Adam Melchor releases new single, "Last Time"

Adam Melchor released his new single, “Last Time” on Friday. The single is to be coming off of his anticipated project Melchor Lullaby Hotline, Vol. 1. The song starts off with gentle and warm finger-picking, complemented by what appears to be reverse vocals. The understated intro flows into an incredibly powerful and emotionally heavy verse as Melchor states, “‘Cause everytime I go I’m scared it’s gonna be the last time.” The stanza is reiterated throughout the tune showcasing the fragility that comes with long distance relationships or feeble human connection. As the track picks up pace with a beating drum, Melchor’s conviction remains consistent.

Moreover, the forthcoming project is inspired by the Lullaby Hotline. Last February, Melchor asked fans to email or text him to hear new tracks. “welcome to the LULLABY HOTLINE :) text me and i will send you a song every sunday at 5pm PST ! i write about 50 million songs a week and i love all of them but i just can’t put everyone out officially so this is my way of sharing them with you <3 text me!!!, Melchor tweeted on February twelfth.

Melchor states, “I wrote ‘Last Time’ in Late February of 2020, before the pandemic hit. I started the Lullaby Hotline that same week and always had this song in mind to put on the project. The song is about leaving someone at an airport and the feeling of watching them walk away from you. In that moment, I ask myself ‘is this the last time I’ll see this person?’ I remember thinking while writing this, ‘will there ever be shows again?’. Hopefully someday soon we’ll be able to laugh at how much we cried this year and be around the people & communities we love that bring us light.”

The music video perfectly captures the vibe of the tune: stone fruit, a large field, nature, a guitar and a pickup truck. Melchor’s songwriting is like a warm hug, fans can find solace in their own misgivings.

Listen to “Last Time” on all streaming platforms!

WENS' new single "love blind"

WENS delivers a beautiful, solemn and heartfelt message with her new single “love blind.” WENS explains, “falling in love for the first time is completely terrifying, it's all consuming and the most beautiful thing until it isn’t. I wanted my relationship to work so badly that I slowly chipped away at myself till I lost who I was without that person. I was trying so hard to bring us back to life but my harsh reality was that it’s nearly impossible to repair something that is past the point of being fixed.”

Layered synths, a simple chord progression and WENS’ powerful vocal invite you into a soundscape of heartache as the tune begins, “feel so out of focus, trying to recall who I was before we met and why I feel so small.” Yet through her own introspection of a relationship that is slowly tearing her apart Wens yearns for ignorance. She yearns for the days she was happily in love, when the relationship was simple and she was love blind. It is an ignorance also known as the honeymoon phase, but soon the facade slowly fades and we are welcomed with the messy truth. Wens yearns to hold on to what she thought was happiness and love, but the relationship has rotted and she must grapple with reality. 

WENS’ own introspection invites us to look into ourselves. In what ways are we holding on to harmful relationships? Who should we be letting go of for the sake of our own growth? It is a painful but necessary truth we must ask ourselves. The music video creates a visual ether of blurred images and flashing lights showcasing melancholy images of WENS. Her pain is apparent and the visuals showcase the darkness that pervade her brain. Heartache is confusing and WENS captures it artfully.

Listen to “love blind” on all streaming platforms!

Watch the “love blind” music video below!

Songstress Sofía Valdés' debut single, "Little Did I Know"

Sometimes the people we think we know most intimately can surprise us. It’s not unusual to be blindsided. Sofía Valdés “found out from strangers” that something was wrong from the person she loved the most. She sings the tune poetically like a vignette. The euphoric, sensitive and expressive soundscape is complemented by an intimate vocal and simplistic production. Reminiscent of Gracie Abrams storytelling and Sabrina Claudio’s soulful tone, Sofía Valdés is carving her own unique lane with the release of her first single, “Little Did I Know.” The single is a taste of her forthcoming EP, Ventura. “I wrote ‘Little Did I Know’ coming out of a really dark place,” says Valdés. “The song is about a very close person In my life that I am not close to anymore. I’m able to reflect on the past and be relieved I got out of a toxic situation with a toxic person before things got worse.”

Of Panamanian descent, Valdés’ grandfather was renowned Cuban musician Miguelito Valdés. Her great-grandmother was Panamanian singer Silvia De Grasse. It is Valdés’ Panamanian roots mixed with her musical palette of myriad influences: British folk, ’60s Motown, ’70s soul, classical, and bossa nova that contribute to her versatility. 

For Valdés, music is more than melody, rhythm and chords. “The deeper I get into working on my music, the more I realize how much it’s connected to the music that people in my family were making a long time ago,” she says. “Now I want everyone to know that my culture is amazing, that I’m so proud of it, and that everyone else should be proud of their culture too.” Music is Valdés’ rite of passage and birthright which evidently runs through her blood.

At just twenty-years-old, Valdés crafted and recorded her own unique music video. The visuals focus on up-close shots of Valdés singing along with subtle dancing movements. It is a visual of sephia, warm color and black and white tones introducing us into the vibe and mood that is Sofía Valdés. 

Listen to “Little Did I Know” on all streaming platforms.

Watch the “Little Did I Know” music video below!

Cait's "Forgetful" tune is not to be forgotten

Meet Cait: singer/songwriter, creative director, videographer and graphic designer. A woman of many hats, Cait is the captain of her artistry. She directed, produced and edited her music video “Skin” and created the cover art of her new single, “Forgetful.” A creative in all aspects of the word, Cait also sells vertical video packs for Instagram stories, ads and personal content. Her YouTube videos also enable a supplemental view inside her creative brain.  

There are seasons in one’s life when the individual just wants to start anew and not be reminded of their fleeting time on the planet and things they have yet to accomplish. 

Sometimes, we just want to forget. 

If only for a moment, maybe forgetting can subside the angst. Maybe forgetting can lead to newfound joy.  Maybe forgetting is nothing more than realizing all the built up turmoil was never there. 

When Cait calls that one person to complain she is met with peace. “So I call to complain, and you whisper my name and I can’t quite remember what was so stressful. All the shit that I face you can’t take it away but you make me forgetful.” But how healthy is this relationship?  For the phone call will soon end and Cait will be greeted with those familiar unsettling feelings.

Cait continues, “Can you tell me how your day is. To keep me far away from mine.” Cait invites us into a more intimate part of her world, a place where she is running from her own truth. A painful yet relatable truth. For if we were to peel the layers of anyone’s psyche we would be introduced to inner qualms, unmet desires and that subtle yearning to just forget. 

The song reaches lyrical catharsis when Cait sings, “I keep pleasing everybody but me, now I can barely breathe.” It is Cait’s people pleasing that has enabled her to turn on herself.

The song’s outro is deeply harmonious as Cait’s soothing, warm, beautiful voice plays along magical synths and calm rhythm. Although there is no true ending to where this story might go, we are reminded to look inside ourselves and ask, “What is it that we want to forget? Who or where or what can take the pain away?”

But then we must follow up and remember the only way out is through. In order to eventually forget, we must heal what is within.

Listen to “Forgetful” on all streaming platforms!

Emma Taylor gets candid with "Makeup"

Emma Taylor’s songwriting is pristine, poignant and truly meaningful. 

The first nineteen seconds of her new single, “Makeup” are incredibly rich in harmony and synth. The trance-like introduction paves the way for Taylor’s beautiful opening vocal, “I hate this part. The bittersweetness. When you say you miss me and I can’t repeat it back. I had your heart, thought I would keep it. But then I let it go, ‘cause I knew you loved me so much.” 

It’s relatable. As a twenty-something-year-old our identity is on the line. We are treading water as we compartmentalize every facet of our life in hopes of acquiring our deepest desires. So what happens when a relationship is good? When the love is kind and the way you like it. Taylor sings, "I need you to hurt me. Cause I don’t feel worthy. Just give me a reason to be through.”

The chorus is especially anthemic as Taylor sings, “I don’t want to wake up twenty years from now, putting on my make-up missing you somehow. Let me leave it lonely. I know you’re better off. You'll find yourself a new girl who doesn’t have my flaws.” 

It’s a song of self-betrayal as Taylor wishes her partner someone ‘better’ and unflawed. However, there is gloom in her assertiveness enabling us to wonder if this is what Taylor truly wants: to break free. What about twenty years from now, when Taylor is putting on makeup and looking at herself in the mirror? Will the woman then regret her words of today? It is something Taylor grapples with as makeup slides down her face in the music video showcasing deep emotional angst amongst an oceanic background. 

The bridge truly reaches a pivotal point of catharsis as Taylor sings, “It’s not you it’s me. I’ve been tormented all of my life so go and be free.” It appears that Taylor hypothesizes that she is a burden to her lover. She feels her lover deserves better: to be free from her own self-torment and dark truths.

The last thirty seconds of the tune are similar to its beginning. Peaceful harmonies, synths and strings bring us out of the sonic landscape of hope and fear. Taylor reminds us that makeup only covers up our surface. For we are creatures who feel deeply and in order to heal we must confront our inner demons daringly, honestly and transparently.

“Makeup” is a testament to our formidable years as we are most vulnerable and unsure with an unforeseen future ahead. 

Listen to “Makeup” on all streaming platforms!

Scott Helman shares heartfelt video for single, "Papa"

It’s 11:27 pm and it’s thundering outside. I’m emotional as I’ve been grieving the state of our world. I click play on Scott Helman’s music video for his single “Papa” feeling hopeful.  

It’s 11:31 pm and I’m wiping tears of joy and sadness. It is Helman’s genius that enables me to feel this deep dichotomy of emotion.  

The music video for “Papa” is depicted in the format of a simple split screen. On one side, we see Helman as he appears to be watching what the viewer sees on the other side—a video montage of his late grandfather, Alan. Helman’s face is bright and in focus as he reacts to the vintage footage of Papa dancing, getting married, kissing his bride and smiling while holding up a glass of gin. It is evident that Alan was a lively and zestful man who had a deep love for family and life. These two perspectives portray happy memories and the sad reality that Papa is no longer with us.

Although the single is inspired by and dedicated to Papa, the spotlight belongs on Scott. Canadian pop singer-songwriter. Alan’s devoted grandson. The kid who sang and played guitar at his Bar Mitzvah. Helman personifies vulnerability as Helman’s innermost feelings are brilliantly expressed through his heartfelt and spot-on lyrics.  “You’re looking back at your life, I’m looking forward to mine. It’s true but it doesn't make sense though that we’re both running out of time.” 

Helman plans to release his forthcoming album NONSUCH PARK (sa) on September 4th. Helman states, “This album is about my changes, my growth, my hardships, my celebrations, my fears, my courage and my love. Each person has a sanctuary within —a place they can return to where things make sense, where the tides are kind, where colours are bright and their lives feel meaningful. For me that place was the large park just down the road from my Papa’s house in Sutton, UK – Nonsuch Park...This work is a declaration —a declaration of love, meaning, questions and truth, and it is all dedicated to you, Papa.”

Helman is on the forefront of a long and successful career as he tears open people’s hearts and reminds us that we are human. And as humans, we all change, we all grow, we all question and we all seek truth. 

 NONSUCH PARK (sa) Track List:

1. (nonsuchpark)

2. Wait No More

3. Lois

4. Good Problems

5. Evergreen

6. (california)

7. Afraid Of America

8. Everything Sucks

9. True Crime

10. (meetagain)

11. Papa

Watch the music video for “Papa” below

Top 40 songwriter, Amy Allen, debuts music of her own with "Queen of Silver Linings"

What’s the magic behind “Without Me” by Halsey, “Adore You” by Harry Styles and “Vulnerable” by Selena Gomez? You could ask FLETCHER, Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello. Their secret weapon of sorts is Amy Allen, the indisputable force, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer finally letting the world hear her voice. Today Allen drops her debut single, “Queen of Silver Linings,” but behind her debut single, comes a story of its own.

Allen grew up in Maine and attended Berklee College of Music. She later moved to New York and founded the band, Amy & The Engine. Soon thereafter Allen wrote “Back To You” with Selena Gomez in 2018 and for the next two years became an influential songwriter in Los Angeles writing Top 40 songs for a wide range of artists. She was recently added to the “30 under 30” Forbes list as well as Variety’s “Hitmaker of the Month.”

“Queen of Silver Linings” was written by Allen and Dan Wilson (Adele’s “Someone Like You,” Semisonic “Closing Time”) about a rather emotional experience. Allen states, “We thought of two characters – the Queen of Silver Linings, who holds on to love at all costs and wants to fix things, even if it’s not in her best interests to do so – and the King of Good Intentions, who means well but continues to let her down.  As a Queen of Silver Linings myself, I realized that the message isn’t one of hopelessness – I believe there’s quite a power in having the guts to shamelessly fight for something you wholeheartedly believe in.” The song is raw as Allen’s authentic vocals sing of wanting something that inevitably might hurt her.

Allen explains that she wishes to “write a happy ending and leave out the parts worth forgetting.” It is rather a beautiful meditative flow of consciousness stripped right out of Allen’s diary. The rose-colored glasses that the Queen of Silver Lining wears is her greatest strength yet most vulnerable weakness as she can see the beauty within misfortunate situations. It is this dichotomy between masculine and feminine beings, negative and positive forces and trying to navigate ones emotions when it comes to love which makes the song cut so deep.

“Queen of Silver Linings,” is the first single to come from Allen’s forthcoming album. 

Watch the music video below and listen to “Queen of Silver Linings” on all streaming platforms!

MyKey and Cavetown create the ultimate quarantine video for single, "Was It Something I Said"

DIY/bedroom pop artists MyKey and Cavetown have released the much-anticipated music video to their single, “Was It Something I Said.” The single, which was originally released solely by MyKey in 2019, now has over seven million streams on Spotify. However, the addition of Cavetown on the record gave the song a brand new dimension. The track described by MyKey is about his “buddy’s ex… she was bad, and he needed someone to talk to. I was there!”  The track combines organs, Mellotrons and breezy chords creating an entrancing track that weaves memories of a past love with the important reminder to solace within oneself.

MyKey and Cavetown have brought creativity to a new level as their aptly titled “Official Quarantine Video'' is more so a deeper look into the friendship of the two musicians as they FaceTime. Cavetown jump ropes; MyKey wears a snowflake Christmas sweater; Cavetown plays drums on kitchen pots; MyKey introduces us to his beautiful cactus while holding maraca-shaped LED lights. It is equally quirky and fun as it is improvised and temporarily distorted due to the poorness of Wi-Fi connection. However, despite technological qualms, the video is deeply humane. It erases the human need for perfection and shows us that there is creativity in the most unusual of places. “I want everyone to have a personal connection to the song...,” MyKey has stated. “We all have those songs we relate to. They make us feel happier. When you hear me, I hope you’re like, ‘That’s my song’.”

Growing up in Maryland, MyKey worked at a recording studio and performed in various local groups including a local Maryland bluegrass band. In 2017, he decided to release his independent debut Faces which has close to ten million streams. MyKey’s ability to combine a myriad of styles, including rock, pop R&B and trap production truly shows that today’s artists are in no way pigeonholed when it comes to creating music. Cavetown is a UK based singer-songwriter who currently has nearly four million monthly listeners on Spotify. Cavetown released his major label debut album SLEEPYHEAD earlier this year. His honest songwriting in which fans across the globe find deep connections within has enabled Cavetown to play sold out shows in London, New York City and Los Angeles. Together, the two young musicians are breaking the barriers of what it means to be a songwriter in the twenty-first century.

Watch the official quarantine music video for “Was It Something I Said” feat. Cavetown below!

We found treasure and his name is Love Mansuy

A year from now a lot will change. Hopefully we will be free to travel as we please and can celebrate milestones in communion. Hopefully climate change will be a notable household concept and online spaces will promote acceptance and discovery rather than hatred and shame. Moreover, a year from now many people will know his name. They’ll know his name because he embodies love. They’ll know his name because his music will permeate their skin and touch their hearts. They’ll know his name because they’ll simply have a calling to and his name is Love Mansuy.

The New Jersey R&B singer released “Count On You” off his EP Of Age in 2019. However, today he drops the single once more but this time with a feature from Lil Wayne. In regards to working with Lil Wayne, Love Mansuy states “... For a legend like him to recognize my work and respect it enough to jump on my single, a song in which I contemplate the difficulties of choosing to pursue music while raising a son with my partner, is something you can only dream of. Being an artist is not easy, but Lil Wayne has taught me with hard work and dedication, you can do anything and his blessing means the world to me.”

Mansuy has known what he wanted for some time. Guided by intuition and higher power, Mansuy tells The Cowl that his family has been supportive of his dreams. His mother urged him to “do what you feel.” Mansuy has taken a myriad of influences creating his own lane of distinct sound.  It is Mansuy’s trust in his own fate that has opened the doors for the young father to create an alternative R&B sonic landscape full of truth and authenticity. Mansuy’s sense of divine love and deeper purpose pervades into his lyricism, melodies and grooves. As a listener, you can feel Mansuy’s warmth, gentleness and most importantly love.

Listen to Love Mansuy’s “Count on You (feat. Lil Wayne)" on all streaming platforms!

Multifaceted Griff gifts us "Forgive Myself"

Griff is making waves. The half-Jamaican, half-Chinese UK Pop princess is cool, trendy and able as she sings songs with emblematic meaning. Her debut 2019 single, “Mirror Talk,” showcases her multifaceted talent as a writer and producer while the music video showcases her stylistic nature and innate creative direction. “Mirror Talk,” reflects the ever too relatable concept of giving oneself a pep-talk in the mirror as Griff sings “Come on, girl. Oh, get it together. You can’t stay here forever. Enough of this mirror talk.” Griff's most successful song to date comes from her February release of “Good Stuff” which showcases her powerful and signature sound amongst an acoustic ballad. Fast forward to present day and the nineteen-year-old songstress has amassed more than twenty million streams on Spotify.

Today, Griff drops “Forgive Myself.” The song repeats the empowering phrase, “I gave my heart to the wrong somebody else and I need to forgive myself.” As we all forge our own paths and attempt to make decisions that we hope will not cause us harm, it is common to pick a partner that may, inadvertently, cause more pain than joy. However, Griff reminds us that there is growth in moving forward despite our wounds and vulnerabilities. “It’s gonna be hard, trusting my feelings again,” Griff states. The song has a similar vibe to a Julia Michaels record as it is particularly catchy and has a strong refrain. Moreover, it is Griff’s ability to flip a break-up song on its head or any song for that matter as she takes external qualms and offers introspection on the importance of going inwards and confronting the insecurities within that sets her apart.

Regarding the song’s anticipated music video, Griff worked with creative director Imogen Snell (Haim, Madonna) and shot all of the footage herself while in quarantine. From borrowing her brother’s Logic and teaching herself to produce to making her own clothes and aiding in the creative direction of her live shows, Griff is the next big thing to break out from the UK. 

Listen to “Forgive Myself” on all streaming platforms.

Watch the official video below!

Scott Helman delivers "Wait No More"

If Scott Helman isn’t on your radar yet, you are in for a treat. The Canadian pop singer-songwriter has already won five Juno Awards and has collaborated with the likes of Alessia Cara and Hunter Hayes. However, today Scott breaks all barriers as he showcases his most anthemic song to date—sure to be on your summer playlist.

Helman dropped “Wait No More” earlier today which is the first taste of his upcoming body of work. Helman states, “Keep on thinking life would be perfect if. If I had something I still can’t get.” We live in a culture hung up on consumerism. If you don’t have the newest iPhone, the hottest car or most expensive watch, are you even happy? These values are clearly junk and feeding these beliefs only leads to a life full of disappointments and materialism. Helman questions these force-fed marketing lies as he finally realizes that everything he could possibly want and need is present in this current moment. Essentially, Helman reminds us that it is vital to let go and surrender.

The electronic, pop song is particularly catchy with an underlying storyline of newfound hope and perspective. Acquaint yourself with Helman by listening to “Hang Ups” (2020 JUNO nominee for Single of the Year), “EVERGREEN” and “Everything Sucks.”

Watch the “Wait No More” lyric video below!

Ethan Gurska's masterful album En Garde

Ethan Gurska released his album ​En Garde ​this year. With half a million monthly Spotify listeners and over four million streams on his album, ​En Garde ​is just beginning to make a splash. Gruska comes from a family of musicians. His grandfather is John Williams who scored Jaws, Schindler’s List and Star War to name a few. His father, Jay Gruska, is an Emmy nominated TV and film composer as well as a songwriter. Nevertheless, Gruska continues to showcase his family’s musicality through his immaculate songwriting and production.

He has beautifully co-produced many of Phoebe Bridgers songs including “Motion Sickness” and her more recent “Garden Song.” Gurska is also credited as a songwriter on both John Legend’s “God Only Knows” and Madison Cunningham’s record “Something to Believe In.” He also co-produced Adam Melchor’s popular song “I CHOOSE YOU.” Additionally, Billie Eilish gave Gruska a special shout out on the first episode of her Apple Music Radio show, ‘me and dad.’ Aside from his esteemed producing and songwriting credits, Gruska truly shows the depths of his songwriter, musician and producer on ​En Garde.

The first track, “Maybe I’ll Go Nowhere,” is especially fitting for today's current circumstances. If one was to pull apart the lyrics, they are radically deep and emotionally jarring, truly enabling the listener to find solace within Gruska’s words. “Remember when music sounded good without a way to sell it? I know that never really happened.” Gruska questions the integrity of music these days, reminiscing of a time when it was made as a pure act of enjoyment. The questioning truly shows at heart that Gruska is a music man truly creating for the pure joy, discovery and communal aspect of it.

Gruska has some incredible collaborations on the album including Lianne La Havas, Moses Sumney and Phoebe Bridgers. ​Initially, Gruska was to write a piano ballad for Moses Sumney’s record ​Aromanticism.​ However, it never got finished so Gruska resurfaced it for his album and together they wrote, “Blood in Rain.” The song is particularly emotional as Gruska offers a stellar vocal performance of depth and melodrama. On the other hand, Gruska and Lianne La Havas wrote “Haiku4U” in two days which solely features La Havas’ vocals. The song blends La Havas’ signature sound with Gruska’s stylistic melodies and beautiful piano playing to create a unique, gentle and harmonious tune.

En Garde​ is truly a testament to Gruska’s multiple range of abilities as a producer, songwriter, musician and artist. When asked what Gruska is currently working on, he responded with a myriad of projects. There is currently a Manchester Orchestra record in the mix in which he is co-producing. He’s writing for himself, writing for others, collaborating via online and anticipating Phoebe Bridgers’ new album in which he had a big role in. It is truly an exciting time for Gruska, one in which the world of music is truly his for the taking. We are excited to hear more from the brilliant musician soon. 

Listen to En Garde on all streaming platforms!

Watch Ethan Gruska’s Official Music Video for “Enough For Now (feat. Phoebe Bridgers)” below!

Gracie Abrams wears "Long Sleeves"

Gracie Abrams. Where to begin. I think I came across a snippet of her singing and playing in her bedroom two years ago. I’m not sure if it was her effortless voice that feels like a summer sunset on the PCH, the aesthetic of her ordinary room or her signature glow-in-the-dark rocketship bedspread that has kept me a dedicated fan. Nevertheless, I found solace in her clever words and instantly yearned for more. It’s been two years since my initial introduction to Abrams and it appears a lot has changed for the young singer-songwriter.

She’s now signed under an exclusive license to Interscope records. She has released five singles within the past eight months garnering more than two million monthly Spotify listeners. She attended Barnard for one year. She moved back to LA. She’s been on Spotify’s New Music Friday and Apple Music’s New Music Daily along with the likes of Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande and The Weeknd. Although one might argue that her father and famous American filmmaker, JJ Abrams, may have something to do with her exponential fame, Abrams has truly done the leg work on her own. “It’s been a long time coming,” Abrams sings in her most recent single, “Long Sleeves.”

“Long Sleeves,” is the most ambiguous Abrams song to date as it does not lend itself as overly specific. Rather, it plays with the themes of self-worth, self-love and toxicity within a relationship. The lyric, “I wore long sleeves,” is especially profound as it signifies the scars and pain Abrams has hidden underneath her long sleeves. The outro repeats the phrase, “I’m coming down.” It is these repeating three words that enable the song to reach catharsis. It is the outcry. It is the young girl running in the rain towards a new beginning. It is the tumultuous crying that is finally let out after years of hiding. It is Abrams reclaiming her own faith. It is hope and it is freedom. Layered with beautiful strings arranged by Rob Moose (Bon Iver, Phoebe Bridgers) and tranquil synths, Abrams continues to broaden what it means to be a contemporary artist.

Abrams also uses her platform to share her support for Planned Parenthood, climate change advocate Greta Thunberg, the Time’s Up movement and also encourages her followers to vote. Abrams’ sold-out tour is currently postponed. However, it won’t be long before the songstress makes her way to Coachella, Governor’s Ball and Madison Square Garden. The sky is truly the limit. Be sure to look out for Abrams’ debut EP minor. 

Listen to more Gracie Abrams on our Spotify playlist you should be listening to…

Watch the lyric video to “Long Sleeves” below!

John-Robert has us falling in love all over again with his debut EP Bailey Barely Knew Me

John-Robert released his debut EP, Bailey Barely Knew Me earlier today. The EP comes after the release of singles, “Pelican,” “Urs,” and “Adeline.” The EP includes two new songs, “Friends,” and “Love Won’t You Say” and is full of catchy melodies, relatable lyricism and a laid back vibe. Ones To Watch noted, “John-Robert’s stripped-back style is utterly refreshing and comforting.” John-Robert’s voice is truly refreshing as it combines both pop and acoustic elements creating a euphoric sonic landscape of fresh air.  Therefore, it isn’t strange that his musical inspirations combine the likes of Sufjan Stevens, Doja Cat, The 1975, Childish Gambino and Jeff Buckley.

The EP begins with, “Adeline.” The track is deeply emotive as John-Robert talks about his admiration of Adeline. “Urs,” reflects the delicate balance of love singing: “I can't fight the feeling that I want to grow, I want to grow old with you but beneath my head is war.” The song touches on the theme of devotion but also the dichotomy of the fragileness of falling in love.

“Friends” continues the dialogue of vulnerability as John-Robert talks about a friendship that he believes is destined for something more. The chorus repeats, “we can’t be friends,” making it clear that it is time to stop pretending there isn’t a deeper sense of mutual kinship between potential lovers. Lastly, John-Robert begs for his lover to stay.

The EP truly touches on the phases of love and loving: from a crush, to a partnership to strangers. The sixteen-minute debut EP is truly beautiful and sentimental showcasing that the talented nineteen-year-old musician has a long musical road ahead. 

Listen to John-Robert’s debut EP Bailey Barely Knew Me on all streaming platforms! Watch the “Pelican” music video below.

Beware of Teddy Swims' "Blinding Lights"

“Bro, Teddy Swims is going to be the next Post Malone,” my friend texted me last November. I was expecting to find an artist singing a Post-inspired track, but what I found was completely different. I came across a YouTube video titled, “Teddy Swims - Focus (H.E.R. Cover).” The following five minutes blessed my ears and warmed my soul. Swims delivers a soulful, jazzy cover full of technicality and control. I then realized that it wasn’t Swims sound that would make him the next Post Malone but Swims incredible potential to be a huge star. Although one could argue its rather his “Post Malone-esque” face tattoos, braided hair and facial hair.

Only ten months ago, Swims posted his first YouTube cover of Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You,” garnering more than three million views. However since its release, Swims has more than 118 million views with a loyal subscriber base of 1.12 million. Last Friday (5/19), Swims arguably put out his best cover yet of The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights.” The track emits soul, musicality, and a Chris Stapleton meets Justin Timberlake type vibe. It’s an easy listen that transports the listener into a place of introspection and emotional depth.

The Atlanta based-songwriter is just beginning his rise to stardom. Be sure to listen to “Blinding Lights” on all music streaming platforms today!

Listen to Teddy Swims on our new Spotify playlist, “you should be listening to…”

Bruno Major's Most Beautiful Song

I’m not sure what streaming service I was using, nor do I remember how I came across it, but I arrived to the Bruno Major party very late. The song that hooked me in was “Nothing” and I heard it for the first time last month. The song features Major’s smooth velvet voice as he sings about the joy in doing nothing with another. The rhymes are particularly clever and though it never reaches a full moment of catharsis, the feeling of floating down a river will suffice.

Although “Nothing” is extremely relevant to our current global circumstances, Major has gifted us with an alternative song to listen to during this time of social distance and isolation. The song is the product of a collaboration between Major and four time Grammy-Winner Finneas which came together through a personal note sent by Finneas requesting they write together.

Offering a sweet-tempered guitar-driven ballad that sounds like a lullaby, “The Most Beautiful Thing,” poetically navigates our innate curiosities when it comes to love. Major wonders how he’ll meet his soulmate,  “Will it be a pavement or a sidewalk...Will we meet on Baker Street, Or find ourselves on Melrose Avenue?” The track is glossed with soft harmonies and guitar slides which congruously anticipate love under a hopeful light.

The YouTube video aptly titled as a lyric and chord video takes the narrative one step deeper. The visual is of space enabling us to reconnect with our childlike wonders and remind ourselves of our finite time and smallness in relativity to the universe. The chords to the song are kindly incongruous to the lyrics at the bottom of the screen allowing those of us at home to play along. Although music offers us a profound auditory experience there is something special about playing a song. Playing brings us closer to the lifesource of the song enabling us to fully feel the music in our bones. Major offers us a beautiful visual experience as well as the opportunity to actively participate. 

Do yourself a favor and listen to Bruno Major’s single, “The Most Beautiful Thing.”

Bryce Vine's "Problems" Can Ease Ours

Bryce Vine is back with his new single “Problems” featuring Grady. The track is the perfect social distance jam as the singer relatably “just found out it’s Saturday” while he was hiding out in his room. He shares that the world outside of his bedroom is full of problems that he cannot control, however, he finds gratitude in mundane things like playing his guitar and texting his mom as seen in the music video. The song is very much a stream of the songwriter’s consciousness allowing listeners to find solace in his mind’s meanderings.

The music video is a homemade masterpiece showing Vine at home simply existing and coping with our current circumstances. Vine continues to share inspiration with his new YouTube series, “6 Feet of Separation.” The episodes aim to highlight individuals who are positively contributing to society. He’s interviewed model and photographer Koreen Odiney of We’re Not Really Strangers and Dan McKernan of Barn Sanctuary. Be sure to look out for Vine’s new video series on his YouTube channel every Tuesday at 2pm PDT.

Listen to “Problems” on all streaming platforms and tune into Good Morning America tomorrow morning (5/9) to watch his live debut of “Problems.”

L Devine is up next

The Coronavirus broke our hearts. We had concerts to go to, countries to travel to and people to meet. While we put our lives on hold, the invisible predator was striking and killing our loved ones, neighbors and countless people across the globe. Nevertheless, as our circumstances change, we must make do.

L Devine was planning on supporting pop artist, Fletcher, on tour. Nevertheless, L Devine rose to the challenge performing her own live shows which streamed on platforms including YouTube and Instagram. If you missed it, go check out a live performance from her aptly named URL Tour on her YouTube channel.

Today, the UK breakout pop star continues to lift our hearts with her new track, “Don’t Say It” sure to be on your next favorite Spotify playlist. The song was written by L Devine alongside Grammy-nominated producers Rogét Chahayed (Travis Scott, Halsey, Solange) and John Hill (Rihanna, Charli XCX). Together they combined synths, a melodic chorus and a rhythmic beat creating a pop banger. 

L Devine has already garnered more than 41 million streams and her song “Boring People” released last March was coined an “instant earworm” by Time Magazine. “Don’t Say It” also follows the release of two pop smashing singles, “Naked Alone” and “Peachy Keen,” released in 2019,  her EP Peer Pressure released in 2018 and EP Growing Pains in 2017.  Filled with attitude, an honest narrative and her signature edge, L DEVINE’s melodic pop music is only on the way up.

Listen to L Devine’s new single, “Don’t Say It” streaming on all platforms!

Eight years later, Fiona Apple gifts us her album "Fetch The Bolt Cutters"

Five minutes after its release, my best friend texted me, “Listen to the new Fiona Apple album.” Two days later my father texted me, “Check out Fiona Apple’s new album.” His good friend thought I’d like it and recommended we listen to the album in its entirety. My dad grabbed a small portable speaker and we sat in the living room as the sun was setting. The room was dark as the flames from the fireplace offered a soft glimmer of light. My dad sat on a chair and I sat on the couch. I closed my eyes and pressed track one, “I Want You To Love Me.”

I usually like to know everything about an artist before I listen to their work. But recently, a friend of mine introduced me to a different way of consuming art. He will not watch a movie trailer or read the synopsis on a book cover. Instead, he commits to the art form with zero expectations. I found it peculiar at first, but the more time we spent together, the more I began to embrace not knowing. I decided to approach this album the same way. The only knowledge I had of Fiona Apple was that she once dated Andy Samberg. But I later found out I was wrong and I somehow confused Apple with Samberg’s wife and talented harpist Joanna Newsom.

“I Want You To Love Me” begins with what sounds like an obscure assortment of percussive instruments which flows into beautiful melodic piano. My breath began to deepen as I rested my head on the back of the couch cushion as Apple began to sing with conviction and depth. Her tone is unlike any artist I have heard in the past six months: it emits struggle, perseverance and within it I found commonality.

Her storytelling in “Under The Table,” sounds like we, the listener, are a wallflower in Apple’s brain as she conveys her defiance to some prior lover, “Kick me under the table all you want. I won’t shut up.” In many ways the album speaks to the #MeToo movement by promoting female autonomy and encouraging women to speak up.

The album’s title “Fetch the Bolt Cutters” was inspired from a scene in the British drama series, “The Fall.” The scene portrays a sex-crime investigator yelling “Fetch the Bolt Cutter” after finding the locked door to a room where a girl was tortured. One could conclude that the bolt cutter conveys hope and liberation as the tortured girl in the room will finally be freed. Apple seems to be responding to the long struggle yet recent progress of the women's movement as women have begun to share their stories as they continue to vouch for equality in the workplace opening the door to a more tolerable society. 

Today’s emerging artists appear to have a care-free attitude that is charged with vocation: addressing contemporary issues from mental health to politics. Today’s generation appears to be more fearless than ever and it is icons like Fiona Apple who have fetched the bolt cutter and opened the door reminding us it is ok to be defiant, authentic and opinionated.

Listen to Joshua Basset's debut single "Common Sense"

If you’re in love with someone who you know isn’t good for you, we’ve found a song for you. Joshua Bassett’s debut single “Common Sense,” which is both melodic, soothing and honest is just what we need while in quarantine.  

If you’re unfamiliar with Basset, he is on the break out series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Not only is Bassett an actor and multi-instrumentalist, he is also a multitasker! The song came to him while he was driving. He quickly found a place to park, took out his guitar and completed the song in fifteen minutes. 

His single debut definitely comes full circle. Bassett has amassed 1.3 million followers on Instagram with his first post being a live version of “Common Sense” back in 2018. As the song was being re-mixed and mastered, Bassett re-listened to the Instagram version of the tune. He found a liking to the chirping of birds in the video and pulled the birdsong from the live performance into the final version of the song. 

Bassett’s keen musicianship and genuine vocals truly deliver on “Common Sense.” Watch the official lyric video for Joshua Bassett’s debut single, “Common Sense” below: