From the first, bluesy lines, you can tell this song is about to hit you in your feels. 18-year-old Zola captures the modern teenage social landscape perfectly, as it is rife with backstabbing “frenemies” and the like. (But we aren’t speaking from experience or anything like that.) Explains Zola:
“[‘Not Like Other Girls’ is about] finding the courage to stand up for one’s self in the face of a bullying or gaslighting ‘friend.’ The phrase is inherently misogynistic, labeling other girls as inferior. The irony is that this girl who thinks herself superior is actually the opposite.”
What a deeply layered and gorgeous song. But it is the rhythm and standout vocals that really tell the story here, and we are stoked to see what direction Zola takes us in 2021. Allow yourself to melt into the music below.
Today, Punxsutawny Phil told us we have 6 more weeks of winter. So, we had to put him at the helm of the piece. Because, you know, his shadow determines how cold we are. Right, east coast? (Who is in the ALWAYS COLD CLUB aside from me?) The Joan Baez lyrics that were chosen for the title of this piece kind of tell it like it is. We don’t mind, though. we’re just going to keep spinning brand new music and be as thrilled as possible with it.
Check out new songs throughout the month at the playlist below. Everything is new, everything is awesome. (Holy hell PLEASE listen to the playlist now, so that the last sentence isn’t stuck in your head all day like it is in mine?)
Pop songs tend to be made for the purpose of going viral or just to get plays on the radio. Sometimes it makes you wonder if the process of making good or authentic music is even a goal anymore. If you look in the right places though, you will be able to find the diamond in the rough. “God Save The Queen” is Cali Rodi’s power move to pioneer pop back to its original feel-good roots. This empowering, punchy pop anthem is a breath of fresh air. The inspiration behind the song came after Rodi being physically assaulted in broad daylight, but no one jumped in to help her. It made her think about how hard it is to be a woman in this crazy world.
After being discovered by country music star Keith Urban, Rodi moved from Nashville to Los Angeles and has been working hard to create an arsenal of unapologetic pop songs. She even teamed up with powerhouse producer Lindgren (Dua Lipa, BTS) and vocal producer Emily Wright (Britney Spears, Katy Perry) for the track. She calls out to protect women through the lyrics, “angels on our shoulders ain’t enough anymore / all they do is keep me between love and war / so God save the queen”. From a bad situation to a positive song for all, Rodi definitely has some tricks up her sleeve and we can’t wait to see what she does next.
It’s all about moving on and letting go of the past for Kamber in her acoustic single, “West”. Recorded at Gnome Studios in Nashville, the indie artist finds closure over a heartbreak. Instead of dwelling on the past, there is a hopeful outlook for the future in the lyrics. Kamber is classically trained in piano and voice and is a band called Raviner, while pursuing solo work and teaching students in the studio. Her sound is influenced by an array of artists including Tori Amos, Chris Cornell and more.
The level of vulnerability is at an extreme high, taking listeners through her process of coping with a loss in her life. The struggle gets easier as time goes on and as the song progresses, as most heartbreaks do. The biggest example of focusing on herself is with the lyrics:
All this time I held the key / open door in front of me / I never thought that you and I would bleed / well it’s the first time I know that I can breathe
The Nashville-based indie singer is not afraid to lay it all on the line here and tell her truth. From being worn out and broken to wishing this person all the best, this person is moving West while Kamber is moving on.
Today, captivating folk artist Marlene Oak releases her new track “Sailing Home.” With enticing, sprawling vocals, she seems to captivate us with a simple soundscape almost immediately. The way her “ooohs” almost seem to get momentarily caught in her throat, with the hitch of a rasp that is contagious as all get-out… mesmerizing. For someone with as magnetic a vocal range and beautiful a soul, we are surprised this is just our introduction to her catalog of work.
Spend a couple of minutes with this release. It’s going to bring your heart rate down and your soul connection way, way up.
“Let There Be Love” is the latest release for international, multi-platinum pop artist Ananya Birla. With over 300 million global streams since joining the scene in 2016, Ananya is a major force in the industry. She has opened for big names such as Coldplay and Wiz Khalifa and continues to scale the charts with her releases. Ananya is listed as a Forbes Woman to Watch, as she continues to build a great foundation for her career.
