Reviews
‘Someone’s Got To’- Catlea, finding courage to choose yourself
There comes a point after heartbreak when waiting for somebody else to repair the damage becomes its own form of surrender. And on their new single ‘Someone’s Got To’, Cincinnati-born, London-based artist Catlea captures that moment with unusual clarity, turning private disappointment into a quietly resolute declaration of self-worth. Built around acoustic guitar, cinematic strings and a vocal […]
‘Mercy Mercy’- Kinshift, channelling compassion through soul
Mercy is often discussed as a quiet virtue, something private, solemn and offered in moments of reflection. But on ‘Mercy Mercy’, St. Louis collective KinShift gives it rhythm, colour and momentum, turning an appeal for understanding into an exuberant collision of gospel, neo-soul, funk and Motown-inspired pop. Running at just over two minutes, the single is compact but […]
‘One in a Million’- A Thousand Hills, bringing a lost song of hope into the present
On ‘One in a Million’, Poland-based project A Thousand Hills reaches back into the mid-90s and retrieves a song that had never previously found its place on modern streaming platforms. Written by James Macfarlane, with its distinctive guitar hook supplied by John Newton, the track now reappears as a thoughtful meeting point between past instinct and present perspective. A song […]
‘Think It Through’- Lana Karlay, hitting the point of no return
There is a particular kind of frustration that comes from watching somebody you care about remain trapped inside the wrong relationship. Advice has already been offered, warning signs have already been noticed, and every conversation appears to circle back towards the same painful conclusion. Eventually, concern stops sounding gentle. On her newest outing ‘Think It Through’, […]
‘Imperfect’- Tony Lio, letting the flaws roar
Perfection is often presented as something to pursue, yet the closer society moves towards a single ideal, the more people are encouraged to conceal the qualities that make them recognisable. And on his new single ‘Imperfect’, New Jersey artist Tony Lio pushes back against that pressure with a loud, guitar-driven celebration of individuality, turning perceived flaws into signs […]
‘Freeze’- Adrielle Bow Belle, mapping the anatomy of fear
Fear doesn’t always arrive screaming. Sometimes it enters through a news bulletin, the sound of sirens outside, a document demanding proof of belonging or the childhood habit of staring at a bedroom ceiling until its patterns become faces. It settles into posture, breath and memory, remaining long after the immediate danger has passed. And on her […]
‘Catch Me’- Kendra Erika, turning the chase into a dazzling cinematic spectacle
Some songs accompany the action, while others seem to arrive wearing a designer gown, carrying a concealed weapon and already knowing how the final scene will unfold. And on her new anthem ‘Catch Me’, Billboard-charting singer-songwriter Kendra Erika steps confidently into the latter role, delivering a sleek collision of dance-pop, orchestral drama and spy-film grandeur. Co-written and […]
‘No Kings’- Woody Lissauer, turning democratic anxiety into a defiant collective cry
Protest music is often most effective when it reaches beyond the outrage of a single moment and asks what kind of society people are willing to defend. And on his new single ‘No Kings’, veteran singer-songwriter and self-described artivist Woody Lissauer confronts America’s growing political unease with a song rooted in the fragile ideal that ordinary citizens should […]
‘Rainbows’- Montelimar, stepping out into the light
A strong debut single should do more than introduce a name. It should establish a sense of atmosphere, emotional purpose and the direction an artist might take once the first song has opened the door. And with ‘Rainbows’, Gateshead four-piece Montelimar make that opening feel expansive, bringing decades of British guitar tradition into contact with the restlessness and […]
