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Single Review: Summer Suite by MoonDreams

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 MoonDreams’ “Summer Suite” is a vibrant, sun-soaked anthem that instantly transports listeners to a tropical paradise. The song’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of carefree days spent “under the palm trees,” dancing to a “tropical beat” and enjoying the warmth of the sun. It captures the essence of summer’s joy and relaxation with a playful invitation to join the fun at the “summer suite,” a metaphorical getaway that feels both intimate and expansive. The repetition of “summer suite” throughout the song acts like a soothing mantra, reinforcing the laid-back, almost hypnotic vibe that invites listeners to unwind and embrace the moment. The imagery of “body surfing,” “kicking up your feet in the sand,” and “riding the waves” evokes a sensory experience that feels immersive and joyful. “Summer Suite” is a celebration of summer’s simple pleasures—sun, sand, music, and connection. It’s a song that encourages presence and enjoyment, offering a musical oasis that feels refreshing and uplif...
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Artist Interview: Victoria-205

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  In this exclusive sit-down, we talk with the evocative independent artist Victoria-205. Based in Corning, NY, Victoria has been carving out a unique space in the alternative scene with her blend of poetic lyricism and genre-defying sounds. Following the release of her latest single "STARGAZING," she opens up about the struggles of burnout, the deeply personal meaning behind her name, and her mission to create music that serves as a lifeline for her listeners. Tori: Your latest single, "STARGAZING," dropped on October 31, 2025. Can you share the story or core inspiration behind that track and what its title means to you? Victoria: Of course! While this song is rather upbeat, it comes from a place that’s a little more bleak and stems from burnout and sadness. The idea behind it is watching your life change and slip away while you want so much more out of it and having no idea what to do. Tori: Who are some of the artists or poets that most heavily influence your uni...
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Single Review: Soar by Kat Button

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 Kat Button’s “Soar” is an uplifting anthem that captures the journey of resilience and self-discovery with heartfelt simplicity and poetic charm. The song’s structure is straightforward yet effective, weaving together personal reflection and an empowering call to rise above challenges. From the opening verse, listeners are invited into a narrative of perseverance—“Took a while to find my way / dodging barriers everyday”—which feels both relatable and inspiring. The contrast between “get up and go” days and “go-slow” days adds a realistic texture to the emotional landscape, acknowledging that progress is rarely linear. The chorus is the heart of the song, bursting with soaring imagery and determination:   “It’s time to Soar, Soar / Leaving all the craters and the traitors at my feet / Let’s soar / Following the path that I adore / Watch me soar.” This refrain is a powerful metaphor for overcoming setbacks (“craters”) and betrayal (“traitors”), transforming pain into momen...
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Single Review: Dead Poet by Tuudi

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 Tuudi’s “Dead Poet” is a hauntingly introspective piece that captures the delicate tension between emotional burden and isolation. The lyrics paint a vivid portrait of someone weighed down by unseen struggles, carrying the weight of others’ expectations and emotional demands, yet feeling profoundly unnoticed and disconnected. The song’s tone is beautifully bittersweet, blending naivety with a raw, almost cruel self-awareness. Lines like “I watched all the lonely people passing by / Til I realised I was one of them” evoke a universal sense of alienation that many can relate to, especially in moments of quiet reflection. The repeated questioning—“Have you ever felt that way at all?”—invites listeners into a shared experience of feeling out of place, even when surrounded by others. Tuudi’s metaphor of the “dead poet” is particularly striking. It conjures an image of creative and emotional exhaustion, where the speaker feels unheard and unwanted despite their efforts (“No one wants me...
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Artist Interview: Guntaas Oberoi

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   Explore the musical journey of Guntaas Oberoi, an Indo-Kiwi artist blending Indian classical melodies with Western indie-pop. From her upbringing in Auckland to her current base in Melbourne, Guntaas shares insights into her creative process, cultural identity, and the evolution of her unique sound. Tori: Your music is described as blending Indian classical melodies with Western indie-pop. How did you first decide to fuse these two distinct musical worlds, and what challenges did you face in making the blend feel seamless and authentic? Guntaas: I first decided to attempt to fuse these two worlds because they are both such a big part of who I am and where I grew up. I definitely grew up learning Indian classical music, but I was also drawn to writing my own songs in the indie-pop genre. Trying to weave them together was a mission—one I’m still working on improving! I really faced challenges with the melodies and figuring out how to create a sound that felt unique and more l...
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Single Review: Blue Mercedes by Hollie Gautiér

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 Hollie Gautiér’s “Blue Mercedes” is a raw and emotionally charged track that captures the turbulent dynamics of a fractured relationship with striking honesty and vivid imagery.  Right from the opening lines, the song plunges listeners into a scene of conflict and frustration—“Slam the door / Start a war / Oh it’s just another Tuesday”—setting a tone of recurring tension that feels both personal and relatable. The lyrics convey the exhaustion of dealing with emotional games and unfulfilled promises, highlighted by the repeated questioning of why the narrator is made to cry despite efforts to look and feel good: “I did my make up nice / And this sh*t was expensive.” The metaphor of the “Blue Mercedes” is particularly powerful, symbolizing both the physical and emotional distance growing between the two characters. The color blue evokes feelings of sadness and coldness, while the luxury car represents a lifestyle or relationship that seems glamorous on the surface but ultimatel...
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Single Review: Enigma by War For Cadence

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War For Cadence’s "Enigma" is a haunting exploration of psychological warfare and spiritual erosion that pulls the listener into a labyrinth of conflicting emotions. The track opens with a biting critique of hollow interactions, describing a "rendezvous with a nameless face" that suggests a world where individuals trade their authenticity for the safety of hiding. This existential dread is elevated by a profound philosophical pivot in the second verse, where the lyrics pose the gut-punching question, "Screaming can you ever love what you cannot lose?" Musically and lyrically, the song mirrors a "conspiracy designed to break my faith," using the repetitive anchor of a distracting voice to represent the magnetic pull of a toxic relationship or a fading belief system. The bridge introduces a brilliant metaphor for internal struggle, describing an "invader you invited to distress your soul" as the narrative shifts toward a direct confrontat...
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Artist Interview: Saint Friday

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  Saint Friday is a Philadelphia-based sibling duo consisting of Helen and Johnny. Their music occupies a unique niche known as "bubble grunge," where they masterfully juxtapose heavy, distorted guitars with ethereal, floaty vocals. Drawing from 90s alternative nostalgia and the vibrant DIY scene of their hometown, the pair creates a sound that is both hauntingly vulnerable and grittily energetic. In this interview, they discuss the family dynamics behind their creative process, the stories that shaped their debut EP, and what fans can expect from their upcoming release show. Tori: Saint Friday’s music lives in the space between grit and vulnerability. How do you balance those two emotions in your songwriting and performances? Helen: I think it’s easy to balance grit and vulnerability because the two emotions exist within each other–it takes grit to be vulnerable, to say something that you’re feeling, or something that might be disturbing to others. Johnny: I think the best a...
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Single Review: 4play by look at fiona

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 “4play” by look at fiona unfolds as a lush, art rock anthem that captures the restless energy of yearning and desire with poetic intimacy. The song’s core revolves around the universal experience of tossing and turning in bed, consumed by thoughts of a crush—an emotional landscape both tender and charged. The lyrics weave a delicate tapestry of sensations and emotions: from the visceral “to feel her pulse / poke the monster” to the evocative “elastic smile / thinning dream,” the imagery is vivid and sensuous, inviting listeners into a personal, almost cinematic moment of vulnerability and longing. The repeated questioning of “could you swing / everlasting?” adds a haunting, almost hypnotic quality, as if probing the possibility of a lasting connection amid fleeting feelings. Musically, the art rock frame provides a lush, textured backdrop that complements the lyrical themes perfectly. The ebb and flow of the melody mirror the restless nights and fluttering emotions described, whil...
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Single Review:Figure out by Madi C

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 Madi C’s song “Figure Out”is a raw and heartfelt exploration of emotional turmoil and the struggle to find clarity in a complicated relationship. From the very first lines, the song captures that universal feeling of needing space and time to process intense emotions, while still holding onto the person you care about deeply. The lyrics convey vulnerability with honesty — phrases like “I put my feelings on standby” and “I’m just tryna escape and leave no trace” paint a vivid picture of someone caught between love and self-preservation. The recurring theme of confusion and searching for answers (“Gotta figure out”) resonates strongly, reflecting the emotional limbo many experience when facing heartbreak or uncertainty. Musically, the song’s pacing and tone complement the introspective mood. The subtle tension in the delivery mirrors the internal conflict, and the imagery of drinking to drown feelings adds a poignant layer to the storytelling. What stands out is Madi C’s ability to ...
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Single Review: Lazy by Emily Sara

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 "Lazy" by Emily Sara is a deeply relatable song that perfectly captures the pressure of modern "hustle culture." By starting with the weight of family expectations and the specific burden of being an eldest daughter, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone who feels they must always be "on." The song is especially powerful because it doesn't just complain about being busy; it honestly admits that the "grind" can be addictive, even when it’s causing a total burnout. The metaphor of a ballerina smiling through the pain is a great touch that shows how we often perform perfection while struggling inside. Ultimately, the song is a moving look at the anxiety of being unable to sit still, making it an anthem for anyone who feels guilty the moment they try to relax. Stream Lazy here! 
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Single Review: Dissect by Avicide

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 Avicide’s “Dissect” is a raw and visceral plunge into themes of vulnerability, control, and emotional torment, wrapped in stark, unflinching imagery. The song’s lyrics confront the listener with graphic metaphors of bodily dissection and consumption, symbolizing a deep surrender to external forces—whether emotional, psychological, or relational. The opening lines—“Cut my chest and swallow what you see / Boil the rest and eat me”—immediately set a tone of brutal exposure and self-sacrifice. This is not a gentle unveiling but a violent, almost ritualistic offering of oneself. The repeated plea to “Dissect Me” reinforces a complex dynamic of control and submission, evoking feelings of being both a willing participant and a victim. Avicide’s choice of words like “My blood is bitter, and my tongue so sweet” adds layers of contradiction and tension, suggesting a bitter truth wrapped in appealing or deceptive facades. The stark admission, “I’m just meat,” strips identity down to its most...
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Single Review: Good Enough by Dareen and Kailey Wilson

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 Dareen and Kailey Wilson's new song "Good Enough" is a hauntingly vulnerable exploration of the intersections between unrequited love, betrayal, and deep-seated insecurity. The lyrics paint a portrait of a narrator caught in an exhausting cycle of trying to "treat you right" and "look after you," only to be met with daily betrayal. This external conflict serves as a catalyst for a profound internal crisis, as the narrator begins to lose their sense of self, questioning what their true reflection is and what they simply wish to see. The song is particularly effective in how it uses vivid, nature-based metaphors to illustrate a sense of displacement; lines describing stars on their face and ocean waves caressing their waist contrast sharply with the narrator’s desire to be "bone dry" and their persistent crying. This imagery heightens the central plea of the track: a desperate wish for the subject to look past the physical body and "see m...
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Single Review: I forgot we're friends by Holly Nicholson

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 "i forget we're friends" by Holly Nicholson is a poignant and deeply relatable exploration of the friction that exists within unrequited love, capturing the specific, quiet agony of wanting more from a person who has already drawn a firm boundary. The song masterfully navigates a relationship that feels like both a sanctuary and a cage, perfectly describing the "star-crossed" feeling of being in love with a friend who doesn’t feel the same way. By balancing a sense of cozy intimacy with the daily frustration of hiding one's heart to save the connection, the track excels at using lived-in, sensory details to heighten the emotional stakes. For instance, the narrator uses vivid imagery like shared walks in the rain and the haunting presence of "jealous dreams" to illustrate the constant tension between a platonic reality and a romantic "what could be." This internal struggle is most visible when the narrator admits that in their mind, the f...
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Single Review: Love Letter to Shawn by Maria Bonilla

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  In "Love Letter to Shawn," Maria Bonilla delivers a track that feels like a personal diary entry set to music. It’s a song that celebrates the "quiet revolution" of staying true to oneself while being deeply in love. The standout element of the song is the chorus. The line "you make me feel like a fool for you" is an infectious hook. In songwriting, admitting "foolishness" is a classic way to show total devotion, and Bonilla uses it here to create an emotional centerpiece that feels both vulnerable and triumphant. The song sits in a sweet spot between 90s pop-rock sincerity and modern indie-pop. There’s a touch of Billy Joel’s storytelling combined with a modern, rebellious edge (the "revolution" in the eyes). It feels like the kind of song that starts with a simple arrangement—perhaps a driving piano or a steady drum beat—and builds into a lush, full-band finish. "Love Letter to Shawn" is a song about the strength found in ...
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Artist Interview: Chay Swan

