Nik Strat - Crossroad Electronica, Blues Missouri, U.S. Overall Impression: “Crossroad” by Nik Strat is an undeniably intriguing fusion of styles — an adventurous meeting point where electronica’s sleek futurism embraces the emotive grit of blues and the polish of modern pop. The track shimmers with a sense of exploration from the very first beat: lush synths announce themselves with dazzle, while a synthwave-esque bass helps drive the music forward. Over this glowing electronic canvas, the beat pulses with a steady, understated insistence — mechanical yet warm — providing the rhythmic spine that anchors the track’s sense of groove. It’s Strat’s guitar work, though, that brings the human heartbeat to “Crossroad.” His playing carries the kind of expressive nuance that can’t be faked or overproduced. Each note is treated with both care and purpose — delicate, deliberate, and full of feeling. His phrasing flows like a conversation between melody and silence, between intention and impulse. There are bluesy inflections that twist and sigh against the electronic backdrop, and moments where ambient guitar textures drift across the stereo-field, softening the track’s sharper synthetic edges. His chordal passages ripple with warmth, while his melodic lines unfurl with oodles of tastefullness — expressive without ever tipping into indulgence. It’s not a performance about flash or speed, but about mood and place — about evoking the tension and calm that live in the space between genres. Strongest Point(s): Alongside the strong performances, the production itself serves as an elegant springboard for the songs sense of exploration. The electronica elements are never heavy-handed; instead, they frame the guitar like a piece of modern architecture designed to showcase something timeless inside it. The synth layers breathe and evolve, subtly shifting colors beneath Strat’s playing, while the rhythm section maintains just enough propulsion to keep the listener anchored as the music drifts between introspection and motion. It’s a balancing act that works well, and the way in which the short but effective vocal samples are used throughout infuses the arrangement with a definite human element to nicely sit element alongside Nik's expressive playing. Ultimately, “Crossroad” feels less like a song and more like an experience. It’s a testament to Strat’s musical sensibility that such a fusion feels effortless and organic, a meeting of worlds that’s as evocative as it is sonically rich. Target Audience Appeal: Fans of electronica rock instrumentals will find this to be a worthwhile listening experience.
Artist target suggestions: Mark Knopfler, Joe Satriani, Andy Timmons, Robben Ford, Explosions In The Sky, Pink Floyd, Sylvan, Bjorn Riis, Steven Wilson, Stevie Ray Vaughan Interested in having your Song Reviewed by our Professional Staff? Head to your RadioAirplay.com dash and click Song Reviews under the Special Offers menu!
About the Reviewer: Andre is a freelance session guitarist, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar as well as teaching it, helping students learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and become proficient in home recording.
7DOUBLEUP - All Pop, R&B New Jersey, U.S. For Fans Of: Olivia Dan, Gracie Abrams, Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande, Halsey, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Tate McRae, Cardi B, Iniko Interested in being a New Music post? Head to your RadioAirplay.com dash and click Free Song Contest under your Special Offers menu on the RadioAirplay.com dashboard! #NewMusic #Original #OriginalMusic #Pop #R&B #NewJersey #NJ
Hadeed Yaqeen - Glorified Rap, Hip Hop London, U.K. Overall Impression: "Glorified" by Hadeed Yaqeen lands like a stream-of-consciousness manifesto, equal parts diary entry and war cry, rolled in the textured fabric of UK conscious hip-hop. It’s a track that breathes the humid air of ambition and from the moment the track opens, Hadeed's presence feels more meditative than explosive—a measured, contemplative voice cutting through a dense sonic backdrop. There’s a rawness here, not in the sense of being unpolished, but in its sincerity—his voice, understated and steady, acts almost like a narrator walking us through a grayscale dreamscape. And it’s in this restraint that Hadeed finds contrast with the production. The instrumental backbone is rich: gritty bass hooks grind against a groove-heavy beat, while various synth elements swirl underneath. The sonic terrain is layered but never overcrowded, giving Hadeed room to both spit and reflect. Strongest Point(s): Lyrically, "Glorified" reads like a coded journal entry—dense, referential, and deeply personal. There’s an impressive conceptual fluidity, where metaphors bend around moments of vulnerability: “Reality’s a full stop away / Bus stop” becomes a portal to a world where transit and transition are synonymous. He throws nods to musical heritage (“Odd future flow”) and undercuts it with self-starting energy (“Or could it be, I’ll start my own record company”), playing with legacy and individualism in the same breath. The wordplay stretches from the classroom (“Probably cause’ I took that music GCSE”) to the corporate boardroom (“Why I’m quitting Google”), linking societal structures to artistic liberation. The central refrain—“I’m glorified”—feels earned, not boastful. It’s a declaration not of superiority but survival, of becoming. A true hip hop artist is only as good as their lyrics and Hadeed displays a clear understanding of the genre and how to craft relatable, grounded lyrics. Target Audience Appeal: If I was to place "Glorified" into any one particular genre it would be UK Conscious Hip-Hop. I believe the track most closely aligns with this particular genre.
Artist target suggestions: Aitch, Drake, Devlin, J. Cole, Lil Wayne, Pozer, Kanye West, Tion Wayne, Clavish, Stormzy, Skepta, Kendrick Lamar, Kano, Krept & Konan Interested in having your Song Reviewed by our Professional Staff? Head to your RadioAirplay.com dash and click Song Reviews under the Special Offers menu!
About the Reviewer: Andre is a freelance session guitarist, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar as well as teaching it, helping students learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and become proficient in home recording.
Disturbing Espo - Falling to Yesterday Pop, Alternative New Jersey, U.S. For Fans Of: Taylor Swift, Ellie Goulding, Lady A, Jessie Murph, Robyn, Tate McRae, Gracie Abrams, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Dean, Madison Beer, sombr Interested in being a New Music post? Head to your RadioAirplay.com dash and click Free Song Contest under your Special Offers menu on the RadioAirplay.com dashboard! #NewMusic #Original #OriginalMusic #Pop #Alternative #NewJersey #NJ
Matt DeAngelis - Livin' It Indie, Alternative New Jersey, U.S. Overall Impression: From the first sunburst of sound, Matt DeAngelis’s “Livin’ It” feels like a time machine—one parked somewhere between 1970 and 1980, chrome gleaming under the glow of analog warmth. As always, DeAngelis proves himself a songwriter and producer with an artist’s ear for nostalgia and a craftsman’s hand for detail. His inspired creativity doesn’t just imitate the past—it inhabits it, channeling the radiant energy and melodic craftsmanship of classic rock and pop into something freshly sincere and deeply human. With “Livin’ It”, Matt DeAngelis doesn’t just revisit the golden era of rock-pop—he resurrects its spirit. His artistry lies not in imitation but in translation, transforming timeless influences into something that resonates vividly in the present. This track is a masterclass in balance: nostalgia without kitsch, polish without sterility, passion without pretense. Strongest Point(s): “Livin’ It” arrives like a postcard from rock’s halcyon days—its edges slightly faded, its spirit entirely alive. The production bears that “older soul” DeAngelis is known for: tape-saturated warmth, guitars that crackle like vinyl under a needle, and a mix that breathes rather than bristles. Every frequency feels intentional, from the deep, grounded bass that anchors the song’s pulse to the jubilant piano progressions that gently pushes the track forward. The arrangement is lush without being crowded—a hallmark of Matt’s deft touch. Crunchy, overdriven guitars weave in and out, synth melodies add a whimsical sense of nostalgia, tasteful lead guitar flourishes spark across the arrangement, and the groove holds steady and sure. Each instrument plays its role with purpose, serving the song rather than stealing the stage, creating a soundscape that’s both rich and reassuringly familiar.
As to be expected, the performances are equally captivating. Every line is sung with that blend of warmth and conviction that defined the great frontmen of the 70s and early 80s. There’s a touch of youthful exuberance in the tone, yet a knowingness in the phrasing that suggests wisdom earned. The vocal melodies climb effortlessly, carried by harmony layers that feel handcrafted, not machine-made. The guitar work injects melody at every turn—riffs that sing as much as the voice does, solos that feel conversational rather than showy. The rhythm section, meanwhile, moves like muscle and bone: the bass deep and resolute, the drums steady and unfussy, always serving the song’s forward motion.
The lyrics are another standout, and true to the tracks title—they capture that elusive spark of simply being alive. It’s a celebration of the now, seen through the lens of someone who’s walked through both light and shadow. DeAngelis writes with an optimism that’s earned, not naïve—lines that lift the listener without glossing over the grit. The chorus, bursting with melodic confidence, feels like a rallying cry for anyone rediscovering joy in the everyday. Target Audience Appeal: Lovers of classic rock and pop will find this to be a thoroughly worthwhile listening experience. Artist target suggestions: Al Stewart, Christopher Cross, Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, Paul McCartney & Wings, Electric Light Orchestra, Traveling Wilburys, Peter Frampton, Seals & Crofts Interested in having your Song Reviewed by our Professional Staff? Head to your RadioAirplay.com dash and click Song Reviews under the Special Offers menu!
About the Reviewer: Andre is a freelance session guitarist, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar as well as teaching it, helping students learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and become proficient in home recording.
Cantinno Dixon - The One Pop, Dance Bulawayo, Zimbabwe For Fans Of: Sean Kingston, One Direction, Marshmello, CHVRCHES, Akon, Jay Sean, New Boyz, David Guetta, Kardinal Offishall, Flo Rida, Jason Derulo, Black Eyed Peas, Charlie Puth, Fetty Wap, Fergie Interested in being a New Music post? Head to your RadioAirplay.com dash and click Free Song Contest under your Special Offers menu on the RadioAirplay.com dashboard! #NewMusic #Original #OriginalMusic #Pop #Dance #Zimbabwe #ZW
David Bagno - The Lover's Waltz Classical, Instrumental Piano Florida, U.S. Overall Impression: In “The Lover’s Waltz,” composer and pianist David Bagno once again proves his ability to traverse the boundary between classical reverence and contemporary vitality. It is a work steeped in lineage — the spirit of Rachmaninoff, the grace of Chopin, the lyricism of early 20th-century romanticism — yet what emerges is something unmistakably Bagno: vivid, bold, and unmistakably alive. Bagno himself notes the piece’s “vivid harmonic colors and upbeat dance-like syncopation,” and indeed, these qualities shimmer through every bar. It’s a waltz that refuses to simply waltz — one that flirts, teases, and occasionally threatens to break the very rules it celebrates. Strongest Point(s): The piece begins with a delicate lilt, a waltz that seems to hover a few inches above the floor rather than stamp upon it. Here, Bagno displays his trademark deft touch — his phrasing fluid yet articulated, his dynamics shaded like light filtering through lace. The harmony breathes in gentle suspensions and soft chromatic turns that evoke both tenderness and introspection. There is an immediate sense of dance as conversation: the left hand sways with quiet insistence while the right hand spins ribbons of melody overhead. The harmonic palette is lush, almost perfumed, but never cloying — a fine balance of emotional candor and technical restraint.
Then, almost imperceptibly, the floor tilts. The tempo quickens. The familiar 3/4 rhythm becomes charged with urgency, and what was once elegant becomes electric. This central section feels like the breaking point of romance — the heart quickening, the breath shortening, the dance turning from flirtation to chase. Here, Bagno’s writing embraces a kind of harmonic danger: dissonances flicker like sparks, tonal centers shift with restless curiosity, and the pianist is thrust into a thrilling cascade of melody and motion. The syncopation grows bolder, even mischievous, tugging at the boundaries of classical decorum. This is where Bagno’s mastery of contrast shines most vividly. The music flirts with chaos — it wants to lose itself — yet every gesture remains deliberate. His command of structure ensures that this wild detour feels not like indulgence, but inevitability. It’s the emotional storm at the center of the waltz’s story: the moment where love teeters between passion and peril.
As the turbulence subsides, the opening waltz theme reemerges, softer now, almost chastened. The listener feels a kind of exhale — a return to the familiar, but not without the memory of what’s been risked. In this closing section, Bagno’s sense of proportion and emotional intelligence are on full display. The melody sings once more, imbued now with equal depth and melancholy. What was once purely romantic has become reflective; the lover’s dance has survived its own storm. Target Audience Appeal: Classical music lovers will find this to be a delight. Artist target suggestions: Antonin Dvorak, Sergei Rachmaninoff, David Lanz, Fryderyk Chopin, Felix Mendelssohn, Claude Debussy, Franz Schubert, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Interested in having your Song Reviewed by our Professional Staff? Head to your RadioAirplay.com dash and click Song Reviews under the Special Offers menu!
About the Reviewer: Andre is a freelance session guitarist, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar as well as teaching it, helping students learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and become proficient in home recording.
