Artist Spotlight
Cheryl Craigie reimagines “What’s Going On” through a classic soul lens
Some songs belong to an era, and others keep talking to every generation. Cheryl Craigie’s cover of “What’s Going On“ is a prime example of the latter, imbuing a classic soul sensibility into a song whose themes of compassion, understanding, unity, and concern for others are as relevant today as ever.
Cheryl Craigie is an independent singer, songwriter, and musician, and she has a strong artistic purpose with this release. She does Marvin Gaye’s beloved original justice while letting the timeless message sing in her own voice. Craigie’s approach is to speak to the need for kindness and human connection.
“What’s Going On“ is rooted in a timeless identity that is soulful and classic in style, and emotionally it’s about reflection and empathy. This approach relies on the vocal performance, which injects a unique element that helps magnify the song’s bigger message. The production does not detract from the themes that make the song so long-lasting, but rather supports the release by reinforcing its classic character.
What’s particularly interesting about Cheryl Craigie’s release is the balance she strikes between respecting the source material and asserting her own artistic presence. She knows the power of a song already part of music history and uses her interpretation to reconnect listeners with its core ideas. For Craigie, “What’s Going On” is a manifestation of an artist in love with music, with emotional and social weight, and of using her voice to carry the ageless soul message forward.
Artist Spotlight
“the wash” by SUUNCAAT turns an ordinary chore into a surreal journey through time
SUUNCAAT’s new single “the wash” dives into new depths of one of life’s most common routines. The track turns the weekly chore of laundry into a surreal setting where time, identity, repetition, and the odd details of daily life start to bleed into each other. It’s a bright, complexly melodic song that makes you return to moments they might otherwise have skipped.
“the wash” is built on the dance of repetition and time. The routine might be the same week after week, but the person living it is constantly changing. That tension gives the single an interesting emotional depth. It’s a familiar act, returning to the same task, and it reminds us that time moves on, even when life can seem as though it has stopped.
The tune is complex enough to support its unconventional point of view musically. “the wash” isn’t simply about washing clothes, but a larger statement about mundane moments signaling a personal shift. The music is full of a sense of discovery that begs listeners to find their own meaning in the repetition.
Adding a visual layer to SUUNCAAT’s investigation of the ordinary and the uncanny, Tokyo-based photographer Tiana Suzuki created the visuals and music video for the track, with Lew Husbands mastering. SUUNCAAT’s new single shows that even a weekly chore can be a way to learn about ourselves and how fast time goes by.
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.
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