Giulio Risi - The Legend of 1900
In a world that demands that you leave everything behind and function if you are wired and tired, Giulio Risi demands that you slow down.
ReeToxA - You Deserve Better Than Me
ReeToxA make a heart-breaking confession of feeling inadequate in the touching pop rock song, ‘You Deserve Better Than Me’! Kids from the 90s will fondly remember this track by Everclear, ‘She’s So High Above Me’, that told the story of a mismatched couple. A simple guy and a high-street girl who came together, but he always felt that she was way out of his league, and the world around him never missed an opportunity to remind him of that fact. Portrayed brilliantly and humorously in the 2010 rom-com flick 'She's Way Out of My League'. This track by the ever-expressive Aussie rock group ReeToxA reminds us so much of that! The track opens in sublime acoustic fashion. Layers of string arrangements, acoustic strums, electric tones and heavy atmospherics create a sense of anxiety, like you’re bursting to confess something you’ve been holding inside for a while. Yet, the tone is sincere and heart-warming. Opening verse has us treated to the most heart-warming, bittersweet romantic prose. He reminisces, ever so sweetly, on how things played out between them, all thoise beautiful, heart-touching moments and then those other feelings. The message points to how loving someone, however much, and staying together are not a foregone conclusion and more often than not, one of those partners is going to feel otherwise about the whole sitch. ReeToxA ain’t taking sides but simply presenting contrasting points of view and allowing for the listeners to make up their minds as to stay or go. The beauty of ‘You Deserve Better Than Me’ is that doesn’t present a tidy, bow-wrapped solution to all this. Instead, it keeps you rooted in what it means to doubt yourself and coming to terms with letting go, especially when most of your instincts are telling you otherwise. Musically, the track has this timeless, pop love song energy. Propelled by forward-flowing basslines and rhythms, leisurely strings and smart progressions, its a song that keeps you emotionally vested and hanging on the vocalist’s every word as he pleads, ‘You Deserve Better Than Me, I mean it sincerely…..’ It speaks volumes to ReeTox’s excellent range and versatility and how they always seem to be playing from the heart, from love and not for it. That distinction sets them apart from their contemporaries and makes this a group you want to root for!
CBATCH - The Vault 3 - Club/Dance, R&B, Soul/Funk/Pop/Techno/Etc
Disco is making a comeback in the suavest of ways, and C’batch and his latest release, The Vault 3 - Club/Dance, R&B, Soul/Funk/Pop/Techno/Etc.
Anna Thoresen - GROUNDHOG DAY
- English (US)
With GROUNDHOG DAY, Anna Thoresen demonstrates that she is more than a breakout artist riding the momentum of a viral hit.
Finlay Birch - Weight Will Unwind
Finlay Birch has a new album- Weight Will Unwind out, and it is as though he strips out everything between us and whatever is divine in this world.
Ava Valianti - Great Pretender
- English (US)
With Great Pretender, Ava Valianti continues to demonstrate why she is attracting growing attention. The 16-year-old Massachusetts singer-songwriter has already accumulated more than 500,000 streams, earned over 300 radio spins, and finished as the 1st Runner-Up in American Songwriter’s Road Ready contest.
Mark Andrew Hansen - Love Enough
- English (US)
Mark Andrew Hansen brings a unique perspective to his music. Born on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, he draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the coastline and the sounds of the ocean.
Jonathan Lobo - Hero
Indie artist Jonathan Lobo crafts a dreamy, reflective piano-pop opus, 'Hero'! Dubai-based lawyer, singer, and songwriter Jonathan Lobo makes a stirring comeback following his last release a few years ago with a touching, emotional new single, 'Hero'. The track opens with patient beats and slow-burning piano tones. The vibe is immediately intimate and emotive as he begins to sing. “How would you remember me when I die? Would you think I’m brave, or would you cast away memories? And how would you remember me when I’m gone?” Hie soft, emotional delivery makes this feel like a personal conversation with a friend or loved one. We could imagine this being the cinematic score for an inspiring, real-life drama/adventure flick like 'Into the Wild'. That's saying a lot about the quality of this track, since that movie already has an excellent score by Eddie Vedder. Lobo builds through 'Hero' with captivating grace and poise, almost Elton John & John Mayer-esque in the way he sings and softly plays the keys. He croons emotively on questions oft left unanswered, statements of honest confession, and deep vulnerability. It's this acceptance of his flaws and his strengths that he sings about sublimely in the chorus, refusing to label himself a hero or saint. Instead, he asserts 'Im just a man that's lost, but tried all the same....'. He goes on to express that he'd like to be remembered for who he is, a simple man, not a hero. Lobo's gentle humility and grace make him likable and deeply relatable. Musically, 'Hero' serenades you with easygoing soft rock arrangements. The kind that makes you feel like you're drifting away into the sunset on a raft. The sublime symphony created by Lobo's sweet, sweet vocals, wailing guitars, and acoustic strums has us feeling blissed out. It's heartening to know that artists like Lobo bring so much passion and sincerity to their music. It isn't about flashy performance or over-the-top production here. Just a man, a piano, and a softness, a gentleness in the way he expresses himself.
