For someone who loves pop culture and claims to truly love music, I really don't tend to branch out from my comfort zone in the Top 40 charts or my One Direction jams very often. In fact, I find it hard to use Spotify's New Music Friday feature because I almost have a phobia of giving artists I've never heard of and genres I'm not used to a shot. But when a band that I've grown to love collaborates with or introduces an artist I'm not familiar with, you bet I'll give them a chance.
In this case, cue Tayler Buono, a singer/songwriter originally from Orlando, Florida, who has since moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue her budding music career.
Another local Orlando band – Before You Exit, comprised of brothers Connor, Riley and Toby McDonough – stole my heart back in 2014, and these guys have known Tayler Buono for years now. However, it wasn't until this year that I discovered Tayler through them and realized just how GOOD her music is. Think pop-meets-electronic bops, with smooth vocals reminiscent of Ariana Grande's and Selena Gomez's. Her two most recent singles, "Technically Single" and "Something About You," are just the songs Tayler's fans didn't know they needed. Don't believe me? Sit back, take a look at each song and let the music bless your ears, pop fans.
"Technically Single"
Released on June 29, "Technically Single" screams the feelings behind the term DTR, or "define the relationship." The song opens with a catchy mixture of clapping sounds and an electronic tune that will have you bopping your head along to the beat, right before we hear the first threads of Buono's voice. Her vocals are smooth and sugar sweet, before turning breathy throughout the transition into the chorus as she begins to really show off her vocal range.
"It's not even fair
That you don't have to feel this
That you don't have to care
I'm stuck in this confusion
Cause I'm technically single, emotionally unavailable"
The lyrics describe the feeling of being with someone who hasn't taken the time to define the relationship, although they act like they're in one. Buono gives her ultimatum with the lyrics "We either give this a shot, or not," and confirms the feeling of frustration and confusion with "Am I yours, are you mine, are we more than a thing?"
Altogether, if you're in the same situation or just looking for a great, catchy song to rock out to in the car with the windows down, "Technically Single" is definitely something to add to your playlist.
"Something About You"
"Something About You" is a shiny, brand-new track that was co-written and produced along with Before You Exit's Connor, Riley and Toby McDonough. It also opens with pronounced electronic sounds before easing into Buono's signature soft, breathy vocals – again, not too far off from the likes of those of Selena Gomez and even Ingrid Michaelson, in my opinion.
The transition from the first verse to the chorus introduces some drums, keys and a more electronic, upbeat rhythm that invites listeners to just dance it out. Again, the track really displays the purity and flexibility of her vocal range.
"Just something about you
Jumping in the car
Dancing in the dark
Nobody else does it like you do
The way that I feel when I hold on you"
This track is centered on a guy Buono has known since she was 15 and reminisces on the adventures and life experiences they've shared. There's just something about this guy that Buono finds herself coming back to -- maybe a source of comfort and familiarity, someone who reminds her of the truly happy and carefree times they've had?
If you want to keep up with Tayler Buono's adventures and stay updated on her music releases and endeavors, check out her website and feel free to follow her on her social-media outlets: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
