header image: stevie bill by @noojnet
words: echowave hq
you know what time it is!
from grungy choruses to love confessions just in time for valentine’s day, february’s new releases tapped into the duality of human nature itself – a complex notion that carefully balances fondness and resentment; confidence and self-doubt; and most importantly, the eternal push and pull of longing.
this month’s soundwave spotlight is an exciting amalgamation of big feelings, featuring tracks by michele lu, stevie bill, pzu, and more artists we’ve been listening to on repeat. check out the full list below.
michele lu — meant to be
alt-pop sensation michele lu’s latest single is a masterclass in the art of intimate, almost furtive yearning. the track’s jangly verses glide over a drum-heavy beat, tapping into the musician’s deeply personal perspective on devotion – a confessional endeavour that takes quite a poetical turn when ‘meant to be’ arrives at the chorus: “what’s the point in agreeing just to disagree, / and what’s the point of pretending we’re not meant to be? / i crashed my car into the side of the road just to prove it / i really feel it in me, i think we are meant to be.”
pzu — compatible
atlanta’s rising star pzu is a household name in the making. if he hasn’t been on your radar before, chances are you missed out on some exquisite music – and ‘compatible’ is an excellent case in point. the poignant offering from pzu’s newest project, a twelve-track album titled return to sender, blends delicate string melodies with a resonant vocal delivery. it’s a beautiful, emotionally moving number that has quickly become one of our favourites.
tia gordon — love
kent singer and songwriter tia gordon returns with ‘love’, a dreamy anthem for the lovers. chock-full of tenderness and sincerity, it captivatingly traverses feelings of deep affection – and moments in the singer’s life that were once laden with a lack of it. the song’s lyrics provide an endearing contrast between rejecting the idea of romance and realising that you’re good enough to give it a try after all.
stevie bill — shadow
a high-octane pop number that finds stevie bill in pursuit of reassurance. the dutch musician kicks off ‘shadow’ with utmost candor and introspection – a shining example of her headstrong lyricism: “You give me the feeling that I’m going nowhere / Just by the look in your eyes / We wear the same exact color of purple / So what makes yours better than mine?” while it would be easier to steer clear of taking such a bluntly vulnerable approach to songwriting, stevie doubles down on it instead, allowing her nuanced storytelling to soar above the track’s dynamic production. and so, with a sold out new york show under her belt, she now comfortably steps into the spotlight – a place that has long been calling her name.
ajy — wonder in time
houston up-and-comer ajy merges euphoric, percussion-led soundscapes with smooth vocals on his lush new single. jam packed with snazzy ad-libs and lo-fi key changes, ‘wonder in time’ is an alluring testament to ajy’s innovative creativity and magnetism as a performer; he’s got the type of grandeur that could pull in large audiences – and it’s only a matter of time before he actually does.
maya engen — fool
“don’t you dare try to make a fool out of me,” new york’s highflier maya engen warns in ‘fool’ – a high-energy debut that holds steadfast throughout its four-minute run. the pulsating single marks an exciting chapter for the musician, setting the stage for an introduction of the highest calibre. from powerful belting to exhilarating electric guitar riffs, it’s sAFE TO SAY THAT ENGEN MIGHT have JUST scored herself a smash hit.
check out our spotlight playlist xoxo
echowave 