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.
Pop
While the instrumental set-up feels reminiscent of the likes of Portishead or The xx, the vocal line adds a level of volume and intensity. It’s a powerful performance, one that takes the song from quietly compelling to incredibly emotive and decidedly uplifting.
Stephon Foster’s writing throughout this project is decidedly emotional, beginning with the unmistakable Boy, I Quit, delicacy and regret intertwine as Foster pours truth and soul into the process. The finish, production-wise, really lets the intricate nature of these songs stand as tall as they possibly can.
A short collection of covers such as this really reinforces the fact that Andrew Farstar is easily the right choice for anyone looking for a singer with a genuine and deep-running passion for performance and music; regardless of genre or era or style.
Former US Marine Jayq the Legend offers up a summer classic with this fine fusion of pop, hip hop and alternative dance-hall rhythms.
Marc Ambrosia’s songwriting style and indeed his vocal tone and delivery, all lean in a decidedly honest and endearing, emotional direction. Nowhere do these qualities shine more brightly than throughout the album Unleashed.
Richard Schroder’s latest release feels like far more of a pop hit than anything purely country – not that either direction is preferable, there’s just a notably accessible and quickly engaging, memorable aura to this song, making it an easy one to relate to and enjoy.
Whatever it is that makes for a beautifully warming and poetic pop-rock ballad, Something Beautiful Won’t Come Out has undoubtedly found it.
Fusing a clear skill and passion for production with a quickly energizing and entrancing style of songwriting, The End Of The World emerges as a partly organic gathering of influences and moments, rising up slowly but surely towards an engaging and easily memorable hook.
Derek Lai takes a clear level of care when crafting original songs, this latest release being a fine example of that. Skillfully balancing professionalism with genuine emotion, Blankets is a softly seductive pop song with a partly organic backdrop and a quickly uplifting rhythm.
Fresh from the album Texas Cactus, Ranzel X Kendrick’s Crazy Love emerges as an acoustic and warm country pop ballad that softly works its magic thanks to Kendrick’s gently expressive vocal and a perfectly supportive, organic soundscape.
The variety and the crisp finish throughout this album helps make it perhaps the strongest and most engaging release of Maini Sorri’s yet – something that proves to be increasingly likely the further into the playlist you get.