Author: velvetnoisemusic

“My hometown’s never felt like home. I’m not asking for your pity but there’s nowhere left to go”.  “Japan” by Wallice is an ode to trying to find yourself in between places where you are supposed to feel like you belong. In this song, Wallice talks about her dad being from central Japan, but when she finds herself there, it doesn’t feel like home to her. Wallice’s voice brings powerful emotion to the themes she sings about and relates directly to those who have experienced what she has. Many Americans whose parents are from other countries can sometimes feel lost and disconnected from places where they are “from” and it can cause a numbing ache, especially as teenagers and young adults, where trying to feel comfortable in one’s identity is a central life experience. Wallice does an incredible job of describing these feelings in “Japan”.

Wallice is a real songwriter – through and through, and this is evident in her ability to bring such a powerful story to life between acoustic guitars and echoing vocals. The feeling you feel when Wallice sings “Tokyo’s so loud” is unlike any other. Even if you don’t relate to the overarching themes of “Japan”, you can find yourself relating to that feeling of not belonging. You feel her pain in every sentence. The song ends with Wallice singing “I wish we had more time”. 

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MAVYRCK is an R&B artist from Los Angeles whose music is meant to set your soul aflame. MAVRYCK’s debut EP The Fifth Year was released in 2022. “Alone”, released a month ago, is her first single since the EP. “Alone” is an R&B track about not wanting to let somebody back in your life after they’ve left, trying to be ok with “being alone for as long as it takes”. 

In the chorus of the song, MAVRYCK sings “alone..” in a silky, melodic way. And it stings. In her songwriting, MAVRYCK explores these ideas of “ do I really want somebody else in my bed?” and “I try so hard not to think about him”. Overall, MAVRYCK finds that being alone is better than being in an undeserving company. This year is bound to be big for MAVRYCK, who brings a classic touch to her discography, composed of undeniable vocal talent and a fierce spirit.

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Ashli’s “Only One” is a dreamy pop track about wanting to be somebody’s well, one and only. Ashli’s soft voice introduces the story as she sings “my love lies to me and whispers things untrue”. “Only One” dives into that feeling of wanting someone so badly but feeling like you don’t mean anything to them. “We hardly even speak. I know your favorite pair of jeans and you don’t even know my name and I don’t blame you”. 

“Only One”’s chorus feels like it belongs in a coming-of-age movie, where it plays as the protagonist gets ready for a night out that changes her entire outlook on life. In this way, Ashli reminds me of early Ariana Grande, however, she still does pop in her own unique way. “Only One” ends with the emotional pleas of “I’ll be your only one”. Electric soft synths carry out the vocals and the song leaves you breathless.

Ashli’s 6 track EP, also titled “Only One” is what she called a “coming of age” record that marks the beginning of her story as an artist.

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Quinnie’s “ITCH” is folk-indie meets alternative rock track that captures you with its glossy hopefulness. Quinnie pulls you in immediately, singing “Don’t look. I’m over saturated” in an unforgettable angelic tone. The song starts off slow, carrying you slowly into a sweet melodic atmosphere but after singing  “I know I’m eager, but I can’t wait till the day I finally get to kiss you”, the song breaks into a folky acoustic guitar. Quinnie’s voice echoes in and out of the mix. The chorus builds and they sing “But if I never scratched another itch for the rest of my life. Would I die satisfied, knowing it could always get better than this?”. 

The song ends with a slow and melancholic violin that is accompanied by electric drums, preparing you for a final chorus and the familiar “what if I never scratched another itch…”. “Itch” by Quinnie is a perfect soundtrack to those feelings of wanting to go back to someone, but knowing it’s not a good idea. It is a song you play when you wonder if staying away will make you feel better. Spoiler alert: it might.

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Nine days ago, Sila Lua released “Rompe” — one of the freshest tracks you’ll hear this year. From Madrid, Spain, the artist’s sound combines dark techno, indie rock, and soul. “Rompe” is harsh and providing. A build of cut-outs and increasing tempo crashes into Sila Lua’s demand: “rompe con lo que te de la gana”.

“Soy verdad y soy mentira. Un juego que no dominas. Soy campeon en esta vida. Yo quiero que tu me sigas”. Sila Lua entices the listener in, saying “I am the truth and I am a lie. I am a game you don’t dominate. I am a winner in this life. I want you to follow me”.

“Rompe” by Sila Lua is a track about coming into one’s power, saying that they cannot be broken. It is an electric anthem of self-love.

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The self-proclaimed “digital fairy” NORNA, creates a dreamy ethereal world in latest single “blight.”. The song is upbeat and silky-magnetic. NORNA’s voice is beautiful, singing “the evening’s fun lamented, you forgot me in the sunlight. I keep repenting that same night.”

“Passions turn to blight, now”. NORNA’s music makes you want to dance in a field of snow, as the grey sky bleeds white with a tiny bit of sunlight, where everything is quiet except “Blight” playing through your headphones. NORNA’s other singles like “i’m so breaded” are faster and more assertive. However “blight”, in its gentle but enduring makeup, showcases the artist’s versatility.

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“Danger” by the London-based singer/songwriter Olivia Dean is about the tightrope walk between the heart and the mind. The bossa nova beat and funky bassline provide the upbeat backdrop and driving force for the airy vocals and ironic lyrics of this neosoul track. “Oh no, looks like we’re in this thing together/Oh no, looks like it keeps on getting better,” sings the narrator who is aware of the risks that come even with a love that she knows is good for her, but gives in with reckless abandon anyway. 

This latest single of Dean encapsulates the “f*** it, we ball” energy that is prevalent in both the meme world and the worlds of the people who relate to them, and I love it. Sometimes you don’t want to do the safer thing, the thing you know is going to work 100% of the time. Sometimes you just want to have fun now, and deal with the consequences later— and such is life. Life simply wouldn’t be as fun if you didn’t sometimes choose to listen to the whims of your heart over the logic of your brain, even if you know there are risks involved. Olivia Dean reflects this attitude in this line: “I know it’s danger/But I want your love to be mine.” In a way, this song reads as a sort of carpe diem poem— it both asks, “Why?” and answers, “Why not?”

Though even the best love can feel dangerous or scary, there are some risks that are worth taking. These risks are what make life worth living. So, take risks. Have fun. And, let yourself fall in love with “Danger” by Olivia Dean.

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Written by Lola Works

Your pop punk kicks are hand delivered by Dream, Ivory – here. Combining the essence of Blink 182 with a hyperpop pulse, the distorted vocals and manufactured production of “Soaking Up The Sickness” feels unique to this moment. And its glory is all too real.

You can bang your head to the gritty drum kicks and still pick out messages that resonate like “trust me I won’t bore you to death”. And while you’re getting into a steady appreciation of this track you hear a yell that fills time saying “I’m starting over all again”. And now you want this peace we all dream of finding, but you want to take it, kicking and screaming.

Amassing over a million monthly listeners on Spotify, Dream, Ivory are poised to claim their throne in the new pop punk generation. More refined, more determined, same madness. Same sickness.

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What starts as a smooth jazz-esque track rapidly turns into an out of body club experience in “TALKING ONLINE”. Mia Gladstone sings “You’ve been talking all night, pipe down. I see my baby shining go global change the climate”. “TALKING ONLINE” lyrically explores the phenomenon of people talking big game online but not following up in person. Like pleaseee, “fuck the signs be deliberate”. 

The beat is playful and childlike, with sounds of bursting bubbles and wind-up toys dancing between the wavelengths. Mia Gladstone has a taste for all things new and she is known for creating anything she wants. This track is just a testament to that.

Belis joins the track later on singing “all night you’ve been talking crazy”, taking her own spin on the chorus “you’ve been talking all night, pipe down.” The artists synchronize in “TALKING ONLINE” , where they push the bounds of their traditional sounds to indulge in a sweet pop track to usher in summer’s end.

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