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A gutsy and awe-inspiring message of power comes from Alicia Lov's song "HEADACHE". This is a revenge anthem, seemingly post-breakup. It scratches that darker itch of wanting to get back at someone who wronged you, and anyone who needs an outlet for their frustration will be intoxicated by the indulgence in this song. With a vow to remain in their ex's vision or mind, the speaker threatens to be the manipulator behind their demise. An invigorating feeling of control will overcome you as you draw power from the mastery of the flipped scripted in the lyrics. In its own exciting way, this song asks the ex, 'so who's the weak one now?' When you sing along to this track, bask in that delicious taste of power in its lyrics. Groovy electric guitar brings an edge to the dark pop sound is contrasted by bright percussion, and complimented by Alicia's confident vocals. Her singing starts off with a cool and assertive tone with its conversational low notes, before rising to a higher pitch and faster pace with the self-reflective switch the lyrics take. The chorus is a catchy blend of instrumentals and vocals that take on an almost hypnotic feeling with its daring lyrics. A slight vocal distortion emphasizes a quiet threat in the lyrics, adding a tantalizing texture to the track. The second verse begins with slightly muted vocals as though they are filtered through an old radio, while Alicia's vocalizing layers smoothly and clearly over top before the lyrics take over with full force. A seductively enticing auditory journey takes place when you listen to this song. If you're a fan of music that will get you heated just as much as it will make you dance, "Headache" is a song for you. Alicia Lov is a genre-blending Spanish-Canadian artist who draws on pop, alternative, hip-hop, R&B, and Latin subgenres in her style. On top of her talents as a singer and songwriter, Alicia further envelops herself in music as a dancer. Over the past four years, she has put out singles that showcase her unique style and have amassed tens of thousands of streams on Spotify. Listeners deeply connect to her intimate and personal storytelling through her lyrics, and enjoy the authentic identity that shines through her sound. Check out the links below to learn more about Alicia and listen to her music! Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW ALICIA: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Thriving in an environment of anonymity, Mira Housey's song "Nobody Knows My Name" loops you into the thrill of being unknown. In a French club, seeking fun free of identity, the speaker craves an escape. The setting of the song inspired by Mira's solo trip to Europe, and a nod to her top streaming city: Paris. A need for change and longing for consequence-free enjoyment make this song a relatable escape. The setting of a club truly amplifies the hope of being lost in a crowd and remaining unknown, soaking in the solace of flirting and dancing. Taking comfort in pressing pause on all that comes with being you, this song will enrapture you with its escapist message. Ominous and exciting violin brings an invigorating pulse to this tune, grounding the percussion in its fast-paced energy as the instrumentals build. Mira's rhythmic vocals embody the dance pop beat of the song. Her incredible range supports enchanting lows and highs throughout the melody. As the song continues, electronic instrumentals layer on patterns of notes and dimension that will make your body move. Background singing through the verses and the end of the chorus create a rounded sound that makes vocalizing throughout the song emerge with an incredible breadth. Fans of dance pop will love the textured violin-heavy energy of this song. Mira Housey is an LA-based artist from Detroit whose musical journey began with prodigious piano skills and developed into a larger career of writing and producing pop music. As an independent artist, Mira cultivated a fan base of people who truly resonate with her music through live performances in Michigan, forming a band, and sharing her music with the wider community on social media. Exploring beyond her classical roots, her style is an R&B-influenced pop. Mira's music holds an upbeat and exciting pop sound that has been featured on several Spotify editorial playlists like Fresh Finds and young & free. Check out the links below to learn more about her music. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW MIRA: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

If you’ve ever found yourself crushing over a guy that toyed with your emotions and you never knew what you guys were to each other, “Pretty Boys” by Caroline Romano is for you. The song dives into the complexities of situation-ships and how it can lead to heartbreak instead of love.  The beginning of the song transports us to a Halloween party where Caroline saw the guy she likes kiss another girl right in front of her. As the song progresses and the more she explains his actions and personality, it’s almost like he kissed that other girl in front of her on purpose. Caroline says that she’s typed out a list of obscenities and things to get off her chest, but deletes them before she can send it. She does this because she reminisces on happy memories and can’t imagine hurting him the way he hurt her. Drafting out a text with all the things you want to say can be therapeutic but then deleting the message leaves your true feelings in a vault where they will never come to the surface. “When you say we’re just friends you mean it” is the realization that there’s no moving out of the friend zone even if deep down you believed there was a chance. There will always be something more between them but he will never admit it. The “Pretty boy blues” that she sings about describe his playboy mentality. He is stringing her along but somehow he is the one she cares more about.“Lying to your one real truth/ That’s what pretty pretty boys do” is a powerful lyric. It’s saying that he won’t face the truth and admit his real feelings, instead he will continue to go around a mess with other people so he’s not the one hurt in the end. The rest of the song goes through more of his actions where she says “you had the nerve to act surprised” that he got caught but then contrasts it with “I hate how you make me forget” which shows that his charm can trick her into forgetting all the bad things he put her through. “I never got the castle, just the ruins” sums up their relationship because he led her on for ten months and while she thought they would be in a relationship (which is symbolized by the castle), it just ended up in ruins.  The song opens up sounding like a record scratch which gives me the illusion of a story beginning. The song flows nicely because it paints us a picture of what’s going on to make us feel like we are right there with Caroline. Produced by Taylor Dubray, “Pretty Boys” by Caroline Romano is the perfect song to describe liking someone so much it hurts. This song fits perfectly in the alt-pop genre. There were stylistic choices in the production that elevated the song, like hearing background noise at a party where people are talking which made me feel like I was at the party too. The reverb and instrumentation also drove the song forward. Caroline’s tone was a combination of angst and hurt which perfectly portrayed the rollercoaster of emotions these situations bring. Caroline Romano is a singer and songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee. She has over 41,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Her collaboration on Lost Star’s “I’d Rather Die (feat. Caroline Romano) amassed 512,682 streams on the platform. Romano released her debut album “Oddities & Prodigies” in 2022 and has been releasing music since 2017. Romano is the self-proclaimed “loudest sort of introvert” and has been releasing music that is relatable for this generation. She uses her voice to express her takes on romanticism, hope, modern love and all the complexities that come with it. She’s definitely a rising star. Check out “Pretty Boys” and give it a listen! Written By Alexa LaMalfa FOLLOW CAROLINE ROMANO: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook   | YouTube

“Montego” is the newest single released by Carol Doche and Wiz Khalifa. The catchy song contains a tale of love and devotion blended with clever cultural references. The title of the track, “Montego” is likely referring to the illustrious Montego Bay in Jamaica. This location invokes imagery of paradise and happiness in relationships. The lyrics portray a love which is stable, “No, you never rock the boat/ you help me stay afloat,” and unique, “It’s rare, this thing we found/ like a diamond off the ground.” Together, Wiz and Carol bring an electric flair to the song which makes its chorus feel playful, feel-good, and relatable to many a happy couple. The merger of Carol Doche’s vibrant style to Wiz Khalifa’s cool, calm, and collected rap style creates a uniquely enjoyable listen. This pop gem is getting a warm embrace from U.S. radio due to its infectious laid back and creative sound. Due to the impressive resume of both artists and their teams, it was a given this track would be impeccably produced. Comprehensively, “Montego” is stylish and danceable. It feels like the type of song that’s meant to be blasted while the windows are down. Wiz’s ad libs are dynamic and fun, and when paired with Carol’s crystal clear vocals, “Montego” is a trend-setting track. Singer-Songwriter Carol Doche, recently discovered by Grammy-Winning producer RedOne , is ecstatic about her new single “Montego” and its Wiz Khalifa feature. Originally from Boca Raton, Florida, Carol takes musical inspiration from many 90’s pop and R&B icons and puts her own modern twist on songs. Pittsburgh-native Wiz Khalifa launched onto the scene in 2006 with his debut project entitled, “Show and Prove.” One year later, he would sign to Warner Bros and release his infamous hit, “Say Yeah.” This single is ultimately what would launch him into the spotlight. Within Wiz’s 22 years in the limelight he has appeared on the Billboard Top 100 several times, perhaps most notably for the influential track “Black and Yellow.” If you loved Carol Doche and Wiz Khalifa in “Montego,” follow both of them on the social media we’ve linked below! Written By Casey Hascup FOLLOW CAROL DOCHE: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube FOLLOW WIZ KHALIFA: Instagram   | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube

'A Late Night Mantra' gives us an inside look into how it feels and what it looks like to reflect on a past relationship that keeps you up at night. Matt Sahadi shares his experience wrestling with this and promising himself that he will move on when night's over and day breaks. Ultimately, in the end we draw the conclusion that he knows himself better. The song says, "I chase your shadows down hallways / I might be going insane / I'm wondering where you are / I'm wondering where you are." This gives us a glimpse into what it might look like to reflect on the past. Later, the song says, "Maybe tomorrow / I'll look in the mirror / I'll let you go / But I know better." We can gather that while he wants to let go and move on, he's stuck reminiscing about what it was and what it could have been. Matt Sahadi gave us a piece that forced us to think deeper than surface level, the song is on the softer side and it moves fairly slowly. By having it move at a slower pace it gives the listener the time to really wrap their heads around the deep lyrics. It's almost like Matt Sahadi is holding our hand, and walking us through the piece. He combines drum machines, delayed guitars, and synthesizers into the song, which helps maintain a somber mood. Once the lyrics are introduced, we get to experience Matt Sahadi's low and deep voice, which keeps the listener calm and engaged throughout the song. All of these elements come together to create a soothing yet sad song that the listeners can easily relate to and understand. After spending time touring and releasing two successful EPs, Matt Sahadi gives us 'A Late Night Mantra.' He draws inspiration from bands like The Cure, The War on Drugs, and Fontaines DC. Matt Sahadi has been hailed as the new future of rock n roll in Nashville. One popular aspect of his music has been the familiar sounds that came out of the synth-wave era in the 80's/90's. His lyrics have been said to spotlight the real problems that people face, and the ability to change. Many have stated that his music is for the heartbreakers, the soul-searchers, and dream chasers. For those of you looking to get more out of life, or those that crave deeper meaning, I would recommend giving Matt Sahadi's music a listen. He brings a fresh sound for those wanting something more! Written By Destiny Rundquist FOLLOW Matt Sahadi: Instagram | Spotify  | Facebook

Trying to change who you are to fit someone’s idea of you is exhausting. They take more than you can give and you’re left questioning who you even are. Rae released her new song “Fallen Angel,” which in her words is inspired by individuality. This track is produced by Anthony Rankin (ANTi) and it contains all the beautiful and eerie elements of an iconic dark pop track. Rae’s vocal performance and her harmonies add the Angel into ‘Fallen Angel.’ This song gave me chills from the start with it's impactful message of self worth and the artistic choices that brought it to life. Rae stated “Fallen Angel” centers around the theme of self-reclamation in spite of those that try to change you for their own sake. There’s been so many times where we have turned into a blank canvas for someone else to paint instead of picking up the brush ourselves. Rae used this song to empower people to be unapologetically themselves and never change for anyone. “Said I would be forgiven, but I never needed to be saved.” She writes about her journey with understanding the sacrifices made and realization that she has to live for herself. Rae picked herself off the ground and learned from past mistakes and shared the experience for anyone who needs to hear it. ‘Fallen Angel,’ is a must listen to song, especially if you’re fans of Ava Maxx or Billie Eilish. Rae was formally known as Rachel Philipp but recently changed her artist name. She is a singer-songwriter and an incredible producer. She has built a lot of experience in this industry working behind the scenes as a vocalist and ghost writer. Rae has stepped into the light to share her raw and authentic self. Rae started releasing her own music this year with her debut single "Panic." She now has three tracks out and plans to keep the momentum. "Fallen Angel," was co-written by Kate Ryder and it's a message we all need to hear. Check out the song and all Rae's socials below to stay up to date with future releases. Written By Emylee Herring FOLLOW RAE: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

"you watch me break" is the newest single by brooke . Produced by Zone Diem , this is the first song they have released together. Through her euphemistic lyrics, brooke discusses the toxicity of someone she knows and how it affects her. She describes this as the use of alcohol, with the lines "But your liquor is gold // Got some more now I'm drunk on my own". She details in the song about how this person is bad for her, diminishing them and herself, singing, "You watch me break // You watch me break my heart". Instead of this person breaking her heart, she says she is doing it herself because of the negative presence this person is in her life. The electro-pop influences are persistent throughout "you watch me break". It starts with a futuristic synth that wafts back and forth in the left and right speakers, and then the beat drops into a deeper, bass-heavy synth. Everything about this song is reminiscent of early 2010s mainstream music, including brooke's amazing vocals. "you watch me break" is something you would hear at a nightclub and/or on your hot pink iPod Nano. Zone Diem is obviously a very talented producer, doing a fantastic job with the production of this song, as well as brooke singing on it. They make a great musical team and should continue to make more songs together. brooke is a singer, songwriter, musician, and producer from Boston, Massachusetts, and is based in Brooklyn, New York. She began her music career as a drummer and then shifted into music production. In 2020, she released her debut single "iris". Her discography consists of self-made songs, including "another day" and "in the clouds". Zone Diem is a music producer from Finland, who has produced for and made multiple songs with Zaybeezy , including "popstarz !", "now they see .", and "glitz ain't gold !". brooke and Zone Diem are both very talented and incredible musical artists! Written By Ashley Adams FOLLOW BROOKE: Instagram | Spotify FOLLOW ZONE DIEM: Instagram   | Spotify

“Don’t Wanna Be Your Girl” by Bri Scully explores the complex emotions behind being in denial with your uncommitted relationship. The desire for something beyond a situationship begins with subtle acts of desperation. Leaving your jewelry behind so they have an excuse to call you for something more than your many nights together. When those don’t evolve into something more, you find it easier to convince yourself that this is all fine. Even while you want to be more than just their girl, this is all perfectly fine. But as each day passes, you grow more miserable than before. You make many changes and one-sided compromises as they remain uncommitted. They encompass your thoughts, but they simply leave out the back door as the sun rises. There is more you want with them, but for now and likely forever, you will have to live without any commitment. Click here to listen to "Don't Wanna Be Your Girl"! Bri Scully’s latest single “Don’t Wanna Be Your Girl” is a dancepop and synthpop anthem that has differing instrumental variations in each verse and chorus. We are first introduced to 80s reminiscent dream electronic notes that remain as an essential background to the impressive vocals. When the pre-chorus and chorus begin, more instruments are integrated. We hear percussion and stringed elements that abruptly change this formerly atmospheric single to upbeat and lively. The first verse following the chorus keeps some aspects of it, but it quickly returns to more atmospheric, just with a few more prominent beats and background instruments. The most notable yet interesting alteration is the chorus immediately preceding the bridge. This delightful section keeps the guitar and bass, utilizing the previous chorus vocals. It remains this way for one run-through, and then the previous chorus elements return for the remaining repetitions. Bri Scully is an American singer-songwriter who is currently based in Los Angeles, California. She has always been naturally inclined to create and write her own music, poems, and stories. When she first ventured into LA, she met and began collaborating with producer and co-writer Brandon Lew. In 2023, she released singles that received thousands of views across multiple streaming platforms such as Spotify. She has also released an EP titled “MANIC” which has been met with similar success. Some of her greatest music inspirations are artists such as Holly Humberstone, Billie Eilish, and Phoebe Bridgers. Make sure to follow her on social media and give “Don’t Wanna Be Your Girl” a listen! Written By Willow Gray FOLLOW BRI SCULLY: Instagram | Spotify

Forgiving and forgetting is so overrated, and Kissimjau’s “Voodoo Doll” captures that desire for revenge in this captivating single. It’s always a painful experience getting hurt in a relationship, and when the dust finally settles, you’re left with a whirlwind of emotions that is difficult to contain. Betrayal, heartbreak, and searing pain. “Voodoo Doll” wants you to know that those feelings are best let out in a most cathartic manner, to acknowledge your frustration, and embrace that deep desire to take revenge against whoever wronged you. Infused with a mix of darkly defiant and sensual tones, and Kissimjau’s stuttered vocals, this track is focused on one thing: letting it all out, but not until after getting that sweet, sweet revenge. Dark, sensual, and moody, “Voodoo Doll” is like revenge in musical form. From the droning synth to the underlying percussion and bass, the instrumentation of this track is almost as addicting as imagining getting back at everyone who’s ever wronged you. The song focuses specifically on being betrayed by a lover (and in turn getting your due justice), and I think the subtle sensual undertones of the track, combined with the numerous double entendres that fill the lyrics, really make “Voodoo Doll” such a fun listen for those of you who love to press your ear against a song and think about what each tonal change and lyric means. Even the first line of the song, “I want to make you scream / I want to make you feel it”, which is similarly featured in the chorus, conjures scenes of physicality, but whether those actions are for pleasure or something darker, that is dependent on how you listen to the song. The song also features a hypnotizing stutter in Kissimjau’s vocals, particularly during those aforementioned lines; it creates a disjointed feeling between the song and listener, almost implying, through that stutter, the double-meaning of the lyrics. “Voodoo Doll” is everything anyone could ever want out of a revenge track, from alluring instrumentals and vocals to complex lyrics, putting this song on loop is the only correct answer while you're making your own little voodoo doll of that once-special someone. Kissimjau is a Norwegian artist whose liquid vocals blend with her dark pop stylings to create revenge anthems and club-bangers that will make you lift yourself off the ground and scream along to her lyrics. She made her debut in 2022 with her single “Pretty When I Cry”, and made waves with her second single that same year, entitled “Blood Sugar”, which now has 689,000 streams on Spotify alone. Her singles have been on a variety of playlists, including Planet Rave, Oyster, Fresh Finds, Dance Rising, and many, many more. She was also recently part of an initiative by Spotify in the Nordics that saw Kissimjau as one of four Nordic artists that were presented by Spotify at the first ever Fresh Finds Nordics live event in Oslo. “Voodoo Doll” marks an important milestone for Kissimjau, as its release comes with her first full-length music video. If you enjoyed the track, definitely give the video a watch and the rest of her discography a listen! Written By Alexa Leung FOLLOW KISSIMJAU: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube

"Death of a Pacifist" by Maddie Ettrich takes on the lesson that you can't let people walk all over you, even if it's someone you love. In a devastating and important realization, the song begins with the words "I wipe your tears with my wounds still bleeding". I was meaningfully struck with the way this dramatic image was so casually introduced, making putting the needs of a person above the speaker's own seem commonplace. Moving onto biblical absolution of the person who wronged her, that empathy for the speaker is drawn out. Immediately plunged into the selfless self-neglect, I was hoping for a change in the speaker's fate. This song delivered to that end, offering a satisfying expression of staying strong. Evolving into a person who prioritizes herself, the speaker says, "I'll haunt you like the ghost of your worst days". The lyrics don't speak out of anger, but acceptance that sometimes you have to change your ways to protect yourself. Mourning a kind and non-confrontational version of herself, the speaker finds the strength to stand up for her own needs and wellbeing. She stops being her ex's safety in order to become her own. Bones, burial, and hauntings in the lyrics bring a sense of rebirth through death, spreading the comforting message that becoming your own person can allow you to discover an entirely new version of yourself. Get lost in the relief of learning to prioritize yourself through this impeccably empowering track. A comforting gentle sound reflects the journey of change and resolution in this song. Maddie's angelic and light vocals carry wisdom in their tone, and the genuine purity in her singing pushes forward the belief that the speaker of this song is truly a good person. Strings, high, simple piano, and guitar support the delicate themes of the track with a somber and harmonious sound. With lyrics of sharp revelation and a sound as soothing as a lullaby, this song truly represents what happens when a kind soul is pushed to their breaking point. Even in the harshest of thoughts, the tune is captivatingly delicate. Layered vocals lift listeners into an ethereal goodbye to the speaker's former self. Fans of soft songs by Julien Baker or Maya Hawke will feel right at home with this blend of introspection and tranquil vindication. Maddie Ettrich is a Nashville-based indie pop-rock artist from Canada. She folds her artistic talents from various walks of creativity, as a singer, songwriter, designer, and guitarist, into her music. Iconic throaty vocals and enthralling lyrics make up Maddie's exciting style. Last year, she released her debut EP "I Think the Party's Over", and she has several singles in her discography that showcase her sound. She performs at various venues and bars in Tennessee like The Mockingbird Theater , and has an upcoming show at The Basement . Check out the links below to keep up with her music! Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW MADDIE: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

FOMO is an acronym that translates to the fear of missing out. Whether we like to admit it or not, we’ve all had FOMO at some point in our lives. Carson Ferris’ latest single “FOMO,” is a song that talks about choices and prioritizing what matters most in life, even if it means missing out on other opportunities. Ferris drew inspiration from his own life and the sacrifices he made as he chased his musical dreams. While most teenagers typically spend a lot of time playing video games or hanging out with friends, Ferris chose to dedicate his time towards his musical craft – sacrificing his ability to enjoy normal teenager stuff. Explaining the meaning behind the song, Ferris said, “This can apply to a lot of things, but what I specifically wrote ‘FOMO’ about is choosing to do music instead of being a normal teenager. We all come across hard decisions in our lives that will lead to missing out on something.” The song as a whole showcases a wisdom beyond Ferris’ years, but the lyrics, “It’s hard to decide what matters most in life // You always look back wondering if what you did was right,” particularly strike a powerful chord. “FOMO” has all the ingredients of a hit song. It has a catchy guitar intro, an upbeat tempo, relatable lyrics, and is sung by an artist whose voice draws you in from the first note. Ferris’ gentle yet powerful tone is inviting and effortlessly flows throughout the song. The opening guitar intro immediately caught my attention. It reminded me a bit of the opening guitar intro in “Beautiful Soul” by Jesse McCartney , which was one of my favorite songs growing up. Produced by Ferris’s longtime mentor and collaborator MYKYL, “FOMO” incorporates catchy pop beats, while infusing subtle hints of electronic and rock sounds that make for a must-listen-to track. If you’re not listening to Carson Ferris, you should have major FOMO. The Utah native may be fairly new to the industry, but his indie electro-pop rock sound has nabbed him over 12,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Ferris immersed himself in the Utah music scene at a young age and quickly became lauded for his musical talents. He has had the opportunity to sing the national anthem at a Utah Jazz basketball game and perform with Donny Osmond in one of his Las Vegas shows. In addition, the artist was also a finalist at the 2023 International Acoustic Awards in the Drive Alone Acoustic category. His debut single “Can’t Be Without You,” which was a collaboration with Hip-Hop/ R&B artist Trinidad Cardona, was released in 2021. Influenced by artists like Ed Sheeran , Benson Boone , and Knox , Ferris is an artist that is dedicated to inviting listeners into his life through lyrical expression and authenticity. His latest single “FOMO” is out now on all music streaming platforms. Written By Giselle Morales FOLLOW CARSON FERRIS: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Photo Credits: Kristie Bradley Photography Independent Singer/Songwriter, Annah Marcelle just released her latest EP, "Aftermath" featuring five emotive tracks highlighting the stages of falling in love from the very start to what comes after it's over. TRACKLIST Mars If I Don't Call Him What I Remember But We Can Still Be Friends Aftermath Annah Marcelle is based in Richmond, Virginia and has been writing songs ever since she was 13 years old. To this date, she has written over 200 pieces of music. She originally never planned on sharing these with the world, until her family and friends encouraged her not to hide away her talents. In 2020, Annah officially released her first ever single, "Start Again". Over the past 4 years, Annah has been consistently releasing music. In 2022, her song "Love Is a Liar" broke though in the indie music world with over 20k+ streams on Spotify, which led to more fan favorite songs like "Ruins" and "Running In Circles". She's inspired by emotionally detailed songwriters like Taylor Swift , Conan Gray and Gracie Abrams . She started posting covers here and there on her YouTube channel as well, along with her original music. Annah then went on to release of her debut EP earlier this year, titled "Closure". In July of 2023, Annah took her first ever trip to Nashville, Tennessee where she recorded all the tracks for her second EP, "Aftermath" which we will be discussing here! Each track was recorded at Gnome Studios and produced by Kara Greskovic . This collection of songs captures the emotional highs and lows of relationships, from the initial stages of love to the lingering aftermath of heartbreak. Each track looks at a different aspect of connection—whether it's the isolating effect of toxic love, the internal battle to reach out to someone, or the difficulty in letting go of memories. These songs explore the lasting impact that love and loss leave on our lives, shaping who we are long after the relationships have ended. - Annah Marcelle Mars We start off the EP with "Mars", an ethereal mid-tempo song with a catchy, nostalgic pop beat and a stand-out guitar riff with a bright and twangy timbre. There's synths that add to the galactic essence of the song as well. Annah sings beautifully within this song; her vocals soar effortlessly with raw and pure emotion. "Mars" is about that type of relationship that takes you to another world; in the beginning it seems like a good thing, you're so infatuated that you don't even realize that you're losing yourself within them. There comes a point where you do snap out of it, and the toxicity of it all starts to become clear. You're not yourself anymore, and this whole life on Mars thing is starting not to feel good. Everything you were and everything you had feels so far away now, and you don't feel like you. Your sense of identity is lost, and the only way to find it again is to get back to Earth and into reality. If I Don't Call Him Next, we have "If I Don't Call Him", which is about the fear of missing out if you don't tell the person you're in love with about how you feel. However, you're too scared that they don't feel the same - so you spend a lot of time anxiously wondering if it's the right choice to say something or not. But then if you don't say something, you'll be forever asking yourself, "what if?". This song is giving Taylor Swift 's 1989 era vibes, with it's addicting beat and pulsing synths. Annah sings a fast-paced melody filled with lyrics of those nervous thoughts and longings, in a very unique but meticulously crafted rhythm that fits into the production like a perfect puzzle piece. What I Remember Have you ever been in a relationship with someone who hurt you deeply, but they left such an big impression on you that it's impossible for you to forget them? This is what "What I Remember" is about. Even if you want to forget about them, you can't. The scars they left are permanent and no matter how hard you try to erase them from your mind, they still find ways to haunt your consciousness. "What I Remember" takes more of a simplistic, slowcore approach within the production. The tone feels more retro; an 80's drum keeps the rhythm with half-step, dissonant flickering keys and layers of somber reverb heavy synths fill the air. The lyrics are very poetic and cathartic; my personal favorite moment is when Annah sings, "The flame burned out but I still have the embers". But We Can Still Be Friends "But We Can Still Be Friends" is a highly emotional pop ballad with a stomping beat, crashing cymbals and sorrowful synths. This song is about being in love with your best friend, but having to cope with the fact that they'll never love you back. You're in the friendzone, and unfortunately you feel like there isn't a way out. All you can do is try to move on, but it's kind of impossible when they're always around. You can't just force yourself to fall out of love with them; but all they want is to just be friends. Annah sings her heart out with full control and heavy emotion. This song has a heartbreaking bridge that builds both lyrically and instrumentally, creating this cinematic, highly passionate soundscape that tugs at your heart strings. Aftermath Lastly, we end the EP on the title track, "Aftermath". This song features gorgeous acoustic guitar and stunning, country inspired vocal harmonies. The melody is very cathartic, and is reminiscent of a nostalgic Fearless or Speak Now era Taylor Swift song. "Aftermath" is about reflecting on what happens when a relationship ends; how you wonder about what could've went differently, how and why it ended, and what life could've been like if maybe it didn't end. Not only that, but how the experience of each relationship and breakup leaves an impression, and shapes us into a different person; therefore, leading us to have cycles and issues within our future relationships as well. So many breakups are left unresolved, which leave you "stuck in the aftermath", and you'll always be left wondering about what could've been. Annah Marcelle is a beautiful songwriter with a stunning voice. The way she sings is like she's telling us a story; like she's speaking directly to her audience and that's something I really love about her songs. Her lyrics are poetic, but still remain relatable and easy to connect with which isn't an easy thing to master. Not only that, but her lyrics roll off the tongue so effortlessly. She's able to take as many words as possible and craft these complex rhythms and melodies that still feel natural and are radio worthy pop songs. I love how her instrumentals are super catchy, but not too complicated - that way you're able to focus on the story and not get distracted by the production, but can still enjoy the music itself that accompanies the emotion being sung about. I truly believe this is still only the beginning for Annah, and I can't wait to hear what she does next. If you enjoyed the tracks on the "Aftermath" EP, I highly suggest going back and listening to the rest of Annah's discography. You can find her music and all her socials below! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW ANNAH: Instagram | Website | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *Sponsored Post - Discovered on SubmitHub. A contribution was made to help create this article as part of a promotional campaign.