Here are our daily picks for you featuring Victor Ray, Little Moon, BONZIE and more!
1. “Still the Same” – Victor Ray
The first track on today’s list is Victor Ray‘s “Still the Same,” an R&B classic that combines catchy percussion hits with articulate lyricism and robust vocal harmonies. “The message that I hope resonates with people is: No matter how my world may change on the outside, I would never compromise any of the values I hold on the inside,” Ray said. “My journey has been one that started with struggle and heart, and that has shaped me in ways that no amount of fame or fortune could change.” This fall, Ray will be on tour across the UK and Europe. More information on tickets can be found here.
2. “blue” – Little Moon
Next up is “blue,” a simultaneously delicate and chaotic synth-pop display of Little Moon‘s ethereal songwriting and vast vocal range. Led by Emma Hardyman, the singer recounted how the song was inspired by an influential ocean memory. “As a small child, I once tumbled into the sea and felt my body dragged by the cold, powerful waves until my sister rescued me,” Hardyman said. “This experience left a lasting impression on me, and I wanted to capture the haunting beauty and raw terror because, for better or worse, it taught me that taking risks can lead to greater intimacy and self-discovery.”
Little Moon, the 2023 winner of NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest, will be releasing their second album, Dear Divine, on Oct. 25 via Joyful Noise. Following this release, the band will tour the West Coast, hitting Salt Lake City, Park City, Boise, Seattle and more. Find tickets here.
3. “What It Feels Like (Piano Version)” – Raia Was
“What It Feels Like (Piano Version)” by Raia Was is a blend of soulful vocals and elegant piano compositions. Intimate at its core, the rendition captures the essence of a songwriter’s journey and the inevitable raw emotion that follows. The song is part of Was’ newest EP, Captain Obvious (Piano Version), which was released on Sept. 18, 2024. “I had a hunch that if I stripped it down, went back to my roots, and broke the fourth wall, it would be a real treat for people,” Was said. “I’ve been developing these skills forever, and to show them without hiding behind the mystery or stage magic felt really cool.” Was performed a record release show at New York City’s Ki Smith Gallery on Sept. 24, 2024 in honor of the EP’s release.
4. “Cry Wolf” – Katrina Ford
Undeniably fierce and instrumentally intricate, “Cry Wolf” by Katrina Ford challenges all the medical professionals who have doubted her health issues over the years. Climactic synths layer upon one another to create a blend of power and vulnerability. “‘Cry Wolf’ gives voice to things we feel we must keep quiet about to not be considered alarmist or too sensitive,” Ford says. The single can be found on Ford’s upcoming LP, H.E.A.R.T., aka Heart Ember Abuse Resin Trend, which will explore physical, emotional and mental boundaries of space and time.
5. “Do You Know Who I Am” – BONZIE
Closing out today’s selection is “Do You Know Who I Am,” a delicately passionate single by BONZIE. The 29-year-old pop artist weaves a tapestry of layered instrumentals to underscore the purity of her vocal range. “What does it mean to be authentically ‘ourselves’ amidst the pressures of conforming to expectations of our society and culture?” BONZIE pondered. This sentiment is the foundation of her single, which will also reappear on her upcoming fourth studio album, When I Found The Trap Door, out on Oct. 18, 2024.