Rahn Harper - Listen
By: Caleb Johnson IG: CJSleeves
Although many might not have heard of Rahn Harper yet, he is a veteran in the music industry, with years of experience under his belt. He has worked with many talented artists, and has been able to shine amongst the best. And on this track, his talent is undeniable.
In this one, titled ‘Listen’, Harper tells the story of a relationship that he feels has a lot of promise, and he’s doing what it takes to save it. He’s professing his love, making promises, and telling her why she is special to him. While sweet for the girl who it’s written for, it also is very appealing to us, the listeners. The vibe of the song is chill, and Harper’s soft yet powerful vocals laid over the instrumental just add to the groovy ambiance of the track. I’ll make the same recommendation as Harper with the song title: listen.
Lyrics That Stick:
“All I have, I share
What we got is so rare”
Y2K & The Kid LAROI - Go Dumb (feat. blackbear & Bankrol Hayden)
By: Caleb Johnson IG: CJSleeves
When you’re just on the border of hitting the coveted ten million listeners in a month mark on Spotify, you need to make a big move to get you up and over the hump. In the case of Y2K, you could put together an Avenger-type squad and put them all on a song together.. yeah, let’s go with that.
With 4 artists on the song, there’s not a lot of time for an individual artist to shine, but the whole track together is amazing. If I had to pick a Captain America, it would be blackbear, as he runs the chorus, but all the artists come in and do their part. The song, ‘Go Dumb’, is a fun party anthem that I’m sure we’ll be hearing for years. If you’re a fan of Y2K, The Kid LAROI, or either of the featured artists, I’m sure you’ll find something that you’ll like here in the track.
Lyrics That Stick:
“I don’t want to play these games,
I just want to go dumb”
Jeremy Zucker - love is not dying (Album Review)
By: Caleb Johnson IG: CJSleeves
After he blew up with 2018 release ‘Comethru’, Jeremy Zucker had a lot of weight on his shoulders for his debut album. He took his time, released an EP to test the waters, and then finally jumped in. And as a Zucker fan, I am happy to say that he did not disappoint.
If you have never heard any of his music before, a listen through the album might be a strange experience for you. Everything is so soft compared to what you usually hear today, with Zucker’s voice calm, quiet and still powerful. For me, it feels like a whispered conversation that you have with a friend, where you don’t want to miss a word so you’re leaning in for more. Most of the tracks are not necessarily sad, even though a lot of them feel that way, when really it is just Zucker showing emotion how he does it best. For longtime fans and new ones, this is not an album that you will ever want to end.
Lyrics That Stick:
“The more I think I grow,
The less I seem to know”
ryster - ig ur not home
By: Caleb Johnson IG: CJSleeves
Ryster is back with another song, this one just 10 days after his last EP… talk about work ethic! He definitely does not disappoint with this song, except for the fact that it’s only on SoundCloud so I can’t download it to my Spotify!
The song is titled, ‘ig ur not home’ (meaning ‘I guess you’re not home) and is a chill, vibey banger. It’s about a girl who isn’t really what she seems like at first. I think we all know people who put up fronts on social media or with certain people, so I think we can all understand where ryster is coming from on this one. You can feel that he’s speaking from personal experience and with conviction. Check it out, while we’re all stuck at home.
Lyrics That Stick:
“I call up your phone
I just get the tone”
IndustryPlant - Call Me
By: Caleb Johnson IG: CJSleeves
Up-and-comer IndustryPlant is back with another banger, this one entitled ‘Call Me’. Simple and lo-fi, the vibe that this song brings is insane.
Based around a guitar with IndustryPlant’s calm vocals riding over it, it feels like progression. It shows him talking about the progress that he’s made, and giving himself the credit that he deserves for the steps that he’s taken. He as well is talking about a girl, and talking about how she was important to him and what she meant to him. It’s such a good song to vibe to, so I recommend you go do that immediately.
Lyrics That Stick:
“Think I’m doing better
We fall apart to come together”
12AM - Voices
By: Caleb Johnson IG: CJSleeves
Just by looking at the artwork and reading the lyrics portrayed there, you can get a feel of the song. It’s a dark song, fueled by heartbreak and emotion, but with so many bright spots musically that you don’t easily notice the dark tone of the song,
12AM is doing what he does best with this one: telling a story, and using melodies to his advantage throughout the whole song. The instrumental is based around a simple guitar loop, with fast hitting drums to back it up. 12AM layers his vocals over, singing in a way so his pain is very evident in the track. It’s a banger for every occasion.
Lyrics That Stick:
“All these voices in my head
Angel on my right side, devil on my bed”
Vaboh & Nate Good - I Get Jealous
By: Caleb Johnson IG: CJSleeves
This new collaboration between Vaboh & Nate Good makes for one of the best songs about “the brink” that I have ever heard. By “the brink”, I mean that point in the relationship between friends and dating where it could go either way with one good (or bad) move. In their new song, these 2 artists talk about a relationship at this point.
It’s clear which way they would like the relationship to go, as they talk about how amazing this girl is and what she means to them. But at the same time, they play it safe and after saying they hope they end up with the girl, they finish it, “But I’ll be fine.” The song is catchy and shows 2 artists doing what they do best: making fun, exciting and different music. If you haven’t listened yet, make sure to go check it out!
Lyrics That Stick:
“I get jealous, even though you’re not mine”
Koi - beverly
By: Caleb Johnson IG: CJSleeves
Sometimes it’s important to count your blessings and just appreciate where you’re at in life. In his new song, Koi feels like he’s doing that more than he’s just flexing. He opens up with the chorus, which talks about where he’s at and his financial stability.
Of course, this could definitely be taken as “flexing” as he talks about his foreign vehicles and Gucci flip-flops. The song is delivered in a confident way, playing the line between rapping and singing very closely, but using melodies and flows to his advantage. All that I can say is I’m happy that Koi is where he is in his career, and I hope that it just continues to go up, because he deserves it.
Lyrics That Stick:
“Woke up feeling blessed, feeling heavenly
And my shawty straight from Beverly”
lilspirit - nothing2prove
By: Caleb Johnson IG: CJSleeves
For a song that’s only a minute and 36 seconds long, this one fits a whole lot into a small window of time. Then again, lilspirit has never really been one to do it the conventional way, and is always doing what he sees to work best.
In this new song, ‘nothing2prove’, lilspirit finds himself singing over a piano and 808-heavy instrumental, about a newfound love interest. He promises her that she is exciting for him, and that she doesn’t need to approve anything to him. It’s catchy, and not too heavy, so the fact that it’s short doesn’t hold much weight because it has a very high replay value. Take a listen, because as lilspirit says, you’ve got “nothing to lose”.
Lyrics That Stick:
“I like the way that you move, you ain’t got nothing to lose
You ain’t got nothing to prove to me, baby”
Adam Oh - 10/10 (feat. Gavin Haley)
By: Caleb Johnson IG: CJSleeves
This song is 10/10 a breath of fresh air for me. Sometimes I don’t realize just how rare a good, happy song is, until I finally hear a new one. This one is a positive, driven and still emotional love song, and a banger at that.
Adam Oh & Gavin Haley sound like they both have someone very special in their lives. Written about 2 different girls (each one with their own girl), the song talks about how they will always be there for their girl, and promises that they will do anything for them. It’s different from what is usually heard, and for that reason, one of my favorite that I’ve heard in a while. I definitely would give it a ‘10/10’.
Lyrics That Stick:
“Ten times out of ten, I’ll be at your door when you need me most”
Mike SB - NY for the Weekend (feat. Shiggy)
By: Caleb Johnson IG: CJSleeves
Maybe it’s just because I’ve essentially been inside for the last 2 weeks straight, but this song really made me want to put the top down and just drive, maybe to New York or really just anywhere. It’s a vibe, both as a song and as a message that it conveys.
Mike SB brings his A game alongside Shiggy with this one, a banger about taking advantage of the time that you have and just having fun with it. The vibe of the song perfectly matches that message, with a fun, energetic instrumental and well-written lyrics over it. It’s a very well-rounded song that really only leaves one question: Who’s down for a trip to NY?
Lyrics That Stick:
“I’m in NY for the weekend,
We could link up right now, tell me what you’re thinking”
Souly Had - Goner (feat. Audrey Mika)
By: Caleb Johnson IG: CJSleeves
The best word I can think of to describe the new collaboration of Souly Had & Audrey Mika is vibe. It will have you dancing along right away, and singing along a few listens later. Both artists bring their A game, and you can tell they had a lot of fun making this one.
Both Souly Had & Audrey Mika sing the chorus, their already well-blended voices made stronger by what sounds like a crowd of people singing along with the key words of the chorus. In the verses, both artists also take turns, switching back and forth seamlessly and making it all the more intriguing as they do so. This is one that I’ll have on replay for a long, long time.
Lyrics That Stick:
“I know I’m a goner
Off the deep end, bottles every weekend”
Octavio - Nineteen (Sad for No Reason)
By: Caleb Johnson IG: CJSleeves
Perfect for a rainy day spring day, a hard day at work, or even a long day quarantined inside your house, Octavio’s new song ‘Nineteen’ is exactly what we need. There is a reason that the subtitle is ‘Sad For No Reason’, but that’s not because that’s how the song makes you feel. For me, it made me feel hopeful and understood more than anything.
Octavio does a wonderful job at conveying different emotions through the duration of the track, both through lyrics and just straight up vibes. It’s written over a slow guitar and heavy drums, with his reverbed vocals rising over it all to tell the story. The story is that of a broken heart sometime around his nineteenth party, leaving Octavio alone while those around him are celebrating. It’s an incredible song, not only for when you’re sad but when you need to know that everyone has hard days, too.
Lyrics That Stick:
“Lately I’ve been feeling sad for no reason
So I go get high for the evening”
Ryster - Enemies
By: Caleb Johnson IG: CJSleeves
If the artwork doesn’t draw you in with it’s simple yet genius appeal, the first few seconds of guitar in the song definitely will. Then, a few seconds after that, as the quiet voice of Ryster comes in, you’ll be hooked. At least, that’s how it went for me.
Ryster, an up-and-coming artist with a simple, clean style, just released his new EP and this is the definite standout. He leads with vulnerability about how his life has changed as he’s been making music, and how he doesn’t really know who he can trust anymore. Even some of those who he used to call friends, are now his ‘enemies.’ Still, with hard-hitting 808’s and Ryster leading the way with his melodies, this one is a guaranteed banger.
Lyrics That Stick:
“Shoutout to my enemies
I know that they envy me”
Shaker - Out of Love
By: Caleb Johnson IG: CJSleeves
Some of my favorite songs ever come from a position of pain for the artist. The reason being, vulnerability and pain often brings the best out of them. This one is no different, as Shaker delivers the heartbroken hit, ‘Out of Love’.
Shaker takes the opportunity to describe his feelings as he comes out of a relationship, and a really special one from the sounds of it. He describes his confusion with what went wrong, and how he didn’t see the end coming. The song is still pretty upbeat, reminding me of something that would be on a Justin Bieber album, honestly. And I’m a huge JB fan, so that’s one of the biggest compliments I could give. Don’t let Shaker’s heartbreak go to waste, and go check out his new hit, ‘Out of Love’.
Lyrics That Stick:
“Thought we’d never fall out of love
Baby when I call you, isn’t that enough?”
Drake - Toosie Slide
By: Caleb Johnson IG: CJSleeves
After watching the new Drake video a few times, I have come to two conclusions: 1. Drake is still the king of making hits, and 2. Drake has made a LOT of money from this hits, and has bought himself quite the house. Now I say that as a joke, but I kind of feel like that’s what Drake wanted us to learn from his video. I mean, why else would he take us on a tour through his house?
The song, ‘Toosie Slide’, is filled with the usual Drake subject matter (the struggle, his independence, etc.), but then switches to a chorus that comes with it’s own dance move. The best part, is that the move is easy enough for anyone to do, and still looks cool when you have it down. I walk around with two left feet, but I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been ‘toosie sliding’ a little bit today. I’m sure you’ve heard it by now, but just in case you haven’t, toosie slide on over to your favorite streaming service and check out the new banger from Drake.
Lyrics That Stick:
“Imma show you how to get it, it go
Right foot up, left foot slide, left foot up, right foot slide”
Drake Chisholm & BangerOfTheDay - Changed
By: Caleb Johnson IG: CJSleeves
Every song an artist releases is an opportunity what exactly it is they’re capable of. With his new single ‘Changed’, Drake Chisholm has reached into his bag of tricks and pulled out everything that he’s got. The song is vibrant with melody, wordplay, flow and everything else you’re looking for in a hip-hop song.
The best part, however, is how much fun it sounds like he’s having. It’s very apparent that Chisholm not only is good at making music, he enjoys it, which is key. On the song, he is talking about his growth as an artist, both with his ability and his work ethic. Still, he’s not going to waste an opportunity to brag a little bit, and he rightfully talks about his skill and money a little bit. It’s perfect for just having fun, whether at a party or just with your friends. Put this on, and there’s no going wrong.
Lyrics That Stick:
“You say I changed, I know I did”
Anthony Russo - typical
By: Caleb Johnson IG: CJSleeves
I have had this song on repeat all day and I’m still not sure how this song makes me feel. It’s an amazingly crafted song, with a beat so energetic that it’s a real urge to dance. But at the same time, the lyrics are of self-reflection and apologies, which doesn’t seem to fit with the vibe of the song.
Yet somehow, Anthony Russo has blended it and found the perfect way to do it, making me want to dance and cry and reflect and a million other things. The song itself is pop, but has added various sounds and expressions tastefully in the mix, which gives it a kind of EDM feel as well. The only other artist that I can compare him to is an early Jon Bellion, still exploring sounds and what he could make them do. After listening to this new song, I wouldn’t be surprised if Russo’s career followed a similar path and he is a household name here soon.
Lyrics That Stick:
“You’re so typical, I’m so difficult”
P.MO & Mike Squires - On My Own
By: Caleb Johnson IG: CJSleeves
Here’s the newest banger from P.MO & Mike Squires, this time with their collab song ‘On My Own’! It’s nice to have some of this realness shine through, when often it seems it’s pushed to the side. Luckily, these 2 don’t allow it to be pushed with this new song, and swear to us all that they’re “destined for greatness.”
The song opens up to P.MO opening up about his struggles and fears about the independent grind as an artist, with my personal favorite line: “Everyone asking what playlist I’m in.. I’m not.” It’s this kind of brute honesty that leads into the chorus, a powerful anthem about independence and doing it the way that he wants. It’s a banger to put onto your workout playlist, and to motivate you throughout the day.
Lyrics That Stick:
“I’m on my way, on my way
It don’t really matter what they say”
JAHMED - LIFTMEUP (feat. ICECOLDBISHOP)
By: Caleb Johnson IG: CJSleeves
The new wave in music for the past few years has been different. No-one wants to hear something that sounds exactly like what they’ve already been listening. The excitement from new finds and new sounds is what helped the likes of JPEGMAFIA, Tyler, the Creator and Brockhampton rise quickly to fame. And now, with a new and very interesting sound, I have to add JAHMED to that list.
With his new song ‘LIFTMEUP’ off of the album ‘THEBOOFMOBILE’, he brings the energy, the skill and the new sounds all at once. It’s upbeat, making you want to rage like you’re listening to a Brockhampton song. It’s perfect for putting on with your friends when you’re in the car together, a guaranteed approval when handed the aux cord. And from the sounds of it, it’s just the start for JAHMED.
Lyrics That Stick:
“Jah gon hit you, what you want?
Jah gon hit you, what you need?”