|
|
Chloe Lilac releases an appealing music video for her “sick” single
|
|
Chloe Lilac is a singer-songwriter from Brooklyn, New York. Not too long ago, she released an appealing music video for her “sick” single, which tells a heartfelt tale about a young woman who shares a problematic relationship with a dysfunctional guy who is dead inside. Apparently, she tried to ignore her partner’s toxic tendencies, but she can’t feel sorry for him anymore because she’s fresh out of sympathy. Later, she tells her partner, “How could you make me feel so loved when the whole time you were numb? Went out of your way to mess me up ‘cause you hate yourself so much? You said you need me just to live, you don’t mean it – you’re just sick.”
“I wrote ‘sick’ about dating someone who will do anything to get what they want. Whenever I re-listen to it I think of the phrase: ‘hurt people hurt people.’ Being with someone like that can make you as sick as they are.” – Chloe Lilac explained
‘sick’ contains a relatable narrative that likens relationship toxicity to a contagious sickness – one that Chloe Lilac needs to be distanced from in order to reclaim her power. The emotional tune possesses ear-pleasing vocals, tuneful melodies, and vibrant instrumentation flavored with contemporary and alternative pop elements. Furthermore, “sick” is featured on Chloe Lilac’s latest four-track EP, entitled, “when I feel better.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sara Jackson-Holman releases an appealing lyric video for her “garden of me” single
|
|
Sara Jackson-Holman is a talented singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. Not too long ago, she released an appealing lyric video for her “garden of me” single, an anthemic ode to past selves, a reminder that time softens the sharp edges of suffering. Sweet as spring rain, it is triumphant, glittering, and resplendent. Also, “garden of me” is Sara Jackson-Holman’s most optimistic answer to her gnawing obsession—what do we do with our pain?
“In many ways, I feel like I write because I have to. It is how I make sense of myself and the world. How do I hold grief and love at the same time? How do I practice acceptance and not dissociate? I still don’t really have the answers, but for me, the beauty is found in the question. ‘supercinematic’ is a soundtrack of my inner world. It is obsessive, emotive, and lush. A vessel for my dramatic inner landscape.” – Sara Jackson-Holman explained
‘garden of me’ is the second release from Sara Jackson-Holman’s latest 10-track album, entitled, “supercinematic,” her third collaboration with Stefan Macerewich. The super-cinematic project takes listeners to a compelling, intoxicating, contemporary, and nostalgic world. Lush arrangements support Jackson-Holman’s rich, emotive voice, which moves effortlessly from smoky depths to airy heights, in this sumptuous exploration of personal mythology. “Tell me everything, that’s my kinda dopamine,” she shares early in the album. Lyrically, “supercinematic” offers a generous collection of vulnerable snapshots.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tune into Da Hot Spot - our new music podcast |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gabrielle Metz covers Ingrid Andress’s “More Hearts Than Mine” single
|
|
Gabrielle Metz is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter and musician from Fort Payne, Alabama. Not too long ago, she released a wonderful cover of Ingrid Andress‘s “More Hearts Than Mine” single, which tells a heartfelt tale about an honest young woman who shares a budding relationship with her significant other. Apparently, she discusses a few things with her partner before he meets her family and high school friends for the first time. During their discussion, she tells him, “I can’t wait to show you where I grew up, walk you ’round the foothills of my town. Probably feel like you’ve been there before after hearing all the stories I’ve been telling you.”
If there was ever a perfect cover song for Gabrielle Metz, this is it. Not only does this song showcase her beautiful range and vocal inflections, but it also conveniently brings to light her attention to the vocal details paired with her ability to transition into character in order to correctly convey the emotional experience of this song.
Metz grabs the listener from her first note and keeps us mesmerized until the final note. Her sometimes gritty vocal combined with her emotional delivery is exceptional. The deliberately honest lyrics are perfectly conveyed with the silvery vocals from Metz. Also, the song contains a beautifully simplistic piano line (Damon Fichter, Nashville, TN, and produced by George Alexander, Nashville, TN).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Editor's Pick |
|
What we've been listening to this week |
|
|
|
|
|
Maddy Brown releases a lovely debut single, entitled, “Wiser”
|
|
Maddy Brown (Madelyn Wright Brown) is a singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. Not too long ago, she released a lovely debut single, entitled, “Wiser,” which finds a vulnerable Brown sharing her new outlook on relationships. The autobiographical tune details her finding her footing post-breakup and recognizing her growth and self-worth. Also, “Wiser” highlights her confidence in effectively voicing her opinions and emotions. Centered around Brown’s personal experience, the song finds her coming to terms with an unfitting long-term relationship. Furthermore, it recognizes her needs and openly expresses her repressed feelings.
“I hope people can take ‘Wiser’ as their own source of empowerment. Voice how you feel, recognize your worth, and be empowered to have high expectations for those who end up having the privilege to be in your life.” – Maddy Brown explained
Maddy Brown has an exceptional familial background in music, intensive vocal and opera training, and in-depth jazz studies. Cal State Fullerton School of Music played a major role in influencing Brown’s singing and songwriting abilities. Also, she gained essential skills and knowledge musically during her time in music school. Oftentimes, she found herself overworked, struggling with writer’s block, and burnt out creatively. Finally, she found space throughout the pandemic — both in time and emotions — to finally express and voice her thoughts through her own music as Maddy Brown.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Felicia Lu releases an engaging pop tune, entitled, “Dear Karma”
|
|
Felicia Lu is a rising German singer-songwriter based in Vienna, Austria. Not too long ago, she released an engaging pop tune, entitled, “Dear Karma,” which tells an intriguing tale about a young woman who wants karma to aid her in paying back everyone who has ever done her wrong. Apparently, she wants these individuals to reap what they sow in due time. Therefore, she tells karma, “I’ll forward every soul that I ever kissed, write their name for name in red on our list. I’ll get you everything that you ever wished before I am dismissed.”
“‘Dear Karma’ tells the story of being wronged in the past and taking revenge. It’s my start to a new era starting in January with a fresh and darker sound, trying to be more unique and personal.” – Felicia Lu explained
Felicia Lu is a multi-talented artist when it comes to music in all forms. She plays several instruments, writes her own songs, produces, and sings. In 2014, Lu made it to the finals of the RTL Talent show, Rising Star. In 2017, she made it to the finals of the German preselection for the Eurovision song contest. Since then, she’s been releasing original music.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cassa releases a heartfelt electro-pop tune, entitled, “All For You”
|
|
Cassa (Cassandra McCowan) is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter from New Zealand. Not too long ago, she released a heartfelt electro-pop tune, entitled, “All For You,” which tells an emotional tale about a young woman who has successfully recovered from a severe breakup with her ex-partner. Apparently, the separation occurred a couple of years ago, and now she can vaguely feel the hurt or remember any painful memory. In good spirits, she wishes her ex well and hopes his new girlfriend gives him all that he has been searching for. Later, she asks her ex two probing questions, “If I walk by would you stop? Would you pretend that you’ve moved on?”
‘All For You’ contains ear-pleasing vocals and tuneful melodies that will resonate well with fans of Jason Parker, RIIKI, and BENEE. The radio-ready tune follows on the heels of Cassa’s debut single, entitled, “So Long,” which talks about the delayed emotional response to a relationship ending and the sad reality of conditional love.
Cassa has a degree in classical music and a Masters’s of Arts. She returns to the music scene having already established a successful career in theatre all over the world. Not too long ago, she opened for Sting and Rod Stewart before moving to London to fulfill her lifelong dream of the West End, becoming an original cast member in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock. She performed eight shows per week at the top of her game before returning home to lockdown and uncertainty. Not too long ago, Cassa linked up with FiveAM sound and (producer) Dan Martin. They are helping to bring her ideas to life, which has accumulated into her upcoming debut EP.
|
|
|
|
Julia Viktoria releases a lovely pop tune, entitled, “Better Than Me”
|
|
Julia Viktoria is a singer-songwriter from Sweden. Not too long ago, she released a lovely pop tune, entitled, “Better Than Me,” which tells an intriguing tale about a young woman who shares a challenging relationship with her significant other. Apparently, she makes bad decisions a lot, and whenever she gets mad, she goes from high to low self-esteem. Also, she’s trying to change for the better but it’s difficult for her to do so. Later, she tells her partner, “How can you still be mine? I can’t understand your mind. Trust me, I don’t know how you put up with me.”
“There are so many of us who have had or have such a relationship. A relationship where you passionately love that other person but still manage to hurt them over and over again. The situation tends to be a bit manic and you try to look in the mirror to figure out how to get better. The person wonders if it would not be better to leave the relationship, only to discover that he/she feels too weak or is afraid of being alone. Instead, the partner is convinced that no one can love BETTER THAN ME.” – Julia Viktoria explained
‘Better Than Me’ contains a relatable narrative, ear-pleasing vocals and tuneful melodies that will resonate well with fans of Sofia Karlberg, LOVA, and SHY Martin. The radio-ready tune was written during 2020–2021 when all of Julia Viktoria’s international jobs were canceled. Together with Beatrice Jaksch and Gabriel Pettersson, Julia wrote the painful, thoughtful lyrics.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BILETSKA releases a lovely pop tune, entitled, “Obstacles”
|
|
BILETSKA (Maryna Biletska) is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter from Cherkasy, Ukraine. Not too long ago, she released a lovely pop tune, entitled, “Obstacles,” which contains ear-pleasing vocals that will resonate well with fans of Lana del Rey, Lorde, and Banks. The likable tune serves as a tasty appetizer to what listeners can expect to hear on BILETSKA’s upcoming solo pop project, set to be released late in 2022.
“It’s about addiction. Love addiction and how someone loves you more/less in relationships. Someone is always ready to give up everything in the name of love, while someone else just takes it as it is and never gives you anything back. When you finally take off your rose-colored glasses and see the reality, the truth comes out to the surface. Fights/conclusions/peace for a day, then repeat. But when is it really over? When do you know for sure? Emotions, real emotions inspired this song to come out... My personal life obstacles inspired this song. But all of them are made to overcome it and to write about it, right? I never think too hard on any of my lyrics because it always comes naturally with melodies. All I need to do is write it down when the moment comes or record it to my voice memos.” – BILETSKA explained
|
|
|
|
Hunter Moreau releases a lovely electro-pop tune, entitled, “Sleepyhead”
|
|
Hunter Moreau is a rising singer-songwriter from Mattapoisett, Massachusetts. Not too long ago, she released a lovely electro-pop tune, entitled, “Sleepyhead.”
“The story of ‘Sleepyhead’ started out in my bedroom, ironically. I was in my bed doing a lot of thinking, and probably a lot of overthinking. I fell into this repeated game I play with my mind, getting wrapped up in my own thoughts, worries, and emotions. As l lay there, I started to think about how everyone goes through these sorts of ‘fights’ or ‘games’ with their own minds, often repeating the same toxic ways of thinking over and over again because we’re so accustomed to it. I began to write down some of these ideas I was having, and that’s when I came up with the line, ‘I built myself a house of tricks, with a clock on the wall that always ticks.’ The rest of the song more or less grew out of this line.” – Hunter Moreau explained
When the winter days start to blur together, Hunter Moreau’s newest single is the warm pick-me-up we didn’t know we needed but now crave. Her dreamy tone is layered with that feel-good energy. Taking influence from her coastal New England upbringing, “Sleepyhead” is an atmospheric, pop-groove tune that’ll leave you feeling sunny, bright, and inspired. Just like Hunter. Through her music, she frequently steps outside of her comfort zone to express the most vulnerable parts of herself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Black Boys book series |
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Thomson's ear for street-slang vernacular is effective in bringing his characters to life and creates a chillingly real backdrop." - Kirkus Discoveries Review |
|
“Three Black Boys: Tomorrow After Supper” by Zangba Thomson
|
|
The location is South-side Jamaica, a rough and tough neighborhood in Queens, New York, and home to Babita Harris, an uninsured single parent who falls ill after returning home from vacation. She is taken to a hospital, where Salome McBryant diagnoses her with having black fever disease, which has done a significant amount of damage to her liver. With a couple of months to live, Babita's only hope of survival is a costly liver transplant. But with no health insurance, the chance of surgery is slim. What she needs is a quarter of a million dollars in cash. And that's when Barnes, her only son, along with his best friends, Demus and Baker, spring into dangerous action to get the money. Though their road is paved with good intentions, the brothers in arms are in for a few surprises and a whole lot of heat in this supernatural thriller which tells two remarkable tales of crime and redemption.
|
|
|
|
|
"'Three Black Boys: The Hotep Brother Manuscript' has elements that reminded me of the movie, 'The Mummy Returns." - Night Reader Reviews |
|
"Three Black Boys: The Hotep Brother Manuscript" by Zangba Thomson
|
|
Barnes, Demus, and Baker are back with another actioned-packed adventure. This time, they travel to Monomotapa, Alkebulan, where the king and queen were recently slain by Ego, a familiar nemesis whom the three Black boys thought they had destroyed in the afterlife. But they were deeply mistaken. Now, Ego has in his possession The Hotep Brother Manuscript, a sacred book filled with spiritual laws and enchanting spells, which he uses to turn the Monomotapan military into Egomaniacs. By his side is Deadra, a divine entity, and their goal is to rule Monomotapa and discontinue all shipments of gold to Planet Black, the home of the deities. Currently, the black planet is vulnerable, protected by a thin layer of gold that is quickly depleting. With the threat of an incoming meteoroid shower looming, there’s no telling what might happen to Planet Black if a large shipment of gold doesn’t arrive there soon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bong At Home video series |
|
|
|
|
|