"Toxin" by Anna Duboc is a powerful song that follows a persons's hesitant realization that their relationship is toxic. The speaker's blurred understanding of what their standards for how they are treated are made clear by the words, "You're so nice sometimes/ Not just when I ask you to be." The speaker puts their partner on a pedestal, excusing mistreatment and glorifying basic decency. In the chorus, the speaker begins to question how healthy the dynamic of their relationship really is with the question "Am I tasting love or poison in your kiss?" This song stands in solidarity with anyone wearing rose-colored glasses in a relationship, and reminds people to meaningfully reflect on how they are treated by those they love, The hazy ethereal atmosphere of "Toxin" evokes the dreamy confusion in the lyrics. Acoustic guitar strumming begins the track with an air of innocence complementing conversational, breathy, and melodic vocals. Humming in the background and vocal layers add a softness to the tune, its sound mimicing the spirit of the speaker's love interest: deceptively comforting. Percussion and layered electronic instrumentals join the mix in the chorus. Anna's singing into the second verse is lower, coloring the sound of the song with confidence. The track comes to a close with the same breathy vocals and acoustic guitar that began the tune. Anna Duboc is an indie pop singer and songwriter whose career began with musical theater, studying at Adderley School. She has shared the stage with artists including Katy Perry and Kenny Loggins at a young age. At 13 years of age, Anna released her first single in 2019. Since then, she has established a discography of immersive pop tracks. Her lyrical style is authentic and powerful, tackling personal struggles with mental health. She has collaborated on songs with artists like Adam Hawley, Dakota Lotus, and her singer-songwriter mother, Carol Duboc. Check out the links below to keep up to date with her music. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW ANNA: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube

Photography: Ida Kleis Boll “Only for You” is the newest single from EMI WIDE, a song in which the artist establishes that she wants her feelings and effort towards a future relationship reciprocated by her potential significant other, while also telling the classic tale of love at first sight in her own words. The verses of “Only for You” focus on how EMI quickly developed a crush after meeting the person she is singing about, supported by lines such as “Thought I’d never meet a man like you” and “I think that you were made for me”. Due to thinking they’re meant to be together, EMI wants to be in a relationship, and wants her crush to live up to her expectations. Listeners are introduced to “Only for You” with an upbeat, cheerful synth, primarily pop with a hint of the psychedelia genre. As the song progresses, different instruments are layered in the production, creating a crescendo to the indie-pop hook. The soundscape of this song emits the perfect blend between the end of summer and the beginning of fall, with its release date also being well-timed to further portray this. Furthermore, EMI has an unreal singing voice, effortlessly switching not only octaves but styles of singing to match each section and genre of this musically diverse and one-of-a-kind single. EMI WIDE is a music artist based in Copenhagen, Denmark, who began releasing music six years ago with her debut single “Walk Out”. Her discography consists of more amazing songs in addition to “Only for You” arranged into three impeccable EPs: October 2022’s Girl Is Gone, July 2024’s Be Right Back, and May 2026’s Big Shark Club (which received over 200.000 streams in its first week). EMI’s creativity as an artist is not only represented in her music, but in her style as well, with her album covers and promotional posts on her social media accounts having cool aesthetics with endless pops of color. EMI WIDE is a fantastic music artist! Written By Ashley Adams FOLLOW EMI WIDE: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube

We live in a current world that is defensive, angry and frustrated. With the high amount of stress levels at all times, it's hard to keep a clear peace of mind and regulate our emotions. However, it's important to remember that having "bad" moment in time where you're not quite yourself, doesn't make you a bad person. Every person on this Earth has experienced these feelings at some point in their life. "Bad People" by PEPTALK highlights this scenario, reminding listeners that just we make mistakes doesn't mean you're bad people. Be kind to yourself, shrug it off, and move onto more positive things. Filled with ethereal electronic production and heavy drums, "Bad People" has a soundscape that feels inspiring and cathartic. It really feels like they are singing the story of our lives, as if giving universal advice to their best friends. Lead vocalist, Phoebe Sinclair, sings as conversational melody in a light, empathetic vocal tone which adds to the emotive atmopshere. "Bad People" is the perfect song to listen to or sing to yourself when you need a reminder that we are all human. PEPTALK is an all female band from Australia, consisting of Jay-Lee Kwan (keys), Lara Frew (bass), and Phoebe Sinclair (lead-vocals), who are all songwriters at their core. They've accomplished, together and separately, a great deal of milestones within their career as writers and musicians, like being hand-picked by Troye Sivan and Lucas Keller to participate in the pride songwriting camp, collaborating with platinum artist LDRU, and writing songs for other artists all across North America, Europe, Asia and of course, Australia. Inspired by Remi Wolf, MUNA, and HAIM, PEPTALK prides themselves in releasing uplifting music that makes them feel more like your close friends rather than just any other band. Make sure that if you loved "Bad People", you check out the rest of their incredible discography and follow them on their socials below. Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW PEPTALK: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube

Tiger La Flor's latest release "HOLLYWOODLAND" feels like a vintage, confessional song that warns you not to be blinded by the charm of a charismatic man. When you meet a man that seemingly ticks off all the right boxes, its easy to become entranced. But perfection is impossible and romanticizing someone through rose-tinted glasses can only lead to disappointment. When you remove those glasses, reality is often far less glamorous. In "HOLLYWOODLAND," Tiger La Flor shows this reality with her pointed and witty lyricism. "Honey keep your cool / Dont go falling for a fool / Oh I'm just tryna let you know / He 'gon take his dance / Take your ring and leave your hand/ Oh ain't it hard to find a man / In Hollywoodland." The lyrics are a perfect balance of playful humor and emotional depth, all while showing the struggle of finding a genuine connection in Hollywoodland. The sounds of a guitar and cameras flashing immediately sets the stage for the vibe of the song. From the very start, it feels as if you have been transported into a different era entirely. There is a noticeably unique country sound to "HOLLYWOODLAND," which adds to its overall nostalgic, vintage vibe. I could easily see this song playing during a sunny drive along the West Coast in a vintage convertible. Tiger La FLor's vocals are dreamy and memorable. While listening, you can envision the glamor of the old Hollywood days, but also the mystery of the old Western days. The two different vibes are blended beautifully in a way thats unforgettable. Tiger La Flor's distinct voice sets "HOLLYWOODLAND" apart from other songs and makes it clear to all listeners that she has perfected her own unique sound. Tiger La Flor is a Japanese-Korean-American indie pop artists that has lived in more cities than she can recount in order - Seattle, Barcelona, Chicago, New York, Medellín, London, Los Angeles, Paris - inhabiting a different character in each one. "To make good art, you have to live a life that feels artistic," she says. What stays constant across it all is what she's trying to capture: a certain nostalgia for the timeless beauty in the ephemeral. She finds it in old films. Young love. And her first true love: rock & roll. With her honeyed voice and richly visual writing style, La Flor translates these ideas into lush songs that feel like discovered time capsules — filmic technicolor memories covered in a thin layer of golden dust. “The feeling of when life suddenly seems cinematic,” she adds. “That kind of stuff is what inspires me most.” On HOLLYWOOD, her debut EP for Arista Records, she slides into her most realized role yet: a glamorous variety-show starlet singing her way through romance and unraveling. Written By Kyler Griggs FOLLOW TIGER LA FLOR: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube

Long-term relationships are really hard. Throughout the years, you learn more about each other than you bargain for. Both of you change and grow, and sometimes it's not for the better. Because you've been together so long, you excuse any red flags. However, there's always still an intuitive feeling that tells you to leave. "Mad In The Head" by Flora Fiora explores the explosion of feelings that come along with leaving a toxic long-term romance. There's fear of what is to come, sadness from the loss of a friend, and anger that you wasted so many years on someone who ended up not being who you thought they were. With angst, frustration and a bit of soul, "Mad In The Head" is what Flora describes as her most vulnerable song yet. It features a stomping beat and distorted guitars, but the biggest star of the show is Flora's emotive, genuine vocals and the lyrics she sings. You can feel the heavy emotion behind every word. Losing someone that you've loved for years, even if it is for the best, is one of the greatest heartaches of all time. Flora Fiora is a singer/songwriter from a small village in the United Kingdom, Chedworth, Gloucestershire. Proving that where you come from doesn't measure your ability for success, especially in an industry as complicated as music, Flora has been making a significant impact on the indie scene. Mixing genres such a pop, rock and folk, Flora takes inspiration from a mixture of iconic artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Florence + The Machine, Lizzy McAlpine and Taylor Swift. "Mad In The Head" is her 13th single release over the past 4 years and there is still much more to come. If you loved this recent single, take a dive into the rest of Flora's discography. Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW FLORA: Instagram | Spotify | Facebook

Credit: Pollstar News I went to see Olivia Dean on August 25th at Toyota Center. I remember listening to her album once when it came out, but I’m not someone who listens to neo-soul. Tickets were sold out anyway at that time so it didn't cross my mind again until last week. Turned out to be one of the best last minute decisions of my life! Baby Rose came out right before 8 pm and finished a touch after 8:30 pm. Her family is from Texas so this was like a homecoming show for her. Playing a dozen songs, she commanded the stage like an absolute pro without missing a beat. I was very impressed by her deep, evocative vocals (which, if I’m not mistaken, is what gives soul its flare). Her overall performance received a lot of love from the crowd and was the perfect lead-in to the British popstar. Kicking off the event promptly at 9 o’clock, the curtain opens to reveal the Olivia Dean standing in the middle of the stage, commanding everyone’s attention, interacting with the crowd, and smiling after every breath. The crowd is hyped and singing along to every word of “Nice to Each Other”, “Lady Lady”, and “So Easy (To Fall In Love)”. Taking time out to acknowledge the two things she loves about Houston, she mentions NASA and, of course, Beyonce. She proceeded to play several songs on the acoustic guitar including “UFO”, “Touching Toes”, and “Something Inbetween” which turned an already intimate show into an even more intimate setting. Before she performed “Carmen”, she spoke about her grandmother moving to London from Guyana when she was only 18 and having four kids by the age of 27. Shortly after, she came through the crowd and walked to the B stage for “Loud” and “A Couple Minutes”. Afterwards, she ran through the crowd again, up the stairs, and sang with fans during “The Hardest Part”. Exuding sheer happiness, she pranced around on stage during “Ladies Room” and “Move On Up”, a Curtis Mayfield cover. Finishing off the night with the magical “Man I Need”, disco balls and an insane confetti drop that seemed to coat the entire arena made that moment even more magical. Olivia Dean Performing Loud Tonight, she proved herself to be a genuine hitmaker with an energetic personality and a lasting force as a performer. For an artist with only two albums under her belt, I was shocked she played an almost two hour set with 24 songs total, but she didn't do it alone. On stage with her, she had a huge band featuring a bassist, guitarist, trumpeter, trombonist, saxophonist, drummer, and two backing vocalists. While they each got their own shoutout later in the show, they shined equally throughout the show. An extremely talented band partnered with an extremely talented main act. Olivia Dean was fantastic! One of the most enthusiastic performers I’ve ever witnessed. You could feel how elated she was to be there with us as she sang through her smile and emphatically danced. Frequent motivational speeches gave her performance a unique level of authenticity. During one of her speeches, she paid tribute to Dolly Parton. Even before she came on stage, Dolly’s “9 to 5” was blasting on the speakers while everyone was dancing and screaming. Olivia's not just extremely talented. She seems like a beautiful person inside and out and I can see why so many people have taken to her. I'm proud to call myself a fan of hers. As the tour comes to an end in October, she closes the chapter on a legendary album. While chapters may close, art lives on because the stories behind it are timeless. Goodnight folks. Written By Jazz Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube | LinkedIn *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

Photography: BLACKHAM IMAGES "Only Girl" is the newest single from Alice Pisano. In this Bonnie and Clyde-esque song, Pisano sings about the unstoppable force that is love between her and her romantic interest. She loves this person more than anything and will always support them. She feels confident and secure in wanting to be in a relationship, and wants her crush to return the strong feelings she has back to her; she wants to be the “Only Girl” in this person’s love life as part of Pisano’s desire to have her emotions reciprocated. Lines such as “My partner in crime / My ride until dawn” help tie in and express the main, yearning theme of this love song. When you focus on the soundscape of “Only Girl”, it is a beautiful combination of acoustic guitar chords and EDM synths. The song mostly begins with just the latter to help introduce all the complex elements of the single, before heavy, electronic drums and synths that blend right into the guitar chords to create a distinctive musical sound are implemented. This continues throughout the rest of “Only Girl”, creating the atmosphere in which Pisano uses her incredible vocal talent to sonically-translate the tantalizing lyrics with the equally-passionate production. The song is perfect to party and dance to, even during the majestic bridge, where the tempo slows down before it increases again in the last section of the single. Alice Pisano is a music artist based in London, England, who has been releasing extraordinary music for the past eight years. In May 2018, she released her debut single “American Girls (Instant Love)”. A year and a month later, she released her debut EP Celebrate Life. She also has other amazing songs with colorful and creative artwork to pair alongside them, including, but not limited to, “Part-Time Girlfriend”, “Bulletproof”, and her sophomore EP Shattered but Still Cool. Her fantastic musicianship has amplified her work to the next level, being featured on different publications and radios, and performing live at the Bergenz Life Festival in 2025. Alice Pisano’s fanbase is collectively called the pixie club, and after listening to “Only Girl”, I’m definitely a pixie for life! Written By Ashley Adams FOLLOW ALICE PISANO: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube

Celebrating nearly 20 years as a band, Arizona emo legends The Maine kicked off The Tour Next Door at La Rosa in Tucson, AZ. Since 2007, the band has stood out in the world of pop-punk, proudly representing their hometown of Tempe, AZ, and making local fans proud. As a born and raised Arizonan and longtime listener, The Maine are home-state heroes. I will never miss a performance when they come to town. Following the release of their 10th studio album, “Joy Next Door,” in April, The Tour Next Door is one to see. For this tour, the band is performing two sets: one stripped-back acoustic set and a regular full-band set that brings the kind of energy The Maine is known for. This was a unique spin on the show I am used to seeing from them, and unlike anything I’ve seen from any other artists. It is simply a testament to their capability to try new things and pull them off with ease. They started the quiet part of the set with “Bad Behavior,” a well-loved track from their sixth studio album, “Lovely Little Lonely.” Before this set, I had never considered what this track would sound like slowed down as an acoustic number, but the arrangement was impressive. Over the years, fans have come to love their electrifying live performances, and this was not lost during the acoustic set. They have always had a knack for connecting with their audience, and their stage presence was just as commanding as it always is, just in a new format this time. They played a number of their older tracks, but also threw in a newer track, “And Then,” and a cover of Shania Twain’s famous “You’re Still The One,” which the crowd went wild for. They finished off the acoustic set with “How To Exit A Room” from their self-titled ninth album. This is one of my favorite tracks by The Maine, and it was the perfect way to close out the first half of the night. After a 15-minute intermission and set change, the band returned to the stage for their regular full-band set. They kicked off the second half with a song from “Joy Next Door,” “Half a Spark.” This was the first time they had played “Half a Spark” since its release back in April, and it did not disappoint. Though the track is still relatively new, the audience knew the words and yelled them back with enthusiasm. As a self-proclaimed “setlist diva” (a term coined by drummer Pat Kirch to describe fans who are extra opinionated about the setlist), I was satisfied by the mix of fan favorites and deep cuts, as well as the number of songs from their latest album. They played some of my favorite tracks, including “I Must Be Dreaming,” “Sticky” and “dose no. 2.” The crowd was on their feet all night, dancing and singing as loud as they could. The night ended on a high note with “Am I Pretty?” and “Black Butterflies and Deja Vu.” After their stop in Tucson, The Maine played two California dates in Anaheim and Sacramento, and will support the band Grayscale on their European tour this September. The Maine will continue The Tour Next Door in November, with their next date in Newport, Kentucky on November 5, and will return to Arizona for their biennial festival, 8123 Fest. The Maine have a habit of outdoing themselves, and The Tour Next Door is no exception. I can’t wait to see them again at 8123, and I look forward to finding out what heights they reach next. Tickets for The Tour Next Door and 8123 Fest are on sale now! Written by Tessa Brainard Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube | LinkedIn *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

In recent releases from our favorite artsists, there has been a huge jump in 80's influence with modern songs. The use of the synth-pop genre is really making its way back into the music scene in a big way. Harry Styles' latest album really hit the nail on the head with the genre and it feels like there has been a slow build to it until now. Tess Clare's new single "Not Here For You" is like we woke up to a new song from Kate Bush. It takes all of the things that we love about how technology and music intersect in a great relationship versus getting into each other's way. The single is honest, fun and unique to Tess's voice. The song opens up with an intro that the only way I can describe it is "sparkly." It's hard with songs that take inspiration from the 80's to not be reminded of Stranger Things. Again, with Harry's album, there's a bit of that too. It's not a bad thing by any means and if anything, it's the modern way for us to connect with that decade. Tess Clare has so many of those notes throughout this single. The real star is the writing that has gone into this song. Tess's honesty of what it feels like to finally tell this person, "I'm not doing this for you." The rhyming sequencing that they do throughout the song is so unique and really just captures your attention since it really scratches that itch in your brain. Tess Clare is a singer-songwriter and musician based in Los Angeles who is breaking through the music scene with such a force. Born in Chicago, Tess spent many years, starting at 13, learning how to craft the skill of music writing and recording. Present day, Tess has over 2 million global streams, two EP's and now a release of a full album DIVA '98 where you can listen to "Not Here For You." Tess is learning the ropes of not only what it takes to break into the music industry but also by doing it flawlessly and really capturing their voice. Written By Max Macomber FOLLOW TESS CLARE: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Website | YouTube

"All For Nothing" by Dani Marchio shares a rare, unique breakup song that focuses on the positive side of things. It's an upbeat pop hit about having no regrets about the relationship that you had and focusing on all the good ways they made you feel. It's a sign that break ups don't always have to end badly, and we don't always have to look at our exes in a negative light. It's better to remember the great times that you had, rather than dwell on the ending. Co-written and co-produced with DNA Songs and her fiancé, PATØN, Dani describes "All For Nothing" as one of her favorite releases to date. Singing with a sensual, almost mystifying vocal tone, Dani takes jazzy tones mixed with modern pop to create an addicting soundscape. The production and melodic structure are reminiscent of the likes of Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo. It has an emotional edginess and a topic that you don't hear about quite often. Dani Marchio is a pop artist based out of Sydney, Australia. In 2024, she released her debut song and breakthrough single, "Daydreamer" which currently has over 765,000 streams on Spotify alone. Ever since, Dani has been making waves with her song releases, earning a 2025 Vanda & Young Songwriting Award, over 20 official Spotify placements, radio play and support spots with artists like PRYVT, Mariae Cassandra and Charli Lucas. Dani is still just getting started with plans for touring Australia and the USA, so make sure to follow her below to keep up! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW DANI: Instagram | Spotify

Brett Miller’s newest single, POV, is a dance-pop song about tuning out everyone’s opinions of your relationship. “It doesn’t matter if we follow every word they say cause we’ll be stuck in the story of someone else’s play.” Do these lyrics remind you of… yourself? For me, they are all too real. In the past, I have internalized other people’s opinions until they became my own. When we internalize outside noise, we live our lives for everyone while everyone else is living their life for themselves. Moral of the story is… live your life the way you see fit. The music video starts with a podcast, The Eddy Echo Show, where Brett has finished performing the song and the interviewer is asking about the song’s meaning. A discussion turns into Brett leaving as the interviewer keeps repeating “Don’t blow it!”. Then, Brett is seen walking through the streets and dancing on the rooftops. Warm production, anthemic hook, defiant lyrics, and the bridge’s falsetto are the icing on this delicious multi-layered cake. POV is the debut single from his upcoming EP, Tomorrow’s Ours, which drops in November. Your choices, your timeline! Will you make them or will you crumble? Brett Miller is a progressive pop singer-songwriter who’s spent time living, honing his craft, and performing to audiences in New York City, Nashville, and South Florida. During his time in New York City, he opened for multiple major pop acts including pop/hip hop duo Social House and dance-pop sensation Zara Larsson. During his time in South Florida, he accompanied Gino Vannelli on his Florida tour as a backing vocalist. Making his debut in 2017 with the Something Beautiful EP, Brett has spent nearly a decade collaborating with pop, hip hop, and EDM professionals across the music landscape crafting his own unique sound along the way. Written By Jazz FOLLOW BRETT MILLER: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube

She is Jules has released her new song "Anxiety," which offers a unique perspective on the complex emotion. Anxiety is something many people struggle with, but it can often be hard to find the words to describe what the experience is like. In "Anxiety," She Is Jules morphs anxiety into something different: a toxic ex that you cannot seem to get away from. The analogy is extremely fitting and relatable. Showing anxiety as an ex makes it a bit more understandable to those that don't regularly experience it. The vulnerability of the lyrics are especially impactful. Every line forces you to feel how persistent and controlling anxiety can be. A notable lyric that shows this is, "He picks me up / We go for a drive / He shows me the 'what-ifs' and the 'the could'ves' and 'the why's'." Despite the song's title and its message, its sound is very calming. From the start, we are gently hit by She Is Jules' soft vocals. "Anxiety" opens on a slow note, as if we are just lightly dipping a toe into a pool of deep emotions. The background music starts and finishes bright, which balances perfectly with the heavier, more melancholic message of the song. Leading up to the chorus, the song's energy begins to pick up further and feels freeing. The song also feels comforting and serves as a reminder to anyone with anxiety that they are not alone in their experiences. "Anxiety" would be perfect to listen to on a calm morning by yourself while you get ready for the day. She Is Jules was born in the San Francisco Bay-Area. Starting at the young age of 8, She Is Jules picked up a guitar and began her journey to becoming an artist. She grew up performing with her acoustic guitar at church events, festivals, and even bars. Fast forward to 2023, Jules' voice can be heard in songs all around the world with her +120 million streams on Spotify. The singer is widely known for her vocals on the iconic cover of "Mad World" released by Timmy Trumpet and Gabry Ponte. She takes inspiration from artists like Julia Michaels, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and Ellie Goulding. Follow She Is Jules to stay updated on all her future releases and projects! Written By Kyler Griggs FOLLOW SHE IS JULES: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube