“She’s Pure Astral Light (Or So She Says)” by Pretty Bitter: Love, both Sacred and Profane
“She’s Pure Astral Light (Or So She Says)” is the kind of song title that gets more interesting the more you look at it. Without the parenthetical, it sounds like a metaphor one would use for a lover, like “She’s a Rainbow”. But when was the last time you heard anyone – or anything – […]
“School” by Chris Comhaill: Reflecting on long-gone days
“School” is the debut single of Irish singer and songwriter Chris Comhaill, the first of a series of releases the artist intends to publish in 2022. Co-written by Danny Mahony, “School” feels fresh to the ear, a lightweight and summery song that brings back memories through Comhaill’s warm voice and a radiant acoustic arrangement. With […]
Evergreen by Brandon Young: An Introspective Sonic Journey
Evergreen is a multi-layered and personal EP that explores the concept of personal growth. Through soulful vocal melodies, Brandon Young delves into the depth of his desires and analyzes his needs as a creative person and human being. Shifting between minimal musical arrangements and complex, absorbing soundscapes, “Evergreen” feels like a concept album in which […]
Mousey on “Rachel” and Heartbreak in Friendships
Indie singer-songwriter Mousey’s track “Rachel” propels listeners into outer space, creating a sonic vacuum of simple keys, haunting vocals and reverb-laden production that creates the feeling of floating weightlessly through the ether. Mousey herself likens the song to being in space, stating “there’s no gravity” on the track which appears on her anticipated sophomore record […]
“Sun Song” by Natalie Evans: Shimmering Beauty
It’s disingenuous to place “Sun Song” into one genre. A recent release by UK artist Natalie Evans, the song could be called dance, or maybe ambient. But, neither really seems to capture it in totality. Evans uses a beautiful repertoire of instruments on “Sun Song.” The soft and shiny harp arpeggios across the piece, rising […]
“Before Winter” by Ryan Revta: Cold and Warmth, All in One
“Before Winter” is cozy and delicately intricate. There is a richness in the song’s texture – if you pay attention, you’ll notice new harmonies and details upon every listen. I like the variety in the instrumentation, as the song opens with rhythmic guitar that continues steadily while strings and piano fade in and out. The […]
Jacob Miller Offers Warmth and Introspection On Sophomore Album Around My Head
Carefully curated, intentionally executed, and thoughtfully written, there’s something irrevocably inviting about Jacob Miller’s sophomore album Around My Head. Exploring themes of personal growth, introspection and acceptance, the Oregon-based singer-songwriter offers a place of refuge for listeners. It is “an album of growth, both thematically and personally for myself as a songwriter and artist,” he […]
Lydia Goldthorpe on “My Sky,” Psychotherapy, and a New Album
Pop music reviewers love to make “comps”: comparisons between current artists and their predecessors. (Example: Lady Pills sounds like a better Blondie.) But Australian-born artist Lydia Goldthorpe’s music invites comparisons to classical composers like Erik Satie. Musically, her new song “My Sky” creates a pensive reverie, just like Satie’s famous “Gymnopédie No.1.” The lyrics likewise […]
“Fruit” by Oliver Sim: Healing Your Inner Child
This journey begins with a talk show host asking Oliver Sim “If you could meet yourself as a kid right now, what would you say?” He gives us his answer in “Fruit,” a beautiful yet haunting glimpse into the experience of someone exploring their queerness and healing old wounds. “I’ve done a lot of inner […]
“That’s Where I Am” by Maggie Rogers: Creating A Happy Ending
“That’s Where I Am” is the musical equivalent of sunlight shining through the curtains of a dark room. Inspired by the joyful energy of the rom-com 10 Things I Hate About You, Maggie Rogers takes her own romantic memory and turns it into a power anthem. This track went in a different direction than I […]
