Brooklyn-based Kirsten Izer’s debut single of 2019, “One Year,” is a raw and evocative exploration of toxic love and lingering loss. The minimal arrangement consists only of a hazy electric guitar and Izer’s cool, smoky vocals, but its intimacy is what makes it powerful. Her sound’s moody, grunge-rock center relies on the emotion in her delivery, and Izer doesn’t disappoint. Dreamy layering effects amplify her impressive vocal range, drifting from dark and angst-ridden to light and ethereal quickly and easily. The lyrics, gripping and relatable, make plain the pain and longing of the instrumentation: “It’s our one year anni / But you don’t love me / You were never one for vulnerability.” The stripped arrangement allows you to focus on the lyrics, honest and heartbreaking, and lose yourself in the song’s lush dreamscape of sounds. “One Year” is hauntingly lovely.

West Palm Beach, FL native, David Urbinati recently released his first full-length album, WAVE.S, a collection of music that depicts his own emotional waves through song. "Overtake Me" is the first single off the album, with a mixture of buoyant electronic vibes and a message of self-empowerment, David creates a sound that is raw without being heavy. It's both an earnest and refreshing take on a song of self-empowerment and within it lies a steady mantra of overcoming rather than be overtaken. "I feel the fight is getting older/ Still I won't let it overtake me." Be sure to check out this song and the rest of his album on all streaming platforms. 

Nashville's Juan Solorzano is a jack of all trades. While he's usually producing or playing on tracks for artists such as Molly Parden and Becca Mancari, the release of his new song "Should've Been You" makes him the one who's front and center. "Should've Been You" organically exists in a world full of rhythmic precision, instrumental experimentations and layered harmonies that can only be created by a true song-crafter. With the common theme of a faulty romance coupled with talk of "taking trips to the nebula" one could say that there are elements of magical realism within this song making it seem multi-dimensional but yet still intrinsic. Grab your headphones for this one and see just why it's the kind of hidden treasure we love to discover around here.

Morgxn's "Carry the Weight" is an uplifting and hopeful anthem for anyone that needs a pick-me-up. The track, released a few weeks ago via wxnderlost records, makes a strong case for pushing through, sticking with your gut and making your own way in the world. A simple, but powerful message. Similarly, Morgxn's Soundcloud bio gets straight to the point: "no struggle = no process"; a powerful reminder that experiencing adversity may help us learn, grow and prosper.  

“Arrows” is the standout track from Haux's sophomore EP Something to Remember. With the synth-folk tendencies of Vancouver Sleep Clinic and Novo Amor, Woodson Black of Haux sets himself apart with his reflective songwriting and minimal production. This sub-three minute track is Black’s meditation on the permanence of death and living without regret best summed up in the closing lines of, “If you leave, don’t forget/ If you love, don’t regret/ If you leave don’t forget, all of the love that you left.” A bit of warning — this is a tearjerker and I may have cried in public writing this review. ‍‍Haux is going on tour for the EP this summer starting in Europe in May and then to the US in June.

When you think of a pop ballad you generally don’t expect a techno kick track underscoring it, but that is exactly what we get on “Who Am I to Follow Love” by Scottish producer and artist, Makeness. Though the song starts with the very industrial style dancehall beat, Makeness quickly introduces some ethereal synth elements reminiscent of the 80’s before introducing the vocals of Nancy Anderson of Babeheaven. She floats above the track effortlessly before being joined by Makeness on backup vocals and in that pairing they create a seamless wall of emotion as they ruminate on the question of following their heart. Though disparate from the rest of Makeness’ debut album, Loud Patterns which came out earlier this month, this collaboration is easily a standout track.

Australian singer-songwriter Keeskea aka Vanessa Marousopoulos knocked it out of the park with her new song "You Did." She delicately sings of being wronged and broken while also showcasing her purely poetic songwriting. When Vanessa sings, it as if she is channeling every single feeling she's had regarding this experience, making her extremely believable. Straying from normalcy, the B section of "You Did" changes the entire song completely, moving away from it's pretty finger-picked entry to a place of vocal vulnerability letting Vanessa's voice create the magic all on its own. Swaying in and out of airy falsetto, Vanessa sings "You took all her parts/ And reshuffled them/ She's not herself/ Let her rebuild again." While it's not explicit whether Vanessa is referring to herself or a loved one, the concept of needing to be rebuilt after being broken by someone else needs no further explanation. Just one listen of "You Did" will make you see why Keeskea is one artist we're excited to hear more from.

Yours Are The Only Ears is the project of Brooklyn based singer-songwriter Susannah Cutler. In "Fire In My Eyes", Susannah sings her questions for someone who she seems to have a rough history with. In the sporadic way that most thought processes work, Susannah goes from casually wondering if this person wants to hang out with her on her roof, to questioning if she's a good person. "Fire In My Eyes" is refreshingly raw and highlights the physical, mental and emotional details of ironing out a toxic relationship. With a voice that is present but light, "Fire In My Eyes" is easy on the ears and so relatable to those of us who struggle with the complexities of love. Cutler's debut album Knock Hard is set to release May 11 via Team Love Records.

SXSW favorite Aisha Badru released a haunting and intriguing new single early this month that caught our attention. "Fossil Fuels" is significant for many reasons, from Aisha's captivating voice to its lyrical content, this song hits all the right notes. Lines like  "Flowers cannot bloom without precipitation/ And lovers will not last without reciprocation" and "I kept you warm 'til I was ashes" are so well-crafted while also introspective. These lyrics are only made better with the moody dubstep-like music that accompanies them making this song both vulnerable and intense all at the same time. Dynamically "Fossil Fuels" becomes larger as it goes along, bringing us more into it as it strongly unfolds. You'll ponder what Aisha has to say but you'll also just love how it sounds when she says it. If this is any indication of what Aisha has in store for her album Pendulum out next month, there's much to be excited for.

UK singer-songwriter Fenne Lily let out her latest single "Car Park" in preparation for her highly anticipated debut album release later this week. In true Fenne Lily fashion, "Car Park" is the vulnerable and confessional letter that you never send but write just for the sake of materializing your thoughts. “Car Park” keeps us locked in with its consistency. The song doesn't get bigger or smaller, but rather just relays to us the revelations and truths that come with the turbulence of being human. ("I hope to find a reason for my fear of feelings leaving at the start/ It makes my sleeping harder.") Fenne Lily shared that in this particular song, she is claiming responsibility of her own emotions. Like a steady stream, this song flows with rhythm and grace even while brushing up against the heavy and cold themes of insecurity, self-worth and taking responsibility for your actions.

Evoking similarities of today's indie-pop greats like CHVRCHES and purity ring, LANNDS' new single is "Legends" is the kind of song that puts a new artist on your radar. Rania Woodard and her producer Brian Squillace make up the Florida-based project, LANNDS, which dives into the electronic world while not departing too far from indie-folk inflections. "Legends" paints the picture of two people who are the heroes of their own stories. It might make you think of your favorite world-is-ending movies, the Divergent or The Hunger Games kind where unlikely saviors rise from the crowd and change things for the better. Whether it's the love that these two share with their soft kisses or their willingness to simply go beyond the limits of society, Rania makes these characters easy to root for.