Music
“Dead Summer,” A Nostalgic Yet Contemporary Take On The Struggles During The Pandemic

The sun is shining, but people aren’t outside trying to take it all in. Everyone is confined to their homes. Crows are circling in the distance; something must be dead. If you ask Levi Zadoff and Dead Hendrix, it must be the summer.
“Dead Summer” is a joint EP by these two artists about the psychological effects of COVID, which can still be felt even today. “Dead Summer” represents a time when everything slowed down, and what would have been an enjoyable, fun time was anything but that.
Levi Zadoff is a pop-punk musician based in Los Angeles who believes in maintaining a sense of freedom in his artistry. His inspiration comes from pop-punk artists like My Chemical Romance and Nirvana. Dead Hendrix, whose name also fittingly represents his psychedelic sound, is a punk artist based in Canada. He covers true-to-life topics such as drug abuse, heartbreak, insecurities, and trauma in his music.
With a fusion of punk, pop, and rock, Dead Summer takes us through Zadoff’s and Hendrix’s thoughts as they process the pandemic. Love Game and Alone talk about the rabbit hole that has been sitting in your thoughts for too long. Love Game leans towards hard rock. It is loud and aggressive, and the drum chops used at the end give it a strong finish.
Alone is mellower with heavier lyrics; “Yea, I am numb to the core… I’m getting kinda tired of getting stoned and kinda tired of being home.” It is that gnawing feeling of no longer enjoying things that used to make you happy. The song also has some hints of EDM to it, especially with the bass drops and looping in the chorus.
Cant Be God has the most summer feel in the EP. It sounds easy and light. The instruments are muted and alternate between a subtle guitar riff and simple piano chords. They sing, “If I make my bed, I lie in it,” a willingness to accept whatever comes your way.
Dont Think It Could Get Much Better takes a satirical perspective of Dead Summer. Of course, things will get much better, but before they do, Hendrix and Zadoff allow us to wallow in the feelings of things worsening.
Hendrix and Zadoff have added the song Teenage Dirtbag as a bonus track. The sound is nostalgic, with guitar melodies that sound like they were made over ten years ago. The song is about missing someone, but you decide to stab them since you can’t have them.
With Zadoff and Dead Hendrix based in different countries, Dead Summer was created virtually. However, it’s hard to tell. The two bounce off each other’s sound well, making for a cohesive sound. Furthermore, the transition between different song styles is smooth, making for a trippy and enjoyable listen.
Listen on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/7v9FFhJrHoLLDiuNOIXy1H?si=vCrWap8nS8S6zM4iOJHFpg
Distrokid:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/deadhendrixandlevizadoff/dead-summer-ep
Levi Zadoff Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/levizadoff
Levi Zadoff Website:
https://www.levizadoffmusic.com/
Dead Hendrix Instagram:
Artist Spotlight
Marnix Emanuel drops a heartfelt anthemic ballad with his recent single, “You Got Me Hurt”

Marnix Emanuel infuses emotion into every note in his newest single, “You Got Me Hurt.” This beautifully crafted soulful pop ballad captures the lingering pain of losing a love that seemed irreplaceable, destined to last forever. Right from the first note, Marnix reels audiences into his world with a unique voice that’s equal parts raw silk and aching steel. He exudes a genuine vulnerability paired with a confident stage presence that only a truly seasoned artist can deliver.
What’s striking about this track is how effortlessly it balances heartbreak with resilience. The song doesn’t merely wallow in sorrow; it channels that bittersweet emotion into something intimately powerful, pulsing with the quiet strength and endurance, a timeless anthem that feels personal and universally relatable. “You Got Me Hurt” hits home in all the right places with its poignant lyrics and soaring melodies.
Marnix’s talents shine through as a vocalist, songwriter, and producer. Every element of the song’s production feels intentional, from the heartfelt lyrics to the lush, timeless pop instrumentation. The chorus has a warmth that touches modern and nostalgic, showcasing why the melody resonates so deeply. It features an undeniable rhythmic hook that echoes long after the tears have dried, inviting listeners to experience it repeatedly.
Coming out of the Netherlands as an emerging independent artist and singer-songwriter, Marnix Emanuel continues to build on a promising career with a strong foundation. “You Got Me Hurt” is a bold sonic statement affirming that his music is here to stay. For anyone who has ever experienced heartbreak and is seeking to navigate the complexities of love lost and desire to rebuild after love falls apart, this single offers genuine emotional gravity. It perfectly represents heartbreak done right: soulful, innovative, and utterly human. As he looks toward new releases in 2025, this single sets the tone: honest, compelling, and impossible to ignore.
For more information about Marnix Emanuel, please visit [website].
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Marnix Emanuel’s “You Got Me Hurt“ on Spotify.
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Music
Tylo $mith taps into the art of cool on “Sumn Light”

Tylo $mith is not here to scream at you for your attention. Instead, on “Sumn Light,” he slips into your speakers with laconic cool that says a lot without grunting. Taken from his forthcoming project Honor Chords, the song is a somber, mood-heavy cut that bleeds personality, clever bars, and introspective late-night celebration.
Over a hypnotic beat that pulsates like the neon light in the rain, Tylo $mith offers an off-the-cuff performance that seems razor-sharp. There’s a slackness to his delivery, a lanky-boned ease that suggests he’s not trying that hard because he doesn’t need to. He name-drops Christian Bale effortlessly, preens with a Nicki Minaj reference that lands just right, and saunters through verses like he’s talking to himself more than to an audience. But that’s why it resonates. There’s nothing fake here, just vibes and truth.
“Sumn Light” sounds like a confession you catch in freestyle, when the world quiets and honest thoughts creep in. The lyrics bounce between self-aware flexes and coy vulnerability in a balancing act that defines Tylo’s style. It’s not the over-explanation; it’s the space between the words, the sonic coolness, and the honesty cloaked in rhyme.
This song was made to add to your chill rap and vibey hip-hop playlists, but it also thrives on its own, winding its way through your headphones as background noise or front-and-center reflection. The production is minimalist but immersive, leaving space for the depth and texture of Tylo’s voice and pen to sit right in the pocket. He’s not trying to out-rap the beat, and he’s talking to it.
“Sumn Light” is a mood, a feeling, a moment that doesn’t need to scream to be heard. It captures what Honor Chords seems to be about: raw expression, offhand calm, and honesty that catches you unawares.
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