Search Results

Ashley Barksdale’s song “Redemption” embraces self-love and reflects on a relationship that is, fortunately, over. Sometimes it does take being in a less-than-ideal situation to learn how you deserve to be treated, and this song lays the truths the speaker has learned from their experiences out on the table. The lyrics say, “love’s one of a kind, mine shouldn’t be a sacrifice”, demonstrating an important lesson learned, that if a relationship takes from you more than it gives, it is bad for you. There isn’t any regret in the words, rather they preach growth and self-worth. The chorus says “I see you in my memories, reminding me how good it feels to be on my own”. Instead of telling the speaker’s ex that they were a mistake, the lyrics take on a clever humility, using words of personal feeling and reflection. No time is wasted on hate as “Redemption” is truly all about building yourself up. Embodying the glorious feeling of post-breakup independence, “Redemption” is filled with musical confidence and swagger. Groovy synth instrumentals and high, smooth vocals enliven this cool and inspiring song. Nostalgia pulses through the twangy synth bass throughout the track, along with percussion that gives the sound a dancey feel. Ashley’s voice is distinctly pop, like Madonna meets Dua Lipa. Some of the background vocals even reach Ariana Grande territory, bringing in a feminine echo. High synth scales make exciting patterns through the song, leaning into the funk of the instrumentals.   Ashley Barksdale is a Brooklyn-based singer and songwriter with an exciting funk-pop style and a storytelling lyricism. She blends nostalgic instrumentals with her expressly pop voice and creates a unique sound of her own. Her second single, “C67-C2RZ”, reached nearly 18 000 streams on Spotify. She has collaborated with other artists like J.R. King on the song "LOVERS DON'T SAY GOODBYE". With a cool and exciting pop sound, fans of Ava Max and Katy Perry will love Ashley’s music. Check out the links below to listen to her music and observe her iconic sunglasses and suit style that captures the confidence of her music. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW ASHLEY: Instagram   | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube   *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

PITRE's newly released "Middle Class Daydream" is a refreshingly nostalgic track with a strong hook that transports us back to simpler times of young hustle and innocent dreams. Painting a picture of himself as "just a little punk kid beating on a snare", PITRE gives the listener an authentic glimpse into a childhood of pure, unadulterated passion and the shameless pursuit of it. He recounts on the humorous irony of the suburban kid with "white kicks" and "shaggy hair" with big aspirations, not knowing any better but also continuing to hope in spite of reality. That said, PITRE's song delves into a sentiment that we can all relate to at some point in our early days: freedom found through doing the things we love. PITRES's "Middle Class Daydream" embodies our shared yearning for fame, success, comfortability, and happiness through its idealistic and light-heartedly optimistic lyrics and production. Through that innocent, yet burning desire to go where the grass is greener, the kid that lives inside of us eagerly hopes of one day living the daydream. "Middle Class Daydream" is a masterfully composed track that offers so much to the genre with its feel-good freshness. The opening instrumental is just soft and compelling enough to put the listener into a state of familiar nostalgia, adding to the mellow mood. PITRE serenades the audience with his smooth, passionate vocals, not only switching into his falsetto with beautiful ease but also growing the song with an emotional intensity he brings in to create a climactic effect. The background percussion that ebbs throughout the instrumental surges into the chorus, complimenting the addictively hard-hitting hook. PITRE's soft chords and relatable lyrics transform the track into one of sentimentality and recollection as we listen alongside PITRE's trip down memory lane. Bringing his native New Orleanian swagger into the pop genre, PITRE has hopped on the train to making a name for himself as a talented musician! With a distinct, self-proclaimed "R&P", rhythm and punk, sound, PITRE has steadily gained fans from all over who have fallen in love with his uniquely charming delivery. In addition to catchy melodies like "Middle Class Daydream", PITRE's "Count on Me" has done wonders across platforms with over 200k streams on Spotify! Continuing to gain popularity throughout his music career, PITRE has established a brand built on his genuineness and fans can't wait to see what he releases next! Stay tuned and follow the socials below! Written By Pejah Carr FOLLOW PITRE: Instagram | Spotify  | Facebook  | YouTube

Pop Superstar, Conan Gray has been on tour for his latest album released earlier this year, “Found Heaven”. Heavily inspired by the 80’s and iconic artists like David Bowie , Michael Jackson , and Queen , the sound and aesthetic of the “Found Heaven” era was one that I knew I couldn’t miss; especially since Conan has been one of my favorite artists for a few years now and I’ve never gotten to see him live; AND the special guest for the United States leg of the tour was another one of my top favorite artists, Maisie Peters . Being in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (where not a lot of artists seem to go now-a-days?!) the closest show to me was 4 and a half hours away from me in Philadelphia. I knew getting to see two of my favorite people at the same time like this was a once in a life time opportunity, and so I took it. On October 1st, 2024, I went to The Highmark Skyline Stage at The Mann Center on the outskirts of Philadelphia and Found Heaven. I took my fiancé with me and we traveled the day before and stayed at a hotel so we could get to the venue early since it was a general admission show. We showed up 4 hours early, and we were given bracelets to save our spots in line ( we were number 260 and 261 out of the sold out show of 7,500 people). We were able to buy merch early and we sat for 4 hours waiting for gates to open. We managed to make it decently close to the stage, but as a very short person I unfortunately never get the best view. Shout out to all my fellow shorties out there. I just look in between people’s heads whenever I can, and luckily there were screens. Maisie Peters came out, and played an impressive 11-song opening set. I saw her last year on her “The Good Witch” Tour , and just in one year I can tell that she has gained so much confidence in herself as a performer. Not only was her stage presence phenomenal, but vocals were better than I’ve ever heard them before. She totally rocked that stage like it was her own. There were moments that I felt so lucky to witness, like being there during “The Band and I” when she sings “In Philadelphia, it was crystal clear we are the best damn band that’s ever played right here” and it actually being in Philadelphia. Also, during “There It Goes” (which is my favorite song) we got to sing the lyric “I wake up and it’s October” with her on the first of October, which was very special to me as a Maisie fan. After Maisie finished her set, they dropped a ginormous black flag down which cover the entirety of the stage with the Found Heaven symbol on it. We waited for a while before out of no where, the intro to “Found Heaven” began to play, lights began to flash, and smoke began to fill the air; and just like that, the giant flag dropped to the ground and Conan Gray was raised on a platform as the song transitioned to “Fainted Love”. When I tell you I’ve never heard a sea of girls scream so loud in my life… I mean it - and I’ve been to Taylor Swift and One Direction concerts with crowds that were 10 times bigger. For this show, he wore a shining silver leather vest and pants, with the words “Found Heaven” painted like graffiti on the back. I loved how he had a lot of fan favorites on his set list, and a great big variety from all three of his albums, not just “Found Heaven” (although he did leave out the tracks “Miss You” and “Forever With Me” which would’ve been so good live and I was sad). But it’s okay, because he played some serious deep cuts like “Family Line”, “The Story”, and “The Cut That Always Bleeds” which he used to perfectly transition into “Jigsaw” turning the show into a full blown rock concert. There were so many moments where you felt like you were really at a concert in the 80’s, with all the bright neon lights and Conan’s iconic hair and fun dance moves. Songs like “Never Ending Song”, “Lonely Dancers”, “Eye of the Night”, “Boys and Girls”, and of course we can’t forget “Bourgeoiseses”, made the night nostalgic and danceable. Then there were moments where things were more emotional and crowd connecting; when Conan grabbed his guitar and played more of his softer music like “The Story”, “Astronomy”, and his viral song “Heather”. During Conan’s acoustic moment in the concert, something crazy happened and we were the city that was so lucky to be chosen for this. Conan decided he was going to premier a brand new, never heard before song for us, which is planned to releases in just a few weeks. Everyone prepared themselves, and went quiet so we could listen to this new song, except for one person who unfortunately ruined the moment for us all by crying as loudly as she possibly could for the entire song. Anyone else who was there at this concert will know what I was talking about, and I’m so sorry to everyone whose videos of the new song also got ruined by this girls’ unnecessary wailing and hollering. Conan played more of his hit songs during the duration of his concert, like “People Watching”, “Memories”, and “Maniac”, but once it was time for the show to come to an end, his final song was none other than “Alley Rose” which is what he considers to be his best song and his personal favorite of his own. After going through one of the best bridges of all time, Conan hits his belting note and thousands of Found Heaven shaped confetti pieces shoot into the air. It was a cathartic way to end the show. Conan Gray is one of the best songwriters within our current generation of pop music. Not only that, but he has a voice most singers wish they had. He’s got an infectious personality that draws people to him, and he performs one heck of a show. Found Heaven on Tour is an incredible concert with a perfectly crafted setlist for true Conan Gray fans who really know him and connect to him and his music. I’ve been to a lot of concerts, and concerts with crowds almost 10 times bigger, and I’ve never heard people sing so loud in my life. Honestly, the crowd was singing so loud at times that I could barely hear Conan himself. I won’t lie, there were some concert etiquette issues and I do feel Conan deserves a lot better respect from some of his fans (especially the younger teenage generation). I think Conan enjoys hearing his fans sing back to him or else he wouldn’t hold his mic out to the crowd so much, but there’s a time to scream your head off and a time to be calm and listen. I also think liking an artist for how they look instead of what their music is about is extremely wrong, which is another thing I became aware of being surrounded by high schoolers. Conan Gray is an artist for the kids out there who don’t have proper parents, for the kids out there who feel alone, or like it’s not possible for them to be loved. I usually like to keep my reviews as positive as possible, but I felt this was an issue than needed to be addressed. Please be aware of your surroundings when you’re at a concert, and think about how your behaviors are effecting other people. Thank you so much for reading my review. Despite the people attending the concert, Conan Gray himself is absolutely amazing and his show is out of this world. He has worked so hard to make this tour a legendary experience, and I do recommend going if you have the chance to! CLICK HERE TO READ MY TRACK-BY-TRACK "FOUND HEAVEN" ALBUM REVIEW! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

Being a romantic when a person is right for you can be a beautiful thing, but carrying that romanticism across a series of wrongs is a whole different story. Tess Clare’s single “Not Here for You” empowers listeners to save their energy and devotion for themselves. The song evaluates the romances that the speaker has, showing how exploring meaningless connections no longer makes her feel anything, and saying “I’m numb for the first time”. The truth is when you have to try to convince yourself that a relationship is special or magical, it’s likely more effort than you can sustain. Highlighting the tendency people have to project feelings onto something that isn’t that strong, the song says “I fantasize, romanticize, lie to myself in my bed.” It’s a relatable image that many of us have experienced ourselves, lying in bed and making up ideas about a person we are trying things out with. The song takes a step back from the fantasy, and shares an empowering message of moving forward and moving on. Glowing electronic note patterns and uplifting percussion open the song before Tess’s low and feminine vocals begin. Her voice is matter-of-fact, like a calm narration of the truth. The vocals pick up speed through the pre-chorus, before vocalizing lifts the tune even higher into the chorus. With a comforting and dream-like sound, the high vocals and twinkling instrumentals hit the ear like you’re floating. The liberating feeling that comes from the words is embodied by the vocals in the chorus. Layers of singing close the song, folding rounds of lyrics with varying pitches over each other along with ethereal vocalizing. “Not Here for You” is a song for moving on if there ever was one, with honest lyrics and an unfettered sound. Tess Clare is an LA-based independent artist whose music touches listeners with its deeply personal lyricism and powerful sound. With strong meanings and catchy tunes behind her music, Tess’s songs have been placed on several editorial playlists like Grammy’s “2024 Pride Month” Playlist, Apple Music’s “New in Alternative” playlist and several Spotify playlists including “Indie Pop” and “Fresh Finds”. The musician has two EPs and several singles in her discography as she continues to put out emotionally vulnerable and exciting music. She has collaborated with other artists including Golddub , and regularly performs live shows with her band, recently performing at Music Midtown . Keep an ear out for a larger upcoming release by checking out the links below! Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW TESS: Instagram   | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube   *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

In a relationship where one person is giving too much, and the other not enough, it could feel like you’re both on two different planets. These two planets being so far away from each other, it creates a space (a divide) between the two that leaves enough room for heartbreak. “Space” by Sophia Angeles explores the complications of space in a relationship, and creatively compares those experiences to the astrological and the scientific phenomenon of outer space.   The opening lyric “A horoscope told me that you’d leave me lonely/ ‘Cause our signs they weren’t a match” uses astrology to explain why her relationship didn’t work out the way she wanted it to. Astrology can be used to explain personality and behavioral traits and some people like to use star-signs as a factor to determine if a relationship will work out.  When the stars align, everything happening in that moment seems like it is exactly the way it should be. This relationship seems like it was star-crossed, doomed from the start. “I’d give you the world if you gave me a chance/ But it feels like you’re just out of touch” is the other person not reciprocating the same amount of interest as Sophia. The lyric explains how she feels, and if given a real chance she would prove how much she’s willing to do for love. The chorus “You say you need space/ But I wanna be close to you” sums up the tone of the song. We’re navigating her feelings of being on the receiving end of the forced distance, and not the one asking for it. “Cause you’ve got my heart in your hands/ And I can’t make you love me the way that I’ve always loved you” is a lyric that shows the other person has the power. Sharing your heart makes you vulnerable and when you’re putting it in someone else's hands it shows that you really trust them. Sophia is willing to give them space and put up a front that she’s ok when in reality that is the furthest thing from the truth. She’s compliant because maybe they’ll come around and the space will make the relationship stronger. “Sometimes I feel like I’m Pluto/ ‘Cause you act like I’m not important to you” reflects on her insecurities. Pluto isn’t a planet, and a lot of people deem it pointless. They never pay attention to it, so by comparing herself to Pluto she’s saying she feels insignificant and undervalued. “Jupiter, Saturn, I’m stuck in a pattern/ I always gravitate to you” shows that regardless of how she feels, she’ll always go back to them. The closer you are the more you are pulled towards each other, so even though there’s space between them that's not stopping her from always being pulled in their direction.  The opening of “Space” is ethereal. Produced by Adam Turley, “Space” by Sophia Angeles is about a relationship where one person is giving more love and the other wants to throw it away. Space in this context could mean many things like physically being too far away, wanting distance or alone time, and the universe’s space. The theme of the song is like any traditional heartbreak song, but the details and metaphors make it more unique. The production was very thought out. This song has the perfect balance of instrumentals and beats that give off the right energy. While listening and absorbing the lyrics, I almost imagined myself floating in space. Sophia’s soft and smooth voice really contributed to the overall mood of the song. You can hear her hurt and understand how she feels when she sings without changing the pitch of her voice. Sophia Angeles is a rising pop singer based in Nashville, Tennessee. She released her debut single “Interested” in 2018 and has been releasing music ever since. Now she has over seventeen thousand monthly listeners on Spotify, with her single “Miss You More” gaining over four-million streams. “Miss You More” also debuted on Spotify’s editorial playlists “Fresh Finds” and “Poptronix”. Sophia finds inspiration from artists like Selena Gomez and Julia Michaels. Her music blends conversational lyrics with catchy pop melodies. Check out “Space” and give it a listen!  Written By Alexa LaMalfa FOLLOW SOPHIA ANGELES: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

If you’re searching for a song that makes you feel good about being human, embracing the good and bad that comes with it, look no further than Ella Eliza’s new song “Heaven is Magnetic”. This pop anthem takes on the imperfect journey of life, embodying an empowering perspective of grounding yourself in the present. Golden nuggets of wisdom are dispersed throughout the song like the truth that “there’s a beauty to just letting things unfold”. In drawing out the reality that we do not control what happens, this song frees its listeners from the bounds of dissatisfaction. The chorus starts with the mantra “the more I stay in the moment, the more I feel like I own it”, embodying a carpe diem attitude with a catchy and resonant turn of phrase. Winding words of inspiration with ideas like “you gotta give something before you take, and embrace all of the mess you made” conveys the humbling message that we all have flaws and that’s the beauty of being human. In a time of overthinking and feelings of dissatisfaction, “Heaven is Magnetic” tells listeners that they can be happy just existing. Combining fun, upbeat percussion, resonant piano, and Ella’s exciting pop vocals, this song has an encouraging and exciting sound. Through the verse, the feminine vocals are deep and emotional, allowing the wisdom of the lyrics to come through. The chorus lifts you up with cool and catchy guitar accompanying Ella’s high and invigorating vocals. Background vocals add dimension through the second verse and on. A fast and electric pace comes through the bridge, forcing a uniformity into the tune that emulates the lyrics “we’re all the same”. The music cuts out for a moment as Ella’s voice recites lyrics like poetry, adding a grounding moment for listeners to truly consider the important message she speaks. Electric background instrumentals pick up for the final chorus, giving it a synthpop power as uplifting as its message. Ella Eliza is a West London-based alternative pop artist from Germany. With almost 20 000 monthly listeners on Spotify, and praise from several platforms and music-lovers including Gemma Bradley from BBC Radio 1 . On top of being a singer and songwriter, Ella is a music producer, and produced her debut EP “INTROSPECTION”. The artist has several sold out headline shows under her belt at London spots like The Grace and Notting Hill Arts Club. Using her music to explore themes of empowerment, identity, and spirituality, Ella’s songs resonate with so many listeners who share her experiences. She is a member of Loud LDN , a group of artists who embrace diversity in the music industry. The music video for her recent single “Life Without Me” was directed by the award-winning filmmaker Frankie Joe Gommon , amplifying the song’s personal message of identity. Check out the links below to find out more about Ella! Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW ELLA: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

When The Sun Sets’ “Serotonin Sunrise” is a love song for people who have big feelings and an even bigger love for music that screams their affection out loud. It’s about having a person stuck in your head, and having that hormonal deluge come from just seeing them; the serotonin just floods your head when you’re with them, a veritable sunrise in the form of chemical reactions. The rush of love is weaved throughout the song, and the feelings are palpable with each verse and incoming chorus– anyone who’s ever been in love, or had a person who they just cannot take their eyes off of, can absolutely relate to this thrillingly energetic track that makes you want to fall in love. Heavy guitars and percussion plays with classic pop punk vocals, impassioned and fervent, and will make any listener dance along. “Serotonin Sunrise” begins with a slow crawl toward an explosion of energy. It begins with this gentle synth, but the other instrumentals suddenly appear in the soundscape to really establish just how upbeat this track is going to be. I felt that it was such a fun way to set the song’s mood, and replicating that feeling of seeing that person who is causing all your serotonin sunrises, this gradual yet sudden thing that crashes over you like a wave. As usual, my love for pop punk is bubbling to the surface in this review, and as such “Serotonin Sunrise” scratches all the right parts in my brain. It’s got a big personality, big instrumentals, and big vocals– everything about it is loud, intense, and overflowing with passion, and yet it has some moments where the energy is turned down slightly, as if to give the listener some breathing room. It’s a nice interplay between intensities, and I find that I really love how When The Sun Sets does it. And I can’t talk about the instrumentals without mentioning that spectacular saxophone solo. I already really loved this song, but the saxophone solo makes me love it even more– and, be honest: who doesn’t love a good saxophone solo? And the lyrics, too, are fantastic; I really enjoyed how saccharine the songwriting was and how it matched the soundscape’s excited energy. There’s a line in the chorus that goes, “You’re spinning, yeah, you’re stuck inside my brain / Like a serotonin sunrise that I never could replace”, which is just one example of how descriptive the song’s lyrics are. Each line illustrates the strong feelings that the narrator has for this girl, and just how crazy he is for her– it’s romantic in the most pop punk way possible, and I honestly would not have it any other way. “Serotonin Sunrise” combines the intensity of the pop punk genre with the feeling of love ballads to create this altogether unique track that’ll make you want to dance, sing, and think about that person who also gives you that serotonin sunrise. Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, When The Sun Sets is a band that blends classic and modern pop punk to create a soundscape that only they could make. Influenced by bands such as A Day To Remember, State Champs, and Real Friends, When The Sun Sets is driven to twine relatable lyrics with passionate instrumentation. They’ve played aside international artists such as Bearings, The Home Team, Knockout Kid, and many more; and they’ve also done weekend runs with growing bands such as FRND CRCL, Alone I Walk, Years Later, and Gold Steps, extending their musical reach all over the United States. Their debut single “The Wave” released in 2018, and their hit single “February” dropped just a year later in 2019, amassing over 800,000 streams on just Spotify to date. Over the years, When The Sun Sets has released a variety of EPs, but “Serotonin Sunrise” is one part of their upcoming debut album. So, while we all await its release, give “Serotonin Sunrise” another listen, and give the rest of their discography one, too, while you’re at it! Written By Alexa Leung FOLLOW WHEN THE SUN SETS: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Kylie Rothfield gifts us the perfect song about the loss of love for someone who didn't deserve it to begin with. She sets a strong example of what it looks like to be strong and confident when talking about someone you once loved. The chorus begins by saying, "You'll never heal if / All you know is how to be wanted / So just be honest / You've never loved somebody." We can feel the artist's power through these lyrics, the statement being made that the other person will never learn if they don't actually invest in the relationship they claim to care about. As we get further into the song, there's one line that I think everyone can relate to that says, "The Santa Barbara sun is setting in the evening / And you like me better now cause you know I'm leaving." This is a universal experience, we've all been with someone who only fights for us at the end because they know it's best for us to move on from them in order to heal. The reality being they want to keep us in that environment, knowing if we stick around, they'll go back to treating us the same way they always have. That's the beauty of this line, it's so raw and real that it becomes relatable. The music takes us on a journey through highs and lows. The song begins in an upbeat manner, and then within seconds drops to a bit of a low. Almost like you're riding a rollercoaster, and that's not a bad thing. It keeps the listener on their toes while they journey through the song. The song has a smooth and soft flow, it helps us as the listener understand that while the artist is confident in calling the other person out, they're still trying to process the whole situation and how they're feeling. When Kylie Rothfield starts in with the lyrics, it adds a new level of depth to the song. Her voice is gentle yet powerful. The listener does not doubt what she is trying to say because her voice presents the lyrics in a confident manner, which instills confidence in the listener. The song 'Never Loved Somebody' brings a new style of music to the indie realm. While the song gives off the indie vibe, it also gives off a 70's vibe, and the two styles work well together. The song sounds as if it's being played by a live band, despite being crafted in home studios. It was mixed by Rob Stevenson, who is known for working with Beach Weather and Paul McCartney. The song was mastered by Dave McNair, who is known for working with David Bowie, Maroon 5, and Demi Lovato. In her time as a musical artist, Kylie Rothfield has been mentored by Alicia Keys, and she has collaborated with big-name songwriters including, Ryan Tedder and Ester Dean, who have worked with artists like Taylor Swift and Katy Perry. Kylie Rothfield has over one million streams and views, a sponsorship from Epiphone guitars, and has had her music featured on many major TV networks. She continues to shine bright in the world of music. Don't miss what happens next! Written By Destiny Rundquist FOLLOW Kylie Rothfield: Instagram | Spotify  | Facebook  | YouTube

If there’s one genre I don’t explore often enough, it’s electronic pop. Usually, I try to save listening to those songs for when I go to a rave, or when I’m cleaning around the house and want to play something energetic. However, I think the song we’ll be talking about today is incredible, and I can honestly see myself just listening to it whenever. “Big Man” is the latest single by artist, Isolde Fair. It’s powerful, super energetic, and all-around a great listen. “Big Man” is about reclaiming one’s own strength and power, and breaking out of your comfort zone to reclaim your independence. I really loved it, and I felt pretty empowered after my first listen. So I played it again… and again… and again. And now I’m obsessed. I love EDM music, and I think a big reason why is because of how insane the production behind it is. And I know that if this song were to play at a rave, I would be jumping around and whipping my hair in every direction. I don’t know how production works for this kind of music, but I can obviously tell it takes a lot of time and effort to make everything work together. Fair worked with fellow artist and composer Lukas Geppert to create this song, and I could tell from the get-go that so much love went into making it. The high energy of the beats pairs well with the genius lyrics that Fair had written. I just think everything worked together perfectly to create this masterpiece. If I were to tell you that “Big Man” was only Isolde Fair’s second single, would you believe me? Honestly, I can hardly believe it myself. Though, prior to releasing her own music, she did kick off her music career from a fairly young age! Fair is 20 years old, and her journey first began when she was 16. She was at a crossroads, undecided on if she wanted to be a classical instrumentalist, or if she wanted to pursue other alternatives and find her true voice. She eventually began writing and performing on hits for multiple Grammy-winning artists. Her debut single, “Strip Away”, kicked off what I can only imagine will be an amazing career. “Big Man” took me by surprise, and I loved every second of it. Go stream it everywhere today! Written By Isabel Mays FOLLOW ISOLDE FAIR: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube

Contemplating a love that seeps into dreams, Ormella’s single “Why Do I Need You, Man?” explores self-sabotage in a beautiful relationship. The song moves between glowing descriptions of the speaker’s lover and a discourse of doubt. From the very beginning, there is a back-and-forth double meaning to the words, with the opening lyrics “you’re so sickly, sickly sweet”. There’s a pause between the repeated word, giving listeners a moment to think that the person the lyrics are describing is vulnerable. After the pause, a positive is wrapped around the fragile implication of the first three words of the song, allowing listeners to relate to those times you feel your partner is almost too precious. Even through the love in the song, the chorus brings an ultimate matter to the spotlight, saying “all eyes on the question: are we meant to be?” This draws on ideas of fate and destiny rather than absorbing the facts of a relationship, then acknowledges the flaws in the doubt with the question “why am I opposed to happiness at all?” This song documents the worries that come when we’re in love in a beautiful and touching way, ideal for listeners who want to bask in love even when confusion and uncertainty exists. An acoustic feeling of intimacy comes in the instrumental journey of guitar, strings, piano, and percussion throughout this song. Ormella’s breathy voice reaches heights and depths that resonate like love itself, pouring vulnerability into her entrancing voicing of the lyrics. There’s a jazzy post-chorus interlude that sounds like a saxophone smoothly echoing the questions of the chorus. The strings create a glowing sound, reflecting the romantic euphoria felt through the lyrics. Taking its time and layering emotion through its instrumentals, “Why Do I Need You, Man?” floats listeners into a state of calm romantic introspection. Ormella is a singer and songwriter from East London with classical vocal training and talent with multiple instruments. She was a vocalist for the pop group Takk, and now thrives as a solo-artist, having recently put out her debut EP called “Stick the Knife In”. With influences like Joni Mitchell and Fiona Apple, Ormella brings a deeply meaningful lyricism and powerful vocals to her music. Her style fuses folk, pop, and electronic sounds, creating catchy and stimulating music. She has held sold out headline shows at The Camden Chapel and The Waiting Room. Check out the links below to learn more about Ormella. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW ORMELLA: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Everyone remembers their first love. Whether good or bad, it’s a person who has cemented themselves into your memory, if not just your heart. AZRA’s second release on her upcoming EP is “if it wasn’t for you”, a pop punk anthem that will get its listeners jumping, dancing, and singing along with its hooky chorus. As much as the song is about being reminded by your first love at every turn, it’s also about letting them go; realizing that you managed to break the cycle to find happiness elsewhere, and giving your heart a break from anguishing over them. They might have put you through a lot– miscommunication, fights, and heartbreak– but, if it wasn’t for them, you would have never reached that ultimate happiness that you have now. They were a necessary step in the process, and it’s best to leave them in the past while you live your best life. When I say I love pop punk, I mean it. There’s just something about the energy that takes me way back to 2010 when pop punk and pop rock ruled the charts. So, I consider it a good sign if a modern-day pop punk song can bring me back to that time. “if it wasn’t for you” is like a literal time machine. Its instrumentals, like the classics, are superbly intense: heavy percussion, energetic guitar, and a healthy dose of passionate vocals make this song a wonderfully fun track to listen to. It’s the type of song that you can feel in your core, shaking your very soul with just how fervent the instrumentals are. You’ll be compelled to get up and dance, throw your hands in