Charles Ryan Davis has mastered the art of turning acoustic simplicity into an absolute performance – emotional and captivating, brilliantly skillful. A live show would be superb, though sadly Charles Ryan Davis doesn’t perform. In a way, this makes this playlist all the more enjoyable – it feels like a rare appearance, a one-of-a-kind chance to escape into something truly unique.
Rebecca Cullen
ARY/Orchard/Sony music artist Andrew Young leads with a fine fusion of vintage RnB vibes and contemporary dance-pop with this latest single.
“I think as a collective we have a fair amount of experience performing live so we should be able to conjure some thunder and cast some spells of rock n roll hell onstage!”
The gradual instrumental build-up supports yet another of Sid’s simple yet stunning melody lines, the whole thing designed to slowly but surely envelop and engage you, creating a series of moments that increasingly lift you up and remind you to be thankful for every day you get to spend with those you treasure.
“Today’s music is so lacking in melody and harmony. There’s not a lot of innovation anymore. Anyone can sit in their home studio and use some electronic beats and sounds and make a song, but after a while it all sounds the same.”
Watch Out For Me is a great song, with a mighty hook. The whole thing is familiar yet refreshing, skillfully crafted and beautifully, stylishly performed. An incredibly impressive debut, with an equally intriguing, dark yet confident accompanying video.
There’s a certain caliber of artistry represented here that extends skyward without limits. Poetry and societal or political relevance intertwine in again subtle manners that slowly but surely paint a clear and striking picture before you. Meanwhile, oppression and struggle are represented visually by various characters locked in fist fights that edge their way around the building.
Leading with that same simple swagger and calm sense of awareness and intelligence as rappers such as Homeboy Sandman, A.C.E introduces himself as a clearly capable and compelling new artist, with a classic musicality yet a conceptually fresh approach to writing.
“You have to suck at something before you can be good at it. River of Suck is real-talk about struggles with confidence, self-doubt and becoming the youest you. Host Andy Reiner and guests ranging from musicians to scientists parse tough questions about maintaining a healthy attitude in the face of impossible obstacles to the tune of bespoke music.”
“Keep working hard and as I find myself more every day, I write my thoughts.”
Thanos’ writing style is increasingly conceptual, poetic, and provocative, throughout this EP. He’s a master of finding the right way to say things, simple yet captivating, and the right melody to really drive it home.
Always one to bend and even break the rules in music, Like Lions pushes through the confines of genre and style, leading with a concept and an inherent desire to craft something unique and meaningful. U Got Me makes for a strong testament to precisely these qualities.