Everything from the lyrics to the arrangement breathes new life and creative realism into the space. ELROD is humble but effective, the melody short and snappy, the production subtle but purposeful. Vulnerability is bold yet also vague, meaning you can make this your own, attach your meanings and memories, whilst believing that every word is authentic and heavy to the singer.
Singles
Introducing the perfect balance of ambient and intense – a producer whose repertoire is both eclectic and impassioned, not to mention highly focused form a work-ethic perspective. Canadian creator iQoniK gets the chemistry just right, with the old school euphoric embrace of drum-and-bass track Next Level.
Snappy and catchy as it should be, with great vocals building towards a superb and nostalgic hook, You Don’t Wanna Know is dark and moody but uplifting – the kind of old-school nu-metal track that screams out on behalf of those stories and emotions that weigh heavily in the backs of our minds.
I love this, unusual but satisfying, dark and mystifying, with great songwriting, distinct vocals, and faultless production from Max Zanotti. Absolutely worth a listen for the alt-rock fans craving something real and unpredictable.
Live guitars, live keys, live vocals – live visuals to reinforce the realness – authenticity rings loud, alongside great songwriting, as Johnny Minkley delivers the catchy hook, poetry, and anthemic power of Forever Falling.
Explosive political artistry of a post-punk vocal energy, scathing lyrical pairing, live vocals and assisted production – Gregory Lioi holds nothing back performatively, with the high-energy weight and theatrics of Uncomfortably Numb.
From the EP of the same name, SOMETIMES I FEEL introduces the melodic and introspective artistry of Sollars in a way that’s both evocative and catchy.
You have to hear it to know how it feels – words can’t really convey. This song has the alt-folk beauty and pop warmth of some of history’s classic, unpredictable hits. Something like Ben Howard’s Keep Your Head Up, an alt-folk legend lifting the mood; this time somehow both catchy and not. Calling For Change is soulful, to repeat that truth again. It’s yearning, mellow then emotionally desperate in its outcry, and the set-up furthers this, with modest guitar solo moments and a huge crescendo at the end.
US rocker and lifelong musician DownTown Mystic pays tribute this season to the legendary Bruce Springsteen E Street Band, with this collaborative two-side single release Hard Enough (Remix) – from the upcoming full-length album.
Taking inspiration perhaps from the more evocative and low-tempo hits from Bryan Adams and Bruce Springsteen, Bob Berdanier keeps the authenticity of great songwriting and natural performance alive and well, and December is, in my view, one of his most engaging and memorable singles yet.
Great songwriting and lush vocals meet with an electric guitar groove and stripped-back performative realness, as Harry Lines rather masterfully delivers his catchy and romantic single Waiting For June.
Taking the time to actually feel the music, to feel something real, absorb it, and begin playing only when the mood intends. Alasdair Hames Dodds is refreshingly genuine when it comes to piano composition, and Disillusionment is an initially simple but ultimately striking ode to that truth.