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Cincinnati icon of chameleonic pop, Catlea, has struck again with the affecting anthem, Crumbling

Posted on 26 August 2024

Cincinnati singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Catlea is unreckonable in their mission to become one of the biggest pop sensations of their generation.

Their latest single, Crumbling, instantly arrests with emotionally weighted minor piano chords cradling the haunting with luminescence vocal lines before the single unravels as a synth-driven hit which sheds its dreamy etherealism to establish itself as an anthemic perennial pop earworm.

The lyrical exploration of the inevitability of not living up to unrealistic expectations in relationships where we only exist as an abstract idea and are expected to play out a role without being given a script is the ultimate consolation for anyone who has faced rejection after refusing to alter their autonomy.

The versatility in this track alone is enough to leave you in awe of Catlea’s ability to confidently command a myriad of genres and vocally match the sonic textures with unflinching ease; the rest of their discography is a larger attestation to their chameleonic cultivated skill.

As a precursor to the upcoming LP, Language Barrier, Crumbling, which was produced by Claudia Mills and features pianist Nick Tsang (Ed Sheeran, The Script, Lewis Capaldi), couldn’t set the anticipation any higher.

Crumbling euphonically cascaded onto the airwaves on August 2nd. Stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Gaze into the introspective kaleidoscope of leo hc’s seminal indie folk release, the shades EP

Posted on 23 August 2024

leo hc’s debut release, ‘the shades EP’, elegantly strips music back to its most elemental form, serving as a pure conduit for emotion which resonates through the instrumental textures and the lyrical narratives.

The opening track, the aptly named ‘the shades’, introduces us to a semi-lucid reverie where the angular, fingerpicked guitar notes intertwine with leo’s reticent, whispered vocals. Each motif transcends sound to become experiences shaded in deep introspection, allowing listeners to immerse their own melancholic emotions into the abstract depths of the production.

The subsequent track, ‘two wrongs’, transitions into a more indie folk aura, with vocals that echo Elliott Smith, soaring within a seraphically toned lo-fi backdrop. This piece epitomises intimacy, transforming the listening space into a personal enclave of reflective peace.

Track three, ‘i’m the man’, continues the narrative with a progressively gratifying indie lullaby. It allows for a dynamic interplay of intensity, with artful flourishes that let emotional currents ebb and flow, underscoring leo’s mastery in balancing sonic peaks and valleys.

The EP rounds off with ‘lovers hilltop’, a stunning demonstration of acoustic indie songwriting. Here, the poignant strains of coming-of-age yearning are captured through evocative fingerpicked guitars, drawing influences from classical Spanish guitarists while paying homage to artists like Jose Gonzalez and Hot Left Pole.

Overall, ‘the shades EP’ by leo hc is a pacifying synthesis of introspection and musicality, offering a sanctuary where each track invites personal reflection amidst evocatively crafted soundscapes.

Stream the shades EP on Spotify now. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Contemporary Christian artist, Krystal Dawn Land, struck the healing chord in ‘Strength Through the Tears’

Posted on 22 August 2024

Christian & Gospel artist, Krystal Dawn Land, permeated the pop scene with an orchestrally elevated, country-tinged, balladic attestation to how fortitude may be one of the most bitter-sweet forms of strength, yet it is by far the most empowering.

The evocative intensity of the crescendos paired with the sincerity of the arcane harmonies gives listeners all the faith and consolation they could ask for when days get dark. Even if you’re a far cry away from bolstering your soul in resilience, consider listening to Strength Through the Tears as the first step on your path to healing.

Prior to releasing this single, Krystal had spent two decades in an evangelistic gospel music ministry; she amassed her multi-instrumentalist stripes and honed her voice and songwriting talents at a young age sitting beside her Mom on an old Wurlitzer piano. Now as a successful contemporary Christian cross-over recording artist and worship leader, Krystal is living her passion of seeing people experience the love of God. Let love in and hit play.

Strength Through the Tears was officially released on August 1st; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Carey Clayton rebooted retrofuturism with the seraphic synths in his latest single, Future in a Past Life

Posted on 11 August 2024

Carey Clayton brought the sound, synths and soul of the 80s to their latest in a long line of seminal singles, Future in a Past Life, while etching into the nostalgic hallmarks with his indelibly scintillating sonic signature which scribes beyond contemporary trends.

The title alone is enough to spark a profound meditation on its poetic meaning; when you sink into the release, you’ll start to swim in the temperate, tonally seraphic spectres of reflection, artfully amalgamated by the LA songwriter, producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist, who has become revered for his stylistically expansive body of work.

