Author: Marcus Adetola

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

Hazlett’s Stolen Seasons is a poignant exploration of emotional dichotomies, masterfully encapsulated in a folk ballad that resonates with a sense of introspective melancholy. This track, the closing number on his EP Goodbye to the Valley Low, showcases Hazlett’s adeptness at crafting narratives that are deeply personal yet strikingly relatable. The song begins with a gentle acoustic guitar, setting a tone that is both comforting and contemplative. Hazlett’s voice, a blend of soothing and sombre tones, acts as a guide through the song’s thematic landscape. The lyrics, “Winning hands while I’m losing sleep / We made plans that we’ll never…

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In Lullaby, Aaria Tae doesn’t just sing; she narrates the zeitgeist with a tender yet unflinching voice. This track is a mirror held up to the chaos of our times, etched with a plea for empathy and love. Tae’s classical training is evident not in overt complexity but in the nuanced control she exerts over her vocal delivery. The song’s melodic structure, underpinned by a soft piano, doesn’t demand attention with grandiosity. Instead, it earns it through subtlety, creating a space for introspection. This is not the loud clamour of protest; it’s the quiet, persistent voice of reason in a…

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Heather Sommer’s my mind makes me is an exciting entry in the altpop genre. Its up-tempo rhythm and electronic elements create an engaging soundscape that belies the depth of its subject matter. The song tackles the complexities of self-doubt, anxiety, and loneliness, themes that are deeply relevant yet often overlooked in mainstream music. Sommer’s memorable and infectious vocal delivery is a key highlight, perfectly capturing the vulnerability of the lyrics. This authenticity makes the song not just a listening experience but an emotional journey. The way she conveys her personal struggles through her music is both brave and impactful. The song’s…

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Ain’t Like Me by Estella Dawn is a sonic journey that deftly blends elements of soul, jazz, and contemporary pop, creating a soundscape that is as intriguing as it is emotive. The track opens with a subtle yet captivating blend of piano and soft percussion, setting a mood that is introspective and slightly melancholic. This instrumentation lays a foundation that allows Estella’s vocals to take centre stage, showcasing her ability to convey deep emotion with a nuanced and controlled delivery. Estella’s voice is a standout element of the track. It possesses a sultry quality, rich in texture, and effortlessly navigates…

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THANKS FOR THE THERAPY by 7evin7ins hits with a visceral punch. In this track, the New Jersey native melds pop-punk, alternative, and hip-hop into a potent mix, crafting a sound that’s both gritty and catchy. The song’s backbone is its heavy drums and distorted guitars, setting a stage that’s both dark and energetic. 7evin7ins’ vocal delivery carries a raw, emotional weight, particularly in the chorus: “Day dreams, thought that I made it, couldn’t wait to show the world I’m famous, woke up in a limousine…Hey thanks for the therapy.” These lines aren’t just hooks; they’re windows into a fractured psyche,…

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Mopiano’s latest single, Birthday, from his upcoming album Lesson Learned, is a bop with emotional depth. On the track, he blends acoustic and modern elements, creating a unique soundscape that captures the listener’s attention from the first note. The song’s narrative revolves around the aftermath of betrayal in a relationship. Mopiano’s approach to this subject is straightforward yet profound. His vocals, which smoothly transition between singing and rap-like verses, convey a sense of raw emotion without resorting to melodrama. The chorus is particularly notable for its catchy rhythm and memorable lyrics, making it a highlight of the track. Instrumentally, Birthday…

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The young artist Reuben Aziz from Southampton, now based in London, crafts a narrative of love and its complexities with a maturity that belies his age on the new track, Running. In Running, Aziz opts for simplicity, allowing his voice to carry the emotional weight of the song. His dreamy vocals, rich with feeling, guide the listener through a relatable love story. Lines like “Wish we were older so we’d understand space” are particularly striking, offering insight into the challenges of young love with a wisdom that feels beyond his years. The production on the track is understated, a choice…

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With You by Brandon Grant is a musical embodiment of intimacy and simplicity, a track that resonates with the warmth of human connection. Grant, a Cape Town-based singer-songwriter, crafts a heartfelt and relatable narrative, weaving a story that celebrates the beauty of everyday love and companionship. The song’s structure is straightforward yet effective. Grant’s use of repetition in the chorus, “With you, With you,” is not just a lyrical device but a rhythmic anchor, creating a sense of continuity and comfort that mirrors the song’s theme. This repetition serves as a heartbeat throughout the track, a constant reminder of the…

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Robert Grace’s Nice Guys Finish Last is a striking example of pop-rock fusion, delivering a punchy, retro-tinged sound that’s as catchy as it is cynical. Grace, an Irish singer-songwriter who has gained traction on TikTok, showcases his knack for blending infectious melodies with a narrative that’s both relatable and tinged with a hint of sarcasm. The track opens with a verse that sets the scene: a quiet, self-proclaimed ‘nice guy’ feels overshadowed and undervalued. Grace’s lyrics are straightforward yet effective, painting a vivid picture of unrequited affection and the frustration it breeds. The pre-chorus and chorus amplify this sentiment, with…

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strawberry picking by being anne is a song that delves into the complexities of a past relationship, weaving a narrative that is both reflective and emotionally charged. Following her debut single, cold bitch, which offered a raw and unfiltered look at modern love and loss, being anne continues to explore the nuances of human connections in her latest track. The song opens with a scene of strawberry picking and a picnic, a setting that immediately conjures images of idyllic summer days. However, the lyrics quickly reveal a deeper, more turbulent undercurrent. The line “When I called you a dickhead, and…

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