🍋‍🟩⭐️Limelight | Episode 5

THEME "Hidden Gems" (Judge 3's Theme) We are lucky to live in a world filled with music, and so much of it goes undiscovered! While discovery is already a significant cornerstone of this game, this theme is going to push that even further. For this round, you may submit any song you like as long as there is no version of it on YouTube with over 250k views. Find a diamond in the rough that will wow the judges!
ChloeKay - "Blooms" by AFTRHR "so one of my friends that I recently met on a hike wanted to show me a bunch of songs he likes and me who loves music wanted to hear them. THIS ONE stuck out to me like a golden thumb. I love how these guys sound in the song and the beat makes me just wanna pace all around the room and dance." ----------------------------------------------------------------- Ratings: JUDGE 1 - 2 Points "Listening to this song with my ANC headphones is so satisfying! The sound sort of just carries you off into another dimension. I love the voice as well. Not a huge fan of the lyrics themselves only because it's a song, again, where I feel like the theme is just so overdone in music. For that reason, it takes something super special for a love/lust/romance/desire/etc song to stand out. And yes, it definitely CAN be done. I'm just not sure that this song was able to do so! But again, I'd listen again simply for the sound." - JUDGE 2 - 6 Points "This is a very upbeat song which I heavily enjoy! I could definitely see myself playing this song in the car with the windows down and the radio blasting. This is such a good driving song, it has such a chill vibe to it that I really enjoy." - JUDGE 3 - 4 Points "I like how much of a hidden gem this seems to be, both the song and the artist. This was a song that kept growing on me the more I listened to it. There’s something really addictive and catchy about the vocal melodies, and the rhythmic approach to the production gives the song identity. Aside from that, there’s not really much to say about it. The lyrical content is basic, but for a song like this I don’t think it needs to be anything complex. This is just a nice song that is easy to listen to, which is why this is ranked in the middle for me. I thought that this song was pretty good, but it wasn’t anything that truly caught my attention in a significant way." TOTAL POINTS: 12 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Cray - "Echo" by Chris Mann "This song explores the idea of finding a profound connection with someone who not only understands you but also reflects who you are at your core. Through the metaphor of an echo, the song portrays a relationship built on trust, love, and mutual support, where two people strengthen and inspire one another. I chose this song for its poetic lyrics, soaring vocals, and rich orchestral arrangement as they create an emotional and cinematic listening experience that resonates long after it ends. The song never achieved widespread commercial success, however I find it to be a remarkable piece of music that deserved far more recognition than it received." ----------------------------------------------------------------- Ratings: JUDGE 1 - 1 Point "Well, he has a fantastic voice. No question about that! I always say that music should make you feel something! My issue here is that I feel like the lyrics and meaning of the song should make me feel happy…..but the song itself sorta makes me want to sit in the corner and cry (the sad cry, not the happy cry). So I don't know if the song maybe just isn't my cup of tea or what, but I'm not getting the proper emotion from it. What I do really appreciate is that, despite most likely being a song about a romantic relationship, it's not ‘just a love song’ that has been written 4 million times over. It's more niche which helps it stand out a bit. Being on the bottom is super rough and I’m sorry, but someone has to be. There were no ‘bad’ submissions this round, so keep your head up!" - JUDGE 2 - 1 Point "I think this artist has an amazing voice, I just don't really think I am that interested in this song if I am being honest. It's just really not my vibe, but I think that it is still a good song, just not for me!" - JUDGE 3 - 3 Points "I’m not sure what it is about this song but it’s giving Eurovision. I appreciate the metaphor of this song that you highlighted in your notes, but in execution I felt like it fell a little flat because it didn’t feel like it was utilized in the most interesting way. This song is fine but it unfortunately feels a bit stale for me. It drags on a bit too long without going anywhere interesting. My one takeaway from this song is that his voice sounds pretty great, but other than that, the only thought that came up in my mind was “this is fine.” TOTAL POINTS: 5 -----------------------------------------------------------------
KaliMinaj - "Hideout" by S. Carey "Some songs feel like a place more than a piece of music. "Hideout" wraps you in a quiet, almost cinematic atmosphere that carries a deep sense of nostalgia like wandering through memories that aren't entirely your own. There's a warmth to it, but also a subtle melancholy, as if it's holding onto moments that slipped away long ago. S. Carey's delicate vocals and intricate instrumentation never demand attention; they invite you in gently, rewarding every careful listen with another beautiful detail. It's the kind of hidden gem that reminds you why discovering overlooked music is so rewarding. Calm, intimate, and emotionally rich, "Hideout" lingers long after it ends, leaving behind that rare feeling of having found something truly special." ----------------------------------------------------------------- Ratings: JUDGE 1 - 3 Points "I have to be honest and say that I'm not 100% sure what these lyrics mean which is fine. The beauty of music is that 100 people can interpret a song differently or make it relatable to their own life. But what I get out of it is essentially that death is inevitable but who wouldn't want to slip into a hideout to attempt to escape it for that ‘one more minute with someone’? Maybe I'm wrong but we’re going with it and I love that because, how true!? Normally, I really love this sort of folk-ish sound. I almost think it would have been better without the twinkly guitar in the background. It's almost too much for the soft vocals. I also love the nostalgic feel but instead of feeling purely dreamy, it unfortunately feels a little sleepy to me." - JUDGE 2 - 7 Points "This song is absolutely beautiful. It feels like it could fit right into the soundtrack of the video game Life is Strange, and that game has one of the most beautiful soundtracks I have ever heard. I don't know how to explain it, but I feel like this song kind of has a fall vibe to it, I could see myself listening to this song while taking a stroll in the park as the leaves are falling to the ground. I really like this one!" - JUDGE 3 - 6 Points "This is incredibly gorgeous. Your notes are a perfect example of how a great description can enhance our listening experience. When I first listened to this song, I kept in mind what you said about this song sounding more like a place than a piece of music, and upon listening, I understood that completely. The way the rhythmic plucking of the acoustic guitar pairs with the lush strings creates an absolutely beautiful atmosphere that transports me to another place when I close my eyes and listen. I also really like the way the vocals are produced. They are layered and then drenched in reverb which make them feel distant and dreamlike, as if they are not meant to be the main focus of the song, and instead they blend in with the rest of the instruments to create that intimate environment that you described in your notes." TOTAL POINTS: 16 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Lewis - "How To Be Human" by Cat Burns "I choose “How To Be Human” this week… because I think it’s the ultimate hidden gem with a message that many people can relate to. To me, it’s about trying to find your place in the world, questioning yourself, and learning to accept who you are. I connect with that message, and I love how the track encourages people to embrace their individuality. I hope you enjoy this one! ❤️" ----------------------------------------------------------------- Ratings: JUDGE 1 - 7 Points "Holy crap! This song is about me too! I realllllly feel some of those lines! I think it's about everyone in one way or another! As mentioned in a previous critique (and your notes), a lot of songs can be interpreted to fit your life. Not every song can feel relatable to everyone but I think this is one that can and that's pretty rare. It's such a universally positive message that we could use more of in music. The beat isn't phenomenal but I also think your submission stands out some here because it's so optimistic sounding where some of the others are opposite. Yes, I know that you guys don't know what each other is submitting but lady luck plays a role in this game too, y’know! Haha!" - JUDGE 2 - 5 Points "I think this song has a beautiful message that a lot of people should listen to, learning who you are. It takes time, but it's one of the best things to do. I really enjoy the instruments in the song as well as the lyrics. I really enjoyed reading the comments on this song to see how it has impacted so many people in a good way, I hope it continues to do that!" - JUDGE 3 - 5 Points "The Truman Show mentioned!!! One of my favorite movies of all time. Anyways. I try to approach judging from a critical viewpoint, and this song is an example of me trying not to think purely personally but also objectively as well. This song is directly up my alley. It fits in the lane that matches my personal taste to a T. But when I am judging submissions, I try to take a step back and judge the submission as a whole. It’s not just about how much I personally vibe with the song, but I factor in the actual quality of the song, the player’s approach to the theme, and the boldness of the pick. While I do vibe with this song a lot and I think it is really good, I had to give more points to the people who went with picks that I felt were more outside of the box sonically. At the end of the day, this is just a nice pop song that fits in the mold with a lot of music I’ve heard before. You’re naturally gonna score high with me for submitting songs that I vibe with, but I reserve my top spots for interesting choices that wow me." TOTAL POINTS: 17 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Lexus - "When I'm Dancing" by Kiesza "So, Electro-pop is one of my favorites genre I've been loking forward to submit something and think this is my momento to do so. Miss Kiesza's been gone for a while and she came back with this high energy song, personally I really like when a song starts kinda slow and then burst in the chorus. Thank to all you mf that haven't recognized her talent and allow me to submit this beauty. Hope you like it PD: Judge 3 maybe is time to give me a good score huh?" ----------------------------------------------------------------- Ratings: JUDGE 1 - 5 Points "Irrelevant but why does she remind me of Molly Shannon's character from Superstar in that music video?! Haha! I like the song nearly as much as the movie! It's not a genre that I’d normally gravitate towards but I love the relatability of the lyrics. They sound like freedom if freedom were a sound. I also love discovering that I like songs from genres that I'm less familiar with. Those beats that just make you want to let loose and not worry about the world around you are some of my favorites! Just so happens that the lyrics to this one are about that exact thing! Music is medicine and this is a pill I wouldn't mind taking!" - JUDGE 2 - 2 Points "I enjoyed the song for the first 30 seconds until she started singing the chorus. I don't really have any critiques, I just don't really like the lyrics to this song at all. I think the instruments to this song are really good, I would listen to this song if there were no lyrics lol." - JUDGE 3 - 1 Point "Kiesza? For the hidden gems theme? Ms Hideaway herself? Obviously the rules for this round asked you to send a hidden gem song, and hidden gem artist wasn’t specified so i’m not gonna call you off theme. At the same time, even though it wasn’t specifically stated in the theme, I still think sending in a recognizable artist like this feels like an uninspired choice. You already started off on a weak foot with me based on that, and although the song itself was decent, it wasn’t anything spectacular enough to get me to change my opinion. It was about what I expected for a song within this genre (and what I expected from this artist) and at this point in the game I really don’t want to be given exactly what I'm expecting. I want to be taken by surprise by the choices." TOTAL POINTS: 8 -----------------------------------------------------------------
melanie - "Take It or Leave It" by Alessi Rose "hellooo this is gonna be shorter than usual because i’m on holiday, but as soon as i saw this theme.. i knew i had to submit an alessi rose song. she was the opening act for dua lipa last year and i went to that concerf and just fell in love with alessi completely. there’s two songs i thought about submitting, but i ended up choosing take it or leave it because i feel like it’s a very good introduction to alessi’s discography. enjoy!!" ----------------------------------------------------------------- Ratings: JUDGE 1 - 4 Points "Out of all the submissions this round, yours is the most catchy! That means a lot. It's the one that will be stuck in my head until the hosts send us the next set of submissions. She has a really great voice too. I love the highs and lows. The love/lust/romance theme is becoming a little too overpowering in some of these songs but I do like that this one sorta has a storyline and is something at least slightly non-traditional. Enjoy your holiday! Bring some top-tier music back with you to share with us!" - JUDGE 2 - 3 Points "This is a really good song but I honestly just enjoy the other songs a little more then this one. The other songs higher then this one feel more unique to me, when I am trying to find a new artist I am looking for something new, and I feel like this song is pretty basic to me." - JUDGE 3 - 2 Points "This is not scoring low because I don't like the song, it’s scoring low because I don't like the submission, mainly because I feel like it’s the least creative pick. It doesn’t seem like you really went out of your comfort zone to deliver something that would set you apart from the rest of the players. This song exists in a basic pop lane that you hear literally everywhere. In fact this sounds a lot like several songs we’ve already heard so far this season. I think the reason I'm so harsh on this pick is because this theme gave you free rein to explore literally any style of music. Yes, it was a strict view limit, but there is sooooooo much music out there from soooooo many interesting styles, and a song this basic feels underwhelming when there were so many interesting directions you could’ve gone. The competition is getting better and better so I'd suggest stepping out of your comfort zone a bit more to avoid falling behind." TOTAL POINTS: 9 -----------------------------------------------------------------
TheBreeze - "In The Night" by Des Rocs "Danny Rocco also known as Des Rocs is such an underdog in the music industry. He started off his career camping outside of small concert venues with his band just for the CHANCE to fill in a gap in that night's lineup. That takes some freaking determination thinking about how many times he must have been rejected by staff before catching a big break. When you want something bad enough, anything is possible though. In The Night in particular from his catalogue completely blows me away, putting his deep passion for music on full display. It hits like a ton of bricks. This is my go to song in helping me cope with loss when it comes to relationships ending and loved ones passing away" ----------------------------------------------------------------- Ratings: JUDGE 1 - 6 Points "Okay, what again? I need a second. Part of this sounds classic af. It also sounds modern. The end sounds like the music in the Westerns that my daddy likes to watch. It seems like a really weird combo but it works. I have a feeling that this submission came from the same person that I gave my top score to a couple rounds back because, once again, it reminds me a little of one of my current favorite bands that shall not be named. I'm not particularly a huge fan of the lyrics/theme but can still easily recognize that it's hella well written. It's so wild knowing that most of the best writers/musicians out there never get recognized for it…and that's the beauty of a game like this. I appreciate the artists grind much like someone else's I know. Yours. For digging deep to find a song like this! While something with more of a personal connection took my top spot, this is right up there with it!" - JUDGE 2 - 4 Points "I think this song is pretty good but I honestly struggle to hear the artist singing over the instruments which kind of ruins the song a little bit for me. I had to put my volume up all the way in order to hear until the chorus came on and when I could hear him, I thought this song was really good! I wish he was a little louder though and the reason why I am ranking this a little low is because of that." - JUDGE 3 - 7 Points "I know that I've been giving what feels like too much information about my judging criteria and how to score well with me. But at the end of the day it’s important to know that the way to get my top spot is simply by sending an astounding song. And this song is fucking ASTOUNDING. From start to finish. Every second of 5 minute and 32 second runtime is utilized to create something special. It feels like the song is constantly evolving and growing throughout. The drumming is INSANE on this and the guitars, especially when that solo hits, are magnificent. I also appreciated the story you told about Des Rocs in your notes, and it elevated the listening experience for me because the passion he has for his craft that you described in your notes was FELT in every single word he sang. It allowed me to connect with the song even more. Every round of this game I hope for a song of this caliber. Something that blows me away and keeps me hooked from start to finish. Thank you for introducing me to this hidden gem." TOTAL POINTS: 17 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Which means I'm extremely sorry Lexus but you have been eliminated from Limelight :( Lexus thank you so much for playing, you were one of my personal faves. <33 --- CONTESTANTS ChloeKay Cray KaliMinaj Lewis melanie TheBreeze --- ELIMINATED brookie KnowUh Space Lexus