Browsing Tag

Pop Singer Songwriter

JANAYAH balanced power and vulnerability in her neo-classic pop ballad, Back to You

Posted on 24 September 2024

After JANAYAH stormed our radar with her single, ‘Can’t Get Enough,’ we knew she had her forte in high-octane pop earworms. With her latest release, ‘Back to You,’ she defied all expectations while straying from the trend of breathy, emotionally void pop ballads. This stripped-back outpour of candour sees JANAYAH laying her soul bare over near-frantic, intricately sharp neo-classical piano keys that skilfully underscore her powerhouse vocals.

The achingly sublime track explores the turmoil of trying to emotionally disconnect from a relationship once it has ended, while the mind, in its relentless tenacity, continues to chart paths back ‘home’, even when the door is firmly closed.

With roots in Auckland, New Zealand, and a growing career in London, JANAYAH has shown her versatility across multiple genres, from pop and rock to dance and DnB. Her latest single is a stark departure from her previous work, such as the EDM-infused ‘Remedy’ and the dancefloor-driven ‘Nothing To Lose’. ‘Back to You’ serves as a testament to her vocal power and ability to channel raw emotion into her music.

Currently working on her debut EP, JANAYAH is undoubtedly on a trajectory to becoming a household name. Her powerful live performances and ability to connect with audiences have already earned her significant acclaim, including features on the iconic Piccadilly Lights and a recent set at Trafalgar Square. If ‘Back to You’ is anything to go by, we can expect her forthcoming releases to be just as phenomenal.

Back to You was officially released on August 30th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Syd Taylor became the new iconic alt-pop siren with her debut single, Love of Your Life

Posted on 23 September 2024

After breaking away from the twin duo, Stereo Jane, the indie alt-pop siren, Syd Taylor, came into her own with her paradox of a self-produced debut single, Love of Your Life, which haunts with its vintage tones as much as it uplifts and empowers through euphoric pop hooks.

The symbiosis between the brashy, saturated-in-delay lo-fi intimacy and the sleeker aesthetics in the single enabled Taylor to cut away from the monotonous fray of polished with superficiality pop and establish herself as a singer-songwriter and producer in the same league as Angel Olsen and Adrianne Lenker. If you’ve ever known the red flag fear of being the subject of obsessive attraction, Love of Your Life is the ultimate reparation.

As a signifier of how much of a phenomenon Syd Taylor is destined to become, the launch party for Love of Your Life happened between the unhallowed walls of the Viper Room on September 20th. With her debut LP in the pipeline, she’s the definition of one to watch as she works her way into the alt-pop pantheon.

Stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

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

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

Simon Jela’s Dance Pop Anthem, Dancing on the Line, Became A Phenomenon in its Own Right

Posted on 1 September 2024

Simon Jela’s latest single, Dancing on the Line, is a dance-pop anthem that strikes a powerful equilibrium between instrumental euphoria and raw emotional depth. Beneath the storming beat lies an evocative narrative of emotional turbulence, capturing the fear and uncertainty that arise when a relationship teeters on the edge. As the track pulsates with an irresistible rhythmic momentum, Jela’s vocals soar, bleeding sincerity as they traverse his expansive range.

With this release, which includes the B-side single Let Go of Me, Simon Jela solidifies his place as a pop icon in the making. If Dancing on the Line doesn’t elevate him to the same level of reverence as Olly Alexander and introduce him to the pop pantheon, it will be a disservice to the pop landscape.

This isn’t just another perennial pop earworm; it’s a phenomenon in its own right for the way it commands you to surrender to the kinetic energy while plunging you into the bittersweet reality of love on the brink.

Dancing On the Line dropped on August 22nd; stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

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

Jake Marshall tore the sutures off his wounds for his folk-pop debut, bad singer

Posted on 14 August 2024

In one of the most vulnerable and soul-baring folk-pop debuts the airwaves have ever witnessed, Jake Marshall tore the sutures off his wounds and stood in front of the world unfeigned with his debut single, bad singer.

With gospel motifs swelling around his vocal lines that simultaneously exhibit his impressive octave range and his ability to convey heavy emotions in even the highest registers, there’s something profoundly sanctifying about the opportunity for connection presented by bad singer.

The titular paradox of this track is just one of the ways Marshall artistically shines in the raw vignette of his trauma that would break most and resign them to shame. The power of fortitude resounds through the release which proves that even if you live and sing in spite, you can salve the pain of others as you chart your arc of healing.

bad singer is Jake Marshall’s candid reflection on overcoming self-doubt instilled by past relationships. With evocative melodies and introspective lyrics, the song chronicles his journey from being told he couldn’t sing to embracing his voice. The track captures the essence of his unique blend of sad folk-pop, setting the stage for his forthcoming EP, Love(s) of My Life.

Stream the official music video for bad singer on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

From Ghosting to Growth: Trisha Reclaimed Her Self-Regard in Her Trend-Ascending Pop Hit, MVP

Posted on 9 August 2024
https://soundcloud.com/trisha-singss/mvp-demo/s-2IJES7EaZOj?si=17f8d53e4f534e9ea93eb535153ea798&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

The airwaves are saturated in laments on romantic rejection, yet few artists are vulnerable enough in their candour to meditate on the disintegration of friendships; the magnetically daring, hypnotic chill pop artist, Trisha, threw down the gauntlet on unchartered vulnerable ground with her latest single, MVP.

The empowering advocation to always treat yourself as the MPV (Most Valuable Player) marks the 15-year-old singer-songwriter as one of the most fearless lyricists on the airwaves. The transformational power of the release belies its chill-pop serenity; therein lies the beauty of the coming-of-age artist who has already mastered the art of emotional maturity and intelligence which filters into her raw-with-resonance releases.

Echoes of 90s pop breathe through the intricately melodic production which paradoxically cuts across and beyond contemporary trends, affirming that if any emerging artist has what it takes to make it to the top of the pop charts in 2024, it is Trisha.

Trisha Said:

“I wrote “MVP” about trying to regain my self-esteem when I found myself frequently ignored by my closest friend. Our relationship had deteriorated into one of apathy and I found myself constantly making excuses for her. Writing this song really helped me reinstate my sense of self-worth, establishing that I am the MVP in this equation.”

MVP will be available to stream on all major platforms from August 9th; stream the single on SoundCloud first.

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