Author: Marcus Adetola

Kristina Nichol’s Liar sneaks up on you. It’s a raw dive into the mental tug-of-war we often have with ourselves. Kristina transforms those late-night, anxiety-ridden thoughts into a track that’s both haunting and oddly catchy. Recorded in Phoenix, this song brings more than just desert heat. It’s got an edge that cuts through the noise, making you feel like you’re privy to someone’s most private thoughts. Nichol’s voice carries a vulnerability that’s palpable, yet there’s strength brewing underneath. The song starts off like a whisper in your ear, those nagging doubts creeping in. But when the chorus hits, it’s like…

We’ve been captivated by the songs on Alexa Kate’s first ever EP “Wishing You Well,” from the introspective Crash to the poignant To My Younger Self (Roses). And now, the title track also of the same name delivers another emotional wallop, capturing the raw aftermath of a relationship’s end with surprising intimacy. Wishing You Well doesn’t shy away from the messy emotions that linger when two people drift apart. The song’s production is a study in controlled complexity. At first listen, it feels minimalist, but closer attention reveals a carefully layered soundscape. Electronic beats and acoustic guitar form the backbone,…

Alexa Kate’s To My Younger Self (Roses) carves out a curious niche in the self-reflection genre. It’s not quite a letter to the past nor a simple celebration of growth. Instead, she weaves a sonic tapestry that blurs the lines between then and now, creating an oddly comforting temporal dissonance. The track opens with piano notes that tiptoe in like cautious memories. Alexa Kate’s voice follows, a mixture of confidence and vulnerability that perfectly captures the duality of looking back. She doesn’t just sing to her younger self; she seems to inhabit two versions of herself simultaneously. Alexa sidesteps the…

Talk Like We Do by Kim Dekker is a stealth bomber of a song. It doesn’t announce itself with fanfare or flashy hooks. Instead, it seeps into your consciousness, note by note, word by word. Before you know it, you’re knee-deep in its emotional quagmire, wondering how you got there. Kim Dekker’s lyrics paint a picture of a relationship at its twilight, where words have become weapons and silence is deafening. The song’s gentle guitar strumming acts as a lullaby for grownups, soothing yet melancholic. It’s the kind of music that makes you want to curl up with a warm drink and stare…

Kenzie Cait’s Thank God is a sonic middle finger to mediocre exes everywhere. This track doesn’t just break up; it burns bridges with gleeful abandon. Kenzie’s voice dances between smooth melodies and punchy phrases, delivering lyrics that cut deeper than your average pop fare. She’s not here to mope; she’s here to celebrate dodging a bullet. The production, courtesy of Andrew Pacheco, wraps Kenzie’s vocals in a cocoon of synths and electronic beats. It’s a dreamy soundscape with enough kick to fuel a night of post-breakup dancing. There’s a retro soul vibe lurking beneath the modern sheen, especially in the…

Up and coming Oakland R&B artist Tree Thomas’ Break Me stands as a vivid portrait of vulnerability and longing. This R&B track, with its soul-stirring elements, brings listeners into a delicate emotional space. Warm, soulful vocals cascade over a gentle piano melody, each note carrying a weight of introspection. The song doesn’t rush; it allows every emotion to surface, making it feel almost like a whispered confession. The track is intimate, drawing you into Thomas’ world with its raw honesty. Subtle beats make their appearance, then retreat, leaving the piano and vocals to hold the spotlight. This interplay between quiet…

My Side of the Bed by Loose Buttons digs deep into the immigrant experience without resorting to clichés. Eric Nizgretsky’s vocals carry the weight of his Ukrainian family’s journey, transforming Brighton Beach’s streets into a backdrop for introspection. The song’s instrumentation does the heavy lifting. Guitars alternate between clean tones and gritty textures, mirroring the contrast between nostalgia and harsh realities. The bass grounds the track with a steady, familial pulse. Drums push the narrative forward, while subtle keyboard layers add emotional depth. Nizgretsky’s lyrics skip the usual tropes. He doesn’t wax poetic about the American Dream. Instead, he offers…

laugh a lot by Austin-based band Under The Rug is an indie rock anthem. It’s a peculiar concoction that blends the bittersweet with the absurd, served with a side of roach antennae. Casey Dayan’s vocals tiptoe through a minefield of emotions, somehow managing to find humour in the rubble. The song’s gentle arpeggios and piercing guitar riffs create an oddly comforting cocoon around Dayan’s tale of motel misery and unexpected insect companionship. This track doesn’t just wear its heart on its sleeve; it tattoos it there with a rusty needle and cheap ink. It’s a musical Rorschach test where cockroaches…

McKenzi Brooke’s F U stomps onto the pop scene with the subtlety of a neon sledgehammer, leaving listeners caught between wincing and toe-tapping. This teen tech tycoon turned songstress hurls her post-breakup angst at us through a megaphone of synths and schoolyard chants. The track’s production slaps harder than a disgruntled ex’s Facebook status update. Her voice ping-pongs between conversational sass and melodic venom, riding a wave of pulsing bass and crisp hi-hats. It’s the sonic equivalent of angrily doodling in your diary while blasting music to drown out your parents’ concern. Lyrically, F U stumbles through breakup clichés like…

Jealous is a sonic cocktail that mixes Afrobeat zest with R&B smoothness, shaken up by four distinct artists. KJ Spio, the culturepreneur behind this musical concoction, brings together voices from different corners of the globe, creating a track that’s both fresh and familiar. Loick Essien’s vocals glide over the melody like silk on skin, setting the stage for Ambré’s honeyed tones to take the baton. Their voices don’t just harmonise; they dance around each other in a flirtatious tango of sound. Then comes Sarkodie, the African rap titan, dropping verses that add a spicy Ghanaian kick to the mix. The…