OBLIK OBLOKI – Back to the Start
A Beautiful Return
OBLIK OBLOKI’s “Back to the Start” is the kind of experimental track that draws you in slowly, then leaves you thinking about it long after it ends. Built around an atmosphere that feels both intimate and slightly mysterious, the song turns the complicated aftermath of a relationship into something musically absorbing and deeply human.
What makes the track particularly compelling is the way its emotional perspective develops. It begins with the tension and frustration that can follow a painful ending, but gradually moves toward something more thoughtful and self-aware. That shift gives the song a genuine sense of emotional movement rather than keeping it trapped in one mood. Lennard Vaarten’s vocals suit this progression beautifully, carrying a restrained vulnerability that allows the feeling to come through without becoming overly dramatic.
The production is equally intriguing. Sonam Plomp and Vaarten have clearly given considerable attention to the rhythm, and the groove has an appealing looseness that makes the track feel alive. Instead of sounding mechanically constructed, the rhythmic elements breathe and move naturally, adding an unpredictable quality that fits OBLIK OBLOKI’s experimental identity.
There is also a strong visual dimension to the project, with choreography and movement complementing the song’s atmosphere. “Back to the Start” ultimately feels like more than a story about looking backward; it is about confronting what happened, recognising your own part in it, and finding a different way forward. OBLIK OBLOKI makes that emotional journey sound remarkably immersive.
Tom Minor – What a Little Moonlight Could Do
Moonlit Reckoning
Tom Minor’s “What a Little Moonlight Could Do” finds a fascinating sweet spot between vintage rock energy and darker, more reflective songwriting. From the outset, the track feels lively and inviting, creating an almost danceable momentum that contrasts beautifully with the weightier ideas underneath. That tension gives the song its character.
The music carries a classic rock flavour without feeling stuck in the past. Its upbeat pulse keeps everything moving, while the overall atmosphere gradually reveals a more unsettling emotional landscape. Minor has a knack for making serious themes feel accessible rather than overwhelmingly heavy, and this track is a strong example of that approach. The result is cathartic without becoming gloomy, allowing the listener to enjoy the music while taking in its deeper sense of reflection.
There is also an intriguing sense of discovery running through the song. Moonlight becomes a fitting image for those moments when hidden truths suddenly become impossible to ignore, bringing clarity that can be both uncomfortable and strangely liberating. Yet the track does not stay trapped in darkness. Beneath its tension is a suggestion that even after difficult choices and irreversible moments, another path might still exist.
“What a Little Moonlight Could Do” is energetic, thoughtful and wonderfully atmospheric. Minor blends movement with melancholy in a way that feels effortless, creating a track that can make you want to move while simultaneously giving you plenty to think about. It is another compelling addition to his growing catalogue of existential indie.
Moon and Aries – In the Silence of the Hills
Where Stillness Speaks
“In the Silence of the Hills” by Moon and Aries feels like a quiet escape from a world that rarely knows how to slow down. Rather than chasing a dramatic beat or an immediate hook, the track gives itself room to breathe, creating an intimate cinematic experience where every sound seems to have a purpose. It is gentle without becoming weightless, and atmospheric without losing its emotional core.
The piano provides a beautifully restrained foundation, while soft analog synth textures add a hazy, almost dreamlike dimension. The warmth of the female vocal brings the composition closer, carrying a sense of vulnerability that makes the song feel deeply human. Cello introduces a rich, organic melancholy, while the atmospheric guitar and expressive saxophone add delicate shades of colour without disturbing the track’s peaceful character.
What makes the song especially compelling is its confidence in silence. The absence of drums could have left the arrangement feeling sparse, yet Moon and Aries turn that openness into one of its greatest strengths. The spaces between sounds become part of the music, allowing the listener to settle into its reflective mood rather than simply listen from a distance.
“In the Silence of the Hills” is the kind of composition that invites stillness. It feels suited to quiet mornings, solitary journeys, reflective moments, and scenes where emotion needs to speak without being overstated. Moon and Aries create something serene, immersive, and genuinely soulful here—a beautiful reminder that music can be powerful even when it whispers.
Leave The Bones – Heart On My Sleeve
Swagger, Soul and Defiance
“Heart On My Sleeve” finds Leave The Bones turning vulnerability into something tougher, bolder, and wonderfully self-assured. Jeremy Bogen brings together Americana, folk, country, and ambient indie-folk textures to create a track that feels rooted in open landscapes while carrying the emotional weight of a life shaped by change, uncertainty, and hard-earned perspective.
What makes the song particularly compelling is its sense of quiet rebellion. Rather than dwelling on the past, Bogen seems determined to face whatever comes next with his shoulders back and his guard down. That attitude gives the track its distinctive character, balancing tenderness with a rugged confidence that never feels forced. The music has a weathered, earthy quality, allowing the storytelling to remain at the centre while the instrumentation adds warmth and atmosphere around it.
Bogen’s vocal delivery suits the song beautifully. There is honesty in his voice, but also a hint of grit that makes the emotional journey feel lived-in rather than performed. The arrangement gradually builds that feeling of resolve before stripping things back toward the end, creating an intimate moment where the raw connection between singer and guitar becomes especially powerful.
“Heart On My Sleeve” ultimately feels like a song about choosing courage over hesitation. It carries the spirit of someone who has experienced enough uncertainty to stop waiting for perfect answers and start trusting his own instincts. Leave The Bones gives Americana a deeply personal heartbeat here, creating a track that feels both reflective and ready to fight back.
Elias Dream – Forever by Your Side
A Promise That Resonates
“Forever by Your Side” finds Elias Dream creating a heartfelt piece of contemporary pop and soft rock that feels less interested in instant impact and more invested in emotional connection. The song unfolds with a cinematic quality, allowing its story to develop naturally while the arrangement gradually gives the emotion greater weight.
One of the track’s most distinctive elements is the Hammond organ. Its warm, expressive presence adds an organic character to the polished production, giving the song a sense of depth and timelessness. Rather than sitting quietly in the background, the instrument becomes an important part of the song’s emotional identity, complementing the vocal performance and helping shape its dramatic progression.
The vocals carry the central feeling with sincerity, moving comfortably between more intimate moments and passages where the arrangement opens up. That contrast works particularly well, creating the impression of a personal story becoming something larger and more cinematic. The production also manages to keep the individual musical elements balanced, so the emotion never gets buried beneath unnecessary layers.
What makes “Forever by Your Side” especially appealing is its sense of purpose. It does not chase a dance-floor hook or rely on excessive production tricks. Instead, Elias Dream allows melody, atmosphere, dynamics, and storytelling to work together. The result is a reflective, warmly produced song with genuine emotional pull—one that invites the listener to slow down, settle into its atmosphere, and experience the story at its own pace.
Ross Atlan – I Can Feel Your Hands
A Touch of Hope
Ross Atlan makes an impressive first statement with “I Can Feel Your Hands,” a soulful and uplifting debut that feels rooted in classic R&B while carrying a distinctly contemporary spirit. Drawing from the warmth of Motown and soul legends alongside the storytelling instincts of artists such as Gregg Allman and Gerry Rafferty, Atlan creates a sound that feels both familiar and personal.
What gives the song its emotional weight is the extraordinary experience behind it. Inspired by a story of physical healing during a group meditation in nature, the track approaches its subject with a genuine sense of wonder rather than overplaying its message. That sincerity comes through in the performance, giving the song an inviting warmth that is easy to connect with.
Atlan’s background as a drummer and veteran of the Minneapolis grunge scene adds an interesting dimension to his musical identity. Rather than being confined to one particular style, he brings together soulful influences, melodic songwriting, and a modern production approach. Producer and multi-instrumentalist Patrick Woerner helps shape that blend into something polished without stripping away its human character.
“I Can Feel Your Hands” ultimately succeeds because it carries a feeling of optimism without sounding forced. It is the kind of debut that feels like the beginning of a meaningful new chapter, offering warmth, emotion, and a hopeful outlook while leaving plenty of room for Ross Atlan’s artistic journey to unfold.