Casey McQuillen - Better

Better - Casey McQuillen (Pop/R&B) We welcome Casey McQuillen to the blog this week with crossover R&B bop “Better.” Casey is on her independent woman vibe with a record that tells listeners she’s perfectly fine on her own, though the addition of a lover would make life so much better. We’re getting huge modern Mariah Carey vibes on this track, with the track sounding like it could have come right from the “Caution” album of a few years ago. It’s incredibly catchy, bumping along at a steady midtempo in an Ariana Grande kind of way, with sultry vocals that range from a whisper in the ear to a confident belt. Sassy and strong, this track is one for the ladies.

Best Lyric: “I don’t wanna wake up, messy make-up.”

Great Adamz - Fantastic

Fantastic - Great Adamz (Afrobeat) Today we get our third track from Great Adamz on the blog, with the aptly titled “Fantastic”, because that’s exactly what this record is. It’s a simple message with a stellar production—an ode to the beauty of a partner’s body. On previous effort “Talk To Me”, we lauded Great Adamz’s afrobeat island jam being elevated by an emotional core, and on “Love Your Neighbour”, we noted how catchy the track was and our artist’s attention to movement in their music. On “Fantastic”, we are again treated to an afrobeat/tribal sound with a bouncing synth in the back that reminds us a lot of Rihanna’s “work”. The swells are there as with previous tracks, which fill you up while making you dances. There’s something about Great Adamz’s vibe that feels like a warm beverage. These tracks give you the warm and fuzzies.

Al Kenizo - Don't lock me out

Don’t lock me out - Al Kenizo (Pop/Funk) We’ve got some retro funk vibes with the latest from Al Kenizo, “Don’t lock me out”, the release of which gives us both an original and remastered version. The track is an eclectic mix of instrumentation. The foundation sits in funk with the groovy bassline providing the base on which the patter of tribal drums are added. Then we’ve got an extremely unique horn arrangement, including what sounds like a didgeridoo, which when paired with the swelling strings in the chorus adds a layer of intensity and danger. Then, out of nowhere, we get the sudden influx of eastern world music sounds that truly make this track unique. Yet when it comes to melodies and harmonies, we’re talking straight 90s neo soul. Truly nothing like we’ve heard before and a total jam session. If you like Lucy Pearl, like we do, you’ll dig this track.

GlassJack - HERO (Just for Today)

HERO (Just for Today) - GlassJack (Pop) GlassJack is holding out for a hero on latest record “HERO (Just for Today)”. A retro pop track, the beats call to 80s/90s dance floors and feels primed for summertime outdoor tea dances. It’s a sizzling mix with great instrument separation as the thudding kick drives us relentlessly forward while synths, a pounding piano and wailing guitar create the sonic soundscape. All of this supports GlassJack’s strong belt that never gets overpowered by the full instrumentation. Aside from the title, we have to believe that the Bonnie Tyler track provided some inspiration for this one, as we can hear it right alongside that classic along with “It’s Raining Men”, “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and “Flashdance What A Feeling”.

Best Lyric: “The monster in the mirror is looking back at me every day.”

Jovial Phenom - Seductive Flow

Seductive Flow - Jovial Phenom (Hip-Hop) Seductive flow is exactly what Jovial Phenom brings with her aptly titled new track “Seductive Flow”. Giving you all the warm and fuzzies of those retro lo-fi hiphop vibes, Jovial’s vocals are like honey on the track as she straddles the line between R&B melody and rap spit, accompanied by the ear candy of dropped and raised octave vocal hits. Jovial pulls the listener into a liminal state on the record, with the introduction of a twinkling piano and sultry guitar throughout the track that take the baton from Jovial to lead the way forward. This is a dim the lights and pour a glass of wine on a rainy night kind of track.

Best Lyric: “We dance to the rhythm, chemistry thick.”

Matya - Night Light

Night Light - Matya (Pop) This week we welcome Matya to the blog with two-step inducing “Night Light”. From the moment the track starts, it’s an instant groove with an old school vibe and 80s/90s neo funk feels with just a touch of disco. A bass guitar propels the track forward as Matya’s silky smooth vocals are pure pop perfection, reminding us a bit of Kylie Minogue. While boasting a modern production, there’s a fair amount of nostalgia as well (if you remember loving The Cardigan’s “Love Fool”, this is a track for you). The vocal doubling is pure ear candy, and the chorus begs for a sing along. And don’t miss the dazzling music video where Matya takes to the spotlight to bring this dance floor spinner to life.

Proklaim - LOVE LAVIDA

LOVE LAVIDA - Proklaim (Rap) Our prolific blog mainstay Proklaim returns with “LOVE LAVIDA”, a latin infused mid tempo number including his expected rapid fire spit and chanting chorus. Blending Caribbean, Latino and West African vibes, “LOVE LAVIDA” maintains the hiphop essence Proklaim is also known for. A kind of synth flute paired with a liquid bass propels the track along, giving it a “travelling song” feeling. We imagine a car with a suped up sound system blaring this with windows down as it cruises down the street. As always the production is top notch, as so is Proklaim’s pen game.

Best Lyric: “And destiny is what you never get to hear it up.“

LTB - My Fault

My Fault - LTB (R&B) LTB is back after our last review of “Lay With Me” to bring us latest single “My Fault.” On his prior track, we praised LTB’s resonant baritone and silky smooth vibe harkening to blues and jazz influences. On “My Fault” we veer more into R&B with LTB’s strong, close and intimate vocal performance taking the lead over a swirling synth and bumping 808. The record has some bitterness cutting through as LTB doesn’t understand how the blame for the dissolution of a relationship is being put on him considering his lover’s actions, while critiquing the inferior new man. It’s a great breakup song for the jilted lover.

Best Lyric: “What do you see in him I can’t provide?“

Artificial Incline - Used to be (EP)

Used to be (EP) - Artificial Incline (Pop) This week we had the privilege to dive into the first EP from Artificial Incline called “Used to be”, which is this artist’s first appearance on our blog. Like most of the works we are drawn to, the tracks on “Used to be” are rooted in specificity of experience—these are human tales that come direct from our artist’s life. Before we dive into this heart wrenching collection, we first dig into a bit about the artist.

Artificial Incline is a Canadian based lyricist focused on combining the power of music and technology to tell emotional stories. Hailing from Strathmore, Canada, our artist uses music as an escape, while at the same time using it to delve into the nuances of the underlying relationship traumas that necessitated the escape—cheating and emotional abuse. As an artist, Artificial Incline is inclined towards the complexities of human relationships, hoping to add their unique perspective to the conversation.

The raw and emotional collection of four tracks that is “Used to be” was born in 2024 after Artificial Incline rediscovered some old videos and lyrics that told a tale of loss, love and heartbreak from experiences that go back to 2017. The spark of those memories became an EP that takes the listener through the mud—this isn’t just the trauma of a breakup, it’s the hard work of putting yourself back together and taking accountability for one’s role in the downfall. This makes the project not only a showcase in vulnerability, but also one of resilience and growth in the face of adversity.

The biggest strengths of the project are the drive imbued into each song—each track has a swelling movement to them—as well as the top 40 catchy sing-along-ability. Also worth noting is the poetry of the lyrics, and so it doesn’t surprise us that Artificial Incline self describes first as a lyricist. While Artificial Incline hasn’t specifically said so, reading between the lines of the artist’s name and the self described leveraging of technology, we think there’s some AI at work here. Regardless of what tools were used to bring the art to life, the passion of the lyrics and beautiful storytelling grounded in the human experience tells us there’s a soul behind the tech.

“Used to be” is rooted firmly in pop ballad, with a tinge of country sensibility here and there as well—though considering how pop country has become, this might just be apples and apples nowadays. “King without a crown” is placed first in the collection to give the listener the current state of affairs—the relationship is over and our artist is feeling aimless and lost. In describing this feeling, Artificial Incline uses the dichotomy of being told in the relationship that they were a king with the post-breakup feeling—how could that be true if I feel the way I do now?

