Raynald Grenier-Doux Instants
Raynald Grenier paints pictures with his notes. His mature tunes show experience and learning, and the dramatization of his music results in some wonderful music to be experienced. His music has always been cinematic, used in dramas and plays, encapsulating themes with wordless grandiose. This is his single, Doux Instants. The English translation for this would be Sweet Moments. This is exactly what you feel as an impulse, as soon as you hear his music. I have always found it to be easier, writing about instrumentals, due to the subjective moments that are captured within it. Raynald Grenier is a poet of expression and abstraction in a delicate balance. This crystal scale is gauged in this song, where figments of rumination are spent through meditation. There are no specific connotations to it, the expression is joyous, and speculative of myriad futures. It takes a master composer to incite such thoughts, and none can do it better than this accomplished maestro. The first film that came to mind was A Beautiful Mind. All of James Horner’s arrangements break down dramatic renditions very well, which Grenier does with grace in this song. The Tree of Life was another film that I could associate it with, rich imagery and complex emotions being explained through music. Raynald Grenier can be experienced through his magical arrangements on Spotify. His 2020 album Dolci Momenti is highly recommended, so are Beth & Noa: The Ballet. He is no stranger to transcribing imagery through his music, and it is a joy to listen to his music. Listen to his single and follow him for more transcendental music!
Angelina Luzi-Silent Moon
You can sing, but who are you singing for? Angelina Luzi is an artist who sings for the soul. Not only hers, but others as well. Her enchanting voice and myriad soundscapes with dense imagery spliced in between, each audio journey is a treat. Her latest track serenades an enigma that dominates the night sky. This one is called Silent Moon. With a rhythm section that is just as beautiful as the crater crusted saucer that glows in the sky, you’re entranced from the very beginning. Angelina Luzi has her gentle vocals directed towards this magnanimous orb of luminescence. Her lyrics are especially gorgeous, weaving through the tales and triumphs of what the moon portrays and makes you feel. The heart wants what it wants, sometimes it wants Angelina Luzi’s voice to take control of your conscience. Her official music video is mesmerizing, with the colour tones and moon's silhouette orbiting the story. It is breathtaking to see the the images melt into each other, synced to her vocals. The images of sorcery and ritual praise the silent moon in snippets, while creating a dense layer of prismatic images-all leading to the same place. Stills with her vocal range stretching is incredible to hear, while this song becomes a favourite in terms of audio and video. I could picture this song in First Man, and this is a style that fits Hurwitz’s resume. Angelina can really hold your breath with her voice, and songs like Fight Your Skin and Let It Go show her generous vocal range. Follow her for more vocal exuberance and swimming, rich instrumentals that take you places. For now, visit this silent moon.
Robert Vendetta-Fool
Robert Vendetta reads the lines between music to make it all one big story. From the jolly indie rock anthems he has given us to the exciting run-downs and ballads, this musician is unpredictable, in every sense of the word. What he creates is an understanding between symphonies and emotion, all coming together like a cascade. This is his latest single, Fool. Very unlike his single Vacation, here he really banks on how he sees his thought process and actions. It is a love song, but honest and pure. No clichés and the sort, but organic and enveloping melodies that make you think of the 70s and 80s. You might feel like you’re in the middle of a Commodores song. His variation in melody and modulation is essentially pure, while having his own frills and rousing bridge moments. Something that really stands out, especially in the verse section, is the bass line. It is something I’d like to commend Robert Vendetta for paying so much attention to, for it helps tie it all together. Listen to the rhythm section alone in this track again, and you’ll know why it becomes one of his timeless numbers. His albums like Headed Out of My League are collections which you won’t get from every indie artist. The amount of polishing and detail work that goes into his music is like a craftsman at his table. This song would be perfect in I Want You Back (2022). It is the kind of perfect tale where Robert Vendetta would bring particular frames justice with his melodic penchant. Listen to his single above and be sure to follow him for more like this!
Allen Kai-Lang Yu-One Shared Destiny
Allen Kai-Lang Yu can paint you a pretty picture with his piano music. It is like hearing a whole new perspective through the beauty of the elegant instrument. Each song is a ballad, but weaves through different fibers that culminate into something beautiful and essential. His single One Shared Destiny is a masterpiece, of feeling and fate. The instrumental balance that Allen Kai-Lang Yu can bring to his songs is otherworldly. Softly, his vocals enter and create the atmosphere of love he is able to recreate almost effortlessly. Parallel to the melody, his tune also moves while still describing that beautiful feeling of eternal love. As he sits in for production as well, he creates an essential balance of all that is there for you to hear. It is perfectly tuned to his expressive voice, modulating and meandering through the weight of the words. The violins create the additional rich tapestry that a song like this would need. Higher pitch moments seem to be no strain for Allen Kai-Lang Yu, making a powerful and moving single with his intensive skill. Painting so many rich pictures, he recognises the strong points of his song and continues to spread joy and positivity through his music. Habenera and Mountain Mist are his crowd favourites, and how couldn’t they be? His latest album Winds of Change is worth listening to in one sitting, a heavy and emotional collection of songs. This song would be a perfect fit in the 2016 movie Lion, which shifts through so many powerful emotions. Listen to Allen’s song above, and follow him for more like this!
