Slow week for releases this week; only 82 songs submitted for review
LUX , album by ROSALÍA. A hugely ambitious and daring album blending grand orchestral and operatic elements with modern production and genre fluidity. Its complexity and emotional intensity might turn off casual listeners and even leave fans behind, but it’s a monumental achievement. Stream everywhere. Spanish.
Tender Love, single by Izzy. Izzy Withers says that instead of keeping a diary, she writes songs…sonic yapping she calls it. This is definitely not yapping – sweet, smooth, soft, feminine, emotionally authentic, and lovely. Stream on major platforms.
¡Respira! single by Beto Cuevas. From Santiago, Chile, the lead vocalist of La Ley until the break up in 2005, is as innovative as ever in this (and other songs). He combines ballad-like love vocals, alt-rock composition, and storytelling earworms. Stream on all major platforms. Spanish
THE MEDICINE, album by Miss Emily. The Juno Awarded Canadian blues singer and songwriter with the atomic-powered voice brings us a soulful blend of blues, roots, and soul music in 10 songs that range from the fast tempo “Stand Together” to the slow-moving emotion of “Maybe” and the gut-wrenching live version of “Long Time Running. Stream on Spotify and all major platforms.
Hoy No, single by Daniel and Me Estas Matando (with Mon Laferte). This lilting, call-and-response between the two guys and Mon Laferte will make you sway and smile. Smooth sailing with horns, a soft tropical beat, and the emotion that only Latin music can bring. Stream everywhere. Spanish.
It’s Only Love, a single by Militia Vox. Once again, Vox combines the power of her classical voice and the sheer energy of metal rock as no one else can. But this is more rock than metal, a song you can sing along to as her band – Gorey Glover, Nuno Bettencourt, and Vernon Reid blast out the guitar riffs and locomotive drum beat. Stream on Spotify and major platforms.
