Claudia Balla - Normal People

Normal People - Claudia Balla (Pop) Claudia Balla joins our roster with her latest track “Normal People”, a driving midtempo that turns out to also be a nice 2-stepper for the dance floor. WIth a belty alto that at times dips into vulnerable airness, Claudia takes a different twist on eccentricity. Often today a lauded quality, Claudia instead wishes to be part of the crowd and fit in with the world at large. The longing is all over the production, which has great movement and a rousing bridge. Claudia calls her track an “ode to every dreamer[s] and misfit[s]”, and we’re sure she’ll find those sympathetic listeners for this catchy tune.

Best Lyric: “Who decides what’s normal anyway?”

Charlie Rogers - Missed Calls

Missed Calls - Charlie Rogers (Pop) Charlie Rogers joins our review blog with latest single “Missed Calls”, an ode to Charlie’s struggles with depression. The track begins with a voicemail welcome message and driving piano, as Charlie’s smooth and vulnerable tenor vocal is soon accompanied by a plucky drum production. The track is tight and intimate, with just a touch of country-pop flavor, revealing Charlie’s inner demons as a repeating cycle that surely listeners can relate to. Harmonies and backgrounds are tight, providing some ear candy while a guitar and string section join as the song progresses to tug at the heartstrings. With talent like this, we hope Charlie knows he has a bright future to look forward to.

Best Lyric: “It’s time for the rerun to begin.”

FMLASS - Serotonin

Serotonin - FMLASS (Pop) Today we welcome FMLASS to our blog with a pure pop gem, her newest track “Serotonin.” Hyper-modern and anthemic, the song has a real Taylor Swift vibe to it. On “Serotonin”, FMLASS thanks the heavens that she has found the love that keeps her positive—the missing piece that makes her whole. From the hard hitting kick to the choir-backed chorus, the song has Top 40 vibes, reminding us a lot of the pop/rock tracks of JoJo. Super catchy with heartfelt and relatable subject matter, we think FMLASS is a star on the rise and one to watch.

Best Lyric: “I hope and pray I’ll always have you.”

JUMA MUSIC x JPRIZM - Never Enough

Never Enough - JUMA MUSIC x JPRIZM (HipHop) JUMA MUSIC x JPRIZM delivers a top 40 hiphop crossover hit with “Never Enough.” The track is expertly produced, with a knocking beat overlaid with crispy, reedy vocals. From the rhymes to the instrumental, the entire affair reminds us of early Kanye West — College Dropout and Late Registration eras. The track’s subject matter is timely, as our artist laments his girl’s focus on social media, paying less attention to his romantic overtures in the real world—and in that way reminds us of a Drake track. From the production to the clever lyrics, this one is a hit. And don’t miss the high production music video linked above.

Best Lyric: “I’m trying to change her last name, but she all in her phone playing games with @ names.”

Shaun Michael - IDGAF

IDGAF - Shaun Michael (HipHop) New to our blog, Shaun Michael brings a booming hiphop bop with “IDAG”. Between the deep drums and pumping bass line, the track really moves. It’s also infused with reggae influences throughout, with Shaun’s spitfire flow dueting with bass and melodic guitars. At two minutes, the song gets to its point quickly, making it prime for repeat listens. We’d love to hear this one performed live, and to that point Shaun is known to have shared the stage with celebrated artists like Mobb Deep, Busy Signal, Gappy Ranks, Dub Pistols, and Grammy award winner Kabaka Pyramid. We look forward to more from Shaun.

Best Lyric: “Everyone out here looking for a savior.”

Zhenyok Chem Brat - Of Your Touch

Of Your Touch - Zhenyok Chem Brat (Pop) We welcome Zhenyek Chem Brat to the blog with newest track “Of Your Touch”, a funky pop groove. On “Of Your Touch”, Zhenyok is infatuated by a recent encounter, their mind taken over by the memory of the night before and craving more. The track has some real 80s vibes to it, with a guitar ramp up and lick that reminded us a bit of Prince’s “Kiss.” It’s a two-stepper for sure, and a mid tempo that would nonetheless fit quite well on a dance floor. Zhenyok’s vocals soar above the production, exuding passion with a touch of sensuality. Overall, it’s an easy track to slip into, with a catchy hook and tight production.

Best Lyric: “Even so I need what’s not right.”

Ado Drix - Mylar Bagz

Mylar Bagz - Ado drix (Rap) United Masters artist Ado drix makes their blog debut with latest track “Mylar Bagz”, available on streaming platforms on October 4. With a booming 808 and a dreamy production, the track evokes classic Timbaland vibes—think “Indian Flute” mixed with “Ayo Technology.” There’s a sense of danger to the production, which fits the subject matter of drugs, crime and sex. In addition to being quite hard, there’s a sultry aspect to the record as well, as Ado growls in your ear with a raspy baritone that blends nicely into the production. This is one to bump in your ride, you’re certain to wake up the block. Don’t miss Ado’s Charlotte, NC show on October 4th.

Best Lyric: “Swipin, scammin that’s the wave!”

CHALE - MOTHAFUCKER

MOTHAFUCKER - CHALE (Pop) CHALE has been scorned on his first track to be featured on our blog “MOTHAFUCKER.” On the pumping pop record produced by Vblaize and featuring the guitar work of Udu, CHALE reminisces on a love gone sour, turning their venom to their former lover as they remember all the ways they were done wrong. The message is delivered over an instrumental baked in nostalgia—heavy reverbs with lilting piano and that soulful guitar in the back, with a punchy afrobeat percussion driving the track forward. It’s a great take on a post-breakup anthem, setting the atmosphere as one of turmoil and regret as opposed to a more “angry” sound. The feelings are in the stellar vocal performance—emotive and memorable.

