Indie

Starchild’s “PG-13” is a love letter to teenage romance

If you’ve ever had a sweet crush that made your heart feel like it was on a trampoline, “PG-13” will resonate with you most awesomely. Starchild, the queer dance punk musician and poet from Williamsburg, VA, swaps out distortion and misery for something softer, sunnier, and just as emotionally potent on this indie pop reggae gem.

“PG-13” is a cacophony of butterflies-in-the-stomach innocence seen through a rainbow-tinted lens. With lax reggae grooves underneath airy pop melodies, the tune emits a nostalgic warmth. It is the musical equivalent of doodling hearts in the margins of your notebook when you should be working on your homework, daydreaming about somebody who makes you feel like everything out of your imagination becomes suddenly electrified.

“PG-13” dances into your ears with an irresistible, frolicsome charm that epitomizes the essence of summer break in song. Starchild’s self-assured lyrical exposure is a breath of fresh air. Inspired by the cutest girl Starchild has ever seen, it cut the preamble from an unbridled rush of giddy, unfiltered emotion. The voice is earnest, a little breathless, and completely real, bringing a tender specificity that strikes home, especially for queer listeners who very rarely hear their first crushes celebrated in such an open and joyful manner.

It’s a taut song, and the reggae undertow gives it an easy lilt and confidence that grounds things just the right way. It’s that mandate of lightness and depth, a musical tightrope that Starchild easily walks. “PG-13” doubles down on the awkwardness, the shine, and the exposure of first feelings, and in so doing, it lodges itself directly in your heart. It’s both an homage and an innovation, a celebration of queer joy, innocence or ignorance, and the power of seeing someone and feeling like you’re feeling everything at once. And in a world that often rushes right past the R-rated material, “PG-13” reminds us that the true magic is sometimes in the blush rather than the smooch. And Starchild nails that magic.

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Artist Spotlight

Indie Folk artist Mark Cee explores the lasting impact of loss in emotional single “How You Left Me Still”

“How You Left Me Still” is an indie folk release that embraces grief and makes Mark Cee transform a personal loss into something universal. The song is a reflection on the sudden vanishing of the people that populate our lives and is due to be released alongside his upcoming album.

The track is also inspired by his father-in-law’s passing and the reality of watching his mother-in-law experience overwhelming grief. The cover art is a memorial tribute to Mark’s own dad, and “How You Left Me Still” is the hushed shock of an unexpected farewell. It’s about the painful realization that life can change in an instant, that there will be words left unsaid, conversations left unfinished, and memories that become more precious with time.

The song embodies the warmth and intimacy of the indie folk genre, and the careful production further enhances the emotional experience. The gentle string arrangements supply a rich, cinematic backdrop, and every production decision feels considered, the result of months spent editing each and every recording until the feeling was entirely authentic.

“How You Left Me Still” is a reminder that healing rarely follows a straight path. It is for anyone who has the burden of losing a person who defined their life. Mark Cee delivers a release that gives a meaningful addition to playlists about grief, reflection, healing, and emotional connection with heartfelt storytelling, thoughtful arrangements, and timeless emotional honesty.

Connect with Mark Cee on | Website | FB | X | Spotify | IG | TikTok |

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Artist Spotlight

Mr. Husband unveils a foot-tapping truths and heartland fire on latest release “Is It Real?”

Mr. Husband returns with an engaging, refreshingly authentic release in “Is It Real?”, an uptempo heartland-rocker that walks a fine line between familiarity and originality with remarkable ease. The track is built on a unique lap-steel-through-womb tone element, creating a sound that is both open and entirely its own, pulling the listener into an emotional musical journey from the very first note.

The song starts with a carefully crafted drumline that instantly sets the momentum. The guitar and bass come in. They blend easily to create a warm, energetic base. A subtle tambourine quietly weaves its way through the arrangement, never asserting itself but adding just enough texture to keep the rhythm alive and kicking.

The opening lyrics of “Is It Real?” are contemplative, with the arresting first lines “I’ve been bottoming out tonight, I’ve been wondering if I’m going anywhere, a little hope is hard to find.” Many listeners will immediately recognise the sense of uncertainty and searching in these words. But rather than wallow in uncertainty, the song channels those feelings into something more positive, driven by its propulsive instrumentation and infectious groove.

“Is It Real?” is the kind of track that gets your head nodding and your feet tapping without trying too hard. There’s a real feel to the energy, grounded in solid songwriting and a genuine desire to connect with the listener rather than impress. The tune has a classic heartland-rock feel to it, but there are some sonic touches that make it stand out and give it its own identity.

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