Cherry Vance – better
‘better’ captures a sense of soft pop-punk melancholy with an energy and build that keeps things exciting as it moves along. Starting with a simple guitar riff before introducing deeply emotional and soft but strong vocals, it jumps in with so much emotion from the get-go. The production is crisp but not overdone, and the emotion shines through the vocal delivery. This overall softness is cut in with a belt in the chorus. This track keeps the slow tempo for a bit, but later, percussion is added before building into a fuller sound. Every aspect of how it flows feels so purposeful and helps deliver its narrative. When it comes to lyrics, ‘better’ is about having to walk away from a partner while hoping they grow and wanting to give a second chance.
yeto – sakura
‘sakura’ uses bendy guitars and reverb to build a distinct atmosphere from the start. It has such a laid-back sound that’s reminiscent of a chill spring day. The slower tempo feels like it’s made to pull listeners into a daydream of introspection. There’s a lo-fi aspect to it, but this doesn’t pull away from the clarity of the instrumentation, and the mix fills the space well, allowing every sound to jump out in its own right with percussion and several guitar layers. The vocals have a general breathiness, but this works in a way that builds a somber emotion. Later in the track, there are multiple vocal layers, which make things feel so full despite the track’s softness. ‘sakura’ is about being in a space of pain but wanting to get out of it to grow and find peace.
KYLO – Nimble
‘Nimble’ is an evolution for KYLO, in which the sound pulls away from an electronic basis and is more acoustic and soft. The vocals have a lot of emotion, and the pianos and strings give a nice warm basis for the vocals to build on. Percussion is introduced later on, and it builds into a folksy, anthemic track loaded with emotion. The vocals have a breathiness, but they also work with a brighter tone that fills up the audible space. The melody is great, and the chorus is catchy despite being laid back. Between the steel-bend guitar, strummed and fingerpicked layers, a banjo, and more, this track shows how strings can be used to craft something beautiful. ‘Nimble’ comes from the eyes of someone in a relationship that’s fading away who wants things to be how they used to.
Louis Peschke – The Way
Louis Peshke uses great vocal harmonies and a driving bass lead to build a pop-country-based track with a moderate flow on ‘The Way’. Once again, this track is loaded with feeling that shines through the vocal delivery. The percussion moves things along smoothly, and the electric guitars hold a driving energy despite the overall pace of the track. There’s a bounce in this track, but the bounce doesn’t feel heavy or too strong. Also, the instrumental portion gives the guitar a chance to lead with distinct intricacy. This is one of those songs that pulls listeners in with its initial sound but bends and flows in a way that leaves something new around each corner. In terms of lyrics, this track is about loving someone, but having them not return that love over time. It’s about wanting a change to impact that dynamic with a yearning for what once was.
Jody Lynn – Tantalizing
‘Tantalizing’ captures a sound that throws back to the Y2K era with its addictive hooks and pop idol vibes, but there’s also a modern rock edge that brings it to life. This track is dynamic, and though it has that pop basis, at times it’s heavy. This is a strong release in that way. It throws back to sounds that listeners already know and love but provides a modern flair. There’s even an instrumental record scratch that throws back a bit to the nu-metal scene. Musically, the verses have a snappy rhythmic flow with a punchy force behind the vocals, and these verses are typically intersected with softer moments that still allow the bouncy flow of the chorus to shine. Lyrically, this is a confident power-bop. It’s about one knowing their own power and allure and using that to take what they want.
Written by Sage Plapp
Cover image by Radik 2707