Emerald Park - Lovers in Reverse
- English (US)
Emerald Park’s latest single, “Lovers in Reverse" is a slow-burn track that almost lulls you into a sleepy trance. Read the full review only on IndieMusicFlix!
Suzanne Gzranna - Cat's Meow XO Album
Suzanne Gzranna has us grooving in delight with her latest jazz album, 'Cat's Meow XO'! The multi-award-winning songwriter, saxophonist, vocalist, music publisher and Billboard-charting artist, Suzanne, has us stepping into her smooth, classy, timeless jazz world. Easy on the senses, smoky and chalk full of panache and personality is 'Cat's Meow XO'. A compact, 5-track album that highlights Suzanne's multi-instrumental prowess and jazz compositional excellence. It's the kind of album score you'd love to hear in a noir romance drama flick, preferably one in timeless black and white. We open with 'New York Romance', a silky smooth ode to the magic of the Big Apple. We're treated to a playful, wistful expression of passion, panache and appreciation for the charms of NYC. Suzanne's excellent piano performance and soft, velvety vocals takes us through that old-school charm of New York, a place of endless possibilites and infectious character. It's an easy going track, filled with warmth and class, setting your soul at ease with its richly textured sound. 'Deck the Halls in a Minor Mood' sverves into intoxicating saxophone harmonies and moody keys. The symphony created is pure class and downright sublime. It evokes images of long, lonesome nights and intimate, reflective moments spent in the backdrop of a cold rainy night. Suzanne's performance on the sax is jaw-droppingly honest and expressive, leaving you wanting more and more. 'Moment in Time' picks up the tempo ever so slightly and gracefully. Its one of the more complete tracks on the album, featuring full-bodied jazz arrangements and Suzanne's touching vocals. She croons on the magic of present moment, expressing herself with intoxicating flair. 'Snow City XO' has us dreaming of chill, snowy nights. Of being warm and cozy round a fireplace, a warm drink in hand, cuddled next to your cat. It's effortlessly smooth and features some incredibly delicate, evocative piano arrangements. And ofcourse, Suzanna's leisurely, jazz vocals. Its beautifully balanced and makes you want to just curl up round the fire and jive in peace. The concluding title track, 'Cat's Meow XO' is where Suzanne really shines. The track is built upon a delicate minor keys progression and Suzanne's feline-esque, sensual vocals. And when the saxophone kicks in, its sheer bliss. We can't get enough of her rich, expressive jazz arrangements, be it the horns or the keys. Her jazz flair is truly astounding and has you grooving in happy, slow movements. Overall, 'Cat's Meow XO' is an excellently composed and performed jazz album. It highlights Suzanne's fantastic artistic flair and personality. Put this album on slow, rainy days or quiet evenings where you just need something classy and intimate.
The Plastic Pals - Decisions
Strap for a thrilling, alt-rock ballad on the meaning of love, life and beyond with The Plastic Pals' new single, 'Decisions'! The veteran rock-guitar-wielding group from Stockholm, Sweden, blows us away with their high-octane, evocative prose; shimmering electric guitar rhythms; and emotionally enveloping feel. Right off the bat, 'Decisions' hits you driving, swelling pop-rock arrangements, evoking a sense of excitement, reflection and get-go. The kind we feel from listening to bands like REM, Dire Straits and The Beatles. 'I don't know where I'm going, but I sure, do enjoy the ride.....', seasoned, honest vocals croon, then dive back into driving, upbeat guitar progressions. There's an irresistalble charm and chutzpah about The Plastic Pals's performance. They play freely and with enthralling rhythm and groove. Bright, choral vocals build anticipation nicely, leading to the chorus. The pals hit home with pearls of wisdom, 'You don't fall in love, its love that falls on you, from there, its just a matter of decisions....', searing into your mind with ease. The message is this: love is a mystery. There's no telling where, when and how it can happen to you. But once it does, it all comes down to you. How do you respond? Its an open-ended question, poignant and honest. But the pals aren't hanging around too long to ponder. 'Decisions' is a track in constant motion and tempo. Deliciously balanced and cinematic. Its the kind of score we'd envision for a Quientin Tarantino western action flick like 'Django Unchained', a story of relentless pursuit and redemption of love. Twangy, ethereal and assertive, The Plastic Pals captivate with their bluesy chord harmonies and honest melodic restraint. Upping the intensity in the outro, we're treated to one final interplay before concluding with a flourish. Its the kind of track you can listen to repeatedly and enjoy it all the same. Balancing honest lyrics, pop-rock atmospherics, structure and raw instrumental power, 'Decisions' is a memorable listen!
Rusty Reid - All Through My Days
The summer sun is embedded in every word that Rusty Reid has tucked into his latest release—All Through My Days.