Tag: Alt Pop

  • Exploring ‘Feels So Right’: Edwina van Kuyk’s Vulnerable New EP

    Exploring ‘Feels So Right’: Edwina van Kuyk’s Vulnerable New EP

    Singer-songwriter Edwina van Kuyk (pronounced kow-k) makes a striking return with her most personal and vulnerable project to date — Feels So Right, a three-track EP that explores the art of surrender, the strength of friendship, and the courage to trust oneself. Released on October 28 across all streaming platforms, the release marks a pivotal moment in van Kuyk’s career, showcasing not only her growth as a musician but also her evolution as a storyteller who dares to embrace life’s chaos and transform it into beauty.

    At its core, Feels So Right is a meditation on letting go and following intuition, themes that resonate deeply with van Kuyk’s own journey. “Life doesn’t always make sense,” she reflects, “but when something feels right, you have to go with it.” This philosophy permeates the EP, which is sonically rich and emotionally grounded. Nostalgic vocals intertwine with soulful grooves and radiant melodies, creating a soundscape that feels both timeless and contemporary. Each track glows with a balance of vulnerability and confidence, inviting listeners to step into van Kuyk’s world of honesty and self-discovery.

    About the New Release — The opening track, “Tailspin,” sets the tone with its metaphorical exploration of surrender. Using the imagery of an aircraft spiraling out of control, van Kuyk turns turbulence into catharsis, offering a powerful reflection on the necessity of embracing uncertainty rather than resisting it. The song’s layered production and soaring vocals capture the tension between fear and release, ultimately reminding listeners that chaos can be a gateway to clarity and growth.

    Following this, “Never Not To Know Each Other Again” delivers the emotional centerpiece of the EP. Written in memory of her late friend Anouk, whom she met during a songwriting retreat, the track is both a tribute and a testament to the transformative power of friendship. With heartfelt lyrics and tender instrumentation, van Kuyk honors the way Anouk’s creativity and warmth shaped her artistic outlook. “Anouk taught me to trust my gut and believe in my music,” she shares. The song beautifully illustrates how strangers can become family, leaving indelible marks that continue to inspire long after they are gone.

    The EP closes with its title track, “Feels So Right,” an anthem of confidence and creative freedom. Here, van Kuyk sheds the weight of external opinions and embraces the joy of creating from intuition. “I’ve spent years listening to other people’s opinions,” she admits. “Now I just want to make music that feels right to me.” The track radiates empowerment, encouraging listeners to silence doubt and lean into the authenticity of their own voices. It is a fitting conclusion to an EP that celebrates self-trust and artistic liberation.

    Across all three songs, van Kuyk achieves a delicate balance between emotional vulnerability and grounded production. The EP’s sonic palette mirrors its thematic core: the act of letting go, trusting oneself, and finding peace in the unknown. With its intimate yet universal message, Feels So Right becomes more than just a collection of songs — it is a reminder to create, to live, and to love for the purest reason of all: because it feels right. The project was written by Edwina van Kuyk, Cian O’Donoghue, and Gabrielle Deschamps (on “Tailspin”), produced and mixed by Cian O’Donoghue, and mastered by Pete Maher, ensuring a polished sound that still retains its heartfelt sincerity.

    About The Artist — Edwina van Kuyk has steadily built a reputation as one of Ireland’s most compelling emerging voices. Her recent single, “Never Not To Know Each Other Again,” garnered strong national radio support, earning airplay on RTÉ 2FM, 98FM, and Today FM. Previous releases have been met with widespread acclaim, including recognition from Hot Press as Track of the Day and The Bops Collective’s Pick of the Week. Her music has also been featured on influential playlists such as The Last Mixed Tape, IMRO’s New Music Ireland, MCD, and Golden Plec, cementing her place in the contemporary Irish music landscape.

    Beyond her recordings, van Kuyk’s artistry shines in live performance. She has graced Ireland’s most beloved venues — from The Ruby Sessions and Dolans to The Workman’s Club and Crow Bar — and captivated audiences at major festivals including Electric Picnic, Longitude, and All Together Now. Her collaborations as a vocalist and songwriter span both Irish and international projects, while her global reach has taken her to stages in the USA, including Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Café and Austin’s Continental Club, as well as live performances on Argentina’s Perros de la Calle radio.

    Our Thoughts — With a dynamic presence and a voice that resonates across borders, Edwina van Kuyk continues to establish herself as an artist whose music is both deeply personal and universally relatable.

    Listen to “Feels So Right below, and follow Edwina van Kuyk on Instagram.

  • Anna Called: The New DIY 24-Track Album by Pascale Cheron

    Anna Called: The New DIY 24-Track Album by Pascale Cheron

    After two years of writing, recording, and mixing entirely on her own, Pascale Cheron has released her debut 24-track album “Anna Called“, now available on streaming platforms. The earlier released soulful, meditative title single named “Anna Called” is also.

    To celebrate the release, Pascale is embarking on a spring and summer tour across the East and West Coasts alongside longtime friend and collaborator Sophia Eliana. Titled the Experimental Bangs Tour, the run kicks off May 10th in Bar Harbor, ME, and culminates at the Underground Music Festival in Denver in late July. Along the way, Pascale will be performing with local bands comprised of both friends and musicians she discovered through TikTok, creating a genre-fluid live experience rooted in connection, improvisation, and discovery.

    About The New Release — “My name was Anna, but my mom changed it to Pascale when I was born,” says Pascale. “She tells me my name has a letter for each one of my aunts. A perfectly consonant string of them all. In honor of the women who made me. The sound of my name. I wrote, recorded, and mixed each song on this album over two years,” says Pascale. “This album is for Anna.”

    Anna Called moves through serene ambient landscapes, soulful vocal improvisations, and dreamy experimental textures. Its sound is both intimate and expansive, layering meditative rhythms with powerful bursts of emotion. Each track unfolds like a memory—fluid, surprising, and deeply personal—creating a sonic journey that honors identity, reinvention, and the women who shaped her.

    About The Artist — Pascale Cheron is a singer-songwriter whose musical identity is deeply rooted in jazz, yet effortlessly transcends genre boundaries. Her work is marked by a rare fusion of technical mastery and emotional depth, making her a standout figure in contemporary music. As a composer, producer, and vocalist, she brings a multidimensional approach to her craft, weaving together intricate harmonies, evocative lyrics, and atmospheric soundscapes. Her artistry reflects a deep understanding of both musical tradition and innovation, allowing her to create pieces that are both timeless and forward-thinking.

    A recent graduate of UC Berkeley, Pascale earned dual degrees in Society & Environment and Music, a combination that speaks to her holistic vision as an artist and activist. Her academic background informs her creative process, enabling her to explore themes of ecological consciousness, social justice, and human connection through her music. She views songwriting not only as a form of personal expression but also as a tool for cultural dialogue and transformation. Her goal is to foster awareness and empathy through her work, often collaborating with visual artists, filmmakers, and community organizers to amplify her message.

    Critics and listeners alike have praised Pascale’s music for its “striking atmosphere … where emotional power and dreaminess meet,” as noted by Various Small Flames. Her sound is often described as hauntingly ethereal, with an improvisatory approach to melody that evokes both vulnerability and strength. Drawing inspiration from artists like Joni Mitchell, Esperanza Spalding, and Björk, Pascale blends jazz phrasing with ambient textures and poetic lyricism. Her performances are known for their intimacy and spontaneity, often incorporating live looping and vocal layering to create immersive sonic experiences.

    Since 2018, Pascale has written over 75 original songs, showcasing her prolific creativity and dedication to her craft. She has released three full-length albums and a series of singles that span themes from climate grief to personal healing. Her discography reflects a journey of artistic evolution, with each project revealing new facets of her musical and emotional landscape. Whether recording in a studio or performing live, Pascale maintains a commitment to authenticity and experimentation, constantly pushing the boundaries of her sound.

    Her touring experience has taken her across the globe, performing both as a solo artist and as a collaborator with other musicians. Highlights include appearances at the Alien Disko Festival at the Volkstheater in Munich, Germany, the Center for New Media and Audio Technologies in Berkeley, the Monterey Jazz Festival, and the Sonoma Bluegrass Festival. These performances have allowed her to connect with diverse audiences and share her message on international stages. Pascale’s live shows are celebrated for their emotional resonance and technical finesse, often leaving a lasting impression on those in attendance.

    Listen to “Anna Called and follow Pascale Cheron on Instagram as she continues to explore the intersection of music, activism, and community.