Author: Julia

Chris Caulfield delivers an emotional and gritty performance in powerful alternative single ‘Stockholm Syndrome’.

The Canadian singer-songwriter has been influenced by a mixture of styles, which is apparent in his music. Rock, pop, grunge, emo, hip-hop create a distinct blend with a unique Chris Caulfield flavour. Having hopped back into making and releasing music in 2021, Chris has been coming strong with a bunch of singles (plenty enough to make an album!) that have been doing well on Spotify and other outlets. That should come as no surprise, as he seems to have a way with conveying intense feelings into music that sounds good and is relatable.

His latest single is no exception.

‘Stockholm Syndrome’ starts strong, straight into an emotive falsetto that is prone to draw attention. Chris performs as if his life depends on it: from passive, resigned lines to resolute, pugnacious rapping, from words sung as through clenched teeth, to angry rasp or wailing falsetto, his performance showcases a diverse vocal range that is fuelled by emotion.

The backing track is cleverly crafted, as it doesn’t stick out in any way, just compliments the vocals and allows them to take the spotlight. Wherever a a line needs accentuating, or a section needs an energy injection, the backing vocals, doubling layers and ad libs are there to fill the space and to support the delivery.

The sparse but heavy beat drives the song forward, building up throughout the song, with the piano punctuating a dramatic chord progression. The omission of the snare in the first chorus is an ingenious way of making for an impactful section, and proof that less can definitely be more.

Talking about ‘Stockholm Syndrome’, Chris explains:

It’s written from the perspective of navigating things that can help and hurt, in this case prescriptions and how they can be helpful in, for example, managing pain, but cause other undesired effects, and the conflict within that.

We can clearly hear that this project is a work of love, fired by the desire to share experiences through music, and to experiment with sounds and styles for the joy and art of it.

If you feel like diving into a catalogue of music that sounds like 21 Pilots mixed with Bush, Nirvana, Lola Blanc and Breaking Benjamin, go ahead and check out Chris Caulfield’s songs on Spotify – who knows, you might become addicted!

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Swiss-born and New-York based sautereau releases a bright and lively pop single infused with optimism and possibilities.

“What if” is one of those songs that just have that radio-quality. It packs a punch in only 2:37, with a condensed structure that flows seamlessly and is exciting and engaging all the way. This effective conciseness is a testament to sautereau’s songwriting, and so are the lyrics, which manage to tell a whole story and evoke images and sensations in snappy, succinct lines that vividly paint the picture of an exciting encounter. (And of course, we have to appreciate someone who can so seamlessly throw in a reference to “Logic Pro” in the lyrics!)

sautereau is not only a great singer and songwriter, but was also involved in the production of the song, along with Toby May, with the mix and master done by John Arbuckle at Cove City Studios.

The production of the song is ingeniously simple, a sparse arrangement centred around sautereau’s lively guitar playing, a nimble beat that tightly follows the guitar rhythms and of course, the vocals. This straightforward arrangement only works so well because the vocals are so strong. sautereau sings efortlessly, with a natural zest, a crispy tone and a pitch-perfect intonation – the kind that was performed like that, and not tuned to death in post production.

Nothing less to expect from someone who had songs on national radio in Switzerland before relaunching with this new project.

Talking about the song, sautereau explains that it is about “that moment you hit it off with someone for the first time and relive all those little memories that are crisp in your mind.”

“It’s about evoking new experiences and discovery, but also an ode to New York City and its little wonders that we often overlook.

We wish sautereau the best of luck with this brilliant new single, and if you’d like to see what else she’ll come up with next, be sure to follow the socials:

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Carley Varley releases ‘Fall’, an exciting pop rock ballad about a lost love, and falling in love again – perhaps a little too fast.

The track is so convincing in its American pop qualities, bringing to mind the likes of Taylor Swift, Michelle Branch or Kelly Clarkson, that we were surprised to find out it originates a lot closer: Bournemouth, England.

Carly not only captures the sound that made Taylor Swift famous, but she hits the balance of energy and emotion that makes songs like “All Too Well” become an instant fan favourite. The lyrics come across as natural and relatable, revolving around the pun of ‘fall’ in love, and ‘fall’ – the American way of saying ‘autumn’. This is even more fitting, as the single is part of an EP called ‘Seasons’.

The first verse is built around ballad-style piano chords and Carly’s sensitive vocals, to grow into a big chorus with a driving beat that reminds us of Carley Rae Jepsen’s underrated gem ‘Run Away With Me’. This is where ‘Fall’ shines: in the combination of warmth and emotion, and, despite the slow tempo, maintaining a driving energy and excitement throughout the song.

The choruses are followed by a stripped down section, which is possibly our favourite part. With only sparse piano for support, a beautiful arrangement of layered vocals emerges, revealing soft, well-controlled high-notes, repeating a short, memorable hook. The section is further proof that Carly is an accomplished vocalist, with crystal clear delivery and imaginative use of backing vocals.

Talking about the process of writing the song, the singer-songwriter said:

“Fall was the hardest song to write of all of my singles this year. I wanted to tell a very specific story, so it took a long time, but I finally got there !I think ‘Fall’ is some of my better writing as a Pop artist and I am hopeful the song will do well.”

Two previously released songs from the Seasons EP (‘Going Under’ and ‘Miss Me?’) have already been played on BBC Introducing, so we have no doubt ‘Fall’ will do well too!

Carly is currently working on new music and hopes to release a brand new EP this year. To keep up with her releases, follow the socials:

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Anna Schneider is one of those distinctive voices that retain a timeless quality. The Australian singer-songwriter recently released ‘Gaslight’, an accomplished tune melding folk sensibilities and pop possibilities.

For a song that is about ‘the sheer annoyance of being around a mean person’, as the singer-songwriter explains, ‘Gaslight’ is an exquisitely smooth and calming experience.

The track is charming in its honest simplicity – no artifice, just artistry. The sparse accompaniment comprising of jangly guitar strumming dreamy chords, a driving acoustic drum beat and a subtle bass guitar, leaves plenty of space for Anna’s expressive voice to manifest itself. And it is a voice worth listening to – pensive, assertive at times, powerful yet subdued, with tones of light and shade that bring to life brilliantly relatable lyrics.

If you like Lucy Rose, Billie Marten or Alice Phoebe Lou, Anna Schneider’s music will be right up your alley.

Keep up with Anna’s music by following the socials:

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Emma Elizabeth’s new single ‘Higher’ is good energy, girl power, juicy guitar solos and infectious melodies, all concentrated in a 2:35-minute pop rock tune with a modern sound, plus a pinch of 2000s Avril Lavigne.

The song starts with a stripped down chorus, with Emma’s crisp and controlled vocals singing over Danny The Indie’s piano chord progression that accounted for the inception spark of the song. The two make a good team, as Emma’s lyrics and catchy vocal line perfectly compliment the instrumental.

It’s no surprise that we noticed the attention to detail in the drum parts, before finding out that Danny is a drummer. As a touch of modern production, the first third of the song features an electronic beat, staying within the realms of indie pop. But this develops into an acoustic drum performance over the pre-chorus, and fully kicks into action after the second chorus.

The shift from indie pop to pop rock is not the only surprise. The instrumental interlude features a full-on guitar solo, a rare but very welcome feature in today’s releases. The solo is melodic and tasteful, and does a great job in preparing the listener for the upbeat energy that follows in the last chorus.

Emma’s vocals impart just the right amount of power, and her timbre hits the balance between being unique and memorable and having that commercial sound.

The song features bass by Kaku and guitar by Liam Cloud. After the initial production, it was recorded at Room 2 Studios in Barcelona with Oscar Garcia, then mastered by Carlos Donoso at Laguna Studios.

Made of contrasts and dynamics, polished production and excellent performances from all involved, ‘Higher’ is a small hidden gem worth uncovering.

Emma Elizabeth website

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Francis Jupiter’s new single ‘Deja Vu’ is an upbeat indie pop tune that manages to induce a serious case of 2000s nostalgia. The pop punk inflections take us back to the good old days of All-American Rejects, Fall Out Boy, Simple Plan, or Jack’s Mannequin, but treated to a modern sound.

Based on a simple chord progression, the song is a straight forward affair, with an outstandingly catchy chorus ending in the words that give the song its name. As if the chorus is not enough to burrow this lively tune in the listener’s ear, it’s followed by a very effective wordless section with a ear-wormy chant.

The production is great, with Killers-like synths, 1975 drums and a vocal delivery reminiscent of 5 Seconds of Summer. The prominent guitars drive forward the pop punk energy, while the vocoder effect adds that extra touch of modern indie-pop to create a vibrant 3-minute number.

Deja Vu is Francis Jupiter’s first solo release, after several years in bands and full-time busking. With his previous projects, he has played sold out shows at The Camden Assembly, Nambucca and Mercato Metropolitano and he sung with Jared Leto who joined in during a street show.

Talking about the song, Francis says:

It’s about finding yourself living the same situation even though you
thought things were different, and accepting the fact that if these things keep happening to you, your way to solve the problem might be
the true reason why they’re happening.

This is wittily illustrated in the song’s music video, that just came out:

Keep up with follow up releases from Francis Jupiter by following the socials:

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Rick Damiani aka Mock Deer is a refreshing voice in the multitude of singer-songwriters and solo musicians chasing after Spotify success. In a world where music starts to sound more and more the same, he retains honesty and a rawness that must stem from a true desire to share his views and feeling about the world we live in through music.

The “realness” of the song is also rooted in the sonic creation process: recorded live on an Italian mountainside, with a real band (The Burning Hell). While the recording sounds great, it’s not overproduced, which in the context of the song was certainly the right approach.

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“Contempt for others” starts off with a folky acoustic strum, on top of which distant guitar slides induce a reflective state. The chord changes unsettle and provoke, with Rick’s deeply emotive voice imparting poignant lyrics that are delivered with seriousness and a certain kind of sentimentality. Turning to music for comfort and self-expression in trying times was a defining quality of the 70s rock and folk music, one that we seem to have lost these days. Fortunately, Mock Deer is in the pursuit of it. And though “Contempt for Others’ starts as a weary protest, it evolves into a more intense narrative of dissent by the end of the song. If it proves one thing, it is that good music has no expiry date.

“Contempt for Others” is part of a four track EP which will be coming out later this year. Connect to Mock Deer on socials to keep up with the next releases:

Mock Deer Website

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Addezine (Tom Edden) is a British musician and producer from Cheltenham. With drums as his main instrument originally, he has only recently started writing lyrics and recording his own voice.

“Stairs” is his debut single, written, recorded, produced and mixed by Tom in his bedroom. At a first listen, one would definitely not be able to tell that this single is Tom’s first effort as a solo singer-songwriter and producer.

Featuring a rhythmic toe-tapping drumbeat as a foundation, with a moody bass and delicate layers of keys and synths, the instrumental constructs an immersive backdrop for Tom’s laid back vocals and harmonies as he sings about a new crush. The song revolves around a hypnotising guitar motif (or is it mandolin? banjo?), that could symbolise the reoccurrence of the sweet-obsessive feelings awakened by the infatuation, and – at least to us – evokes the imagery of spiralling stairs going up, to the allegorical place where the lovers would eventually meet.

The ambient sounds used to allude to the party atmosphere are a nice touch, and so are other small details, such as the harmonies or drums breaks and accents (an especially satisfying one at around 2:14), all contributing to an interesting arrangement that packs a punch in a short span of time.

The beat and riff remind us a little bit of the song “Superposition” from Young the Giant – in the best way! But Addezine definitely has his own distinct sound, and does not want to be boxed into a particular style.

The single also features a lovely music video with nostalgic, retro vibes, which is published on Addezine’s YouTube channel:

The pitched-down fade out leads us to believe that there will be a continuation to the story – perhaps as a new follow-up single. In any case, to keep up to date with new releases from Addezine, make sure to follow the artist on:

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JAYD (Courtney Jayd Lumsden) is a British singer-songwriter and producer who has recently shifted her musical direction from commercial pop to more introspective indie pop. Her latest single “Down Day” is a sensitive and atmospheric number that stays melodious and catchy while dealing with the serious topic of anxiety.

The song is centered around a guitar theme playing a chord progression in a style reminiscent of Daughter’s “Youth”, but giving off a summery vibe contrasting with the downcast lyrics.

JAYD’s wistful voice delivers the song with sensibility and vulnerability. The backing vocals are masterfully crafted and sung to compliment the main vocal and they come in at the right places, in perfect balance with lead. The chorus is simple, made memorable by the stutter on ‘down’ – a simple but effective songwriting artifice, which Billie Eilish also employed recently on ‘Goldwing’ off her new album.

Our favourite part was probably the melancholic trumpet echoing over various sections of the song, sometimes underlying the vocals, sometimes providing subtle responses. JAYD has played the trumpet herself and did a great job of it!

“Down Day” also displays an outstanding production and mix by DELTA STAR, the production studio with which JAYD has worked with on this release.

Talking about the inspiration behind the song, JAYD says:

‘Down Day’ is about coming to terms with anxiety, giving yourself space and time to understand it. If you’re dealing with anxiety, you might feel very alone and that’s the scariest part of it, but you’re not and once you know that, it gets easier.

The song also has a music video featuring the singer floating away on her own in a boat, which already has reached 10.000 views in just over a week since release:

To hear more of JAYD’s future releases and stay up to date with her music, follow her on:

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