Posts

Showing posts from November, 2025

Artist Interview:Tripendicular

Image
Tripendicular, the Louisville-based multi-instrumentalist, creates a diverse sound that he describes as an "airy and a bit dreamy" aural rollercoaster ride. His music is a rich hybrid of genres like new wave, indie pop, and alternative rock, often incorporating orchestral instruments and synth tones alongside guitar to build an expansive, evolving wall of sound—a "kaleidoscope" of textures. Drawing heavy inspiration from the genre-colliding era of the early to mid-80s, the artist uses the deliberately obscure term 'tripendicular' (from the movie Valley Girl) to reflect the project's unique, undefinable, and expansive nature. With a focus on lyrics that provoke self-reflection on the tension between a person's wants, needs, and reality, Tripendicular consciously keeps his image out of the spotlight to ensure the music and its message remain the primary focus. Tori: What, beyond your vocals, provides the underlying thread or signature that makes a dive...

Single Review: Fly Away by Frosty

Image
 Frosty's "Fly Away" immediately captures the distinct sound and mood of the early 2010s indie rap and alternative scene, strongly reminiscent of the emotional intensity found in tracks like Twenty One Pilots' "Ride." The core of the song is an intense, driving desire for total escapism, repeated over and over in the chorus: "I want to run, and fly away, far away." This isn't just about taking a trip; it's about a complete mental and emotional flight from reality. The first verse emphasizes this craving for a fresh start, expressing a wish to "grow wings" and shed "earthly possessions" to find a new beginning away from overwhelming stress and conflict. The repetitive structure turns this longing into an anthem for anyone feeling weighed down and searching for temporary peace or a moment to clear their head. ​The deeper emotional weight of "Fly Away" comes from the second verse, where the narrator reveals the pa...

Single Review: Turmoil 2 by Dee-JSquared

Image
 "Turmoil 2" by Dee-Jsquared is a raw, introspective look at the mental struggle between self-doubt and the drive to overcome it. The Chorus immediately establishes the central conflict: the artist feels like a " burden " and expresses a desperate need to " roll ," yet acknowledges the inherent difficulty in facing life’s challenges " all alone ." The repetition of the intro’s " No more, No more, No more " acts as a powerful, minimalist cry of exasperation, setting a heavy emotional tone that carries through the whole track. Lyrically, the song touches on feelings of being lost and confused, portraying the artist as silenced ("silence in my throat") and physically burdened by stress ("torment in my bones"), making the listener immediately connect with the universal experience of internal crisis. ​The Verse offers a dramatic shift from passive suffering to active hope, transforming the narrative from one of despair...

Artist Interview: Cindy B

Image
      In today's interview, we caught up with sit down with rising artist and producer Cindy B to discuss her Y2K-inspired sound, the influence of her Congolese heritage, and how she navigates the pop world while remaining fiercely authentic. Tori: Can you elaborate on the specific cultural elements, sounds, or stories from your Congolese roots and East London upbringing that most influence your music? Cindy: I think growing up Congolese, music has always been a part of my life. And one thing that I hold onto about Congolese music and what I try to implement into my own is that it's always really fun sounding. When you listen to Congolese music you hear how it sounds soo big and grand. You can tell that there were so many different types of musicians involved in the production process and that's what I want my music to sound like. It makes it sound so fun and that's why it's great for parties. Also living in East London and just London in general has inspired my s...

Ep review: 9th Life by Riese

Image
 Riese’s "9th Life" EP is a concise and intensely honest collection focused on emotional resilience and the burden of survivorship. Moving beyond the mythical idea of instant rebirth, the five-track EP explores the exhaustion of having to constantly rebuild oneself after difficult experiences. Riese immediately establishes herself as a narrator who is vulnerable yet firmly protective of her own story, setting boundaries in the opening track "Id rather be boring" by demanding, "Just don’t mistake me / For all my trauma." This sets the EP’s core theme: the struggle to be seen as more than just a survival story, resulting in a work that is sharp, accessible, and deeply relatable in its specific anxieties. ​The EP’s journey is structured around confronting different phases of crisis. The title track, "9th life," captures the urgency and anxiety of feeling time slip away, using vivid imagery like "I can count the minutes coming down like it’s a l...

Single Review : Cold Turkey by Julia Adrian

Image
 ​Julia Adrian's "Cold Turkey" is a powerful and candid song that explores the immediate shock and confusion following a sudden, unexpected breakup. The track starts by exposing the shallow excuse of an "amicable" split, quickly revealing the speaker's true, isolating pain—vividly described as being "confined to the walls of January." This contrast between the partner's easy escape and the speaker's emotional lockdown is central to the song. The devastating chorus, "I laid it all out... You played along," solidifies the theme of betrayal, showing how the speaker's honesty was met with calculated deception, turning a "promise turned fatal" overnight. ​Beyond the initial shock, the song digs into the specific wounds of abandonment, particularly the lack of closure: "I didn't even get the chance... to watch you leave." This detail emphasizes that the separation was an execution rather than a mutual decisio...

Single Review: Tell Me Why by Cindy B

Image
 Cindy B.’s "Tell Me Why" is a sonic distillation of that restless, pre-dawn state of mind where romantic obsession hits its peak. It's an energetic, yet dreamy, pop track that successfully captures the chaotic rush of falling for someone, perfectly encapsulated in the repeated, yearning question: "Tell me why, / Why can't I sleep tonight, / Without you on my mind, / I can't get through the night."While the central theme is the classic pop dilemma of a sleepless crush, the lyrics quickly inject a confident, playful, and assertive edge. The verses move beyond simple pining and become an overt conversation, packed with bold declarations: ​“I can’t forget the way, / That you kiss my lips... / Won't you, / Remember i’m the one, / Who does the trick.” ​This lyrical shift from innocent yearning to confident self-assurance is what gives the track its dynamic personality. The persona is fully aware of her magnetic draw, challenging the love interest to recog...

Single review: This Feeling by Evolution

Image
 ​"This Feeling" by Evolution is a high-energy track that captures the pure thrill of electronic dance music (EDM). The song is structured as an immediate club anthem, centering on an incredibly catchy and uplifting musical hook. The repetitive Pre-Chorus ("Now I’ve found someone, someone to believe in...") and the driving Chorus ("I wanna take you to the sky / I want to take your body higher") deliver raw, euphoric energy. These sections are instantly recognizable and designed to be played loudly, promising a soaring, exhilarating feeling of excitement and connection through music and dance. ​While the primary musical focus is on this uplifting euphoria, the track's verses introduce a more chaotic, intense atmosphere, describing a fast-paced, all-consuming late-night environment. This contrast between the clear, powerful rhythm and the rougher subject matter gives the song a dynamic edge. Ultimately, "This Feeling" stands out for its strong ...

Single Review: Growing Up by Wavy Trees

Image
 ​Wavy Trees' "Growing Up" is a relatable song that captures the anxiety of becoming an adult. The core message is expressed through the repeated, honest line: "Growing ups so hard." The lyrics show the conflict between wanting to "do what I want" and feeling pressure to meet adult expectations, like getting a job and finding stability. The song details the common struggle of feeling lost, wondering if "the world passing me by," and worrying about not doing anything "right." This feeling of being stuck between youthful freedom and adult responsibility makes the track feel very honest and real to anyone facing similar pressures. ​The song finds a powerful conclusion by shifting from despair to defiance. After repeatedly stressing how difficult everything is, the narrator ultimately decides to let go of the stress with the final line, "Life's to short to give a shit ma." This ending suggests that real maturity isn't ...

Artist Interview: Alicia Clifford

Image
  Alicia Clifford is stepping into the spotlight with the release of her debut multi-track project, Training Wheels. This EP showcases songs written at the very beginning of her journey as an artist, revisited and reimagined for a powerful and intimate collection of indie-folk tracks. We caught up with Alicia to discuss the significance of the title, the unique all-female collaboration behind the project, and the vulnerability of sharing her deepest thoughts. Tori: Your new EP is titled " Training Wheels ," a name that seems to reflect a journey of growth and finding your footing. Can you elaborate on the significance of this title and how it encapsulates the EP's themes? Alicia: When I was originally thinking of making the EP, I knew that the songs were written when I was in the infancy of my journey as an artist. And I just thought, training wheels were perfect for what I was trying to say. I actually had that name picked out before I even started recording. I think it ...

Artist Interview: Dylan Wilson

Image
  From the raw energy of punk to the atmospheric depth of goth and the sprawling sonic landscapes of the psychedelic, Dylan Wilson and his band are carving out a distinct space in the modern rock 'n' roll scene. Describing their work as "gothic rock 'n' roll," this Edinburgh-based group — featuring Dylan Wilson on vocals and guitar, Sean Casey on drums, and Sorrel Harland on bass — is quickly building a reputation for their cryptic lyricism, spontaneous live-recorded ethos, and commitment to genuine, unpolished rock 'n' roll. ​We caught up with Dylan Wilson to delve into the "chaos" of his sound, the influences of literary masters like David Lynch, and what it takes to be a rock 'n' roll band in the modern age. Tori: Your music is described as fusing elements of goth , punk , and the psychedelic . How do you balance and blend these disparate genres to create your unique sound? D.W.: Well, we started as a punk band so we have punk son...

Artist Interview: AiramFM

Image
  ​In the fast-paced world of alt-pop, Danish artist Airam stands out not just for her dreamy, cinematic sound, but for her incredible independence. Since her debut in 2022, Airam has established herself as a completely DIY force, writing, recording, and producing a staggering 23 singles right from her living room studio. Her work has always been deeply rooted in personal experience, exploring vulnerable themes of grief and mental health. Now, with her latest track, "Cold Hearts," she's turned her gaze outward, delivering a powerful political protest song. We sat down with Airam to discuss her unique creative spontaneity, the biggest challenges and freedoms of her independent control, the melancholy that defines her "AiramFM sound," and what motivated her to finally speak up about the "state of the world." ​Tori: "Cold Hearts" is described as your most political song yet—a protest song. What specifically motivated you to shift your songwritin...