K. Michelle- No Not You ★★★★

K. Michelle, most well known for her song “Kim K,” provides a powerful R&B and soul song with “No Not You,” lodging its way right in my brain.  With vocals similar to that of music artist Sia, K. Michelle showcases her soprano range in a way that is almost overpoweringly beautiful. Even if I can’t hit her high notes,  her raw, untapped vocals compel me to at least try. Kimberly Pate, otherwise known as K. Michelle, finds the pleasurable balance between both smooth and soft raspiness. By 2:14 minutes into the song, the music in the background crescendos to a polished reverberating sound, giving the song some serious punch. Ultimately, Pate’s intoxicatingly virtuous vocals make “No Not You” another great R&B/Soul song.

Amy Shark- Adore★★★

Amy Shark, an undiscovered singer, takes on alternative music in a new way with her song “Adore”. Her singing is subtle but pretty, , using her voice to evoke a soft melodrama rather than showcase her range. With a sort of angsty sound, “Adore” could make for an interesting movie soundtrack. The song is good, however Shark’s voice ultimately could use more power, as her limp vocals and talk-singing make the song underwhelming. With Shark’s lack of vibrato combined with an overall  monotonous sound, Shark’s  voice can be compared to that of a band from the 90’s, in the best way. While her song is called “Adore,” , she doesn’t really use her voice well enough to portray the emotion of love, and a song that should feel passionate instead feels limp.

Mat Kearney- Face to Face★★★

Mat Kearney’s latest album combines pop music with techno beats. However, behind his new song “Face to

Face’s” feel-good production lies sad lyrical undertones. The beginning of the song starts with a nice soft intro, pulling listeners in. “Face to Face” is a song you could listen to while surfboarding or on a sunny day at the beach. Unlike most pop songs, the lyrics are fairly poetic, effectively displaying Kearney’s  emotions. Kearney’s voice, while not monotonous, doesn’t have much range. While the song is pretty good, it’s pop leanings  ultimately distract from its charming melody and poetic lyrics The climax of the song is a little underwhelming, as listeners  expect a “base drop” or something to that degree, but it  is simply the same as the rest of the song. With a voice like that of artist Coldplay, Mat Kearney has the potential to be a great artist, however his work still lacks in some critical areas, and “Face to Face” proves it.