Sam Hudgens’ inspirational new soft-folk song “Eve”
Folk music can get a bit of a bad reputation for being a little too, well, folksy. Many people I talk to about folk get the impression that it’s all a bunch of acoustic guitars jamming over each other or that it’s the brother to the polaraizing country music. This is a stereotype, of course, but […]
The Top 10 Singer-Songwriter Albums of 2018
Singer-songwriter music is probably the most palatable, most relatable genre there is. Not because it’s not exciting or innovative or fun–it is–but because when one person tells their story, we can all find parts of ourselves in it. 2018 brought some great albums from singer-songwriters across the globe. Not to mention, the genre has clearly […]
The Laid-Back Heartbreak of Kevin Herig’s New Single “Matchbox”
With a simple bass-line that pushes across the entire song like a wave in the ocean, Kevin Herig’s “Matchbox” is a hypnotizing rhythmic spell. Herig’s smooth, relaxing voice has a rich quality that manages to be exclamatory while still being whispery. It carries enough weight in it to the tune’s lines to resonate with you: […]
The Story of City of Union’s “Hands & Feet”
Reading someone else’s journal has to be the most intimate point of view you can get of another person–the closest you’ll ever be to walking in their shoes. Almost as if he’s opened up his father’s diary, City of Union’s “Hand & Feet” shows us what it’s like be the man who inspired his new […]
Papaya Tree’s new funky, indie rock jam “Youth”
Papaya Tree’s new single, “Youth,” delivers an interesting trick on the ears—musical contrast. The jaunty, horns-heavy single is deceptively cheery. It sounds like the kind of song you can easily dance along to and replay enthusiastically. But listen closer and you’ll hear the somber lyrics that bring your shimmying and shaking to a halt and […]
Katie Kuffel’s “Take It Up” Is The Refresher Blues Needed
Minimalism can get to you when it’s done right. Seeing just a few drawn lines come together and make a whole picture—tell a whole story—is stunning. (Of course, when done wrong you end up with a bunch of raised eyebrows wondering how a couple obscure shapes qualify as art.) On “Take It Up,” Katie Kuffel […]
The Beautiful Duality of Grace Gillespie’s “Lady Make Believe”
Grace Gillespie’s new song is like a watercolor painting. Dreamy and cool-toned, each line blends beautifully together creating a picturesque soundscape that tells mirrored stories. The London-based singer/producer’s latest track is a folk-pop song with layers upon layers of romantic, hazy accompaniment. Her angelic vocal harmonies drive the verses’ catchy melody, and the ringing guitars […]
Calan Mai’s bouncy easy-listening single ‘XO’
Calan Mai’s new single XO is a feel-good indie pop tune that combines clever lyrics with a breezy melody that shouts of summer and sentimentality. The Australian musician’s charming voice acts as the perfect narrator for the relaxed but focused story it tells. It’s a fight song for self-validation as much as it is a […]
The Mystical Ferocity of Oddnesse’s “It Runs Wild”
Oddnesse’s “It Runs Wild” is a fierce and mystical foray into the far-out indie rock pop territories. It’s a sort of supernatural chant of power. With layers upon layers of different synths and sounds, the psychedelic yet down-to-earth music stands out from its contemporaries. We’ve heard soft-spoken vocalists on moody songs before, but not quite […]
Mikaela Davis – The Story of Delivery
Listening to Mikaela Davis is like watching a firework. The classically trained musician blends her musical expertise with her passion for pop, and out of it all erupts the spectacle that is Delivery, her latest album. The rich color comes from Mikaela’s honest voice as both singer and songwriter. Her band booms alongside her, bringing back […]
