Portland pop R&B artist Courtney Noe isn’t afraid to take you there. Her lead single, “Woman On The Prowl,” off her upcoming EP Bad Attitude, is just the right amount of sassy, pop/rock, and unabashed sexuality to keep you satiated until Bad Attitude’s release. 

    Courtney Noe is an authentic artist through and through- she knows what she wants and how to get it. Noe’s been in the professional music game since the release of her first EP Invisible Crown in 2016. Her bio- which is admittedly “under construction” on her website- details facts about her that makes her all the more relatable: she loves corgis, she has constant resting bitch face, she designs her own costumes, and she’s all for girl power and saving the environment. She describes herself as “quick-witted” and “sassy” and based on “Woman On The Prowl,” I’d whole-heartedly agree. 

 “Woman On The Prowl” is an unapologetically sex-positive track that narrates Noe’s desire for a one-night stand while at a bar. Much like her message of encouraging women to assert their agency, especially sexually, her raw-edged, cutting vocals are equally assertive, telling listeners “I walk in the bar and I pick you out/ ‘Cause I know what I want and I have no doubts.” Her rich, full tone and the pulsing synths, in contrast with more stripped-down moments where she belts in her higher register, gives the song the right amount of sex-appeal and mystery.

Make sure to add “Woman On The Prowl” to your “going out” playlist or when you want to hype yourself up to be bold, make that move, and be “on the prowl”.
Listen to “Woman On The Prowl” on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music. Keep up with Courtney and the details on the release of Bad Attitude on Courtney’s website, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Review by: Anna Sejuelas 
Anna Sejuelas is a New York-based LGBTQ+ writer whose work has been published in This Bitch Magazine, Her Campus, College Candy, Medium.com, and FLURT Magazine. The way she writes and sings is the way she wears red lipstick and leather jackets: classic and with a purpose. You can read her work here and find her on Twitter and Instagram.​

The world of pop music is laced with hidden gems. Around every corner, hiding behind the big radio hits and sometimes mediocre chart toppers, are new arrivals to the scene, sporting unknown names and fresh appeal. When digging into one of these findings, a rush of excitement washes over the listener. In the best of these moments, hearing these songs for the first time can feel like listening to the future.

Joyeur are a relatively new arrival on the scene, and their freshest single “Fast As You Can” is a bright gemstone of pop music. The brainchild of producer Anna Feller and songwriter Joelle Corey, Joyeur’s “FAYC” is a booming pop cut, lush with unique productions and tribal rhythms, and an anthemic chorus to tie it all together, worming itself into your ear. It’s an exciting thing to hear, as it’s polished pop surface seems to be begging for a spot on radio charts in the near future.

“FAYC” isn’t Joyeur’s only venture thus far, though. And it’s certainly not a fluke. The duo are in high-gear, ready to premiere new music within the coming days, and are scheduled to make their official debut with an EP, titled LIFEAFTER, this October. Like this first single, the full EP packs in plenty more ear-catching moments, exceptional pop flavors, and endlessly repeatable plays.

With so much on the horizon for the duo, #WomenCrush Music caught up with Anna and Joelle to discuss their origins, inspirations, and the creation of “Fast As You Can…”

Prior to forming Joyeur together, what projects were you individually involved with?

Joelle Corey: I was rather a closeted creator before we met. Anna spent a lot of time at the piano and although she was producing other artists and I was getting into the studio as well, we were both still coming into ourselves as artists. Our collaboration was the one that instilled artistic confidence in each of us and really brought each of us to life.

Anna, you have experience as a classical pianist. How has that aided or affected your skill in production?

Anna Feller: This is a great question! I started learning as a child, so reading and playing music became second nature to me. Understanding the language of music, the complicity of rhythmical patterns, different arrangements, understanding how instruments work and their limitations has helped me to be able to express myself musically. I am a strong believer in the phrase "learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist".

What were some of your inspirations in production on "Fast As You Can?”

Anna: I was very inspired by Afro-House music at the time I produced FAYC. The rhythmical patterns and how they shifted from one section to the other really made me feel something. I wanted to make something raw and intense, yet playful.  I knew Jo would love the trumpet because she is a fan of horns and live instrumentation. In my mind, I was like “I have to make Jo like it” and that inspired me to add the trumpet.

Along with the production, what inspired the songwriting and topics explored on the track?

Joelle: From its inception, this primal, almost trap-like beat had one topic ingrained in its DNA: movement. I felt it from the moment I heard it. The lyrics poured out. I was going through a rough relationship in which I felt I was always chasing my man. Unknowingly, I think I channeled that and found power in normalizing unrequited love and obsession. At the end of the song, you hear enthusiastic layered vocals which very quickly return to a whisper. I think that’s me trying to keep my cool with so much brewing inside.

Lizzy Plapinger, the woman behind the LPX moniker, has made her return with a brand new single, “Might Not Make It Home.” However, a return may not be the right word. Plapinger really never left, and she’s been busy as ever.

As co-founder of the record label Neon Gold, Plapinger has found projects to fill her spare time in the gaps of her own music as LPX and as front-woman for alt-pop duo MS MR. Neon Gold, celebrating its 10 year anniversary, has planned an extravagant celebration in New York, dubbed Neon Gold X. The celebratory event will feature performances from LPX herself, as well as from Neon Gold label-mates The Knocks, Broods, and Marina and the Diamonds, who will be making her long awaited return after the release of Froot in 2015.

Not only this, but Plapinger has taken it upon herself to put her foot forward for women in music by curating the all female Saturday lineup for All Things Go Fall Classic. The festival in Washington, DC will feature performances from Maggie Rogers, Billie Eilish, Jessie Reyez, and more (including Plapinger herself once again).

With so many projects to helm, it’s no question Plapinger has been busy. Yet in between it all, she still found time to make her own, solo return.

“Might Not Make It Home” is the lead single from her follow up EP to this year’s Bolt in the Blue. The single, co-written with Caroline Smith and Phoebe Ryan, is a monstrous return, a euphoric rock track topped with a glossy pop texture. It’s a combination that Plapinger has seemed to master. Not only has this pop rock perfection been explored on MS MR’s previous albums, by Plapinger has utilized her solo work as LPX to polish it to it’s shiniest.

Bolt in the Blue featured tracks like “Tightrope” and “Slide” that mastered this flavor, and “Might Not Make It Home” is a worthy successor. Along with the track itself, Plapinger released an accompanying music video, an 80s home video montage of LPX performing and exploring in the night streets of the city, basked in neon glow. It’s a perfect fit for the tone of the track, and totes an air of nostalgia along with it.

Though Plapinger has never really stopped giving to the world of music with her many projects at hand, LPX’s official single return is an exciting prospect. With a brand new EP on it’s way, new music is just around the corner, and it’s sure to be just as shiny, and just as punchy, as all of her work has promised.

Find LPX at both Neon Gold X in NYC on September 29th (tickets available here) as well as on the Saturday lineup of All Things Go Fall Classic in Washington, DC on October 6th (tickets for that here). Watch the brand new video for “Might Not Make It Home” below.

Article by: Brendan Swogger 
Brendan Swogger is a music writer and college student in Portland, OR. He is the Creative Director for The Crush blog. You can follow him on IG and Twitter @indiealtpdx

Portland, OR based singer songwriter and #WomenCrush Music alum Josephine Relli is back with a new release. The song, “For Loving You”, puts a unique spin on your typical love song. A love note to the everyday things we see and experience that make you feel whole, the song’s sweet melody coupled with its thoughtful lyrics make it a standout hit of Relli’s already impressive repertoire. The song is the third release from Relli’s album Make A Change, coming in April.

“For Loving You” is a bold statement from Relli, who diverged from the piano and acoustic guitar and experimented with new sounds. A flute carries the melody throughout the song, and is a great compliment to Relli’s sweet vocals. As always, Relli’s lyrics are pulled straight from the heart. She encourages listeners to be their authentic selves, and spread love wherever possible. The release itself is perfectly timed; the entire song screams warm weather, sunshine, and spring!

Josephine Relli, at the ripe old age of 16, is already a force to be reckoned with. Writing, performing and producing all her own songs is no easy task, but it’s one she wouldn’t trade for anything else. Relli explains her writing process on her blog, which features everything from song inspiration to poetry, and tells how the song helped her through a time where she doubted herself and her ambitions to pursue music.

“I have had many supportive, and loving people help me throughout the journey, but even then, some don't quite understand. I've had people doubt me and my choices,” writes Relli. “It doesn't matter what people say about what I'm trying to do or where I'm headed in life. I am going to make it happen. Not being successful isn't even a possibility. I won't let it be. I am going to work hard for this because I want it so bad and I love it more than anything else.”

Having a supportive community is also a crucial factor in times like these. Relli notes in her blog post that she’s been lucky with the support she’s received from friends and family, and even the #WomenCrush Music community. Having recently performed at #WCM’s Future Boss Ladies showcase, Relli thanked the #WCM team for creating an environment where she not only felt supported, but she was able to relate to people on a similar path to her’s.
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You can find all of Josephine Relli’s music on her site, as well as other blog posts that take you inside the mind of the artist. Keep an eye out for her EP, Make A Change, coming April 20th with a release show to celebrate at The Old Church in Portland on Sunday, April 30th.