Rising Star #70

Welcome to Rising Star 70 – where the next generation of musical brilliance steps into the spotlight.

This edition invites audiences into an immersive celebration of sound, soul, and creative vision. Far more than a showcase, Rising Star 70 is a journey—a thoughtfully curated experience where music becomes a vessel for storytelling, expression, and connection.

Each artist takes the stage with a voice that’s unmistakably their own, bringing raw energy, vulnerability, and bold innovation to every performance. Whether it's a soaring anthem or a stripped-back melody, the music resonates beyond the moment—leaving lasting impressions and stirring something deep within.

What unfolds is not just a concert, but a living gallery of talent. Every act paints a sonic portrait—vivid, heartfelt, and alive with purpose. Rising Star 70 champions fresh sounds, untold stories, and the courage it takes to create something truly original.

At its heart, this series remains devoted to spotlighting emerging voices from around the globe—voices that reflect the richness of our shared experience and hint at the future of the music world. It’s about discovery, diversity, and the thrill of watching a star being born.

This is more than entertainment—it’s inspiration in real time.

Step into the rhythm, lose yourself in the moment, and witness the rise of tomorrow’s icons.

Review: Consequential – ComeAround

In a genre known for its intricate rhythms and emotive layers, Consequential’s ComeAround arrives like a quiet revolution — unassuming in origin, but deeply resonant in its final form. Born not in a high-end studio but from the soft stillness of a bedroom and the calm of garden paths, this track is a masterclass in turning the everyday into the extraordinary.

Hailing from Bury St. Edmunds, Consequential continues to carve out a distinct lane within the liquid drum and bass scene. With ComeAround, set for release on May 6th, 2025, the producer builds on a prolific year, offering their sixth release that not only catches the ear but holds the heart.

There’s a certain magic in ComeAround — a kind of auditory sleight of hand. It grooves with purpose, but underneath the surface, it shimmers with micro-movements, subtle transitions, and textures that feel lived-in. Listen closely, and you'll notice elements that may pass unnoticed the first time around: gliding synths that drift like sunlight through leaves, crisp percussion that lands with intention, and melodic phrases that feel as spontaneous as they are deliberate.

It’s no accident. The track was mixed down while strolling through gardens and even during mundane chores like dishwashing — not just a quirky anecdote, but a window into Consequential’s ethos. “I like the nuances in music,” they explain, “sounds creeping from one to another subtly that get missed on the first or even the 10th listen.” That pursuit of nuance, of crafting something that rewards repeat listens, is what sets ComeAround apart.

What’s perhaps most striking is how the track balances this subtlety with an undeniable energy. There’s a forward momentum here, a summery uplift that gives ComeAround its soul. It moves, and it makes you want to move with it. Built with reverence for liquid DnB pioneers, the influence is clear — but the voice is undeniably Consequential’s. This is someone not just paying tribute, but contributing something personal to the genre.

As the summer approaches, ComeAround feels perfectly timed — made for late-night drives, golden hour rooftop sets, and reflective moments that follow the party. But it also carries a certain staying power. It’s the kind of track that lingers long after it fades out, not just for how it sounds, but for where and how it was made.

Consequential set out to make a “feel-good soulful DnB track,” and in doing so, they've delivered something far more textured and emotionally present. ComeAround isn’t just a seasonal anthem — it’s a quietly powerful statement from an artist steadily finding their voice and sharing it in the most authentic way possible.

And if this is the sixth release of the year, it’s safe to say Consequential isn’t just gaining traction — they’re building something that might just outlast the season.

Review: Mark Wink’s Rock Bytes Turns Nostalgia into Innovation

In a world where rock has often clung to its roots or been buried under layers of digital polish, Mark Wink’s debut full-length album, Rock Bytes, dares to do both—and more. Released on May 7, 2025, Rock Bytes is a vibrant, genre-blending journey that honors rock’s rich history while plugging directly into the future.

Mark Winkler, the Vienna-based artist behind the alias Mark Wink, is not your typical rock frontman. He’s a digital transformation expert by day, collaborating with top-tier global tech firms—and by night, he’s a one-man creative powerhouse, handling everything from songwriting to video production in his own private studios in Vienna and Styria.

