Browsing Tag

US Pop

Tora Woloshin sends an art-pop invitation to grieve collectively through her latest single ‘America’

Posted on 3 February 2021

Singer-songwriter, dancer, model and actress, Tora Woloshin, often utilises her own experiences with trauma to help others overcome theirs. Her sobering art-pop single, ‘America’, is an invitation to collectively grieve social sickness while gaining a sense of optimism inspired by the resiliently passionate vocals which remind you that apathy and nihilism are a choice.

Hitting play may lead to a one-way conversation; but, it is a connection all the same, in a time where connectivity is scarce and isolation is rife, Tora Woloshin’s single shouldn’t be dismissed as anything other than aural gold.

Any fans of the X Factor USA may already recognise Tora Woloshin’s distinctively evocative vocal timbre. Since starring on the show and being mentored by Simon Cowell, she’s toured globally, collaborated with the likes of Timbaland and opened for Pink, Method Man, Flo Rida and Ne-Yo. Yet, somehow, something tells us the best is still to come for Tora Woloshin.

America is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Slip into the choral indietronica tones in Seven Layer Piano Cakes’ latest release ‘Patriarch’

Posted on 27 January 2021
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxhlbmp6F14

With the evocative sensibilities of Thrice, the harmoniously enrapturing pull of The Beach Boys and the neo-psych dreampop inclinations of Beach House, ‘Patriarch’, the title single from Seven Layer Piano Cakes’ EP was never going to fall flat.

We’ve all had plenty more time to get in touch with our emotions recently, Patriarch will ensure that it is time well spent as it acts as an efficacious dreampop guide to meditative affable reflection. With the lyrical sparsity, there are plenty of opportunities to sit back and drink in the choral indietronica tones with a sense of optimism instilled by the harmoniously layered instantly enamouring feat of pop.

Seven Layer Piano Cakes is the project of LA law professor and attorney, Justin Hoyt. With his eclectic array of influences and his aptitude with atypical chord progressions and consoling vocal charisma, there’s very little getting in his way as a breaking artist. Get him on your radar.

Patriarch is available to stream via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Fire Jane – Blind: Unapologetically Empowered EDM Pop

Posted on 25 November 2020

“Blind” is the intensely euphoric latest EDM Pop single from up and coming Boston-based duo Fire Jane. It finds the perfect balance between emotion and energy by running through as an undeniable testament of the artist’s ability to not only create a radio-ready earworm but to create an infectious drop which will leave you psyched every time you hit play.

Blind feels like an almost serendipitously timely release, when the world is sitting in their respective anger or apathy, Fire Jane is reminding us what visceral emotion feels like. The unapologetically empowered edge to the harmonically succinct vocals is something that I’ll never forget.

You can check out Blind by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Laela Giovanna – Wish I Would Have: A Tenderly-Imploring Piano Pop Ballad

Posted on 10 November 2020

NYC singer-songwriter & producer Laela Giovanna has released her tenderly-imploring piano pop single “Wish I Would Have” which allows you to find your own fraught regret within the stunningly extended vocal notes.

Think along the lines of Christina Aguilera’s iconic hit ‘Beautiful’, and you’ll be close to the mark. But no comparison could ever elucidate the striking authentic evocative appeal in this passionately stormy, melodically mellifluous track.

Wish I Would Have isn’t without its lament, but as Laela Giovanna runs through the verses, you hear her ascension from the ashes as she proverbially rises and you’ll get to share in the empowerment.

My only criticism is that the provocatively poised single should rank higher in the Pop charts.

You can listen to Wish I Would Have for yourselves here.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Christian Schormann – The Ballad of Captain T: A Warmly Resolving Attack of Satire

Posted on 2 October 2020

Lockdown has inspired artists in many ways. Christian Schormann created the perfect Pop track after witnessing the lack of leadership in the US during the pandemic. Sounds dreary right? Wrong.

In The Ballad of Captain T, disdainfully playful rage pours over the warmly resolving instrumentals which ooze soul-soothing choral appeal. Tracks such as The Ballad of Captain T can all too easily fall into the novelty category, yet, there’s enough nuance and prowess for it to easily diverge away from that pigeonhole. There’s a sincerity within the single, a sensitive understanding that the problems which the lack of leadership has caused have had a detrimental impact on peoples lives, and deaths.

In short, you couldn’t ask for a more perfect Pop single. The unexpected guitar solo was the aural cherry on the cake.

You can hear it for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Natasha Jane Julian – West Coast Girl: Sun-Baked Summer Sadness

Posted on 18 September 2020

Smoky, sultry, and initially piano-led, Natasha Jane Julian’s ‘West Coast Girl’ resolves into a beautifully, chilled alt-pop ballad telling the story of a California girl, dreaming and searching amidst sun-baked summer sadness.

Julian’s thoughtful, evocative lyrics and soulful, atmospheric vocal carry the song over keys and bass, a sophisticated and distinctive vocal performance that’s both commercial and individual. Julian is currently working on new material with UK composer/producer Ian Barter, but ‘West Coast Girl’ is the perfect late-summer antidote to darkening evenings and lockdown malaise.

Hear ‘West Coast Girl’ on Natasha’s website.

Review by Alex Holmes

Head down the rabbit hole with Winter Rae’s new Alt Electropop single “One of Us”

Posted on 13 September 2020

Atlanta-based Pop artist Winter Rae has invited you down the rabbit hole with her latest single “One of Us”. With a touch of archaic experimentalism within the infectiously fresh Alt Electropop mix, you can’t help but be immersed in the ingenuity which boasts quaint nuances of cabaret. Yet, One of Us stands as one of the most stylistic Pop drops of 2020.

“Fuck you but have a good day” may just be my new favourite lyric of all time. Winter Rae’s sound exceeds expectation on every single level. The authenticity, the alluring vocal timbre, the witty sass-dripping attitude in the lyrics, the commitment to ensuring that a song like One of Us has never been on the airwaves before, it’s all there. Watch this space.

You can check out One of Us on all major streaming platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Love Angeles – Invincible: A Sticky-Sweet Earworm Which Grabs You and Refuses To Let Go

Posted on 13 September 2020

Straight off the bat, Love Angeles’ massive new Indie Pop hit “Invincible” grabs you and utterly refuses to let go.

All too often, tracks with titles such as ‘Invincible’ can seem trite before you even hit play, but Love Angeles offers the sincerity that the Pop genre has been crying out for. As the high-octane electric hit courses through its progressions, you can expect to feel some pretty intense fuzzy feelings, you might also feel a little in awe of the delectable smorgasbord of stylistic prowess on offer in Invincible. Rock and Pop perfectly entwine to create a universally enticing to record. I can’t help but feel a little excited about what comes next.

You can check out Invincible for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Prepare to be serenaded by John O’Brien’s latest single “Siboney”

Posted on 20 August 2020
John O'Brien

US artist and songwriter John O’Brien has been honing in on their craft for over four decades. Their latest single Siboney is a testament to their songwriting and performing talent. Prepare to be seriously serenaded by their alchemic fretboard mastery and their velvety smooth seductive vocals.

After an intoxicatingly atmospheric start, the 80s-inspired track gently gains momentum. As it does, it breaks the monocultural mould of mainstream Pop. The Spanish guitar brings as an exotically captivating dynamic to the soundscape which consistently evolves throughout the 4-minute duration.

You can check out Siboney for yourselves from the date of release by heading over to John O’Brien’s SoundCloud. In the meantime, you can check out their equally as mesmerising earlier releases.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Elodie Reverie is set to release her stylishly unforgettable latest single “Under the Radar”

Posted on 28 July 2020

US singer, songwriter and producer Elodie Reverie is set to release her stylishly unforgettable latest Alt Pop single Under the Radar.

There is more than distinction within Elodie Reverie’s vocals. There is a captivating level of mesmerism which leaves you hooked from the very first vocal note which hits the smooth and sultry hit.

Comparing her style to another Pop artist seems an insult to her authentic yet organic sound. Yet, it’s safe to say any fans of Warpaint and London Grammar will want Elodie Reverie’s moody yet soulfully compelling voice on their playlists.

You’ll have to wait a little longer before you can check out Under the Radar for yourselves. In the meantime, you can head on over to the artist’s SoundCloud where you’ll be able to find her earlier releases.

Stay posted on upcoming releases by following Elodie Reverie via Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast