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Weekly Roundup: Our Favorite Submissions of the Week

Dancefloor - Knights of Caesar With elements of rock, funk and EDM ‘Dancefloor’ is absolutely nails a refreshing new sound full of catchy riffs and pounding electronic sounds, before leading into one of the catchiest chorus’ I’ve had the pleasure of listening to. Despite the fun of this one, I thoroughly enjoyed how the track represents losing yourself in superficiality and the inability of connecting and creating deeper emotional relationships. It brilliantly perceives many of the negatives of the modern world, with such a fun sound and light lyricism.

Descend - Toren With gentle acoustic guitar strums and plucks, ‘Descend’ beautifully leads into Toren’s gorgeous vocals. The atmosphere of this one is emotional from start to end, with the subtle instrumentals allowing Toren’s lyricism to take centre place in the song. It’s evident that this personal ballad discusses an unhealthy relationship and reminiscing on the better days before things became so complicated. For Toren’s second single, they are already making a profound a name for themselves as an artist.

Stranger - Blanks Blanks’ ‘Stranger’ embodies the most moving elements of songs, with a stripped back instrumental performance of delicate electric guitar strums. The emotion is prominent in the vocals from start to finish, as Blanks’ sings about the difficulties of losing yourself and seeing a stranger in your actions and words, no longer recognising the person looking back at you in the mirror. More instrumentation is introduced as the track plays through, yet still it doesn’t take away from the powerful, heart-wrenching vocals of Blanks.

Colour blind - Lucy Sugerman ‘colour blind’ stood out to me this week with its relatability, as Lucy discusses the realisation she has herself to blame for ignoring many ‘red flags’ and still pursuing unhealthy relationships doomed to end badly. It’s easy to place people we love on pedestals, forgiving toxic behaviour over and over in the hopes someone will change, and Lucy expressed this torment brilliantly in her lyricism. This honest wording paired with the simple instrumentals makes the track undeniably catchy, and Lucy’s enchanting vocal performance mixing spoken and sung elements really tops it off perfectly.

Blue - Luna Bay Filled with infectious indie basslines and syrupy vocals, Luna Bay have written an absolute hit in their new single ‘Blue.’ With lyrics powered by adolescence and heartbreak, this track embodies all the best feel-good releases coated in upbeat, summery vibes. ‘Blue’ is the colour most associated with confidence, harmony, the imagination and sadness, and this track wonderfully encompasses these motifs with their own original spin. If you’re looking for three minutes of high-energy and a sing-along chorus, you’ll find it all here.

Why Do I Do That - Amy Asher In ‘Why Do I Do That’ lo-fi pop artist Amy manages to captivatingly word how many people use sadness to comfort themselves when sad, through watching sad movies, listening to sad songs, and ignoring advice they know would make them feel better:

‘I give advice that I don’t take, why do I do that?’  

This track really stood out to me in how atmospherically the instrumentals support the vocals, with a distant guitar strum and soft beat keeping the lyricism the main focus for listeners while adding to the touching nature of the track.

Newbury Park - Lexi Jayde Lexi cathartically words the struggles of one-sided relationships in her newest release ‘Newbury Park’, where she dissects a terrible dating experience of pouring too much time and energy into someone who didn’t reciprocate it. I’m sure we can all relate to dressing up, driving through traffic and spending too much time on somebody who would rather have been anywhere else but on that date. I absolutely loved how the indie instrumentals gave this track such an atmospheric feel, with a super mellow vibe against the heavy lyricism. 

Listen to all of these songs and more on our playlist here!

Review by: Tatiana Whybrow-Price

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Review: More Like You by Orla Gartland

Irish singer-songwriter Orla Gartland recently released her newest single ‘More Like You’ following her latest EP ‘Freckle Season.’ Gartland primarily self-releases her music, alongside taking a large role in production of her songs making them feel more authentically ‘her.’ It is clear in every new release that she continues to grow and refine her style while effortlessly creating her most completing work to date. 

Orla’s newest relese ‘More Like you’ is no exception, and continues to be just as raw and authentic as all her previous releases. The track showcases her absolutely gorgeous vocals that manage to stay soft yet powerful in sound, as well as wonderfully encapsulating a fun and catchy beat around the difficult lyrical content. Gartland brilliantly encapsulates the feelings of insecurity and a ‘petty friend jealousy’ of someone you don’t truly know and view as ‘perfect’ from afar: ‘please don’t be so perfect right in front of me, I think of all the things that I will never be.’ The track, while heavy-hitting in lyrical nature, also feelings of wishing to be somebody else. Orla is an artist to keep an eye on, as she only gets better with every new release. 

Review by: Tatiana Whybrow-Price

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Music Review: Patience by Ebba Bergkvist & The Flat Tire Band FEATURING Lisa Lystam x Ida Bang x Anna Skogö x Elin Öberg x Ida S. Vollmer x Alva Fährlin

Stockholm based blues rock band Ebba Bergkvist & The Flat Tire Band is recognised through their heavy riffs, Bergvist’s powerful vocals and their well-placed tempo changes bringing a breath of fresh air into today’s music industry. Their new release ‘Patience’ collaborates with many other female Swedish artists who collectively hope to bring power to their message behind the song, with yesterday’s release date specially chosen to celebrate International Women’s Day.

‘Patience’ shamelessly discusses the stereotypes of being a girl who plays rock. It’s all about reinventing the stigma that women can’t play guitar, and battling the male gaze when albums consistently have naked women on the covers. But more than anything else, it’s about showing young girls who want to play guitar that it’s an achievable dream, and that the industry is changing. Not only is this track incredibly motivational lyrically, it’s also so unbelievably catchy with head-banging drum beats and powerful guitar riffs that’ll have you playing air guitar around your bedroom seconds into the track. I also absolutely adored the garage rock atmosphere, with the echoey vocals during the verses that come together for a mega-uplifting chorus filled with powerful women’s vocals - overall nailing the inspiring feel of the song. This is a new release you don’t want to miss!

This is what they had to say on the track, “ It's about being a girl who plays rock… It’s about trying to appreciate ZZ Top live despite the video screens on stage that shows young girls in bikini, it’s about the comment “you could actually play” that you receive after a live show, it’s about having Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana explained to you by your guitar teacher even though you brought them up first, it’s about starting to play guitar and desperately trying to find female role models, it’s about the fact that sex sells and wondering if you should wear less clothes on stage, it’s about loving rock and reinventing rock, it’s about being brave enough to be ugly, to sing ugly, to dare to trust that the audience judges your music and not your body shape and finally, it’s about giving young girls who just got their first guitar a role model.”

Listen to “Patience” on Spotify here!

Words by: Tatiana Whybrow-Price

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Weekly Roundup: Our Favorite Submissions of the Week

loaded gun - girlhouse Cathartic throughout the entirety of the track, girlhouse is back this week with her new track ‘loaded gun.’ The track debates the idea of self acceptance and forgiveness for uncontrollable events in the past. Featuring a strong base, rhythmic vocals, and a catchy chorus. The track marks the last single prior to the release of her EP premiering on May 14th. 

Bullshit - Sarvady Slowing it down a bit with this next track, Sarvady calls it like it is. A melodic and calming song, the lyrics highlight the struggles and difficulties of everyday life. The track, originally written as opposed to texting her ex, evolved into a relatable anthem that summarizes the daily struggles of many teens growing up and coming of age. The debut single is honest, raw, and powerful with emotion. 

Warning Signs - Seanii Centered around heartbreak and nostalgia, Seanii brings all the emotion with his new single ‘Warning Signs.’ An anthem of honesty, sorrow, and disappointment, he channels these vivid emotions throughout the soft notes of the piano paired with a rhythmic beat. The track displays raw and heartfelt sentiments while calling out an emotionally unavailable lover. The road to self acceptance and acknowledging one's own self worth is clearly displayed throughout the lyrics. 

123 - KiD RAiN After securing massive success on popular platform Tiktok, KiD RAiN, an upcoming pop superstar from the United Kingdom released new single ‘123.’ Featuring a catchy and classic upbeat pop sound, the lyrics and melodies are lighthearted, energetic, and guaranteed to capture your heart. His unique sound is easily displayed within this new track, and across his entire discography. Quickly on the rise, KiD RAiN is only going up and up from here. 

I Take My Plants In The Shower - Verøna  Utilizing an extended metaphor amongst an easygoing classic indie beat, producer and songwriter Verøna is back with his new single “I Take My Plants In The Shower.” Relating self help to the care provided to plants, he utilizes upbeat rhythms and memorable lyrics to discuss avoiding the negativity life throws at you. The new single is not only lyrically pleasing, but is guaranteed to be stuck in your head all day!

You’ll Never Get Me Down - mwelly Featuring a classic pop punk vibe, mwelly is back with new single “You’ll Never Get Me Down.” The track itself oozes infectious positivity, and self empowerment despite hitting rock bottom in a relationship with someone else. Serving as a self catharsis towards rebuilding oneself, “You’ll Never Get Me Down” serves as an anthem of strength and motivation despite hardship. The contagious pop punk beat is clearly displayed within the chorus, and is sure to spark happiness amongst listeners.

Star Woman - Honey Hahs Indie pop band Honey Hahs from the United Kingdom brings new single “Star Woman” with the intent of female empowerment in all forms. The indie pop trio features electronic beats amongst powerful lyrics with the intent to empower and promote infectious positivity amongst women of all backgrounds and identities. 

Right Now - Sophie and the Giants New single “Right Now” by Sophie and the Giants extrudes the emotions and catharsis that comes with frustration, and pent up anxiety surrounding being kept in. At a time when live music isn’t exactly possible, and the music industry is not the easiest of fields to launch into, Sophie has successfully taken the world by storm amidst the difficulties surrounding the global pandemic. “Right Now” puts emotions into words and describes the struggles, fears, doubts, and joy that come with her rise to fame during a difficult time. 

I Can’t Get High - Royal & The Serpent Following her massive success with hit track “Overwhelmed” that went viral on Tiktok, alt pop artist Royal & The Serpent is back with a smashing new hit titled “I Can’t Get High.” The track follows her signature mysterious style and centers around chilling vocals, mystic beats, and powerful lyrics. The boundary pushing lyrics and haunting tones set the track apart from others of its kind. With every single, Royal & The Serpent continues to define her signature style, composed of the dichotomy between good and evil. 

Listen to all these tracks on our playlist.

Curated by: April Bredael

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Single Review: “are you sure?” by Mae Krell

New york city based artist and publicist Mae Krell is back again with their latest single titled ‘are you sure?’ The track follows the success of their previous hits, ‘wash,’ ‘home,’ and ‘garden.’ Throughout their prior releases, Mae has created a unique lyrical style that is easily seen carried into this new release. Although Mae began releasing tracks from the ripe age of sixteen; one aspect of their music has remained consistent. Every release is different, yet they all contain aspects of serenity, and tell a story using words, emotions, melodies, and passion. 

Today marks the release of Mae Krell’s latest single ‘are you sure?’ full of their most intimate thoughts and feelings. This track will absolutely pull on your heart-strings, with lyricism representing relapsing into a bad mental space and feeling as though you’ve reached the same low again and again, even when ultimately you’re in a much better place: ‘I wonder why I’m in the same place again.’ I absolutely adored how Mae discusses the difficulty in seeing your personal growth and positive progress when falling back into a depressive state, instead fixating on the negatives. The simplistic acoustic guitar complementing Mae’s vocals entrancingly adds to the heart-wrenching nature of the track, particularly allowing for Mae’s voice to take the lead and carry the heavy emotions through the song. I would recommend giving this single a listen to feel the weight of Mae’s words yourself, for a real cathartic listening experience. 

You can find out more about Mae Krell via their website, or by following them on Instagram. Stream their new single ‘are you sure?’ on Spotify here. 

Words by: April Bredael and Tatiana Whybrow-Price Images by: Caro Hallock and @by.pedestal

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Interview: Husks

Breaking molds and art styles with his unique experimental dark pop style, Husks has broken his way into the music scene with his new single “You Will Find A Garden” that debuted Friday, February 26th. Racking up over a thousand streams already, the track sets the pace for what is to come. Diverging away from traditional pop, Husks utilizes unique lyrics, sounds, and melodies to create an individual style that not many are able to replicate. Within his music he explores themes of purity, religious uncertainty, anxiety, and tension. 

I was able to virtually meet with the Brooklyn based singer songwriter, who created the image and style that is Husks, to discuss all things relating to his new single, the origin of his musical image, what inspires his writing and creative process, and what fans can expect from him later on this year. 

“You Will Find A Garden'' features a traditional dark pop style while exploring themes of tension, anxiety, and hope. He stated that throughout these dark times in his life, he turned towards horror movies. Looking back on the emotions and situations, he realized that he wanted a sense of not feeling alone in the feelings of isolation and fear. In one of these movies, a character described people as “husks” all in their own ways. The word itself means a shell of somebody, and he  took this to heart. We are all our own husks, and can choose to empower and fill or deplete ourselves. He channeled this energy into his first EP release, and continues to pour it into his new single. 

Husks is inspired by unique and distinct artists who are unafraid to do their own thing, and who let their artistry embody itself. He strives to be like his inspirations, and let his music speak for itself. By using a unique stylistic approach, his new single, as well as the rest of the tracks premiering on his album “Somewhere, There Is A Garden Where You May Rest” releasing May 7th, definitely stand out in the ears of listeners. 

Find out more about Husks here! And stream “You Will Find A Garden” here on Spotify.

Words by: April Bredael

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Interview: Keep In Touch

Canadian alt/pop duo Keep In Touch, are back again with a new track that premiered February 26th. The new track “Doubt Myself” is expected to be a smashing hit, following the success of previous singles “Stuck On You” and “One Shot.” I was able to sit down virtually with the band and discuss all things ranging from inspiration behind their newest single to the specifics of James’ shampoo routine. 

The pair met way back in fourth grade, and have been inseparable ever since. Throughout time, while their friendship blossomed, so did their music. From fourth grade to high school to university, the music and their friendship were two things that have always remained consistent. 

On motivation and inspiration behind the group, Jad shared that the sole inspiration is the desire and love for all things music. James added, “We don’t necessarily make the music because we think we’re good .. we do it because we genuinely love it.” The band hopes to connect with more people and create more music people can relate to. Their fanbase “Pen Pals” has also been a huge source of motivation for the two. The band runs a Discord group for the fans and frequently conducts video calls, shares stories, and promotes a fun and inclusive fan environment. James shared that “the fact that they’re listening, sending fan art, posting about us … like us? That is so motivating to keep going.” The band strives to provide authentic and organic interaction between the fans and themselves and values fan engagement and making new friends. 

Q: What prompted the release of new music and what can fans plan to expect for the rest of 2021?

A: We do have a good amount of singles recorded and released and a collection of unreleased music that we intend to put out sometime this year. Although dates are undecided, there is definitely more music coming. 

Q: Can you tell me more about your new track “Doubt Myself?”

A: When I first began writing the song, me and the girl I was seeing at the time were going through a rough period. It was on and off, hot and cold, it felt like it wasn’t consistent. I started writing the song as a love song, to say ‘Oh look we overcame everything. We worked through our struggles and are doing a lot better.’ And then, we broke up. So I took parts of the song and scrapped the rest, and rewrote it to be questioning where you are in a relationship and not quite knowing where you stand. And then it became somewhat good. Then, I showed it to Jad, and he made it actually good. 

Q: What is your favorite genre of music?

A: The thing I listen to most is pop music, but one thing I’m very into is song writing. The genre doesn’t matter as much, as long as I can feel that the song is coming from a vulnerable, honest place. 

Q: What shampoo does James use?!

A: While I haven’t been able to get a haircut in months due to lockdown. (Spoiler Alert: its Tresemme)

Q: How much do you love your fanbase, the Pen Pals?

A: Well the answer is obviously, to infinity and beyond and back again. We love them more than anything. The love and support people have shown us for this song is unbelievable. It gives you that extra kick to continue producing even when it gets hard. Honestly on the days where I’m lacking motivation, all we have to do is open up social media and talk to a few of our Pen Pals and it just brings my mood up completely. Love them to death. 

Q: What are your favorite colors?

A (James): I like pastels, yellows, blues, pinks..

A (Jad): I like black. I know that's not a color. But all my clothes are black for the most part. I guess if I had to say a real color it would be purple, but it's really black. 

Be sure to check out Keep In Touch on Instagram and stream their new track “Doubt Myself” here!!

Interview by: April Bredael

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Weekly Roundup: Our Favorite Tracks of the Week

Dirty Mouth - Harlow ‘Dirty Mouth’ by Harlow is a brilliant indie pop banger, playfully discussing dating and commitment issues in the modern world. From the moment her sultry vocals lead in, you’ll be absolutely hooked on her unique sound and tone. I was so impressed with Harlow’s vocal control and how gorgeously she would switch between different pitches, effortlessly creating one of the catchiest tracks on this week’s roundup. 

How Does It Feel - ENTT Alt Rock band ENTT bring an incredibly refreshing sound to the genre with their newest release ‘How Does It Feel.’ Filled with an entire instrumental experience, combining electric guitar, synth, drums, trumpets, percussion and even some cellos and violins for the string sections. This track beautifully combined so many sounds into one electrifying release, while lyrically expressing feelings trapped and needing to escape from reality. 

Another Life - Sarpa Salpa Northampton based indie band ‘Sarpa Salpa’ are back with another absolute tune, filled with the catchiest guitar riffs and a beat you’ll have engrained in your head for days afterwards. ‘Another Life’ brilliantly discusses the painful experience of unrequited love, and the difficulty of accepting you’re in a one-sided romance. 

Before The Sunrise - The Backfires The Backfires new single ‘Before The Sunrise’ brings a fresh new sound to the pop rock genre, reminiscent of older Arctic Monkeys releases yet so brilliantly unique. Instrumentally the track is continually progressing between different exciting riffs and beats, with the vocals complementing the tone perfectly. I also enjoyed the honesty in the lyricism, as they discussed the unfulfilling nature of one-night stands and the loneliness that follows. 

Sunday Sunshine - Young Rising Sons ‘Sunday Sunshine’ immediately gave me warm summery vibes from the moment the drums and baseline hit, leading into the most gorgeous dreamy chorus. This track is so uplifting in sound, and I would be surprised if you weren’t dancing and singing along on the first listen. This group of best friends wanted to create a track depicting what it would be like if Sunday were the best day of the week, and they really nailed the lyricism and happy vibes all around. Perfect for any upbeat, summery playlists! 

White Stars - Kaitlin Cantrell x James Balfour Slowing it down this week, we have Kailtin and James’ ‘White Stars’ that both beautifully and heart-wrenchingly tells the story of a couple slowly slipping away and out of love with one another. The gentle acoustic guitar gorgeously complements the mix of their vocals, as they harmonise and sing to one another in separate verses. I adored the emotional vulnerability of their lyricism, depicting a side of a break-up not often shared in songs. If you’re looking for a captivating but incredibly emotional track, this one is perfect for you. 

Listen to all of these songs in our playlist!

Written by: Tatiana Whybrow-Price

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Interview: Alex Shera

Growing up in San Diego, California, stylist turned singer-songwriter Alex Shera always felt a strong passion and connection to the creative world. As a stylist in the fashion industry, Shera kick started his career working with major stylists in the music industry, and eventually creating his own client list. Over the years, Shera was able to apply his creative skills and industry connections towards producing and creating music of his own - all while leaving his unique creative mark on the tracks. 

After debuting his music career with a hit track titled “Fire,” Alex Shera is now back with a new single that premiered February 26th titled “Blue Nights.” I had a chance to meet virtually with Shera and discuss all of the details and behind the scenes of the track and am ecstatic to feature them. Shera says he was able to utilize his styling experience and knowledge of the background of the music industry towards his music while embracing his creative drive and vision. 

Shera shares that although COVID has impacted the music industry significantly, one benefit is that it has allowed him to think outside of the box, and collaborate virtually with talented people from all over the world. Shera shares that “it has been a challenge, but it has also been a good challenge in a way.” 

When asked about the inspiration behind his new single “Blue Nights,” Shera says he was reflecting on a relationship he had with two close friends he was living with at the time. Shera began to grow feelings for one of the friends who simultaneously grew feelings for the other friend; the track commemorates not always getting the guy or the girl and recognizes that ‘there is a blue feeling, but it's okay.” He shares that it is definitely something everyone can relate to, and if he is going through it, you may also be going through it. 

Cut from the same cloth as Lauv, LANY, and Troye Sivan, Alex Shera has significantly left his mark on the music industry while also creating an individual stylistic feel, one that is easily recognizable in his new single and other work that will premiere yet in 2021. Shera shared to “stay looking out, there is definitely a lot more music coming.”

Be sure to check out Alex Shera here on Instagram, and stream his new single “Blue Nights” here on Spotify.

Words by: April Bredael

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EP Review: Young and Dying in the Occident Supreme by Mobley

Influenced by the opulent royal palaces and lengthy savanna plains, singer and songwriter Mobley wrote the majority of his new EP “Young and Dying in the Occident Supreme” while in Thailand. Mobley says he found inspiration within the country, viewing his own country from a new perspective. 

The EP consists of an intro followed by five tracks. To commemorate the release of the EP, Mobley is teaming up with popular artists such as Magic Giant, Spencer Ludwig, Michigander, and more to bring virtual live music back into the hearts of the cities across America. The virtual tour titled ‘Devil in the Daydream,’ kicks off on February 25th, and is working to support struggling venues across the United States and employees affected by venue closers, as well as the DAWA fund, which works to assist people of color experiencing emergency financial needs. 

The EP kicks off with a bang, featuring an upbeat track titled ‘James Crow.’ Lyrically catchy from the first few words, ‘James Crow’ immediately encapsulates listeners into the rhythmic melodies and memorable verses. The track also features the ‘Devil in the Daydream’ line that the tour name comes from. Featuring bells, sharp lyrics, and shrilling instruments, the track sets the mood for the rest of the EP right from the get go. 

Next up is a similarly catchy piece titled ‘Nobody’s Favorite.’ This piece focuses on hard hitting lyrics and a beat that is upbeat yet enchanting. The track features strong falsettos paired with a heavy guitar. ‘Nobody’s Favorite’ manages to take seemingly haunting lyrics paired with a strong beat and turn two opposite features into something cohesive, attention getting, and beautiful. 

Kicking it back up a notch, the third track on the EP, ‘Dreams Of Empire’ brings the energy levels up again. Featuring a memorable hook, strong vocals, and unique usage of base, guitar, and electronics, the track is not one you want to miss. 

‘Mate,’ a more slowed down piece showcases strong vocals nestled within a more simple beat. The track highlights the vocal ranges Mobley is able to achieve while exhibiting melodious and gentle lyrics. As close to a love song as can get, ‘Mate’ describes these feelings with a soothing and tender tone. 

The closing track on the EP is titled ‘Lost Boys/Occidental Death’ and truly encapsulates all Mobley has to offer. Featuring soft lyrics paired with a heavy chorus and beat, the dynamic aspects of the track serve as a catharsis to his thoughts, and a finale to his story. 

The tour kicks off TODAY, and will be presented in a series of nine virtual shows. Tickets can be purchased here. All shows air at 8pm CT and can be viewed up to two weeks after initial broadcasting. For more information on Mobley, check out his Instagram here. 

Review by: April Bredael

[tonguetiedmag]

concert: the Maine at warped tour

Check out The Maine online:

https://www.themaineband.com

https://www.facebook.com/themaine/

https://twitter.com/themaine?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Photos by: Jess Williams

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weekly roundup: our favorite submissions of the week

Call It Love - Olivia White Olivia J White brings romance, fire, and passion to the electro pop music scene with her new single “Call It Love.” The track uses rhythmic melodies and electronic influences to set the mood and truly “Call It Love.” Featuring steamy undertones and whimsical lyrics, the track is not only sonically aesthetically pleasing, but serves as an anthem of self empowerment, and self success. Her enticing style exudes confidence and makes her stand out among the electro pop community.

Dopamine - Julietta Sultry sweet from the initial melodies, Julietta brings power and lustry vocals with her new track “Dopamine.” The track leads her new EP “Levitate” and follows the story of a singer facing unforeseen circumstances and experiencing the highs and the lows all at once, while faced with a cross country move. The playful track features a rhythmic chorus, strong guitar chords, and encapsulating vocals.

Rome -  Boys In Shorts Described as halfway between a breakup song and pop anthem, “Rome” fully lives up to the hype. The track explores feelings of moving on and moving forward while actively seeking self catharsis. “Rome” features a strong beat, airy vocals, and an upbeat rhythm. Catchy lyrics paired with upbeat drums create a track that is able to highlight a multitude of emotions while sticking in the ears of listeners.

OK - Wallows x Remi Wolf x Solomonophonic Following the March release of “OK”, Wallows now teams up with Remi Wolf and Solomonphonic to grow the track into something new. The euphoric track features Remi Wolf’s powerhouse vocals, and the production genius that is Solomonophonic. Branded as a quarantine made EP, “OK” has acquired massive success, and continues to do so with the recently released collaboration.

emily - Jeremy Zucker x Chelsea Cutler Another exciting collaboration falls on our roundup this week, this time featuring Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler. The duo slows it down with their new track “emily” which utilizes soft melodies, soothing pianos, and vocals filled with longing emotions. The collaboration is part of their long awaited collaborative EP titled “brent ii.” Strong vocals, powerful rhythms, and acoustic instruments dominate the track and create an anthem of emotion and vulnerability.

we tried - STVN STVN brings powerful and complex emotions to light with his bittersweet new track “we tried.” The track is stripped down and slow and highlights the powerful vocals, strong lyrical messages, and soft piano. An anthem filled with candor and purity, STVN truly opens up and breaks down what the relationship meant to him. Written with a strong focus on the story, STVN aims to help others heal.

