Artist Spotlight

ISSARA unveils a soulful sonic masterpiece with her debut album, “222”

ISSARA is an enchanting singer-songwriter with a multicultural heritage encompassing Thailand, France, and the USA. Born in Bangkok, Thailand, and raised in Seattle, Washington, by her Thai father and French mother, Issara delivers her latest debut album, “222,” embodied within this 11-track masterpiece, is a fusion of soul, pop, and rock that captivates global audiences, echoing her diverse sonic experiences and eclectic musical style.

“222” offers an auditory 11-track album manifesto that transcends genres and defies expectations, inviting listeners into a world of shimmering melodies and hazy whispers. ISSARA, named after the Thai word for “freedom,” is a testimony to her emancipating musical odyssey and pledge to authenticity.

Drawing from personal experiences and paying tribute to influential women in her life, each song resonates with raw emotion and unwavering honesty. The album’s “222” holds special significance, symbolizing Issara’s artistic evolution and the universal quest for freedom. With each soul-stirring note at a time, Issara invites listeners to join her on her exhilarating musical exploration of love, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of womanhood.

Recorded and produced by the acclaimed Jack Bowman, “222” exudes a vintage charm reminiscent of the 70s era, embracing imperfections to convey the genuine sincerity of Issara’s vision. The album starts with a captivating rhythm in the first track, “Ride,” and progresses to an empowering anthem in the second track, “Rise Up.” The third track, “Phoenix,” is hauntingly beautiful, while the fourth track, “I See You,” showcases the artist’s signature style. These album’s tracks provide a glimpse into Issara’s soul, inviting listeners to explore a more profound journey of self-discovery and female camaraderie.

Issara showcases the resilience and unwavering determination with the support of her family and producer, maintaining a balance between the complexities of motherhood and fueled by her passion for artistic aspirations. As a bonus track, the album’s grand finale concludes with the enchanting “Missed You,” a captivating ode to love and longing that leaves listeners yearning for more.

Artist Spotlight

KENTON journeys through family, identity and healing in “Sweetmouth (Sugar Free)” (EP)

“Sweetmouth (Sugar Free)” is an extremely reflective acoustic EP that guides you through its six tracks as it explores memory, identity, and emotional reconciliation. Created at a moment of deep discovery, the project reveals KENTON’s process of forgiving others, of realizing who he is within himself, and of internally processing what he experienced as a queer Asian American child growing up in the United States.

The EP opens with “I’m Breaking My Father’s Heart – Acoustic,” a gentle track about the disconnection between what parents desire and what you believe is true. “Never Born – Acoustic” is inward-looking, exploring the existential uncertainty of financial suffering at home and prayers that hang in the air, unanswered.

“Let Light In – Live” is a release that captures emotional awakening, where letting go of past pain is the first step toward recovery. “Without You – Acoustic” is one of the most affecting moments on the EP, which recounts a tough relationship with a sick father. “Wannabe American – Acoustic” laments the falseness of the American Dream and how it commodifies the Asian identity.

On the final song, “The Times – Acoustic,” KENTON directs strength toward a message of survival, hope, and endurance in an emotionally suffocating world. “Sweetmouth (Sugar Free)” is also the voice of the collective, and it’s a gift to immigrant and queer youth searching for belonging in spaces that often do not welcome them.

Photo credit: Ricky Chavez

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Artist Spotlight

Terrell Journey rewinds emotion and identity in cinematic EP “Retrograde”

The new reflective R&B EP, “Retrograde” by Terrell Journey, transports us back to the emotional origins of his Journey Digital Supercharged universe. It’s a cinematic prequel defined by tension, clarity, and artistic reinvention.

As a prequel to the famed Journey Digital Supercharged collection, it builds on Terrell Journey’s vision of a musical universe with separate but connected story worlds beneath that umbrella in the Journey Digital Saga. This project is a shift in point of view, and “Retrograde” examines the moments before acceleration, the tension and clarity that happens before everything moves forward.

The EP’s opening track, “Me vs Me,” invites introspection and sets the stage for the project. “Tit 4 Tat” sharpens the tension, while “We Listen and Don’t Judge” creates a space cleared by honesty and emotional control. “Run A Boston” feels fast and intentional, harnessing the force of movement before the EP enters what is its most personal closing stretch.

“Steal Your Heart” is a melodic peak that combines emotional tug with elegant R&B textures. “Love” closes the EP on a warm, resonant note that sounds resolved and open-ended. “Retrograde” expands Terrell Journey’s kaleidoscopic world by making introspection a narrative, and it serves as a crucial link between reflection and the forward momentum of Journey Digital Saga.

The EP challenges you to consider themes of internal conflict, emotional honesty, and change. This continues to cement Terrell Journey’s track record for creating in-universe sets of R&B storytelling narratives.

Connect with Terrell Journey on Website | Spotify | Instagram | X | TikTok