Best Lyric: “I’m looking everywhere don’t see what you have done for me?”

Louise Gains - Robots (AI Maiden)

Robots (AI Maiden) - Louise Gains (Pop) We welcome Louise Gains to the blog today with dance pop anthem “Robots (AI Maiden)”. The brainchild of Mykonos producer Jason Orozco, the track examines a society reliant on machines having to face life without those machines. Despite it’s futuristic musical flourishes and subject matter, the track feels very grounded in retro dance club spinners. The vocal talent is top notch, and sits alongside the great dance floor divas in tone and power, while the beat contains a nostalgic 90s sensibility. Released by new label Worldsong, the track is also accompanied by a neon-drenched lyric video. Certified two-stepper here.

Olivia Cox - Upgrade

Upgrade - Oliva Cox (Pop) The production on this one is FIRE. Olivia Cox joins the blog roster with latest single “Upgrade”, a pop bop from a temptress taunting someone from her past by keeping herself firmly in their mind. Her target is currently with another girl, but Olivia knows that she stays rent free in his thoughts. The production, which again is fire, sizzles with sensuality, with crisp instrument separation creating an engaging listen and a certified earworm. On top of the textured instrumental are silky smooth vocals that slither through the track. We loved this one.

Best Lyric: “Would she be surprised that I’m still on your mind?”

Candi Staton - Young Hearts Run Free

Young Hearts Run Free (Remixes) - Candi Staton (Pop) Candi Staton returns with her number one Billboard R&B hit “Young Hearts Run Free”, complete with 2 remixes, an alternative version, instrumental and vocal track—primed for additional remix pickups. Faithful to the original in every way, Candi juices up her newest version with modern production that only adds new sparkle to a timeless shimmering classic disco cut, while showing us that 50 years after the original released, Candi still delivers a smash. With the Sare Havlicek mixes, we keep the disco vibe, extending the track for additional spins on the dance floor. The track features on an album “Orchestral Eighties”, out now, which complies 14 covers of hits from yesteryear. Candi is back.

Proklaim - MIMOSA

MIMOSA - Proklaim (Rap) Proklaim is back with a fizzy morning beverage, “MIMOSA”, a track that is a sparkling celebration of life. We’re back on our Fugee’s tip with Proklaim, an often used soundscape for his tracks. Peppy and upbeat with an old school flavor, Proklaim espouses the virtues of ambition and perseverance. When the beat drops out in the second verse, we get an ethereal flute arrangement, which conjures images of a sun soaked landscape. It exemplifies the upbeat feeling of the track and hopefulness. On “MIMOSA”, Proklaim is a life coach.

Best Lyric: “Little bit of this, little bit of that, kept on sowing.“

Rosie Belvie - Attitude

Attitude - Rosie Belvie (R&B) We are honored to review the very first Spotify release by Rosie Belvie, “Attitude”. It’s a grand entrance to the scene for sure, as Rosie coaches her fellow independent ladies to hit them with an attitude. It’s a crisp R&B/pop production that reminds us a lot of the Missy proteges of the 2000s—this track sits alongside fellow divas of the era including Tweet, Brooke Valentine and Teairra Mari. But honestly, we’re mostly getting some Blu Cantrell vibes here—we’re sure Rosie would hit ‘em upstyle should she be tested. Rosie’s strong vocals steal the show on this midtempo record that seems to encourage a side-to-side sway and a screwed up stank face—that’s what we were doing at least during our listens. Congrats to Rosie, it’s definitely a strong foot forward.

Airyen Vay - I'm The One

I’m The One - Airyen Vay (Pop) Airyen Vay debuts on our blog with the hope that everyone gets to feel true love at least once in their life in her new pop anthem “I’m The One”, where she pleads with her love interest to say those magic three words. There is so much to love about this track, which we feel shares a lot in common with the Dream productions of the 2000s, specifically J. Holiday’s “Bed.” It’s brilliantly produced as a mix of pop anthem and power ballad, with Airyen’s heavenly vocals flying all over the track. We also appreciate a TRUE BRIDGE, which has seem to be pushed to the side in modern productions. Beautiful on the ears, lush and driving, this track is timeless.

DJ Roko - By Your Side

By Your Side - DJ Roko (Dance) We welcome DJ Roko to our blog with his funky summertime jam “By Your Side.” Featuring the talents of Florida native Novaman on the rhymes and vocals, the track is packed full of earcandy to create an incredible dancefloor spinner. From the tribal beat infused with nudisco and a cowbell that reminds us of the drum loop sampled in Missy’s “Work It”, to the plucky funk guitar, this “step, clap” bop is a lush production and we defy you not to move while listening to it. Showcasing his musicality, the repetition of the instrumental never gets boring as the baton is passed off between the instruments as the lead—including a retro sliding synth line towards the end—as well as a nice slowdown in tempo at the close. This one is a summer playlist favorite for sure.

Proklaim - PANTHERA

PANTHERA - Proklaim (Rap) Following “soul session” and “BABYLON”, we close with Proklaim’s third track of the week with “PANTHERA”, and boy are we glad we reviewed the tracks in this order as they come together to tell a nice cohesive story. Starting with a call to join him on the road to success followed by a setting of stakes of failure, in “PANTHERA” Proklaim lays out the obstacle to greatness that must be overcome, the singular source behind the adversity—the devil. Returning to his more standard point of view of telling the audience about his specific fight for success, Proklaim does so over a hard hitting beat, full of warning sirens and distressed bass. This one sizzles.

Best Lyric: “Not too many worthy of my dream.“