A good vocalist can always carry a track, as that’s where much of the melody and many of the hooks rest. That’s why Music & Fashion has collected these few tracks with vocals that carry sounds that are loaded with feeling. Anyone looking for tracks to add to their rainy day playlists should look no further.
Annabel Asher – Marshmallow
“Marshmallow” is a synthy dark pop track that does well at playing with brighter vocals, which contrast a deep, buzzy bass-driven instrumentation. This track has a held-back flow, the vocals taking the opportunity to control both the melody and rhythm. The bass in the background trills along at times, and at others, it has more melody and held-out notes. In general, the instrumentation introduces more aspects as it moves along for a slow build that delivers an emotional punch. In terms of lyrics, this track tackles ideas of dereality, yearning for another, and a desire for a more exciting life.
Charli Rose – where do i find you now?
Charlie Rose delivers an ethereal nature and pure emotion in her release “where do i find you now?” It features a piano-driven instrumentation with a deep bass that’s contrasted by soft, wispy vocals. There’s a lot of feeling in the way that they’re delivered, and the harmonies built with their softness have a gorgeous tone. As the track moves on, the vocals become more shouty and the instrumentation gets a bit more of a thrash before fading back into softness. This track is nothing short of dynamic, and this gives the high points intrigue. When it comes to lyrics, this track goes into what it’s like to lose someone who provided a space of comfort. It details the feelings of yearning for that former connection.
Michael Cluff – Poison
“Poison” features soft acoustic guitar with spattered electronic guitars cut in, all with soft vocals. It plays well with its intro and the pick up after it. Like the last couple of inclusions in this post, the feeling in the vocals does well at driving things. The primary guitar riff has an entrancing quality, and the different sections show how much can be built off of a simple sound. The mix is great, and there are some extra guitar layers scattered between the vocals to round out the sound even more. Also, the outro is astounding and absolutely worth the full listen! Lyrically, this track is unique and story-driven, detailing someone who thinks they mistakenly “drank a glass of poison.”
Gina Kaz – The First Move
“The First Move” is nothing short of beautiful and quirky. The way the synths boop along in the atmosphere builds a sense of introspection, and they’re layered well behind the vocals. Additionally, this is one of those releases with a chorus that begs to be sung along to. Vocally, it takes on a softness, but there’s still a bit of a confident undertone and strength behind it. In terms of dynamics, there’s an up-and-down flow that may pull listeners into the narrative as it moves forward, and the repeated “will you make a move” hook has a quality that begs to be sung along to. The lyrics capture a tale of falling in love and hoping the other party will make the first move.
Jasenka – Dance for You (Remix)
“Dance for You (Remix)” has EDM vibes while taking on a softer overall tempo and flow. The bass still gives a bounce to things as it pulsates, and reverb is used in the vocals and instrumentation to round out the sound. The vocal sections and instrumental sections are all great, and the dynamic rhythms give a lot of substance to things. Additionally, there’s a bit of a washed-out nature in some of the synths, and the overall mix has a lot of depth. In terms of lyrics, this track gets into a narrative of a toxic relationship and the contrast that it has with the allure that comes out of it. Overall, it does well at exploring the depth that emotion has when it comes to another.
Writer RLT – Grieve It Then Leave It
Buzzy bass-heavy instrumentation with a held-back tempo does well at giving the vocals the spotlight in “Grieve It Then Leave It.” It has a dark pop sound, and even with electronic sounds, it builds into a ballad-like style like some previous inclusions in this blog post. The softer vocals and slower flow are great, as they give a lot of focus to the emotion of things. There’s something melancholic about it, and that resounds through the instrumentation and the vocals. Lyrically, this track gets into the narrative of getting out of a toxic relationship after many second chances. It’s about leaving things behind and trying to take back one’s own life and power while doing so.
Annabel Asher – Turns to red
“Turns to red” moves is another great release by Annabel Asher that delivers a darker-toned sound, but this one does so with deeper alto vocals. The guitar and drums develop a bit of a rock sound in this one, but the vocals rest more in the range of alt-pop. There’s quite a bit of grit in this one, and it only gets stronger as it moves along. Additionally, the instrumental sections are great, and there are some ethereal vocal harmonies in the end that have a lot to add in terms of the overall sound. The narrative of this single takes on the story of someone who has been mistreated by another, and the regret that they have over that relationship. Like the dark tones in the song, it gets really dark in its exploration of what it’s like being young, in love, and unsafe.
Falling in love, yearning, difficulties, and toxicity in former relationships are ideas that resonate through all of these tracks, and this gives them all the capability to fit into a playlist together. When put together, there’s so much substance in the human experience and connections with others to be heard. Music & Fashion hopes that anyone reading is able to find something to relate to.
Writer: Sage Plapp
Cover photographer: Pavel Danilyuk
