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Indie

Kimberly Morgan York is Back With New EP

If you grew up, like me, cutting your musical teeth on Nashville’s long-lost classic sound, Kimberly Morgan York’s music will hit your sweet spot.

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/kimberly_morgan_york/?hl=en

It isn’t a painfully self-conscious pastiche. I never hear York treating the style like a butterfly pinned under glass, beautiful but untouchable, but instead, she breathes newfound life into the form and gives it peerless relevance. The four songs on York’s new EP Devil Songs and Other Such Nonsense fully embrace their pedigree. Kimberly Morgan York isn’t bashful about flying her flag high as a purveyor of the classic Nashville sound and makes it sound fresh for modern listeners.

The Kentucky-born singer/songwriter has this flowing through her DNA. I hear it during her outstanding five-star cover of Terri Gibbs’ “Somebody’s Knockin’”. It’s a bit surprising to me that someone hasn’t attempted resuscitating life into this stylish early 80’s hit because it has an approach well-suited for the modern country landscape as well as remaining faithful to the genre’s core values. York’s performance strikes a perfect balance between paying tribute to the original and blazing her own path with the song.

“The Devil’s in Durango” mixes abundant classic country song imagery into the track’s lyrics alongside York’s personal heartache. The latter isn’t conveyed without a measure of sweetness accompanying its painful flavor. York has an instinctive feel for these sorts of songs, she knows exactly how much to push and when to back off, and tailors her voice in a perfect marriage with the song’s arrangement.

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 She gets to be much more playful with the song “The Devil Works All Year Long”. There’s a bit of “down home wisdom” packed into this tune, but it’s never remotely heavy-handed and the kick out the footlights pace of the song makes it an ideal live number in waiting for York. She pumps plenty of verve into her vocal performance and the matching steel guitar runs scattered throughout the song answering her singing each step of the way. It’s an excellent choice for this EP release.

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“Other Such Nonsense”, the EP’s nominal title song, doesn’t reveal its message or intentions outright. You must pay attention. York rewards the listener’s attentiveness, I believe, with one of the most individualistic nods to the traditional country I’ve heard in years, and her steadfast refusal to pull her punches with either the singing or lyrics deserves ample kudos.  It’s a perfect song to end this brief collection as well.

If this stuff is passe, let’s be grateful that Kimberly Morgan York never received that memo.

Instead, she sweeps and rolls through these four songs with singular confidence and obvious joy in her chosen art. York doesn’t treat the EP format as a throwaway and addresses herself to each of these four songs as if Devil Songs and Other Such Nonsense, a literal description of the release’s cuts, were a much longer work. It’s an entertaining and illuminating journey that you’ll want to take more than once. I know I did and do and that each pass through these songs proves well worth the time.

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Kelly McKinnon

Indie

Catlea stirs an anthemic fiery of love and self-discovery in her recent release “Why Them?”

Something is intoxicating about how indie pop artist Catlea evokes a mesmerizing anthem of self-discovery with her hypnotic latest single, “Why Them?” Written by Dylan Skylar Rippe and produced by Jason Boshoff, the track dives headfirst into the intricacies of love, exploring themes of jealousy and the ever-complicated journey of self-evolution. The result is a stunning emotional whirlwind that resonates with many.

From the first pulsating beat, “Why Them?” captures the audience’s attention and refuses to let go. Catlea’s voice smolders and soars in equal measure, delivering a relatable and deeply personal narrative about love, confusion, and the universal struggle of finding oneself amid romantic chaos.

The production, split between Cincinnati and Barcelona, is sleek and dynamic, with driving beats that mirror the track’s restless energy. The song’s pulsating rhythm and infectious melodies are irresistibly catchy, and her sensual yet vulnerable vocal delivery glides effortlessly over the vibrant instrumentals, allowing listeners to feel every word. Catlea masterfully portrays the push and pull of tumultuous relationships, where insecurity and longing battle for control.

Lyrically, “Why Them?” is both introspective and anthemic. It questions the wisdom of directing affection toward someone else when you desperately need to understand yourself first. The song is a flicker of frustration and aching desire for clarity, culminating in an empowering statement of self-reliance. It resonates with anyone learning to prioritize themselves, especially after a challenging breakup.

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If you’ve ever felt lost in love or overwhelmed by emotional uncertainty, “Why Them?” is your new anthem. Through this release, Catlea continues to demonstrate that she is not merely making music; she is crafting moments of truth wrapped in unforgettable melodies that last long after the last note fades.

 

For more information about Catlea, please visit [website]. 
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Catlea’s Why Them? on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Catlea | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok | Facebook |

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Artist Spotlight

“Meet You There” by Hazel Rose delivers an evocatively soulful anthem of optimism

Hazel Rose fearlessly presents an exceptional addition to her discography with her latest single, “Meet You There.” This composition embodies a heartfelt and cinematic exploration of emotions and temporal experiences, characterized by a compelling blend of vulnerability and uplifting resolve. The Swiss-born, London-based artist effortlessly merges deep introspection with a lush, organic soundscape, demonstrating authenticity as her distinctive superpower.

Meet You There” is refreshingly unconventional yet deeply rooted in themes of self-discovery and resilience. The composition features gentle, ascending instrumentation, complemented by live drums, bass, and triumphant trumpet sections, creating a timeless, almost ethereal auditory experience. Layered with Disney-like harmonies, the song beautifully captures the bittersweet interplay between nostalgia and optimism. It’s as if Rose is having an intimate conversation between past and future selves, offering an empowering reassurance for anyone navigating moments of uncertainty as a beacon of light.

Rose’s influences, ranging from artists such as Billie Eilish to Fleetwood Mac, are skillfully woven into the track’s fabric, yet her sound remains clearly distinguishable. Her delicately enchanting vocal delivery incorporates emotional sensibility that evokes childhood lullabies, resonating with listeners long after the song fades. The songwriting shines with sincerity, prioritizing storytelling over commercial aesthetics, which allows “Meet You There” to be profoundly personal and universally relatable.

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The song was written during a period of personal struggle, transforming pain into poetic expression with impactful lyrics that leave the listener wrapped in comfort. With this release, Hazel Rose dares to be different in a world where pop music often adheres to formulaic structures and invites audiences to confront their struggles while maintaining an incredibly hopeful outlook. The track solidifies her emerging status as a significant presence in the indie-pop genre and heralds promising developments ahead.

 

For more information about Hazel Rose, please visit [website]. 
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Hazel Rose’s Meet You There on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Hazel Rose | Instagram | TikTok

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