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Whether we like it or not, AI seems to be here to stay. It has gradually been invading every part of our lives, impacting anything from art to work to social media and beyond. AI has been at the forefront of conversations in our personal and professional lives, drawing attention to all the ethical dilemmas and environmental problems it has caused. While the platforms continue to be rife with ethical and environmental challenges, like stealing artists' work and accelerating carbon emissions, AI is still being used by companies and individuals to aid in a variety of things. The music industry is one of many in entertainment navigating changes and challenges that AI is bringing. Like what Lauren DiGiovanni discussed in Pop Passion's previous article, "What's Going On with Music and AI in 2025," it's no new thing that creators have been using AI to generate lyrics and instrumentals, but it's important to stay up to date on new developments. To shed some light on how AI usage has been evolving in the music industry, here's a look into the emerging "AI Music Trends in 2026." One of the most concerning developments in AI usage is the amount of music being created that is entirely AI generated. Creators have been using platforms like Suno AI and Udio to generate songs where every aspect, like lyrics, vocals, instrumentals, and production, are synthesized by artificial intelligence. This started as a novelty but has quickly become a problem as AI-generated songs have been topping charts and challenging human creation. Some examples of AI-generated artists are The Velvet Sundown, Breaking Rust, and Zania Monet. Photo Credits: Adobe Stock Despite the increase of AI being integrated into music creation, music industry leaders have been making efforts to regulate AI usage and shift towards an approach that focuses more on AI as a collaborative tool instead of something to generate fully automated songs. In 2026, AI is becoming more of a creative partner as over 60% of music producers use AI to aid in audio cleanup, ideation, stem separation, and mixing. There also has been an increase in using AI for mashups, birthing a trend that aids in creating remixes and combines unexpected genres, like country and metal. Further regulating AI's usage and combatting the challenges it has caused, streaming platforms and distributors have been active in pushing for transparency that will protect human creators and prevent royalty dilution. Distributors like DistroKid have started requiring creators to disclose if their tracks are AI-assisted and categorize the level of AI generation. Spotify has begun beta-testing AI-credit labels directly on tracks, so listeners know how a song was made. Streaming services like Deezer have also updated their policies to label fully AI-generated songs to prevent the dilution of main discovery algorithms. As for the legal landscape of using AI, labels have been making strides to enforce copyright protections. Startups have been facing high-profile infringement lawsuits from major labels as issues like voice cloning become more prevalent. Despite the obvious issues with AI usage and copyright, licensed AI models are still becoming a norm in the music industry as the likes of Universal and Warner Music form partnerships and licensing agreements with AI companies like Udio. How do you feel about AI usage in the music industry? Do you think it should be used during the creative process? Let us know on our socials! Written By Cheyenne Johnson Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

Moving on is hard. Sometimes it feels almost impossible. Alexa Kate’s latest single “Not Your Fault” details these trials and tribulations with a nostalgic, ethereal soundscape, and a voice full of pain and wistfulness. She explains that it is not her ex lover’s fault that it is so hard to move on, and that she sees them everywhere and in everything. In the late nights and in the lights going down, she pictures what they used to have and the way they made her feel. She mourns this loss, and simultaneously hopes that they mourn her as well. Kate’s goal in her music is to connect on real and emotional levels, and she certainly has found a community with this single that understands how it feels to be stuck in the past, stuck in a love that has since died. This track opens with a nostalgic tune, electronics added to the instruments to make them feel like they are swirling around in a haze. She starts right away with lyrics about holding on to the past, and while she knows that it is not helping her move on, she can’t help it. In the pre-chorus, she sings about where she sees her past lover- in closed doors, in cars, and even under the stars. She reaches the chorus and sings, “It's not your fault / That no one compares / Or could ever make me feel the way you did / Or that I've memorized / The space in time / Of the almost I've been chasing ever since”. The real heartbreak comes in the outro, where she layers her own haunting vocals over intense lyrics. Kate sings, “You really did a number on me / It would be easy / If we never met”. Alexa Kate strives to make connection within her music- that has always been the goal. The New York native does not view her artistry as just a way to make a quick buck or grow stardom, she views it as a way to understand her feelings, and hopefully allow others to find themselves in her words. With over 20k monthly listeners on Spotify, she is creating a community that “translates digital fandom into something real, tangible, and tactile”. “Not Your Fault” is the first single off of Kate’s upcoming EP, a collection that she focused on keeping her indie pop sound, but also tried to dive even deeper into themes of nostalgia and intimacy. Make sure to follow the social medias below to stay tuned for more real and raw music from Alexa Kate. Written By Tessa Maddaloni FOLLOW ALEXA KATE: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube

Perth-based singer-songwriter EDIE plants the seeds and pulls fans into her world of electric synths and neon lights in her latest single "Garden of Edie." Such as a garden does, activating the senses, EDIE immerses listeners into the scene. She lets go of comparisons, bleaching her brows and jumping onto the dancefloor. When her world seems uncontrollable, EDIE finds peace in expression. EDIE lives for herself, and that's what she wants to teach us. Upon the title, it would be easy to assume acoustic guitars and violin strings, but EDIE modernizes her nature. She's untamed, ambitious, and colorful, filling the room like wildflowers blooming in a field. The four-on-the-floor beat carries the thrilling momentum. Each crack of the snare echoes like pulling up the weeds of worries and regrets. EDIE is all about living in the moment. EDIE sinks into raw feelings throughout her music. With distorted guitars, she unleashes the rage of lying partners and friends that turn into traitors. With bubbly tones, she sings about wearing her heart on her sleeve. Now, with her upcoming EP, "Garden of EDIE," she's leaning into the Y2K textures. Check out the links below to listen to more of her music! Written By Taylor Sheridan Lempke FOLLOW EDIE: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube

Falling for someone is never easy when it riddles you with anxiety. You sit in your room mentally picking petals off flowers questioning “they love me, they love me not.” It can feel silly letting your mind sit on this person for so long without knowing how they feel. Aly Navarro released her new single “Embarrassing” about the quiet anxiety of developing feelings for someone and not knowing if it’s mutual. The track is an acoustic-driven indie folk ballad. Filled with soft guitar and honest vocals, this song puts all her vulnerability on the table. It’s a personal confessional for the ones who want to be loved but fear they will never get it. Aly stated “Embarrassing encapsulates the heart wrenching feeling of being completely enamored with someone, and knowing deep down that you love them in a way that they will never love you back.” She got the inspiration for this song from a personal experience when she realized she placed all her happiness in the hands of someone who never cared about her happiness. It feels humiliating to put that much hope into someone who never deserved it, but unfortunately it happens to most of us. The song moves through her overthinking in a way that has you feeling like you’re the one sitting in her mind. You feel every punch of the internal fight Aly faced. Aly worked with Michael Leto to produce the song and they took the creative decision to keep the track minimal allowing her vocals to take the spotlight. It’s full of emotional heaviness proving that simple can always hit with a strong impact. Aly Navarro is a singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles and originally from Miami, Florida. Submerging herself between the folk, pop and indie rock genres, she’s effortlessly created a sound that is special to her. She began writing songs at the young age of 12, and it sparked a passion that she’s carried throughout her life. Writing from personal experiences of navigating adulthood, her music is relatable to many of us. Aly crafts her songs to feel intimate so her listeners feel like they’re sitting right there with her. She graduated Berklee College of Music with a songwriting degree and is now set to release her debut EP, Do Not Resuscitate this year. Follow the links down below to stay up to date on shows and future releases. Written By Emylee Herring FOLLOW ALY NAVARRO: Instagram | Spotify | YouTube

Credit: Spotify Before Act 3 (whenever it arrives) graces our earholes, I wanted to go back and review Acts 1 and 2. To give a little background about the three act project, Beyonce created this project as a way of reclaiming genres that had originated with black people. I just reviewed Act 1 so please check that out before proceeding. Act 2 received many accolades including Grammys for Best Country Album, the first black woman to win it, and the long overdued Album of The Year. Two years ago, the album divided people because of their own personal opinions about what country is and isn't. Let's dive in... AMERIlCAN REQUlEM BLACKBIIRD 16 CARRIAGES PROTECTOR MY ROSE SMOKE HOUR WILLIE NELSON TEXAS HOLD 'EM BODYGUARD DOLLY P JOLENE DAUGHTER SPAGHETTIl ALLIlGATOR TEARS SMOKE HOUR ll JUST FOR FUN ll MOST WANTED LEVll'S JEANS FLAMENCO THE LINDA MARTELL SHOW YA YA OH LOUISIANA DESERT EAGLE RIIVERDANCE ll HANDS ll HEAVEN TYRANT SWEET HONEY BUCKIlN' AMEN Setting the stage with American Requiem and moving to Blackbird, the album starts off with heavy subject matter being the main focal point. Moving through the album, she bounces between upbeat songs like Texas Hold ‘Em and Spaghetti and ballads like Protector and Alligator Tears. The most shocking moment came when she busted out her Italian opera chops in Daughter. The latter third is Renaissance-coded. It really picks up and seperates itself from the rest of the album. With songs like Ya Ya, Riverdance, and Tyrant, she shows her versatility and commitment to making fun music. She finishes off this timeless project with the best send-off possible, Amen. The album wasn’t a straight run through of three, four, or five minute songs. It featured many interludes such as My Rose, Smoke Hour ll, and Desert Eagle. Each one served its purpose in transitioning from one song to another and ushering in a different kind of country sound. Cowboy Carter is a Beyonce album consisting of country pop, outlaw country, and Americana. While country at its core, each song had elements of other genres. Ya Ya is rock and roll, ll Hands ll Heaven is contemporary R&B, Tyrant is Southern rap, and so on and so forth. I would describe it as 1/3 traditional country, 1/3 moden country, and 1/3 experimental with notes of country. Simply put, it’s her most genrebending album, hence the fact she called it a Beyonce album. Most of the songs are slow/mid tempo, but the lyrics really shine because of the subject matter and how it relates to her upbringing and personal experiences. This album is her most impressive to me because everything has to be sung, written, and produced perfectly to accurately convey the multiple genres each song artistically blends. Very few can master this level of creativity. My unwavering top three will always be American Requeim, Ya Ya, and Sweet Honey Buckin'. Credit: Random J Pop Cowboy Carter was born out of discrimination. In 2016, she performed Lemonade's Daddy Lessons at the CMAs and received immense racist backlash for it. This album was already going to have cultural impact, but that incident made this moment even more significant. It caused more black and Gen Z people to seek out country music which boosted the careers of rising black country artists through streams and sales. Whether it was small businesses, fast fashion retailers, or high end designers, there was a huge uptick in both the sales and creation of Western-themed clothing. In addition to that, the world tour also had the same amount of significance. It triggered a cowboy fashion craze in England, a hotel price increase in concert locations, and a meteoric rise in black-owned brands particularly black women-owned small businesses that speciliazed in Western-themed clothing and accessories. It also broke numerous venue records including highest attendance, highest gross, and career milestones in each stadium’s history. Another moment where black history shined. Another sociocultural phenomenon. Another historic era in the books. Written By Jazz Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

Melanie Herrera has released her new single, "I Think I Lied." Remembering back on the different memories once shared with a partner, Herrera looks at a past connection with nostalgia and regret. With a want of no-contact by Herrera herself, she now looks at the memories with a want for her ex-partner back. Throughout the verses, Herrera reflects back on memories that get brought up by different experiences, like going to a coffee shop her and her ex-partner would go to. When looking back with a romantic lens, "I Think I Lied" captures the longing of wanting a partner back after reminiscing on memories. "I Think I Lied" is a master class put on by Herrera in capturing the feeling of wanting an ex back, but not knowing how to exactly act on it. The feelings deeply relatable, as when looking back on places or photos that spark memories and give us joy, we want to relive it, even if it's only a small piece of us. There's an essence of contradiction that I also think it really cool, as the upbeat production and Herrera's lyrics that are full of regret contradict each other. It feels as if this song plays in the background when the main character realizes that they do want to be with the romantic interest after they got into a fight and start developing a plan to do so. Overall, Herrera's newest single is not one to miss, as "I Think I Lied" falls right between cinematic and relatable. Melanie Herrera is a singer-songwriter based in New York City. With a love of storytelling and music, Herrera's discography is chock-full of emotionally-fluent songs that feel like diary entries into Herrera's life. Raised in a household full of Mexican and Argentinian heritage and culture, Herrera's music is shaped by her early days of living, from singing with her father's band to an eclectic music education. With an acting and social media background, Herrera's music comes to listeners with ease. If you'd like to keep up with Melanie Herrera's newest releases and show announcements, you can follow her on her social media, linked down below. Written By Abby Mornhinweg FOLLOW MELANIE HERRERA: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube

This one’s going to be infinitely relatable to those of you who have ever been called outspoken. Maybe they say you’re passionate, candid, or even a rule-breaker with how willing you are to say it like it is. Hayley Orrantia’s latest single “Rebellion” is a snapshot of what it means to be a rebel, and wanting to press against the boundaries to break them completely. You stand up, fight for what’s right– and if that makes you rebellious, then so be it. Wrapped in a smooth soundscape, Hayley’s amazing vocals, and catchy hooks, this track will make you never want to back down. One listen to “Rebellion” and you’ll be singing it aloud all day, no matter who tells you to turn down the volume. I think my favourite part of “Rebellion” is how buttery-smooth its soundscape is. There’s a flow to it that helps you slip right into the track, effortlessly pulling you along its chorus and verses. The vocals, the instrumentals– it all comes together to form the backbone of a song that has some super sleek lyricism, making it both catchy and having a message everyone can relate to. “Rebellion” highlights the want to defy the restrictive rules society has laid out for us. Whatever form that takes on for you, it’s something many of us can understand. I especially adore the line, “I was born with fire in my blood / Can’t resist getting into good trouble.” It underpins how we’re always fighting the good fight, standing up for ourselves and resisting the people who try to put us down. It’s a great track to blast when you need that extra boost of confidence because “Rebellion” is right in your corner, cheering you on. Although she’s best known for her role as “Erica Goldberg” in the ABC hit comedy The Goldbergs, Hayley Orrantia is also a big part of the music world. She first got her start in 2015 with her debut single “Love Sick,” and her debut EP The Way Out has charted in both the US and UK. You may also recognize Hayley’s name as the runner-up for Season 7 of the Masked Singer, where she was disguised as the Ringmaster. With a passionate, soulful style, her music brings audiences together. If you loved “Rebellion,” be sure to check out the rest of her tracks, too! And don’t forget to drop her a follow on her socials! Written By Alexa Leung FOLLOW HAYLEY ORRANTIA: Instagram | Spotify | Facebook | YouTube | Website

Expertly written lines upon lines of romantic similes can be found in the newest single from Alissa Feudo, "Cliché Habit", a song about the love and security you experience when you know you are with the right person. When you and the significant other you are meant to be with are together, you feel like everything is right in the world, and you "wouldn't have it no other way". Your heart feels loved and appreciated with your partner, and they feel the same way and express the same feelings to you. This is what Feudo depicts in her lyrical composition, where she displays her incredible songwriting. Indie and vaporwave elements are combined for the production of "Cliché Habit" to create a never-before-heard sound that flows throughout the song like waves rippling in the ocean at the start of summer. Feudo's enchanting vocals perfectly compliment the elegance of the instrumentation, consisting of alternative-esque acoustic guitar chords and drums. Also, since Feudo is based in Texas, you can detect references of country music while listening to "Cliché Habit" in addition to all the complex layers that comprise this amazing new addition to her discography, Alissa Feudo's impeccable musicianship doesn't stop with just "Cliché Habit", as she has lended her skills when featuring on other artists' songs, and for her own studio career since 2022. From the release of her debut solo single "Don't Say" to her anticipated upcoming debut album, both her own work and the hits she's made with frequent collaborators show her ability to shift genres with ease and be an amazing artist while performing them. She also has made other fantastic songs, including but not limited to "Life's Blood", "Paper Thoughts", "Frequency", and "What's Left Is Now". Written By Ashley Adams FOLLOW ALISSA FEUDO: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube

"Could You Lie" by Mathias Julin explores the feeling of dread when two people know a relationship is beyond repair. Clinging to the comfort of their partner, the speaker expresses, "I don't wanna have to miss your feeling." The song draws listeners into the vulnerable state of this romance, with two people dancing around the inevitable end of their relationship: when each partner is honest about their feelings. The words "said you didn't want to fight.," and "try to own it, it's a small mistake," lay out the tension in this love. It speaks to how any relationship, whether strong or fragile, can be a source of comfort. This moving track shows the complexity of letting go. The sound of this contemporary pop song blends acoustics, electronic instrumentals, and resonant soulful pop vocals to portray internal conflict. The tune jumps from an energetic pulse of piano chords to the strumming of acoustic guitar, bringing an immersive depth to the song. The lyrics start off slow as Mathias's vocals slide into a smooth falsetto. Through the chorus, his powerful pop singing projects over a blend of instrumentals with piano and percussion adding a rich fullness to the atmosphere of the track. Championed by Mathias's emotional vocals, "Could You Lie" will resonate deeply with fans of artists like Shawn Mendes. Mathias Julin is a pop artist whose soulful, emotional music first rose to popularity through TikTok, with a loyal fanbase of people who resonate with his honest, storytelling lyricism. He released his debut EP, Someday, in 2025, providing listeners with a collection of songs that explore themes of complex relationships and personal growth. As a singer-songwriter, Mathias's work delivers authentic messages that resonate deeply with people experiencing the dramas of navigating love and life in general. Check out the links below to stay up-to-date with his music. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW MATHIAS: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube

There's something to be said about the influence that other artists have on one another but being able to hear it in another song. That seems like what the whole purpose behind making music stems from - feeling inspired by one another to create something in honor of the original thing. With Natasha Rose's new song, "Stamp Of Approval," it captures mutliple different popular songs which in a weird way makes it so unique. Being able to take inspiration from these other songs also is difficult to then make it your own. Natasha Rose shows off their musical talent being able to capture their own voice while experimenting with other sounds. The beginning of the song immediately launched me back to the song, "Every Breath You Take" by The Police. A lot of times when I hear the plucking of a guitar, it brings me back to this song but the beginning of this song sounds so much like it. Once Natasha starts singing though, it sounds like a new Sabrina Carpenter song. The song in the chorus is so bright and whimsical which just allows Natasha's voice and point of view to come through. The lyrics are such a unique perspective and something that feels super topical too. From what I've gathered, it seems like Natasha is talking about wanting to be liked but is having a hard time with the constructive feedback. This isn't something that I hear a lot but is something all of us face as we all want to be better but it's really hard being called out. Natasha Rose is a singer from Australia who is slowly but surely becoming our next rising star. Natasha performed in front of 10,000 people at Scouts Jamboree allowing this to become a beginning of a strong foundation for their music career. Natasha has taken diary entries and voice notes to bring on a new, more vulnerable angle to their writing. Something that Natasha is known for is bringingthe type of energy like you've known them for a long time. Their sound and style are unique in their own way while giving us exactly what we need. Stream Natasha's music on all platforms. Written By Bre Macomber FOLLOW NATASHA ROSE: Instagram | Spotify | Website | YouTube

Credit: Spotify Before Act 3 (whenever it arrives) graces our earholes, I wanted to go back and review Acts 1 and 2. To give a little background about the three act project, Beyonce created this project as a way of reclaiming genres that had originated with black people. Act 1 was considered the best album of 2022 topping over 20 publications’ year-end lists. It was added to the Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, made her the first black female artist to win the Grammy for Best Dance/Electronic Album, and gave her many other deserving accolades. Four years later, is the album worth all the hype it received back then? Let’s enter Beyonce’s world and find out… I'M THAT GIRL COZY ALIEN SUPERSTAR CUFF IT ENERGY BREAK MY SOUL CHURCH GIRL PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA VIRGO'S GROOVE MOVE HEATED THIQUE ALL UP IN YOUR MIND AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM PURE/HONEY SUMMER RENAISSANCE Launched into a surreal atmosphere, the first thing you hear is “Please, motherfuckers ain’t stoppin’ me” on repeat. I’m That Girl gives us a brief look into the sound and meaning behind the album before she blasts off into the black pride anthem of Cozy and headbanger Energy. The middle of the album, Plastic Off The Sofa and Virgo’s Groove, slows down a little bit allowing her vocals to shine and showing the decades of technical expertise she has perfected. The most iconic string of music occurs towards the end of the album. She bounces from sassy in Heated and sexy in Thique to All Up In Your Mind, one of her most hype and danceworthy songs, and America Has a Problem which showcases her best rapping skills. She sends this timeless project off into the sunset with the ethereal, disco track, Summer Renaissance. Renaissance is a dance album infused with house, pop, R&B, disco, soul, and funk. Escapism, self-expression, and pleasure are amongst the album’s main themes. I'll describe it as equal parts horny, goofy, and savage. Each song is its own soundscape, yet they seamlessly flow into each other without sounding repetitive. The lyrics are unique and quotable (I personally could quote them everyday). She was able to create a rhythmic atmosphere that celebrated blackness and queerness. It’s beautifully written and produced from the vocal arranagement to the engineering to the musical composition. I have not listened to a more perfectly crafted piece of work from start to finish. After seeing it live, it quickly surpassed Lemonade as my favorite album of hers (I also believe it's her definitive best album) due to the unmatchable ambiance and high energy that itches every scratch for me. It’s so versatile that my favorite songs change every time I listen to it. As of today, my top five consists of All Up In Your Mind, America Has A Problem, Cozy, Thique, and Energy. Credit: People Many of the songs interpolated songs by other black artists, mostly by ones who’ve been previously overlooked. I loved learning about ballroom culture and how the black and Latine queer communities created that culture to be a safe space. In 2023, she embarked on the world tour which elevated the album even further. She broke numerous records and barriers including highest grossing tour of all time by a black artist. She contributed to local and national economies by increasing tourism and overall economic activity equally comparable to the summer olympics. She also created fashion trends ushering in worldwide demand for metallic and silver outfits with fashion designers, small businesses, and other celebrities taking part. Even local politicans were declaring “Beyonce Day” in their respective cities. Dubbed the “Beyonce effect”, the entire era was a sociocultural phenomenon. A historic moment for black and LGBTQ+ people that is never to be misunderstood nor forgotten ever again. Written By Jazz Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

Creative Director: sarah dattani tucker Photographer: Connie Swift Designer: Alex Joseph Production Company: only child collective Senior Producer: Guy Fuhrer Producer: Suzanne Chetty Executive Producers: dana leonard and brookegenna Production Coordinator: @nell.clacher Creative Assistant & Wardrobe Stylist: Alima Lisa Koné Stills Assistant: Flora Scott Digi Tech: Tim Wheeler Gaffer: Gregor Emmanuel Production Designer: Mr. Beale / Eleanor Beale Props Assistant: Nataliya Vitorovich / studio nattu Hair and MUA: Patrice Halligan Special Thanks: Pro Centre girli’s third album it’s just my opinion goes in depth on the talented singer's feelings regarding life and love. T R A C K L I S T Blue Sky Slap On The Wrist Pedestal Don’t Make Me Cry Bones Lifestyle Romantic Sadness Squirm Light In The Dark Traces Better Undressed The Answer girli was born and raised in London, England, where she discovered her interest in making music and began to hone her craft. She had been recording music and performing since a young age before becoming the incredible artist we know today, girli. She developed her signature sound and aesthetic from the start of her solo career with pop rock soundscapes and primarily pink single covers, where she questioned authority and the patriarchy. In between amazing EP releases, she’s put out three incredible albums: Odd One Out, Matriarchy, and now it’s just my opinion. Blue Sky The album begins with girli reflecting on her life so far, and how things don’t actually seem to be going the way she expected them to turn out. She feels overwhelmed in a whirlpool of confusion and all she wants is to break free. Life is going so fast, everything is happening all at once, and she expresses her need to stop and take a breath every once in a while. Despite the lyrics of the verses, the direction of the song’s production is upbeat and symbolizes the positive vibes of the “blue sky” girli sings about. This is supplemented by the synths ranging in depth and pitch, and how they sound like the color blue. Slap On The Wrist “Slap On The Wrist” is an idiom that defines the punishment men receive when they harm women. They constantly get away with what women fear they will do to them, and girli flips the scripts and puts men in the terrifying situations they put women in. She metaphorically gives them a taste of their own medicine, and asks them how they would feel if no one believed them like how women’s feelings are disregarded. “Slap On The Wrist” covers multiple genres that all work perfectly together. The combination of pop, alternative, and rock create an instrumentation style that expresses the anger girli has while maintaining the overall sound of the record. Pedestal The third track of it’s just my opinion details how it feels to hype someone up in your head without fully knowing the kind of person they are. When you like someone, you instinctively get your hopes up about them because you want to be with them, and you want them to be the best significant other. girli sings about knowing the consequences of doing this, because her crush could end up being nothing like she thought, but she feels tempted to “put [them] on a pedestal” anyway. The beginning of “Pedestal” sounds like what can be described as a bubbly piano ballad before it delves into more of a pop rock soundscape, which girli is excellent at producing. Don’t Make Me Cry Growing up surrounded by the broken branches of her family tree, girli is afraid she is next to fall in love with someone that will do her wrong. She wants to find the person she is meant to be with, and is nervous in her search, as she doesn’t want to experience what her loved ones had to. Listening to “Don’t Make Me Cry” transports you to the 90s, as you sway to the intertwining guitar chords and synths that defined the love songs of that decade. In addition to this, the track feels like autumn as a song, with its tempo and stylistic choice of instrumentation. girli also has an amazing singing voice, which perfectly compliments this kind of music. Bones girli is once again puzzled, this time with her love life. She is friends with someone she shares a deep connection with, but she is unsure if this person actually likes her back. She receives mixed signals, causing her to believe if a relationship with this person is possible, because she is unsure how they feel about her in return. An ethereal drum beat and matching synths fill up the soundscape and atmosphere of this track like stars in the sky, supplemented by 80s sound effects and vibes. The harmonies and high notes girli provides are incredible and show how amazing of an artist she is, as well as on the rest of the album. Lifestyle The tension builds with growing guitar strums in the first verse as girli reminiscences on the relationship she had with an ex-girlfriend, who she was in love with and created many meaningful memories with. Now, girli is heartbroken seeing that her former partner is with a man, and she insinuates that she was only temporarily attracted to other women, but girli knows this is untrue. She urges her ex to remember the times they had together, and not to forget the love they had for one another. When the chorus hits, it comes in like a shooting star with its encapsulating electric guitar arrangements and aligning drums, alongside the emotional harmonies. The rest of “Lifestyle” incorporates indie elements, making it a sonically diverse masterpiece. Romantic Sadness We get to hear enchanting 80s synth again in “Romantic Sadness”, as the lyrics lay out the timeline of how long girli has been broken and lonely without her former significant other that she deeply loved. She sings about having been fixated on this for so long that she feels as though she is in a perpetual state of melancholy that she cannot break out of. Listening to the production styles switch between the verses and bridge and the choruses makes you feel like you’re listening to two different songs while only listening to one, showing how each section of this track was carefully crafted musically and vocally. Squirm Based on the topics of being hesitant towards new romantic relationships throughout the previous tracks of this album, girli directly talks to someone about how it’s unfair that a person she likes is so entrancing. They have bypassed her wavering opinions of love, as she describes how head over heels she is for them. The way girli feels is reflected in the production and instrumentation of the song, with its static electric guitar chords that invigorate “Squirm” like they’re strikes of lightning. Paired with the layered vocal tracks, this creates the same vibe and defines the song as another pop rock hit. Light In The Dark “Light In The Dark” is the epitome of the saying “no strings attached”. girli stresses that she is open to relationships, but as long as romantic feelings are not involved, a theme that was preceded by her afflictions with love detailed throughout the rest of it’s just my opinion. This track sounds like a song you would hear at a club in the 2010s, with the light beams matching the electric synths, but still maintains a modern, hyperpop-esque feel that matches the rest of the album; cool and unique vocal effects also portray this, and girli’s outstanding vocals provide a sense of musical nostalgia. Traces girli mourns a relationship upon an isolating breakup in the foreground of reverberated synths and intergalactic sound effects. She depicts the well known feeling that things aren’t the same after a breakup, and it feels like they can never be the same again. When you lose your person, you feel as though your life changes forever, and for the worse. Listening to the infectious melodies and soundscapes of “Traces” feels like you’re dancing and having fun on different planets throughout the solar system, despite the melancholy lyrics. Additionally, the spoken outro is a clever callback of girli’s earlier work from her discography. Better Undressed The voicemail that takes place at the beginning of the penultimate track of it’s just my opinion, “Better Undressed”, defines what this song is about. In a relationship that girli knows isn’t beneficial for either party, she prefers passion over romance, as they don’t often work out when feelings are involved. The dreamy vibes of this song make it so fun to listen to, with its virtuoso mesh of pop and alternative elements. Throughout the album, girli has effortlessly made fantastic hits with the perfect implementation of rock and decade-bending elements, showing just how talented and extraordinary of an artist she is. The Answer For the last track of the album, girli reflects on her teen years where she developed a crush that completely took over her life. She sings about how she thought of her all the time and looked forward to seeing her at school. “The Answer” sounds like the song of a soundtrack that plays during the end credits of a coming-of-age movie, reflected in the lyrics with optimistic synths and sparkly sound effects. It’s the perfect way to end such an incredible record. girli has reached pop rock perfection with her new record, making an album that contains impactful lyrics, with creative production design spanning different pivotal points of time for the aforementioned genres. Her songs of love, loss, and yearning are so relatable and show her ability to connect with the audience she’s built over the past eleven years she has been a solo artist. A true virtuoso, her singing, songwriting, and musician skills are present not only in it’s just my opinion, but also in the remainder of her diverse and spellbinding discography. girli is a one-of-a-kind artist, and I’m very grateful to have been a fan of her’s since the beginning of her career. Written By Ashley Adams FOLLOW GIRLI: Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.