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Pop

Hannah Johnson’s Latest Single, Slow Motion, is a Soulful Pop Revelation

Posted on 20 December 2023

American singer-songwriter, Hannah Johnson marked her striking entry into the music world with her debut single Slow Motion. This soulful pop masterpiece deftly subverts conventional pop tropes, introducing a fresh and invigorating sound to the genre.

From the outset, the track captivates with its killer slap bass, a bold choice that enriches the song’s texture. This element, woven into the intricate mix, creates an intoxicating rhythm that embodies the essence of the song’s theme: how passion can seemingly halt the passage of time. Johnson’s skill in blending this unconventional bass line with the traditional pop structure is a testament to her innovative artistry.

Johnson’s vocals are nothing short of mesmerising. Her smooth, sultry tones glide effortlessly over the exotic instrumentals, creating an auditory experience that is both soothing and exhilarating. The way her voice intertwines with the music evokes idyllic and deeply emotive imagery. This imagery, coupled with the song’s warm melodies, makes Slow Motion an ideal antidote to chilly December nights.

For those seeking a fresh pop sound, Hannah Johnson’s Slow Motion is a must-listen.

Slow Motion was officially released on December 15; stream it on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Chemistry becomes biology in Anna Salman’s seminal indie dream pop single, Blood Rush

Posted on 14 December 2023

Anna Salman’s single, Blood Rush, is a masterful blend of tender etherealism and emotionally charged lyricism. This track stands out as a poignant exploration of the transformative power of romantic chemistry on our very biology. Salman’s indie pop sensibilities are on full display, as she weaves a narrative that is both intimate and universally relatable.

The delicate balance of dream pop and nuanced orchestral elements creates a reverb-soaked atmosphere that perfectly complements Salman’s introspective songwriting. Her passionate vocals, glide effortlessly over the lush, evocative arrangements.

Introducing Turaab’s vocals adds a compelling dynamic to the track. This duet opens a dialogue, exploring the complexities of a relationship that leaves Salman’s protagonist in an affectionate haze, a sentiment mirrored in the song’s rich tonal textures. However, Blood Rush is not just an ode to love’s euphoric highs. Salman skillfully acknowledges the duality of passion, acknowledging that the sweetest of synergies often come with their share of misery. This acknowledgement adds a layer of depth to the track, resonating with anyone who has experienced the bittersweet nature of love.

Anna Salman, originally from Pakistan and now making waves in the U.S., has already proven her mettle with her performance on Nescafe Basement and her nomination for “The Best Emerging Talent” at the LUX Style Awards. Blood Rush further cements her status as a formidable talent in the indie pop scene. 

Blood Rush was officially released on December 1st; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Gemma Felicity – CHAOTIC: Confessionally Captivating Indie Pop

Posted on 12 December 2023

London’s Gemma Felicity set the bar high with her anthemic hit, Come Back to Me, which solidified her position in the industry as one to watch. With her latest single, CHAOTIC, she surpassed all expectations by exhibiting a strikingly authentic and evocatively rich track which captures the complexity of ADHD and subsequently, its impact on relationships.

Felicity’s candid storytelling, set against the dreamy yet rhythmically enticing backdrop of an indie-pop soundscape, offers a unique and personal perspective on the challenges and nuances of neurodiversity.

With her lyrical confessionalism finding the perfect balance between introspection and relatability as she touches on impulsivity, emotional dysregulation and the paradoxical fear of seeking security while fearing commitment, you can’t help but be affected by how she meticulously juxtaposes these themes while creating a dynamic listening experience. The chorus, particularly with its restless energy and poignant lyrics, encapsulates the essence of feeling trapped by one’s own contradictions.

Gemma Felicity’s background as a self-reflective songwriter, combined with her personal experiences and struggles, shines through in CHAOTIC. Her journey from using music and writing as a form of self-soothing during illness, to studying music performance and songwriting, has culminated in this impactful single.

The influence of artists like Holly Humberstone, Gracie Abrams, Lexi Jayde, and Julia Michaels is evident in her dark pop style, yet Felicity maintains a distinct and individual artistic voice. This song, as part of her EP, Baggage, promises to leave a lasting impact on the indie-pop landscape and on listeners who find a piece of themselves in its lyrics.

CHAOTIC hit the airwaves on December 1st; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Berto served an exotic elixir for the soul with his debut single, papi guapi

Posted on 9 December 2023

Berto’s debut single papi guapi is a striking entry into the synth-pop landscape, marking him as a promising new talent to watch in 2024. Hailing from the vibrant locales of Los Angeles and Orange County, Berto brings a refreshing and eclectic sound to the table, one that defies the constraints of a single genre.

The track stands out for its seamless blend of bilingual Spanish and English vocals, which Berto croons with a captivating finesse. His voice, an evocative elixir, gracefully flows over the new wave instrumentals which break free from the monocultural mould. The production is richly layered, featuring reverb-drenched motifs that infuse the track with an exotic 80s-tinged flair.

The track possesses an almost magnetic quality, seducing listeners into a dreamy haze reminiscent of the era’s best synth-pop offerings. Yet, it remains distinctly modern, thanks to Berto’s innovative approach to music production and his skill in blending traditional and contemporary elements. As the final track of Berto’s debut album Relampago Romantico, papi guapi holds a special place in the album’s narrative arc.

Papi guapi is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast 

Laptop Singers extolled the virtues of perseverance with their latest track, Just Keep Walking

Posted on 8 December 2023

With a sentiment as resonant as the one that echoes through Sinatra’s You’ll Never Walk Alone, Laptop Singers extolled the virtues of perseverance and soulfully commanded resilience through the storms the soul is fated to weather in their latest single, Just Keep Walking.

As the soft vocal harmonies reach out across the retro analogue synth lines, it is almost as though Laptop Singers painted a silver lining through the centre of the instrumental progressions, which reach their luminous peak through the shimmer of the gospel-reminiscent organ tones that allow Just Keep Walking to transcend sonic mediocrity.

Time after time, the Swedish pop duo prove their capacity to craft compelling tracks, which speak to the rhythmic pulses as eloquently as they create an open dialogue with your emotions. With Just Keep Walking on your playlists, even the darkest days will present themselves as ephemeral storms you have the power to overcome.

Just Keep Walking was officially released on November 11; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Fallyn weaved a cautionary tale into her debut pop track, Love Bomb

Posted on 7 December 2023

Fallyn’s debut single Love Bomb is a masterful blend of nostalgia and modernity, an ethereal journey that bridges the gap between the distinct pop sounds of the 80s and today’s contemporary landscape. The track is a melodious odyssey, laced with dreamy, choral textures that are as captivating as they are introspective.

Love Bomb opens with a celestial ambiance, immediately setting a tone that is both haunting and enchanting. Fallyn’s voice, reminiscent of icons like Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, carries a delicate power that lures the listener into the intoxicating atmosphere of the single. Her vocal prowess is evident as she navigates through the layers of sound with ease and emotion. The genius lies in the track’s thematic depth. Fallyn delves into the complex phenomenon of love bombs, a manipulative tactic often employed by narcissists at the onset of relationships.

Fallyn and her collaborator, Trenton Michael, skilfully intertwine 80s pop elements with contemporary sounds, creating a track that feels both familiar and fresh with each element, from the ethereal synths to the layered harmonies, meticulously crafted to enhance the overall experience. Notably, she is one to watch.

Love Bomb dropped on December 1st; stream it on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Becky Raisman wears empowerment as armour in her hyper-pop hit, Warrior

Posted on 3 December 2023

The lead single from Becky Raisman’s latest EP, Warrior, is a fiery encapsulation of the essence of self-empowerment. The track, defined by its alt-pop sensibilities, strikes as a battle cry for personal liberation. The song’s construction is a clever fusion of hyper-pop and melodic dubstep, creating a soundscape that is both anthemically charged and reminiscent of 8-bit tunes. Raisman’s bubblegum pop vocal lines serve as a conduit for listeners to plunge into a metaphorical rabbit hole, emerging empowered and steadfast.

Warrior is not just a personal triumph but an invitation for all to don their armour of empowerment and to stand their ground. Regardless of how many times the chaos of reality tries to tear the rug from under you.

Raisman’s background as a Columbia College Chicago alumna, her experiences in the Chicagoland area, and her vocal and keyboard training under notable mentors like Tamara Anderson, Jeffrey Morrow, and Randy Buescher add depth to the musical prowess which oscillates through Warrior and the subsequent singles, Live Your Life and Summer Nights.

Her journey from recording at Omnisound Studios in Nashville to her latest collaborations illustrates a dynamic and evolving career. Her dedication to her craft is further evidenced by her continuous education, such as taking music business classes through Yellowbrick at NYU’s Clive Davis Recorded Music Institute. As Raisman continues to collaborate and create, she will be a name to watch in the alt-pop universe.

Stream the Warrior EP on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Belinda Vodea flourished through the retro 80s aesthetic in her pop single, EOM

Posted on 1 December 2023

Belinda Vodea’s debut single EOM (Eyes on Me) is a lustrous nod to the 80s pop era, artfully infusing modern sensibilities with retro flourishes. This London-born British-Albanian artist’s sound resonates with the familiar warmth of a bygone era, yet her approach is refreshingly contemporary, much like her predecessors Dua Lipa and Rita Ora,

Vodea’s airy and soulful vocal delivery is a standout feature of EOM, beckoning listeners with its natural ease and emotive quality, drawing comparisons to the bright and edgy tones of Zara Larsson. Her voice, coupled with the backdrop of lightly distorted electric guitars and expansive, reverberant 80s drums, creates a soundscape that is both nostalgic and bracingly new.

The collaborative spirit of the track’s production, led by Ashea (known for her work with Alan Walker), reflects the power of female artistry, a choice that Vodea emphasises as key to capturing the song’s essence. EOM is a musical journey of love, longing, and self-discovery, with lyrics that explore the universal need to feel noticed and remembered, yet also the determination to progress and thrive. The song’s thematic content is echoed in its composition—dramatic drums and nostalgic synths underpin the narrative of romantic disappointment and personal growth.

Belinda Vodea, who has honed her craft from a young age, balancing her passion for music and dance with academic studies, is poised to make an unforgettable entrance into the pop scene. With her influences ranging from George Michael to Rihanna, and from Bryan Adams to Jhené Aiko, she has developed a unique sound that pays homage to the music that resonated in her household during her formative years.

EOM is more than a debut; it’s a statement of intent from an artist who has been preparing for the spotlight her whole life. From performing mini-shows for her family to aspiring to sell out stadiums, Vodea’s ambition is as clear as her talent. With the single set to release on all major streaming platforms on December 1st, Belinda Vodea is a name to watch in the evolving landscape of pop music.

Stream EOM on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Shea delivered sultry, dynamic and utterly unforgettable dancehall-infused pop with CARTERTHEBANDIT with ‘U Mine’

Posted on 28 November 2023

Shea’s latest hot and steamy RnB pop track, U Mine, is a rhythmic aphrodisiac that invites you to lose yourself in its intoxicating groove. Collaborating with Peckham’s own CARTERTHEBANDIT, the track is a masterful exhibition of raw synergy and explosive musical chemistry. Shea, with his background in theatre and performance, brings a performance to the track that’s both glittery and soulful, encapsulating the essence of his queer and devilishly evocative artistry.

Between CARTERTHEBANDIT’s fiery bars that add a palpable heat and the meticulously stylised production choices, which set the verses up like foreplay to tantalise and tease before erupting into the climactic choruses, U Mine is a red hot remedy for the heart, libido and soul.

U Mine not only sets the mood but embodies it, from the rhythmically charged beats to the intoxicating vocal deliveries. It’s a testament to Shea’s versatility as an artist who can hold his own alongside the gritty authenticity of a rapper like CARTERTHEBANDIT. This track stands as a shining example of what independent artists can achieve, echoing Shea’s accolades and experiences from his performances at Pride festivals to his recognition on BBC Introducing. It’s a song that captures the essence of a night out—sultry, dynamic, and utterly unforgettable.

Stream U Mine on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Joseph Trem explored the darkness the mind can conjure while creating a moment of connection in ‘Ruminations’

Posted on 25 November 2023

Joseph Trem’s latest single, Ruminations, is a masterful exploration of the darkness the human psyche can harbour, delving deep into the agonising feeling of invisibility and the fear that even if you were to fade away into less than a spectre, your absence wouldn’t be noted nevertheless mourned.

The heart-wrenching reality of feeling worthless is a sentiment that, unfortunately, is all too universal for people battling with depression. Trem did so much more than vent his emotions with Ruminations; he extended validation to anyone who can relate. To amplify the earnest sincerity of the release, the track is anchored by striking piano keys, each note resonating with a sense of pensiveness around his rich and emotive voice which weaves through melodies to draw listeners into an exposition of vulnerable introspection.

The moment of connection within Ruminations positions Joseph Trem as one of the most promising names on the indie-pop scene. His sound, reminiscent of John Legend in ‘All of Me,’ is both haunting and beautiful, filled with a raw honesty that is rare in today’s music landscape. As we look towards 2024, Trem is undoubtedly an artist to watch.

The official lyric video for Ruminations premiered on November 17; watch it on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast