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Blog Showcasing Singer Songwriter Talent

Bask in the ‘Alpenglow’ of Lounna’s latest alt-indie folk rock rendering of poetic yearning

Posted on 20 September 2024
Louanna

Lounna’s latest single, Alpenglow, panoramically expanded indie-folk with a sound infused with the ruggedness of Big Thief and the euphonic beauty akin to the works of Gregory Alan Isakov and Boygenius.

The song unfurls with swathes of soul that seep through every note, achieving a séance of seraphic serenity with its Grammy-worthy craftsmanship. Louanna doesn’t just sing; she commands a profound respect that transcends typical genre confines, pulling listeners into a bask-able warmth.

The traditional folk instrumentation intertwines with ornate crescendos, crafting one of the most stirring aural experiences of 2024. The composition breathes the very essence of wonder, reminiscent of breathtaking landscapes, stunning beyond compare. Each note and lyric in the track feels like a brushstroke on a vast sonic canvas, portraying mental health struggles, difficult life circumstances, and the enduring human spirit.

Brenna Slate, under the moniker Lounna, is not new to the music scene. With fifteen years of songwriting, performances at notable festivals, and opening for nationally touring artists, Slate’s voice has matured into a poignant echo of indie folk innovation, which is exemplified in Alpenglow, which will leave you thematically alongside her, yearning for the nostalgia of lost love.

Alpenglow is being primed to debut on September 20th; purchase the single on Bandcamp; for more ways to listen, visit Lounna’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Locked and Loaded: The Country Icon, Chris Erasmus, Fires Off with ‘Shotgun

Posted on 18 September 2024

Chris Erasmus’ latest single, Shotgun, finds its mark with a fusion of deep, resonant vocals and a dynamic full-band sound that finds new country roads to rhythmically explore. Opening with a voice that carries the haunting depth of Nick Cave, Erasmus sets a reflective tone with acoustic strings that soon give way to the invigorating swell of gospel-like backing vocals. The augmented choruses, brimming with vibrant energy, draw listeners into a rhythmic trance, emblematic of the single’s narrative of liberation and emotional revival.

Crafted as a sonic journey through the highs and lows of personal growth, Shotgun artfully captures the essence of moving beyond a toxic dynamic with the instrumentals mirroring the ebb and flow of introspection and realisation. It’s a narrative of empowerment, underscored by the thematic and literal movement the title suggests—moving forward, unburdened and unchained.

With a diverse background that spans continents—from Zimbabwe to London—and a rich litany of musical experiences, from classical training to theatrical performances, Erasmus brings a unique, cultured perspective to his work. This eclectic background shines through in Shotgun, which marries Americana sensibilities with a palpable emotional depth and expert craftsmanship.

Shotgun first blasted onto the airwaves on September 6th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Bella Gate usurped Lorde in her introspectively arcane piano-driven indie ballad, The Death of an Icon

Posted on 18 September 2024

Bella Gate has ushered in her debut album ‘Gateway‘; a sonic anthology that promises an introspective journey mirrored in its poignant title. At 23, the London-based evocateur has evolved from a child prodigy to an artist with a mature, resonant voice, chronicling her odyssey from adolescence to adulthood with lyrical sincerity and a rich sonic palette.

‘The Death of an Icon’, an iridescent highlight from the album, offers a narrative steeped in personal revelation and artistic struggle. This single, draped in folk nuances and anchored by an ornate piano arrangement, gazes into the torment of an agoraphobic, creatively stifled protagonist. Whether reflecting Bella’s past selves or purely fictive, the track’s emotional gravity is undeniable.

Produced remotely by Jordan Round and polished by Geoff Pesche at Abbey Road, ‘Gateway’ spans a spectrum from balladic solemnity to buoyant folk, all the while maintaining an emotive coherence which eschews conventional hooks for lyrical imagery which pierces the soul and haunts long after the last note fades.

Forget Lorde, Bella Gate is reigning supreme in the sphere of introspectively stylised indie ballads.

Stream Bella Gate’s debut LP, Gateway, on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Wagner Gracciano became the definition of emotional depth in ‘I’m Here’

Posted on 17 September 2024

Wagner Gracciano’s single, I’m Here, from his sophomore album, The History of Mark Beck, is a veritable smorgasbord of stylistic influence and innovative substance which will transport rock fans back to an era when Chris Isaak dominated the airwaves.

With soul-drenched production, sensual RnB touches weave through a tight mesh of rock guitar lines, classic pop harmonies, and the shimmer of organ keys, creating a unique gospel of pop rock. As diverse as the track is, the seamless cohesion pulls everything together in a sublime display of genre fluidity.

‘I’m Here’ makes a bold statement of passion and dedication, showing that romance isn’t as dead as we perceive it to be as Gracciano exhibits his forte in transcending the confines of genre labels and creating utopias of euphonia with his songwriting. With each listen, there’s a deepened appreciation for the superlative arrangement and emotive depth that defines the track.

As a multi-talented guitarist, composer, and producer, Wagner Gracciano has spent over 25 years mastering his craft across genres such as progressive rock, blues rock, jazz, fusion, RnB, and heavy metal. The History of Mark Beck (2024) showcases his affectingly immersive lyricism and Grammy-worthy compositions, with guest appearances from Cleveland P. Jones, Carlos Zema, and Rachael Da Silva. Supported by world-class musicians such as Charles Judge, Michael Webb, and Adair Daufembach’s pristine production, Wagner’s vision is undeniably realised.

I’m Here is now available to stream with Wagner Gracciano’s sophomore LP, The History of Mark Beck on Spotify and all major platforms.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Robin Shaw borrowed from Bright Eyes in his acoustic indie single, Bus 2 Nowhere

Posted on 16 September 2024

From the first effervescent notes of the acoustic guitar chord progressions in Robin Shaw’s latest single ‘Bus 2 Nowhere (Acoustic Version)’, your soul sets alight and your senses scintillate to the timbre of the euphonically rugged rhythms. Equally sweet are Shaw’s folk-leaning indie pop vocals, which synergise with the summery melodies.

As a true troubadour to the diehard romantics, Shaw knows exactly how to pull you into his panoramic narrative of infatuation that rings with hints of 00s indie pop nostalgia. If you’re a big fan of bands in the vein of Bright Eyes and The Shins, you’ll be downright sycophantic for ‘Bus 2 Nowhere’.

Before making waves in the music industry, Robin started off as a street dancer at age 16, which included appearances on Britain’s Got Talent. He established himself as a singer-songwriter after an audition in Soho, and began his career with Regent Street Artists, eventually moving to work independently. Now, he records across a variety of studios in West/Central London with his producer, Chris Hall.

Robin Shaw has been a hit with music lovers and critics alike after his tracks have been transmitted on BBC Introducing Norfolk and Suffolk, South Devon Sounds, Islington Radio, Watford VIBE FM as well as reaching Global stations in Ireland, Ohio, Toronto, Helsinki, Canberra, Los Angeles and many more.

With his new release, he’s one step closer to sealing his fate as one of the most accoladed singer-songwriters of his generation.

Stream the Acoustic Version of Bus 2 Nowhere on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Goodfellow delivered the antidote for obsessive rumination with his alt-pop hit, Think 2 Much

Posted on 15 September 2024

Goodfellow, accompanied by the honeyed harmonies of female vocalist seleen, dropped a genre-defying single that seizes the RnB Trap Pop scene with an undeniable groove. ‘Think 2 Much‘ hit the epicentre of the contemporary genre-fluid zeitgeist by weaving pop elements reminiscent of Maroon 5’s chart-dominating era with ‘Payphone’ into a foundation of trappy beats.

In ‘Think 2 Much’, the lyrics paint a chaotic whirlwind of thoughts induced by an overwhelming crush, offering listeners a sticky-sweet vignette of emotional turmoil. This perennial earworm doesn’t just narrate; it plunges you into the heart of melodious obsession where there’s no escaping the razor-sharp hooks which are embedded within the quintessential soul of RnB.

The slick production ensures that the beat remains too addictive for just one listen, and the same goes for Goodfellow’s cheeky, hedonistic charm that permeates the track, resonating through augmented summer-vibe melodies that promise to outlive the season.

For those entangled in the messy throes of romance, here’s your anthem.

Think 2 Much is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jake Marshall allowed the anxiously attached to unite in his retro synth-pop hit, TOO MUCH!

Posted on 14 September 2024

We may be in an era of throwaway pop hits but if any track is worth holding onto it is Jake Marshall’s sad-boy synth pop sophomore release, TOO MUCH! Marshall and his 5-octave range set the bar high with his titularly ironic debut single, Bad Singer, and transcended it with the 80s aesthetics and indie hyper-pop nuances in TOO MUCH.

The candidly riotous track finds an earwormy way to articulate the trials and tribulations of contending with an insecure attachment style and battling with the inner monologue which constantly gnaws with crushing self-reflections of overbearingness. Even if you don’t have bags of childhood trauma attached to your attachment style, we can all relate to some degree to how it feels to feel too much as we try and seek assurance and affection.

Safe to say, Jake Marshall is the queer icon we never knew we needed; his discography is shaping up to be far more than just outpours of pained introspection, it’s a safe space where outliers, the heartbroken and the LGBT+ community can find swathes of consoling resonance.

With his upcoming EP, love(s) of my life, in the pipeline, the future looks iridescently bright for Jake Marshall.

TOO MUCH! Dropped on September 6th; stream the track on SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

DanFromUpstairs & Luke Matthews shifted the tides of alt-pop with ‘Love’

Posted on 13 September 2024

With his boy-next-door moniker which fully synergises with his genre-fluid sonic identity, DanFromUpstairs is easy to adore. The Brighton-based artist’s latest single, Love, featuring Luke Matthews is a veritable exposition of how much of a forte orchestrating authentic alt-pop earworms is to him. I can safely guarantee you won’t find a more deadpan love song on the airwaves, and that is just scratching the surface of the ingenuity in Love.

As the pseudo-hip-hop beat slaps, the pop melodies stroke with their lush 90s-tinged aesthetic creating an expansive contrast with the intersections of scuzzy synths and raw indie rock guitars which rough the smooth edges of the polished production that you’ll need a serious concussion to forget.

As a true conduit of sonic experimentation who knows exactly which textures, tones and stylistic elements to synthesise into his narratives to ensure innovation doesn’t deviate into obscurity and veers towards commercial potential instead, DanFromUpstairs is standing at the vanguard of the modern genre-bending trend.

The official music video for Love will premiere on September 13; stream it on YouTube.

To connect with DanFromUpstairs and keep up to date with news of his forthcoming debut album, Hopeless Fables, which promises to deliver a continuous fever dream as the track grooves between electronica, funk, hip-hop, jungle and rock, follow the artist on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Eamonn Hubert wrote a new chapter in NYC Rock history with his forthcoming hit, ‘Can’t Get the Words Out’

Posted on 13 September 2024
Eamonn Hubert

New York’s states freshest rock renegade, Eamonn Hubert, is set to write a new chapter in the city’s rock n roll legacy with his forthcoming EP featuring the standout single, Can’t Get the Words Out.

In addition to shredding virtuosic blues rock riffs, the 16-year-old singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and mental health advocate lyrically shreds the shame from speech impediments in the rock hit which isn’t just big enough for Broadway, it’s bigger. Can’t Get the Words Out may have an intrinsically personal meaning to the young prodigy, but universal resonance shines, transmitting a beacon of empowerment to neurodivergent listeners or simply anyone whose introversion compels them to shy from the spotlight.

The rock opera-esque aesthetic to Can’t Get the Words Out is no coincidence; Hubert has shone in the acting sphere, leading to his talents catching the eye of an NYC casting director recruiting for School of Rock: The Musical. At just 10 years old, Eamonn joined the musical’s first national tour; he’s also excelled academically, participating extensively in his high school’s instrumental and choral groups, and achieving recognition in prestigious ensembles like the All-State Vocal Jazz Ensemble.

As the principal cellist for the Senior Binghamton Youth Symphony Orchestra and a seasoned performer at the New York State Blues Festival, he continues to make significant strides in his musical career.

Can’t Get the Words Out will be officially released on November 2nd with Eamonn Hubert’s 5-track self-written, performed, and recorded EP, which was mixed and mastered by Bradford Allen of Acorn Records, Cortland, NY.

Follow Eamonn on Instagram and Facebook to stay tuned to news of the release.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Slip away from material reality with the artfully nostalgic escapism in Gaud’s seminal release, Prose for the Cradle

Posted on 13 September 2024

With Prose for the Cradle, the prodigal sons of New England, Gaud, defied temporal boundaries, transporting listeners into a dreamscape where the lines between past and present are synthesised into a seraphic sonic sensation.

Taken from the LP The Singer, the track evokes an ambiguous era of melodic rock, yet resists the urge to be pinned down by any particular moment in music history. Instead, it invites you into a space where emotion takes precedence over all else, allowing you to lose yourself in its all-consuming and consoling atmosphere.

The production carries all the hallmarks of a time when songwriters poured every drop of their hearts and souls into their craft. The melodies, artful and ascending, intertwine beautifully with percussion that feels almost like an additional pulse in your body, leaving your own heartbeat to take a backseat. Gaud’s vocal delivery is nothing short of hypnotic, wrapping you in a vignette where material reality fades away and only the sound remains.

For fans of Father John Misty’s songwriting chops, Prose for the Cradle will undoubtedly strike a chord. Its poignant cuts will leave a lasting impression, sticking to your synapses with a tenacity that makes the track impossible to shake.

Prose for the Cradle is now available to stream on Spotify with Gaud’s LP, The Singer.

Review by Amelia Vandergast