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Showing posts from August, 2025

Single Review: Crimson by Mad Honey

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 ​Crimson by Mad Honey is an electrifying new rock song with bold imagery and powerful instrumentation that truly make you feel alive. Beyond its powerful musical foundation, the song tells a compelling story through rich, mythological lyrics. ​The song's lyrical journey begins with a sense of conflict and mystery. The central figure is described as "sapient and holy," yet "laden with the mark of the beast." This juxtaposition sets a dark, mythological tone, suggesting a being of pure essence burdened by a deep, supernatural flaw. The imagery of a cursed "chalice" and an "ancient rune withholding a curse" draws from classic fantasy archetypes, building a world that feels both ancient and perilous. ​The chorus serves as the song's emotional core and thematic anchor. The line, "I can see the heat in your eyes, burning red with Crimson fire," is a striking piece of imagery that gets straight to the point of the song's title. It...

Single Review: Bare Minimum by Daisy Peacock

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 Daisy Peacock's "Bare Minimum" is a sharp, self-aware anthem that dissects a toxic relationship dynamic. The song’s power comes from its brutal honesty, as the narrator isn't a passive victim but an active participant in the cycle of low effort. She admits to having a "sick need" to hold her breath until her partner begs her to stop, a twisted game of cards that shows her cynical mastery of the situation. The chorus is the lyrical centerpiece. The line "I'm a bare minimum kinda girl" seems like a sad confession, but it's immediately transformed into a cutting observation with the next line: "I know my standards are on the floor / But so are you." This isn’t a cry for help; it's a mutual, almost resigned, acknowledgment of a shared low point. The song captures the modern-day exhaustion of dating, where empty words ("a couple of buzzwords, baby") are the only currency. Ultimately, "Bare Minimum" isn't a ...

Single Review: The Record by Jonah Marks

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 Jonah Marks's new track, "The Record," is a fantastic listen. It blends Rap and R&B so well, and the beat has a great vibe that just pulls you in and makes you want to listen on repeat. But honestly, what makes this song special are the lyrics. They're so honest and thought-provoking. Right from the start, the intro hits you with some real talk: "If the record sells Then I get receipts If the record fails Then I get defeat" He really digs into what it means to be an artist and questions the whole idea of success. When he asks, "What are you measuring?," it makes you think about your own goals. The lines about doing it "for peace / for means / for sanity" show a raw side that's super relatable. This isn't just a song—it's a real and powerful reflection on chasing your dreams. "The Record" proves Jonah Marks is a great artist with something meaningful to say.    Follow Jonah Marks here! Stream The Record here! Dis...

Single Review: Florence by Elizabeth Wear

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 I just listened to "Florence" by Elizabeth Wear, and I was genuinely impressed. While its just a demo, the  song has a lot of potential, showcasing a unique and compelling sound.  The vocals are lovely, delivering the lyrics with a raw, intimate quality that really draws you in. The guitar work is also a standout, providing a beautiful, understated melody that complements the voice perfectly. Together, they create an atmosphere that feels both personal and heartfelt. The lyrics are a definite highlight of the song—they're incredibly creative and  paint a vivid picture of love with some truly unique phrasing. However, I found myself wanting to hear the voice more clearly in the mix. The guitar sort of overshadowed the vocals and bringing  the vocals forward would help to better appreciate the great storytelling and the emotion in the performance. Overall, it's a very promising track. With a little more clarity on the vocal track, this song could be something tru...

Artists Interview: Dead Heros

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  Welcome to a special look into the world of Dead Heroes, the new alt-rock project from musicians Harry and Zoot. Known for their work in bands like Solcura and DELTORERS, the duo is now channeling a new kind of creative energy, described as "voodoo-soaked alt-rock." We had a chat with them to discuss their collaboration, the inspiration behind their debut single "Witch Doctor," and what fans can expect from this exciting new chapter. Q. What inspired you to collaborate on this new project, and how does your experience working together in the past influence your music? A. We've been working together on demos here and there since we were just kids of about 15 years old, helping each other out with our different projects and bands. But for one reason or another, we never properly ended up in a band together—one that was purely of our own direction! We had so much material just lying around, not properly mixed or mastered and not being listened to, and we just tho...

Single Review: When The Weekend Ends by Zara Chantelle

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Fan favorite Zara Chantelle is back with a new hit. And we're living for it. "When the Weekend Ends" by Zara Chantelle feels like a genuine, honest look at what it's like to be young and overwhelmed. The song perfectly captures that feeling of constant anxiety. The lyrics immediately pull you into a world where everything feels like a bit much, from the restless nights in bed to the fear of facing the future. The chorus is especially powerful, as it speaks directly to the experience of imposter syndrome, where you feel like you don't deserve the good things in your life. It's a relatable and vulnerable message that so many people will connect with. Zara has a real talent for turning deep-seated fears into something beautiful and relatable. The song's emotional core is its greatest strength, as it tackles tough subjects like procrastination and the fear of growing up head-on. By the time the song ends, you feel like you've been seen and understood. ...

Artists Interview: ANGELI

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  Meet ANGELI, a London-based British Asian artist making a splash with her unique sound. Blending alt-rock, electronic pop, and punk, ANGELI's music is both an homage to the past and a bold step into the future. Her songs are a vibrant mix of explosive energy and heartfelt messages, drawing on her personal experiences to create a sound that is entirely her own. In this exclusive interview, ANGELI shares her creative process, the stories behind her most powerful tracks, and her vision for the future of music. Tori: As a British Asian artist, how do you think your background influences your music and artistic style? ANGELI: Having lived and grown up in London all my life, this is somewhere I love and call home. Yet due to the racism I’ve experienced at different points in my life, I've never quite felt like I belonged. Those feelings are complex and multifaceted and ones that I find most interesting to unpack. I started my whole artist project as a way to address those feelings ...

Artists Interview: Escape Goats

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  Hailing from Glasgow, the alternative rock trio Escape Goats is poised to make a significant mark on the music scene. With their unique blend of angular guitars, driving rhythms, and sharp, witty lyrics, they've been turning heads with their latest single, "Rompecabezas." We got a chance to talk with the band about their creative process, the challenges of being a self-produced act, and what's next for the up-and-coming group. Q. Your latest single, "Rompecabezas," has a unique blend of angular guitars and powerful drums. Can you walk us through the creative process behind this song? A. We usually take an initial idea to the rehearsal room and then flesh everything out as a band from there. The general aim is to keep things quirky and in keeping with other tracks that we have. Q. The concept of isolation is often explored in art and literature. How do you think your music addresses this theme, and what message do you hope to convey? A. Someone recently des...

Artists Interview : Record Pink

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   Meet Record Pink, the indie-pop duo composed of sisters Siddhi and Saadhyaa. Having lived in India, Germany, and the Netherlands, their unique background provides a rich tapestry for their art. We had a chance  to chat about their cross-cultural influences, their creative dynamic as sisters, and what's next for the duo. Q. Having lived in India, Germany, and the Netherlands, how have these different cultures and environments influenced your sound and storytelling? A. From these countries, we've picked up certain influences that have been incorporated into our music at times. Being based in Germany, we travel around so much in Europe, exploring different landscapes from mountains to oceans, all of which come back eventually to inspire our music, from lyrics to melodies. Especially for me, living in Amsterdam, I naturally picked up on elements from the energy and buzz that is always there in the city. From India, we utilized unique sounds. For example, you may not have h...

