Hi Quintessential Readers!
I want to preface this article with an exciting announcement. I’ll be expanding my content to include not only pop culture commentary and my behind the scenes look into my brand new independent artist journey, I’ll also be delving into independent and small music journalism with my new series Quintessential Music Discovery. I’ll be writing to feature small and independent artists starting monthly, and look to pick up steam into a bi-weekly discovery series in the next few months. I’ve already got a good line-up for the first few spotlights that I think you’re going to love.
My goal with independent and small music journalism is threefold:
To expand my knowledge of music and the industry by learning from and meeting other independent and small artists on the same journey as me;
To expand opportunities for independent and small artists by widening the playing field for editorials and music discovery through my own pre-existing platform here on Quintessential;
To try my hand at this music industry discipline of music discovery and journalism, just in case I discover an untapped passion here.
Fear not, my usual Quintessential programming will still continue in my post-hiatus era, this will just be an additional set of content for my readership.
Without further ado, I’d like to introduce the first independent and small artist I have discovered online…
Taylor Alexis
Taylor Alexis is an emerging pop-rock and pop-punk artist based out of New York City. Her artist career launched to the mainstream just this year with the January release of her first single, I Just Wanna Feel, followed by her June release, I Hate That I Love You, but these works are a culmination of a lifelong passion for music. Taylor has shared that she wrote her first song at just four years old, and continued on to pursue classical vocal training and earn a bachelor’s degree in music and education. It is clear in her sound that she has put in her 1,000 hours to master her craft, and her upcoming debut has me on the edge of my seat.
How I Discovered Taylor Alexis
Taylor doesn’t know this, but when I decided to try my hand at independent music journalism, she was the very first person I thought to contact about a spotlight piece. When I first created my dedicated Quinn Oslo TikTok account, she was one of the first accounts that came up on my feed. She’s acted as a blueprint on how I run my own account as I’ve found myself singing her songs all the time in my daily life, and she’s been a beacon of mutual support on the platform even when I’m in my flop eras. The way she presents herself and her music screams authenticity to me, she is a musician I want to support and be a fan of. I couldn’t be more excited to have her be Quintessential’s first artist spotlight!
Taylor Alexis Music Portfolio and Review
I Just Wanna Feel
In this song, Taylor Alexis transports us to a beautiful, Spring day but shares that she is unable to enjoy it due to the way her anxiety manifests itself physically inside of her. She uses her airy mezzo-soprano belt to tell us listeners about how she wants to feel pretty, wants to feel alive. She uses the lyrics of the bridge to tell us that she recognizes that she need to become self reliant, and she ends the song with an echo of the intro, describing that “picture perfect sunny day,” except this time, she makes the choice to bet on herself and get through it.
What I love most about the structure of this song is the range and sustain of the chorus. Those long, high notes belted over the electric guitar and drums in the pop-rock style are a version of therapeutic release of those physical anxiety symptoms described by Alexis. The breath control is akin to breathing exercises, the notes fall in the same vocal placement and genuine screams. It is the perfect song to sing to feel and subsequently escape a funk, like screaming with the windows down while driving home after a long day at work. This use of lyrics, music, and vocals demonstrate masterful musical storytelling and just a FUN song to sing along to.
I Hate That I Love You
”Can you write a song about me???” - The person you’re in the most infuriating one sided relationship with
In this song, Taylor Alexis tells us the story about a relationship in which she loves the other person, but the demonstration of care and support is never reciprocated. She doesn’t walk away, though, because she loves this person. But in an angstier version of Love Song by Sara Bareilles, she gets everything off her chest in the song this person asked for.
The most outstanding part of the musical arrangement to me isn’t in the guitar riffs or the punchy drums underneath, but actually in the harmonies and vocal stacks driving the pre choruses and choruses. To me it evokes the image of a large, powerful group standing behind the singer, more evidence to the fact that she is a supportive friend. As a listener, I find this to be a really strong and interesting choice in the arrangement.
This song leans more on the pop-punk side than the pop-rock of the previous song, and is another great cathartic and fun song to sing along (or yell in some parts!) to for all of us who relate to giving more than we get in a relationship.
Who I Think Will Love Taylor Alexis
Taylor Alexis is the perfect artist for you if:
You’re a certified pop-punk girlie
Music is your therapy
You’re a teen girl or young adult woman who loves an edgier sound
You enjoy vivid story telling and lyricism
The guitar is your favorite instrument
You appreciate a mezzo-soprano
What is Next for Taylor Alexis?
Taylor was nice enough to give me a sneak peek into the future of her world. Here are some highlights to look forward to for future Taylor Alexis fans:
A new single in the next month or so. Picture a very dark, novel romance. Okay, piqued my interest.
Taylor’s debut EP will be released by the end of the year. This will be accompanied by a local mini-tour that she is currently in the visioning process for.
A Flurry of Early 2027 Releases will ring in the New Year with Taylor Alexis
Taylor Alexis is open to opportunities to meet other creators to support and potentially collaborate with in the future.
Be sure to follow Taylor Alexis on TikTok @ tayloralexis1020 and Instagram tayloralexis1020_ to connect and stay up to date on all of her exciting upcoming projects.
Huge thank you to Taylor Alexis for being the first artist to agree to let me feature you on my brand new blog series Quintessential Music Discovery.
Know a small artist who should be featured on Quintessential Music Discovery?
About Quintessential
Thank you so much for reading! Quintessential is a collection of pop culture commentary, personal writings, and small and independent music journalism. You may be interested in this publication if you:
Want to follow the journey of a brand new indie artist in the midwest;
Enjoy discovering new music;
Are a young woman trying to make it in this world;
Enjoy niche topics;
Care about your communities around you;
Don’t take life too seriously; and
Want to know what makes me, me!