Each Friday, Atwood Journal’s employees share what they’ve been listening to that week – a music, an album, an artist – no matter’s been having an impression on them, within the second.
This week’s weekly roundup options music by Liang Lawrence, Vraell, Wallice, Claudia Bouvette, Jacob Cummings, Camille Schmidt, Optacure, ION, Isabella Storm, Hushtones, Maverick Sabre, Rex & The Rhythm, DUSTIN DAB BOWIE, Nostalgix, Jennifer Cohen, Saloni, R E L, My Cosmic Lady, Kendra & the Bunnies, Fejká, Daniel Schamroth, Mikel Rafael, Maria Kelly, and WØLZT!
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comply with WEEKLY ROUNDUP on Spotify 
:: “Kiss My Apocalypse” – Liang Lawrence ::
Mitch Mosk, Beacon, New York
The dreamy and dramatic collide in Liang Lawrence’s spellbinding new single. A cinematic and searing seduction of the ears and the guts, “Kiss My Apocalypse” is a daring n’ brash declaration of affection eternal channeled by way of a fiery indie pop lens. The London-based singer/songwriter holds nothing again in expressing all of the explanation why two hearts ought to beat as one as two our bodies intertwine, crafting a young, dynamic second of connection and unfiltered vulnerability that mirrors the very intimate declaration of affection itself.
don’t you suppose your t-shirts made for me
obtained our legs all tousled within the morning warmth
why would you ever depart? keep caught to me
why would you ever depart?
ooh, if every little thing was burning ‘spherical us
I’d keep and select to by no means depart our fortress
ooh, I might allow you to eat my coronary heart out
I feel that I might allow you to take this too far
yeah, I feel that I might allow you to take this –
“‘Kiss My Apocalypse’ might be the least informal method you would inform somebody that you simply wish to spend the remainder of your life with them,” Lawrence tells Atwood Journal. “I discovered it refreshing to put in writing a love music that simply merely places my playing cards on the desk and lets somebody know the way I really feel.”
She rises to a fantastic fever pitch within the music’s stunningly catchy refrain:
keep proper right here
100,000 previous canine years
in an ideal world
I may very well be your all the time lady
“Kiss My Apocalypse” is unapologetic, unashamed, and fantastically unabashed. Lawrence is aware of who she needs to be by her facet when the tip instances come, and she or he’s decided to not waste a single second with out that individual. This isn’t just a few passing fancy – a product of lust or in-the-moment want; it’s a deeper, longform ardour that pulls our souls open, demanding that we have a look at love not within the context of days, weeks, or months, however within the span of years. “In an ideal world, I may very well be your all the time lady,” she so eloquently sings.
Lawrence’s boldness is not only admirable and surprising, but additionally exhilarating and provoking. What number of instances have we harbored emotions for somebody, and stated nothing? If “Kiss My Apocalypse” may give even one soul the power to say “I like you” earlier than their window has handed, then will probably be a music nicely spent.
should you’re a sense somewhat experimental
we’re matching up on a molecular stage
you possibly can’t deny it’s simply our biology so
darling, keep caught to me
ooh, even when the world was ending
I’d shut the curtains, blast the audio system up and
ooh, kiss you ‘until my lips had been bleeding
I feel that I might allow you to take this too far
I feel that I might allow you to take this
keep proper right here
100,000 previous canine years
in an ideal world
I may very well be your all the time lady
And for the remainder of us, nicely, if finish instances actually are a’coming, then you definately may as nicely maintain the one you love shut and bask within the glow of that connection. It’s value remembering how particular love actually is, and the way distinctive that bond might be. Past inspiring new likes to type, maybe the best reward this music may give is to rekindle all these present flames, to acknowledge simply how magical their love already is.
darling, ‘until dying do us half
till the tip of time
keep proper right here
100,000 previous canine years
in an ideal world
I may very well be your all the time lady
:: “Waste” – Vraell ::
Mitch Mosk, Beacon, New York
Beyond the breathtaking tenderness of Vraell’s newest single, it’s the attractive ache of his efficiency that makes for a really shifting, emotionally cathartic expertise. Launched November 8th through Nettwerk Music Group, “waste” is a lush and dreamy alt-folk serenade dwelling in an area of intimacy and longing.
The London-based virtuoso guitarist, composer, and singer/songwriter (née Alessio Scozzaro) creates, with little greater than his hushed voice, his mild acoustic guitar, and a few heat pads and strings, a soul-stirring world into which we, his viewers, can dive in headfirst – absorbing the uncooked feelings his music conjures inside.
Off I am going
A feather within the fray
That’s gone and not using a hint
The place?
I don’t know
However nonetheless I can really feel your breeze
Simply by no means certain the place it all the time blows
And blows
I’m caught within the drift so quickly
Who is aware of
If I’ll ever discover a method again by way of?
However I do know I’ll discover a method to you
Oh what a waste
Received caught out within the open air
“‘Waste’ is a music about lengthy distance friendship and the way onerous it’s to keep up it, and being in your head about it till you might be collectively once more and it looks like nothing has modified,” Vraell tells Atwood Journal.
“The traces, ‘Felt you shut after I learnt to let go, now I’ve obtained nothing for it to point out’ sums up that message completely. It’s like I attempted to crack on and never miss that we went our separate methods, as all associates do in some unspecified time in the future, however associates are all the time there and pop up in reminiscences and locations.”
I struggled for days
Don’t know should you’ve seen it
And would you imagine
if I turned my again on all of it?
Was ready for the autumn
Was ready for the autumn
When I discovered my method again to you
I’m glad I discovered my method to you
However, oh what a waste
Vraell’s smooth indie people sound is concurrently candy, seductive, and all-consuming; the majestic pairing of voice and guitar falls on the ears like a comforting blanket, able to be the soothing weight we’d like throughout us. It might not be removed from the usual lullaby, however “waste” guarantees to enchant, enthrall, and encourage all who pay attention, getting us deep in our emotions as Vraell spills his guts out on this dreamlike music.
Is it too late?
Is it too late?
Coming from you
Felt you shut after I learnt to let go
Now I obtained nothing for it to point out
What’s simpler to say?
That every one the whereas I used to be beneath
You had been daring and getting no youthful
Or that we’re damaged
It’s time we learnt
Oh what a waste
Received caught out within the open air
I struggled for days
Don’t know should you’ve seen it
And would you imagine if I turned my again on all of it?
:: The Jester – Wallice ::
Bárbara Martínez Campuzano, Mexico
An trustworthy, self-aware and sensible album is what singer/songwriter Wallice has given the indie/different pop music world in The Jester. Though she’d beforehand launched lead singles “The Opener,” which talks about her expertise on opening for The 1975, and “Heaven Has To Occur,” during which she confesses her imposter syndrome at the same time as she’s carrying out her objectives and goals, the opposite twelve songs on this album are value listening to. Listening to the complete album is touring into the actual world of Wallice, both in case you are strolling down the road or staring up on the ceiling, the sentiments and devices captivate the listener.
The music “I Need You Yesterday,” with a beat that will remind you of different classics within the indie or rock style, is a honest confession on being in fully in love with somebody, together with his pink flags. “Clown Like Me,” a rock anthem, was made with The Strokes’ member Albert Hammond Jr. This can be a nice music particularly with the instrumental (and rock) predominance. One other honorable point out is “The Hardest Working Man Alive,” which highlights the humoristic facet of Wallice’s music, for she has talked about prior to now that making music doesn’t really feel like actual work and, really, it’s a matter of luck to be an artist. Total, Wallice simply included fourteen nice songs to the indie panorama.
:: “BITE THE APPLE” – Claudia Bouvette ::
Francesca Rose, Montreal
Like her debut album launched in 2022, DIARY FOR THE LONELY HEARTS by Montreal-based singer-songwriter Claudia Bouvette is easy-going and satisfying, the kind of music which you can placed on within the background and really feel a rush of power and reassurance. There’s a mixture of the vigorous (80s tinged “LONELY HEARTS”) and the intimate (“DON’T WANNA HEAR THIS SONG ANYMORE”) whereas the ’90s and early 2000s influences that fill her character are dispersed all through.
“BITE THE APPLE” is the music that instantly jumped out at me, the fragile playfulness and melancholy of the verse progressing right into a hypnotic and catchy refrain that’s tremendous simple to sing alongside too. It’s the form of music that you simply really feel a must play once more straight away as a result of as soon as isn’t sufficient.
‘All people is aware of you shouldn’t chunk the apple however you chunk it anyway. All people is aware of there’s some belongings you shouldn’t say however you say ’em both method’ goes a part of the refrain, the traces whirling in a hyperactive method by way of my head whereas I run or stroll to work. There are sometimes instances within the day when an album suits finest and the music of Claudia Bouvette, for me anyway, is right within the morning and afternoon when making ready to delve into one thing that requires the psychological and bodily power.
:: Southern & Enlightened – Jacob Cummings ::
Rachel Leong, France
Jacob Cummings arrives with extremely anticipated solo debut album, Southern & Enlightened. Impressed by Cummings’ upbringing in New Smyrna Seashore, Florida, the file was recorded in his grandmother’s residence. Symbolically so, Southern & Enlightened is a journey by way of area and time, tracing Cummings’ personal path – seeing household and the coastal soundscapes by way of his eyes.
Evoking familiarity and luxury, Southern & Enlightened blends indie people with experimental and huge preparations. Cummings restores colour to blurry photograph qualities along with his atmospheric sensibilities, lush with intricate instrumentals and bittersweet nostalgia.
Alongside the brand new file, Cummings debuts a brief movie, standing at virtually 40 minutes alongside, telling the story of the file by way of his lens. Shot and directed by the artist himself, the visuals are wealthy with free spirits and life cycles amidst the huge Florida panorama, complementing the file in glowing concord.
:: “XOXO” – Camille Schmidt ::
Chloe Robinson, California
Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Camille Schmidt speaks her most inside ideas aloud in her newest single “XOXO.” The piece opens with a drum machine and weightless synths which pairs seamlessly together with her delicate, distorted tone. The extra you pay attention the extra you might be drawn into her contemplations of existence. She sings, “Twenty-seven only a child. A lot on this life that I might do.” This lyric makes us consider all of the issues we wish to accomplish and the way a lot life we nonetheless have left. She goes on to disclose, “The opposite day I had this fantasy. What should you and me, we had a child? Two mothers make an actual f*ing baddie.” Many people have related fleeting ideas making her private brainstorms extremely relatable. The music video showcases Schmidt cleansing a criminal offense scene in a motel and later burying the physique. It’s attention-grabbing to listen to her say issues like “Once I’m alone I am going f*ing loopy. Conjuring the demon in my room,” as she scrubs blood off the bathe door.
Schmidt blends synth-pop, people, and punk for a sound that’s distinctive and uncooked. When the singer was younger, she would sit on the kitchen desk whereas fashions posed nude in her mother and father’ artwork studio. Oftentimes these intimate work would obtain titles like “Lady with Canines #3.” She all the time contemplated why such private works can be given such generic names. This impressed her to name her debut album Nude #9. Rising up in a artistic family it solely is smart she would create her personal model of artwork. “XOXO” really shows that daring originality.
:: “With the Moon” – Optacure ::
Danielle Holian, Galway, Eire
Optacure’s newest single, “With The Moon,” is like catching an ideal wave of dreamy nostalgia on a moonlit seashore night time. This monitor, impressed by a easy but magical night time spent with family members, captures the heat of excellent firm and the quiet fantastic thing about a moonrise that feels prefer it was pulled from a film scene. Edmund Gemelo Jr., the artistic thoughts behind Optacure, has a knack for turning life’s fleeting, on a regular basis moments into songs that persist with you—making “With The Moon” an emotional, cinematic journey in itself.
The manufacturing, dealt with by longtime collaborator Ean Aguila, takes the music to new heights with a lush, ambient mix of indie pop and electro-pop influences. Aguila brings in atmospheric synths, mild beats, and refined layers that really feel like they’re dancing across the melody, creating the right backdrop for Gemelo’s soulful vocals. The result’s a monitor that feels as refreshing as a sea breeze and as comforting as a hearth chat. Optacure has delivered a tune that’s good for late-night drives, seashore bonfires, or any second while you simply must soak in some starry-eyed vibes.
:: Like a Illness – ION ::
Danielle Holian, Galway, Eire
Like a Illness, the long-awaited EP by experimental artist ION, delves deeply into themes of religious preservation, esoteric knowledge, and madness. ION is well-known for fusing spirituality, music, and the occult. They stretch the bounds of genres to create a wealthy auditory expertise that delves into the spirituality of historic people. The EP weaves a tapestry of feelings based mostly within the nexus of lunacy and mysticism, taking listeners on a visceral investigation of divine consciousness with its haunting melodies and dramatic soundscapes.
The six-track EP marks a shift in ION’s artistic route, embracing a multidisciplinary strategy that blends music with ritualistic and religious undertones. From the ceremonial tones of “Mercurii Ritual” to the aboriginal-inspired chants in “Homesick,” ION invokes long-forgotten sacred practices. Every monitor provides a singular exploration of themes reminiscent of societal suffocation, historic religious loss, and the duality of witches’ perceptions. With “Floor Rigidity,” as an example, ION explores how societal pressures result in insanity, furthering the EP’s thematic ties to psychological boundaries and metaphysical realities.
ION describes Like A Illness as a major second in his inventive evolution, saying, “It represents a shift in direction of ritualistic, extra intimate expressions of the occult.” The EP acts not simply as a musical expertise however as a sonic ceremony that challenges listeners to replicate on the fragile stability between sanity and the religious unknown. With this launch, ION alerts the beginning of a brand new period in his profession, one which invitations audiences to reconnect with historic knowledge whereas concurrently exploring trendy experimentalism.
:: “CryBaby” – Isabella Storm ::
Joe Beer, Surrey, UK
Hailing from Yorkshire within the UK, pop sensation Isabella Storm has lately unveiled her intoxicating new single “CryBaby,” forward of her extremely anticipated EP, due subsequent yr. The kaleidoscopic single, explodes with oscillating synths, colourful melodies and a fast-paced beat, delivering an infectious power.
The upcoming EP, together with “CryBaby” sees the songwriter referring to themes of affection and heartbreak. The Brit shares, “Cliche I do know however heartbreak makes for excellent artwork. Scorned is the phrase somebody used to explain my songs and I agree with them – an Aries scorned!!”
As she chants time and again “mummy didn’t increase no quitter,” we’re urged to dig deep, rise above the ache, and remodel heartbreak into power and empowerment. Oozing with confidence, Isabella Storm is right here to remind us of our value with the tantalizing “CryBaby.”
:: “Paper Flowers” – Hushtones ::
Mitch Mosk, Beacon, New York
Tright here’s nothing “hushed” about Hushtones’ newest, biggest single: An exhilarating launch of uncooked, radiant power, “Paper Flowers” explores rejection and loneliness (“and the way brutal these issues can really feel”) by way of a daring and buoyant indie pop lens, compelling us to leap round and dance ourselves dizzy whereas nonetheless dwelling in life’s uncooked depths. It’s a spellbinding seduction; an irresistibly catchy haze of candy sound and searing emotion, all of which collides to make a breathtakingly daring, smile-inducing storm.
“As with all the songs we write, we’ve developed this one right into a enjoyable and uplifting pop banger,” Hushtones inform Atwood Journal. “We approached penning this music in fairly a distinct method. The lyrics poured out quietly at residence with a regular verse / refrain format however once we obtained collectively to play the music within the apply room, the music took on a lifetime of its personal, and it turned one thing far more highly effective. It gave us precise goosebumps!”
“We felt a pull to finish the music with a protracted hypnotic chant that involves an enormous climax. It’s a music about empowering your self by way of loneliness and never settling for pretend love and the eagerness of this sentiment actually shines by way of. It’s additionally value mentioning that this music has develop into actually necessary for us, for the place we’re as a band. Being within the music business is stuffed with ups and downs, however with the ability to create one thing like this collectively makes all of it really feel value it. It’s now the music we all the time select to shut our present with.”
They could not odor like something, they bend and break all too simply, and so they gained’t develop again should you plant them within the floor; even nonetheless, there’s one thing undeniably alluring about “Paper Flowers” that has us basking in Hushtones’ vibrant gentle. The Liverpool-based five-piece of Martha Goddard, Mick Campbell, Caitlin McPaul, Joe Dillon, and Abraham Tesfachristos have been lighting up audiences’ ears for the previous 4 years now, and their new single is an invigorating launch of power that may have us shifting and grooving all the best way into the brand new yr.
:: “Lay Down on Me” – Maverick Sabre ::
Mitch Mosk, Beacon, New York
Maverick Sabre’s “Lay Down on Me” is a roaring, radiant hearth manifest in smoky, seductively smoldering, soul-soaked music. A declaration of timeless love and infinite devotion, the ultimate single taken off the Irish singer/songwriter’s lately launched fifth studio album Burn the Proper Issues Down is a heavy, red-hot fever dream: An aching, all-consuming act of intimacy that finds Sabre singing his coronary heart out, along with his personal bare soul tattooed on his sleeve: “Simply lay down on me when no one is aware of,” he sings, providing himself as a supply of security and an area of consolation. “Simply lay down on me, ‘trigger I’ll by no means go.”
When your arms can’t appear to carry the burden
And your coronary heart can’t really feel one other day
I’ll comply with you there
Trigger nonetheless part of you is holding me
And part of me is holding on for you
So simply lay down on me
When no one is aware of
Simply lay down on me
“Lay Down on Me” presents that basic Muscle Shoals sound in a contemporary context; it’s dramatic and pressing, putting Sabre’s voice entrance and heart, aided by extra harmonizing voices, a roaring, riffing electrical guitar, busting bass work, horns, and extra. Sabre has described this monitor as capturing the “unbreakable pull between two souls,” and maybe it’s that plain human ardour – that tie that binds us to 1 one other – that makes this music so plain and irresistible.
Settle in and let it out
I promise
I don’t need you heavy now
On my conscience
If It’s in your thoughts simply say
And I’ll heat you
I can by no means cease the rain
However I wish to
Nonetheless part of you is holding me
And a part of me is holding on for you
So simply lay down on me
When no one is aware of
Simply lay down on me
Trigger I’ll by no means go
:: “Play My Guitar” – Rex & The Rhythm ::
Grace Holtzclaw, Los Angeles, CA
Rex & The Rhythm grew up in Barbados the place he first sparked his love for music from a younger age. Previously a member of the acclaimed Carib-pop group Cowl Drive, Rex had the chance to open for artists among the many likes of Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, Ashanti, and Lauryn Hill. Now making a reputation for himself along with his solo mission, Rex & The Rhythm is forging forward on his newest launch “Play My Guitar.” The monitor chronicles a relationship the place Rex does every little thing in his energy to please his associate solely to be met with a chilly shoulder.
“Play My Guitar” comes alive with uneven, ear-catching percussion, energetic riffs, and highly effective vocals that bounce the octave while you least count on it. He sings, “I let her play my guitar whereas she’s enjoying with me.” The verses really feel like an engine accelerating earlier than crashing into Rex’s climactic refrain. There’s an overbearing depth of coronary heart on this monitor as Rex & The Rhythm offers his every little thing to embody an unforgettable efficiency.
Rex & The Rhythm was impressed by Maroon 5 and Anderson Paak. whereas creating “Play My Guitar.” You’ll be able to hear it within the intoxicating chord progressions, summary move, and euphoric hook on the core of his monitor. Now based mostly in Los Angeles and dedicated to pursuing music, “Play My Guitar” is simply only the start for Rex & The Rhythm.
:: “RENDEZVOUS” – DUSTIN DAB BOWIE ::
Grace Holtzclaw, Los Angeles, CA
DUSTIN DAB BOWIE is a seasoned songwriter who has written for artists together with Beyoncé, Fortunate Daye, Kaytranada, Ari Lennox, Kehlani, and Mahalia. He’s a Grammy Award winner for his contributions to Beyoncé’s Renaissance and has been nominated 9 instances for his work. The Los Angeles based mostly songwriter is now stepping ahead as his personal artist on his attractive debut monitor “RENDEZVOUS” ft. Jeffery Miller. The monitor is a sheer fantasy that captures the essence of an unforgettable night time.
“RENDEZVOUS” glows with glowing riffs, regular percussion, sultry bass traces, and alluring harmonies that draw you nearer towards the guts of the monitor. BOWIE sings, “Rendezvous / Me and also you / Imma set that physique free.” The lyrics are about stepping outdoors of the monotonous everyday hustle and experiencing one thing reduce straight from the creativeness. “RENDEZVOUS” is a sonic escape that transports you to a different world.
“RENDEZVOUS” marks a brand new chapter for DUSTIN DAB BOWIE as an artist. Coming into a brand new period of independence, this monitor is simply only the start for him. Lending his unparalleled experience and craftsmanship as a songwriter to the guts of his personal mission, the chances are limitless.
:: “Present Me Love” – Nostalgix ::
Josh Weiner, Washington DC
Tlisted here are many explanation why I’ve caught round Atwood for so long as I’ve (10 years in just some months!) One is that, by being onboard right here, I get to find numerous rising musical skills. And moreover, I usually get to rediscover numerous stated skills! Nostalgix is the newest working example there – I first wrote a bit about her again in 2020, when she was one in all many artists to show that, although it was fairly the crummy yr in each different facet, a minimum of good music was nonetheless popping out (it simply wasn’t getting carried out stay but). And now, 4 years later, normalcy has returned, and so has Nostalgix herself!
It’s nice to rediscover this Canadian-Iranian EDM queen through her newest launch, “Present Me Love.” The music demonstrates that Nostalgix nonetheless has a aptitude for electronica manufacturing as a lot as ever, whereas additionally breaking new floor as the primary of her formally launched tracks to prominently function her personal vocals. “Come take my hand, simply take me greater,” Nostalgia sings. “I want some assist to get by way of this hearth.” It’s comparatively easy lyrical fare, however coupled with some hard-hitting synth-heavy manufacturing, the music is able to sort out its double obligation of getting the listener energized and serving to Nostalgix to beat a few of the current private woes of hers alluded to within the lyrics. Think about the feat achieved, on each accounts!
:: “Fever Dream” – Jennifer Cohen & Wealthy ::
Danielle Holian, Galway, Eire
When Jennifer Cohen and rising alt-pop sensation Wealthy collide, the result’s nothing in need of magic. Their new single “Fever Dream” is an beautiful mix of intimate songwriting and expansive soundscapes, drawing listeners right into a world that feels each tenderly private and dreamily cinematic. Cohen’s evocative lyrics anchor the monitor in uncooked emotion, whereas Wealthy’s ethereal harmonies elevate it to hovering heights. The refrain is the crown jewel: their voices intertwine over a shimmering piano line, making a hauntingly lovely soundscape that’s equal components fragile and highly effective. It’s the form of music that stays with you, echoing behind your thoughts lengthy after the ultimate be aware fades.
The chemistry between Cohen and Wealthy is plain, and it’s their means to enhance and distinction one another that makes “Fever Dream” so compelling. Cohen’s lyrical vulnerability finds an ideal counterpart in Wealthy’s haunting vocals, which appear so as to add a shadowy second layer to the music’s emotional depth. The fragile piano melody flutters beneath the floor like a heartbeat, grounding the monitor whereas permitting it to soar. With its introspective vibe and plush sonic textures, “Fever Dream” is a masterclass in alt-pop collaboration – a monitor that not solely showcases their particular person artistry however elevates it by way of their seamless partnership. This can be a must-listen for anybody craving music that looks like a heat, wistful embrace.
:: Rani – Saloni ::
Danielle Holian, Galway, Eire
Saloni’s Rani EP is a glittering crown jewel of musical innovation, mixing Pop, R&B, and Bollywood right into a sonic tapestry that feels each groundbreaking and timeless. Throughout six tracks, this British Asian powerhouse seamlessly transitions between 5 languages, inviting listeners on a genre-hopping journey of empowerment and emotion. There’s a nice mixture of unapologetic queen power, to heartfelt ballads that tug on the soul, as she showcases her versatility with finesse. Every monitor pulses with an irresistible rhythm and authenticity, proving that Saloni isn’t only a rising artist; she’s a pressure to be reckoned with.
What makes Rani really fascinating is its fearless embrace of duality. But, by way of all of it, there’s a unifying thread of self-empowerment and cultural pleasure that feels refreshingly relatable. Whether or not you’re a longtime fan of Saloni’s distinctive fusion or a curious newcomer, this EP is certain to go away you singing alongside, swaying to the beat, and eagerly awaiting what this queen has in retailer subsequent. It’s greater than music – it’s a declaration. Saloni has arrived, and the world higher make room.
:: “Medication” – R E L ::
Chloe Robinson, California
So many individuals wrestle to realize self-love. They decide aside the items of themselves they dislike and solely concentrate on that. R E L is on a profound journey of reflection and therapeutic. Her smooth, wistful single “Medication” particulars searching for self-love and studying to rebuild. Listeners are tightly wrapped up by her heat, melancholic vocals. Strains like “I needed to swallow down the medication of my life” are extraordinarily highly effective. This reveals she is dealing with her demons head on. R E L evokes others to additionally look inside and mend deep scars.
Her soul-searching songs are intimate and trustworthy. The singer-songwriter has even coined the time period “evocapop” to finest describe it. Her earlier releases “Plateau” and “Night time Metropolis” are fan favorites. “Night time Metropolis” was written for the online game Cyberpunk 2077 and was featured within the sport’s trailer. “Medication” possesses a extra delicate vibe, however is equally as fascinating. Anybody of their restoration period ought to undoubtedly try this piece.
:: “Psychic” – My Cosmic Lady ::
Mitch Mosk, Beacon, New York
Romance and anticipation mix in My Cosmic Lady’s fantastically dreamy third single. Launched in late August, “Psychic” is a seductively candy indie people reverie filled with ardour and appeal, wealthy harmonies and plush instrumentations. The Wellington, New Zealand-based band indulge in an area of current and potential intimate connection as they embrace the singular heat and marvel of affection:
I felt you coming
Earlier than you had been even right here
My psychic predicted
You had been close to
I might really feel you earlier than you arrived
I knew it, the primary time I appeared into your eyes
One title, caught inside my mind
Burning sizzling had been the summer time days
I felt you coming as robust because the tide
I felt you coming in
Unconscious mind-set
“I simply had that feeling that my life was about to be blessed with romance and companionship. I really feel very in contact with my instinct, and I wished to put in writing about that have – which finally turned a actuality!” My Cosmic Lady’s lead vocalist Ella Doty tells Atwood Journal.
“I feel these emotions have been captured so nicely sonically additionally. We labored with two unimaginable string gamers, Antonia Grant and Alex Hoare, who made the music flourish and are available to life! It actually made the piece into this whimsical soundscape, which we felt the music wanted given the topic.”
Now right here you might be, in my automobile
We don’t drive too far
Till the engine craps out and had been in a tow automobile
However we don’t thoughts
Cos we obtained there on time
To pay attention the music
Darkish of night time
One title, caught inside my mind
Burning sizzling had been the summer time days
I felt you coming as robust because the tide
I felt you coming in
Unconscious mind-set
A young, dramatic, and impassioned serenade, “Psychic” follows this previous Could’s “Assist It” and 2022’s debut single “Frenchie” to develop into My Cosmic Lady’s third-ever profession launch. It’s a hanging present of musical and emotional pressure from the still-burgeoning band, and one which captures each their skills as a gaggle in addition to their innate humanity.
We might not all the time see love coming, however songs like “Psychic” seize the magic – and the wonder – current in our on a regular basis lives.
And also you’re all mine
It feels proper
For the primary time
In my life
:: “Manic Pixie Nightmare” – Kendra & The Bunnies ::
Danielle Holian, Galway, Eire
Okayendra & the Bunnies are again, and together with her newest single, “Manic Pixie Nightmare,” Kendra Muecke dives headfirst right into a whirlwind of self-discovery and defies each stereotype alongside the best way. Recognized for her genre-blending sound and electrical power, Kendra takes intention on the drained “manic pixie dream lady” trope, reinventing it as a name to be unapologetically your self. Her vocals are fierce but heartfelt, hovering over gritty rock-pop instrumentals that pull you in and don’t let go. It’s the form of music that looks like an anthem for anybody who’s ever felt boxed in by expectations or pressured to play a task in another person’s story. This monitor pulses with the power of self-liberation, pushing listeners to interrupt free from labels and carve out their very own id.
The music video is simply as fascinating, set within the bustling Los Angeles subway between North Hollywood and Hollywood Blvd, the place Kendra navigates the journey of discovering herself amid the chaos. The distinction between the LA subway’s uncooked, city setting and Kendra’s reflective lyrics brings a relatable realism to the music’s message. Watching her on display, you possibly can’t assist however really feel such as you’re a part of her story, using alongside her as she reclaims her narrative in a metropolis constructed on glamor and grit. It’s a journey value taking, and “Manic Pixie Nightmare” is a soundtrack for anybody able to stay authentically, flaws and all.
:: “Maara” – Fejká ::
Josh Weiner, Washington DC
Sometimes, there actually might be large magnificence in pure simplicity. Within the case of the brand new video for “Maara” by German DJ/producer Fejká, just a few photographs of him standing solo at his beat machine, working his magic on the fringe of the cliff, are all it takes for a critical “WOW!” issue to be achieved!
A longtime prolific electronica maker, Fejká has taken a pause recently, each to catch his breath after a whirlwind of touring and recording recently, in addition to to flee the chilly of his native Black Forest area in southern Germany and as a substitute bask within the solar of the Canary Islands. His time in these “islas españolas” have served him with loads of inventive inspiration, it appears, and he actually has captured some majestic footage of them in his video for his comeback single, “Maara.” Additionally it is important as the primary launch on his new label, Coexist, which he says shall be outlined by music that’s “serene and contemplative by day, but pulsating with vigor and dynamism come dusk.” If “Maara” is an early pattern of that template, then the longer term outcomes are more likely to be thrilling and fascinating in their very own proper as nicely!
:: “Skyscraper” – Daniel Schamroth ::
Joe Beer, Surrey, UK
UOkay singer/songwriter Daniel Schamroth takes issues again to the fundamentals along with his new residence demo launch of “Skyscraper.” A superb instance of much less is extra, the Devon born artist lets his guitar and vocals take heart stage, delivering a uncooked and heartfelt efficiency that captures the great thing about simplicity.
His emotive lyrics tug at your heartstrings as he speaks in regards to the honeymoon stage of a blossoming new love. The songwriter shares, “Skyscraper was written within the early throes of romance, while you first meet somebody. You are feeling just like the world’s your oyster and also you’re out exploring that secret world collectively, feeling unstoppable and filled with chance.”
Regardless of having a somber and melancholic tone, “Skyscraper” is definitely an uplifting monitor about feeling excessive on life. With an undercurrent of hope, Schamroth celebrates the intoxicating thrill of latest love and new beginnings and the boundless optimism that comes with it.
:: “A Protect and a Sword” – Mikel Rafael ::
Danielle Holian, Galway, Eire
Mikel Rafael’s “A Protect and a Sword” is an emotionally charged people ballad that resonates deeply, mixing the timeless storytelling of Homer’s The Iliad with the urgency and tragedy of at this time’s world. Impressed by Hector’s poignant farewell to his household earlier than heading into battle, the music explores the common themes of sacrifice, love, and the unstated bravery that accompanies warfare. Rafael’s soulful voice, wealthy with each vulnerability and power, captures the profound weight of those feelings, whereas the people instrumentation, infused with Celtic and Americana influences, creates a lush, atmospheric backdrop that completely enhances the music’s depth. The monitor feels timeless, evoking each the traditional world and modern struggles with hanging relevance.
What units “A Protect and a Sword” aside is Mikel’s means to make these historic tales really feel deeply private. The music’s dedication to the troopers of Ukraine provides a contemporary, poignant twist, connecting the heroism of fantasy with the braveness of at this time’s warriors. The association builds slowly, drawing the listener in with a way of anticipation earlier than exploding into a robust, evocative refrain that lingers lengthy after the music fades out. This monitor isn’t only a music—it’s a robust tribute to resilience and sacrifice, a stirring anthem that invitations reflection and connection on each a private and world stage. Mikel Rafael’s meticulous songwriting and distinctive fusion of genres promise a vibrant future within the people and Americana scene.
:: “Droop” – Maria Kelly ::
Mitch Mosk, Beacon, New York
Slumps don’t final eternally, however while you’re deep in a single, it’s like there’s no method out. Though we’ve all been there – although we’ve all felt that hopelessness and heartache firsthand – Maria Kelly’s “Droop” nonetheless manages to ship shivers down the backbone. “I’m in a stoop and I can’t get up, I’ve been feeling this fashion all week,” the Irish singer/songwriter confesses, her mild voice haunting and heartfelt, up-close and private. It’s a uncooked, weak, and visceral confessional from a tormented soul – a music that finally proves to be as lovely as it’s totally breathtaking.
I’m in a stoop and I can’t get up
I’ve been feeling this fashion all week
Received time, I’m younger sufficient
Perhaps there’s no want to fret
It’s simply the burden of each transfer that I make,
It’s scary
I decide a path, I am going for that
Nicely form of, barely
I’m in a stoop and I can’t get up,
I’ve been feeling this fashion all week
Don’t suppose that I’ll quit
However this mattress is fairly cozy
I really feel the burden of each step that I take
It’s scary
I decide a activity, I am going for that
Nicely form of, barely
A powerfully shifting show of songwriting expertise, “Droop” is the lead single off Maria Kelly’s forthcoming sophomore album Ready Room, out February 28th, 2025 through VETA Information.
“‘Droop’ felt like the fitting place to start when eager about learn how to roll out this subsequent mission. It captures a place to begin – discovering myself, as soon as once more, in the beginning of a mountain to climb, with no actual will to climb it,” Kelly tells Atwood Journal. “I had been listening to numerous Adrianne Lenker and Elliot Smith when the thought of ‘Droop’ started. It began on guitar, with a brilliant easy chord construction – it felt kind of boring in the beginning and I wasn’t certain the place to convey it.”
“As soon as Matt Harris and I obtained to the studio, it felt just like the lyrics required extra humour within the sound. Matt steered eliminating the guitar completely, which opened up a lot area to mess around with different devices. We began experimenting with ukulele, mandolin, percussion… It landed on this humorous twee universe that I feel pokes enjoyable at that self-deprecating area we are able to all discover ourselves in.”
I stoop down in my seat
I certain hope you gained’t ask me
How I’ve been, recently
I’m in a stoop and I can’t get up
I’ve been feeling this fashion all week
I feel I could be caught
Or misplaced myself fully
I really feel the burden of each phrase that I say,
It’s heavy,
I take it again, I technique act
Nicely form of, barely
Nevertheless candy it might be, that tender and light-weight twee sound can solely accomplish that a lot within the midst of Kelly’s emotional angst and unfiltered aching. “Droop” is a candid, cathartic confessional from a soul’s depths; it’s dreamy and unapologetically melodramatic, deep in its emotions, delicate, and gut-wrenching.
And but, it’s additionally the form of music that, by shining a light-weight on the darkness inside, genuinely uplifts its viewers – inspiring us to see our world anew; to breathe in hope and love, heat and marvel; and to smile. That Maria Kelly can evoke a lot emotion in simply two minutes’ time is a testomony to her expertise as an artist; we are going to little doubt be paying further particular consideration to her over the months forward as she prepares to launch her sophomore album.
I stoop down in my seat
I certain hope you gained’t ask me
How I’ve been, recently
And for individuals who discover themselves in a stoop, please give this music a pay attention. Typically, it helps to know we’re not alone in how we’re feeling, and Maria Kelly has gone above and past to seize the sheer weight of life itself in “Droop.”
:: Tapes From The Maze – WØLZT ::
Danielle Holian, Galway, Eire
WØLZT’s Tapes From The Maze is a mesmerising foray into what he calls “hypnagogic rock,” a style he’s crafted by merging ambient soundscapes with post-rock’s emotional resonance and a cinematic contact that feels hauntingly immersive. Throughout three tracks, every spanning over eleven minutes, WØLZT invitations listeners on a journey into shadowy, dreamlike worlds the place minimalist synths, pulsing basslines, and delicate crescendos construct an environment of suspense and introspection. The opening monitor, “Noise,” is a masterpiece of quiet pressure, constructing slowly into a robust, ambient crescendo that looks like getting into the guts of a dystopian panorama. By the point the EP reaches its conclusion with “Sign,” listeners discover themselves floating in an expansive, cosmic soundscape that’s each meditative and arresting.
What makes Tapes From The Maze so fascinating is WØLZT’s means to create music that feels much less like a soundtrack and extra like an expertise. Every monitor unfolds with a endurance that’s uncommon in at this time’s fast-paced musical panorama, permitting each beat, pause, and texture to breathe and evolve. His use of sound feels intentional and cinematic, as if guiding the listener by way of a sonic maze of reminiscences, feelings, and distant echoes. With this EP, WØLZT has redefined what it means to create immersive music; it’s a journey that rewards these prepared to lose themselves in its depths, and it marks him as a daring innovator within the ambient and post-rock scenes.
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