From the Site
Liza Anne Unleashes Her Inner Empath On "I Wanna Be There"
June 15, 2020
Liza Anne's take on mental health and self-awareness is a bright one. In her latest single, "I Wanna Be There", the Nashville native turns her own struggles into vivid soundscapes with intense lyrical depth.
Author:
Precious Kato
RIIKI's "Share Your Luv" is Exactly What We Need Right Now
June 12, 2020
RIIKI's latest single, "Share Your Luv," expresses a sentiment that is much in demand. And while the lyrics may have been meant more specifically, I think the buoyancy of the song, that baseline especially, serves this time succinctly.
Author:
DJ Connor
Dua Saleh, RMR, Kiana Ledé, and More Artists You Should Listen to Now | #NowWatching
June 12, 2020
This Friday features a #NowWatching playlist filled with amazing voices from the BIPOC community and beyond. From Dua Saleh's powerful ROSETTA, to Kiana Ledé's open letter to the president, to a new jazzy tune from Jorja Smith, this week's playlist is a perfect soundtrack for your weekend.
Author:
Malc.
boyband Releases "get home safely," With All Proceeds Going to NAACP Legal Defense Fund and RAINN
June 12, 2020
"get home safely" is as much a response to recent events as it is a response to a deep-seated anxiety for far too many Americans.
Author:
Ruby Scott
Kiana Ledé Searches For the Heart in a Heartless Administration
June 12, 2020
Ledé reimagines P!nk's "Dear Mr. President," and the sentiment originally aimed at George W. Bush feels all the more relevant today.
Author:
Ruby Scott
StaySolidRocky Is Jumping From TikTok's Trending Pages to the Billboard Hot 100 [Q&A]
June 11, 2020
We catch up with the Virginia artist who, thanks to TikTok, finds himself with a self-funded Billboard Top 30 hit.
Author:
Ruby Scott
Derek Simpson's "Hide + Seek" Inescapably Captivates You
June 10, 2020
For the entirety of the six-minute song, you are put in a trance. A delectable guitar establishes the feel-good, alternative R&B vibe and drives the alluring beat throughout.
Author:
Alexis Vaganos
Slide's New Video Has Us "Waiting" For Better Days
June 10, 2020
Slide's video for their latest single, "Waiting", was shot at a time when its beautiful visuals, representing the desert environments east of LA, represent a contrasting narrative of both love and fear, life and death, and the inner monologue common to us all.
Author:
DJ Connor
Black Artists You Should Listen to Now | #NowWatching
June 5, 2020
This week's #NowWatching playlist is dedicated to the sounds and voices of a small fraction of innovative black artists.
Author:
Ruby Scott
Music Taught Me to Love My Blackness | A Letter From The Editor
June 4, 2020
As protesters take to the streets across the world, I want to take this moment as a black man and editor of this site to share my perspective.
Author:
Maxamillion Polo
grentperez Looks to His Past For the Storied 'When We Were Younger'
June 6, 2023
"'When We Were Younger' is a collection of music, each relating to figures of the past, whether it be in love, loss, families, and friendship."
Author:
Alessandra Rincon
Charlotte Cardin Gives Herself the Love She Deserves in '99 Nights'
August 25, 2023
The sophomore effort from Cardin is equal parts vulnerable and heartfelt.
Author:
Alessandra Rincon
Cleo Sol's 'Gold' Feels Like a Sonic Rebirth
October 2, 2023
Exploring themes of love, religion, and self-actualization, this project is a baptism.
Author:
Jazmin Kylene
Nilüfer Yanya Revolves Around Pain and Vulnerability on "Midnight Sun"
January 26, 2022
"Midnight Sun" is at once dark and shimmering, shifting effortlessly between tensions and release.
Author:
Michelle Dalarossa
The Beaches Embrace the Pain of Being Alone in "What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Paranoid"
August 25, 2023
"'What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Paranoid' is a song about feeling intense anxiety after a breakup."
Author:
Abby Kenna
Noga Erez's "Godmother" Is a Sultry Rejection of Genre Prescriptions
August 22, 2024
Comfortable creating earnest discomfort in her lyrics, Noga is an artist revered by other artists.
Author:
DJ Connor
Kaash Paige Is R&B's New Dream Girl
November 22, 2019
Kaash Paige makes "indie music for the soul."
Author:
Precious Kato
RINI on "Bedtime Story," Sensual R&B, and Making the Perfect Chicken Adobo [Q&A]
May 15, 2020
Rini is a master, both in the kitchen and in the world of velvety-smooth R&B.
Author:
Maxamillion Polo
Valley Make a Sonic and Emotional Breakthrough on 'Last Birthday'
October 4, 2021
<i>Last Birthday</i> plays out with all the infectious euphoria of someone reaching emotional clarity.
Author:
Maxamillion Polo
beabadoobee Embraces the Chaos in Her Head in "If You Want To" Video
April 12, 2019
"I feel like there's not a lot of music that explores subjects which are quite scary to talk about... but it's okay to have intimidating feelings."
Author:
Alyssa Yung