Love, yearning, heartbreak, and relationship struggles; all part of the human condition. This round-up collects 5 tracks that should be on the radar of any listener who appreciates seeing different aspects, the good and the bad, of the same thing. Also, every artist included is an indie up-and-comer with obvious passion and dedication to making music with a distinct storyline.
Nikki Nicole – 19
‘19’ starts the sound of an emotional pop ballad, though it uses electronic sounds in its instrumentation. Synths in the background float around in the soundscape with an almost vocalized “ahh” sound. This intro provides a build that’s slow, but not too slow, and it does well at ushering in the next sound. Drums cut in with heavy bass, the vocals still moving smoothly along, before a heavier sound with some strong 808s cuts in. This gives a really strong chorus, which slowly fades back into the softness that was heard before. The vocals are emotionally strong, and they give a sense of yearning in their undertones. ‘19’ represents a lyrical narrative of still growing older, not ready to settle down with another, because there’s so much ahead.
Kayla Marque – Fever Dream
‘Fever Dream’ takes things in another direction, with an R&B basis and a bit of an EDM vibe. This track stands out with its soul-filled vocals, constantly evolving electronic instrumentation, and dynamic vocal filtering. The ethereal backing harmonies sound goddess-like, and they fit right in with the buzzy but softly mixed bass and string-like synths wobble along at times. This track is smooth at times, but it also has a bit of grit to it with the way that the percussion drags things along. This percussion feels a little trap-influenced but toned back in terms of tempo. This track is about developing into an infatuation and falling in love, wanting to slow down time with this person. The main hook goes, “You’re a dream, and I’m a fever.”
Naomi Jane – Clementines
‘Clementines’ matches the soft sweetness of ‘Making Sense,’ but it works primarily with acoustic guitar layers in the background. Fingerpicking, strumming, and bends all come together, with a bass that enters later, to have a full, acoustic string instrumental backing. There are also some percussive shakers that join as things move along, but the strings also bring a percussive nature, as some are smooth, and some are more plucky. The vocals capture a gorgeous alto tone with more than enough emotion to share, and they take the foreground of the mix without pulling from the fullness of the instrumentation. This track comes from the space of someone in a loving relationship, receiving acts of kindness from the one that they love, and giving back in return.
ALEXIIA – Making Sense
‘Making Sense’ is an indie pop track that utilizes a foreground guitar, soft shaker-filled percussion, some light bass, and dreamlike synths to build a dreamy vibe. The instrumentation is soft and smooth overall; it drives things along like a daydream. This is contrasted with the vocals, which have a great mix of melody and rhythm. This is brought to life with a unique emotiveness that has a lot of feeling behind it, which drives the lyricism well. It seems to come from the standpoint of someone who was in a relationship with another who thinks primarily of themself. It’s about a post-breakup, realizing that the partner treated them in a way that made them feel like they were weird, but they’re moving forward and can live in the present.
GiGi McCourt – Far
‘Far’ softly ushers its sound in with pianos and some softer guitar, the tempo being held back and emotional. The vocals have a really nice and sweet vibrato to them, and they reach some beautiful, soft, breathy tones. There’s a really soft sway in this track, which does well at pulling listeners into things with a heartfeltness. Though this track is slower and has a longer run time, it shifts over time, especially in the vocals. This holds attention while also delivering the lyrical narrative, which seems meant to be slow, as this delivers the message best. It tackles the idea of struggling in human connections with others, which affects closer relationships. To give a little more depth, ‘Far’ seems to tackle a relationship where the person that they desire doesn’t feel close to them and pushes them away. In the beginning, they felt close, but the way that this other person acts makes them feel far away over time.
Written by Sage Plapp
Cover image by DS stories
