Ghost Eyes - Amaya and the Echoes (Emo Pop) Amaya and the Echoes pack in quite a few surprises in edgy new single “Ghost Eyes.” The song is deceptive at the start—dreamy and ethereal with a close and intimate vocal that lilts in the air with vulnerability. But expectations are swiftly subverted with the entry of a distorted bass lead and demonic vocal double, adding a new level of danger and unexpected tension to the track that makes for an extremely engaging listen. Amaya and the Echoes keep the vocals restrained throughout, which helps pull the listener into the song so that they can be lulled into that false sense of security, not realizing that they’ve been in a haunted house all along. Equal parts mystical, ethereal and dangerous, “Ghost Eyes” is quite the ride.
Keyyz Da Poet - ButterFly (ft Lehn Kessen)
ButterFly - Keyyz Da Poet (Hiphop) Keyyz Da Poet and Lehn Kessen are bringing the US/Europe collaboration in their latest R&B/Hiphop bop “ButterFly”. What we have here is a “drink in the air two stepper” kind of a track, with the punchy 808 and trap percussion making the perfect party jam where the artists hype their girls. The chorus is smooth and singalong able while the rap vocal keeps up the momentum, layered with some ear candy autotune. With “ButterFly”, we’re reminded of some Jamie Foxx tracks or even the T-Pain era—“I’m In Love With A Stripper” times. In fact, we think you should grease up your pole and take a swing to this track.
Best Lyric: “I be swimming, I be floating, I be dancing in her ocean.”
Melina Hazewood - Powerful
Powerful - Melina Hazewood (Pop) Melina Hazewood is here to remind us that we are powerful beyond measure in her latest track, “Powerful.” Melina tells us that the song is inspired by powerful women role models of hers, and the song is “about the universal power of women [that] brings us all together to remind women of their worth and how unique they are.” Much in the way Christina Aguilera all those years ago told us that we were beautiful no matter what anyone else might say, Melina is here with a similar message not on our aesthetics, but on our inner strength. With a strong and timeless vocal, Melina hits hard with some shining lyrical prowess as the keys twinkle and strings soar around her motivational message. Driving and meaningful, as a record, “Powerful” lives up to its name.
Best Lyric: “Our strength is eternal even after our funeral.”
Andrew Cärter - Perfume
Perfume - Andrew Cärter (Funk/Pop) Andrew Cärter is letting you know he’s moved on, and no sweet scented perfume is going to lure him back to what was apparently a pretty toxic relationship. Smooth and sultry vocals contrast with a punchy funk production in “Perfume”, led by a driving bass line and complimented with some pure ear candy in those plucky guitar riffs. There’s a Pharrell/Daft Punk feel to the track—some “Get Lucky” vibes. The artist tells us that this is a song meant to give the listener confidence, and make them want to sing their lungs out. With a catchy melody and memorable lyrics, we think Andrew Cärter has done just that.
Best Lyric: “Like who even are you?”
K.Kayne - All Alone (Extended Remix) ft Abbie Hill
All Alone (Extended Remix) ft Abbie Hill - K.Kayne (Dream Pop) K. Kayne with guest Abbie Hill paints from a lush pallet with the “All Alone” extended remix. The Reading-based rapper has been at it since the ripe age of 13, and tells us that he has added a “bright and more euphoric edge to the production this time around” to enhance the original recording of the track. The record begins underwater, dreamy synths and broad bass lay the vibe as the vocals surface from muffled to crystal clear, ushering in a melancholy that bleeds through the track. The compliment of the bass male vocal to the sharp soprano vocal shines as the song’s biggest strength. The vibe is the epitome of a hot bath, and belongs on every chill vibes lofi playlist. This is a track that fills the chest.
Best Lyric: “I need some assistance.”
Wotts - WANNABE
Wannabe - Wotts (Synth Pop) We’ve got some heavy 80s inspiration with Wotts’ synth pop single “Wannabe”, where are lead vocalist croons that he just wants love. This duo is back for a fourth time on our blog (following “Wheel”, “Blue” and “Garden”) with a track inspired by Aussie psych pop bands like Tame Impala and Pond. The record drives like a freight train—it’s a cruise down the highway led by a molten lava bass line complimented by a punchy kick and dreamy retro synths. The mix melts together perfectly, with silky smooth vocals pouring like honey all over the track. The song’s greatest strength, however, is just how catchy the chorus is. It’s a two stepper that we dare you to not sing along to.
7evin7ins - My Everlasing Isolation
My Everlasting Isolation - 7evin7ins (Pop) 7evin7ins delivers and impeccably produced, heartfelt and cohensive EP with “My Everlasting Isolation”, a project with a pop centric core that infuses influences from pop rock, alt and even hiphop/trap to deliver messages of heartache, frustration and the artistic pursuit of notoriety. As we tour through this carefully crafted work, we’ll start with some overall impressions and trends, then focus on a few of these single-worthy cuts.
It surprises us to learn that “My Everlasting Isolation” is 7evin7ins’ first project, following features on the NHL24 soundtrack, the Five guys In-Store playlist, over 50 Spotify editorial playlists and an impressive touring circuit. And that’s because each of the tracks on this EP are so professionally put together, creating a collection of gems that each stand on their own as single contenders. No wonder 7evin7ins has no trouble getting those coveted editorial playlist positions as every track is worthy of those spots.
What stood out to us the most was 7evin7ins’ genre blending, conducted in a way that creates his own unique style. It’s rock guitars and 808s here, with tracks bouncing back and forth between pop rock and trap/hiphop, with infusions of alt rock (specifically in a few guitar lines) and even R&B when 7evin7ins sets his more typical pent up punk rock vocals aside in order to showcase a more vulnerable side. It was interesting to us that the two themes of the album—frustration of being on the cusp and frustration in love—consistently link up with pop rock and hiphop, respectively, the artist clearly using specific genres to convey themes.
But that’s just one example of how meticulously thought out and well produced the album is. It wouldn’t surprise us to learn that this project was a long time in the making—and really impress us if it wasn’t—due to the clear craftsmanship on display here. The instrumental mixes are chef’s kiss, driving and full of tension, but the most love is surely given to the vocals. “My Everlasting Isolation” is no stranger to vocal ear candy, from the often distorted doubles, anthemically verbed vocals and high octave sweeteners that make for a lush vocal package throughout the project. Also, the tracks never overstay their welcome, both with respect to length and their structure of clearly defined movements and moments, resulting in an extremely engaging listen. The EP balances making every track primed for radio while still presenting the cohesiveness we want in a project.
We could write a full review on each of these tracks, so for brevity we’ll focus on a few moments from our favorites. When it comes to lyrics, 7evin7ins often finds creative word choice and phrasing to convey the universal topics herein, with several lines primed for merch. “I pull my teeth out for you” from closer “Hey Violet” stands out the most, but overall we think “THANKS FOR THE THERAPY“ and “Gun Shy” are the most exemplary of 7evin7ins’ lyrical prowess—the latter finding a way to take the imagery of not underestimating 7evin7ins because he’s packing heat without making the listener afraid of him. As this artist bursts with ambition, he always remains one you want to support.
Hats off to 7evin7ins on his first project, which makes one hell of a splash. We can already hear his audiences chanting back these catchy hooks.
Jayden Keita - Garden
Garden - Jayden Keita (R&B) Jayden Keita slips into our ears this week with his smooth R&B Jam “Garden.” The up and coming Minnesota born but Tampa Bay, Florida based artist tells us that his latest track is “about feelings of jealousy . . . watching friends achieve incredible things and feeling like I’ve fallen behind.” Sporting a silky baritone, Jayden evokes Sam Smith in his vocal styling, while adding a layer to the bittersweet jealousy by reminding himself that he’s on his own journey and he should just keep going. The production centers Jayden with few gimmicks, allowing the strength of his vocals to carry the song as a lush instrumental supports him. Relatable, positive and boasting maturity, we definitely thing Jayden’s time is now and he will will receive plenty of flowers to populate his garden.
Best Lyric: “It seems they got their flowers before me.”
King Jesai - OnlyFans
OnlyFans - King Jesai (Hiphop) Georgia native known for his groovy beats and captivating lyrics, King Jesai, gives us just that in latest track “OnlyFans.” The instrumental is best described as techno-hiphop—think of what Timbaland was playing with back on “Ayo Technology”—with an R&B hook that reminds us of a Jason Derulo or Trey Songz cut. King Jesai oscillates between crooning and rap flow with this 2010s style party track, delivering a record whose explicit edit already caught the attention of UK iTunes Top 30 Rap/Hip Hop Songs chart earlier this month. In sum, “OnlyFans” is a ‘ballin’ out in VIP’ kinda track, or at least one definitely suited for your next house party. Take a shot and get on the floor with this record.
Best Lyric: “Put your girl to work, OnlyFans.”
Leanne Gallati - Ballad No. 1
Ballad No. 1 - Leanne Gallati (Pop) Leanne Gallati leaves her band behind for a piano and vocal ballad aptly titled “Ballad No. 1”. The artist tells us that the song comes from her own heartbreak, about “figuring out whether it is better to stay with someone who may not be good for you, or to be alone". The relatable subject matter is delivered in lyrics that work almost like a number in a musical, with the singer going through the thought process as she sings, finally ending on the conclusion that Whitney Houston told us long ago—it’s better to be alone than unhappy. As she comes to that realization, Leanne’s already strong vocal gets even more powerful, rising with her level of confidence in her ultimate decision to prioritize herself. With a track as strong as this, we look forward to ballads 2 through infinity.
