Curated by Imani Wj Wright
What makes music great?
It’s a question I’ve asked myself thousands of times, backstage at concerts, in the middle of the night when a melody won’t leave my mind, and especially when I hear a record that stops me in my tracks. Greatness in music isn’t just about technicality or production value. It’s about honesty. It’s about emotion. It’s about the unspoken dialogue between artist and listener that whispers, “I understand you.”
Take KIDNAP’s “On The Fence,” for example. From the first notes, you feel the internal tug-of-war—the hesitation, the vulnerability. It’s a track that doesn’t force answers but invites you to sit with the question. That, to me, is powerful. When music reflects our own indecision, our own flaws—it becomes human.
Then there’s Yellow Couch Music’s “Fool Stop” featuring JSWISS, John Robinson, and Estephanie. This track is a masterclass in collaboration. Every voice brings a unique texture, yet the synergy is undeniable. The storytelling is vivid, grounded, and soulful—layered over a beat that feels like it’s been marinating in jazz, hip-hop, and late-night reflections.
Poor Legacy’s “Duet (Song of Songs)” featuring Charnel elevates the spiritual and romantic into a sonic sanctuary. There’s a poetic intimacy here that feels rare. It’s the kind of song you close your eyes to, not to escape, but to see more clearly.
On a different emotional frequency, GVGO’s “get over you” taps into raw vulnerability. The pain is palpable, but not performative. It’s the kind of track that doesn’t need to scream to be heard. It aches. It lingers. And in that lingering, we find resonance.
Lastly, The Lost Arts deliver a steady gem with “Slow Down.” It's not just a plea— it’s a mindset. In a world obsessed with speed and constant motion, this track reminds us that there's beauty in the pause. In the breath. In the stillness between the notes.
So what makes music great?
It's not just the production, the hooks, or the streams. It’s the intention. It’s how a song makes you feel seen—like someone reached into your soul, translated your thoughts, and played them back to you in four minutes or less.
That’s greatness.
And it’s alive in every one of these records.
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