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Stephanie Braganza Sparked a Pop Rock Revolt Laced in Anthemic Catharsis with ‘Feel a Little Less’

Posted on 24 April 2025

Feel a Little Less by Stephanie Braganza is an electricity and self-empowerment-charged pop rock anthem which takes the anatomy of an earworm and injects it with steroids. As the guitar lines chug, amplifying the energy and anticipation for the drop of the chorus, Stephanie Braganza’s soaring vocal lines rise above the pop-punk-adjacent instrumentals while painting a vignette of what it means to reclaim your mind on your own terms.

For anyone who knows how hard it is to feel with intensity instead of psychologically scratching the surface of everything you emotionally touch, Feel a Little Less is an anthem that will console until you feel a little more whole and infinitely better about your tendency for your emotions to dive right off the deep end. This radio-ready anthem will undoubtedly take Stephanie Braganza to brand-new heights.

Nine years after her last release, the powerhouse vocalist makes her return with the fire of someone who has battled through the darkest chambers of the psyche and come back with the flame still in her hand. The track was first penned in 2015 while Braganza was clawing her way out of mental confinement. It has since evolved into a sonic exorcism, sculpted in the defiance of distorted riffs and cathartic vocal conviction.

With accolades including a Guinness World Record and recognition from CBC Music as one of the top South Asian Canadian artists to hear now, Stephanie Braganza’s comeback is set to make a tsunami of waves.

Feel a Little Less is now available to stream on all major platforms. For the full experience, watch the official music video. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast.

Alpine Jubilee Inch Closer to the Indie Folk Pop Throne with ‘Fiver on the Favourite’

Posted on 19 March 2025

Alpine Jubilee won us over with their debut, but with Fiver on the Favourite, they well and truly conquered. Folk-tinged indie pop has rarely sounded this expansive, with flourishes tinged with psychedelia and melodies that seem to ascend endlessly. The single instrumentally invites you to a state of transcendence, while the abstract lyricism filters in, almost serving as another instrument, adding texture to the euphonic tonal masterpiece that progressively enthrals with each new nuanced transition.

Born from the creative partnership of brothers Trevor O’Neil and Glenn O’Neil, Alpine Jubilee stretches across continents, with Trevor based in Toowoomba, Queensland, and Glenn in Geneva, Switzerland. Their sound pulls together an eclectic mix of instrumentation, featuring acoustic guitar, violin, trumpet, harmonies, ukulele, mandolin, mando-cello, tin whistle, harmonica, bass, percussion, synthesisers, and even a zither. Their influences range from 80s new wave and darkwave to twee-jangle pop, contemporary nu-folk, and alt-country, and it shows in the depth of their arrangements. Joining them on the track are Flavia O’Neil on trumpet and backing vocals, Nelson O’Neil on drum programming, and Oliver Liang on violin.

If you’re sick of folk artists who bring the same old pale imitations to the table, Fiver on the Favourite is a surefire antidote to monotony.

Fiver on the Favourite is available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify. For the full experience, watch the official video on YouTube. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tyler Rifley Oxygenated New Life into Country Pop with ‘Breathe’

Posted on 5 March 2025

Since the first notes of Breathe found oxygen on the airwaves, Tyler Rifley’s country pop rock anthem has been picking up momentum, and for good reason. With twang in all the right places and anthemics in all the rest, the hook-packed hit doesn’t just set the tone for summer—it serenades it into existence.

Written as an ode to his child and a reflection on how parenthood flips the world on its axis, Breathe radiates the kind of unfiltered, feel-good sincerity that most country artists spend their whole careers chasing. The uplifting message transcends into euphoria, with sun-bleached melodies guiding the way. Even the soaring electric guitar solo feels like an extension of that boundless, infectiously sweet energy.

Anchorage-based and self-produced, Rifley is the engineer of his own sound. As the co-owner of Midnight Sound Studio, he’s created a space where raw emotion meets refined musicianship. His path hasn’t been easy, shaped by years in foster care and the system that followed him into adulthood, but his music doesn’t dwell in the past—it pushes forward, powered by resilience and a newfound sense of purpose.

With Breathe, Rifley reaches the epitome of wholesome country pop panache, discover it yourself on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Dialling Up the Future: KayOShea Reinvents RnB with Yo Number

Posted on 15 February 2025

With echoes of the iconic Nelly and Kelly Rowland track behind the syncopated beats, scuzzy synths and trickles of piano keys, KayOShea didn’t just break the mould with Yo Number, he contoured a retro-futuristic hybrid that instantly catches you off guard, pulls you in deeper and gives you the compulsion to hit repeat.

KayOShea, the Indiana-born artist who has spent over a decade navigating music, comedy, and acting, has a knack for exploring the experimental intersections of RnB. His approach refuses to sit in one space, stretching the genre’s boundaries with textured production and expressive depth.

Despite the polish and artful nuances, Yo Number still finds a way to feel like an impromptu rush of expression, allowing you to lock right into the energy of the salacious with soul single. The blend of crisp production with KayOShea’s vocals as they switch from RnB harmonies to rap verses ensures Yo Number makes an unforgettable impact—never veering into overindulgence but always keeping you hanging on every moment.

Now available to stream on all major platforms, including YouTube, Yo Number makes it clear that KayOShea isn’t just experimenting for the sake of it—he’s actively writing the next chapter of RnB.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rattling Beats and Soulful Heat: Denaron’s ‘On My Way’ is RnB Reloaded

Posted on 1 February 2025

With ‘On My Way,’ Denaron proves why he’s a voice worth paying attention to in the contemporary pantheon of RnB greats. Rooted in the soul of the genre’s pioneers, the track blends the raw passion of Luther Vandross and David Ruffin with a modern vibrancy reminiscent of Musiq Soulchild and Bruno Mars. Yet, Denaron’s artistry doesn’t settle for imitation – his voice carries an honesty and dynamism that harmonises leagues away from assimilation.

The instrumentals bring a kaleidoscope of colour to the mix, their smooth contortions wrapping around beats that hit with a confident pulse. It’s the kind of groove that feels simultaneously nostalgic and refreshingly current, bridging the roots of RnB with the shimmering motifs of contemporary production. Meanwhile, Denaron’s vocal agility weaves through the track, his kinetic range delivering hooks that strike with as much emotion as precision.

Denaron’s path to this moment started in the pews of his local church, where he began singing at just 12 years old. Drawing inspiration from legends like Ronald Isley, his early foundation in soul music fuels his goal of creating tracks that shine a light on life’s complexities, from love to faith. His open-hearted approach has earned him recognition far beyond his home turf of Texas, whether winning talent shows, featuring on tracks for hip-hop artists, or sharing stages with the likes of Ginuwine and Wale.

With ‘On My Way,’ Denaron doesn’t just blur the lines between eras of RnB – he redefines them, leaving listeners swaying to his rhythm and arrested by his unapologetic soul.

Stream the official video for On My Way on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Romanticism blossoms in Devin Kyle Leslie’s alt-country folk outpour of affection, Beautiful Rose

Posted on 15 January 2025

Devin Kyle Leslie’s standout single, Beautiful Rose, reimagines classic folk songwriting through an orchestral lens, creating a soulful and tender ode to unflinching affection. With a vocal presence that carries the weight of profound sincerity, Leslie’s performance is cradled by ethereal reverberations, adding swathes of soul to the Americana-tinged alt-country composition.

The track flows with mellifluous organic progressions that echo the artistry of legends like Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, and Joni Mitchell, while still carving its own intimate niche. Romanticism flourishes in the alt-country vignette, where every note and lyric feels imbued with Leslie’s deep emotional investment. The orchestral swells underpinning the folk melodies elevate the song beyond its roots as Leslie’s sharp social commentary adds another emotive dynamic to the bitter-sweet instant classic ballad.

Leslie’s ability to marry classic influences with a fresh vision proves his artistry isn’t confined to tradition, resulting in a track that resonates with timeless warmth while showcasing the potential for reinvention within folk music.

Beautiful Rose is now available to stream on all major platforms, including YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Alex Crick’s ‘Beltane’ Radiates Serotonin and Sidmouth Sunshine

Posted on 12 January 2025

With his latest instrumental single, Beltane, guitar virtuoso Alex Crick channelled the lazy warmth of a Devon summer into a masterfully rejuvenating acoustic performance.

Filmed in the picturesque coastal town of Sidmouth, where red cliffs meet serene shores, the music video accompanying the composition celebrates the laid-back, sun-soaked charm of British seaside life. Crick’s cultivated command of the guitar strings does more than simply display technical chops; in Beltane, he transforms notes into vivid strokes of colour that spill warmth and colour into every corner of the psyche.

Blurring the lines between classical reverence and new wave innovation, Beltane showcases Crick’s unique sonic fingerprint. The intricate fingerpicking evokes comparisons to Don Ross and Andy McKee, yet the romantic flourishes and light percussive fills add a modern twist. The result is a sparse yet satisfying orchestration, refusing to overwhelm but consistently delighting as it sweeps listeners into its panorama of serenity and bliss.

Drawing from a career that spans decades of teaching and performing across the UK, China, and Canada, Crick’s broad stylistic palette shines through. From heavy rock riffs to cinematic violin compositions, he’s no stranger to experimenting with dynamic soundscapes. Yet Beltane distils his melodic storytelling into pure acoustic joy—a testament to his ability to craft pieces that are as accessible as they are evocative.

The official music video for Beltane is now available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mercy Vibe alchemically occupied the rock scene with her instrumental track, Peaceful Med

Posted on 5 September 2024

Mercy Vibe may be a nascent presence on the rock scene, but her seminal instrumental single, Peaceful Med, established her as an artist worthy of adoration.

The Midwest-originating artist’s background in traversing genres and her adventurous approach to music production pull through with veracity in this track, which subverts conventional guitar-led instrumental pieces by defying expectations with cultivated use of special effects. You could hear a pin drop in the production which creates a palpable tension and anticipation for each successive note.

Mercy Vibe doesn’t just set a mood with her work, she commands it with the guitars which act as a narrative force in the expansive sonic space. Yet, it is the percussion that truly energises the track, delivering bursts of intensity that ensure the listener’s engagement never wanes.

With Peaceful Med, Mercy Vibe made it clear she is here to innovate and inspire. Save a space on your radar for her future releases which are in the pipeline.

Stream Peaceful Med on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

J fired shots in his arcane parody pop-rock hymn, Our Men

Posted on 15 May 2024

Satirically blasphemous shots were fired at the military-industrial complex and the absurdity of piety in the latest single, Our Men, from one of the UK’s most enigmatic originators, J.

Having already witnessed J through his single Shame on You, we knew to expect a certain degree of endearing obscurity in this single, described as a stimulation of humour, intellect, emotion, body and soul, yet the one-man powerhouse exceeded all expectations in the spacey chorally psychedelic pop-rock hit that simultaneously gives Jonathan Pie, Prince and The Beatles a run for their money.

The cleverly meta single delivers intricate layers of depth that stack up to stand as a monolithic testament to J’s ingenuity. Not one to throw himself into expositions half-heartedly, Our Men cracks open the psyche of a warped military captain turned priest with a penchant for invasion and occupation. The parallels of tyrannical control were always there, it just took an audaciously bold artist to create a sonic boardwalk between them.

The guitar work that could make angels cry as it soars throughout the gospel-esque pop production towards the outro is the icing on this arcane parody’s cake. Naturally, we can’t wait to hear what J sinks his lyrical teeth into next.

Stream the official music video for Our Men when it premieres on YouTube on May 15th.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Entwine with Alba James’s folk-pop reverie, You Belong to Me

Posted on 14 May 2024

In their latest single, You Belong to Me, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Alba James equally exhibited their profound connection to music and nature. Hitting play opens a doorway to a portal of fantasy, constructed by a mind attuned to folk-tale reverie; in the same vein as Cosmo Sheldrake, James rhythmically renders naturalism into her productions, which also tap into the enduring appeal of Dodie and Sufjan Stevens.

Though the title of the single implies possession, the free-spirited energy that breezes throughout the production with the retrospection of affection acts as an unexpected contradiction. James’ arcanely serene vocal lines drift through the organic layers of instrumentation attesting to how integral giving room to breathe is in a world full of confines.

Despite their relatively fresh innings in the music industry, the French Sweden-residing folk-pop troubadour allowed their aural talents to blossom from a young age before releasing their debut single, One in a Million, in 2020. Since then, they’ve shared 13 singles and their critically acclaimed EP, Bedroom Walls ahead of You Belong to Me. Even though nothing is off lyrical limits, themes of ancient mythology, queer love and nature are the cornerstone of the artist’s inspiration.

The next time you feel the need to touch grass, just tune into her discography instead.

Stream the official music video for You Belong to Me which premiered on May 7th via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast