Indie
Starchild’s “PG-13” is a love letter to teenage romance
If you’ve ever had a sweet crush that made your heart feel like it was on a trampoline, “PG-13” will resonate with you most awesomely. Starchild, the queer dance punk musician and poet from Williamsburg, VA, swaps out distortion and misery for something softer, sunnier, and just as emotionally potent on this indie pop reggae gem.
“PG-13” is a cacophony of butterflies-in-the-stomach innocence seen through a rainbow-tinted lens. With lax reggae grooves underneath airy pop melodies, the tune emits a nostalgic warmth. It is the musical equivalent of doodling hearts in the margins of your notebook when you should be working on your homework, daydreaming about somebody who makes you feel like everything out of your imagination becomes suddenly electrified.
“PG-13” dances into your ears with an irresistible, frolicsome charm that epitomizes the essence of summer break in song. Starchild’s self-assured lyrical exposure is a breath of fresh air. Inspired by the cutest girl Starchild has ever seen, it cut the preamble from an unbridled rush of giddy, unfiltered emotion. The voice is earnest, a little breathless, and completely real, bringing a tender specificity that strikes home, especially for queer listeners who very rarely hear their first crushes celebrated in such an open and joyful manner.
It’s a taut song, and the reggae undertow gives it an easy lilt and confidence that grounds things just the right way. It’s that mandate of lightness and depth, a musical tightrope that Starchild easily walks. “PG-13” doubles down on the awkwardness, the shine, and the exposure of first feelings, and in so doing, it lodges itself directly in your heart. It’s both an homage and an innovation, a celebration of queer joy, innocence or ignorance, and the power of seeing someone and feeling like you’re feeling everything at once. And in a world that often rushes right past the R-rated material, “PG-13” reminds us that the true magic is sometimes in the blush rather than the smooch. And Starchild nails that magic.
Artist Spotlight
Neurolapse opens up buried feelings into a rebellious release “Fvck These Feelings”
Neurolapse channel released feelings that had been held inside for too long with “Fvck These Feelings.” That emotional urgency also translates into the writing process itself, with some of the lyrics coming in the early hours of the morning and insisting on being put down. From there, it was developed into a track that turns personal emotional pressure into a collective experience for listeners.
What is interesting about the song is the tension between the emotional base it draws on and the freedom it seeks to create. The song is born of the difficulty of releasing painful feelings, but its effect is anything but restrained. The band wants the song to make listeners dance, shout along, and let go of the emotions they have been carrying. This gives “Fvck These Feelings” an intuitive quality, turning frustration and emotional exhaustion into an opportunity to let go.
Something is refreshing about the song’s directness. Instead of bottling up feelings and keeping them a secret, “Fvck These Feelings” celebrates the messy process of letting them out. It gives people a chance to identify what they’ve been holding on to, and a place to let it out. Neurolapse takes a tough internal experience and turns it into something energetic, expressive, and communal. This is a track designed not simply to be heard, but to be felt and released through movement.
Artist Spotlight
“I Just Want to Soar” by JK Jerome delivers an inspiring reflection on dreams and destiny
Certain moments in life have this mix of awe and confusion when you have not yet found your purpose, but you are watching someone else find theirs. UK singer-songwriter JK Jerome’s “I Just Want to Soar” explores that feeling with a sincere blend of folk-rock warmth and indie-folk storytelling, offering a thoughtful first taste of his upcoming debut EP.
The Shropshire-born artist creates a beautifully intimate mood throughout, with a soft but emotive arrangement that lets the song’s emotion shine. “I Just Want to Soar“ is a reflective dialogue between memories, ambition, and self-discovery, grounded in folk traditions and ignited by contemporary indie rock.
The song’s story is about the innocence of childhood dreams and the allure of watching someone who seems to have everything figured out. In this way, JK Jerome takes a simple observation and turns it into a more profound meditation on identity, direction, and the universal desire to know where we belong.
Jerome sings the song with a contained, heartfelt delivery that keeps every phrase intimate while allowing space for the understated instrumentation. JK Jerome has a real talent for emotive songwriting, combined with earthy folk-rock, making this an engaging introduction to his ongoing musical journey. The song leaves you feeling hopeful and encourages you to chase your dreams and keep reaching for the stars ahead.
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