My Kind of Damaged - Alexa Villa (Pop) Damage recognize damage in Alexa Villa’s intimate “My Kind of Damaged”, a song about broken people looking for broken people. The instrumental is tense, but minimalist, allowing the star of the track to shine through—the vocal. Alexa Villa is one hell of a performer—an incredibly strong vocal imbued with unbelievable passion—the instrumental only catching up with her at the end when the track turns into a straight jam session. Listening to this track, we could imagine Kelly Clarkson covering this on her talk show—not to compare Alexa, who has far more grit and danger. Powerful and well-produced, “My Kind Of Damaged” is going to be an emo girl’s karaoke number in 3, 2, 1…
Ladybyrd - Way Back Home
Way Back Home - Ladybyrd (Pop) Ladybyrd is coming in with an anthemic number in “Way Back Home”, a track about finding one’s way back to love. From the thick pads to the lush strings, Ladybyrd has crafted a BIG song that churns and swells like the choppy seas. The percussion is reserved for the chorus, thumping in like a heartbeat that intensifies the passion in the vocal delivery. The vocals have maturity, flying all the way up into the rafters and nestling sweetly down in a husky alto at times, reminding us a bit of Miley Cyrus, were she covering, say, “Summertime Sadness.” This is a sing along in the shower kind of song.
Best Lyric: “It’s not like I can let go now.”
Corio - Who Needs A Friend
Who Needs A Friend - Corio (HipHop) Corio delivers a haunting single with “Who Needs A Friend”, a track born from the aftermath of a breakup. There’s a melancholy vibe for sure, with the warm guitar riff swirling in the background giving an ominous sense of loss, the feeling of starting again at 0. The hiphop comes in with the drum production, crispy hats and snares clicking the track along, with some delightful ear candy in the tuned backing vocals. The serenade of the strings that drifts in and out of the track help pull on the heartstrings as Corio bares his soul. This is a track you need when you’re lost in your feels.
Best Lyric: “I got burnt up loving again.”
Kiesza - Heaven Ain't Calling
Heaven Ain’t Calling - Kiesza & Sugar Jesus (Pop) Kiesza marries barn burner with dance floor anthem in latest track '“Heaven Ain’t Calling.” Reminding us of Christina Aguilera’s “Back to Basics” era, Kiesza delivers something crafted for the dance floor along with a retro sounding melody that gives us Florence and the Machine vibes. She also gives us quite the epic music video, with a big dance performance in a black and white silent movie themed video that takes place in a speakeasy we want to visit. Not overshadowing the power of Kiesza’s belt, her vocals sit mostly in a distortion effect that provides some incredible earcandy. We defy you to not cut up to this one.
Best Lyric: “I’ve been down this road before and tonight I’m taking you.”
Kanda - Unanswered Questions
Unanswered Questions - Kanda (Pop) Kanda is going through it post-relationship in his latest single and music video, “Unanswered Questions.” On the track, Kanda sings of a relationship gone wrong that he can’t get over due him being completely blindsided by the abrupt end. The song begins with a hazy summertime guitar, its strums soon accompanied by rousing bass synths to pull out the emotions of the track. But the passion is centered most in the vocal, a gutteral and emotive delivery that tells the listener that this song is personal. The artistry of the track becomes clear at the finale, when the song leaves the listener on the edge, coming to a close without resolution, mirroring exactly how Kanda feels.
Best Lyric: “And even if we turn back time it wouldn’t make this right now I’m floating by as I’m questioning what’s the point in life.”
Magdalia - Hold It Up
Hold It Up - Magdalia (Pop) Magdalia returns to the blog for the fourth time with latest single “Hold It Up” featuring Mayzie Chew. We’ve had the opportunity to review prior singles “Tunnel Vision”, “Great Expectations” and “Fault Line”, which brought us top notch, vocal-centered productions unique in their lyrical prowess. This latest track continues to showcase Magdalia as an expert storyteller, this time over a waltzy drum beat and warm acoustic accompaniment. In the song, Magdalia tells her love interest that she’ll be with them through tough times, to hold up the sky with them when it feels like all is crashing down. With it’s emotive intimacy, “Hold It Up” could be a couple’s wedding song, for sure.
Best Lyric: “I walk in the cold to numb all my feelings.”
Belle Lundon - Space Cadet
Space Cadet - Belle Lundon (R&B) Belle Lundon takes us to the heavens in latest single “Space Cadet”, complete with a lyric video. The atmosphere is what you’d expect from a track with title like this—ethereal and otherworldly, aided by vast synths and a mystical sounding pan flute. The booming and warm sub bass and tight snare give the track drive and you can bet this one really bumps in the car, while tinges of ear candy like a buzzy guitar synth keep the listener’s engagement. Belle’s powerful vocals deliver unique and poetic lyrics, but still maintain modern day R&B stylings to plant the song in the mainstream. It’s a vibe for sure.
Best Lyric: “Feels like I’m drowning grab my hands and lift me up.”
Looney Mack - Prince of Persia Swag (ft Goldmouth & 707 Cortez)
Prince of Persia Swag (ft Goldmouth & 707 Cortez)- Looney Mack (Hiphop) Looney Mack is back with “Prince of Persia Swag” following his previous “Pouring Up Like Ireland”. With both of these tracks, it is clear that Looney has an international vision, and in this track he calls upon a late 90s hiphop production to back his flow, giving us some real Juvenile vibes. Where “Pouring Up” was a mid-tempo feel good house party jam, “Prince of Persia Swag” turns up the twerk to 100%. From a modern perspective (though this track uses an early 00s reference) the track knocks like Saweetie’s “My Type”, giving that same high octane energy. So if you’ve got nostalgia for the Cash Money days and want to turn up, this is your track.
Inett - Yumeko Jabami
Yumeko Jabami - Inett (Rap) Inett delivers a party vibe in his latest track “Yumeko Jabami”, featured on his EP “Black”. The title is taken from anime, the name of the protagonist in “Kakegurui” and personifying gambling—chosen to deliver Inett’s message of putting your passion on the line and risking it all. The track opens with a synth tinged in mystery, which helps provide the atmosphere on this brooding cut throughout as the tight trap percussion slices through. Inett’s flow is rich and resonant, a baritone often times at a rapid pace that we don’t know when this guy finds time to breathe. His delivery is passionate, really chewing on the words and fully using vocal inflections to bring the track to life.
Best Lyric: “Sometimes the hits are alarming.”
Zach Adam - End of the World
End of the World - Zach Adam (Pop) Zach Adam delivers a Top 40 worthy track with the rousing and catchy “End of the World.” On the record, Zach delivers a message about seizing the moment, reminding us that nothing lasts and it’s futile to plan for forever. It’s a lush production that fills the chest, pushed along by some crisp snaps and a driving chord progression. Ear candy is perfectly placed—a rogue clap here and there, and some angelic verbed backings help flesh out depth to the track. But the star of the number is certainly Zach’s vocal performance—at times pure and innocent, but more often showcasing a mature and strong belt. “End of the World” is a ‘sing along in the car’ kind of track.
Best Lyric: “For every one hello I’m saying ten goodbyes.”
Fatihah - Elevate Your Mind
Elevate Your Mind - Fatihah (Rap) Fatihah is reading men to filth while delivering some sage relationship advice in his hard hitting new single “Elevate Your Mind.” I’s a hard hitting production, reminding us of the Timbaland tracks around the time of, say, “Ayo Technology.” The vocal oscillates between comedic spoken word and some rap preaching, making for an entertaining and engaging listen—it forces you to pay attention to the words. It’s part diss track, part “step it up” motivational speech about knowing how to treat and engage with women in a healthy way that won’t lead to toxicity. But he doesn’t hit you over the head with it, and with clever lyrics and a good dose of humor, there’s a good amount of sugar in the medicine.
Best Lyric: “A woman’s mind is a g spot.”
Nasmore - Little Monster
Little Monster - Nasmore (Dark Pop) Nasmore, with guest Ariana Celaeno, delivers a hypnotic rock tango in the superbly produced “Little Monster.” The grunge of the instrumental, cut with a plucky percussion production and a bevy of sound effects, contrasts with the seductive and ethereal vocals of Ariana. At times, her voice reminded us of a virtuoso violin soloist, slipping all over the hard hitting backing. There’s an unease to “Little Monster”—there’s a fair dose of creepy vibes in this one. The song conjures images of a ballroom dance in a haunted house. “Little Monster” feels like it should be in the credit sequence of a Netflix teen gothic drama.
Edie Yvonne - Delusion
Delusion- Edie Yvonne (Pop) Edie Yvonne puts a retro sheen on her latest gem, the infectious little bop “Delusional”, the third of a trilogy of singles we’ve had the pleasure to review already (“Girl Code” and “Queen Bee”). There’s a 60s gogo boot feel to the tune with a 70s vocal vibe that when combined with its modern production makes for a timeless little record. With a plucky guitar lead dueting with the ethereal vocal layering, we also get some alt rock guitar chords that add a bit of 90s as well. We are consistently impressed by Edie’s versatility—no two of her songs sound the same—and yet they are all infused with a cheeky innocence and vocal equivalent of a mischievous wink. Edie is one to watch.
C.P. Queen of Rapsoul - Chronological Ballistics
Chronological Ballistics (LP) - C.P. Queen of Rapsoul (R&B) C.P. Queen of Rap Soul has a self proclaimed title that sets up quite a task for her debut album “Chronological Ballistics.” C.P., or Carle Pen, partners with Brian Johnson, “B~nYce”, on the beats to compile a 20 track album that spans genres (R&B to Reggae to Hip Hop) as well as the emotional spectrum—from life’s difficulties to just getting on the floor at a party. We break into C.P.’s debut effort below, reviewing some of our favorites from the LP.
C.P.’s “Chronological Ballistics” certainly has a retro flare, spanning the R&B and Hip Hop landscape from the late 90s to the mid 00s. The use of interludes alone takes us back to the days of a Janet Jackson album where songs were grouped together thematically and ushered along by spoken word or sound effect heavy interlude frames. Here, however, C.P. most reminds us of TLC—her intro track alone gave us Fanmail vibes for sure. There’s a lot of C.P. that actually reminds us of that GOAT girl group, specifically in her harmonies. There’s a lot of T-Boz in C.P. and we wonder if her vocal harmonies were an inspiration for the project. The instrumentation gave us TLC’s “3D” vibes, however, and a lot of that 00s era future R&B. There are also a few turns into reggae and rap, and in those moments we are reminded of Shawnna’s debut album.
Over the 20 tracks, C.P. covers a lot of subject matter. After the introduction, she starts off as every good debut artist should—telling us her story. It’s been a difficult journey for C.P., which she shares very openly on “Straitryda”, from the passing of her mother, the suicide of the father of her child, abuse…she really pulls no punches in letting you know exactly where she is coming from. But most shocking of all is how little the album dwells on what could turn out to be a sorrowful suite of songs. In fact, we think “Chronological Ballistics” is a joyful album that shines most when C.P. just takes us to the dance floor for a good time. There’s a power in being able to find joy in the shadow of darkness, and that appears to be C.P.’s testament.
Our favorite tracks by far are the party anthems, and C.P. seems to be begging for a viral dance challenge with “Funky Lou” and “Oly Oxen Free.” Like the electric slide, cupid shuffle and stanky leg, C.P. is not afraid to step into the spotlight and declare a new dance. The tracks are extremely catchy—some real earworm material there—and you can definitely see them bringing audiences to the floor to execute the accompanying dance number. “Party @ The Club” is also a banger, which simply states the desire to party. With so much moody and broody R&B these days, it’s refreshing to hear a straight down the middle “let’s dance” kind of track.
Outside of the dance numbers, our favorite track is “Winner”—another future R&B track whose harmonies in the chorus reminds us so much of TLC. It’s a great way to close a strong project, and nice bookend to the introductory recitation of darkness—emerging the winner.
As she tells us in the intro, chronological means the order of time while ballistics refers to the science of projectiles. I guess that it means it’s C.P.’s time to soar.
Allegra - Round & Round (ft Tiësto)
Round & Round - Allegra (ft Tiësto) (EDM) Allegra brings epic vibes with her new bop, “Round & Round”. This track is made for the dance club with dark Euro vibes abound, and reminds us of the “Get On The Floor” days of J Lo. It’s a throbbing beat, with swirling synths and vocal reverbs elevating the song into something grandiose in scale. This isn’t a dance floor at your local bar, this is a track for your five level club with strobes and fog machines, where you’re standing shoulder to shoulder and it’s going to take you an hour to figure out where your friends went. We particularly enjoyed the choir joining in with each chorus, which conjures the image of Allegra as a goddess elevated above her subjects below, who chant as she commands the room. With “Round & Round”, Allegra gives DJs an excellent lead in or lead out to “Padam Padam” this summer.
Proklaim - STARFALL
STARFALL - Proklaim (Rap) In our finale of today’s trilogy, we have Proklaim’s “STARFALL”, which he self describes in the intro as “smooth as a glass of red wine”—we don’t disagree. There’s more of an R&B flavor here, with a tight snare, snap and hat concoction creating some excellent ear candy, all on top of twinkling rhodes. Proklaim takes his commentary from social constructs to interpersonal relationships and love, delivering a flow that is impressively rapid fire, creating a percussion line of its own. We also get a classic Proklaim hook—a plush catchy layered vocal that again beckons for an audience call and response.
Best Lyric: “Making the days count, begin with the hours.”