The track “Let There Be Love” was recorded in Los Angeles during lockdown with Grammy-winning producer Aaron Pearce. It is an upbeat electro-pop anthem promoting the fact that beautiful things can come from dark times. The lyrics “Strong for your father / cry for your mother / love one another / pray for your brother / feel for your sister / why can’t we come together / let there be love” is her promoting this consistent message of unity. Ananya promotes joy and love through connections through her lyrics which coincides with her personal philanthropic work. She is an advocate for female empowerment and mental health and has worked with many organizations in the related fields. “Let There Be Love” is featured on Sirius XM Hits 1, making her the first Indian artist to feature on one of the largest pop radio shows in the United States.
Eryn Martin has paired with Brazilian funk aficionado R2 to produce her new boundary breaking track “Namesez.” Martin’s personal brand of asymmetrical alt pop is known for using dusky instrumentals to create music that is poignant, contemplative, and softly menacing. A self-taught singer and songwriter, Martin shows off her capricious vocal style that moves through haunting melodies and smooth textures atop glitchy beats that are infused with elements of hip hop and electronic music. The impulsivity of her music keeps her listeners on their feet, and she certainly brings that energy to her new single as well.
Straight away the listener is struck by the unique music box/xylophone sounds that gently crash into one another at the beginning of the track. These sounds and the other beats that transpire have that kaleidoscopic nature that Martin’s music is known for, but they also have a great bounce and drive to them. The character that Martin’s voice assumes in this track sounds suave and relaxed, effortlessly gliding on top of the erratic music. The touches of harmony and textures that surround Martin’s voice and the beat do an excellent job of catching and holding the listener’s attention. Going forward, Martin is preparing to release new visuals and refining her live show, captivating her audience and inspiring them to stay true to themselves.
You can listen to “Namesez” here, and make sure to keep your eye on this groundbreaking rising artist in the future.
The valiant band Beautiful Dudes have channeled their determination and spunk into their newest single, “Nite Nite.” The single is first to be released from their upcoming EP Nite Songs, out August 14, the soundtrack to the current state of the world as it traverses dark, melancholic times with refreshing optimism. From Nevada City, frontman Tom Bevitori and the Dudes have always aimed to capture serious topics with infectious hooks and heavy riffs. There’s more to the band than meets the eye, however. Among the band’s brazen sounds are intimate lyrics that add a deeper dimension to their music.
“Nite Nite” embodies the courageous energy of four dudes who have tons of spirit and spite: “We are not afraid, we fear nothing.” It’s simple in structure– the opening combination of clashing drums, Bevitori’s turbulent voice, and the rumbling guitars including the persistent rising triplet figure continue basically throughout the entire song. This creates a feeling of static but excited energy, as though something is coming. And indeed, the first words we hear are “the revolution is coming.” The release of Nite Songs is coming as well, making this song the perfect first release to generate eager anticipation for the EP.
“Nite Nite” will only be released on a flexi vinyl record included with the purchase of their limited edition Skateboard deck. Beautiful Dudes will also be featured on the upcoming compilation album for the Nevada City Film Festival in August with their new song “Beverly Hills” and live performances and interviews.
Philadelphia-based duo Dom & Jesse share their latest single “Can’t Help Myself”. It is a mix of pop melodies with soulful rhythms, destined to be a song used in the next TikTok trend. In a time like we are in right now, you want to break all the rules to be with the one you love and that’s what the duo is trying to convey here. Sometimes there is just a magnetic connection that is so hard to resist, it will pull you in.
Produced by Grammy-nominated producer Dilemma, they were able to create an upbeat track that is perfect for their sound and will pull in new fans. Blending current styles and classic storytelling, Dom & Jesse have a similar style to artists like Liam Payne, Charlie Puth, and the Jonas Brothers. It is easy on the ears and would be a great addition to a pop workout playlist. Their vocals float through the track with a beat that will keep your head bopping. You won’t be able to help yourself from playing this song on repeat, so dive into the sounds of Dom & Jesse now.
