Browsing Tag

ballad

Surion takes an outside perspective in their insightful piano pop ballad, ’Beautiful Life’

Posted on 18 March 2021

Italian singer-songwriter Surion has released their latest piano pop single, ‘Beautiful Life’, after allowing his imagination to explore what it feels like for parents as they watch their children grow, succeed and fail before their eyes.

There’s nothing like a ballad that reaches outside of personal introspection and seeks to find compassion and instil gratitude. Beautiful Life does exactly that while using the gentle flurries of neo-classic notes to set a resounding tone.

If you could imagine what it would sound like if Tim Minchin took himself seriously, you will know exactly what you can expect when hitting play on Beautiful Life.

Beautiful Life released on February 26th; you can check it out for yourselves via Soundcloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Annie Tisshaw takes us back to ‘Last Night’ with her confessionally powerful pop single

Posted on 4 March 2021

‘Last Night’ is the latest confessionally powerful pop single from Norfolk-born singer-songwriter, Annie Tisshaw, with classical piano training behind her and resounding vocals to project, it’s impossible not to pay attention to the intense indie neo-classic ballad.

In the same way Kate Nash’s ‘Foundations’ leaves you gripped by the amorous drama, Last Night suckers you in through narrative lyrics brought to life with Annie Tisshaw’s striking vocals which also carry a classical touch.

After making an unapologetically feminist debut with ‘My Body’ in 2019, Annie Tisshaw has consistently exhibited her dynamism through her discography, needless to say, we’re already excited to hear what comes next from the magnetically multifaceted artist.

Last Night is available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rae Kelly Soars High With Stunning New Track ‘Ignorant as Icarus’

Posted on 26 December 2020

Dublin-born singer-songwriter Rae Kelly mixes heartfelt, philosophical, and evocative lyrics with a blend of mildly jazzy pop piano to produce a beautiful, delicate, and charming new single in the shape of ‘Ignorant As Icarus’. Kicking off with some real Tori Amos/Amanda Palmer vibes with the solo piano and vocal section before the rest of the band kick in, it’s an intriguing mix of repeating bass motif and keyboard behind Rae’s stunning, lilting vocal.

The delivery is divine, dropping down to an almost choral middle eight, Kelly’s vocal becoming one more instrument in the mix before slipping back to poetic, storytelling, questioning lyrics once more.

There’s some serious talent on show here, Kelly’s voice exquisite and graceful whilst her lyrics are engaging and thought-provoking; there’s no mistaking the ‘early years’ training of Kelly’s church choir experience in her confidence and soaring mezzo-soprano range, but there’s some avant-garde pop perfection on display as well, all capped off by the stunning piano and bassline of the track. Now back writing and recording after an enforced hiatus, hopefully, there’s much more to come from the sublime Rae Kelly.

You can hear ‘Ignorant As Icarus’ on Spotify and follow Rae Kelly here or on Facebook.

Review by Alex Holmes

Andrea Charls ‘Arrow’ – a beautiful, soulful, indescribable whirlwind of exquisite vocal delivery

Posted on 21 December 2020

Andrea Charls is already an internationally recognised singer-songwriter, working with artists as diverse as Bobby McFerrin, Annie Lennox, Javier Limon, Pepe de Lucia, and Mario Frangoulis, with work recognised by the Latin Grammy Awards, The International Songwriting Competition, and the Hollywood Music and Media Awards.

Her new single ‘Arrow’ is a whirlwind of deep, rumbling bass, sequenced synthesisers, and Charls’ stunning, delicate multiply-layered vocal parts. There are elements of Suzanne Vega’s work here, mixed in with a vaguely Latin feel and obvious hints of Charls’ Cypriot heritage (Andrea was born and raised in Cyprus before moving to Boston, Mass., to pursue her career). It’s a dazzling track, melancholic, uplifting, charming, and elegant all at once, choir-like in parts and upbeat in others, all held together by Charls’ exquisite vocal delivery. Lyrically thought-provoking and contemplative, beautifully performed, and intricately put together; ‘Arrow’ really does deserve to be heard. Often.

Listen to ‘Arrow’ on Spotify; follow Andrea Charls on Facebook.

Review by Alex Holmes

Billy Boguard – Evergreen Scars: Sorrowfully Dynamic Minor-Chord Pop

Posted on 28 November 2020

Opening up with a cinematic minor-chord piano part before Boguard’s deep, baleful vocal, ‘Evergreen Scars’ is a beautiful, confessional song of grief and loss. Honest, heartfelt, and soulful, Boguard’s vocal tells a story of pain and longing, the full instrumentation dropping in around the minute mark for the unforgettable chorus.

Reminiscent of Hozier’s ‘Take Me To Church’, with elements of Lewis Capaldi or maybe a male-vocal Lana Del Rey, ‘Evergreen Scars’ tells of two souls destined from the beginning to destroy each other, writ deep with heartbreak and regret, and the inevitable aftermath, healing, and lessons learned, all over a sorrowful track full of power, dynamic, and presence.

Evergreen Scars official release date was November 27th, you can check it out now via Spotify.

Check out Billy Boguard via his website, or on Facebook.

Review by Alex Holmes

Loni Lincoln uses her platform to wake up and console the nation with “Where Have the Heroes Gone”

Posted on 14 November 2020

Loni Lincoln’s Malaysian and British heritage both resonate within her standout single “Where Have the Heroes Gone” which breaks the monocultural mould while asking a tragically grounding question.

Atop of the rhythmic exoticism, you’ll find Loni Lincoln’s compassionately heartfelt vocals as they call out for humanity to better themselves and be the change they want to see in the world. Yes, it’s a sobering and emotionally bruising track, but the path to progress isn’t always going to be a bed of roses.

With vocals which carry reminiscence to the smoky vocal timbre of Miley Cyrus, the emotional sting behind the soundscape and the signature styling of the melancholic Pop hit, you’re going to want to give it repeat attention. More pertinently, you’re going to want to applaud the artist’s commitment to delving deep and tackling real issues in her music. I couldn’t be more in awe of her if I tried.

You can check out Where Have the Heroes Gone via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Maharmony – The Maughon Siblings sing with such meaning on ‘Same Sky’

Posted on 18 October 2020

Maharmony – The Maughon Siblings sing with such passion on ‘Same Sky‘ and this is a terrific music video that will warm your heart. This is a Country ballad written by the bands father and this is music to all ears.

This family band have been singing since they were barely walking. Born into a musically gifted family, these are youngsters who love to sing and make great music. After being on the Nickelodeon show, Americas Most Musical Family, things are heating up professionally for the young group.

You look up and can feel their presence, they are far way but you can feel them around you. The love you have is so real and this will never ever change, no matter what. This is that rare love that others might not be able to understand but you do.

‘Same Sky‘ is the most family-friendly song of the year despite its sad undertones. This is a piano-filled, star gazing effort from the fantastic Maharmony – The Maughon Siblings. They bring joy to a tough year and this is music to hug with, talk about and turn up loud to be played again and again.

Click here for the YouTube link.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Harmonical took their sound to seductive new level with their salaciously soulful single “Good Thing”

Posted on 27 September 2020

“Good Thing” featuring Elan Noelle is just one of the salaciously soulful singles from the trailblazing Pop artist Harmonical. If you’re looking for seductive Pop grooves to get you into the mood, you’ll definitely appreciate the way in which Harmonical added a touch of class to new-school romance.

The lyrics teasingly allude to the fact that sexting has pretty much become a cornerstone of modern dating while the soundscape itself holds cinematically evocative appeal.

Every new release we hear from Harmonical affirms the injustice in the that their sensational hits haven’t gone viral yet. Good Thing should have taken WAP’s place in the Pop charts.

You can check out the official video to Harmonical’s single Good Thing by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sofia Lynch has released her candidly powerful semi-orchestral Pop single “Quiet Chaos”

Posted on 11 July 2020

After a string of successful singles which fell under rapturous acclaim from critics and international fans alike, Pop singer-songwriter Sofia Lynch has recently dropped her debut album “Lately”.

Aural contributions from young and up and coming artists can easily be overlooked. But given a chance, Sofia Lynch will ground you with her poetically captivating lyrics and powerfully resolving semi-orchestral production style. If she’s not already on your radar, the perfect introduction to her sound is “Quiet Chaos”.

With Quiet Chaos, you can tell that the Nashville-based artist’s voice belongs to a new generation of artists. A generation compelled to end the stigma behind mental illness and show just how prevalent and commonplace anxiety truly is. Sofia Lynch proved with Quiet Chaos that it’s still possible to pen romantically wistful lyrics while bringing a brand-new candid lyrical dynamic to the airwaves.

You can check out Sofia Lynch’s debut album Lately by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mared – Over Again: Strikingly Refined Neo-Classic Pop

Posted on 26 June 2020

We were lucky enough to get a sneak peek of Welsh singer-songwriter Mared’s latest semi-orchestral single “Over Again”. It’s safe to say that the Neo-Classically inspired Pop score is one of the most refined yet striking singles which we’ve heard this year.

Mared’s poised yet passionate vocals resound over the light melodic flurries weaved by the piano-led choral instrumental arrangement. Repetition may have been the inspiration behind the track, but there was none to be found in the gently and seamlessly progressive soundscape. Prepare to be arrested by Mared’s narrative lyrics which allow you to share the fraught emotion which spills from being stuck in a toxic romantic cycle and unable to escape. I’m sure everyone can relate. Even if you can’t, if you have a shred of empathy in your body, prepare for it to be accordantly tugged.

You can check out Over Again for yourselves from June 19th on all major streaming platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast