Browsing Tag

Retro Pop

Heather Dolly Turns Back Time with her Retro Chamber Folk-Pop Ballad, ‘My Love’

Posted on 27 February 2025

Don’t be fooled by the wavy, lo-fi, tape deck-esque intro—‘My Love’ doesn’t linger in nostalgia for long. From the mind of one of 2025’s most authentic aural architects, the single unfolds into a euphonically intimate trip across the decades. Heather Dolly flits between the 60s and 90s with a sound that carries echoes of icons from both eras, yet her sonic signature remains unmistakable.

Between Beatles-esque chamber pop crescendos and the aching touch of Hurt-era Christina Aguilera, ‘My Love’ sells sanctuary to wearied lovers, embedding them in the tonal catharsis of a track classic in all the right places, innovative in all the rest. It plays out like an affectingly poetic diary entry, wrapped in orchestral swells and folk-pop warmth, with hints of jazz rock swimming in the underpinnings.

At just 19, the Welsh singer-songwriter—now based in Liverpool—has already mastered the delicate balance between timeless and contemporary. With influences ranging from Laufey and Faye Webster to Bob Dylan, she’s not just borrowing from the greats; she’s reinterpreting their legacies with a voice that could heal the deepest of emotional scars.

‘My Love’ was officially released on Valentine’s Day and is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Contemporary Chaos Meets Nostalgic Catharsis in Messy Mike’s Indie Pop Single, ‘Things Are Crazy’

Posted on 4 February 2025

Messy Mike’s seminal release, Things Are Crazy, stands as both a nostalgic ode and a present-day lament, perfectly capturing the surreal chaos of modern existence and juxtaposing it against the perceived simplicity of the past.

Now available on all major streaming platforms, this indie pop gem offers a bittersweet sanctuary, with its shimmering 60s-inspired organ tones and warm timbered production conjuring a world of comforting familiarity amidst the absurdity of today. The single’s retro charm is matched by its lyrical poignancy, as Messy Mike croons his way through an earnest exploration of the collective disarray we’ve all come to recognise. The track anchors itself in the past, not to escape but to reflect, offering a cathartic salve for those struggling to reconcile inner turmoil with the madness of the world outside.

Miguel Nicolau, better known as Messy Mike, channels a raw vulnerability into his work. A drummer for the folk band The Town Bar, Nicolau created his moniker while in Poland, choosing “Messy” to encapsulate his creative aura and ethos. Songwriting, for him, isn’t a casual pastime but an existential necessity—a way to confront his demons and find peace. His honesty permeates every note, ensuring his listeners feel less alone in their chaos.

Despite the messy branding, there’s nothing untidy about Things Are Crazy. It’s a seamless fusion of heartfelt reflection and swooning indie pop that melodiously enmeshes with the authentic panache of a true sonic craftsman. As a criminally underrated sonic architect, Messy Mike’s creative chops invite listeners into his beautifully dishevelled world, where chaos feels just a little less overwhelming. Hit play on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Surf the 60s with Sheykh Forever’s Dreamy Indie Pop Hit, Run for Cover ft. Louella JC & Daniela

Posted on 23 December 2024

You can practically hear the 60s swinging through Sheykh Forever’s new single, Run for Cover, featuring Louella JC & Daniela. The earworm practically brims kaleidoscopic doo-wop bliss, which complements the endlessly ascending layered vocal harmonies that drift across the surf pop aesthetics.

Far from your run-of-the-mill attempt at sonic antiquity revivalism, Run for Cover is a slice of resonance wrapped within the consolation of nostalgia; when you melt into the oceanic breeze of the single, you become more than susceptible to the lyrical messaging which reaches out to life’s archetypes always seeking sanctuary. With romanticism nestled into the polished progressions, Run for Cover hits on every conceivable level.

Sheykh Forever is a self-described factory for infectious earworms, stationed somewhere between yesteryear and the distant future. By fusing disco, heavy rock, and hypnagogic indie pop, all slathered with a fat dose of booty-bouncing funk in their eclectic discography, they offer a musical palette that stands distinct in the modern pop scene.

Run for Cover exemplifies the enigmatic artist’s knack for bridging retro elements with contemporary commercial appeal; it opens up a whole new realm of melodic synergy as it grooves across the intersection of accessible pop and dreamy indie vibes.

Run for Cover was officially released on November 29th; stream the single on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Buddy John synthesised retro pop aesthetics with contemporary EDM magnetism in his debut release, Don’t You Give Up on Me

Posted on 13 February 2024

Buddy John’s debut single, ‘Don’t You Give Up on Me’, is a vibrant testament to the enduring spirit of retro pop, infused with the pulsating energy of Euro dance beats, and wrapped in the luxurious fabric of contemporary pop production.

Hailing from Nampa, Idaho, Buddy John has crafted a sound that revives the nostalgic pulse of the 90s and 2000s dance clubs, while injecting the bold energy of 80s synth and rock/electronic rhythms. His declaration of romantic resilience bridges the gap between eras, appealing to both devotees of classic pop and the new generation of EDM pop fans.

The track’s snappy grooves and luxe production are a nod to the likes of RuPaul, yet Buddy John carves out his own niche in the pop landscape. His strident vocal lines don’t just complement the instrumentals; they command attention, oozing fervour and proving that passion is the driving force behind his artistry and everything he does.

‘Don’t You Give Up on Me’ is more than a mere homage to the past; it’s a synthesis of retro aesthetics and contemporary commercial appeal. Buddy John understands the power of nostalgia, yet he doesn’t rely on it. Instead, he uses it as a springboard to launch into a soundscape that will speak to your soul as much as much as your rhythmic pulses. We can’t wait for the sophomore release.

Don’t You Give Up on Me is available to stream on Spotify and Apple Music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Embrace the Chaos of the Soul with Wayne Wei’s Instant RnB Classic, Out of Control

Posted on 21 January 2024

Wayne Wei’s single Out of Control is a timelessly engrossing neo-pop masterpiece. With its staccato chords that luminously shimmer and pop and the enrichment of Wei’s vocal lines which draw you into a world where romanticism and retro timbres coalesce, the track is a testament to Wei’s organic magnetism as a sonic expressionist. The bluesy waltzing melodies lift the spirit beyond any known construct, embodying the essence of Wei’s unique musical vision.

Each element of Out of Control contributes to its overarching allure. The song is a standout track from Wei’s debut EP Cloud Chaser, which encapsulates the beauty found in life’s chaotic moments. Wei’s role as a multi-instrumentalist and producer shines through in this self-produced triumph, highlighting his ability to craft a sound that is both intricate and emotionally resonant.

Describing Out of Control as perfect might seem like hyperbole, but its impact on the mind, soul, body, and rhythmic pulses is undeniable. It’s a track that transcends the boundaries of conventional music, leaving the listener in a state of awe and admiration. Wei’s skill in blending high-calibre production with organic musical elements results in a piece that resonates with the listener long after the final note has played.

Rich in texture and depth, Out of Control promises a bright future for the NY-based Chinese artist. His ability to stay true to his romanticism of retro sounds, while pushing the boundaries of contemporary music, makes this track a must-listen for anyone seeking a truly unique musical journey.

Stream Out of Control as part of the Cloud Chaser EP, which hit the airwaves on January 5th on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Laptop Singers extolled the virtues of perseverance with their latest track, Just Keep Walking

Posted on 8 December 2023

With a sentiment as resonant as the one that echoes through Sinatra’s You’ll Never Walk Alone, Laptop Singers extolled the virtues of perseverance and soulfully commanded resilience through the storms the soul is fated to weather in their latest single, Just Keep Walking.

As the soft vocal harmonies reach out across the retro analogue synth lines, it is almost as though Laptop Singers painted a silver lining through the centre of the instrumental progressions, which reach their luminous peak through the shimmer of the gospel-reminiscent organ tones that allow Just Keep Walking to transcend sonic mediocrity.

Time after time, the Swedish pop duo prove their capacity to craft compelling tracks, which speak to the rhythmic pulses as eloquently as they create an open dialogue with your emotions. With Just Keep Walking on your playlists, even the darkest days will present themselves as ephemeral storms you have the power to overcome.

Just Keep Walking was officially released on November 11; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

SAIDOU psyched out RnB with his latest exploration of the 5th dimension, INTERDIMENSIONAL LADY

Posted on 17 October 2023

After the success of his 2023 LP, 00ET, RnB’s most experimental entity, SAIDOU, merged wavy elements of RnB with lashings of cosmic psych and funk, drippings of 50s pop, and expressive jazz grooves to alchemise the ultimate aural trip, you might want to strap yourselves in before you experience INTERDIMENSIONAL LADY.

With a love so strong it breathes into the 5th dimension; the amorous track looks far beyond the material dimension to pay an Odyssey-esque ode to the affectionate feelings manifested by a femme fatale with an allure so powerful it makes the soul levitate.

Before crafting his own interstellar soundscapes, the 22-year-old MD-hailing artist Saidou Sosseh absorbed the influence of Al Green, Kanye & Youssou N’Dour and studied music at NYU. During this time, he recorded a handful of songs with the Grammy-winning songwriter Jesse Fink, INTERNATIONAL LADY being one of them.

INTERDIMENSIONAL LADY was officially released on October 6th; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tylar Smith dropped a nostalgia atom bomb with his retro jazz-pop hit, ONE MORE CHANCE

Posted on 29 September 2023

Get in the Doo Wop swing with Tylar Smith’s jazz-pop nostalgia atom bomb of a single, ONE MORE CHANCE. The award-winning Australian-born singer’s reverence for retro pop and old-fashioned soul, powerful vocal lines that could start a Rockabilly riot and his ability to spin a powerful narrative over his melodies that will hit your ears like candy has put him on the right path towards his dream of becoming an international recording artist.

With the timeless appeal of ONE MORE CHANCE and music fans increasing their proclivities towards nostalgia, the young artist, who started cutting his teeth in the music industry before his teens, is sure to make an ever-lasting impression with his debut EP, REMINISCENT, which has been crafted over the last 12 months in collaboration with a US Grammy-Nominated producer and songwriter.

ONE MORE CHANCE will reach the airwaves on September 29; hear it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Kat Caroline’s funk-disco-pop amalgam, Sugar Lips, is the perfect sonic summer cocktail

Posted on 31 July 2023

If you haven’t had the honey from Kat Caroline’s sophomore single, Sugar Lips, oozing from your speakers yet, you can’t say you’ve heard the hottest pop hit of the summer.

With creatively modernised vintage disco grooves oscillating through the funk-bolstered hit and the sensuously sweet energy that emanates from the lyrics, vocals and sun-soaked melodies, Kat Caroline is the ultimate alt-pop siren in Sugar Lips, which is more than reflected by the attention the single has garnered since its official debut in May 2023.

The Nile Rodgers-esque guitar chops against the retro pop beats and Kat’s ethereally glassy vocal lines that easily command all of the conceivable senses fused together to create the perfect sonic summer cocktail.

Stream Sugar Lips on Spotify & YouTube and keep up to date with the latest earworms from the US-based one-woman pop powerhouse.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Transcend gravity with Marcus Liuzzi’s spacey 80s synth pop serenade, No One Better Than You

Posted on 30 January 2023

There was no forgetting Marcus Liuzzi after his lasciviously hooky 2022 single, 2 Night Stand. He’s swooned in with the Chris Isaak 80s vibes once more in his proclamation of enduring passion, No One Better Than You. The synthy, spacey pop tones push the single beyond the earth’s atmosphere, transcending gravity and every pop archetype that came before it.

No feeling quite matches the sensation of earnestly upholding someone as the reflection of perfection in your eyes – especially when their own self-image is dimmed with doubt, leaving you compelled to celebrate them to put back the shine in their tear-streaked aplomb.

“you feel as though you’re broken, you’re not the only one, you put your trust in someone else, and look what they’ve done” may just be the most compassionate lyric penned in the last decade.

Listen to No One Better Than You on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast