Teressa Mahoney’s “She” is a larger than life release. A story of self realization and self appreciation, “She” is a much needed message of self love. Encouraging and direct, Mahoney seems to sing directly into your heart. With kindness seemingly woven into her voice, this upbeat and positive tour de force is one of Teressa Mahoney’s biggest successes yet. With a voice much like the famed artist JJ Heller and just as softly personable, Teressa Mahoney is an artist to be on the watch for. Creator and singer of the strong female ballad “She”, listeners will be hanging on the edge of their seats for the artist’s next release while keeping this one on replay.
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A good message that needs to be heard by women everywhere, Mahoney’s “She” is about to be the next big thing. A version of lighthearted soft pop, Mahoney’s voice creates a dreamy sound that effortlessly blends into the story that she is singing her audience. In the masterful way that only a true musician can, Mahoney is able to draw her audience in with quiet words of truth and strength. Solid, relatable, and much like a loving friend singing a song, “She” is the modern love song – the one to yourself. As equally an important lesson to learn, loving yourself for who you are is a message that needs to be heard right now, and thanks to this timely masterful release, it can be. No doubt about it, Teressa Mahoney has that warm and welcoming girl-next-door ‘it’ factor, and the world is on the edge of it’s seat to see what she does next.
Julia Messenger’s track “And We Danced” is a release the pop scene wasn’t ready for. Beat focused with a strong base, the instrumentalization is deep and heavy. Harmonies catch listeners’ attention in the chorus and leave them wanting for more. With a timeless voice and masterful songwriting, the lyrics call out to the audience in an intriguing way. Electronic tones and metallic additions make for an alternative edge that this pop song brings into focus.
Lovers of the 2000s edgy pop scene will be excited to hear Messenger’s “And We Danced”. A lovely reminiscence of times past, “And We Danced” is a relatable song to fans and new listeners alike. An audio experience of base, drums, and timeless vocals, Messenger’s release is coming for the throne of alternative pop.
An investigation into a relationship that is now the past, “And We Danced” is keenly relatable to everyone who has looked back on relationships themselves. A raw song, Messenger’s release is nothing short of brave for conveying the hurts and woes of the past. Something many have struggled through, emotions of being unwanted and hurt over the conflicts of the past are key elements of “And We Danced”.
Beautifully and poetically named, “And We Danced” follows form in raw and real lyrics. Formerly titled “The Queen of Chill” by the press, Julia Messenger is able to effortlessly enter the pop genre and tell it who’s boss. Casual and confident, “And We Danced” is a new song of the oldest sorrows in the book. A must hear for the lyrical journey itself, “And We Danced” is a tour de force of its own.
The daughter of a concert pianist and 3 musicians as older siblings, shaped Shoshana Ami’s love for music. Growing up in her native city, Brooklyn, Ami experimented with music, teaching herself to play electric guitar at the age of 14 and became proficient in flute as she played with orchestras across New York City. For a period of time, Ami lost her passion, and veered away from music to becoming a model and actress in Off-Broadway Theater and independent films. She was on her way to becoming a therapist before rekindling her love for music again. She became a lead vocalist in several already established NYC bands, but still had a void which led her to study music production for songwriters and began writing her own music.
Ami’s 10-track album, Pretty Liar, integrates her dark lyrics with vibrant, upbeat sounds and vocals infused with modern pop. On her title track, Pretty Liar, Ami sings “Where is your father when you walk the streets at 2 am. You’re getting in cars, collecting your scars and men. I’m so lonely, I can’t feel myself. Pretty Liar.” She then goes on to reference that the abandonment the character is feeling is of no fault of their own, singing, “You were once an innocent. The sin was theirs to repent.” The song titled, Different, theme is not living up to another’s expectations and wanting to disappear before telling them you will be different. This notion is prevalent in the following lyrics: “I just want to disappear sometimes, and make you go away…This time I’ll be different, like you wanted me. This time I’ll be different, I guarantee.”
The usage of drums, guitar and computer generated sounds, produces an album that incorporates Ami’s own lived experiences, as well as, shared experiences of other women. Her album, Pretty Liar, came to fruition with the following musical influences in mind: The Beatles, Jimmy Hendrix, Miles Davis, Led Zeppelin, Ella Fitzgerald, and John Coltrane. R&B, Punk, Classical, Ethnic and Rock genres are all present.
Ami’s album is essentially inspired by her life. Specifically, her battle with addiction and the recovery process, the death of her parents after her marriage, her relationship with her producer (Tony Conniff), her husband (Neal Ostberg), and the birth of her daughter. When asked about the title track, Pretty Liar, she replied, “Pretty Liar”, the album’s title, highlights a thematic darkness – the abandonment of a child that leads to creating a false self as protection.” As for the track Different, Ami contends, it is a song “that has somewhat hopeful lyrics with an undercurrent of sadness and surrender to a situation that will not change.” In reference to the album itself, she states, “The album is me. Different parts of me both real and imagined. It also incorporates experiences that other women have shared…In many places it centers around a character who is in fantasy and is resisting an imposing reality.”
Ami has experienced many ups and downs throughout her life, yet she has come back stronger with every experience. The release of her album, Pretty Liar, revealed a work that embodies her very personal life experiences, and shares her gift and love of music with the world.
Kick and The Hug is an American Indie rock band, hailing from Boulder Colorado. Their first single, “Girl You Changed” is from their debut album release this summer.
“Girl You Changed” is a song that has Festival headliner written all over it! Vibrant, with punchy staccato strings, guitar and a chorus that is altogether catchy and reminiscent of modern 90’s rock. Lead singer / guitarist Doug Murray and drummer / keyboards Sam Young used to play in 1990’s Boulder outfit, The Winebottles. Murray and Young are joined together with base player Mike Ferguson (also strings and vocals), and lead guitarist Tyler Skye.
““Girl You Changed”, is a song about a fan who “appears from the past” to support her favourite band, us … who literally have not released a song in 25 years, coupled with the excitement of seeing one of our favourite bands (like Wilco, Band of Horses, or Local Natives) play a live show in a small club. Only this time WE’RE on stage.
On this track, and the band’s upcoming debut self release, “Ladies and Gentlemen, Kick and the Hug, “ Tyler Skye, has worked his magic on a great production.
Marius Billgobenson is back with another jazzy, soulful single “Joy”. This is the second single released off his upcoming album The Spirit Love. “Joy” is a feel-good song expressing the happiness one feels about someone who has been a constant ally and friend through time. For Marius, this constant support comes from his love for God. He is who gives Marius joy at any given time and day.
“Joy” combines Marius’s talents in the jazz genre, but also touches into some gospel elements which gives the single a more graceful flow. Marius also adds a little R&B flair to this song as it is much slower than his typical songs. His voice is silky smooth alongside this slow, feel-good song. It appears Marius is using an organ for his keys, which is common in gospel music. Marius creates an incredibly catchy chorus that allows the listeners to sway along to and fully take in the meaning behind this song.
When listening to “Joy”, there is a great similarity between Marius’s work and other iconic soulful jazz artists. The first artist that comes to mind when listening to this song is Marvin Gaye. Marvin Gaye is a legend in the jazz genre and has frequently made fast, upbeat jazzy songs as well as slow, R&B inspired songs. Marius exudes a similar vibe to that of Marvin Gaye both in his vocal production and in the instrumentation. Marius adds multiple layers of vocal tracks for the chorus which not only creates the illusion of a gospel, but also expands the dimension of the single. Similar to Bill Withers, Marius uses his voice to create a sensational sound experience. His addition to vocal layers allows the song to stand out among the pool of soulful, jazzy songs released daily.
Marius has a very strong talent and continues to impress us with every song he releases. Marius pays homage to the Congos in his music as he implements many unique sounds and instruments native to his homeland. Marius writes beautiful songs tied to the concept of love and the different forms it takes. Marius releases music in hopes that many people will relate to the emotions portrayed in his lyrics and want to spread the message of love to many others. “Joy” asks the listener to truly feel the happiness and safety that comes from someone who is always there for them and to then spread that same feeling to others. Marius creates very down-to-earth music and “Joy” is no exception. This song is an exquisite work of art.
Actor, recording artist, music producer and songwriter, Ámaris Wen, is a rare commodity. From receiving formal training in drama school, to releasing her first album in 2014 (Geiko-Female Electronic Dance Music), and working for major record labels as a playlist manager, Ámaris is a jack-of-all-trades. A London-based artist with a genre focus in R&B, Electronic and Neo Soul, Ámaris has created a genre-defying sound that is welcomed by many. Past successes of Ámaris also include her two albums: Neon Colours (2017) and Dream World (2020), along with her music video, No Signal (2021), and appearance in the short film, Supernova.
The single, Endless Possibilities,focuses on the numerous opportunities to protect our environment and planet. Singing, “Endless possibilities polluting the earth before you speak”, Ámaris is reminding her listeners that many factors are negatively impacting our planet, and it is up to us to take action by contributing to our environment while opportunities are still present. Drawing influence from chillwave, synth pop and the 90s/2000s, Ámaris intertwines beats and sounds into Endless Possibilities that deliver a vibe similar to the sounds of Zapp and Alexander O’Neal.
Ámaris contends, “Endless Possibilities is about chances, about opportunities that we should take to look after the environment, and our planet, while we still have these opportunities.” She also expresses her desire to deliver an important message, while creating “a song that brings you feel-good vibes, and the warm, nostalgic feeling of the music I listened to as a kid.”
Extremely vocal on the protection of oceans, along with being an ambassador for Big Blue Ocean Clean-up (a non-profit organization), Ámaris’ passion for conservation of the planet is undeniable in her music. Her new track, Endless Possibilities, is available to stream on SoundCloud, Spotify and Apple Music.
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