Artist Interview: Lævia

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 Today we talked with singer-songwriter Lævia to discuss her journey from the legal world to the music scene. Lævia opens up about her creative process, the challenges of balancing her studies with her passion, and what's next for her career. Tori: What inspired you to transition from a career in law to pursuing music, and what was the most challenging part of this journey? Lævia: I wanted to make my parents proud and thought the only way to do that was by studying law. But after a couple of years, I realized that my passion for music had never really gone away. It only grew stronger the more I ignored it. So, last year, I decided to give music a real chance and take it seriously. Right now, I'm still focused on my studies, but I'm also pursuing music in my free time. The hardest part is definitely managing my time. I don’t have much free time, and most of it goes into music. But I’m grateful for everything and hopeful that, in the end, it’ll all be worth it. Tori: Your mus...

Single Review : Can we Pretend We Just Met at a Bar by Ana Luna

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 Ana Luna's new song, "Can We Pretend We Just Met at a Bar?," is a powerful track that dives deep into the pain of a failing relationship. The song has a warm, coffee shop vibe thanks to the piano, but her powerful vocals and lyrics take you to a place of heartbreak. Ana's voice is the emotional anchor of the song. She starts in a vulnerable, almost whisper-like delivery, pulling you in close as she recounts a painful fantasy. As the emotional weight of the song builds, so does her vocal power. The notes get noticeably higher and fuller, a masterful use of her vocal range that perfectly mirrors her shift from quiet introspection to a raw, heartbreaking cry. This creates a beautiful and powerful contrast between the cozy music and the raw emotion. The line "I wake up in his arms, wonder if he still loves me" is a perfect example of this. It shows how even in a moment that should feel safe, there's a painful loneliness. It’s an honest and vulnerable song t...

Artists Interview: DDRB

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The two-person band known as DDRB is making waves with their unique blend of folk and punk, all wrapped up in a package inspired by their travels across the country by train. Consisting of Dominic DeLaney and Ricky Bolufe, the duo has crafted a sound that is both intimate and epic, full of harmony-heavy narratives about life on the road. We spoke with them about their creative process, their upcoming tour, and the stories behind their music. Tori: What inspires your harmony-heavy songwriting style, and how do you achieve such a unique sound? DD: Well, I think Ricky and I just write similarly, and think about songwriting in a similar way. We’ve also spent the better part of the past decade touring and playing music together, so that definitely helps. RB: It's funny he says that because I think we write on two different sides of the spectrum and that is what makes it unique. My approach to a melody or chord progression is different than Dom's and our ability to join those two wor...

Artist Interview: Maisie Jean

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  At just eighteen years old, singer-songwriter and producer Maisie Jean is making waves in the music scene with her powerful and personal debut album, Fluorescent Girl. Blending raw, introspective lyricism with anthemic electronic beats, Maisie has carved out a distinct and captivating sound. We spoke with the rising artist about the stories behind her songs, the challenges and rewards of independent production, and what the future holds. Tori: You're from Sheffield. How has the city's unique energy and music scene influenced your sound? Maisie: The live music scene in Sheffield has been my most valuable influence. I’ve never experienced such a vibrant community of talented and friendly people. Despite the recent loss of the Leadmill, Sheffield has so many amazing venues, each with their own spirit. Fagan’s is a favorite of mine. The first time I went there it felt like my spiritual home, and some of my best nights ever have been spent in that back room, in sessions where the ...

Artist Interview : Sdoku

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  Meet sdoku, the 16-year-old, Italy based,  independent artist who writes, records, produces, and designs all his own music and visuals. With his debut album, infinite moments, and his latest single, "gambling", making waves on a global scale, he's quickly becoming known for music that blends genres and speaks to a generation navigating love, anxiety, and dreams. Here’s what he had to say about his creative process, his inspirations, and what the future holds. Tori: You describe your sound as "influenced pop." Could you elaborate on what that means to you and how your diverse influences, from The Beatles to The 1975, come together in your music? sdoku: "Influenced pop" means I let my music be shaped by everything I love, without worrying too much about fitting into one genre. I grew up listening to a lot of music, so my songs can have the warmth of retro pop but also the energy and textures of today's sounds. It's about creating something that...