Author: Marcus Adetola

Exploring new music. Explaining it shortly after. Keeping the classics close. Neon Music founder.

Multi-instrumentalist Samm Henshaw’s latest single, Troubled Ones, stands out as a raw, soulful exploration of fear’s insidious hold. This introspective track invites you to confront your own vulnerabilities and doubts. Henshaw’s unfiltered lyrics paint vivid scenes of love’s aspirations clashing with the stark realities of self-doubt and ego. His emotive vocals soar over the rich interplay of bass guitar and piano, guiding us through the labyrinth of self-reflection. As Henshaw explains, “It’s a song about fear, all these different behaviours you might display based on fear, the way you might prevent yourself from doing certain things, and just the hold…

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Atli and Gabrielle Lacerda’s Change My Mind is a soul-stirring duet that tenderly cradles the vulnerabilities we all face in love’s tumultuous journey. From the moment Gabrielle’s sultry vocals grace our ears, we’re drawn into a vivid tapestry of heartache and longing. As Atli’s emotive voice intertwines with hers, they weave an intimate embrace that envelops us like a warm blanket on a chilly night. The gentle strums of an acoustic guitar and the delicate notes of a piano mingle with subtle electronic elements, cocooning us in a comforting sonic sanctuary. It’s the kind of music that feels like a reassuring friend, offering solace…

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With Dragon, Flora Cash invites us to bear witness to the searing journey of the soul. Cole Randall’s raw lyricism strips away pretence, exposing the vulnerability of feeling lost, bound by illusions we mistake for truth. His vocal performance reverberates with an aching authenticity. Yet, beneath the melancholy lies a defiant spark, a refusal to succumb to the shadows. Randall’s words challenge us to shed complacency’s shackles, to reclaim our truth, and to let the veil of delusion fall. “I feel like an angel who’s come out from hell to believe,” he declares, a galvanising call to embrace the arduous path of self-discovery.…

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Movie Night’s new single Addicted is a gripping musical descent into the throes of unhealthy obsession following a one-night-stand. The electro-rock-pop track hooks you instantly with its vibrant instrumentation and earworm melodies, but it’s the brutally honest lyricism that leaves you stunned. The verses are confessional vignettes, with the narrator laying bare how a casual fling morphed into a terrifying addiction. “It started out as just a simple little taste test””I’m losing my mind a little more in every moment” Mike Squillante (guitar/vocals) vividly conveys the feeling of shame, desperation, and self-loathing as the obsession consumes him. Yet Movie Night…

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Rosie is an audacious, raw celebration of imperfect love that revels in its unpolished authenticity. Recorded live in a single room, directly onto a vintage Tascam 388 tape machine, the song exudes an irresistible lo-fi charm that transports listeners back to the golden age of indie folk and Americana. The Coo, a transatlantic duo comprised of UK’s Matt and Netherlands’ Jara, weave a tapestry of intertwined vocals that evoke the faded glory of Bob Dylan’s raspy laments. Yet their harmonies possess a contemporary edge, deftly blending the timeless allure with modern sensibilities. Lyrically, Rosie is a defiant ode to the…

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Jenny Kern’s Pull Me Under isn’t your typical love tune; it’s a candid dive into the messy reality of romance. With her soothing vocals leading the way, Kern invites you into a dreamy world where lively piano and guitar melodies mingle with heartfelt lyrics about unrequited love. Kern’s voice has an alluring quality that simply draws you in. She makes you feel it deep down; her emotive delivery cuts straight to the core. But beneath the sadness, there’s an undercurrent of resilient hope, a refusal to let the pain drag her under completely. Kern’s insightful words act like a lifeline,…

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Ashley Elle’s latest single, Save Us, is a poignant exploration of unrequited love, wrapped in the melancholic tones of sad-girl pop. The song serves as a breakup ballad that resonates with the all-too-familiar feeling of being the one who cares too much in a relationship. The track begins with a heartbeat-like rhythm, setting a sombre mood that immediately draws listeners into a state of empathy and reflection. Elle’s vocals, tinged with a bittersweet quality, hover over the pulsating beat, inviting us to feel her pain. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of disillusionment, as she describes a party where her…

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Smallpools’ indie pop anthem Fake a Happy Face! strikes a chord with its raw portrayal of the internal battles we wage behind the smiles we present to the world. The track is a masterful blend of catchy melodies and honest lyricism, creating an earworm that resonates with the listener’s own experiences of emotional concealment. The opening lines, “Oh no here we go again, hey darkness my only friend,” set the stage for a narrative that’s far from the typical upbeat pop song. The lyrics serve as a candid self-examination, revealing the contradictions that plague our thoughts in times of mental strife. “Everything’s great,…

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Khiara Ayaba’s Closer 2 Shore is a sonic oasis, a captivating blend of pop, R&B, alternative, and rock elements that takes listeners on an immersive journey. The track navigates the depths of empowerment, love, resilience, and hope with a masterful touch. From the outset, Ayaba’s velvety vocals establish a sense of tranquility. Her voice, a seamless overlay on the harmonious blend of acoustic and electronic textures, creates a soundscape that ebbs and flows with the gentle caress of waves upon the shoreline. The meticulous craftsmanship of the instrumentation weaves together introspective melodies and heartfelt lyrics, resonating with profound emotional depth.…

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LetOutThePressure’s The Gravity is a profoundly captivating hip-hop record that transcends genre conventions. It’s an introspective exploration into the push and pull of life’s emotional peaks and valleys that we all experience as humans. The production is utterly spellbinding, ingeniously fusing dynamic rhythms, atmospheric textures, and a hauntingly beautiful piano motif with subtle jazzy inflections. The beat constantly shifts and morphs, generating a palpable sense of tension and release that masterfully mirrors the perpetual tug-of-war between the forces that elevate us and those that keep us grounded. LetOutThePressure’s vocals are the x-factor that ties it all together. His dexterous flow…

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