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Gemma Felicity – AM I TOXIC: A Kinetically Electric Alt-Pop Candid Confession

Posted on 28 October 2024

‘AM I TOXIC’ by Gemma Felicity proves that a good pop hit is so much more than a polished set of hooks, a honeyed set of pipes and a catchy chorus line; it’s a songwriter who knows exactly how to stretch your perceptions to let new resonance in through the use of confessional candour.

Felicity’s personal flaws are laid bare in the accountability-driven dance-pop anthem, but even the most scrupulous critic would struggle to find a flaw in the single itself. The perennial pop earworm transcends an auditory experience through the way it alters your emotional state with the euphoric energy in the high-octane, kinetically electric pulse of the track, which is all too easy to get addicted to.

The London-based alt-pop artist has been honing her eloquent craft since the age of 9; in 2024, it has all paid off with AM I TOXIC, which will feature on her first EP, Baggage, which explores how personal baggage can weigh heavy romantic relationships.

Having performed at iconic venues and been featured on BBC Introducing, Gemma’s presence is both resonant and transformative, continuing to mesmerise and energise audiences worldwide as she prepares for a performance at the Miss Planet International Beauty Pageant.

Stream AM I TOXIC on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tightening the Straitjacket: The Intense Clutch of Everything is Nothings’s Industrial Metal Hit, ‘Soak’

Posted on 25 October 2024

Everything is Nothing, emerging from the industrial metal shadows of the North East of England, unleashed ‘Soak‘, a sonic maelstrom that begins with the tribal fury of a ‘Down with the Sickness’-esque drum beat before morphing into an industrial juggernaut with echoes of Static X and metal motifs borrowed from bands in the vein of Soil.

For two minutes and fifty-one seconds, ‘Soak’ invades the senses and drags you through the emotional mire of being unwillingly drenched in others’ self-indulgent disillusionment and despair, capturing the frustration of being caught up in the toxicity of surrounding chaos, whether desired or not, with instrumentals as tight as a straitjacket, illustrating the binding frustration and angst.

Formed in 2023, influenced by giants like Nine Inch Nails, Slipknot, and Deftones, Everything is Nothing represents the culmination of years steeped in the depths of powerful musical influences. Their unique sonic blueprint is an explosive expression of raw, biting emotion in Soak, which challenges the listener to confront the psychological impact of external despair as it seeps into their psyche. The abrasively cathartic track efficaciously encapsulates the struggle against the pull of abject psychic contamination while exhibiting how Everything is Nothing are carving their own fierce path through the industrial metal scene.

Soak was officially released on October 14; stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Il Nemico Dentro by Francesca Pichierri – A Cinematic Soul Serenade That Burns Through Avant-Garde Flame

Posted on 25 October 2024

In her standout single, Il Nemico Dentro, the alchemist of soulfully avant-garde alt-pop Francesca Pichierri fused Mediterranean warmth with avant-garde pop inclinations, creating a tonally spiritual multi-sensory experience that is as cinematic as it is visceral.

Born under the sun of Apulia, the singer-songwriter has unflinchingly dedicated herself to honing her talents as a sonic vignette painter, culminating in the masterful strokes in Il Nemico Dentro. The quiescent reverberance emanating from the first notes is enough to serenade your senses to stand to attention; the hairs on the back of your neck will prick up in synergy with your ears as Francesca Pichierri seraphically commands complete emotional immersion, and the filmic undertones tug at your emotions in waves.

As the score unravels, you’re seduced by the provocative originality, derived from the fusion of indie, blues, and jazz. Just when you think you’ve found your rhythm with the release, avant-garde samples cut through, pulling you deeper into the evocative chaos.

The catharsis hits hard, only to give way to an electrifying crescendo that pulses with the raw emotionality Francesca is known for. The song blazes its own trail, driven by the weight of Francesca’s lived experiences and her poetic knack for transforming personal grief into universal art.

Francesca is so much more than alt-pop royalty – in her niche, she stands as a goddess, creating borderlands between celestiality and material reality.

Stream Il Nemico Dentro on all major platforms, including SoundCloud from October 25.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: Kaitlin Cassady – Home Away from Home: A 12-Part Panorama of Indie Folk Rock Candour

Posted on 23 October 2024

Kaitlin Cassady’s inaugural album, Home Away from Home, is an emotive expedition into the heart of indie folk rock, through which she secures her place in the lineage of songwriters who stir souls with their harmonies and strings.

Home Away from Home unfolds over twelve tracks that promise to resonate with anyone harbouring a penchant for profound storytelling wrapped in melodious harmony. It’s an exploration of self-discovery, articulated with a candour that soothes as it sears. Cassady, drawing on the narrative depth reminiscent of Aimee Mann and the tender, plaintive tones akin to Kacey Musgraves, crafted each song as a chapter in an intimate diary of longing and introspection.

The album’s inception, nurtured within the confines of an Oakland apartment, mirrors the personal and unpolished stories that Cassady chooses to tell. Supported from afar by her father, a seasoned songwriter, her work not only explores her roots but also the bittersweet sting of leaving them behind.

With nuances of country, jazz and melodic rock, all adding evocative motifs to the work, the album can’t be acknowledged as anything less than a profound triumph. The inclusion of notable musicians such as Thad Polk and Julia Floberg touches the anthology of growing pains with dynamic tender strokes without overshadowing Cassady’s raw, narrative sonic signature as she scribes through sonic diary entries covering love, loss, addiction and mental health, turning personal plight into universal themes which speak to a generation grappling with similar issues.

As the streams and accolades accumulate, it’s clear that Cassady’s Home Away from Home asserts her as a vital voice in the indie folk-rock scene. Her ability to convey depth, connection, and haunting nostalgia ensures that this album will resonate with listeners long after the final note has played.

Stream Home Away from Home on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Follow Kaitlin Cassady on Instagram to stay up to date with news of her sophomore LP.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Heal your ‘Heavy Heart’ with Kay Soul’s instant RnB classic

Posted on 10 September 2024

Hot on the heels of her seminal EP, Heavy Love, the Chicago-raised RnB singer-songwriter, Kay Soul lived up to her moniker once again with the unveiling of her latest single, Heavy Heart, which exhibits her peerless ability to fuse soul-stirring evocations with classic RnB elements.

With a wistful sigh as the first note, Kay Soul set the tone for an aching emotional journey before the melodies swiftly take hold and cradle the harmonies which resound with seemingly endless honeyed sustain, crafting an installation of pure catharsis for the romantically jaded.

Her lyrics weave a rich narrative of how heavy heartbreak weighs on the soul, yet leave ample space for listeners to instil their own despair before finding swathes of consolation. The instrumental arrangement, driven by reverb-laden synths and evocative piano keys, works in synergy with the vocal lines to testify to the healing power of music as the breakthrough artist radiates nothing but pure love and profound connection.

Recognised widely for her artistry, including accolades for her gospel performances and significant album releases, Kay Soul continues to leave a lasting impression on the music industry. Be a part of her legacy and hit play.

Heavy Heart was officially released on August 23rd; stream the single on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Celine Georgi serenaded her sycophants in her pop hit, Fan of Mine

Posted on 10 September 2024

RnB Pop revolutionist, Celine Georgi, hit the ground running with her seminal EP, Serendipity I. A standout single on the EP, Fan of Mine, is a rhythmically cultivated earworm which exhibits the euphonically evocative power in her ethereal vocal lines and is sure to leave swathes more sycophants kneeling at her altar.

The track kicks off with a wavy, delay-saturated prelude that gently sweeps you into its sonic sphere, followed by Georgi’s cinematic harmonies which seamlessly meld with a solid, rhythmically gripping beat. As you follow the melodies through the narratively rich synth pop tour de force, the beat punctuates pulsative gravity into the track which mirrors the quality of Hollywood Blockbuster. The balance of snare hits and bass drum punches drives the track forward, carrying all the momentum you could hope for in a dance pop hit.

As the music washes over you, there’s a palpable sense of euphoria paired with an urge to hit replay. For anyone chasing the sound of summer, look no further; Fan of Mine will resonate far beyond the season.

Fan of Mine is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

La Need Machine signed, sealed and delivered unsurmountable scintillation with their indie power pop hit, The Mountain

Posted on 9 September 2024

La Need Machine’s latest hit, The Mountain, is sharp enough to etch its melodies into the soul and sweet enough in its indie power pop proclivities to give you a sugar rush.

With roots deeply embedded in the fertile grounds of Seattle’s eclectic music scene, the band fuses the raw energy of new-wave punk with the introspective depth of indie rock and the soulful rhythms of Americana, resulting in a major indie paradigm shift that you will want to be a part of.

At the core of The Mountain are the emotionally ethereal vocal lines, crafted to strike at the heart in synergy with orchestral crescendos that allow the lyrics to come alive as a sonic narrative which you will want to read time and time again.

Behind the music, La Need Machine stands committed to making a social impact by channelling significant portions of their proceeds to causes like The Trevor Project and Doctors Without Borders. This blend of activism and artistry is reflective of their influences, drawing parallels with the societal contributions of bands like U2 and The Clash.

With members like Elise and Brian sharing lead vocals, supported by a full ensemble La Need Machine’s sound is as layered as their influences. From Eddie Cochran’s early rock to the defiant chords of Generation X, each influence stitches into The Mountain.

With over 15,000 Spotify listeners and climbing, La Need Machine isn’t just on the rise; they’re crafting a legacy that will prove to be as timeless as their sound; hit play and be a part of it.

The Mountain hit the airwaves on August 16th; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Revel in the artfully crafted resonance of J.MYSTERY’s indie pop exploration of heartbreak, Reverie

Posted on 8 September 2024

The ethereal indie pop enigma, J.MYSTERY, struck again with the sublimity in his latest single, Reverie, which launched on August 9th and sonically delivered exactly what it says on the titular tin.

Diaphanous notes of the finger-picked guitars lead you into a séance of melancholic reflection which builds into a soundscape that crescendos through swells of reverb-drenched synths, enveloping the evocative Elbow-esque timbre of J.MYSTERY’s weighted with aching emotion harmonies.

The meditation on the heartache which follows a connection fraying at the seams epitomises hopeless romanticism while revolutionising the heartfelt indie ballad with a depiction of how yearning often entwines with fantasy as you attempt to reconcile with the isolation.

The Portuguese singer-songwriter’s cultivated approach to synthesising alt-rock, electronica and atmospheric pop has culminated in a loyal army of fans who revel in the artfully crafted resonance. In an oversaturated scene, he’s reigning supreme by weaving his heartstrings through his melodies. Even more reverence undoubtedly awaits the alt-indie pioneer as he charts a path through innovative, authentic expression.

Stream Reverie on Spotify now and follow J.MYSTERY on Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Preston Scott Straus became a member of queer pop royalty with ‘For Love’

Posted on 5 September 2024

Infinitely more affirming, affecting and empowering than anything RuPaul has produced in their 15 studio album span, the latest single, For Love, from Preston Scott Straus will hit you in places you never knew music could touch.

To bridge the gap between the ballad and the dance-pop anthem, the Cleveland Ohio-originating singer-songwriter delivered an evocatively-charged synthesis of sincerity and vulnerability into a kinetically euphoric production which doesn’t just carry his lyrics, they amplify the verses which become mantras, ensuring they will stick with you for long after the outdo

After his humble upbringing where escaping into fantasy was the only way to feel free, Straus found music at the age of 12 when he played in the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony and cut his vocal teeth by singing in the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus.

At 18, Straus honed his songwriting and production talents which eventually helped him to overcome a challenging and homophobic childhood as he pursued love, freedom and creativity away from the church community.

Today, the artist is still endlessly devoted to making the world better for people who are just trying to be themselves, which shines through luminously in For Love which may be a feel-good track, but you’ll have to choke back the tears while embracing the soul of the single.

For Love dropped on the 30th of August; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Natalya Borodulina’s ‘Magic Heartbeat’: A Debut That Pulses with Pop Nostalgia and Power

Posted on 5 September 2024

Natalya Borodulina’s debut single, Magic Heartbeat, wasted no time in making its mark on the pop scene. Fusing 80s pop nostalgia with a modern twist, the track glistens with atmospheric synths and softly lush guitar tones. These elements effortlessly cradle Borodulina’s spiritually spectral, yet powerful vocal range, which brings the energy and emotion reminiscent of the most iconic pop ballads.

The single, with lyrics by Chris Ferrier and Borodulina’s deft composition and performance, doesn’t merely settle into the expected rhythms of a debut. As the intensity builds, the track elevates into a high-octane pop-rock orchestration, with Borodulina’s vocal delivery rivalling the fire of acts like Evanescence and Nightwish. Despite this surge in energy, the track never loses its commercial appeal, holding onto the essence of its pop roots while stepping boldly into edgier territory.

Magic Heartbeat marks both Chris Ferrier and Borodulina as talents to watch as they blaze their way through the industry. As far as first originals go, this single proves that Borodulina has all the hallmarks of an artist who can push boundaries while maintaining mainstream appeal.

Magic Heartbeat was officially released on August 2nd; stream the single on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast