Tessa Stratton's Top 10

Steven Lee Olsen

1. Up In Smoke
Writer: Steven Lee Olsen, Jason Blaine
Description: Male Country/Pop Midtempo
Comment: I listen to this song on repeat more times than I care to admit. Who doesn’t enjoy believing in an improbable love? I get completely swept up in the chorus, and if I’m not singing along, I must have bronchitis or something. Otherwise, you can’t stop me!

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Rubert Gayle

Steven Lee Olsen

2. Feel Like A Man
Writer: Rupert Gayle, Steven Lee Olsen, Alex Geringas, Andrew Roachford
Description: Male Pop/Rock Midtempo
Comment: I love the simplicity here. There’s a purity about the lyrics, an innocence that’s echoed in the melody. It’s a nice reminder of the basics of love and relationship.

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Alonzo

3. Again And Again
Writer: Alonzo
Description: Male Indie Pop/Rock Midtempo
Comment: A bit like stepping into a time machine - - a total trip! It’s instant escapism when you hit play.

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Kaci Bolls

4. 1929
Writer:Kaci Bolls,Kent Agee, Josh Rush
Description: Female / Pop - R&B / Midtempo
Comment: Without fail, my theatrical tendencies are stirred. It paints such a great picture, and when I’m listening, I forget I’m not a flapper in the ‘20s donning an appropriately fringy dress. So perfectly themed and so fun.

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Steven Lee Olsen

5. Streetlights
Writer: Steven Lee Olsen, Carl Falk, Didrik Thott
Description: Male Pop/Rock Uptempo
Comment: This song has a way of transforming everyday love into a very magical romance. Absolutely cinematic. Here’s what I love: If you get rid of the track and leave only the vocal, it’s still a great song. And if you strip it of the vocal and leave only the track, it’s STILL a great song. Stuns me every time.

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Roger Springer

6. We Won’t Let The World (Get In The Way)
Writer: Roger Springer, Tebey, Robert Arthur
Description: Male Country Ballad
Comment: I have a soft spot for this song. It’s incredibly sweet and gentle, almost like a lullaby. There’s no soaring chorus, no punchy hook, no crazy guitar solo. It’s mellow and soft and calming - - like a musical bear hug.

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Steven Lee Olsen

7. Do It Anyway
Writer: Steven Lee Olsen, Luke Laird
Description: Male Country/Easy Listening Ballad
Comment: A little swanky, a little cheeky. Is it just me, or did someone coyly pour a glass of wine and dim the lights?

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Shiloh

Rubert Gayle

Bruce Wallace

8. Why Do I
Writer: Shiloh, Rupert Gayle, Bruce Wallace
Description: Female Pop Ballad
Comment: Everyone can relate to heartache. I don’t think it gets any more raw and emotional than this. Pared down and perfect.

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Ryan Guldemond

9. Body
Writer: Ryan Guldemond
Description: Quirky Pop Uptempo
Comment: I love the punchy beat in the verses, but then it melts into this haunting, ethereal chorus. It’s a nice contrast and very catchy.

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BMG

10. Alles Neu
Writer: Pierre Baigorry, David Conen Vincent Graf Schlippenbach Schostakowi
Description: Male Hip Hop/Rap Uptempo
Comment: Wait…what is he saying? I don’t know, and I don’t care! I may not understand German, but it certainly doesn’t stop me from singing and dancing like a total fool

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