Cindy Zhang’s latest evocative single, “Familiar,” takes listeners on a soulful trip down memory lane, reviving the echoes of past loves and the yearning for what was once there. With a mix of Japanese City Pop style and vintage vibes, the song features heartfelt lyrics that effortlessly capture the essence of reminiscence. Inspired by renowned artists like Hikaru Utada and Miki Matsubara, the song is characterized by retro funky production, shimmering synthesizers, and infectious guitar riffs that create a perfect backdrop for Zhang’s emotive vocals to shine.

It was an excellent decision to team up with producer Coultré, who strongly respects 80s production styles. Together, Zhang and Coultré meticulously produced a music project that delivered an impressive blend of elements, exuding 80s charm while feeling wonderfully spontaneous and refreshingly new. Zhang’s artistry and hands-on approach ensure that every note resonates with authenticity and passion, from its inception to the final mix. 

Lyrically, “Familiar” tugs at the heartstrings, exploring the universal theme of longing for lost love. Zhang’s words are a healing balm for the soul. Its raw honesty and vulnerability are palpable, offering solace to anyone who’s ever found themselves caught in the undertow of past relationships.

With “Familiar,” Cindy Zhang cements her status as a significant musical artist with whom to collaborate. The song narrates a poignant and reminiscent tale that demands repeated listens. Each spin reveals new layers of emotional sentiment and complexity, providing a voyage of self-exploration for the audience. It is a valuable addition to any playlist. So, dive in, let the music envelop you, and rediscover the beauty of love’s familiar embrace.

For more information about Cindy Zhang, please visit [website]. 
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You don’t have to be the biggest folk-rock fan around to appreciate the depth of emotionality in Stephanie Bettman’s new solo single “Beautiful Day,” as its plethora of melodies give us everything that listeners need to know in its running time. Like the other songs found in her growing discography, “Beautiful Day” sees Bettman experimenting with palatable pop sounds, blending influences from the folk spectrum whilst providing us with a familiar rhythm that doesn’t get flimsy by the second stanza. It’s among the more straightforward singles that I’ve heard in the last month, but if you’ve got an ear for toned songcraft, you’d be seriously pressed to find another track like this one.

The instrumentation is telling us a story all its own in “Beautiful Day,” and I think that, were it not presented in such high-definition clarity, this single probably wouldn’t be as engaging as it is in this form. Bettman is a very talented singer, but the soundscape that she uses as a sonic canvas to apply her acrylic vocal textures is quintessential to getting her point across here. There’s something to be said about the players that she’s gathered together for her backing band, and I hope that they continue to work together as she creates a full-length album with this song’s emotive template at the foundation of every composition. There’s a wholesomeness here you don’t find very often anymore, and I want to hear what it can produce with more creative breathing room.

I am more than curious about what Stephanie Bettman would sound like in a live setting after hearing “Beautiful Day.” She’s got a fetching and rather approachable charisma in this song, and in many ways employs her microphone as a gateway into the storied past of 70s singer/songwriters. Bettman channels a lot of Joni and Melanie here, but even though she’s wearing her influences on her sleeve, her stylish musical persona isn’t rooted in the throwback/retro culture that has gotten a little tiresome in the last few years. It’s one thing to be inspired, but unlike some of the artists making big mainstream gains this spring, this is one singer who isn’t looking to live her life in a time machine.

I haven’t been able to put this song down since I first picked it up, and once you give “Beautiful Day” the chance to sink its hooks into your chest, I think that you’ll share my sentiments. It’s an intoxicating meld of old and new, both retro and surprisingly modern where it matters the most, and even taking into consideration its nonconformist design, it’s still more accessible than the more commercial folk/pop that you might have come across this season. Stephanie Bettman’s career is picking up a healthy amount of steam at the moment, and if this song gets into steady rotation on the college radio airwaves this summer, it’s going to be a lot harder for her competitors in the American underground to keep up with her momentum heading into the latter half of 2024.

Gwen Waggoner