Silly - Sam and Sounds Kicking it off with a strong tempo from the first note, Sam and Sounds uses “Silly” to convey an upbeat message paired with a beat that matches every emotion. The track is filled with infectious positivity and is sure to have listeners up on their feet. Indie pop artist Sam and Sounds aims to bring a smile to the faces of listeners and fans and is sure to achieve that with this hit new track.

These Days - Carter Reeves Finalizing our weekly roundup is Carter Reeves back at it again with his new hit “These Days.” The track is upbeat and confident and features a strong indie pop sound paired with an upbeat chorus. The track is filled with sunshine and honesty, leaving it all out on the floor for listeners. Putting a unique lo-fi pop spin on a commercial hit, the track is unlike any other and is for sure one to add to your newest playlist.

Listen to all these songs on our playlist!!

Article by: April Bredael

[tonguetiedmag]

concert: bring me the horizon

Check out Bring Me The Horizon Online:

https://www.facebook.com/bmthofficial/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAayZDDj3uom0QpSJiwLoUw

https://twitter.com/bmthofficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Ffb6ejR6Fe5IamqA5oRUF

https://www.bmthofficial.com

Photos by: Emily Davis

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Review: Voices by Amongst Wolves

Amongst Wolves are a 4-piece pop-rock band based in Manchester, UK who have been writing and releasing since 2016. Their music brings high energy and fast-paced guitar riffs, while lyrically diving into hard-hitting topics like mental health issues and suicide. They are passionate about promoting a message of hope, particularly to teenagers and social groups.

Their newest release ‘Voices’ is part of their Choose To Live campaign, aiming to help prevent suicide throughout the world. The track carries these heavy themes into their lyrics, with optimistic lyrics aiming to counter tracks that seem to romanticise suicide as the only option when struggling: ‘There is nothing romantic about suicide; don’t you believe it, it’s a filthy lie.’ They have clearly absolutely mastered their sound, with some gorgeous instrumentals complementing the vocals as they switch between a spoken rap style into a more sung chorus. The track falls nicely into a pop-rock style genre, with some electronic elements in the instrumentals. There is a prominent religious message within the lyrics of this track too, however I liked how many of the lyrics could also be interpreted in other ways for those who may not believe in a God.

Review by: Tatiana Whybrow-Price

[tonguetiedmag]

Music: Interview with Erin Kirby

Atlanta based rising star Erin Kirby brings the energy and passion with her new track Bad Luck featuring Zac Lawson. The release follows her smash hit single Half In Love that recently surpassed 900,000 Spotify streams. The track was inspired by not feeling ready for a relationship due to still being involved in a past one, and the struggles of moving forward when you’re not ready to let go. Written with Zac and Jake Lawson, the hit single is on the rise this Valentine’s Day. Along with writing and performing, Kirby additionally spends her time volunteering at local animal shelters, hospitals, and anti bullying events out of Atlanta. Kirby said the most rewarding part of the experience was watching people go up to one another and apologize for events that occurred in the past. 

While quarantine has been slow for most, Erin Kirby has taken it to the next level. When asked, she said she began to learn recording at home along with writing and production via Facetime. She has additionally participated in a few virtual shows via Instagram and Facebook live streams. While many view quarantine as a negative, Kirby was able to write her most recent single Bad Luck through Facetime. After facing difficulties with her being in Georgia while the Lawson’s resided in Rhode Island, they decided to continue to create virtually. By September of 2020, Bad Luck had been created. As for future releases, Kirby revealed that she has not stopped writing, and while there are no official release dates, “there will definitely be more coming this year.” 

When asked if she could perform anywhere in a post COVID world, her response revolved around a dream performance at the Grammys. Kirby revealed that the goal sounded magical and like “a big legendary thing.” She shared that she is continuously motivated by others including the likes of Ed Sheeran, Jessi J, Lewis Capaldi, and others, and wants to be that motivation for others to see. 

“Whatever you’re thinking about doing, if you’re thinking about it or you’re looking for a sign then that is your sign right there. Go for it. Try it out. And, the worst thing that’s ever going to happen is you’re going to fail or you’re going to hear the word no but you’ll never going to get that answer if you don’t go for what you’re thinking about ….. I know that sounds cheesy, but it's cheesy for a reason.”

Although touring isn’t occurring right now, you can keep up with Erin Kirby via Instagram or Facebook liveshows as well as by following her social media for updates on new releases, behind the scenes content, and more! Her new single Bad Luck featuring Zac Lawson can be streamed here. 

Photos by: Melinda Kirby

Words by: April Bredael

[tonguetiedmag]

music: weekly roundup (our favorite submissions of the week)

Burn For you - L.A. Chai I absolutely adored L.A Chai’s ‘Burn For You’. This was a beautiful love song filled with lyrically touching imagery like the chorus line, ‘I know you have millions of stars, but I want to give you my heart. All I want is to light up this darkness, for you.’ I could feel every ounce of emotion in the vocals that were supported by such dreamy instrumentals rising and falling perfectly throughout creating slow, sincere moments with a catchy chorus pulling it all together. 

noRoom - Nicholas Hamilton Giving us a gorgeous slow track this week is Nicholas Hamilton with his second single, ‘noRoom’ featuring SAVS. While maintaining an emotional atmosphere lyrically and in the slow pace, the song still keeps an upbeat sound and fun pop sound. The two artists discuss their recent breakups and difficult heart-breaks, but the song stays catchy and uplifting with gorgeous harmonies and a creative mix of instrumental sounds.

You Better Believe!! (Live Performance) - Declan McKenna Mckenna absolutely nailed this live version of ‘ You Better Believe!!’ from his newest album Zeros. This version of the track really allowed his vocals to shine, highlighting the gorgeous vocal tones so unique to his style. Instrumentally, the piano, drums and guitar all collectively built up the atmosphere of the track before finally reaching the peak. Listening to this track felt like a truly magical experience, filled with instrumental twists and astounding vocals keeping you hooked for all 5 minutes as the experience plays out. Catch the live version here. 

Drive - star theory This dreamy lo-fi track caught my attention from it’s unique instrumentals and gentle softly sung vocals, beautifully collaborating to create a track that is an absolute pleasure to listen to. This gorgeous atmosphere is paired with hard-hitting lyrics discussing a relationship that slowly drains you of your light until you finally gain the courage to leave. star theory manages to brilliantly encapsulate the feelings of still loving a toxic partner, and how difficult it is to let go.

Bad On Purpose - Mike Back ‘Bad On Purpose’ stood out to me this week with Mike’s incredibly truthful lyricism, discussing the feelings of falling short in a relationship and struggling to actually care for a partner: ‘when I ask you if you’re okay, do I really care?’ The subtle guitar strums and beat really added to the catchy sound of this release, working gorgeously alongside Mike’s vocals that show an impressive range and tone. I really enjoyed how the heavy-hitting lyrical nature could be made into a fun song to listen and sing along to. 

Edge of The Dark (Live) - Emmitt Fenn Emmit’s beautiful vocals hit me from the moment this live version of ‘Edge of The Dark’ began, with gentle piano solely surrounding his voice at every high and low. The simplistic nature of the instrumentals truly allow listeners to connect deeper to the song. Lyrically, I adored how Emmit chose to discuss embracing the darkness, and how we cannot enjoy the light without experiencing the dark. This was truly such a moving and inspirational listen, that I couldn’t recommend more. Catch the live version here. 

unaligned - Yna unaligned feels like a magical experience from the moment you press play, with a gorgeous intro filled with comforting sound effects and echoey vocals before fading into soft guitar strums. Yna’s lyricism captures the difficult feeling of being mentally unaligned and constantly battling between trying to heal and move on, while still yearning for an ex lover. Instrumentally it’s mellow and relaxing, with an upbeat sound contradictory to the hard-hitting lyrical content. Yna describes this song as ‘meant for those who can’t seem to pinpoint exactly where they are in their own journey’, and I truly couldn’t word it better than that myself. 

Listen to all of these songs on our playlist!!

Article by: Tatiana Whybrow-Price

[tonguetiedmag]

concert: joan

Check out Joan online:

https://www.facebook.com/songsbyjoan/

https://www.instagram.com/songsbyjoan/?hl=en

https://songsbyjoan.com/

https://soundcloud.com/songsbyjoan

Photos by: Jennie Walker