That dual identity pulses through every track on Rock Bytes. The album is laced with analog warmth and digital experimentation, reflecting a creator who understands both the classic structures of music and the fractured rhythms of modern life. It’s rock music filtered through the mind of someone who builds systems and stories in equal measure.

“Old Soul,” the opening track, sets the tone with a surprising calmness that feels more reflective than rebellious. It breaks the mold of conventional song structure—pausing unexpectedly after the pre-chorus, pulling listeners into an introspective space before building into a full-bodied, modern rock anthem. There’s no autopilot here. Every twist in the track feels deliberate, like a conversation between generations of sound.

But Rock Bytes isn’t just clever songwriting and catchy riffs—it’s a production experiment, a sonic playground. Wink’s method of cutting and reassembling tracks in unconventional ways keeps the album feeling fresh with each listen. Some songs echo cinematic grandeur; others lean into theatrical or operatic territory (“The Stars” and “Man or Machine” come to mind), adding depth and dimension to the album’s modern rock core.

Wink is clearly an artist who isn’t afraid to follow a hunch, a moment, or a line of code if it leads to something new. In many ways, Rock Bytes is as much about process as product—it’s a reflection of a mind constantly moving, adapting, reworking.

What really makes this album shine, though, is its emotional accessibility. Despite the tech-infused concept, Rock Bytes never loses its humanity. It’s personal. It’s playful. It’s thoughtful without being pretentious. The stories in these songs stem from real experiences, filtered through a creative lens that never loses sight of its audience.

Mark Wink isn’t trying to revive rock—he’s updating its firmware. Rock Bytes doesn’t scream for attention, it earns it by staying honest to its roots while reaching boldly into the future. Whether you’re a purist or a progressive, there’s something here to resonate with.

This is more than an album. It’s a statement: Rock still lives—and it just learned how to code.

Danielle Schroeder Faces Grief with Grace on “The Ache of Living”

In a world where vulnerability often feels like a private burden, Danielle Schroeder turns it into a shared experience. Her new single, The Ache of Living—the first from her upcoming EP Later is Here—arrives not with fanfare, but with quiet courage. Released on April 26, the track feels like a gentle yet piercing exhale, carrying the weight of personal loss and the quiet revelations that follow.

Written in the wake of losing a close friend, The Ache of Living doesn't shy away from sorrow. Instead, it walks straight into it. Schroeder, a Vancouver-based singer-songwriter and counselor, is no stranger to holding emotional space for others. But when grief came knocking at her own door, particularly in the presence of her children, she found herself facing a different kind of vulnerability—one that songwriting helped her navigate.

There’s a raw intimacy to The Ache of Living that’s hard to fake. It's not overwrought or dramatic, but quietly devastating. “It’s hard not to feel there’s something wrong with you when you can’t stop crying in front of your kids,” Schroeder has said. That single line, that confession, becomes the emotional spine of the song.

Musically, the track lives in that rich intersection of folk, alt-pop, and ambient rock. Drawing from a palette inspired by the likes of Joni Mitchell, The War on Drugs, and Radiohead, Schroeder builds a sonic world that’s as reflective as it is expansive. Her longtime collaborators—Paolo Pietropaolo (piano/keys), Jeremiah Schneider (bass/electric guitars), and producer Aaron Klassen—bring a subtle, dynamic energy to the arrangement. It’s understated, yet full of texture. You can feel the care and trust in the room where this was made.

Open-G guitar tunings nod to her folk influences—Tracy Chapman and Mitchell especially—but this isn’t a throwback sound. It’s modern, lush, and deeply personal, carrying a certain cinematic weight while never losing its emotional clarity.

What sets Schroeder apart is her ability to transform deeply internal moments into something universal. As a counselor who began writing songs while working in palliative care, she doesn’t write from a place of distance. Her words are lived-in, her melodies shaped by empathy.

The Ache of Living is more than just a lead single. It’s a portrait of mourning, yes—but also of resilience. It’s about how grief doesn't always come in grand declarations, but in the small, aching moments when the world keeps spinning, and you somehow find the strength to keep moving too.

As we look ahead to Later is Here, this single promises a record full of meaning and heart. Danielle Schroeder isn’t just writing songs—she’s giving us permission to feel, fully and without apology. And right now, that feels like exactly what we need.

Review: TR3VON – Wake Up The Night

In a world where dance music often plays it safe, TR3VON’s Wake Up The Night breaks the mold—not just as a banger built for the dancefloor, but as a deeply personal anthem of resilience and rebirth. Hailing from Minneapolis, a city with a rich history of musical innovation, TR3VON has carved out a lane that’s both emotionally charged and unapologetically bold. His latest single, released on April 25, 2025, isn’t just another track to queue up for a night out—it’s a call to reclaim joy in the face of darkness.

Written in the wake of his mother’s passing, Wake Up The Night is TR3VON’s way of turning grief into movement. The track pulses with life, anchored by kinetic beats and soaring synths that are tailor-made for late-night liberation. But beneath the glossy production lies something far more potent: vulnerability with purpose. The lyrics don’t just skim the surface—they speak to the kind of inner transformation that only comes from staring down pain and deciding to dance through it anyway.

“There’s something about the way he says, ‘wake up to your own power,’ that doesn’t feel cliché—it feels earned,” one listener remarked after the song’s debut. And that’s TR3VON’s magic. His voice carries conviction without losing warmth, making every line feel like both a personal revelation and a communal mantra.

The track’s accompanying lyric video, now live on YouTube, adds another layer to the experience. With bold visuals that mirror the track’s energetic optimism, the video is more than just a backdrop—it’s a visual echo of TR3VON’s message: no matter how heavy life gets, there’s always light worth chasing.

Wake Up The Night also sets the tone for TR3VON’s forthcoming EP, PHOENIX, slated for later this year. If this single is any indication, the EP promises to be a raw yet vibrant chronicle of transformation—equal parts catharsis and celebration.

TR3VON is clearly an artist unafraid to merge emotional depth with sonic dynamism. With Wake Up The Night, he’s done more than craft a memorable track—he’s offered listeners a lifeline wrapped in melody. It's not just a song you hear. It’s one you feel—and sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.

Rating: ★★★★☆

For fans of: Robyn, SG Lewis, Troye Sivan, and anyone seeking joy with substance.

Mick J. Clark – “My Friend Evonne” (from the album Pole Position)

In a music world that often leans heavily on trends, Mick J. Clark remains a songwriter driven by message, melody, and a clear sense of heart. His latest release, Pole Position, showcases the full spectrum of his musical instincts—rock, R&B, country, and ballads all find their place across the ten-track album. But at the emotional core of the project lies “My Friend Evonne,” a standout track that feels as personal as a handwritten letter, yet polished enough for radio airwaves.

With “My Friend Evonne,” Clark pulls listeners in with a sincere vocal delivery that doesn't chase perfection, but rather prioritizes connection. The track feels lived-in and authentic, pairing an uplifting melody with lyrics that quietly celebrate loyalty, friendship, and emotional strength. There’s a timelessness here—a simplicity in the arrangement that lets the storytelling breathe, and a soft rock warmth that nods to classic singer-songwriter traditions.

It’s no surprise Clark has found his way into Grammy nomination territory (Causes), hit the iTunes charts multiple times, and racked up over a million Spotify streams across 60+ songs. But accolades aside, what stands out about Clark is his commitment to purpose. He’s not just making music—he’s using it to uplift. Whether it’s penning empowering songs to combat bullying and self-harm (“Me, My Body And I”), or encouraging kids to resist peer pressure through Brit School-performed anthems (“You Don’t Look Cool”), Clark’s catalog carries real weight.

“My Friend Evonne” is a continuation of that mission. It’s not flashy or manufactured. It’s real—genuine to the core, and that’s what gives it its strength. It doesn’t scream for attention; instead, it quietly earns your respect.

Now backed by Warner Chappell Publishing and still flying the flag for indie artistry via Crocodile Music and Wrokdown Records, Clark seems more focused than ever. Pole Position marks his sixth album, but if “My Friend Evonne” is anything to go by, he’s just hitting his stride.

For those looking for music that speaks plainly, warmly, and truthfully—this track is your invitation.

Recommended if you like: Don Henley, James Taylor, Chris Rea

Listen on: Spotify, Apple Music, all major streaming platforms.

Album: Pole Position

Label: Crocodile Music / Warner Chappell

Highlight track: “My Friend Evonne”

Review: Yves Pilon — Travel Memory

There’s something quietly revolutionary about Travel Memory, the new single from Montréal-based composer Yves Pilon. Set for release on December 14, 2024, this piece isn’t just a song—it’s a sensory postcard, a sonic photograph of moments too fleeting for words but too powerful to forget.

Crafted primarily on a laptop in his home studio, Travel Memory is a study in intimacy and innovation. Pilon, a longtime explorer of ambient textures and experimental soundscapes, uses this track to peel back the surface of sound and memory. What we’re left with is a delicate collision of rhythmic pulses and airy melodies—evocative of the passing scenery from a train window, the quiet tension of an unfamiliar street, the quiet exhale of solitude in a new place.

The heart of the track lies in its restraint. Pilon doesn’t overwhelm; he suggests. With each note, he teases a memory—sometimes yours, sometimes his. It's music that lingers like a scent you can’t place, or a photo you forgot you took. The sonic choices here feel deliberate and untamed at once, giving the piece a raw honesty that avoids cliché. It’s ambient, yes, but not in the background-music sense. This is ambient that demands presence.

What makes Travel Memory stand out is its emotional clarity. Without uttering a word, Pilon channels the essence of traveling—those transient but potent moments when the world feels wide and the self is small but awakened. Whether it’s the gentle hum of motion or the haunting resonance of quiet landscapes, the track manages to make the abstract feel personal.

The project’s significance lies not just in its sound but in its spirit. It’s a reflection on movement and memory, created not in a sprawling studio with armies of engineers, but in a personal, reflective space. That alone feels refreshing in an age of overproduced gloss. Pilon reminds us that sometimes the most powerful stories are the ones we build in solitude, with minimal tools and maximum intention.

In Travel Memory, Yves Pilon isn’t trying to impress—he’s inviting you in. To sit, to listen, and maybe, to remember.

Fuller Hull – Where I Want To Be

There’s something deeply grounding about Fuller Hull’s latest single, Where I Want To Be—a song that doesn’t just reflect on life, but reorients it. Released on April 4, 2025, the Manitoba-based singer-songwriter offers a sobering but ultimately redemptive look at what it means to show up, not just for work or chores, but for the people who matter most.

Hull’s work has always leaned into lived experience, often shaped by rural grit and emotional honesty. Dubbed a “songwriter for the second chancers,” he’s never shied away from the raw edges of life, and this track is no exception. Where I Want To Be draws from a time when he was pulled thin—juggling a long commute to the city, farming duties, and the kind of family moments that always seemed just out of reach. The song acts as both confession and course correction, capturing that aching realization that presence—real presence—is the truest form of success.

Musically, it’s understated in the best way. With worn-in acoustic strums and a melody that feels like a long drive home, Hull’s voice carries the kind of sincerity that doesn’t need to shout to be heard. There’s a trace of gravel in his tone—fitting for someone whose storytelling is rooted in soil and sweat—but there’s also warmth and clarity. Fans of Jason Isbell, William Prince, or Mariel Buckley will feel right at home here.

Lyrically, Hull doesn’t dress things up. “Time pretty much slipped away,” he sings, not with melodrama, but with a kind of quiet devastation. Yet the song isn’t mired in regret. Instead, it recognizes the hard-won shift toward balance, toward intentionality, and toward being exactly where he wants to be: not just geographically, but emotionally.

What makes Fuller Hull stand out isn’t just the quality of his music, but the life it comes from. He’s a working man writing songs about working things out—with your partner, your kids, your own sense of identity. Where I Want To Be doesn’t ask for sympathy. It offers perspective, wrapped in melody and a humble sort of wisdom.

If his live performances are, as Sam Thompson of Witchpolice Radio put it, “even better” than the records, then Fuller Hull is more than an artist to watch—he’s one to catch while you can, before the rest of the world catches up.

RIYL: Tyler Childers, Colter Wall, Jason Isbell, William Prince

Standout Lyric: “We have to try our best to be present in the places we live with the people we want to be with.”

Rating: 4.5/5

FOAM – Elysium: Finding Harmony in the Unfinished

There’s a certain kind of alchemy that happens when music refuses to play by the rules. That’s the magic FOAM channels on Elysium—a record that doesn’t just sidestep convention but bulldozes through it with defiant grace.

Born from the noisy undercurrents of alternative rock and shaped by the ghost of grunge, FOAM’s sound feels like a beautiful accident: raw, restless, and oddly serene. Imagine if Nirvana had jammed with Oasis in a garage held together by duct tape and emotion—that’s where Elysium lives.

But don’t let the fuzzed-out guitars and lo-fi production fool you. There’s method in the madness. Beneath the distortion and off-kilter charm lies a beating heart of melody. Each track teeters between chaos and clarity, proof that FOAM isn’t just making noise—they’re making statements.

Lyrically, Elysium reads like a diary left out in the rain. The words drift between surreal daydreams and soul-baring admissions. One minute you’re swimming in abstraction, the next you’re hit with a line so direct it makes you flinch. FOAM doesn’t ask for your understanding; they demand your attention.

What sets Elysium apart is its refusal to be anything but honest. It’s not polished, and that’s the point. Every imperfection—every crack in the voice, every frayed edge—is left intact, making the experience feel more like a conversation with a friend than a performance.

The band’s influences are worn proudly but never feel imitative. There are shades of The Beatles’ experimentalism, Nirvana’s bleak beauty, and the soaring melancholy of Oasis—but FOAM filters these through their own gritty lens, resulting in something familiar yet totally their own.

At its core, Elysium is about finding beauty in what’s broken. It’s a record that never begs to be liked—it simply exists, loud and unbothered, like a scrawled note shoved under your door at 3 a.m. It’s personal, unfiltered, and quietly brilliant.

FOAM isn’t trying to save rock music. They’re too busy making it feel human again.

Clownedfish – Precision Dreams

There’s a raw honesty in Clownedfish’s latest single, precision dreams, that cuts through the noise of today’s music landscape. Released on April 29, 2025, this track isn’t just a new addition to the artist's growing discography—it’s a deeply personal marker in their creative evolution. Hailing from Northville, United States, Clownedfish emerges as a refreshingly independent voice, blending DIY ethics with a genuine love for sound that resonates beyond polished production and flashy visuals.

From the very first note, precision dreams exudes intimacy. The melodies shimmer with quiet confidence, while the lyrics, though understated, reveal an artist who isn't afraid to be vulnerable. There’s no major label backing here, no co-writers, no studio tricks—just one individual, driven by passion, crafting something authentic. And that’s precisely where the magic lies.

The track’s title itself is fitting. Every element feels deliberate, carefully pieced together in pursuit of a dream. Yet it never feels overworked or sterile; instead, there’s an emotional looseness that keeps it grounded and accessible. Clownedfish doesn’t aim to impress with grandeur—he aims to connect. And in doing so, he carves out a space that feels completely his own.

What makes precision dreams particularly compelling is the context behind it. This is not a song born from sessions in a professional studio. It was made entirely outside traditional industry systems—no venue performances, no major exposure, just a person and his will to create. In a world increasingly dominated by algorithm-driven content and AI-generated music, Clownedfish’s hands-on, heart-led approach stands out as quietly radical.

Asked about the story behind the song, Clownedfish offers no elaborate narrative. Instead, he speaks plainly: “I put a lot of effort into this song.” That sentence, humble and unpretentious, captures the ethos of the track. This is the work of someone who simply loves music—who began releasing it as a hobby and is now pushing to grow, improve, and connect with others.

While precision dreams may be modest in its production, it’s rich in sincerity. The track marks a promising step forward for an artist still finding his voice, but doing so with intention and care. And if Clownedfish continues on this trajectory—keeping things honest, keeping things real—he just might reach the audience he’s dreaming of.

In a world of overproduction and artificial polish, precision dreams is a reminder that music made with heart still has a place. Clownedfish may be early in his journey, but if this release is any indication, he’s headed in the right direction.