Music
Sun King Rising is Captivating on “Free Will in China Blue”
A lot of people expect a catchy beat or perfect vocals to determine whether a song stands out or not. As important as a solid instrumental and impressive vocals are, I believe we shouldn’t count out great lyrics. From its thought-provoking title to its clever lyrics, Sun King Rising’s song “Free Will in China Blue” is the essence of captivating.
In fact, I think it’s quite the trifecta when it comes to music. With an assortment of instruments, ranging from horns to guitars to drums, your ears are filled with a symphony of complementing sounds. It’s immersive, dropping you into an atmosphere of southern rock and soul. It’s impressive when a song can paint a whole world around you.
John Blangero’s vocals are strikingly strong with a personality. How does a voice have a personality? It’s hard to describe, but his voice reminds me of a character placed among the world that the instruments created. His vocals stand well on their own with their bold drawl, and they speak powerful words.
This song shows that there is more than one side to any story, any person, and any life. What you see and assume may not be the truth or the whole truth. As much as anyone strives to be perfect, they’re not. Even being close to perfect still means that you aren’t perfect. A strong song is one that spurs your thoughts, and Sun King Rising will keep your mind more than engaged.
–Mia DeSine
Artist Spotlight
“Sing-Along Songs (Album Version)” finds new energy for Arn-Identified Flying Objects and Alien Friends
Arn-Identified Flying Objects And Alien Friends returns to “Sing-Along Songs (Album Version),” with an album version more consistent with the track’s original creative vision. The song came out in 2024 and featured an unusual mix of upbeat music and ironic lyrics that contextualized dark times.
This new version keeps that distinction but makes the arrangement a little spikier, punkier, and more playful. It blends indie pop and pop punk, fusing punk and power pop with a dash of folk rock. The more upbeat music works especially well against the darker outlook at the heart of the writing, creating a tension that keeps the track interesting rather than too serious.
The most obvious change is the intro, which now feels more in line with the original direction the song was meant to take. Co-producer David Myhr’s background vocals add some lift to the second and third choruses. Another key revision is the updated production.
The different parts of the track have more room to play off each other, with a stronger cohesive overall presentation and a more consistent, clear mix from beginning to end. “Sing-Along Songs (Album Version)” feels like a deliberate refinement, and Arn-Identified Flying Objects and Alien Friends take the new version and grind the song’s contrasting moods for a more polished, playful take on an already upbeat tune.
Artist Spotlight
TaniA Kyllikki creates a powerful message of equality through “HUMAN”
You might not think a Facebook post could turn into a song, but for TaniA Kyllikki, “HUMAN” is a creative process that turns a moment of frustration into a thoughtful musical statement. This house/techno track explores race, difference, judgment, equality, compassion, and the labels people put on each other. Its artistic direction leans toward empathy, humility, love, and the shared humanity beneath those differences, rather than division.
The song was inspired by Kyllikki’s reaction to the hostility she saw online toward people of different races, cultures, and backgrounds. Kyllikki and her husband, producer and multi-instrumentalist Rynellton (Garry D. Hairston), chose music to express compassion and provoke thought, rather than meet hostility with more of the same.
Kyllikki gives a personal songwriting perspective, and producer/multi-instrumentalist Rynellton helps to translate the original words into a techno-house setting. “HUMAN” strikes a cool creative balance, blending dance-oriented genres with a serious topic and letting its message fit into a modern electronic structure rather than a simple statement.
This song began as words on the net, became Kyllikki, and turned into lyrics that had to be set to music. “HUMAN” is a testimony to TaniA Kyllikki’s ability to take an unsettling observation and turn it into a creative expression of connection. That defining quality is the choice to respond to division with music, a release that is both a reflection of its origins and a continuation of the artist’s expressive path.
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