Hailing from North London, indie-pop artist Natalie Shay may not break a lot of new ground with The Edge (seen/heard here), but she makes up for it by sounding fresh in her delivery. The Edge is about reaching the end of a close friendship. Since the song is based on a real-life experience, it is cathartic for Shay: “This is one of my favourite songs I’ve ever released, and as the feelings are still very raw, I’m hoping to find closure in this.”…
Read MoreVodka describes In My Room (seen/heard here) from power pop multi-instrumentalist Noah Chenfield as full-on fun. While the subject of the song tends to be tried-and-true material (love y’all!) the feeling of this track is playful. Noah says that this track is: “a love song about a very specific time and place. I wanted to make something that would sound right for a lazy beach day…” Certainly In My Room is radio-ready. It’s the kind of pop song that you’d expect to find on…
Read MoreWe seem to be hitting the female vocalist pretty hard this month, but it’s just by chance. Enter the latest incredible voice, with the frontwoman of Misterwives, Mandy Lee, and Wrongside (seen/heard here). The song is all about breaking through negativity and the slog that this creates within minds, reinforcing the importance of being there for yourself. From the band’s promotional material Mandy describes where the song idea comes from: “I have spent a lot of my time on the wrong side of my…
Read MorePrepare to be mesmerized! Weyes Blood has a beautiful alto voice! As ballads go about feeling desperate loneliness and not knowing what to do, you can’t do better than wanting to listen over and over again. As Vodka was writing this review, I listened twice in quick succession and then pre-ordered the CD. I must have more of this wonderful voice! It’s Not Just Me, It’s Everybody (heard here) is striking, in melody, in the lyrics, in…
Read MoreCrossword Smiles is an indie-pop band with a jangly retro feel. They make perfect little pop gems that please the ear while giving you plenty to dance to. A case in point is Parallel Lines (seen/heard here) from their new LP, Pressed & Ironed, due September 16, 2022. Parallel Lines shares the musical stage with 9 other varied tracks. There’s something for everyone here, but mostly these are mid-tempo numbers with great melodies and harmonies. There’s enough textural difference between tracks…
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