Music

Skittish reconnects us to the wild with soulful new single “Mother Nature”

Skittish’s new single “Mother Nature” is a breath of fresh air. It is an aching exhalation of someone who has been too long under bright lights and has nearly forgotten the feel of soil after rain. Skittish reaches out to the longing to go back to something real, something rooted, something human. “Mother Nature” is about the silent erosion that occurs when we spend too much time in the buzz of cities and forget our connection to the land and time. Skittish gives us a song meditation on divorce and the bittersweet ache of recalling what it felt like to belong to the earth.

The track is laden with emotional weight through rich collaboration. Famed Nashville studio pianist Phil Madeira adds warm and grounded piano licks that run through the song like roots, grounding the listener. The playing is soulful, placing itself at the service of the song’s mood rather than overwhelming it. Next comes Deza’s vocals that soar above the arrangement with rich, expressive clarity. There’s softness to the tone, but there’s also strength. In her delivery is the ache of longing, the tug of memory, inviting us to feel that same push-pull between where we are and where we belong.

What makes “Mother Nature” so appealing is how seamlessly it mixes reflection with accessibility. The playing is sharp, and the songwriting is earnest without being preachy. Skittish pulls off the trick of making a deeply personal subject feel highly relatable. In “Mother Nature,” Skittish reminds us that the most fundamental ideas often don’t need to be earned with loud screams but with soft production. It’s a song for those moments when you realize you’ve been running too fast for too long. And perhaps it’s time for some grounding.

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Album Review

Dian Sheng explores identity, life and love with “Sid” album

Dian Sheng releases his long-awaited first English-language album, “Sid,” a genre-defying collection of songs that includes pop, rock, electronic, and jazz. “Sid” is a deep, meditative exploration of identity, relationships, and self-growth, spanning 29 minutes and 12 seconds across eight tracks. This album is a personal exploration of the complex emotions of mankind and the vitality and jubilation of life.

From the opening track, “Right Now,” Dian Sheng establishes a sense of urgency and reflection. The upbeat song “I Come From Far” examines the connection between the self and one’s environment. It has joyful beats and layers that make you think and feel like part of the narrative.

The jazz ballad “Undecided Love” delves into the complexities of modern romance, featuring tender vocals and instrumentation that showcase Sheng’s delicate touch as a songwriter. “It Will Be Alright” is an empowering anthem about overcoming life’s biggest obstacles, combining electronic beats with a rock influence.

“Seventeen” is bursting with youthful energy, and its production captures the restlessness and emotionality of adolescent life. Two introspective songs with similar atmospheres, “The Way Before” and “This Life,” match chilling melodies with moving lyrics that touch on bygone relationships, self-awareness, and the quest for meaning we all experience.

The album concludes with “Shining As Your Name,” and the final few minutes of this piece alone evoke a strong sense of hope. Dian Sheng demonstrates his ability to join emotional depth with new styles. “Sid” is an invitation into the rich musical universe of Dian Sheng, where you can both consider yourself and feel influenced.

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Written by:

Faith Koch

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Artist Spotlight

Feel the vibe with Sporty-O’s new EP “The P.L.U.R. Project,” a blend of emotions and sound

“The P.L.U.R. Project” begins like a rush of light across a crowded dance floor as jubilant, purposeful, and very human. This seven-song, 29-minute journey from the EDM pioneer Sporty-O is a cultural reset built around peace, love, unity, and respect.

Sporty-O establishes the emotional timbre for the entire project from the first track of its lead single, “Spirit Higher.” The song is anthemic, its purposes well outlined despite a high-gloss production. It’s a centerpiece that establishes the mood of an intensive exploration of sound and self-awareness.

“The P.L.U.R. Project” is just as much about managing your feelings as it is about moving. Sporty-O creates each record with intention, writing things that make people think on the dance floor. Another high-energy song is “Happy Together,” with Lorme and Chris Willis, pulsing warmth and togetherness. “SOLD!” has a clean, feel-good sound that embodies the community spirit of EDM culture.

Sporty-O embraces a multi-genre EDM palette on the EP, fusing forward-thinking sounds with uptempo beats. Tracks like “Revolution” with Specimen A and “Geek’d Up” with Baby Sweet provide lots of energy and edge. “Piece Of My Mind” is more introspective, while “Cheveyo” features a diverse array of collaborators and culminates in a rich, layered sound, all while maintaining a global welcoming spirit.

What makes this project unique is that it serves both and reminds people of the origins of dance culture. Sporty-O aims to help people rediscover the heartbeat of the community. “The P.L.U.R. Project” is an EDM experience that reaches beyond the speakers, colorful and thoughtful about meaning in music-based culture.