Originally Published on January 27th, 2026
January is winding down and coming to a close. It’s pretty crazy that we are almost out of our first month of 2026! With that being said, this first month has NOT disappointed by way of new music.
Soar by Kat Button
Four months after the release of her debut album, Refocus, Kat Button is back with her newest single. Button, a British independent recording artist, is committed to her vision of releasing music that speaks to the realities of managing mental health issues while living day to day and living in recovery from those struggles. Having been diagnosed with OCD, ADHD, and other issues like anxiety, Button is determined to shed the stigmas of mental health as she reestablishes the compassionate, humane part of society that is capable of accepting each other for who we are.
About the Song
Soar is the latest release by British indie artist, Kat Button. Releasing on January 16th, it runs just under 4 minutes. Featuring synths and programmed percussions accompanying Button’s vocal performance, it is a continuation of the synth-pop stylistic approach that she established in Refocus.
In her newest release, Kat Button brings a blast of percussive energy in this dance-driven synth pop work. Soar has a stylistic similarity to Refocus but there is an emotional progress to the work as well. Almost as if it were a designed page turn to a new chapter. Button takes the metaphorical approach of “rising above” her past struggles. Melodically, she stays very positive and keeps the upbeat tempo throughout most of the composition, though the beat does build throughout the track. Soar is uplifting, inspirational, and it moves.
East by Lavender Fire
Virginia-based indie artist, Lavender Fire, is also releasing a single fresh off of the release of her debut album. Like Kat Button, Lavender Fire’s album, From Shadows to Light, released in September. Her piano-based, storytelling alt folk style of songwriting is a unique new blend that pairs with her classical upbringing. Originally performing as Cecilee, Lavender Fire came to terms with her sexual identity and embraced her story by changing her stage name to something that signifies who she is.
Lavender Fire has also been exclusively featured by Fifteen Minutes of Fame in reviews of her EP’s Roommates and She’s my Ocean.
About the Song
East is the first single by indie artist, Lavender Fire, in 2026. It is a follow up to her debut album, From Shadows to Light. Releasing on January 21st, it has a run time of 3 minutes, 30 seconds. If features Lavender Fire on lead and backing vocals and she is accompanied by the piano, which she also performs.
Like most of her music, East is a stripped down work, just consisting of piano and vocal work. The composition features more movement than most of Lavender Fire’s other releases. She typically features arpeggiated chord progression in her compositions, but with East the composition flows throughout the entire piece.
Lyrically, there is organic reference to the songwriting. One of the thematic elements of her music has historically been water; references to seas, oceans, and being submerged. Though there is reference to that here, there is also references pointing inward to the land as well. This could be a reference to a larger theme, as the song indicates that there is “something new” inside the subject of the song.
I like the performance approach of the vocal work. In her past work, the classical foundation of Lavender Fire’s work has been very evident in her performance. It is still here as well, but there is more of a fusion with popular music, alternative styles, and a variety of genres in this performance. The precision is still there, with each passing note and she still exhibits her trademark rich vibrato, but this performance feels more relaxed. I like this method. The production quality is getting better and better with each release. I hear a couple of clicks in here but the sound quality is very good.
On a personal note, I want to point out something I’ve noticed with the last two releases by Lavender Fire. The cover art has shifted to more personal images. Where AI has been used to create the cover art for some of her past releases, I really appreciate the personal touch that has gone into the new cover art that has been presented with her work.
Fifteen Minutes of Fame Music Entertainment 
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