track you’re sure to get lost in.
Best Lyric: “Fighting to clean up this mess.”
Madeline Rae - 42 Moons
42 Moons - Madeline Rae (R&B/Pop) With “42 Moons”, Madeline Rae laments a prior relationship, deceptively confident in her conviction that the kind of hot/cold affair she was subjected to is not something she needs or wants going forward—we learn in the final moments of the track that she is only “faking it until she makes it”. The track casts a spell with a production that almost feels like an incantation, as the gentle vocal “ohms” serve witness to a delicate vocal lead. First off, the production is masterful—a close and intimate vocal with punchy percussion slicing through a moody synth and piano backdrop. The track is also chock full of tension and release, and the vocal layering and harmonizing in particular are incredibly engaging. And thankfully, Madeline pulls it all home with rousing and clever lyrics, both in the words themselves and in the arrangement. That ramp up into the chorus is delicious every time. One of our favorite tracks of the year.
Best Lyric: “Nobody’s jealous when I talk to my friends. Nobody’s lying about smoking again.“
Fat Cat Affair - Empty Bed
Empty Bed - Fat Cat Affair (R&B) We’re feeling all the old school vibes with Fat Cat Affair’s latest track, “Empty Bed.” A midtempo R&B duet centering a live band, the song has a timeless feel, with delicious vocal harmonies and layerings. Put this in the realm of 90s Maxwell, or maybe that amazing Lucy Pearl album considering the male/female vocal duet. While the track makes you smile right when it kicks off, the record truly becomes glorious when it veers off into a straight up gospel chorus. We found it quite refreshing that a song with such classic production was so unique in its arrangement—the song never goes exactly where you expect it to—which makes for a very engaging listen and gives you the compulsion to hit repeat to take the unexpected journey again.
Best Lyric: “I never learned to play this game smart.”
Shola - Feel Alright
Feel Alright - Shola (Afrobeat) Shola delivers quite the hip winder with the vibey “Feel Alright”—a dark afrobeat/dancehall kind of cut infused with a surprising amount of intensity and darkness. The percussion paints a tribal feel, but in a way that evokes a sense of danger. The image the track conjures is the center of the wilderness in the middle of the night as fires burn to light a massive gathering. A mid-tempo with an infectious beat and masterful production, the instrumental reminds us of something that Drake might be drawn to, or possibly a Rihanna cut. The vocals are light, letting the instrumental production lead the way—we think of tracks like Janet Jackson’s “Throb” in that respect—but they are not so sparse as to make the track feel like background music. Engaging and mysterious, we think “Feel Alright” would feel just right on your house party playlist.
Moon and Aries - Blurred Vision
Blurred Vision - Moon and Aries (Synth Pop) Ethereal and mystical, Moon and Aries delivers a dreamy midtempo with latest track “Blurred Vision.” There’s a late 90s/early 00s vibe to the record, with a soaring female lead vocal that reminds us of the time Sarah Brightman ventured into pop/dance music. Lush and layered, the track is a bit of an acid trip, casting a hypnotic spell with its synths. This is one of those tracks you could imagine being remixed into a bevy of dance mixes for DJs and played at 2am at the club when everyone is having a bit of blurred vision. This is one you give your body to as you spin around the room and get lost in the soundscape.
Best Lyric: “Sink into the invisible. Come out invincible.“