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  In this interview, we chat with emerging artist Chay Swan to discuss the creative process behind his debut single, "Kayfabe," the influence of professional wrestling, and his approach to independent music production. Tori: Your debut single Kayfabe draws inspiration from professional wrestling and explores themes of split personalities. What drew you to this subject, and how did you translate it into music? Chay: It’s been such a huge interest since I was a kid, everything about it. I had all the games on Xbox when I was young and went to see it live as an adult. I wanted to write a song about it but also kinda hide it and make it subtle at the same time. I wrote it as I went along recording it like I do with most of my music, it just came sorta naturally and didn’t have much planning I suppose. Tori: You handle every aspect of your music production—from recording to mastering—on your own. How does working in isolation shape the emotional tone and imperfections in your soun...
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Artist Interview: Iggykad

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  Iggykad’s music is a unique blend of gritty 90s Hip-Hop and haunting UK electronic textures, shaped by his move from the UK to rural Germany. His latest project, WINDY IN THE SMOKER ZONE, captures themes of isolation, imperfection, and introspection through slowed-down, atmospheric soundscapes. In this interview, he shares how changing environments, the spirit of New York rap, and his creative process come together to create music that feels both raw and deeply personal. Tori: You’ve moved from the South of the UK to rural Germany. How has that shift in environment and physical "distance" influenced the scale and mood of your newer productions?  Iggy: I think since I’ve lived here for just under 7 years I’ve sort of just made do and my most recent projects have been something of a reflection of just that - basically justhaving gotten used to the whole process in “I’ve been here this long and integrated as well as I ever could so it is what it is”. I recently moved out i...
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Single Review: Drive by Lame Sagittarius

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 “Drive” by Lame Sagittarius is a captivating blend of introspective lyricism and vibrant 1980s-inspired synthpop that takes listeners on a sonic and emotional journey. The song’s upbeat, shimmering synth layers and driving rhythms recall the iconic sound of Madonna’s 80s hits, evoking the electrifying pulse of neon-lit city nights and the thrill of escape. Lyrically, “Drive” explores the restless urge to break free and seek new horizons, with lines like “don’t expect things to change just because you went and fleed” grounding the song in a thoughtful reflection on the tension between running away and facing one’s challenges. The repeated imagery of “fly through neon City Lights” and “no we're not aligned with great designs” captures a rebellious, free-spirited attitude that rejects predetermined paths in favor of self-discovery. This combination of nostalgic synthpop energy and honest, minimalist lyrics creates a compelling anthem that invites listeners to both dance and reflect. ...
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Ep review:Crampt by Current Red

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 Crampt by Current Red is a haunting and cinematic exploration of displacement and control, weaving together surreal imagery and sharp social commentary. The EP opens with the ethereal "Bevy," which utilizes a recurring "swan" motif to represent a desperate need for escape, before pivoting to the biting cynicism of "Suppressor," where the narrator describes a manipulative relationship defined by "strings wrapped round your hands" and a stifled identity. This tension culminates in "Cozmology," the emotional anchor of the record, which captures a protagonist struggling with a fading "sense of direction" while pleading for "much needed attention" through a "case in point rule of action". The project concludes with the chaotic, sci-fi-infused "Phase 26," shifting the focus to a world of "missiles" and "air raids" that reflects a broader "war with our lies". Collectively, ...
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Artist Interview: Ali Saneei

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  In this exclusive conversation, we sit down with multidisciplinary artist Ali Saneei to explore the raw, experimental world of his music. Known for his "stream-of-consciousness" recording style and his work in both the indie game scene and standalone alternative music, Saneei opens up about the vulnerability of "outsider music," the technical challenges of unscripted composition, and his ambitious upcoming projects for 2026. Tori: Your music is often described as being in the underground and alternative genres. How do you feel these labels capture the essence of your sound, and what musical boundaries are you most interested in pushing within those spaces? Ali: I feel they are accurate labels because a big challenge with my music is that it’s hard to say what genre it exactly is. Underground, alternative, lo-fi, and even indie genres are broad enough to include the “weird” and unconventional songs I make, while almost specific enough to quickly convey the overall ...
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