Tag Archives: Portland

Portland, Oregon singer/songwriter @HaleyJohnsenmus sings of internal pressures and self-realization in “Goner”

HALEY JOHNSEN, “Goner”

Haley Johnsen is a singer/songwriter from Portland, Oregon who has released a few EP’s and albums (including an acoustic one from 2020 that was recorded live at Abbey Road Studios in London) over the past five years, and plays bass with dance artist Big Wild.  She returns with “Goner”, which has a downbeat, sombre melody that argues with lyrics about internal pressures before self-realization rears its head, meaning that neither the present nor the future should be feared.  In fact, it reinforces being at peace with oneself and as realizing, as she says, ” that my childlike self is still very much alive in me”.  Haley’s voice has been aptly compared to the late British singer Eva Cassidy, and fits nicely into the pocket with many other indie women singers that I’ve written about such as Molly Moore and Gillian.  So don’t let the relaxed pace of “Goner” trick you – it’s a lovely, authentic pop song with an unexpectedly inspiring message.

Internet sensation @YungBae teams up with breakout vocalist @UPSAHLmusic with the vibrant funky pop of “Woman On The Moon”

YUNG BAE and UPSAHL, “Woman On The Moon”

It may not immediately strike you until you find yourself awash in its deep funky groove, but “Woman On The Moon” by Portland, Oregon “future funk” producer/songwriter and viral performer Yung Bae and Phoenix singer/songwriter UPSAHL will grow on you quickly with its gender reversal of “man on the moon”.  The song builds on the summery energy derived from its chugging bassline.  It follows up Yung Bae’s fifth album Bae 5, from which you likely heard the much-streamed “Bad Boy”, which also featured Wiz Khalifa and MAX, as well as collaborations with Mike Posner and AWOLNATION.  UPSAHL recently undertook a huge achievement, co-writing “Good In Bed” on multi-Grammy Award winner Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia album, as well as co-writing for the likes of Mike Shinoda and Madison Beer.  Together they have a fun synergy, and “Woman On The Moon” has the potential for being a dance floor draw this summer.

L.A.-based producer @Whethanmusic shows massive growth on “Stay Forever” with STRFKR @Starfucker

WHETHAN and STRFKR, “Stay Forever”

To say that “Stay Forever” doesn’t sound like anything that Whethan has offered to date is a bit of an understatement.  The 20 year-old Chicago-born, L.A.-based producer opted not to tour last year to address personal issues and record his upcoming album, probably a very wise move.  “Stay Forever” brings us an alt.rock flavoured sound to the electronic backdrop like some past releases, but the aim is a progressive edge that stands out from the rest.  Other producers like PLS&TY, Pluko and Robotaki also have made this conscious decision with results in unique music that provokes your senses and isn’t always about big synths and beats.  Whethan is paired up with veteran Portland, Oregon trio STRFKR here and their collaboration is seamless and complementary.  The full album should be a treat, and Whethan is returning to touring, but in more biteable chunks, which I’m sure will expand closer to the time of the album’s release.