#Sindy Hoxha

[thepermanentrainpress]

UNDER THE RADAR: JANUARY 2023

Our inaugural Under the Radar of 2023! Don’t sleep on these releases from eachothersmothers, Sindy Hoxha, Fritz Hager, joss lockwood, Other People, and Ariana Fig.

1) eachothersmothers - “Dead Daddy Disco”

A lack of a chorus doesn’t hamper “Dead Daddy Disco,” instead offering a more free flowing dialogue. In your face and impulsive vocally, I love how abrasive yet groovy it sounds as whole. The lyrics take a darker tone and speak of finding companionship with others after trauma and tragedy; recovery and reprieve is a journey that can be shared, but is ultimately personal (“Distrust takes a toll on your soul / There’s some things you can’t control”).

The band was inspired by disco and “a slight country twang,” but you can still hear their always eclectic mishmash of punk, electronic and funk. Their raw energy is perfect for their informal talk of reaction, guilt, friction, and fate. While things aren’t always well and dandy – sometimes it can be easy to release some tension, relate to good music, and just dance.

Dead Daddy Disco by eachothersmothers

Written by: Chloe Hoy

2) Sindy Hoxha - “feeling blue”

The latest single from Albanian singer and songwriter Sindy Hoxha is an alluring, deeply emotional pop-ballad akin to early Adele and recent Billie Eilish. Now based in Brooklyn, New York, Hoxha creates music regularly, seeking to bring together her cultural background with “the sad pop genre.” I feel like these influences are definitely present in “feeling blue,” a refreshing take on the genre as it strips down the production to let Hoxha’s voice pull at your heart.

Hoxha’s vocals are the star of this track with her vibrato creating a rich rumble to each line she sings. If you’ve just experienced heartbreak or loss — especially if things ended bittersweet — this song is the perfect addition to your playlist. Passionate chords on the piano are the only thing that accompany Hoxha’s harrowing lyrics and raw vocals. The single does a sad pop song well, and sings about the encompassing feeling that is releasing the sadness in a way that’s familiar.

Written by: Alexa Tarrayo

3) Fritz Hager - “Caroline”

Fritz Hager is one of my favourite American Idol contestants in recent seasons, and he’s certainly coming into his own as an artist.

On "Caroline," the narrator sheepishly pieces together the events leading up to a one-night stand—the woman’s name, too. Hager's tone is soft yet has a lot of power behind it. The guitar riffs are fun and the backbeat sunny. Our protagonist does get his happy ending – albeit humorously with a little help from the local barista (Hager’s red and blue striped Idol sweater also makes a cameo in the video!). “Caroline” is catchy, crunching pop rock with butterfly feels.

Written by: Natalie Hoy

4) joss lockwood - “lucky”

British Columbia-based vocalist, joss lockwood, explores a foray into the R&B genre with her latest decadent single, “lucky.” The song adds some diversity to lockwood’s already impressive musical palette that features pop and hyperpop. It’s a sensual track drawing comparisons to the holy trifecta of mellow girl R&B: Summer Walker, H.E.R., and SZA.

The song kicks off with atmospheric synth notes and lockwood’s vocals crooning in just before the bass hits. The beat to the song is something you’ve probably heard before, but that does not take away from the integrity of the track itself. The synth, bass, and snare create a dark but playful soundscape that compliments lockwood’s sultry vocals, making this single one for late night playlists.

Written by: Alexa Tarrayo

5) Other People - “Burning”

Vancouver post-punk outfit Other People released their new single, “Burning,” in December. Its crux is one of human nature: learning, loving and loss, always in debt to each other (“If you leave it, it’ll curl up and die / Try to have it just to say goodbye”). Frontman Mark Crickmay’s vocals are decadently ominous, while new wave synthesizers and spry angular guitars forge a rather hopeful melody. The mix of traditional and alternative sounds is humbling; melancholy, yet clinging to daylight breaking through the overcast.

Burning by Other People

Written by: Natalie Hoy

6) Ariana Fig - “Punchline” 

"I can play pretend / even though you never asked / Don’t have those type of friends / cause they never seem to last.”

Fig has a smoky, contemporary feel in “Punchline,” a song of self-sabotage and deep emotion. Its power is layered in desperation and longing. While it details not wanting to be the “brunt of someone’s joke,” the attention coveted is well-intended; I see it as a lack of a healthy relationship, with needs and attachment styles that don’t align at a given time.

Her voice is rich and compelling, a depth both remorseful and soured reaching for reality and true connection. The single is an aching alternative pop, pleas understood and of importance—increased by the harsh drum beats. I like the dramatic air that follows, one that is anxious and empathetic towards the main character. Maroon is out now.

Written by: Chloe Hoy