Author: Marcus Adetola

Mila Degray’s Masculine Charm plunges listeners into a hazy alt-rock dreamscape. The track opens with an iPhone voice memo, setting an intimate tone that permeates the entire song. Degray’s vocals float above a lo-fi production, her tender delivery contrasting with the weighty subject matter. She recounts a pivotal encounter, explaining the song’s origins: “Masculine Charm is about an experience I had with an older famous singer when I was 18 in a nice NYC hotel… He said I had ‘Masculine Charm’.” This comment, casually tossed out by a celebrity, becomes the spark for Degray’s introspective journey. The guitar hook, crafted…

ROE’s Autopilot cuts straight to the core with lyrics that feel like a diary entry you never meant to share. The melody is simply divine and wraps around you like a familiar blanket that is comforting yet tinged with melancholy. This indie-pop gem from the Northern Irish artist captures the disorienting whirlwind of early adulthood. ROE’s vocals, vulnerable and honest, paint a vivid picture of watching friends race towards conventional milestones while you’re still figuring out which way is up. The track’s production is deceptively simple. Gentle synths and guitar create a dreamy backdrop, but there’s an undercurrent of unease.…

Olive Louise’s Greatness slinks into the room like a confident predator, all sleek synths and thumping basslines. It’s a self-assured song, wrapped in a musical package that would make Alice’s Wonderland seem positively mundane. From the first notes of Louise’s signature piano, Greatness builds a world of its own. Stringed instruments creep in, adding layers of baroque complexity to the alt-pop landscape. It’s as if Mozart decided to crash a modern nightclub, bringing along his entire orchestra for the ride. Louise’s voice is the star of this sonic circus. Her vocals dance on the razor’s edge between seduction and threat,…

Dani Stocksdale’s Fight With Me digs into the raw nerves of a fraying friendship with unflinching honesty. The track’s country-pop sheen masks its emotional depth as Stocksdale’s voice navigates the treacherous waters of unspoken tensions and one-sided vulnerability. The song’s production wraps Stocksdale’s plea in a cocoon of synthesisers and subtle guitar work. A steady percussion heartbeat underscores the urgency of her lyrics, while ambient textures mirror the hazy uncertainty of a relationship on the brink. Dani Stocksdale’s vocals shift from conversational verses to soaring choruses, mirroring the emotional arc of someone trying to break through walls of silence. Her…

Dress by Letting Up Despite Great Faults weaves a poignant narrative through ethereal soundscapes. The band’s introspective lyrics paint a vivid picture of mortality and memory, wrapped in layers of shimmering guitars and gentle rhythms. The song’s dreamy atmosphere carries contemplations of mortality. Vocals float above the instrumentation, pondering the sartorial choices of long-lost connections at an imagined funeral. This mix of everyday details and existential musings creates an unsettling yet captivating listening experience. Each element of Dress is given room to breathe, from the subtle drum work to the gossamer-like keyboard textures. The result is a sonic landscape that…

Clutter by Emma Rosenkranz pulls you into a world where imperfections become endearing. This track weaves a sonic tapestry that mirrors the complexities of shared spaces and human connections. Rosenkranz’s musical arrangement starts sparse, then gradually unfolds. Subtle electronic elements drift in, adding depth without overshadowing the acoustic foundation. It’s a delicate balance, much like navigating a room full of cherished knick-knacks. Her voice carries the melody with a casual grace. There’s no attempt at polished perfection here. Instead, Emma Rosenkranz’s vocals meander through the verses, imbued with an undeniable intimacy that holds your attention. The chorus brings a gentle…

Dirty subverts pop’s glossy veneer as Stefani Kimber strips away layers of societal expectations, revealing a grittier core beneath. The song’s pulsing beat mimics a racing heart, reflecting Kimber’s urgent transition from adolescence to adulthood. Her vocals shift between cool detachment and raw intensity, echoing the internal struggle. Kimber’s lyrics challenge conventional notions of femininity. She embraces tangles, dirt, and sweat as badges of authenticity rather than flaws to be hidden. The repeated refrain “I’m a dirty girl” evolves from a potential insult to an empowering mantra. Musically, Dirty blends sleek production with primal undercurrents. Synthesisers create a modern sheen,…

UK artist SMOORIBA’s new single 21 is an anthemic nostalgia themed hyper-pop track, capturing the tumultuous transition from adolescence to adulthood. This sonic rollercoaster ride blends punk energy with electronic beats, creating a sound that’s both familiar and fresh. The track’s memorable melody hooks listeners from the start. SMOORIBA’s magnetic vocal performance carries us through the highs and lows of leaving small-town life for big city dreams. Her lyrics capture summer nights and reckless adventures, all set against a backdrop of pulsing 808s and electric guitar riffs. “21” is a bona fide bop, capturing an anthemic vibe that celebrates in…

Past trauma can linger even as we grow. Mae Stephens’ You Don’t Remember Me examines this reality with raw vulnerability, crafting a ballad that cuts straight to the heart. The song’s genesis reveals its deeply personal nature. Stephens explains, You Don’t Remember Me sparked from a conversation about Mae recognising her childhood bullies on the street, and those feelings of dread that come with it. “I realised that it’s such a universal thing, feeling that fear of being put back into that mindset from such a distressing time,” Mae says. “I hope those of you who can identify with that…

New Souls by A Days Wait x Color Theory hits you with a vibrant mix of sounds from the get-go. This track fuses the neon-tinged nostalgia of 80s synthwave with cutting-edge electronic elements, resulting in a tune that’s both retro and forward-thinking. Well, that’s no surprise once you have Color Theory on the track. The song kicks off with a pulsing beat, immediately tossing you into a swirl of synths and subtle guitar licks. It’s a musical rollercoaster, shifting gears between verses, bridge, and chorus in a way that keeps you guessing and engaged throughout. Yet, in all the vibrancy,…