“Used to be”, our title track, then dives right into the emotional core of the project, letting the listener in on the realization that the artist is now forever changed by their experiences. “Far away” takes us from the mourning to more of the details on how everything ended. Importantly, Artificial Incline takes accountability on the track, citing their deceit and unfaithfulness as the reason leading to the end of the relationship. Artificial Incline continues to bleed all over the track, but balances the impact of the fallout they’re feeling with recognizing their fault in the cause.

Finally, “Ink and color” is a tribute to the artistic process and how it has helped Artificial Incline process their emotions. It’s a great coda to the project, summarizing the entire endeavor as a closer.

Gabdez - Language of Freedom

Language of Freedom - Gabdez (Pop/Afrobeat) Gabdez joins our blog this week with latest track “Language of Freedom”, a mainstream afrobeat pop bop all about surrendering to the music and vibes. The tropical island feels hit from the very first beat, as the plush vocals intoxicate and draw the listener into the song like a siren. Once captured, the listener is pulled into a warm summer breeze, conjuring images of rolling ocean waters hitting a sandy beach under the light of a setting sun. A mid tempo track, the thudding kick and rounded bass help bring the record into the dance realm, and we can’t wait to hear this one during summertime outdoor parties.

Best Lyric: “Summertime without a care, life feels so grand.”

Rah Dolla - Only One

Only One - Rah Dolla (Rap) We’ve got a new artist to add to our review slate with Rah Dolla, bringing his latest track “Only One.” With a booming 808 overlaid with an ominous dirge of a descending piano line, both the sharp trap percussion and Rah Dolla’s resonante baritone slice through, creating a well rounded mix. On “Only One”, Rah Dolla demands reciprocity and recognition, calling his critics and hangers-on out for not recognizing that he’s the pinnacle that they’re sleeping on. It’s a dark track full of menace and a quiet confidence, as Rah Dolla keeps the vocal production restrained merely using some effective doubling to let the message and flow drive the track without gimmicks.

Best Lyric: “If I ever did yah ass a favor, bitch you owe me one.”

Feature Debonaire - Borgini Nights

Borgini Nights - Feature Debonaire (Rap) With latest record, “Borgini Nights” from Feature Debonaire, we get a track that is the epitome of hype music. With a booming 808 and cavernous synth overlay, there’s magical feeling to the track, that our vocalist rips through with a rapid fire spit that turns would could have been a moody and melancholy track into an upbeat bop. The ride never lets up as Feature Debonaire can really ride a beat, using vocal inflections throughout to draw the listener in and keep the momentum of the track in overdrive. We hear the inspiration of US rap greats from the UK artist, giving it both a retro and classic feel. Don’t sleep on the accompanying visuals.

KARMA - SIS (She's Something) (Ampiano) EP

SIS (She’s Something) (Ampiano) (EP) - KARMA (Pop/R&B) After having reviewed title track “SIS (She’s Something)” we are now gifted with the EP that houses it, with KARMA delivering four additional tracks as well as the “Ampiano” version of SIS. With retro R&B vibes and a modern twist, these ladies deliver a gem of an album that we are excited to dig into. Let’s start with a little bit about our artists.

KARMA—KB, Keymah Renee & Miesha MonRoe—hail from Memphis, TN, brought together by shared values and passion for music. They pride themselves on their multi-genre approach. As crossover artists, they hope to foster authentic engagement and powerful entertainment as a one stop shop for singing, rapping and dancing. In following their calling, KARMA is rooted in inspiring listeners to pursue their dreams and achieve greatness fearlessly.

Turning to some background on the EP, KARMA roots their collection in empowerment and unity, and wants it to resonate across all women. It’s a tribute to women, designed to uplift and celebrate their strength. Also, there’s a bit of wordplay here, as the group also extends a hand to transgender men, using “SIS” not just as an acronym, but as a call to all those who embrace the term “cis”. This outreach is powerful and necessary in the current political climate.

With “SIS (She’s Something)” we previously noted the 3LW vibes on the track—the plucky guitar strum led record that put it right in line with acts such as TLC, 3LW and Blaque. Very “No More”. With a liquid honey delivery and dreamy, breezy quality, they let you know that these ladies aren’t like the rest, we weren’t surprised that this was the lead track from the EP. As they tell us themselves on the track, they aren’t “little girls”, these are women.

However, where “SIS (She’s Something)” shines, “SIS (She’s Something) (Ampiano)” soars. While the track remains true to the original, it injects some latin flavor into it, which turns the track from pleasant bop to dance floor hip winder.. This version makes you want to grind, and while the original is great, this mix is on another level. We think it steers the track into Mya territory.

But if we’re being honest, “OutSide” is probably our favorite track on the album. It gives us modern Mariah Carey vibes, something that could sit comfortably on her “Caution” LP. It’s a classic R&B track with a modern injection, exactly what our classic R&B sirens are doing right now with their latest records. The percussion arrangement is giving us very “My Boo” feels while the modern quality sits in the melody and vocal delivery. It sits in a resonante alto we like, maybe even in the Nivea lane, and just as “face card don’t decline” neither would we decline listening to this track on repeat.

“Goes Around” is certainly the most current of the tracks, where our ladies show their versatility with a surprise swerve into rap, with an accent that reminds us a bit of GloRilla.

While these are our favorites, you shouldn’t sleep on any of these songs. With a stellar production worthy of any top artist, “SIS (She’s Something (Ampiano)” is a slam dunk.

Robert O'Connor - Swimming Against The Tide

Swimming Against the Tide (LP) - Robert O’Connor (Pop) Today we have Robert O’Connor’s latest album “Swimming Against the Tide” which is a collection of 80s tinged dance floor bangars. For today’s review, we’ve chosen our favorite track from the collection, “Something Strange”, which actually feels more like a 2000s dance floor spinner in line with Sonique’s “It Feels So Good” and Cher’s “Believe.” The perfectly arranged and produced track is an ode to the moment that love shows up out of nowhere to upgrade your life. “I thought that I had missed my chance,” Robert sings on the track, until love finally arrived to fill him up and complete his life. It’s an optimistic track that drives a listener to dance. This is a club track for sure.

Best Lyric: ”Something changed for the better, and now I know that we’re forever. Something strange in the water. It’s got me feeling so much stronger.”

Rice - Starvin

Starvin - Rice (Rap) Rice arrives to our blog with a track dedicated to all the hard work that supports the hustle in latest record “Starvin.” The track is defined by a booming 808 serving as an undercurrent to a soft piano ballad arrangement. But when Rice enters the track, he becomes the star of the show, riding the beat perfectly. Subject matter wise, the song is an ode to the sacrifices an artist makes that people who only see the work product never know. But beyond the specifics of the artist life is a universal message of putting your all into your dreams, and that success isn’t easy—it’s a product of hard work and ambition. And when we listen to this bop, there is no question that Rice puts his all into his craft.

Best Lyric: “Some people in heaven really wanna visit.”

Carl Kammeyer - Only You

Only You - Carl Kammeyer (Pop) Carl Kammeyer brings his powerful tenor to his latest pop gem “Only You”, a rousing record that serves as an ode to deep connection—a real ‘what would I do without you’ vibe. Let’s start with the mix. Showcasing expert instrument separation, the track is beautifully formed, with anthemic quality imbued throughout. The star, of course, is Carl’s soaring tenor, which is both powerful and emotive, as he sings an ode to a love that has gotten him through his darkest times. The touching music video accompanying this track bolsters the message by showcasing the lives of two lovers who are deeply intertwined, one often rescuing the other from darkness.

Best Lyric: “Every choice that I made you stood by me.”