the air, and think about nothing but the lyrics and its wickedly fun soundscape. And speaking of the lyrics, “if it wasn’t for you” has some that are highly relatable, no matter what kind of love you’ve encountered in your life. Although it speaks about first love, I think it can also apply to your first heartbreak; the lyrics are all about cleansing yourself of them, even if you’re reminded of their presence in many facets of your life. The line, “You turned my world upside down, I grew a lot / I learnt a lot” really highlights how much love alters your view on life, yet you’ll always grow and learn from the experience. Bad or good, the relationship has come and gone, and all you can do with the memories now is put them toward something that serves you better, and serves your happiness. I really loved how reminiscent the lyrics were in spite of the pain of the relationship; to me, they were an amazing blend of looking back and looking forward, underscoring how every one of our experiences has led up to who we are today. AZRA is a multidisciplinary artist based in Los Angeles, whose artistic reach goes far beyond just the music industry. She’s an author, dancer, motivational speaker, and model on top of being a musician. Her music has the purpose of uplifting others as they live their life’s journey, and she shares her own stories in her music with her signature style Substance Pop, which combines power pop, punk, rock, dance, and metal influences with intense 808 beats. In this whirlwind genre, AZRA transports her listeners to the 6th Dimension, a place of AZRA’s own creation, where dreams can happen and you can do or be anything your heart desires. Her debut EP “Freedom” released in 2017, which was then followed by a West Coast Tour as the opener for the Plain White T’s on their High School Nation Tour. From then, AZRA continued to tour the country, performing at Pride Festivals as a supporter and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. 2018 saw the release of her single “Dimension”; this track reached the top of Digital Radio Tracker Independent Charts for several consecutive weeks. Her 2021 single “Dangerous” claims this achievement as well. Today, “if it wasn’t for you” is AZRA’s most current release, and is the second track off her upcoming EP. I highly encourage you to drop AZRA a follow and listen to her amazing discography while we wait for the rest of the EP! Written By Alexa Leung FOLLOW AZRA: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Swedish singer/songwriter Shalisa Taylor has recently dropped her long-awaited debut album, "When Time Belongs To You", which acts as a soundtrack for young adulthood, " when everything feels possible and every moment seems pivotal". TRACKLIST When Time Belongs To You Oldest Story of Love Luka Bittersweet Aftertaste It's Time Guide Me Home Mother Shalisa Taylor comes from a musically inclined family, and has loved to sing since she was little. She sang in choirs, musical theatre, and other ensembles, and played the piano as well. Eventually she got into songwriting and lyricism, which has shaped her into the well-rounded artist she is today. She would post videos of her singing online here and there, but Shalisa officially debuted as an artist in 2017 when she released her first single, "Fight" which claimed a spot in the top 10 on the Swedish radio station P3 . This led to Shalisa being signed to Rexius Records later that year, with another new single "Yours To Keep" soon to follow. Shalisa then went on to release a self-titled debut EP in 2019, with all songs gaining streams with 6 figures. Shalisa has spent the last 5 years releasing singles and preparing for what would become her debut album, which we will be exploring today! "When Time Belongs To You" was completely self-written by Shalisa (except for the cover of Luka) like diary entries from her mid-to-late twenties, exploring themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. Taking inspiration from the likes of Kacey Musgraves , Noah Cyrus and Taylor Swift , while intertwining tones from her Nordic roots, this album is about facing life's challenges head on, and embracing the beauty of both the ups and downs. Shalisa recorded her own vocals in Sweden, while Fabian Santacruz produced the album’s instrumentals at Green Music Studios in Barcelona. When Time Belongs To You We kick off the album with the title track, "When Time Belongs To You". Starting with acoustic guitar, and building just ever so slightly with piano and some soft folk electric guitar, "When Time Belongs To You" is a beautiful, almost melancholic song with nostalgic tones and so much catharsis that it brings a tear to your eye. This song is about the simple things in life that go unnoticed, but once you don't have them anymore you start to wish you appreciated it more while you still could. "When Time Belongs To You" is a reminder to slow down, and pause for a moment. Look around at what you have, and take it in, because one day it might not be the same and you're going to miss it. Shalisa sings beautifully in this song, with layers of country and folk inspired harmonies and vocalizations to back her up. It almost sounds like a lullaby, something too precious and innocent for this world. Oldest Story of Love Next we have "Oldest Story of Love", which highlights the aftermath of a typical breakup. It's that kind of cliché, where you know you should've seen it coming from a mile away. It almost has you saying, "did I really just let this happen to me?" It's the oldest trick in the book, when a guy leaves you for another girl and then you're left alone to fend for yourself against your own emotions. You try anything to distract yourself from the heartbreak - from watching trash TV, to dressing up just to nowhere, to listening to Taylor Swift and singing your soul out all night long. Even though the topic is kind of tragic, the music itself is fun and bright, reminding everyone who has ever been in this same exact scenario that you are not alone. The soundscape reminds me of an early 2000's country / pop song. The strong vocal approach Shalisa took here with just a little bit of twang made me think of Shania Twain . Luka Track three is a cover of Suzanne Vega 's 80's folk/rock song "Luka", a track that brought light on the issues and dangers of emotional and physical child abuse. "My personal relationship with the song started when my dad showed it to me when I was younger. Ever since then, I've wanted to cover it. It's a song I love, and it has followed me throughout my life." - Shalisa Taylor . While Suzanne's version is filled with rock drums, electric guitar and retro synths, Shalisa takes a different approach with this rendition. It's a more tender, emotional ballad type of feeling that I think really gets the story across on an even deeper level. The acoustic guitar, piano, gentle drums and sweet background harmonies accompany Shalisa as her vocals soar. You can hear Shalisa embodying the character of Luka, singing as if she really is this child. The pain and raw emotion behind her voice brings this song to a whole new intensity. Shalisa took this song and made it her own. Bittersweet Aftertaste "Bittersweet Aftertaste" is about how it's impossible for things to be perfect forever; but the fact of the matter is, there wouldn't be such thing as good if there wasn't also bad. We learn lessons from the things we experience in life, and we move onto bigger and better things. The soundscape of this song is beautifully uplifting. It has a piano riff that catches your ear right off the bat. The rhythm and groove have a Celtic feel, and the production has a very optimistic, hopeful vibe with popping bass and bright drums. The layers of harmonies within this song are some of the most stunning arrangements I've ever heard; it sounds straight out of a modern Disney princess movie. It's Time "It's Time" is about that moment after a breakup when you realize you're finally at the point where you can move on. The tears have run dry, their name has stopped crossing your mind, and other people have started to interest you romantically. It's almost like a sigh of relief, because you know that they're not able to hurt you anymore. "It's Time" starts with a stunning, tear-jerking acoustic guitar picking-pattern. The song builds into this amazing, soulful soundscape, with a groove that made me think of the song "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran in the best way. Shalisa again, just sings with all her heart, and layers harmonies to back her up which adds to the already intense emotion. Guide Me Home Shalisa is seeking comfort and solace in "Guide Me Home" by talking to her old self and looking back on fond memories after moving away from her hometown in Sweden, all the way to London in the United Kingdom. She finds herself wondering if she made the right choice as she navigates the challenges of being a young adult all by herself in a brand new city. Everything feels so uncertain, and the stability we felt when we were at home is gone. We've all experienced this pit in our stomach the first time we left home; the feeling like we made a mistake, feeling like we should just turn back; but by the end of the day we just have to take a deep breath, close our eyes and appreciate the opportunities that lie ahead. Realize, you've got this. "Guide Me Home" is a gorgeously crafted, gentle folk/pop song that gave me the vibes of young Colbie Caillat . Shalisa shows off a quiet, whispery tone which is different from her other tracks. The guitar is sweet, the percussion is soft, and the song flows so smoothly. Mother We end the album with the song "Mother", which is a direct message to Shalisa's mom. She reminisces on the times and adventures they had together when she was a child, and all the lessons she had taught her. She sings of how everything her mom has said to her still sticks with her today, and how she can still feel her mom with her at all times. She can only wish to follow in her mom's footsteps, and to try and make the world a better place. You can feel just how much Shalisa's mom means to her within this song, the impact that she has made on her life. The stagnant, acoustic bass line leaves room for other instrumentals and Shalisa with her stunning background vocals to take over. This song has a very naturistic, cinematic soundscape with Celtic like harmonies that felt like it could be an arrangement for Celtic Women . I feel this was the perfect track to end this project on; sonically it's so strong and the lyrics are like a kiss goodbye. Shalisa Taylor is no stranger to songwriting. She's been a hidden gem for years, and I truly believe that it is time for her to shine through. Her debut album "When Time Belongs To You" is filled with seven unskippable tracks with intelligent, poetically written lyrics and heavenly, perfectly crafted vocal harmonies paired with ethereal and cathartic melodies and instrumentations. This is the kind of music that grabs at your heart strings and makes you cry in a good way, because it's just that stunning. Each song has it's own unique story and soundscape to grab your attention, and then you can't let go until it's over. I don't think Shalisa knows just how good she really is, and I hope with the release of this incredible album she puts herself out there even more. If you enjoyed the songs on this album, I suggest checking out the rest of Shalisa's discography and kindly giving her a follow on her socials below! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW SHALISA: Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | Website *Sponsored Post - Discovered on SubmitHub. A contribution was made to help create this article as part of a promotional campaign.