Browsing Tag

NY Pop

Anxious affection resounds in The Good Neighbors’ synth-swathed synthesis of alt-pop and indie-rock, Room for You

Posted on 4 March 2024

The Good Neighbors borrowed a cup of earmilk from The Strokes for their latest single, Room for You, before pouring it into a synth-swathed production that eclipses the contemporary indie synthwave trend.

After moving away from their syntheses of alt-rock and punk, The Good Neighbors aligned their creative ambitions with their passion for painting across the alt-pop and indie-rock spectrum. Room for You not only exhibits the duo’s softer side; you can FEEL the authenticity, soul and delicious devil-may-care approach to constraint-less fusionism. The seminal single is uninhibited expression in scintillatingly melodic motion.

The jazzy neo-pop middle eight extends the experimentalism to the nth degree to assert the Buffalo, NY-hailing duo as genre fusionists that are a cut above the rest as they regale a vignette of anxious affection and explore the neuroscience of expanding our minds to accommodate people capable of turning our world’s upside down. Hit play and meet your new aural addiction.

Room for You will hit the airwaves on March 1st. Stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lauren Kidd highlighted the obscurity of modern romanticism in her infectious pop hit, Conversations with Strangers

Posted on 29 February 2024

If any up-and-coming pop artist has what it takes to become the voice of her generation, it is the self-taught Queens, NY-hailing luminary Lauren Kidd with her Conversations with Strangers EP.

The title track begins with a raw, bedroom indie pop prelude before blossoming into an infectious electro-pop earworm with a backbeat that rhythmically compels you to lean in and surrender to the tempo of the anthem. The transition is seamless, showcasing Kidd’s knack for blending intimate storytelling with a broader, more universal pop appeal.

The song’s upbeat tempo belies its deeper exploration of the risks we take in our interactions with strangers, trusting them with our most vulnerable selves. Kidd navigates this paradox with a deft touch, maintaining an energy reminiscent of a Taylor Swift hit, yet layered with a complexity that is uniquely her own.

Whether or not she intended the track to radically transform the way you perceive the danger-fraught trappings of romanticism, she achieved it. It is no surprise that so many pop fans are glued to her playlist staples.

With melodies that inch their way into your psyche and refuse to leave, her personality-infused harmonies and the clear songwriting stripes stretched through the progressions, Lauren Kidd is a triple threat in the music industry.

The Conversations with Strangers EP was officially released on February 23; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

NY’s Cindy Rees turned on the ‘Effervescent Light’ in her latest EDM pop release

Posted on 10 February 2024

Cindy Rees’ standout single, ‘Effervescent Light’, is a vibrant testament to the power of healing in music. Clocking in at just under two minutes, this New York-based singer and dancer turns every second into a pulsating celebration of sound and spirit. Rees, who found her voice in the bustling cityscape of NYC, channelled her passion for dance and songwriting into a track that radiates positivity and energy.

The song is a kaleidoscope of genres, seamlessly blending elements of trance and house with pop sensibilities. It’s a bold move, but Rees navigates this eclectic mix with the ease of a seasoned artist. The beats are snappy, creating a rhythmic pulse that forms the backbone of the track. It’s this foundation that allows the rest of the musical elements to shine.

Rees’ Bollywood-esque vocal range is nothing short of phenomenal as she harmonises over the commanding bass-swathed beats. Her voice doesn’t just traverse different pitches; it explores a spectrum of emotions.

With some honing to her production style, she has some serious promise in the music industry.

Effervescent Light was officially released on January 5th; stream the single on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Annabel Hailey took us to ‘The City That Never Sleeps’ in her latest nostalgic pop hit

Posted on 29 April 2023

The jazz-pop siren, Annabel Hailey, has proven why a million Spotify streams came to her with ease after she released her latest evocative world music earworm, The City That Never Sleeps.

In a superficial world, it is hard to find the real ones who desperately seek phenomena that stir the soul; behind the luxe cinematic production of The City That Never Sleeps, there are ample affirmations written into the gentrification-mourning lyricism to establish Hailey as a unique icon of soulful autonomy.

The Finland-born, NY and Amsterdam-based singer-songwriter exudes an effortlessly natural grace as she projects her distinctively unparalleled vocal harmonies into the mic over the trickling keys, mellifluous guitars and smooth sax lines. If you can’t remember the last time you felt aurally awakened, hit play and remind yourself.

The City That Never Sleeps is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast