Category Archives: reviews

LISTEN: On ‘Flowers (Party Version)’ Liv Greene Shows Us the Meaning of Self-Love

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If your Valentine’s Day looked a little more like Singles Awareness Day this year, never fear. Liv Greene’s new Party Version of her song, “Flowers,” is here to give you the shot of self-love you need.

Tracked live-to-tape at Woodland Sound Studios during the sessions for Greene’s most recent album, Deep Feeler, the Party Version of “Flowers” was actually the first version cut for the record. That was before Greene and company re-imagined the song to fit the record’s more solemn tone.

“‘Flowers’ is one of the oldest songs on Deep Feeler, and was without a doubt the hardest to capture, requiring three tries in total. This outtake, ‘Flowers (Party Version)’ was our first attempt, and sort of my ode to country queens like Emmylou and Linda Ronstadt, with a Silver Threads-type intro and shuffly fiddle-heavy rhythm throughout,” Greene noted. “This original version, while undoubtedly the most fun to capture, never quite settled in with the rest of the record. The boisterous intro felt out of step and it slowly became clear there was a certain arc of grief and sadness to the song that felt under-emphasized as it stood.”

Described as “a vulnerable snapshot of hard-won self-acceptance,” Deep Feeler was produced by Greene alongside GRAMMY-Award winning engineer Matt Andrews (Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings, Trisha Yearwood). Coming on the heels of the full-length record, “Flowers (Party Version)” gives us another snapshot into Greene’s creative process — and perhaps, a feeling of triumph over heartbreak and self-doubt.

“The last lines of ‘Flowers’ have always felt a little aspirational,” Greene said. “‘I am giving myself space, a little love, a little grace, I am buying myself flowers these days,’ so it only felt right to give this song the amount of time and space that it took to get it right, and to love on myself through it all, except maybe instead of flowers, it was studio time. Worth it.”

LISTEN: Katie Mal Gets Us ‘Caught Up’ in Our Feelings

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Have you ever experienced a heartbreak so real, that even the smallest reminder prevents you from moving on?

Katie Mal crafted her new single, “Caught Up,” 3-4 years ago, as she was trying her hardest to recover from her first “real, hard breakup.” The raw honesty of the lyrics, paired well with a steady-driving garage rock soundscape, give us all the room we need to process our own pain — even if we’re the ones choosing to hold on to the memories.

“’Caught Up’ came from a really personal place—those moments when even the smallest things, like rain on a window or a box of their stuff, can keep you from moving on,” Katie said. “It was one of those times where writing helped me process what I was feeling.”

The Toronto-based songwriter started with the lyrics, later refining the melody and guitar parts to develop the finished product we’re enjoying today.

“I really wanted to release this song, because I love how the final product turned out,” she said. “It feels raw and real, and I hope people can connect with it.”

LISTEN: Soheill Accepts That We’re ‘Only Human’

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We’re all on this spinning space rock together, encountering challenges and getting to know our own imperfections, all while trying to make our way in the world.

Nashville-based atmospheric rock artist Soheill captures the spirit of our existence with “Only Human,” a thought-provoking, atmospheric ballad about the ways our individual battles tie together the greater story of our collective existence.

“‘Only Human’ is a reflection on vulnerability and self-acceptance, embracing the imperfections that make us who we are,” Soheill said. “The song explores the rawness of being human, acknowledging our flaws while finding strength and connection through them. It’s a reminder that we’re all in this together, navigating life’s challenges.”

Warm-glowing keyboard layers lead us into the “Only Human” experience, followed shortly thereafter by the introduction of a slow-marching drumbeat. This provides the perfect backdrop for a sweet, solemn vocal melody which inspires the listener to look inward. As we progress, hazy guitars come into the mix, helping the tension build to an emotional crescendo reflective of the song’s lyrical and thematic depth.

Soheill has more on deck where this came from, with more singles coming our way throughout the year. If they’re anything like this, count us in!

LISTEN: On ‘Drown in the Desert,’ Mary Jennings Helps Us Weather the Storm

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Following life’s storms, we all have a choice: let go of the pain and find oneself, or stay stuck where we are.

Mary Jennings explores this theme of resilience — even through catastrophe — on her latest single, “Drown in the Desert.”

Building on the socio-political themes of Jennings’ previous single, “Take A Number,” “Drown in the Desert” was inspired by Jennings’ experiences at Burning Man in 2023, which became infamous for the rare, torrential desert rain that caused mass evacuations and many stranded individuals at the festival. The single begins with a calm, ethereal electropop sensibility — meant to mirror the desert landscape’s typical tranquility — before tension builds and washes down on us. Jennings found the desert storm to be an apt metaphor for life’s more challenging moments, when we find ourselves overwhelmed by emotions, circumstances, or both.

“Drown in the Desert” was co-produced by Ryan Youmans, and is the second single from Jennings’ forthcoming EP, set to arrive this summer. Immerse yourself in this one below!

LISTEN: With ‘Spooky Girl,’ Lips Speak Louder Blasts Off Into 2025

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It’s hard to imagine a band getting the year off to a hotter start than Lips Speak Louder just did with their newest single.

The turbo-charged “Spooky Girl” enters the equation with loud, fuzzy guitar riffs and aggressive drums, combining the grit of 90s grunge with the thrilling, rhythm-oriented bombast one might expect from a Queens of the Stone Age record.

“‘Spooky Girl’ is a song about walking the line between carnal fascination and hedonism,” notes vocalist/guitarist Rachel Brandsness. “The opening guitar riff, soaked in fuzz, dictated the direction of the song, which paved the path for the aggressive drums and created the perfect tonal landscape for the lyrics.”

Produced by acclaimed guitarist and songwriter Emily Wolfe, “Spooky Girl” is another offering from the band’s forthcoming album, to be released later this year.

“When we pictured the backdrop of ‘Spooky Girl,’ we envisioned the chase, or cat-and-mouse situation in a dark club with lots of stimulation, sexiness, and eagerness,” drummer Angie Lese adds. “We wanted the music to mimic that driving force, so by design, the song goes hard and doesn’t let up.”

LISTEN: On ‘What Doesn’t Make Me Stronger,’ Leah Martel Faces Her Demons

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Healing isn’t linear — and sometimes, we get a reminder at a time we’d least expect.

For Leah Martel, it came at a time in her life when *everything* seemed to be clicking. She had just graduated, was in a wonderful new relationship, had a new job, and was enjoying a drama-free existence.

Even so, something felt amiss…

“I felt horrible. I was riddled with worry, anxiety, and a sense of doom,” Martel said. “Previous to this, there had always been a reason for those feelings, I had always been going through a difficult relationship, job, or living situation, and I realized that, even with those troubles gone, they left a mark on me. Even with all the monsters dead, a part of them lived inside of me now.”

In that space, Martel penned “What Doesn’t Make Me Stronger,” a gritty, alt-country tune about the ways our demons come back around to haunt us.

“I was just at the start of a mental health journey now and, for the first time, facing questions like, ‘can I actually overcome this, or am I broken forever?’ Martel said. “I knew one thing only, I was determined to keep trying, no matter what I had to face. That felt like a good thing, but also an ominous thing, like I might have to go through a lot more pain first before actually feeling better.”

That sense of determination shines through on “What Doesn’t Make Me Stronger.” Twangy lap steel and electric guitars flash glimmers of hope before leading us to a triumphant crescendo, while the tune’s textured, rootsy sensibility and intricate rhythmic layers speak to the sense of resolve it takes to slay our inner beasts — once and for all.

“Of all the songs I’ve recorded so far, this one felt like a truly special moment in the studio,” Martel said. “I was lucky enough to have the best pop and country guitar players I’ve ever met on this track. When we did the electric guitar and lap steel solos, I got shivers. My drummer (Brandon Pellatt) also pulled out the coolest percussion instruments — all these different shaker pods and balls, and it just added the coolest textures. I don’t think I’ve ever had so many different instruments on a song before, and it really became more than I ever envisioned.”

WATCH: Da’ Healerz Are Feeling ‘Abundant’

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It’s a good time to be Da’ Healerz. The Heal Hop project — featuring Nashville hip hop veterans Lord Goldie and Foundation Mecca — is quickly gaining recognition, with more than 11,000 Spotify streams already amassed on the duo’s debut EP, Heal Talk. Add the fact that people in Music City are seeking out their live Heal Talk Experiences (like this one taking place February 13 at NECAT), and it’s easy to see why they’d be feeling a sense of abundance right now.

It’s timely, then, that they’ve just dropped visuals for the standout Heal Talk track, “Abundant.”

Described by Da’ Healerz as “an affirmation anthem celebrating abundance, growth, and connection to nature,” “Abundant” was shot at Bullbourne Bison Ranch in Cornersville, TN — located about an hour south of Nashville. Directed by Patrick Johnson, the video features breathtaking views on a beautiful summer day in Tennessee, capturing the track’s uplifting essence, while illustrating our connectedness to the ebbs and flows of Planet Earth.

“Abundant” was produced by N8MLVL. Check out the video below!

LISTEN: Tyler Lorette Found a Girl Who Feels Like ‘Home’

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Have you ever met someone who felt so safe, that everything just clicked?

Tyler Lorette has been there. On his new single, “Home,” the Canadian-born country artist “describes that feeling when someone comes into your life and, in an instant, it feels comfortable – just like home.”

“This song is a true story and was a 1 a.m. inspiration. I was sitting in my home studio with my guitar and came up with opening line, and just kept playing out the story as it progressed to through the chorus,” Lorette recalled. “I brought the song to my co-writer, Roberta Michele. We made a few tweaks, worked with my co-producer, Adam Newcomb, and this beautiful song was born.”

The polished new single features richly layered instrumentation, gorgeous steel guitar tones, and an infectious bass groove. Add it all together with a memorable hook, and you have a new country playlist staple that is equal parts accessible and heartfelt.

Time to take it “Home.” Stream it below!

LISTEN: CMAGIC5 is Done with the Fairytales

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Finally, a breakup song for those who are done with the fairytales…

CMAGIC5 — rising pop superstar and the 2024 Gussapolooza Heroes of Sound winner for Best Performance — makes a statement to begin 2025 with “Happy Never After,” an angsty pop punk anthem which shatters the love illusions we’ve all convinced ourselves were real.

“I wanted to flip that fairytale ending on its head in a playful, angsty way. Instead of the traditional ‘happily ever after,’ I thought, ‘why not embrace the disaster ending and accept it as part of life? No sugarcoating needed,'” CMAGIC5 said. “So, I created a track that’s a celebratory anthem for moving on from toxic ex-lovers, friends, or bosses—those people who play the role of ‘Prince Charming’ or ‘Romeo,’ but you can foresee the signs and know exactly how that last chapter of the story will end. It’s all about empowering yourself and others to avoid getting hurt again, and walking away before it’s too late.”

“Happy Never After” takes the power back for those left in the wake of a toxic relationship (or situationship. It is 2025, after all). The liberating new single fits well within the landscape of the Canadian artist’s catalog.

“I’d say it’s all about self-empowerment and authenticity,” she said. “I want my music to encourage listeners to embrace their true selves, let go of toxic relationships, and feel confident in moving forward, no matter how messy things might get. There’s always a sense of strength and self-love in everything I write, even when the subject matter is about heartbreak or facing challenges.”

“Happy Never After” was crafted with Juno Award-winning and Grammy-nominated producers/songwriters Ryan Worsley (Dear Rouge, Monowhales), Tavish Crowe (co-writer Carly Rae Jepsen’s Grammy-nominated, Juno Award-winning smash hit, “Call Me Maybe”), and Ryan Stewart (Carly Rae Jepsen, Victoria Duffield, Shawn Desman, Jocelyn Alice, Hedley). Check it out!

LISTEN: Martyrs (UK) Release High-Powered ‘The View From A Memorial Bench’

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At this point, 2025 is well underway. So, let’s take the training wheels off, and let’s rock!

Martyrs grace us with “The View From A Memorial Bench,” a turbo-powered alternative rock single inspired by a conversation the UK-based duo had with an older gentleman at Pegwell Bay, overlooking the sea in Kent, England. The tune touches on “grief, and the way memorials can hold so much meaning — both for those gone, and those left behind.”

“It’s about how we process loss by adhering to the mundane tasks of life, and how this can lead us to realizations and awakenings,” said Martyrs co-founder Michael Hall.

Those who have been following the band for a while might notice that “The View From A Memorial Bench” offers something different from the “fiercely independent” project, leaning on high-octane influences like Queens of the Stone Age and Faith No More.

“It is a huge departure for us, leaving synths and strings to one side and leaning into our formative loves of alternative rock and grunge,” Hall said.

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