The intimate piano format and cleanly-mixed vocals seem incredibly rare these days. Even the biggest pop ballads of recent years have had some kind of huge moment where drums crash and a choir joins the process. Rafael Montecruz keeps things refreshingly genuine though, and the song is so well written and performed, that really, nothing else is needed to communicate its intentions.
Pop
Organic vibes and distinct vocal leadership guides with humility and calm, through an intriguingly arranged yet infectious new release, from singer, rapper and artist Yeno LND.
Canadian songwriter and artist Lola Balter masters the acoustic pop space at just seventeen years old. I wish you knew me is a vocally sublime and rhythmically uplifting single, with a quirky groove and long-form lyrics that feel decidedly mature in their storytelling and personal revelations combined.
The desperation and search for connection is profound and powerful, making this a boldly unique and impactful new single, from an artist whose next step is forever impossible to predict.
Four great tracks in total make up the EP You Deserve To Fly High, some taking influence from the likes of pop punk and rock, others noting hints of inspiration amidst classic pop and even electro. It’s a diverse but grounded collection, with a leading voice and rush of euphoria to the design that rings loud as AJ The Messenger.
Guitar funk and a riding bassline elevate the yesteryear energy and catchy yet humble vocal thread of K-Syran’s latest single Turning My Head.
An ever-elusive OWBY delivers an intoxicating ocean of harmonies and ambient escapism, with the uniquely genre-blending tones and togetherness of Closer.
Introducing a hypnotically smooth take on contemporary afro-fusion – Nigerian artist and songwriter GidiSol brings the melody and soulful harmonising to the modern realm, with the light rhythms and addictive vocals of the Roses and Diamonds EP.
The song has depth – the verses hold tight to your attention, the delivery is smooth, beautiful to listen to, and the words have poignancy; fusing truth & poetry, honesty & metaphor.
As the elusive new pop world continues to tighten its grip, an aptly-named Elektra Skye delivers a bright and electrified single that feels like both an AI list and ballad effectively built around a simple four-chord pattern and a mellow beat.
Armed with a brand new single and swiftly rising streaming numbers across her repertoire, songwriter and artist HarMonique kindly stopped by to talk all things music and inspiration. We dig into the creative process for her singles, her ambitions and influences, and plenty more. Here’s the conversation in full.
“I miss you so much, but I feel for him too.” It’s a profound juxtaposition of emotions, and in essence, it quite perfectly represents the often hypocritical nature of our feelings as we navigate the world of relationships and connections.