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Writer's pictureShaina Russo

New Jonas Brothers, Emily Daniels, & More Underground Nashville - New Music Reviews

Updated: May 28, 2020

If you know me, you know that I love music. But not just like enjoy listening to it, I love every little thing about music, I GEEK OUT over music. Why? Well because it’s a form of storytelling that is so unique- I often find myself really listening to the nuances, clever lyrics, and double meanings behind the lyrics. A good song to me has to tell a great story, have an incredibly infectious melody, and bonus points if it has little details incorporated into the song that maybe the average listener wouldn't hear unless really digging into the track. This week's picks had me majorly geeking out for those reasons exactly.


1. The new Summer anthem: "Ex on the Beach" by Emily Daniels

(released 5/22/2020)

With a strong pop-country flavor, a splash of 90's country storytelling (think Shania Twain), with a twist of new-age female empowering lyrics (similar to Maddie & Tae) - shake it all together and you get this killer cocktail of a track that'll keep you cool all Summer long.


When I first heard Emily live I was grabbing some food at a bar connected to Bridgestone Arena where I was about to see John Mayer in concert. She was mainly doing covers until a bar patron asked her to play an original, "Ex on the Beach", which was not out yet and wouldn't be for awhile. She happily obliged and she and her guitarist, Sarah Jones, who is also a writer on the song, started to play this catchy tune:


"We always talked about that weekend getaway,

We’d find a cheap motel off of 30A,

We’d get matching airbrush t-shirts that we’d wear by the bay,

Til the sunburns fade away"


I was in the middle of eating wings (that were super messy by the way) and stopped mid-chew. Right off the bat, I knew this song was pretty special. Her set went on and she was asked to play the song at least 2 more times.


Now representing Emily, and I've never been more proud of an artist and their release. "Ex on the Beach" has all the ingredients of a major hit: extremely catchy beat, cool electric guitar riffs, and beyond clever lyrics.


Reminiscent of Dierks Bentley's "Drunk on a plane", Emily decides to drink away her ex when she sees him at the same beach as her but with a new girl, tangling in a slew of popular tiki drinks into the chorus:


"I think it’s high time for another Mai Tai,

Sunshine ain’t enough to get you off of my mind,

Pour a margarita followed by sangria,

Shooting down tequila until the sunrise,

It ain’t happy hour until you leave,

‘Cause the one thing I can’t drink away,

Is this ex on the beach"


"I wrote “Ex on the Beach” with David Evans and Sarah Jones after a breakup when I realized the first place I would likely see my ex was at a songwriters festival in Florida a few weeks later. I imagined what it would be like if he was there with a new girl so soon. It was inspired by what I was going through, but we definitely took creative liberties with it and even made screwdrivers to drink while writing it to really get in the mood! I love that we were able to take what could have easily been a sad idea and turn it into such a fun summer song!"


Produced by Zachary Manno, “Ex on the Beach” is a prime example of a damn good song. It’ll be your Summer anthem, I promise.



2. The cinematic one: "He Doesn't Know" by Sydney Lau


Burrowed deep among the Nashville Underground music scene lives a smaller and intensified population - the pop scene. But don't be deceived, even though it is small, it is mighty.

From the billowing colored smoke, haunting hums, and echoing reverb comes Sydney Lau.

Lau cites artists Lennon Stella, Billie Eilish, and Julia Michaels as her musical influences. An indie artist through and through, her moody melodies backed by traditional pop elements make listeners want to push that replay button to sink further into the dramatic nature of the song. I am honestly obsessed with this track and have been listening to it on repeat ever since I discovered it two weeks ago.


Originally from a small town in South Carolina, Sydney has been a musician her entire life. Since living in Nashville, she has dedicated her time to building a career as an independent artist. She is currently in the writing and recording stages of an upcoming project to be released in the coming year.

Imagine - you are dating someone, yet you can't stop thinking about someone else. Well, that's what Lau unveils from the diary of her real life in her debut single, "He Doesn't Know".


The intro piano melody and the entangled ticking effect, familiar to the song that plays from opening up a jewelry box, you know the one with the slowly spinning en pointe ballerina, begins the song and stir of mixed emotions Lau is battling with. With soft vocals- similar to Billie Eilish's signature singing style.


"Empty eyes,

cold touch,

can he feel it fall apart?

everything we had slipping through his fingers"


Lau desperately wonders, can her boyfriend tell that her mind is somewhere else? Then she switches her perspective as she sings directly to the 'other guy' in the pre-chorus, obviously intoxicated with that guy's love and can't get enough.


"and everything you do it makes it worse,

makes me think of you,

makes it hurt,

makes me want to be with you,

and he don't see the way I cry at night,

clinging to your shirt,

all I have,

sleep get me through the night"


Then it opens up into the chorus with tons of reverb, echoe-y percussion knocks and background vocals as she declares, "Oh, he doesn't know". I can only imagine that the echoes mimic the way the guilt seeps into every thought she has and won't leave her alone.


But don't worry - although the track is dripping in sadness, it's actually a set up for an epic love story. Lau explains further --


"“He Doesn’t Know” is an original song I wrote about a time in my life when I realized I was still in love with an ex, while dating someone new. The song explores the pain of feeling guilty for hurting the guy I was with, but also longing to be with the one my heart couldn’t let go of. I really tried to convey those conflicting emotions in the way I wrote the melodies and the instrument parts. It’s a very sad song, but don’t worry, the story has a happy ending. The guy I’m so overwhelmed with feelings for in the song is now my husband."

This track is absolutely perfect for synching- I can hear it being a thematic song for a trailer of a new drama series or episode. Someone get this girl a publisher! I'm really looking forward to what Lau puts out next.

"He Doesn't Know" was written by Sydney Lau, produced by her and her husband, Ryan Lau. Mixed by Matt Huber and mastered by Sam Moses.

3. The one that will make you get up and dance: "5 More Minutes" by Jonas Brothers


If you know me then you know why I get so excited when the Jonas Brothers release new music. (If you don't know why- check out my about page for a good laugh).

The Jonas Brothers surprised their fans with a Costco size release, giving us a 2-pack of the latest goods they had to offer.


I decided to only review one of those twofers only because, I'll be honest, I prefer "5 More Minutes" over "X". Maybe it's because I'm a purist and only like it when there is no one else singing on the track besides the boys, but who knows? This one just resonated with my ears more.


This track is a straight. up. bop. I will confess that I've blasted this song with my windows down while I'm driving (on repeat) and I have not regretted it one bit.


It's filled with a super catchy melody and dance inducing beat.

What really gets me with this song are the fun falsettos in the pre chorus and the abrupt playful staccatos in the verses.


What I also love about this song is how it's very cyclical, it starts and ends the same- with soft vocals accompanied only by the plucking of violin strings. If you listen to the track on repeat, like I did, you'll notice it almost feels like it's a never-ending song, which... I'm not complaining.


The Jonas Brothers are so good at what they do for so many reasons, but what really sets them apart from other artists is the way every lyric is sung with such particular intention; there's feeling behind every word. It fully draws us listeners in and makes us really feel the meaning behind the song.


The playful ballad starts off with soft vocals as they guys introduce a simple request to their wives, trying to convince their significant other to stay with them a little bit longer in their arms before having to start the day.


"Give me five more minutes

Baby, I'm not finished loving you

I don't wanna end it when we're only just beginning

Give me five more minutes, aww yeah"


The plea for her to say "yes" becomes stronger and more desperate in the chorus and bridge as the beat picks up with drums, snaps, and a chorus of harmonies.


"Please say "Yes"

Please say "Yes"

Please say "Yes, yes, yes" (Oh)

Please say "Yes"

Please say

Please say "Yes""

Then the track ends just as it began, soft vocals with the plucking of violin strings. Maybe he finally convince her to crawl back into his arms.


"5 More Minutes" was released by Republic Records, written by Brittany M. Amaradio, James Alan Ghaleb (who wrote "Toothbrush" with DNCE), Joe Jonas, Kevin Jonas II, Nick Jonas, Casey Smith and Zach Skelton (who wrote Happiness Begins hit, "Cool". It was produced by Zach Skelton.


To listen to this song and all the songs I review click here.



 


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