Latest Reviews

Australian artist Becca Hatch has just released a new track, “Think of You”. It's actually quite hard to find a way to quickly describe the mood of this song. The music (including vocal melody) is bubbly, sad, upbeat, and futuristic. Now, how in the world can a song be upbeat and bubbly but also sad at the same time? Well, what the whole song feels like is individual for each listener. What I am doing is looking at the different parts and how they feel. The vocal melody is a little sad in places and also drives the catchiness in the chorus. The tempo is upbeat and makes the song feel rushed but also a little joyous and excited. There is a lot more to mention, but I think I've covered enough.

Glass Beams, a burgeoning band, has recently emerged onto the music scene, quickly gaining traction amidst a growing demand for authentic, acoustic live performances. Their latest album, "Mahal," has made its full debut on streaming platforms, yet fans can already enjoy these tracks in dynamic live performances on YouTube. With a distinct aesthetic that initially drew attention to their first releases, Glass Beams has seamlessly blended captivating visuals with exceptional music, engaging audiences and leaving a lasting impression.

The Danish artist and composer, Fie Eike, has just released a new track titled “sad.” This solemn, beautiful piece emphasizes the importance of emotional sustainability in relationships with oneself and others. Fie’s smooth, soulful voice, adorned with intriguing vocal runs, blends seamlessly with the soft piano accompaniment. While her vocals may evoke shades of Lana Del Ray, Ellie Goulding, or perhaps Billie Eilish, searching for similarities among artists often overlooks Fie Eike’s truly unique vocal style. It deserves recognition in its own right, which, in my opinion, it possesses.

Alexis Ffrench has unveiled a soulful piano track titled “The Way It Was,” boasting a robust melody that carries throughout. Despite being solely played on piano, it exudes the presence of a full band, evoking imagery of a singer accompanying it. Scheduled for an Autumn release via Sony Classical, Alexis's upcoming album, appropriately titled “Classical Soul Volume One,” will explore his Classical Soul music in depth. If you're captivated by the essence of this track, anticipation for the album is inevitable. Expect a plethora of original piano and orchestral compositions infused with snippets of beloved soul anthems. Still curious about what defines classic soul? Here are some examples that Alexis might consider:

Tayler Holder has released a track titled “Climb My Way to Heaven”, featuring Christian music artist Cory Asbury. The chorus sings, “I know I can’t climb my way to heaven, but I can fall.” This line encapsulates the message of having faith in God and accepting that whatever happens was meant to be. For Christian fans who resonate with the writers' sentiments, this message can be greatly comforting. The track blends elements of country and pop, resulting in a highly listenable, soothing mix. Overall, the song delves into Tayler Holder's inner thoughts about his faith in God and struggles in life. Holder rose to fame on TikTok and still maintains a significant social media following, but he has also emerged as a prominent songwriter. It's evident that he's taking his music career seriously and aims to establish a strong foundation with each release.

The Layzies have recently dropped a track titled “Not Yet Out Of The Woods.” It comes with a cool YouTube video that I highly recommend watching the first time you listen to the song. It's a slow shuffle with soulful blues coloration. If we delve into the track a bit, we can gather that it draws inspiration from Angela Carter's short story “A Company of Wolves,” found in her collection “The Bloody Chamber” from 1979. This story explores themes like innocence, temptation, and the animalistic nature of human beings. In the information pane of their music video, The Layzies explain the term “Not yet out of the woods.” It's said to reference the troubled state of today's world, while also making a playful nod to the fairytale and folklore theme of the music and video. It's something we often overlook nowadays. Nestling and hiding meanings within meanings is becoming far too uncommon. That's one of the main reasons many people consume art—to interpret its meaning and draw their own conclusions.

Norah Jones has just released a new full-length album titled “Visions.” This album is full of smooth and relaxing tracks that come together in a blend of many different genres - too many to count, actually. Norah Jones has always delivered soothing songs that are low-key but never low effort. You can always tell she puts a lot of thought and effort into her tracks, constructing and changing her sound. "Visions" has a lot of interesting little things happening in the background of most songs: synths, birdsong, ethereal arpeggios. It is not always easy to pick out a favorite, but on this album, my personal favorite track is “On My Way.” It has so many gorgeous sounds and interesting little vocal things going on. Then the ending, where it slowly blends the voice with a mellotron and the mellotron gets to finish, is just great.

Imogen Clark's latest release, "Big One," has left me pondering its significance as it had me dancing at 6 am mere moments after waking up. It's remarkable how a song can instantly elevate one's mood, and this track is no exception. Scheduled to be featured on Imogen's upcoming album, "The Art of Getting Through," slated for a May release, it holds promise for what's to come. If "Big One" is any indication of the album's direction, I'd say it's essential to keep an eye on her musical journey. Many might listen to this track and wonder why Imogen isn't already an international star. The foundation for a flourishing career seems firmly in place, and beyond that lies untapped potential. Regardless, I really hope she continues to create art.

The Black Keys recently dropped a fresh track titled “This Is Nowhere,” and let me tell you, when it comes to tunes outside the realm of Pop, these guys nail it. Their tracks aren't just catchy for the sake of it; they strike a perfect balance, avoiding any hint of annoyance or overproduction. Instead, they're the kind of tunes that make you nod along, filled with just the right selection of sounds.

Laufey has recently dropped her latest track, "Goddess." In recent years, she's ascended like a shooting star. Back in 2020, she shared her aspirations of gracing NPR's "Tiny Desk Concert" concept, and now she's fulfilled that dream. From social media sensation to releasing full-scale albums, Laufey has garnered serious attention from music aficionados. Her newest track has been met with widespread adoration from her fans. It's a velvety piano ballad, intertwining her soulful vocals with the elegant simplicity of timely arpeggios in the background. The track unfolds beautifully, with a mesmerizing culmination that I'll leave for you to experience firsthand. Needless to say, the ending ties everything together seamlessly. Laufey's vocal style is enchating and evocative, drawing listeners in with its allure.