Building up beautifully as it gathers momentum, dropping in for an infectious hook that’s fully loaded and wholly contrasts the intimacy of the verses, Want Me Dead is both familiar and unorthodox in its blending of the standard pop-rock set-up and this fearlessly gritty conceptual journey.
Songwriter
Producer and songwriter Simone Contin captures attention beautifully, with the creatively balanced fusion of rock traits that is Nella mia testa.
Coming in at a fairly standard three-thirteen, the make-up and concept of Life’s Sweet Caress is decidedly familiar, but the vocal stylings, the meandering and often unpredictable melody, leans somewhat towards the freedom and piercing artistry of acts like Asaf Avidan.
Piano and acoustic guitar meet for a classic four-chord ballad set-up, alongside Pete Byrd’s shaky and expressive leading voice – a distinct tone that naturally meets the interesting bar set by these deeply revealing lyrics. With artwork and a title as artistic and intriguing as this, the music and performance simply had to follow suit, and I’d say the rising emotion and energy of Sally It’s Raining Again absolutely does.
Colourful indie pop with a clean vocal and a quirky balancing between RnB and Pop songwriting, even with a twist of something rap-like on occasion – Kibs unites the relatable and unorthodox, with the catchy fluidity and relationship longing of Find A Way Back.
It’s a the all-too familiar story of keeping up appearances, carrying on and putting on a brave face in order to maintain the respect of those around us; rather than letting the weight fall away by sharing it with a friend or someone who actually cares.
Light and breezy indie pop with an organic guitar and bass combination, guides us into the quirky vocal stylings and story of DAS.D’s Face in the Crowd.
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.
Beautifully intoxicating purely on the surface of this dreamy and reverb-drenched arena of contemplation, Dance With Darkness is impossible to ignore, yet it’s also impressively modest and calm in its confrontational realism.
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.
Heartfelt poetic songwriting and raspy vocals lead us through a finely crafted Americana soundscape of organic guitars, slide, bass and drums – Kelly Collins brings the passion and melody, with the evocative and intense Sanctuary Land.
Essentially addressing the topic of loving the idea or illusion of someone (or something), Vine Song is a complex lyrical venture that’s melodically alluring and somehow feels like it was written purely for the listener.