Naomi Johnson - Mistake

Mistake - Naomi Johnson (Pop) Naomi Johnson joins our blog roster with latest track, “Mistake”, an R&B infused pop number featuring a duet with Dwaine Hayden. On “Mistake”, Naomi laments red flags missed, sacrifices made and the bittersweet memories of a former love gone sour. With influences of Destiny’s Child, Jazmine Sullivan, Yebba and Amy Winehouse, we hear a 00s Timbaland-like production on this one, like something he would’ve produced for Justin Timberlake back in the day made for the Top 40 charts of the era. Naomi and Dwaine’s vocals are a perfect pairing, with Naomi bringing the power and Dwaine overlaying tenderness. Don’t miss the track’s sleek music video.

Best Lyric: “What do you take me for? Who was I praying for?”

ALLEGRA - Strangers

Strangers - ALLEGRA (Pop/Dance) This week, we welcome ALLEGRA to our blog with breakup anthem “Strangers”, a Top 40 sounding crowd pleaser about wishing not only for an end to a relationship, but to cutting all ties. In a slickly produced music video, ALLEGRA leaves her ex’s apartment, fresh from the end of their relationship, heading off into the city (London we think) with her newfound freedom. It’s a driving dance track with plenty of ebbs and flows, crisp snaps chiming in to up the momentum until the full crash of the chorus. We got a lot of “We Found Love In A Hopeless Place” and “Clarity” vibes from this one, as well as the Calvin Harris produced tracks of that era.

Best Lyric: “Seven years I won’t remember you.”

Geroks - Sunshine

Sunshine - Geroks (Afrobeat) Geroks joins our blog this week with afrobeat infused track “Sunshine”, a breezy island affair with a core of emotional weight. On “Sunshine”, Geroks pines to remain in a lover’s good favor, accompanied by twinkling rhodes and a hip winding percussion production. The record contains a roiling sea of emotion, encapsulated most in Geroks’ punchy tenor vocal that soars above the instrumental production. All of these elements create a potent melancholy that borders on ballad territory, despite its mid tempo pace. The yearning is palpable on the track, which makes for an engaging listen.

Best Lyric: “Those cuts were the deepest.“

Chloe Swanson - Last Time

Last Time - Chloe Swanson (Pop) Chloe Swanson joins our roster with latest track “Last Time”, a record that truly casts a spell on the listener. This lush number tells the story of a woman entranced by a lover, slowly waking from a dream and proclaiming that this is the last time she will be drawn in. Chloe delivers a lilting and intimate soprano vocal, often layered with thick doubles and harmonies. As a guitar drives the track forward over a roiling sea of orchestration, the miasma takes a few dark turns as well, mirroring the parts in the song where Chloe gains self awareness over the spell that has been cast upon her. It’s a soul stirring number.

Best Lyric: “Intimate words, long involved stories we tell.“

Nyla Tiara Love - K1LL

K1LL - Nyla Tiara Love (Pop) We love this new track from Nyla Tiara Love, her latest single “K1LL”, and welcome her to our review blog. Recorded at musical partner RICHI’s childhood home, Nyla’s hyperpop record tells the story of a love that was cut off from flourishing. The entire affair is best described a plucky, from the bouncy bass to the chipper synths, giving that great juxtaposition of melancholy subject matter to upbeat instrumental that always leads to great pop records. Apparently the sound is a shift for Nyla, whose breezy vocals slice through the thick production, as she mostly has a resume of new soul, thus showing her versatility and musicality. At a brisk 1:38, we only wish it was longer! Oh well, guess we’ll just have to put it on repeat. :)

Best Lyric: “Hazel eyes, white lies.”

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.