:::THE MATCHUPS:::
“Paradise” – Erik Frank vs. “I Want My Hoodie Back” – Kid Travis
“Bored” – Tessa Violet x MisterWives vs. “The Truth” – Kate Vogel
“This Love Is Real” – They Kiss vs. “Insecure” – Alpha23
“Dive” – Cypress & Co. x Matt Sperrazza vs. “Believe In Me” – Bri Fletcher
“Just A Girl” – Grace Davies vs. “Roll The Dice” – glue70 x KinKai
“Bored” – Rayne vs. “Not Used to Hope” – Hartley
“Lemonade” – Alexia vs. “Love Me Now” – Floatinurboat
“81” – Rich Caviar vs. “Really Wanna” – Karen Hardy
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“Paradise” – Erik Frank vs. “I Want My Hoodie Back” – Kid Travis
The second of five singles released this year by Erik Frank, “Paradise” narrowly defeated Blondfire‘s “Marigold” in Round 1. On this song, the Post Malone-meets-Khalid singer originally from a 200-person village in Spain showcases rich vocals and legitimate range over modern pop production. Meanwhile, “I Want My Hoodie Back,” the sixth selection from Kid Travis‘ “Strawberry Skies” album, defeated Ishani‘s “Twin Flames” and features smooth, vibey R&B vocal runs aplenty. If you want to like Chris Brown, but you can’t support Chris Brown as a person, give this track a listen.
Vote here.
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“Bored” – Tessa Violet x MisterWives vs. “The Truth” – Kate Vogel
While this alt-pop song was originally released as a solo track in 2019, New York-based artist Tessa Violet enlists the help of MisterWives on “Bored,” an upbeat track that muses on the pains of having too much time and not enough to do. It defeated Clapper The Rapper‘s “Turn Off Netflix” in Round 1. “The Truth,” Kate Vogel‘s second single of the year, is an acoustic ballad reflecting on her experience as a victim of sexual assault. The emotional, stripped-back song defeated Christy‘s tender ballad “Homegrown” last round.
Vote here.
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“This Love Is Real” – They Kiss vs. “Insecure” – Alpha23
“This Love Is Real,” the brooding debut single from Los Angeles synth pop duo They Kiss, defeated Devin Kennedy‘s “Deep Shit” in the first round and features guttural bass sounds and distorted synthesizers. Alpha23‘s “Insecure” defeated Amaru Cloud‘s “Andale” last round, and features the Atlanta rapper spitting over a somber piano rap beat reminiscent of J. Cole‘s “Love Yourz” or Saba‘s “PROM / KING.”
Vote here.
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“Dive” – Cypress & Co. x Matt Sperrazza vs. “Believe In Me” – Bri Fletcher
Nashville-based artists and Belmont University alumni Cypress & Co. and Matt Sperrazza‘s “Dive” defeated Eluera‘s “Moderation” in the first round. The song features modern pop production and introspective lyrics and manages to be a bit dark without being completely somber. “Believe In Me” comes from fellow Nashville artist Bri Fletcher, who you may recognize from Season 5 of The Voice. The song ties into the message of inclusion, kindness, and anti-bullying that she has used her platform to promote since she started. It defeated PINEO & LOEB‘s “Free” last round.
Vote here.
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“Just A Girl” – Grace Davies vs. “Roll The Dice” – glue70 x KinKai
Grace Davies‘ “Just A Girl” is catchy from the first lyric, with a sky-high chorus and massive synth-heavy pop production. The feminist anthem is the first track from her debut EP “Friends with the Tragic,” which released in June. It defeated Creature Comfort‘s “Black Cat” last round. “Roll The Dice” is the sixth selection from glue70‘s album 2070. You might expect to find this song in Spotify’s Butter playlist; its jazzy piano, backbeat drums, echoey vocals, and smooth rap verses are effortless and smooth. In Round 1, it defeated Waynewood and JavyDade‘s “Mirage.”
Vote here.
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“Bored” – Rayne vs. “Not Used to Hope” – Hartley
Vancouver artist Rayne shows some of the pop sensibilities that landed her an opening slot for Billie Eilish with her single “Bored.” More upbeat than the majority of the Bad Guy’s music, it almost sounds like it could be a Skylar Grey song. Last round, it defeated “Sad Girl Summer” by Maisie Peters. Meanwhile, “Not Used To Hope” comes off Hartley‘s debut EP “No One.” It’s a hazy, mellow, and relaxing lo-fi indie song that defeated 123 Mixtape‘s “Feel Good” last round.
Vote here.
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“Lemonade” – Alexia vs. “Love Me Now” – Floatinurboat
“Lemonade” is the debut single for New York City’s Alexia. The funky pop song features dreamy production and a relentless bass line. It defeated Gianna Isabella‘s “Feel The Same” last round. “Love Me Now” became Floatinurboat’s first single of 2020 in May. The instrumental electronic piece is chill, ambient, and features some massive synth sounds. In the first round, it defeated BabyJake’s “MadHappySad.”
Vote here.
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“81” – Rich Caviar vs. “Really Wanna” – Karen Hardy
An 8:24 rap epic released on 8/24, this heartfelt tribute to Kobe Bryant‘s impact on Rich Caviar‘s life is the kind of storytelling that separates run-of-the-mill rappers from true artists. Last round, it defeated “Walk It Off” by Hugh and Bonjay. On “Really Wanna,” Nashville’s Karen Hardy delivers a brand of pop that gathers inspiration from the likes of Beyonce, Ariana Grande, and Tori Kelly. The single is her first of 2020 and defeated “We Are One” by YOLO in the first round.
Vote here.
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