Todd Underwood consistently masters this meeting between surface level entertainment and the subtle but striking thought-process of an artist seeking to make sense of the world.
Music
A non-intrusive but lingering melody and build up, near-euphoric at its musical peak, and even at a rather extensive six minutes in full, the song confidently persuades you to listen more than just once or twice – to lose yourself in the sound all over again; in this softly passionate call-out for connection.
Nostalgic acoustic RnB with soulful harmonies and a heartfelt, scornfully honesty thread of lyricism. Kesha Lee takes things back to the bare essentials of songwriting and performance, with the naturally catchy, evocative, intimate and genuine single You Hurt Me.
Upbeat country pop with an underlying dance groove – genre-fusing songwriter Gary Louca returns to the solo realm, with a catchy new single from his impending country electro pop album.
UK rock three-piece Lois keep things authentic and engaging, with their electrifying fusion of nostalgia and anthemic songwriting, throughout the riff-strong high-energy album 67 Skies.
Beautiful music, organic folk-pop with heartfelt songwriting and humble vocals at the forefront. Mackenzie Miller delivers a classic, timeless album, with the eleven original songs of Peninsula.
This is genuinely one of the most likable, engaging and rather addictive alternative rock EPs to hit the scene in recent years. Smokedown master the space within which the music exists, not just playing for themselves, nor simply for you, but creating something that feels both comforting in its groove and persistence, and completely unexpected in both topic and tenacity.
From folk pop softness to Johnny Cash confidence and grit, the style of Allan J rings loud as consistently unique for this release. The set-up and production, the lyrics and melodic meandering, the voice itself, all leans in the direction of something both original and inspiring, and fittingly, that’s also the essence of the song itself.
Around You sees us move away from the shoulder-swaying grooves of the past, for an upbeat indie gem of a track; one that feels like a slept-on classic from the late nineties days of Girl From Mars and Drinking in LA.
Acoustic roots return to lift up the forever unmistakable vocal stylings and lyrical darkness and depth of 3mind Blight. The iconic indie songwriter collaborates once again with Crimson Violet Blight, this time for a melodic and guitar-led venture through an evocative story of betrayal, denial, disgrace, and desperation.
2024 was a huge year for Westie Subz. Larry Bird OG hit the scene as a dark and deeper-toned single from the rising artist, and highlighted the old-school rap roots that inspired the creative in everything from storytelling to the clarity of the mix to the nostalgic and mellow yet heavy nature of the beat.
THE SUN WITHIN provides a near-four-minute dose of inspiring escapism, built around a three-chord piano pattern that rises and falls, evolving intensely, with layers of Sarah’s unmistakable voice and fearlessly poetic lyrics guiding the way.