Browsing Tag

pop ballad

Singer-songwriter Abby Lokelani has made an ethereal debut with ‘Morning Glory’.

Posted on 6 April 2021

Boston-based Berklee scholar, multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Abby Lokelani made her 2021 debut with the single ‘Morning Glory’; it speaks so personally you may just feel interrogated by the questioning lyrics.

With a semi-orchestral arrangement searing beneath Abby Lokelani’s vocals and finding synergy with the quiescent finger-picked guitar strings, there’s a sonically ethereal air to Morning Glory which amps up the evocative charge of the image-conjuring lyrics.

Any fans of Daughter, London Grammar and Deerhunter will want to take the time to delve into this promising exhibition of multifaceted talent which we hope to hear much more of in 2021 and beyond.

Morning Glory is available to stream on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Richard Tyler Epperson wants to take us for ‘Another Day’

Posted on 3 April 2021
Richard Tyler Epperson

Recorded in his home studio in Salt Lake City, Utah, Richard Tyler Epperson’s ‘Another Day’ is a beautiful, poignant acoustic guitar and piano-led number, an ode to desperation leading to hope, depression and anxiety mixed with the desire for another chance, hope that tomorrow might be better. There’s very much a Paul Westerberg/Replacements ‘Aching To Be’ vibe about the track, with a touch of very quiet Husker Du or Sugar, The Jayhawks, or Buffalo Tom’s ‘Tail Lights’ somewhere in the mix, too.

It’s a beautiful, gently soulful track, Epperson’s vocal, guitar, and piano soft and powerful but added to by the additional instrumentation of guest Jacob Montague, who also added mixing and mastering sparkle. The strength of a good song is in its ability to be told in the simplest form – acoustically, with a voice and simple instrumentation and arrangement – and by those criteria, Richard Tyler Epperson’s ‘Another Day’ has all the hallmarks of a great.

You can hear ‘Another Day’ on Spotify, and follow Richard Tyler Epperson here.

Review by Alex Holmes

Find your inner strength with Charlie Hay’s piano-pop ballad ‘Truth’

Posted on 29 March 2021

Charlie Hay’s latest single ‘Truth’ is a timely addition to the airwaves, in a time of uncertainty, the semi-orchestral piano pop ballad is an empowering affirmation that any change needs to happen from within.

The lyrics unravel as a series of perception-shifting mantras versed through vocals which carry a touch of Daughter and Adele while the instrumentals boast timeless gravitas.

Truth smashes the misconception that guidance, validation and support are best found externally. It’s a powerful reminder that your mood and outlook on life doesn’t have to depend on the news.

Truth is a stunning single, in every possible way, the efficaciousness of the evocative instrumentals, the meta poetry in the lyrics, and the LA-based Swedish singer-songwriter’s vocals which could easily see her top the charts.

Truth was officially released on March 15th. You can hear it for yourselves via Soundcloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Cailyn Currie opened up the conversation around mental health with her sonorous lullaby ‘Dying Star’

Posted on 14 March 2021

Nashville singer-songwriter, Cailyn Currie extended the conversation around mental health with her latest single, ‘Dying Star’, it’s a sonorous lullaby for anyone contending with feelings of futility and a delicate reminder that while you’re still breathing, life isn’t over.

Cailyn Currie’s vocals carry sincerity as she shares her hard-fought for introspection while the sparse folk-pop instrumentals create the perfect atmosphere to fall into as powerfully meta wisdom wraps around you.

Dying star was recorded in Nashville and mastered in London’s legendary Abbey Road Studios, so it comes as no surprise that the quiescently resounding single cuts deep while simultaneously tending to open wounds. If tracks such as Dying Star started hitting the airwaves decades ago, we’d undoubtedly be better prepared for the global mental health crisis we’re facing today.

Dying Star is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Anna Smith & Cédric Joel Ziegler catch the sands of ‘Time’ in their sem-orchestral pop ballad

Posted on 12 March 2021

Swiss pop singer Anna Smith caught the slipping sands of ‘Time’ with her semi-orchestral pop ballad, created in collaboration with film composer Cédric Joel Ziegler.

With crescendos powerful enough to bring you closer to God paired with Anna Smith’s vocals which simultaneously exude tenderness and strength as they bring an evocative charge to the lyrics which compel you to do the best with the time you have, it’s hard not to feel things fall into perspective as you drink in the celestial air.

We can only hope that there will be more collaborative work from Anna Smith & Cédric Joel Ziegler soon. Evidently, the Zurich University of the Arts, where the two artists met is doing something right. They could boost enrolment on the strength of this phenomenal release alone.

You can check out the official video via YouTube.

Or you can head over to apple music and purchase the single.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Annie Tisshaw takes us back to ‘Last Night’ with her confessionally powerful pop single

Posted on 4 March 2021

‘Last Night’ is the latest confessionally powerful pop single from Norfolk-born singer-songwriter, Annie Tisshaw, with classical piano training behind her and resounding vocals to project, it’s impossible not to pay attention to the intense indie neo-classic ballad.

In the same way Kate Nash’s ‘Foundations’ leaves you gripped by the amorous drama, Last Night suckers you in through narrative lyrics brought to life with Annie Tisshaw’s striking vocals which also carry a classical touch.

After making an unapologetically feminist debut with ‘My Body’ in 2019, Annie Tisshaw has consistently exhibited her dynamism through her discography, needless to say, we’re already excited to hear what comes next from the magnetically multifaceted artist.

Last Night is available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Floridian singer-songwriter, Megan Wheeler, has made a classy debut with ‘Replaced’ 

Posted on 8 February 2021

From Trina to Mandy Moore to Gloria Estefan to Ariana Grande, Florida has a habit of producing stunning female singer-songwriters; on the basis of ‘Replaced’, 16-year-old Megan Wheeler could be the latest in that long and prestigious list. Opening with a gentle, ‘Imagine’-like piano part before Wheeler’s delicate-yet-potent vocal kicks in, ‘Replaced’ is a subtle little piano-led ballad, poppy yet mature, a story of a girl betrayed and of love lost in an instant.

Wheeler’s voice is superb, a mix of Dolores O’Riordan, Avril Lavigne, and maybe a touch of Taylor Swift, her piano playing a perfect accompaniment to the vocal. She already has a classy understanding of technique and of the craft of songwriting, despite her tender years; on the basis of ‘Replaced’ she’s got a stunning future ahead of her, but that’s not to say that ‘Replaced’ isn’t a great track all by itself.

You can check out ‘Replaced’ on Wheeler’s HearNow page; check out the real Meg Wheeler on Twitter.

Review by Alex Holmes

Molly Clare Soars High On New Single ‘Wings’

Posted on 1 January 2021

Classically-trained singer-songwriter Molly Clare here brings her stunning, soaring voice to new single ‘Wings’, a divine, heartfelt piano-led ballad of love. Already garnering multiple radio plays, ‘Wings’ is the follow-up to ‘The Sun After The Rain’, which notched up over 40,000 views in support of NHS charities.

‘Wings’ really is an absolutely beautiful creation, the piano carrying the melody whilst leaving just enough space for Clare’s magnificent vocal to really shine. It’s no surprise that it’s already seen Clare into the semi-final of the International Song-Writing Competition and the John Lennon Song-Writing Contest, and as one of five finalists in the ‘Snowdrop Song-Writing Conpetition’ in front of judge Glastonbury-supremo Michael Eavis. With soft-but-supremely-powerful vocals in the style of her inspirations Joni Mitchell and Dido, ‘Wings’ is the lead singles from Clare’s forthcoming EP ‘The Sun And The Stars’, released this month, and it’s a perfect introduction to the incredible talent that Clare has at her disposal.

Hear ‘Wings’ on Spotify, and follow Molly Clare now on Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Alex Holmes

Jack Buckley has made his soul-rippingly-raw debut with ‘Let Go’

Posted on 31 December 2020

Indie pop artist Jack Buckley has made his debut with the soul-rippingly-raw hit ‘Let Go’, which will hit you with the same evocative weight as tracks by the National and Frightened Rabbit. There’s even some Dessner-style sonic guitar blazing behind the trepidation-laden piano keys which take the score to a cinematic level.

Stylistic reminiscences are incredibly fleeting in Let Go, as the track runs through, you won’t have much cognitive function left to find similarities as you’re overwhelmed by the sheer amorous agony the single contains. In a time when most relationships are superficial and disposable, it almost feels like a blast from the past hearing Jack Buckley’s ardent vocals, but it’s a kiss with a contemporary fist.

With their sophomore single in production, you’ll definitely want Jack Buckley on your radar in 2021.

You can check out Jack Buckley’s single, Let Go, on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Abi Mia – This Life: Confessionally Powerful EDM Pop

Posted on 31 December 2020

Following on from the success of her debut single, ‘Fly Your Way’, London-based singer-songwriter, Abi Mia, has released her confessionally powerful sophomore single ‘This Life’ and proven that it is possible to offer a monumental dance track and pop ballad, all in one evocatively arrestive package.

With her unflinching vocals paralleling the sheer veracity of the pulsing synth notes and euphoria instilling beats, if you don’t feel something while listening to This Life, your soul might have checked out.

Abi Mia may take influence from the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Demi Lovato and Alicia Keys, but discernibly, she runs with her own resounding style; and the airwaves are all the better for it.

You can check out This Life for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast