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.

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Artist Spotlight

Jason Jarrett celebrates love, togetherness, and the moment with “Then We Dance”

Jason Jarrett‘s latest release, “Then We Dance,” an indie pop track built around the simple magic of being together in the moment, takes on a warm, celebratory spirit with Jason Jarrett. The song opens with the feeling of another kiss and another round, like a snapshot of a night worth holding onto. A bright lead synth lifts the track, matching the affectionate mood running through the lyrics.

“Then We Dance” is about choosing connection and allowing the moment to carry you away. The invitation is simple, “One more kiss, one more round, everyone we love all here right now.” Then the sweet turn toward movement, “One more spin, take my hand. After I do, then we dance.” There is something wonderfully uncomplicated about that notion, as the song makes togetherness its own reason for celebration.

The track also looks past the night itself, imagining a time when the lights are down low, and this memory lingers. “Years from now when the light burn low we’ll still remember how this night went” gives the song its lasting emotional touch. Jason Jarrett keeps the emphasis on love, company, music, and one unforgettable night. It feels made for making memories together.

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Artist Spotlight

Erica Whitney enters the emotional ring with latest release “Logic KO”

Erica Whitney enters a brutal emotional brawl with “Logic KO,” naming her weapons after the ring to examine the muddy war between logic and the heart. The song personifies logic as an opponent who will not lose, making an internal struggle feel physical and immediate. The clash of classically tinged vocals and beat-driven, rock-edged cinematic pop production, with lovely lead guitar and drums adding force to the confrontation.

The lyrics place that struggle into a stark scene, “One nite you caught me alone throw me up against the wall no one around to help.” The sensation of entrapment continues as the narrator admits, “I want to run, but my legs were not walking.” Then the blunt conclusion, “Logic beat me down.” These lines give the song a vulnerable core, showing how overwhelming the fight can feel when the mind takes over.

What makes “Logic KO” special is how its idea connects emotional confusion with the physical language of a fight. The production adds to that tension, giving the song an edge. Erica Whitney transforms an inner struggle into a lively musical duel, giving the listener the sense of someone trying to regain control one way or another.

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