Queens, New York indie-pop duo Hoax recently released "Unconditional" from their forthcoming debut/concept album, b?
Hoax is the musical offspring of Michael Raj and Frantz Cesar, who describe their sound as "empathy pop," an amalgamation of '60's pop, Motown, and alt-R&B.
Explaining "Unconditional," the duo says, "We all come with a set of User Terms & Conditions and we allow people into our lives based on if they will or will not violate our terms. But then there is love, which is not subject to the laws of our personal Terms & Conditions."
"Cause we don't care at all / We're Unconditional, Oh / Cause we might never know / Where this all goes."
Meet Rowe, a.k.a Becky Filip, formerly of The Honey Trees, who's introducing "Tired Love" on Popdust.
Rowe explains the song, saying, "This song isn't necessarily about one person or relationship. It's about the time when life as I knew it came crashing down and I realized I could do this on my own. I can be strong just as myself."
After The Honey Trees dissolved and she came to the end of a longstanding personal relationship, Filip discovered who she was, simultaneously learning to make music on her own and expanding her musical limits. Having teamed up with Nashville musician/producer Micah Tawlks, "Tired Love," a blend of effective R&B and jazz, is her debut as a solo artist, mirroring her new found confidence and inner strength.
You may or may not have heard of Academy Award-winning songwriter John DeNicola, but you have heard his songs.
He wrote hits like "I've Had The Time of My Life" and "Hungry Eyes," from the Dirty Dancing movie. DeNicola will release his first album, The Why Because, featuring John Waite, Micky Madden, Peter Lewis, Glen Burtnik, Zonder Kennedy, and Brian Delaney, October 25, via Omad Records. One of the tracks on the album is his rendition of "Hungry Eyes," premiering on Popdust.
Explaining his version, DeNicola says, "I thought it would be fun to record 'Hungry Eyes' in a way that would set it apart from the Dirty Dancing version and decided to try to make it sound like a modern indie-rock band imitating an 80's synth-pop song."
DeNicola's "Hungry Eyes" features a muscular bassline, as DeNicola's high, sweet falsetto infuses the lyrics with a haunting, yearning tone. Preorder The Why Because.
Australian outfit Miami Horror returns today with "Luv Is Not Enough," a refreshing modern groove.
"I finally know myself," featured vocalist Clear Mortifee sings in the song's opening moments, and the track brims with promise from there. The funk and disco-laden sound on "Luv Is Not Enough" is familiar territory for Miami Horror, who've made a career out of marrying electronic sensibility to a funk edge. The new single off the group's upcoming third album makes the most of this marriage. The song's infectious energy alone is more than enough to keep a listener enchanted.
A hearty drum and airy synths provide a solid backdrop for the song's flashier elements, Mortifee's voice, and the dazzling guitar work. The nostalgic track is made ethereal with the pluck and strum of the guitar and its consistent bassy hum. Mortifee's performance is coolly assured, highlighting dreamy lyrics. "Love is not enough, girl / I just need more," they trill on the spinning hook. That's the kind of line that can fade into the music, but when sung by Mortifee it perfectly captures Miami Horror's sound of freedom.
We love it when artists color a familiar story with something new—in this case, literally.
"Gravity" is the latest music video from Ralph—the mononym project of Toronto singer Raffa Weyman—and the single itself is a bouncing ode to destabilizing love. She's embracing a quintessential pop theme, wondering aloud if this new someone she's found will be a repeat of bad history, even while she enjoys being pulled out of orbit. Ralph's breathless voice conveys want and worry with a pirouetting ease, as the looping piano stabs and disco beat keep the track pulsing with life. It's catchy as hell, but it's the accompanying visuals that bring an idiosyncratic edge to the warm pop of "Gravity."
Animated by fellow Torontonite artist Amika Cooper, the video rockets Ralph's desire into space, combining paper-doll-like figures with a sparkling cosmic landscape. The deceptively-textured visuals complement the track's vibrant sound, with an element of kitsch mixed in: A robot dog and a magic 8-ball encourage Ralph to chase the feeling, while floating disembodied hands twirl to the song's rhythm. The video is certainly trippy, but it finds its beauty in centering Ralph as its subject and muse. Cooper takes the irrepressible groove of "Gravity" seriously, and she ensures the song's pure emotion seems to spill right out of Ralph's vocals.
It's a collaboration that feels effortless in its joy, mainlining the simple power of the track's radiant pop into its graphics. Ralph carries an infectious groove on "Gravity," and the music video's dazzling warmth carries the track perfectly in turn.
Emergency Tiara is not your everyday New York pop ensemble.
Just one listen to their latest single, the retro and catchy gem, "Lighthouse," will make that immediately clear. The band's front-woman, Juri, agreed to answer a few questions about the group's sound, vision, and influences. If you are unfamiliar with Emergency Tiara, it is high time to change that.
So, the first (and obvious) question I have to ask: what is the story behind the name, Emergency Tiara?
I want everyone to get the chance to have a moment where they're released from their daily stresses and acknowledge how special they are individually. So place a tiara on your head and remember that you're a beautiful one and feel like a prince or princess.
Your new single, "Lighthouse," manages to emulate a quality of sound that has been lost to modern recording capabilities, both in some of the backing track and the vocals. How do you manage to resurrect this quality?
One of the many things the ET family (including myself) love and enjoy is live instruments and live recordings. And big thanks to my super talented ET fam! We managed to record "Lighthouse" with all live instruments using vintage microphones. Background vocals are provided by my dear friend, Darcy Callus, another uber-talented musician that I get to work with! We actually used the demo he sent us as a guideline for me to re-record the parts, 'cause he sounded so good!!!
What initially led you to gravitate toward the old-time classics and doo-wop influences that seem to have influenced your signature sound?
I always loved standards and still listen to them a lot. Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Peggy Lee have always been my Idols, so I think the influences are coming from there.
Are there any contemporary artists that you greatly admire or draw influence from?
Yes of course! I love Janelle Monae, Solange, and Lizzo! All the beautiful and strong lady artists!!!
What do you hope to accomplish with your music? What do you hope people get when they listen to you?
Happy and empowered! I hope my music helps everyone to remember how important they are to the world!
Dustin DiPaulo is a writer and musician from Rochester, New York. He received his MFA in Creative Writing from Florida Atlantic University and can most likely be found at a local concert, dive bar, or comedy club (if he's not getting lost somewhere in the woods).
