On a charity livestream, Mt. Joy frontman Matt Quinn explained that “Death” is a misnomer—it is a life-affirming song, he assured, about lending a hand to help others work through problems rather than run away from them. “I know why you like death,” he sings, “‘Cause when you get in trouble, pulled under rubble / You want something else,” but he is there to pull you out of the rubble. Quinn says of the song, “I was hoping this song would remind people and myself that there are so many family members / friends here on earth that want to help us find our peace, and there really is so much beauty here, especially when you let people help you.” The song’s meandering verse gives way to a raucous chorus best sung en masse, shoulder to shoulder, shouting with little to no regard for tonality, joining on the “Ooh la la” even if you don’t know the words. “Death” is a reminder of all of the beautiful moments in life and succeeds in creating one all by itself.

Quadio is a new streaming service revolutionizing how we find up-and-coming new artists in the college sphere and we are pleased to be partnering with them during the next week to introduce you to the newest in indie. This week we've been streaming "Partly" by Ellie Williams. Anyone who's bumped into an ex at a party unexpectedly will feel seen and understood listening to this track. Lyrics, "I'm partly overwhelmed and partly confused / Forget to inhale at the sight of you / I don't understand why I react this way / I'm wishing this were just another party, partly" ring out over the dull and all-too-familiar roar of a get-together as Williams explores the flood of emotions of an unexpected encounter with an ex-lover. In her own words, "Being both shocked and slightly pleased to see them, it follows the internal conversation you have when coping with the fact that someone you once loved deeply has now seemingly become a stranger." We are more than partly in love with this single from Williams, and hers is one of hundreds of hits from emerging college artists found on Quadio.

Occasionally, when a piece of music pervades or impacts the culture it arose from so profoundly that it gains universal acclaim, it is afforded the descriptor of “timeless”—as clear a sign as any that the piece will be covered by new musicians well into the future. Onyx Collective, the New York-based experimental jazz group that have taken on a somewhat mythical quality in the city for their high-energy and technically impressive live shows, have taken it upon themselves to reimagine a bevy of classics that emerged from the mind of Richard Rodgers—one half of the iconic duos of Rodgers & Hammerstein and Rodgers & Hart on their new album Manhattan Special. The single and album closer “Blue Moon” features frequent Blood Orange collaborator and R&B powerhouse Ian Isiah, whose strong soprano is perfectly suited to tackle the melody that forms the emotional center of the track. The instrumental backing is unusually subdued when compared to Onyx Collective’s other work, but that in-and-of-itself is the mark of talented artists. Great covers don’t necessarily have to be flashy or purposefully different; sometimes, it’s just about paying homage and lending your talents in order to keep the song alive in the collective conscious. The sheer technical ability possessed by both the band and singer result in a delightfully refined rendition of a ballad that has stood the test of time for 85 years—and with the Onyx Collective’s help, it will surely continue to do so.

Calming chords swell as gentle keys bring the song to life. Adding in clock-like drums, time seems to be expanding with each new note of Heather Chelan’s heartfelt vocals. Vocals which start as an intimate conversation, quickly growing into so much more. We hear them gaining confidence and strength as the narrative builds. Finding new rhythms to deliver the lyrics, Chelan shifts into a new gear. It is perfect for the moment, proving their prowess in building an impressive song. Angelic background vocals flourish with each note, creating a moving chorus. The energy throughout the song feels like the clouds parting—Chelan coming to terms, finding clarity with the song’s story, while the arrangement finds new ways to shine with every turn. A perfect moment sees a soaring Chelan slide effortlessly from a dreamy bridge to the most powerful chorus yet. An irresistible performance, and Heather Chelan’s first release since 2018. There are only good things to come.

We just announced a partnership with Quadio, a social music streaming platform for college students, and are excited to be taking over their Artists of the Week section this week and next. First up we have Berklee student Francisco Haye (aka Cisco Swank), who pays homage to several of his jazz, soul, and R&B ancestors on his new track, “Home.” With chord progressions and vocal runs that evoke a young Stevie Wonder, bare and buttery production in the style of Frank Ocean, and the full live jazz band appeal of Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals. Haye demonstrates not only that he’s been doing his literal homework, but also that he is capable of synthesizing these royal influences to make something fresh and uniquely Cisco Swank. At times, the beat is so syncopated that it feels like time is going backwards—in a good way. And though the lyrics may at first seem simple and repetitive, by the end lines like, “I know you been searching for way too long” have a mantric, centering effect. So if you have been looking for a new self-produced soul artist who is just getting started but already knows what he’s doing, you may have “finally found the answer” here.

Atlanta singer-songwriter Faye Webster returns to the scene with a love song that is unapologetically sweet as honey. Lulling strings, staccato guitar and interjecting keyboard fuse together to create a track that touches an array of genres ranging from folk to pop all the way to R&B. I’ve always appreciated Webster’s way of expressing the most nuanced emotions with such few words—“In A Good Way” is no exception. The track explores the feeling of finding a love that is overwhelming in the most beautiful way, so beautiful in fact, that it makes you cry. The song opens with the line, “I didn’t know I was capable of being happy right now, but you showed me how,” and accurately depicts, how even in the midst of the unknown, love has the ability to poke through the cracks. All too often we look at crying as a negative expression of emotion and "In A Good Way" helps to remind us that it’s okay to cry and that sometimes, it’s even a good thing.

Serena Isioma’s new EP Sensitive showcases the artist in all their genre-defying glory. It’s an extremely well-rounded release, led by the brilliant "Cookout." A sunny song, the bass and drums kick it off, bringing the energy of a surfy garage band. Isioma’s smooth vocals recontextualize the entire track. While the melody in the verses stays simple, the flow feels completely fresh. Sprinkled with background vocals bouncing about underneath to add even more texture. The chorus is so catchy, instantly memorable and begging to be sung along to. Isioma comes out firing in the second verse, amping up the intensity, finding new ways to shine on the now-familiar groove. The songwriting, in the context of this production, brings heavy themes to life in a bright and surprisingly fun fashion. A balance made effortless by Isioma. The entire EP is a smash, but "Cookout" feels completely unique, something only Isioma could pull off. And they certainly have.