Eckman & Borelius-Breathe Out
There is no better cinematic front than the duo of Eckman & Borelius. It is a duo made by fate, chance and the best thing there is, a love for music. You listen to any of their songs, and you’re invested right from the get go. This is their latest one, and it is bound to be an indie classic soon. This is called Breathe Out. To make it clear, John Eckman sits on the piano, while Tobias Borelius is the vocalist in this team. For a song like Breathe Out, the composition has to suggest such. Leave it to the duo really testing the waters, Eckman & Borelius are fire and ice. The spine of the song is set out for us to explore, while the vocals come in after a brief train of thought. It is like listening to a tale that inspires, pushes and invigorates you. The lyrics take you on a whole other journey, like Simon & Garfunkel would, with their music. It is an incredible threading of moments, and laced in simplicity. This is the kind of exciting music that shines positivity, while still writing to the song. Though I am sure Eckman & Borelius could belt out a musical in one sitting, they contain themselves within the theme, making the song revelatory. The Legacy and Alone in Darkness are some must listens from this duo. They are exciting, well-read and love spinning tales that relate to normal, every day life. This song would be perfect in Love, Actually (2003), which has scenes pretty much written for a song like this. Listen to the song above and follow this electric duo for more!
Jagas-Devenu Deux
Jagas incites that vigor and zeal you have for life with their music. Powerful melodies echo through, changing genres and feel every time. The themes are relatable, texturally unique and have a lot of layers, emotionally. This latest number is a ballad, delivered in a minimalistic chamber. This is called Devenu Deux. It is as close to a pure love song we can get. Jagas strips down to its melody making core and writes this song. It is the kind of prevailing emotion and strength in connection that you need to hear in these times. The chord progression assist the vocals, just the piano and voice laid bare. It is incredible to hear the kind of range the band will perform in. I have heard soft rock, pop rock numbers as well, but this one retreats differently. You can imagine the picturesque scene quite well. I remember listening to their album Ravi.e.s in 2022 and wondering what else the band can create for themselves. In a moment of vulnerability, the band has made something that is worth remembering for decades. It is an emotive connect to their legacy, and to their listeners. A beautiful song, echoing virtue and love. This song would be perfect in the movie Sur mes lèvres (2001). With an unconventional storyline but perfect expressions of love, I feel that this song is a perfect fit. You can check out more of Jagas music on their Spotify, and follow them on their socials. Check out their song above!
Seán Finn and the Late Bloomers-Damaged Goods
Your songwriters delight trail mix right now only needs Seán Finn and the Late Bloomers. With frontman Seán Finn and his succinct, but surreal lyrics-the songwriter returns with a single that promises to melt a hole in your wax heart. His effective melody construction will make you hum the song even in a deep stupor. This one is called Damaged Goods. We all pass through that moment when we feel like a defect, in a demanding world. Seán Finn and the Late Bloomers resonate with lyrics and a chord progression that writes itself in your brain. It is a simple precedent, and packed with indie rock flavour. If you have heard the single A Thousand Guesses, you know the impact Seán feels with the poetry behind the song. In Dylan like fashion, the live instruments and his ideas interact in a beautiful ballet, his voice cutting through all the harmonies. The percussive tap of the chords is aided by the string like sounds that occupy the empty space. It resonates with listeners who feel that sudden solitude, that distress, yet know they must carry on. A powerful composition, Seán uses his strength in writing and depth of character to etch something memorable. Inspired by many different genres, the band is an indie project of passion. Only two singles in, it already has 3200 monthly listeners, and surely many more to come. This would be perfect in the 2019 movie Waves, which explores such an idea with deeper themes. Listen to his music above and follow the band for more to come!
GIANTHEO - Hey Tu
The latest release by GIANTHEO, Hey Tu, is a heartfelt indie-pop ballad that showcases the duo’s knack for crafting emotionally resonant music. The song opens with a simple piano arrangement that feels intimate and delicate, drawing listeners in with its raw vulnerability. As the track progresses, pulsating synths subtly emerge in the background, adding layers of texture to the soundscape without overshadowing the primary melody. The mix is impressively balanced, featuring a vivid dynamic range that makes every note feel alive, while the pop treatment of the drum section gives the song a gentle, rhythmic pulse that drives it forward. One of the standout features of Hey Tu is its carefully crafted stereo field, allowing the listener to feel enveloped in sound as the piano and vocals swirl around them. The understated production choices allow the emotional core of the track to shine, making it a perfect fit for romantic moments in films like Under the Tuscan Sun or Letters to Juliet. The song’s soothing melody and tender lyrics would pair beautifully with scenes of personal reflection or connection, particularly within the enchanting landscapes of Italy. In the indie music scene, GIANTHEO has managed to carve out a distinct space with Hey Tu, combining the simplicity of indie pop with the emotional depth of a ballad. The song feels like an ode to love, introspection, and the natural beauty of life, making it resonate deeply with listeners. As seasoned musicians with roots in international competitions and chart-topping hits, GIANTHEO continues to evolve. With over 300 songs written, the duo is now opening the drawer and releasing their best work, starting with Hey Tu, a ballad sure to captivate their audience.
Donar Wing - Sentence Of Christmas
Donar Wing chimes in the new year with a track that will make your heart full of joy and the Christmas spirit with the Sentence Of Christmas. The singer-songwriter has let his work define him rather than his age. This risk-taker and lore-maker has a unique sense of purpose and joy in his music. He embraces the chaos and uncertainty of the world and makes art that is getting recognised more and more day by day. This artist seizes the day yet again with his latest release. The track gently veers away from his usual indie-pop sensibilities and leans into the old-school classic Christmas spirit. The Sentence of Christmas emulates the evening by the fire with a hot cup of cocoa visuals. A sway-worthy number that pumps up nostalgia with every note. Not to mention, Donar has a unique history of dance and ballroom that crackles with each chiming note that embellishes the number. The production of the song is beyond noteworthy. It is what makes the song’s endeavour to build the holiday ambience successful. You are also left with this visual of couples slow dancing on the ice rink. A staple for any romcom girly during the winter season is The Holiday. This hallmark movie has been melting people’s hearts forever, and this number is just the song for the film. So get your comfy socks on and snuggle in deep with your staple snacks before you hit that play button. If you are interested in more of his work, click on the links attached above and let Donar Wing fill your senses.
Shani Weiss - Feel Alright
Love finds you when it feels like you need it the most. That's how many see it. Think of that moment of realisation that love is here and it's here to stay. Listening to Feel Alright by Shani Weiss feels just like that. The song is a vintage pop song with a jazzy vibe to it. The piece has a nostalgic vibe to it that is accompanied by an easy-going groove. Consider it a contemporary pop phrasing layered over chord voicings and rhythmic feels reminiscent of early jazz/swing ballads. It takes you back to the good old days, not just with the stylistic choices or the beats, but with the song's structure and the music video walls too. The Dizzle Dazzle Behind the Song What first sparked the inspiration for "Feel Alright"? I like writing uplifting songs when I'm having hardships in life. If I can happily hum my trouble, it sort of eases me out of the dark into the light with happiness, and I like that. Then once the song has a life of its own, it carries me. Feel Alright was sparked by a radio presenter who wanted me back on his show. At the time, I was hormonal, pregnant with my second child, had just moved to Melbourne from Israel as an adventure with a new real network and security, and to add on that, going into a pandemic. This radio presenter, David, really insisted I come back on his show. I had been on a few months before, and within the darkness, he saw me and made me Feel Alright again, so I wrote the song inspired by him and for anyone else who was struggling to sort of pay it forward. You've said the song emerged from "an emotional whirlwind... a world tilted off its axis." How did you translate such intense personal experiences into the tone and lyrics of the track? Great question, well, the first verse talks about being pregnant – "All these feelings I can't control are driving me a little bit crazy… I'm confused and sometimes lonely…" The second verse talks about my workplace, where I was having a lot ofissues, a lack of support, and an inner battle to try to move on and see the positive, but it kept bringing me down. The chorus reminds me that you only need one person to see you and help you feel alright again. The third verse is once I've had that boost of positivity, my outlook is shifting, "maybe I'll drop my philosophy and my animosity, pick up my guitar and let it all out," which is how I write, just let it out, and I can Feel Alright again. The song initially started off very happy, Jazzy in contradiction to my feelings to manifest positivity, which happened at the end! The Color Glam: Vision, Aesthetics & Creative Choices In the video, there's this intentional breaking of the fourth wall—it feels like you're speaking directly to us. What led you to make that creative choice? Because I am! I'm speaking to you, too. I'm here if you need. Listen, this world is crazy, and we have a severe shortage of kindness and empathy. That is my message, I am speaking to you, the readers, the viewers, and the followers. It's one step at a time, but if everyone would try to see each other a little more, let down their guard, hear a full story, be kind, this world would look much better than it does. So, from my little corner, that's what I'm trying to do. The visuals have such a rich, Victorian elegance. What drew you to that aesthetic, and how does it tie into the song's mood or story? The song started as a jazzy song, but I changed it to a lighter ukulele vintage pop arrangement, and I wanted that 1920s Great Gatsby Vibe. When recording the song in 2024, I envisioned a pub with everyone getting up and singing my music, so that's the vibe I went with, and The Local Taphouse in Balaclava, Melbourne, was just the fit. Then, for hair and makeup, pearl fringes had to follow. Hay and Bae: Life Stages & Personal Impact How has writing and performing this song affected you, especially considering your life stage at the time? You know something, it's funny life has come full circle with this song. When writing the song, I was dealing with a specific challenging personal issue, where I was being wronged and my surroundings did not see me to the point of even ignoring me; it was awful. Fast forward to the future, karma had it that alongside releasing this song, I would have the same kind of challenging personal issue. Still, this time, everyone around me has literally written and said they have my back, which is mind-blowing. This song has totally manifested itself and come full circle. A personal question: How has becoming a parent (or preparing to be one) shifted how you see your art and career? I wasn't so keen on motherhood. I thought if I became a mum I would have to give up on music, the thing I have been doing since I was 5, and you know what? My greatest musical achievements came after becoming a mum. Firstly, you use your time more efficiently and wisely as you have less. My kids are totally intertwined with my music, whether making silly reels with me, my son Tom telling everyone in his school to listen to my single, or having my boys in the video clip. After a lot of internal debate, and there was a lot, I am a mother before anything, and I will do anything for my boys, but we are all together in this journey, and part of their purpose is to be my roadies, so starting them young. The Long Road to Release Looking back, how long did the journey take from first writing the song to releasing it now? Well, I was pregnant with my second son, Luka, who will be five next week, so it took a while. The thing is, every song release is such a unique journey. This specific song is the journey of where I started off in a new country with no network or stability to teaching music full-time, gigging, having a band, hosting a radio show, raising two great boys, and continuously building my relationship with my partner of 18 years. And the best thing of all is that I am still creating and releasing music, for which I am grateful daily. The song has a soft, retro-pop vibe. What motivated that sonic direction? I wanted it to have a timeless feel, as it has a timeless message, and after creating the song and performing it a lot, that's simply the direction it took. Playful What-Ifs If "Feel Alright" were a fragrance, what would it smell like to you? It would be sweet and sexy with a kick. If you could have a one-song duet with any artist—living or gone—who would you pick and why? Oh, that's too hard, I love so many, but maybe Eddie Vedder. I think we can work great vocally, and I love him. I admire his career and who he is as a person. The song is a good fit for a movie like Midnight in Paris (2011). The retro-jazz feel blends well with the film's romanticized vintage Paris aesthetic.
Rosie Belvie - Daddy’s Girl
A wedding reception. The father and daughter step onto the dance floor. The crowd softens, glitters in eyes. The lights dim, and the lyrics carry the moment. Everyone tears up. A song plays on cue: Daddy’s Girl by Rosie Belvie. The song is a country rock ballad. It has a powerful feeling of nostalgia attached to it. The theme is a generous cover of gratitude and love towards fathers. The arrangement of the song starts with a slow tempo, then enters the emotional vocals, and that is then followed by acoustic instruments. The piece works with a universal appeal of father-daughter relationships. That is something that is deeply relatable and is somewhat an underexplored theme in popular music. Tapping into that creates a strong listener engagement, and the song banks on that. Reinforcing those are the vocals. The piece features a very raw and delicately put-together voice. This is something that creates a personal connection with the voice, the phrasing, and minor imperfections. This creates a stronger bond with the listeners. The song genre, rock ballad, lends itself nicely to storytelling. The genre choice reinforces the emotional arc, and the instrumentation supports this with clean guitars, some slide/pedal steel, strings, and some light orchestration. This gives space to the lyrics to take the main stage. The song is a good fit for a movie like My Girl (1991). A coming-of-age film with a deep father-daughter bond reflection. The tone of Daddy’s Girl would resonate during quieter, sadder moments.