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“Can I be there?” by Stephan Folkes is a letter to the power of standing alone

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Surrounded by constant buzzing and distraction, Stephan Folkes dares to sit with silence and turns it into a melody you won’t forget. His most recent single, “Can I be there?” is a delicate, stripped-down anthem that arcs its way through even the quietest of the soul. “Can I be there?” comes across like an open journal entry, raw, honest, and unworried about the dark. Stephan’s voice will be both intimate and resonant, leading everyone through a landscape of emotional solitude in which strength doesn’t always roar but instead whispers, reflects, and gently asks, can I exist in this place with all of me intact?

It’s also a promising precursor to Hazard, Stephan Folkes’s debut album, which appears to be a deeply emotional and diverse body of work. If this track is any indication, Hazard is a journey through inner territory. While “Can I be there?” delves into loneliness, it also succeeds in honoring it, taking isolation, and turning it into a space that is necessary for healing, understanding, and growing. What sets this song apart is that it won’t disguise vulnerability. Instead, it goes all in. The setting is stark, nothing is overproduced, and every note sounds like it’s been meaningfully, if also sparingly, chosen. That sonic restraint affords room for Stephan’s lyrics to breathe and, most importantly, to hit. You don’t simply hear the longing in his voice, you feel it in your chest.

“Can I be there?” makes its home in the in-between, the sights we tend to speed by, grief, solitude, and instances of spiritual dissonance, and discovers a sort of stillness there. Stephan invites us to listen, not just to him, but to feel alongside him and pose our own questions about where we belong in those quiet moments. This is a reminder that sometimes, being alone isn’t always about being empty, it’s about making space for the truth to arrive. With this release, Stephan Folkes is constructing a mirror.

Indie

“Kiss” by Zekiizo sparks a feisty dance with the moody charm of a tumultuous love vibe

Zekiizo

Zekiizo’s new single, “Kiss,” tells a candid story that is anything but sweet or straightforward as it dances into an intoxicating whirlwind of emotional chaos when a fresh romance collides with the ghosts of the past, leaving audiences eager to hit replay. What makes “Kiss” unique is its fearless embrace of the imperfections and complexities in relationships, all wrapped in an infectious and irresistibly pleasurable sound.

With feel-good production and an upbeat rhythm, “Kiss” might initially come across as a perfect anthem for a late-night drive. However, a closer listen reveals its moody grit and unapologetic honesty. This is not your average love song; it explores the mutual rewards that keep a connection alive, even if it’s built on a shaky foundation. Zekiizo dives into the complicated aftermath of heartbreak, capturing the dynamic thrill of transitioning from an old relationship into something new, and examining the emotionally charged space where lust and intimacy often overshadow logic.

There’s a gritty edge to the song, conveying a confident, almost self-centered frankness that feels refreshingly honest; neither party emerges entirely innocent or unscathed, but this lack of perfection adds to the charm. The lyrics hint at something more unsettling, pulsing with playful intensity, while the beat grooves with electronic-meets-indie influences, precisely the genre-blurring signature that Zekiizo is becoming known for. It’s seductive, a little off-kilter, and knowingly problematic, which is what makes it resonate so deeply.

From her Boston roots to the creative sprawl of New York City, Zekiizo has carved a unique niche for herself that defies easy categorization. “Kiss” feels like a culmination of her bold sonic vision: emotionally unfiltered, sonically vibrant, and dripping with attitude. Whether you’ve just come out of a breakup or are in the middle of a fling with someone new, this track will strike a nerve of exhilarating yet unsettling nature of new love.

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Feisty, flawed, and utterly addictive, “Kiss” encapsulates the sound of reckless rebound energy wrapped in a perfect pop disguise. Zekiizo isn’t just creating music that vibes; she’s vividly narrating the complexities of love, pushing sonic boundaries while delivering stories that resonate on a human level, reaffirming her status as an artist to watch, and we’re here for it.

CLICK HERE TO STREAM Zekiizo’s Kiss on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Zekiizo | Instagram | TikTok

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Indie

Secret Garden Gathering triumphantly dazzles with its newest release, “You Are the Darkness After My Dawn”

Secret Garden Gathering

Welcome back! Thirteen years after disappearing into obscurity, Secret Garden Gathering reemerges like an enchanting dream with their hauntingly beautiful new single, “You Are the Darkness After My Dawn.” Drawn from a part of their upcoming live EP Is-Y-Deri’, a name whispering of ancient forests and introspective revelations, marks not just a revival but signifies the reckoning sound of a band that has been both reborn and weathered by time. It serves as a cathartic tribute to life’s intricacies, celebrating something beautifully bruised and defiantly resilient amidst struggle, making every moment of silence worthwhile.

Recorded in a frostbitten cottage nestled deep in the Welsh mountains, the setting feels deeply integrated into the essence of the track. From the opening chords, “You are the Darkness after my Dawn” envelops the listener in a spectral intimacy that is delicate, cinematic, and entirely immersive. The arrangement showcases a raw vulnerability, blending jazz-soaked rhythm with folk-rock undertones, as if the band is gently revisiting and illuminating fragmented memories.

The song unfolds like a story being retold, beginning with a quiet and contemplative ambiance that gradually escalates towards a thunderous crescendo, fronted by soaring vocals that convey deep emotional resonance. This is further enhanced by gritty, grunge-inspired guitar layers that encapsulate the ache of nostalgia and the strange nature of melancholy. The piece symbolizes the transition from summer to twilight, reflecting the enduring impact of lost love.

Secret Garden Gathering has not just made a return; they have revitalized something exceptional, a rare artistic voice. “You are the Darkness after my Dawn” illustrates that time away has not weakened their creative expression; instead, it has broadened their artistic palette. The result is a dream-rock ballad characterized by a cinematic scope, deeply rooted in the complexities of human experience, poised to stir even the most subdued aspects of the soul.

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CLICK HERE TO STREAM Secret Garden Gathering’s You Are the Darkness After My Dawn on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Secret Garden Gathering | Instagram

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