Artist Spotlight

The Old North Shares a New EP “Ghost”

Building off the “lonesome stranger” aura of their last single “Drifter,” Boston’s smokey Americana/ traditional folk-bluegrass trio, The Old North, has released their Ghost EP. The four-song EP picks up where “Drifter” left off, containing catchy tunes about love, heartbreak, and the metaphorical dance of life, using the backbone of historical fiction as a catalyst for inspiration.

“Southbound” follows the story of a death row inmate lamenting and reliving his days as an outlaw while the melodic gypsy jazz instrumentation has room to play. As as he plays the part of an old train robber, frontman Andrew O’Keeffe’s voice is equal parts raspy ecstasy and passionate torment. The track romanticizes the Old West while light-heartedly shedding light on its many burdens. Similar in feeling is “Wild Ways,” an excitable blues-country ditty about leaving a life of lawlessness for a mysterious love. What’s genius about the song is it could once again take place during the American Frontier, or a modern cityscape.

The Old North leaves it vague enough for the listener to decide. “Starling” is about making the most out of the unfamiliar situations life has a tendency to throw at you. It’s a bouncing slow-burn with a relatable message—after a little self-reflection, any bleak situation is an opportunity to grow as a human being. The melodic piano here from guest musician, Aaron SaidiZand, is subtle but a standout moment on Ghost. The final and title track “Ghost” is just as ethereal as its name suggests, utilizing the haunting atmosphere of the fiddle, played by Eddie Dickerson, to ground you in a forlorn folk melancholy.

It’s easily the most vulnerable track on the EP, about an abrupt end to a relationship. The Ghost EP is another stepping stone for The Old North, conveying the collective maturity and confidence of a band carefully honing out their songwriting craft. The Old North also has plans to release two singles and another EP in 2022.

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Artist Spotlight

Exzenya captures the magic of audience connection in “The Fans Applauded”

“The Fans Applauded,” the latest single from Exzenya, is a sweet pop-rock ballad that shows how frail and fragile an artist can be, leading to self-doubt. The song transports you to that internal private moment of doubt, when fear threatens ambition and then slowly morphs into a sort of victory.

The music follows the song’s emotion, beginning with soft, reflective instruments that highlight Exzenya’s bright, emotive voice. This is where the track finds its heartbeat, and those moments when what’s happening on stage unites a hall in cheers or sing-alongs to elevate the main character are huge. “The Fans Applauded” is a celebration of understanding, trust, and the invisible bond between artists and audiences. Exzenya’s voice is both fragile and strong, so the emotional arc feels deeply personal and relatable.

This one song demonstrates that Exzenya is an artist who knows not just how to write melodies, but also how to tell stories. Her sound pays tribute to the moments that make us, the fears we battle, and the courage we discover when propped up by others. Exzenya demonstrates here that the spotlight is also a place to enter the battle of fear, turning art, worry, and connection into courage.

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Artist Spotlight

Kevin Yang shines in the silent corners of sound and feeling on “Turn It On”

Kevin Yang’s latest single, “Turn It On,” introduces him as an artist. Yang is known for his work in movies, animation, and post-sound, but this time he ventures into more personal territory, making the result feel refreshingly close. “Turn It On” is a mix of slow-burning dance-pop and alternative R&B, but it’s hard to pin down.

The song doesn’t have any high-energy drops or catchy hooks that would work on the radio. Instead, it tries to set a mood. Soft synths come and go like a fog at night, and the production feels well-planned instead of crowded. It shows a different side of Kevin Yang that isn’t usually seen in film scoring, a more introspective voice that values mood and connection over grandeur.

The texture is what stands out the most. It seems like everything was planned out, the way sounds are layered softly, the way space is used, and the way silence is just as important as sound. The vocals have a cool, misty quality that makes the song feel like a dream while still keeping it real. It’s calm, but not lazy, it’s controlled, but not empty.