Montecruz Music

Category: New Releases

  • Indie Pop Track Review: ‘Change Your Mind’

    Indie Pop Track Review: ‘Change Your Mind’

    Hoy Cover

    Change Your Mind – The Grownup Noise

    Release Date: 2026
    Genre: Indie Pop
    Duration: 1:36
    Date of Review: February 20, 2026
    Reviewer: Rafael Montecruz

    “I’m going to change your mind!”

    Hey Cruz Fam, welcome to the first of hopefully many Montecruz Music Reviews for 2026. I wanted to kick things off with Change Your Mind, one of eleven tracks from The Grownup Noise’s newest album.

    I was only recently introduced to The Grownup Noise, and I have to say, I haven’t been disappointed. What immediately caught my attention were the clear 70’s influences woven throughout the track, giving it a modern-day Beatles feel while still sounding fresh and current.

    Another standout is the excellent vocal performance from lead singer Paul Hansen. His calm, laid-back tone fits the song perfectly. Not to be outdone, the instrumentation is beautifully recorded, while the overall production has a polished, professional sound that makes it clear this project was a true labor of love.

    At just around 1:36, Change Your Mind has instant replay value, making this track a hit you won’t want to miss.

    Listen now:

  • Montecruz Music’s Featured Song: Wild by Sole

    Montecruz Music’s Featured Song: Wild by Sole

    Montecruz Music’s Featured Song of the Month

    One song. One moment.

    Montecruz Music’s Song of the Month…

    January 2026: Wild: Sole

    Behind the Song

    Welcome to a new year of reviews, Cruz Fam. One song that truly captivated me this month and is more than deserving to be featured as Montecruz Music’s Song of the Month is Wild by Sole.

    Sole’s vocals are absolutely stunning, giving me chills as soon as the first chorus dropped. The piano melody is beautifully simple, yet powerful enough to carry the full emotional weight of the song.

    So much feeling packed into 2:51 of musical perfection. Wild is easily my favorite song of 2026 so far.

    “I wish I could go on. Walking on the edge, falling on my back, I got a feeling that I wouldn’t mind.”

    🎧 Listen Now

    Come back next month for a new featured song. Got a track you think deserves the spotlight? Email us.

  • December 2025 Song of the Month: Don’t You Want It? by Winnie Ama

    December 2025 Song of the Month: Don’t You Want It? by Winnie Ama

    Montecruz Music’s Featured Song of the Month

    A song lived. A story felt. A voice that stays, long after the last note. And the award goes to…drumroll please…

    December 2025: Don’t You Want It?: Winnie Ama

    Behind the Song

    Happy Holidays, music lovers! This month’s Montecruz Music Song of the Month goes to Winnie Ama’s opening track from her newest album (DEKA), Don’t You Want It?

    Winnie absolutely wowed me with this one. Don’t You Want It? is a vibrant fusion of funk and modern-day pop, tied together by Winnie’s soulful vocals. From the very first note, the song had me hooked, with its sensual and seductive tone that had me nodding along to the rhythm.

    If you’ve made it this far, I truly appreciate you. Thank you for all your love and support throughout this incredible year. Now, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to the rest of her wonderful album.

    “I don’t wanna wait another minute for us. Everything about you says that we should meet up.”

    🎧 Listen Now

    Come back next month for a new featured song. Got a track you think deserves the spotlight? Email us.

  • Kiss Me: NOCHVNCE – November Song Spotlight

    Kiss Me: NOCHVNCE – November Song Spotlight

    Montecruz Music’s Featured Song of the Month

    A song lived. A story felt. A voice that stays, long after the last note. And the award goes to…drumroll please…

    November 2025: Kiss Me: NOCHVNCE

    Behind the Song

    I first stumbled onto NOCHVNCE when they wowed me with their pop/funk gem,You. Now, this dynamic duo is back at it again with their new release, Kiss Me. Shaun Charlton’s instrumentation transports you straight into the golden age of disco, while Callum Long’s super smooth and likeable vocals reel you in and don’t let go.

    Kiss Me is a breath of fresh air, full of groove, nostalgia, and a whole lot of groundbreaking innovation. It’s no surprise that Kiss Me has danced its way through the neon lights all the way to the top of my 2025 Next Gen Vibes playlist. Break out your bell-bottoms, loosen up those hips, and come electric slide with me on this one.

    “Kiss me, like the world’s on pause tonight. Like we’re trapped in the neon lights.”

    🎧 Listen Now

    Come back next month for a new featured song. Got a track you think deserves the spotlight? Email us.

  • Madrugada: A Cinematic Journey in Portuguese Pop Music

    Madrugada: A Cinematic Journey in Portuguese Pop Music

    Madrugada (Portuguese Version) cover art

    Madrugada (Portuguese Version) — Rafael Montecruz feat. Evran de Almeida

    Release Date: October 24, 2025
    Genre: Pop
    Duration: 4:02
    ISRC: usl4r2560801  •  UPC: 199800718625

    “Madrugada… As horas cinzas em que duas almas perdidas se entrelaçam. Mas a nossa história… continua.”

    “(Translated) Madrugada… The gray hours when two lost souls intertwine. Yet our story… continues.”

    Madrugada (Portuguese Version) is a cinematic, Gipsy-inspired story told through song. It marks Montecruz’s first-ever Portuguese release; his way of saying thank you to the Portuguese fans who connected with him through his website and social media. Inspired by his late grandfather’s storytelling, Montecruz weaves emotion, melody, and memory into a tale that transcends language and culture.

    Musically, Madrugada blends the passion of flamenco guitars with the drive of modern pop production. Acoustic and electric guitars take center stage, supported by a dynamic rhythm section of drums, subtle strings, and atmospheric synths. All of this is tied together by the enigmatic vocal performance of Evran de Almeida. Madrugada is meant to be unlike anything you’ve ever heard before.

    Favorite quote:

    “Dramatic melodies combine with fiery rhythms on this track, which features a dynamic arrangement that blends traditional flamenco with modern pop and a stirring performance from guest vocalist Evran de Almeida.” — Steven Azami
    If you enjoy the song, add it to your playlist today. Let’s keep that momentum going! Thank you for listening.

    Rafael Montecruz

    Singer • Songwriter • Storyteller

    Listen now:

  • October 2025 Featured Song: Revelation by Nick Howe

    October 2025 Featured Song: Revelation by Nick Howe

    Montecruz Music’s Featured Song of the Month

    A song lived. A story felt. A voice that stays, long after the last note. And the award goes to…drumroll please…

    October 2025: Revelation: Nick Howe

    Behind the Song

    Revelation is one of the newest singles from singer-songwriter Nick Howe, which has quickly found its way to the top of my playlist 2025 Next Gen Vibes. Revelation is a powerful and emotional track that begins with a calm, reflective tone, before building in intensity.

    Through its lyrics and instrumentation, it tells the story of a man who is standing at the edge, both mentally and physically. The lyrics are well-crafted and deeply relatable, while the instrumentation perfectly complements the emotional weight of the message in the vocals. Excellent work, Nick. Keep pushing those limits.

    “I will learn as I keep falling. Pull me to the edge again.”

    🎧 Listen Now

    Come back next month for a new featured song. Got a track you think deserves the spotlight? Email us.

  • Hoy: A Vibrant Reimagining of a Latin Classic

    Hoy: A Vibrant Reimagining of a Latin Classic

    Hoy Cover

    Hoy – Mindblow, Briana Timari, OZLEMEK, Centyes

    Release Date: 2025
    Genre: Latin Pop/EDM
    Duration: 2:36
    Date of Review: September 26, 2025
    Reviewer: Rafael Montecruz

    “A new take on a Latin classic. You won’t want to miss this one!”

    Hoy, originally popularized by Gloria Estefan and written by Peru’s legendary songwriter Gian Marco, has long been a Latin Pop classic. Now, Mindblow, OZLEMEK & Centyes breathe new life into the hit with a vibrant reimagining, featuring the captivating vocals of Briana Timari.

    From the very first note, Timari’s voice immediately draws you in. The synth pads and synths set up the atmosphere, while the percussion and crisp shakers inject the track with a pulsing Latin rhythm. The layered production adds depth and a certain texture, which makes you want to keep listening to see where the track will take you.

    This reimagined version of Hoy is a song of pure energy. It’ll have you moving on the dance floor or just nodding along in your seat. A super fun update to an already exceptional song. Hoy is a showcase of pure talent you can feel.

    Listen now:

  • Review: Cole Rosen’s Gripping New Single ‘Dead To Me’

    Review: Cole Rosen’s Gripping New Single ‘Dead To Me’

    Dead To Me Cover

    Dead To Me – Cole Rosen

    Release Date: 2025
    Genre: Rock
    Duration: 2:22
    Date of Review: August 31, 2025
    Reviewer: Rafael Montecruz

    “Memorable, heartbreak rock anthem”

    Cole Rosen’s newest single, Dead To Me, is a masterpiece you won’t want to miss. The grit of the rock-infused electric guitars, the steady pulse of the drums, and a tight bassline frame Rosen’s distinctive vocal performance. Subtle vocal effects add mystique without dulling the edge.

    The lyrics trace the final moments of a fractured relationship, the arrangement telling the story; as the verses tighten with tension, the choruses burst open, and a searing guitar solo around 1:55 lets the heartache speak for itself. You can feel every line sung in this heartbreak-rock tour de force. With a runtime of 2:22, Dead To Me is memorable, to-the-point, and sure to reach the top of many rock-inspired playlists.

    Listen now:

  • Someday (Reimagined): A New Take on Rafael Montecruz’s Hit

    Someday (Reimagined): A New Take on Rafael Montecruz’s Hit

    Someday (Reimagined) cover art

    Someday (Reimagined) — Rafael Montecruz feat. Abraham Armell

    Release Date: July 25, 2025
    Genre: Pop
    Duration: 2:31
    ISRC: USHM92542845  •  UPC: 199800115226

    “I hear your voice, echoing through my mind.”

    Someday (Reimagined) breathes new life into Montecruz’s 2024 release (Someday), transforming it into a more upbeat production. This version lives in that hazy place between dreaming and waking, where reality blurs and imagination takes over.

    Layers of shimmering synths, funk-infused guitars, and haunting backup vocals meant to feel like echoes in your imagination pull you deeper into that dream realm. Beneath its upbeat groove lies the heart of a ballad, the kind that makes you want to dance with tears in your eyes.

    What people are saying:

    “Quite possibly his catchiest and most euphoric, thought provoking single to date.” — Stereo Stickman
    “Excellent production, solid mix. Fantastic atmosphere, and a restrained energy that runs throughout. Gorgeous intro, nice synth selections.” — Steven Azami
    If you enjoy the song, add it to your playlist today. Let’s keep that momentum going! Thank you for listening.

    Rafael Montecruz

    Singer • Songwriter • Storyteller

    Listen now:

  • tension by Haiden Henderson

    tension by Haiden Henderson

    Montecruz Music’s Featured Song of the Month

    A song lived. A story felt. A voice that stays, long after the last note. And the award goes to…drumroll please…

    August 2025: tension: Haiden Henderson

    Behind the Song

    Haiden Henderson’s newest track, Tension, is one that you won’t want to miss. It’s a bittersweet clash of heartbreaking lyrics and an infectious, upbeat melody. The production is excellent, blending emotional vocals with dynamic rock elements for a sound that you won’t soon forget. If this track hooks you, then the rest of the Tension album is a must-hear.

    “You’re so cold, never thought I’d have to watch you go. Best friend to a lover to a ghost.”

    🎧 Listen Now

    Come back next month for a new featured song. Got a track you think deserves the spotlight? Email us.