As any relationship begins to fade, there comes an impending shift from thinking you might need to leave to actually going through with it. “Marathon,” off of London-based producer and songwriter Aziya’s newest record We Speak of Tides, manages to embody the intensity of that decision and the electrifying energy that pours out of it. In the beginning, an echoing guitar backs Aziya’s soulful vocals before the drums come crashing on in, placing emphasis on her passionate and self-assured lyrics. By the second verse, she's created a cinematic soundscape, and whether that's an angsty-teen-rebellion breakup scene or the climax of an action movie, I can’t bring myself to care—Aziya’s bellowing call of empowerment has me drawn in. “Marathon” is the kind of song that is best appreciated through noting its details: the chamber harmonies sprinkled throughout, the sonically dramatic halts and crashes, and Aziya’s dominating vocal delivery blend eloquently together to create a track that is as earnest as it is kickass. Whether it's “Marathon” or any of the other emotionally abundant tracks on We Speak of Tides, Aziya’s dynamism and charm offer something that everyone can latch onto. Photo by Zachary Chick.

This song is SO groovy and has definitely been one of my favorites recently. — Claire Rosinkranz

Claire Rosinkranz's debut EP, BeVerly Hills BoYfRiEnd, promises and delivers simple, satisfying pop songs with intricate yet extremely relatable lyrics about friendship, crushes, family and feelings. Her songwriting explores the depths of the human condition in concise bursts, exposing her extraordinary emotional maturity and strong grasp on her own unique sound. Photo by Liam Sheehan.

"Favorite" by JOHO (Joel Holmes) is a classic mid-2000s falling out ballad that hits a nostalgia sweet spot. A lyrical guitar riff gently raises the curtain to a duet-from-afar montage. It starts more or less where you expect it to — a guy lamenting the loss of a girl he never really expected to leave him. It starts from a place of bitter vanity, almost more upset about a post-breakup bruised ego than the loss of the relationship. But as the verse continues, the ego washes off of Holmes’ voice with each successive syllable. It slides into vulnerability just before he passes the torch to Makenna Parr’s sweet voice in verse two. Her verse plays off the melodic contour of the first, honest and vulnerable in a way that complements Holmes’ well. However, Parr also infuses it with a distinct character, gentle but resolute. A tender keyboard countermelody settles just beneath her warm inflections, a delicate counterpoint to the guitar riff. It drops out as soon as the verse ends, and octave-spaced strings take its place. The perspective returns to JOHO, but all sense of selfishness has evaporated. An admission of fault spirals into an echo chamber of thoughts as Holmes’ voice layers over itself. Parr’s voice mostly disappears among the swirl of harmonies, and suddenly it’s not a duet anymore. It’s all-consuming, tail-chasing regrets — but still, somehow, sweet. After all, it was really something that was lost, wasn’t it?

Celebrating the sun-kissed California sand and surf isn't only a treasured feeling or a beloved aesthetic for We the Commas. For the three San Diego-based brothers, their breezy brand of surf R&B is a loving tribute to their California roots. "I Will," a track from the brothers' debut EP, SARB, reflects how personal the trio feels about creating music that reflects their beloved homestead and tight bond. The track begins with an ominous-sounding organ to draw the listener into the sound, encouraging us to be present in the moment for what the brothers are about to deliver. However, just as quickly as we're drawn into the somber-but-still-sexy-sounding intro, fueled by the sounds of a swirling trumpet, the mood suddenly changes, and we're transported into a joyous celebration of young love and commitment, a love letter of encouragement to release all expectations and surrender to the infinite possibilities a relationship can bring. 

SARB is now available via Flying Boy Entertainment.

Zimbabwean-Irish singer-songwriter shiv (also known as Siobhan McClean) has been quickly carving her way into the rising ranks of young R&B artists. She recently dropped "Hold Me": a silky and sentimental track lacing nuanced memories into unhurried but intricate beats. This track comes after the release of her other stand-alone single "You and I," making "Hold Me" the second song promised to be featured on her upcoming debut EP, Me 2 Me.

"Hold Me" is a confessional and sweet song about the love the artist has for her parents. It touches on the inevitable vulnerabilities every young adult encounters in their striving towards independence and security. "I want you to hold me like you did when I was younger... and then everything will be okay" is a deeply sincere expression in this song. Shiv has concisely and effortlessly made an emotive and understanding song about the woes of growing up and the sanctuary of coming home. The audio of her parents' encouraging words at the start of the song is enough to make you shed a few tears. This song reminds me of the importance of writing what we know and touching the very visceral and immediate emotional needs we may be experiencing. That level of self-reflection and empathy produces honest, good, heart-stirring art, and that's what shiv has done with "Hold Me." Listen to it wherever you stream, and be on the look-out for her EP! Photo by Joshua Mulholland.