Best Lyric: “This ain’t better than sittin’ alone. Now I know.”
D. Green - Gravitational Pull
Gravitational Pull - D. Green (R&B) It’s back to classic 90s R&B with New York City born and LA-based recording artist D. Green’s latest track, “Gravitational Pull”, a perfect fusion of funk and soul. From the slippery synth lead to the funky bass line and ear candy guitar, the track beckons back to the days of TLC, Blackstreet and Next with a great two-stepper of a track that would’ve been on regular rotation on VH1 Soul back in the day. D. Green’s slick baritone crooning has a gravitational pull of its own, as it seduces the listener on this plush pillowtalk single. We welcome the recent return of the genre to the mainstream and look forward to more silky bedroom jams from D. Green.
Best Lyric: “Wherever you are is bound to be a good time.”
Marcia - Me and You
Me and You - Marcia (R&B) R&B siren Marcia returns to the blog following previous single “Insecurity” with an ode to a toxic, on again off again relationship in “Me and You.” Similar to the prior record, we get a crossover R&B jam chock full of delightful earcandy—from the oscillating airy synth in the background to the beautiful harmony layers to the tried and true telephone EQ FX on punches. Marcia slips into her upper register here on a track that stylistically feels like a post 2010 Mariah Carey number. And while we aren’t getting the whistle tones, Marcia dances easily over the track with subtle vocal runs. For all of you chill vibes, lo-fi R&B lovers, “Me and You” is for you.
Best Lyric: “I look for you in other guys like when we were together.”
Edie Yvonne - Girl Code
Girl Code - Edie Yvonne (Pop) Edie Yvonne delivers a rousing and anthemic cut with latest single “Girl Code”, a collaboration with Maddy Simmen and producer Rio Root. Edie, a recent high schooler, tells us the song is a “response to changing relationships, challenging friendships and the drama of the fragile stage of becoming a teenager”—certainly relatable. With a Smashing Pumpkins-like alt rock guitar driving the track, Edie’s hyper-modern pop vocal laments these themes with a maturity that defies her young age. Her deliver is excellent, chewing thoughtful lyrics as she slides gracefully all over the beat. On her previous track “Queen Bee”, Edie delivered an electric funky summer roadtrip anthem, which makes this track quite a left turn. We stan a versatile queen.
Best Lyric: “Fighting in the dark I don’t know who you are.”
Looney Mack - Pouring up Like Ireland
Pouring up Like Ireland - Looney Mack (Hiphop) Well, there’s an element of truth in every stereotype, and with “Pouring up Like Ireland,” Looney Mack and guests Hossay Cabbage, Paris, Khalil Mack and Mad Mack bring out their inner Irishmen to live it up on this straight up party track. The record is a mellow mid tempo—a feel good house party jam—that has an R&B sensibility to the instrumental. We get a 90s slippery bass lead reminiscent of older TLC productions with the classic 80s cowbell hit to imbue the track with some pleasant retro. Layered on top are, of course, a sampler of guest artists who all bring a unique flow while gelling together as a cohesive whole for the track, easily handing off the baton between each other. In the end, it sounds like a DJ Khalid production. We were almost expecting to hear “another one!”
Best Lyric: “We go all night, then it’s bye bitch.”
Jay Roecker - Thicker Than Blood
Thicker Than Blood - Jay Roecker (Pop) Jay Roecker is back for the fifth time on our blog and had us get our lighters out with his latest pop anthem, “Thicker Than Blood”. Rousing and anthemic, Jay’s latest single reminisces on a past love, remembering the good and bad, but ultimately wishing to rekindle now realizing what he had. The entire track is awash with retro feels, at first giving us a vibe similar to Savage Garden’s “” of the 90s, but with some splashy 80s synths in the mix as well. The vocal production is stellar, with Jay giving an emotive performance while some octave distorted backgrounds give some fun color and ear candy.
Best Lyric: “I never knew what I had.”
Hurricane Sam - LEK
LEK - Hurricane Sam (R&B/Pop) Hurricane Sam let’s everyone know in retro crossover R&B jam, “LEK” with a UK garage instrumental by Def Starz. From the artist, the song is “inspired by raucous nights out in London's Shoreditch, Islington and Camden…chart[ing] an attempt to round up a group of completely mad friends for a successful late night out on the town.” In their call to party, Hurrican Sam delivers a punchy tenor lead supported by some classic R&B harmony backgrounds, reminding us of some Craig David jams of yesteryear. Cutting through the silky flow of the vocals is a poppy and plucky percussion arrangement, with a crisp kick setting the groovy mid tempo. Equal parts funky and dancey, Hurricane Sam’s “LEK” is feel good music—and you may just want to join them at the club.