In “All They Want,” the one-man band Heartour’s first single of the autumn season, the formerly New York-based (and new Californian) Jason Young takes the space pop-tinged rock of his previous releases and streamlines it into an even more surreal, intoxicatingly catchy sonic cocktail. Though it’s a bit more refined …

 If there’s one artist that alternative hip-hop and R&B fans need to be following right now, it is Imark. Imark’s anti-commercial hybrid of harmony-based rapping and swaggering R&B grooving doesn’t come as the result of any pandering to the masses, nor does it sound as though it’s a product of …

A mean groove can mean the difference between maximum chills or a total lack of thrills, and in the case of the new single “Masquerade” from rockers Sonic Rade, it’s the former over the latter. Rather than trying to center everything on the harmonies that this group can conjure up …

On the back of a heavenly melody sent straight from the divine, Denise Marsa unleashes a subtle vocal that will harmonize with anything and everything that it comes in contact with in her new single “Sanctuary.” Slowly, percussion enters the mix, and soon after, a melody’s gentle chime; we feel …

Few indie players in the Bavarian scene are blowing up the way ViennaCC is right now, and in his new single “When the Cats Come Out,” the critically acclaimed singer and singer channels another dimension a lot of observers had yet to note about his profile. With a comedic edge …

Taking a little something from the broad tonal concepts in dancehall, surreal folk, and a whole lot of rhythm from contemporary reggae schools, Rocky Dawuni’s sound is its own beast without question, but it’s hardly an inaccessible beast in “Shade Tree.” Instead of coming into this latest release as hard …

Sparkling strings cut through the speakers with no resistance, and out of the darkness emerges a bold vocal that starts to harmonize with them. The tempo is slow and pendulous, but the energy is urgent, almost to the point of feeling a little rushed. There’s a passion in our lead …

The alternative side of hip-hop is having an incredible year, and independent rappers like Caribbean crossover reggae artist Lan Lawd are the reason why. In Lan Lawd’s new single with Nicko Rebel “So Good,” he sets his sound apart from everyone else in the contemporary international underground by incorporating elements …

Within the tight grasp of an angry bassline, The Real Meladee’s voice fiercely penetrates the pristine instrumental backdrop of her new single “Rocket Man,” a track that is quickly becoming one of the most discussed among Miami-based releases this season. Meladee will stop at nothing in her quest to make …

Pamela Hopkins’ latest single, “Walk of Honor,” delves deep into the realms of country storytelling, delivering a heartbreaking narrative that unfolds with emotional poignancy. In just four minutes, the song weaves a tragic tale of sacrifice, loss, and an unexpected twist that leaves listeners grappling with the complexities of fate …

Strands of a wild beat are already darting in and out of focus around the time we get into the guts of the new single “Whole 9.” An ice-cold vocal delivering chill-inducing verses cuts into the ridges between this aforementioned groove and, truth be told, it never stood a chance …

Within the tight grasp of an angry bassline, The Real Meladee’s voice fiercely penetrates the pristine instrumental backdrop of her new single “Rocket Man,” a track that is quickly becoming one of the most discussed among Miami-based releases this season. Meladee will stop at nothing in her quest to make …