Love is in the air this Valentine’s day! Whether you’re deeply fallen or just feeling the first flutter of a new love, The 1-800’s latest single, “First Love”, will take you back to that nostalgic start of it all. With a modern spin on synthwave (a la early Daft Punk), the band creates an innocently charming song that will sure to have you all up in your feelings. The synth pop/retrowave band hails from El Paso, Texas and uses everyday experiences of uncomfortable truths to bring their audience together. Their song “Lovewave” garnered viral attention as it became one of Instagram’s most viral trends of 2022 and had over 1.5 million Tik Tok hits. The band also landed a recent sync placement in the YouTube docuseries “Michael Fassbender: Road to Le Mans“ with their song “This Might Be It”.
Claire Guerreso’s new single “The Let Down” is anything but. Haunting as always, this song is heavier than Claire’s usual sound yet still somehow manages to come off dreamy and emotional. The track opens with a deep cacophony of distorted noise, quickly underpinned by a chunky beat and the jarring clang of electric guitar chords. Claire’s lyrics are introspective and melancholy, but maintains a raw edge thanks to the massive production chops of her producer/co-writer Suede James. I wrote The Let Down about the feeling you get when something ends. It’s not a bad thing, just a transitional feeling. The Let Down is the other side of anticipation. This song’s driving beat will stay with you through the highs and lows. A darling of the music supervision community for over a decade, Claire Guerreso is among the most successful artists in sync. Her music has touched countless millions, having been […]
What’s it like being a first-time dad while balancing multiple careers and projects? Call Me Ace’s latest album ’RETURN TO OFFICE’ gives you a first hand look as the new father examines the beauty and hardships that come along during the journey. The sequel to his 2021 album ‘Out of Office’, this record expands along the lines of his signature themes of hard work and perseverance but also delves into difficult topics like childbirth, miscarriages, job insecurity, depression and what it’s like to experience this during a global pandemic and recession. As if being a tech entrepreneur by day and rapper by night wasn’t enough, Bay Area polymath Call Me Ace just took on two new full time jobs as a new father and head of a new indie label Heir Quality. Ace’s undeniable charm and talents have led him to charting on the iTunes Top 40 and Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop […]
Written during a time of adversity and personal hardships, Curvelo James’s new single “Si Te Quieres Quedar” touches on the classic theme of “together through thick and thin.” Although we all experience the highs and lows of life, sometimes that rollercoaster wave of success will cause people to stay or perhaps leave during a period of struggle. Backed by a smooth throwback beat, this bright Latin hip hop track has an inspirational vibe with impeccable production quality. Feel those strings! At the age of 13, the Colombian artist and composer started rapping and later joined “Los que Zumban” which later became known as “The Monsters Ink”, an independent company established by DJ Numa and DJ Kano. From there he honed his craft and focused on developing not only his rapping skills, but also his singing and composition techniques to maximize his abilities as an artist. At the intersection of Latin […]
There’s no denying a love that’s right, but sometimes it’s just not and you need to let go. Cheska Cruz’s new single “Right For Me” is filled with a quiet confidence making a statement that cuts straight to the point: If you ain’t right for me / Then I don’t mind being alone. This one is a vibey slow burner, starting out with an earnest, sparse piano arrangement and building up to a full rhythm section with layer upon layer of gorgeously stacked vocals. It all culminates in a pitched down ending, leaving us with a pointedly dark moment. The Toronto based singer-songwriter shifts from her signature sound to a more traditional style of R&B on this record. This song specifically holds a significant meaning for Cheska as it also signifies the shift she made in her life to branch out and pursue a music career full-time. She’s just getting […]
In AMEN DENIRO’s sultry new single “The City”, he invites listeners into the world he reigns supreme, his city. In seducing a new romantic interest, AMEN perfectly blends his silky vocals with an other-worldly sound that’s heavy on the low end. In a good way! The 21 year old Quebecois artist first started developing his sound in church at an early age and later used music as a means to escape the hardships and struggles surrounding him. Despite the negative influences standing in the way of his musical goals, he continued to hone his craft and establish himself within the Canadian R&B scene. With a smooth sound similar to beloved artists like Khalid and Giveon, this young artist is sure to turn some heads.
Lately female emcees have been taking the hip hop world by storm and dominating the rap game. In her track “Daydreams”, rapper Tinywiings shows that she’s ready to play and run with the pack. The hard-hitting track features fellow female Canadian rapper YellowBunny and was produced by Vez & Evince. Both rappers bring the heat with their rapid-fire flow and pure confidence. From hip hop to pop, Tinywiings displays her versatility in a range of genres as she explores female sexuality and independence within her lyrics. Still a fairly new artist on the scene, be sure to keep tabs on her. This girls is just getting started!
Is it spring yet? Even though winter is just beginning, we can all relate to having a special someone that makes it feel like spring all year long. In “like (spring)”, the latest single off of her EP “imposter syndrome (b sides)”, singer-songwriter Mae Krell delivers a heartfelt and warm indie-folk track where she dives into the complexities of love. Through her earnest lyricism and vocals tied with beautifully recorded organic instrumentation, Mae strikes an emotional spark: This isn’t what I was looking forIt’s what I’ve only had in dreamsLaying in the grassAnd your eyesThey shine like spring The New-York based singer-songwriter started off as a photographer and at the age of seventeen decided to venture into music where she found her voice as a musician. Earlier this year, Mae was also a recipient of the LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Award through the Music Forward Foundation in partnership with CitiBank and […]
Known for his experimental and cinematic sound design, composer Andrew Bennett a/k/a Factor Eight released his latest album, ‘ll’ which draws his audience in and sonically connects them to his own personal struggles with bipolar disorder. Through voice contortion and tranquil soundscapes, this record allows him to share his journey with the disorder and its relationship to his music. The ambient and neo-classical tones ring similar to a dynamic film score with a beautiful everlasting range. Through my first-hand experience with mental illness and with a platform to express themes and ideas through art, I feel a responsibility to use my music in service to this cause. I hope this project will inspire a feeling of connection in those who struggle, and sense of compassion in those who struggle to relate. Canadian native Andrew Bennet is an award winning artist, producer and visual media composer. His signature sound has led […]
Mexican-Cuban singer-songwriter Leiden just released her latest social and art project, ‘VOLVER AL CORAZÓN’. Composed of songs with touching stories that were co-written by women in prison, this album truly gives a voice to those deprived of their freedom. Leiden spent a year working in five female Mexican prisons and gathered the testimonials from inmates to shed light on their experiences. In addition to her role as an artist, Leiden is an activist and the founder of Jueves, the first music label in Mexico owned and run exclusively by women. She’s known for her ability to fuse Latin American roots with contemporary sounds to create a modernized twist to Latin music. Over the course of her career she’s toured the world, released four studio albums, collaborated with influential Mexican artists such as Celso Piña, Charles Ans and Vivir Quintana and has composed for film and theatrical projects. We’re proud to […]