You get addicted to this progression, these repetitions, the soulful peaks, and it feels like something born of influences ranging from Moby and Massive Attack to Fatboy Slim and Gnarls Barkley. In my view, Joshua Milú reaches the pinnacle of memorable production here, and A Home is quick to assert itself as an outstanding modern track.
Pop
Taking the time to be still, to listen and let the music and the space surrounding it connect with humanity and heart. Northampton-based singer and songwriter Sali Clinton captures the essence of a moment, with the vulnerability and soulful, intimate waves of So Long.
“Instead of feeling tormented by memories, keeping his coffee mug and the sight of his favourite chair, I started to see them as sources of comfort. As a songwriter I like to wrap heavy subjects in a pop sensibility.”
Nostalgic RnB blends the spacious sound-design of a smooth old-school beat with a subtle twist of guitar. Meanwhile, soulful RnB vocals bring intimacy and harmonies, across an eclectic soundscape that evolves and changes – as per the rising emotion of the songwriting.
Built around the classic funky guitar rhythms of Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams, Drive You Crazy features a modern vocal blending subtle hints of rap, RnB and pop, as we move through short, snappy lines and metaphors that are quickly relatable in both lyric and melody.
Catchy and evocative pop to drive fast and escape into – Luchino is a rising pop artist with a soulful but accessible and smart approach to making music, and My Whole Life is subtle yet effective in its blending of influences and simple, snappy melodies.
The darkness of mental health turmoil and a careful, creative fusion of gritty UK rap, DnB, pop and even metal – a refreshingly honest, engaging and original take on AI-assisted production… Alexis Auno captures the essence of mental health treatment and the severity of its failures, with this gripping collection of songs inspired by his fourteen-year-old daughter.
With melody, concept and voice all working in unison as something unique and unexpected, Maini Sorri has crafted something truly special and impactful once again, for Belief.
Another new single from the upcoming album The Hourglass Effect sees the pop-production AI and modern songwriting expand into piano-ballad acoustics of intimacy and romance. Sonic Pulse Project delivers an uplifting pop crescendo of loving images and ideas, for the devoted and evocative The Map.
Mialuna has crafted a stunning track for this release, even moving into a pure Gospel-choir a-capella breakaway as the final third swings into view, and the lyrics and warmth of the arrangement become all the more euphoric and powerful at this moment.
Live rock and pop written and performed with energy and skill – Hawai’i-born singer and songwriter Pepper Diaz and band The Scoville Scale deliver an uplifting and distinct new indie sound, with the soulful peaks, distorted power chords and riffs of the romantic and impassioned The Long Game.
Lovely to beautiful songwriting, vocals and arranging – Ari Fraser continues to impress, engaging with authenticity and heart, as this ambient country to folk-pop single Where Have You Been provides an emotional earworm, and effectively reminds us to appreciate the beauty and love of connection.