Features | April 2023
- John Cronin
- Apr 21, 2023
- 4 min read
Jodi Heights
Boston native Jodi Heights is a singer-songwriter who mixes alternative pop with contemporary pop elements. Jodi stands out with her classically honed technique and brilliant lyrics that plumb the depths of everyday life. She holds multiple music degrees, including a Master of Music from the New England Conservatory.
On April 14th, Jodi released her newest single video, "The Iceberg." The video and song address global warming with a dark twist, an instructor on an alien planet is teaching students about extinct species, and today's subject is the human race. The music video is Jodi's second project with cinematographer Noah Dickinson and was shot on location in Brooklyn, NY.
The video is very well-choreographed and captivating. However, the lyrics are heavy to digest, and the video also goes along with the heaviness behind it. I imagine this was the intention, but if the video is supposed to tell a story, I suggest Jodi give the viewers some introduction. The music and video production is excellent, but there's room for improvement. I would love to hear your thoughts on this music video; please leave a like and comment below with your thoughts.
I recommend fans of Joni Mitchell and other female musicians of the likes to check out Jodi's music. If you like what you hear, then please leave a like and follow the links below.
Garland Kelley
Nashville-based Garland Kelley is a singer-songwriter who mixes alt-folk with folk-pop elements. He has a vast musical background with an expansive vision that comes through in the intensely personal nature of his music.
Today, Garland came out with his newest single, "The Higher Road." The song was written when he was experiencing his first heartbreak at age 16. As a result, the song has a sense of duality as the verses have a mournful beauty while the choruses are brighter and more hopeful. Garland believes the song has a timeless and universal quality to a clear perspective and the journey of maturing in understanding love.
The song starts aggressively with an acoustic guitar that rings like an Irish folk song, but I prefer the intro to fade in so it's not too aggressive. Garland continues the Irish feel with his accented vocals, which I wonder if is coincidental or not. I love the vulnerability in this song, and it's refreshing. I would like to hear more from Garland. If you like what you hear, please leave a like and comment below with your thoughts.
I compare this song to Irish musicians; I can't think of any examples. However, if you like what you hear, then please like and follow the links below.
Blair West
Blair West is an acoustic singer-songwriter who resides in New York and mixes pop with folk pop. Often described as a mix of Joni Mitchell, Jewel, and Taylor Swift, her creativity comes from her tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, New York grit, and Scorpio sensitivity. She has been writing music since she was five years old and has a keen knowledge and background in piano, guitar, and musical theatre.
Today, Blair West came out with her newest single, "Nostalgia." In recording the song, she needed to tell a story that captured the exploration of a feeling. In her words, the song is about feeling nostalgic for something that you know you'll never have again.
Blair did a beautiful job with this song; it feels nostalgic. The song's soft beat matches soft tones and light instrumentals. I encourage Blair to continue producing pieces such as this release. I would love to hear your opinion on this release, so please leave a like and comment below with your thoughts.
I recommend this song to fans of First Aid Kit and other musicians. If you would like to hear more, please follow the links below.
Gorus
Gorus is a Los Angeles dream pop musician who mixes alternative bedroom rock with folk rock. His music constantly shifts to various genres, including experimental rock, jazz, electronic rock, and even psychedelic rock. Apart from music, he has developed his unique digital art and animation style that often accompanies his music.
On April 12th, Gorus came out with his newest single, "(giant vacuum)." He wrote the song about a year before the pandemic, so his friend always joked that the song was a bit of a premonition. In his words, the song and the video portray a cyclical nature. The song ends with a vacuum sound that it begins with, and the video ends where it started with blue skies and birds flying.
This song starts so edgy and somewhat experimental. I appreciate the uniqueness of the song, and it reminds me of Radiohead. However, with all its experimental elements, I also hear a lot of planning and methodology that must have been put into this eclectic piece. I would love to hear what you think about this single, so please leave a like and comment below with your thoughts.
I must have listened to this song twenty times, not only because I enjoyed it but also because it's such a fascinating piece. I recommend this song to fans of Radiohead. If you want to hear more, please leave a like and follow the links below.
Comments