Connect with us

We Speak Indie Artist

Coral Gables Reveals Phenomenal Debut Album Still Alive

Published

on

Coral Gables is the project of Cuban-American singer-songwriter Erik Beruvides based out of Denton, Texas. Coming from a background of musical grandmothers, he was naturally drawn to the diverse music that played in his childhood home in Lubbock, Texas, from Celia Cruz to Juan Luis Guerra and Abba to The Cars. He draws upon the music passed down by his family, while being shaped by the music he discovered with friends, such as Radiohead, Sufjan Stevens, and The Magnetic Fields, among others.

Still Alive is Coral Gables’ debut album, which portrays a segment of his life where everything fell apart and his search to make sense of how to move forward. Musically, the album draws inspiration from the likes of Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, and Talk Talk to Radiohead, TV On The Radio, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs, while also incorporating Latin music influences from Coral Gables’ Cuban background to create a unique and interesting blend that stands out as his own.

Speaking further on the album, Coral Gables says, “Still Alive is my way of processing the past and creating a new path for my life. Leading up to 2019, I had several difficult life circumstances: unemployment, an empty bank account, family disagreements, fickle friends, religious abuse by people and institutions – and then the pandemic hit in 2020. I made the decision during the pandemic to write and record an album that describes my journey through loss, suffering and acceptance.” Still Alive is available to buy/stream now on all platforms: https://coralgables.lnk.to/stillalive.

Keep up to date with the latest from Coral Gables:

Instagram

Facebook

Continue Reading
Advertisement

We Speak Indie Artist

Marz Starlife Makes A Striking First Impression With Healing

Published

on

By

Every once in a while, a debut comes along that doesn’t just introduce an artist – it reveals a soul. Marz Starlife’s first EP, Healing, is exactly that. It’s raw, it’s heartfelt, and it doesn’t pretend to have everything figured out. Instead, it leans into the messiness of real life – the mistakes, the heartbreak, the isolation – and tries to make sense of it all through music. Born in Jamaica, raised in the UK, and now back on the island, Marz brings a cross-cultural perspective to his storytelling, but at the heart of Healing is something deeply human: the need to reckon with the past in order to move forward.

Across the project’s standout tracks, Marz doesn’t hold back. In Bad Memories, he opens up about years lost to incarceration, fractured relationships, and the weight of regret. “Spent four birthdays locked up, baby remember me please,” he raps, in a tone that’s both matter-of-fact and aching. The production stays subdued and moody, letting the lyrics breathe. There’s no glorification of the streets here, only reflection. He admits to being young and caught up in the chase for fast money, but he also shows growth, making it clear that he’s not the same person he once was. It’s a track that lingers, not because it tries to be flashy, but because it feels real.

The title track, Healing, is where everything clicks. Marz taps into something almost spiritual as he raps, “I turn pain into power, darkness to light.” The song is layered with poetic lines and subtle emotional shifts, balancing toughness with tenderness. There’s a determination to rise above, even when the scars still sting. He reflects on his upbringing, his time in the streets, and the inner battles he continues to fight. “No shrink can understand how I’m feeling,” he says, and honestly, it’s hard not to believe him. The pain here is too specific, too lived-in. But instead of letting it swallow him, he uses it to fuel something greater.

What’s refreshing about Healing is that it doesn’t try to fit neatly into any one genre or narrative. Marz blends elements of UK hip-hop, Jamaican rhythm, and emotional rap into something that feels uniquely his own. He’s not here to be the loudest or the flashiest; he’s here to be honest. And in a world full of over-produced, over-polished music, that honesty stands out.

With Healing, Marz Starlife has given us more than a debut; he’s given us a mirror into his journey, and maybe even our own. Whether you’ve lived through similar struggles or are just someone who appreciates music with depth and heart, this EP is worth your time. It’s a reminder that healing isn’t linear, but it’s possible, and that sometimes telling your story is the most powerful thing you can do.

Continue Reading

Trending