Future in a Past Life, caged within his third LP, Headless, may be composed of different aural anatomy from his previous releases, but fans who came to adore Clayton for his past work will find their appreciation for the visionary renewed by the sense of spirituality which drifts between the instrumentals in the polished production.

Clearly still humble after his music being sought after by Netflix, NBC, ABC and the Tribeca Film Festival, Clayton synthesised straight from the soul with Future in a Past Life, which fuses the arcane emotive air of Cigarettes After Sex with the kicks and grooves of Django Django.

Future in a Past Life was officially released on July 19th; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Roots reverent soulstress, Samantha Rae, is an infectiously unreckonable force in her seminal single, Gaslighter

Posted on 8 August 2024

Samantha Rae, the roots-reverent soulstress, spellbinds with her latest single, Gaslighter. Taken from her intensely anticipated debut LP The High Road, the creative conjuring combines swampy blues tones with a country twang and an arcane air of enlightenment that even Nicks would struggle to match.

Rae’s poised with conviction and sultry-to-the-senses vocals effortlessly embody empowerment as she solidifies her status as the pinnacle and poster girl of a contemporary country icon. The infectiously kinetic rhythm of Gaslighter is impossible to resist, transfixing the listener in the beating heart of the earworm which sees the lyrical delivery seamlessly integrated with the instrumental backdrop, which culminates in a raw-with-revolution rock riff.

Far from a typical exposition of the phenomenon of psychological manipulation, Rae injects working-class fervour into the track, resonating with those who feel oppressed by the gentrified elite, the lyrical dualism is an undeniable attestation to Rae’s ability to transcend the expected.

Samantha Rae balances her musical career with her role as a horse trainer and riding instructor in southern New Hampshire. As an accomplished songwriter and live performer, Samantha Rae frequently lights up stages across New England. She has shared the spotlight with prominent acts like Sugar Ray, LoCash, and Tyler Farr. Her talent was recognised early on, earning her the New England Country Music “Country Group of the Year” award in her debut year as an original artist.

After being mixed by Grammy-winner Chad Carlson in Nashville, Gaslighter was officially released on July 26; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Audric Pinder revived RnB’s golden era with ‘The Moment I Laid Eyes on You’

Posted on 5 August 2024

Audric Pinder’s latest single, ‘The Moment I Laid Eyes on You,’ is a veritable aural rapture for RnB fans weary of the genre’s modern iterations that often assimilate and echo the vibes of Frank Ocean and The Weeknd. Pinder separates himself from the crowd with his distinct blend of honeyed harmonies and diehard romanticism. His production chops shine as he infuses salacious soul into every beat while ensuring the purity of his sound remains undiluted.

The track is a euphonic meditation on love’s ability to elevate us above the mundane material world. It offers a refreshing escape into the arms of romance, where every harmony is an avenue of affection to explore. The backing vocals perfectly complement the main lines, amplifying the arcane energy of the single, which embodies the deep reverie of falling irresistibly in love.

Instrumentally, ‘The Moment I Laid Eyes on You’ is a respectful nod to the soul-stirring rhythms of the 80s and 90s RnB, a period revered for its rich, emotive layers while Pinder’s vocal arrangements offer innovation for anyone craving originality in their RnB repertoire.

The Moment I Laid Eyes on You is now available to stream on all major platforms, including YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Pure Notes & Deep Reflections: Ari Jacob Unfolds in ‘Feel It Coming’

Posted on 5 August 2024

Melbourne-based artist Ari Jacob, a singer, songwriter, pianist, and endlessly creative mind with a Bachelor’s in Music, has continued to explore and expand his artistic boundaries since his debut LP, Sink Without Drowning. After moving to Israel in 2017 to strengthen his spiritual ties and expand his creative horizons, Ari found his niche as the in-house composer for Israel Story, a role that took him across the US. His collaborations flourished, notably with Shay Parry in their band Shayari, leading to a rich period of artistic production, including over a hundred concerts and the album Economy of Heart.

His epoch of personal and creative growth has culminated in his sophomore LP, Son Called Moon, featuring the seminal single, Feel It Coming. The single serves as a narrative canvas, drawing parallels with The National’s I Am Easy to Find LP by filtering organic acoustic folk through an evocative indie lens. The tenderness within the lyrical, instrumental and vocal confluence echoes the reflectively profound nature of Glen Hansard as Ari taps into the essence of folk traditions, reinvigorating them for today’s audience.

His songwriting turns everyday details into affecting meditations, revealing the beauty others would be quick to disregard as immaterial matter. The minimalist instrumentals expand like a panorama, laying a foundation for vocals that nestle into the production with a delicate yet full-bodied serenity which attains a sublime lightness, embodying both vulnerability and polished artistry.

I couldn’t recommend a more apt record to discover the potential for depth and purity of modern folk through.

Stream Feel It Coming with Ari Jacob’s sophomore LP, Son Called Moon, on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

London’s Maninder Murfin met the epitome of finesse in her pop ballad, Wonder How We Wandered

Posted on 4 August 2024

The classical pop ballad was refined to a rarified grace in the debut single, Wonder How We Wandered, by the singer-songwriter, Maninder Murfin. The elevated and gilded-with-ornate-motifs release follows the West-London-hailing artist’s collaborative partnership with merfy on the Teach Me the Song You Know EP which hit the airwaves in 2023.

Standing alone, she floods the production of her solo debut with her celestial vocal presence which organically resounds without limit; as diaphanous as the minor piano keys, yet powerful enough to permeate the soul with maximum conviction, her voice embodies the epitome of aesthetic grace while pulling you into the reverie of the lyrics which narrate an almost fantastical tale of affectionate intoxication.

The underpinning essence of yearning painfully attests to how some of the most beautiful facets of existence are ephemeral but there’s no room for melancholy in the dreamy euphonia of this flawless release which paints a promising future for Maninder Murfin who is known for her live performances in Soho and her ability to invigorate hits from Billie Eilish, Adele, Olivia Rodrigo, and Kelly Clarkson with her uniquely evocative sensibilities.

Wonder How We Wandered is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

DemiMa challenged extroverts and vindicated introverts in her transcendently dynamic slice of soul, Be Alone

Posted on 30 July 2024

DemiMa’s latest seminal single, Be Alone is the ultimate sonic paradox; it chills as it soothes as the dark, glitchy and syncopated beats carve a curve-surpassing edge into the production and cast a shadow over the serotonin-infused warmth of the South West London-based South African artist’s euphonic with enlightenment harmonies.

Knowing there’s a pervasive aversion to solitude, which consequently inhibits us from the growth only self-awareness can nurture, DemiMa became a transcendently dynamic voice of reason as she challenged extroverts and vindicated introverts in the single which progressively builds towards a climax of sheer illumination.

Be Alone, taken from her latest album, Duality Pt 1 Chaos, is the perfect introduction to her unique sonic identity, constructed through a synthesis of electronic soul and an experimental take on her aural ancestral roots. Her ethereal alternative sound has resonated with fans across the globe, as evidenced by her traction on platforms like BBC Radio 1, MTV Africa, and Teen Vogue USA.

The song’s measured pace and layered electronic textures invite listeners to explore the quieter corners of their minds while affirming that there are few voices as essential in the music industry as DemiMa’s.

The official music video for Be Alone premiered on July 26; stream the video on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Surrender your senses to the spiritual sanctity within Catherine Grace & Mark Dwane’s electronic folk single, Broken Wide Open

Posted on 30 July 2024
Broken Wide Open by Mark Dwane / Catherine Grace

In the spirited soundscape of her childhood home, reverberating with the likes of Johnny Mathis, Fleetwood Mac and Barbra Streisand, Catherine Grace found her calling, which would eventually lead her to her collaborative partner, Mark Dwane. Their relationship, marked by seamless creativity and a deep mutual understanding, has culminated in scores of cultivated-with-soul releases, including their latest titularly poetic single, Broken Wide Open.

The track unfolds at a cathartically measured pace, not rushing to reveal its depths but rather allowing listeners to immerse themselves in its spiritual and soulful melodies. Catherine’s ethereal harmonies, when coupled with Dwane’s electronic folk underpinnings, create a profound sonic synergy that transcends mere musical collaboration. The duo has mastered the art of building a track that ebbs and flows with rhythmic magnetism, weaving together notes that resonate with an arresting affirmation of their unique artistic alchemy.

Amidst personal challenges and life’s unpredictable turns, music has been Catherine’s sanctuary, a theme that resonates powerfully throughout their latest offering. With Broken Wide Open” Catherine Grace and Mark Dwane invite the listener into a shared experience of renewal and revelation. Their collaborative spirit evokes comparisons to the iconic Enya, yet with a distinct identity that firmly roots them in the contemporary indie scene.

As you surrender to the lush, layered textures of Broken Wide Open, you’ll revel in the power of sound to soothe, inspire, and awaken.

Broken Wide Open is now available to stream and purchase on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast