He admires his girlfriend yet fears to commit to the future. Verdes’ speaker knows that he should pursue a career in music instead of graduating college to work in corporate America, yet he still feels left out about it. One of the greatest strengths of “TV” is its lyrical tension. “My therapist would be so proud of me/ Oh, I’m writing all of my feelings down.” In “DRUGS,” Verdes says of marijuana that he “only need it sorta kinda.” “Something To Cry About,” for example, unapologetically asserts the artist’s codependency: “I’m loving you so unhealthily,” Verdes sings. In other moments, Verdes’ honesty elicits laughter. The artist’s first-person lyrics don’t sugarcoat reality, with enough specificity for listeners to wonder how Verdes managed to share his creation with the world, especially the parents and ex who figure in the narrative. “’Cause now, I’m sensitive as f-.” The music pauses then, as a kind of defensive afterthought, Verdes adds, “b-.” The rapid beat of “rEaL WOrLD” slows as Verdes drops words like descending steps on an escalator: “I’m only taking really, really positive, constructive comments, he says. His speaker knows that he made the right choice but feels left behind nonetheless, an experience as “irrational” and persistent as feeling ghost limbs after amputation. In opener “rEaL WOrLD,” for example, Verdes examines his battling emotions about dropping out of college to pursue a musical career. Verdes’ lyrics explore many themes: weakness, affection and a strong desire to do better, as well as an inborn sense that he will, somehow, turn out “A-O-K.” Insecurity, however, dominates the word count. They expose the selfish and petty motives of each listener - and, as a result, create a cathartic sense of freedom. Though the album’s sounds lift serotonin levels with simple bodily pleasure, Verdes’ lyrics invoke a more complicated response. Later, when the choruses swing into motion, guitar, claps and piano implore listeners to get out of their seats and into the kind of dancing that raises the heart rate but doesn’t break a sweat. Listeners will find themselves bobbing and swaying before the first words of the album even reach their ears. “TV” is simply groovy, groovy to its bones. If you want to know how social media has fundamentally changed music, you need to hear Tai’s Verdes tell his story to Switched On Pop’s Charlie Harding.The album also resembles the Rodrigo track because of its quick, bouncy rhythm. But like so many overnight successes, he built it up over years of practice and creative releases. Tai’s music has since been heard at Lollapalooza and on Top 40 radio. When he released a video singing his song “Stuck In The Middle” in his Prius, millions saw him for the first time. Ty set his mind on using TikTok to launch his musical career. While working his day job at the Verizon store. While major artists like J Balvin and Taylor Swift use the platform, TikTok’s algorithm is surprisingly good at exposing aspiring artists. In 2021, Billboard’s Hot 100 was overflowing with TikTok hits - over 175 according to the company - more than twice that of last year. And while trending dances and songs on TikTok may turn over weekly, with a billion monthly users, the social media platform has industry power. TikTok’s success was linked to pandemic-related stay-at-home orders - people were stuck at home and musicians couldn’t tour. In 2020 the platform bragged that over 70 artists on the platform signed with major labels. Whether you’re a TikTok fanatic, or the app’s K-hole-inducing stream of content has forced you to delete it from your phone, its influence on music is undeniable.

Tai verdes stuck in the middle