Have you ever felt in your heart that your relationship is going to end, but you're just not ready to face it yet, so you avoid your partner as much as possible for as long as possible to prevent the inevitable? Sometimes you even know it's for the best, but letting go of someone you're used to having around is just not as easy as it seems. "Close To Me" by Olivia Elizabeth Basar is about that tension that builds up between you and your partner when you know someone is about to speak up and end it all. Olivia sings about how scary it is to let this person get to close to her, because the pain and guilt of knowing what is to come is eating up at her. It's easier to just stay away from them and not have to think about it. "Close To Me" is a guitar and drums driven, indie and alternative pop/rock song. It has nostalgic, gentle garage rock elements, with mixtures of modern pop within it's production and groove. One of my favorite parts is the rippling synth in the background, which becomes more prominent during the second verse. The mixture of guitars really bring out Olivia's love for having a raw rock influence within her music, and the added reverb gives the song a bit of a dreamy, hazy vibe as well. We can't forget Olivia's gorgeous voice, which has a softness that blends perfectly with the tone of the song. It all reminds me a bit of the style of beabadoobee . Olivia Elizabeth Basar is an independent singer/songwriter based in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area. She blends styles of pop, rock and folk, focusing on authentic, raw and traditional instrumentations mixed with a modern production to create her unique sound. She's influenced by artists like Vanessa Carlton , Mitski , Samia , and Phoebe Bridgers . Olivia has always loved music ever since she was a kid, participating in choirs and creating her own melodies on the piano, but it wasn't until last year (2023) that she started to release her own original music, starting with her debut single "The Pattern". Her 3rd single, "Back Where I Was", was was featured on SiriusXM’s Kelly Ogden Show in their new artist spotlight. Her music has also been featured Philadelphia’s WXPN radio. In 2023, she was nominated for Best New Artist at the 5th annual Central Pennsylvania Music Awards. "Close To Me" was one of two singles to be released this year (2024) by Olivia, the other and most recent being "Achilles", with more music planned for 2025. Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW OLIVIA: Instagram   | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube   *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Suffering from depression is something unfortunately a lot of people in society deal with in silence. We're made to feel like it would be a burden if we opened up about the more difficult things; so we make the choice to go through it alone. "I Go to Jail on the Weekends" by Sonata Kay is a stunning, bittersweet song about how we have to pretend we are alright when we're not, so people don't feel obligated to help us with our problems if they find out about them. However, there's also this beautiful glimmer of hope that one day you can break free from your own chains, and find the happiness you deserve. "I Go to Jail on the Weekends" is a beautiful and diverse blend of styles like electro-pop, folk, indie and alternative. The instrumentation uses raw elements like acoustic guitar and piano, but the production uses abstract effects and electronic components to create this incredibly unique atmosphere. Sonata Kay sings flawlessly with a gentle, emotional tone, really embedding those masterful lyrics in your head as each line passes by. Her songwriting is phenomenal, and accurately depicts what it feels like to be trapped inside your own brain. It's a perfectly relatable song, giving you just enough complexity to stand out from the rest. Sonata Kay is an eclectic indie folk/pop singer-songwriter who was born in Lithuania, but is now based in London, England. She uses both experimental sounds and traditional influences from global/world music genres to create her unique, authentic and raw style. She officially released her first ever single in 2014, "World War I", but has been posting her original music and more on YouTube since 2011. "I Go to Jail on the Weekends" is her first single release in 3 years. If you want to know more about the story behind the song, you can watch the video diary about it here . I also highly suggest checking out the rest of her discography, as well as her stunning cover songs and videos on her YouTube channel. You can find her socials below! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW SONATA KAY: Instagram | Spotify  | YouTube

Have you ever been taken aback when you realize you've found someone who is actually genuinely kind and cares about you? It takes you a second to process, but then once you give in, it's the most wonderful feeling in the world. At that point, all you want to do is be by their side; they're you're newfound peace, a breath of fresh air in a world full of chaos and madness. "Honeycomb" by Syd Taylor is a beautiful and vulnerable song about finding that somebody who would do anything to make you feel good. Even when they can't be physically with you, they'll check in with you every chance they get just to make sure you're okay or if you need anything, because that's just the kind of person they are. Syd sings, "you could stick to me 'cause you're sweet like honeycomb". "Honeycomb" is a highly emotional and raw song, taking influence from classic rock mixed with modern pop elements to create a cathartic ballad. The track starts with piano, and as the song builds it adds in strings, bass, and last but not least, drums. Syd Taylor sings with so much soul and passion, flipping her voice from strong, powerful chest moments to soft, gentle and airy. There's some jazz, soul and blues tones thrown in there, reminiscent of The Beatles and Elton John . The vibe is very 70's soft rock concert encore moment - you want to just wave your hands up in the air and sing along with the gorgeous hook while the instrumentation goes wild. Syd Taylor is an independent singer/songwriter, producer and model based in Los Angeles, California but is originally from Detroit, Michigan. She's been singing and writing songs on guitar and piano ever since she was six years old. For the past 17 years, she was the lead singer in the duo Stereo Jane with her twin sister. Just this past summer, Syd decided it was time to break free from her label and do some solo work. Taking inspiration from classic icons like The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac , and Nina Simone , Syd puts her own modern twist on an raw rock vibe. She's been working on her solo project in her home studio, writing and producing all her own work. She released her first solo single, "Love Of Your Life", earlier this year. "Honeycomb" is only her second single, which means there's a lot more to come in the year ahead; so make sure to follow Syd on her socials below to keep up on her new independent journey! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW SYD: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube

Every year it blows my mind the amount of brilliant music that goes undiscovered. When I'm talking underrated, I'm talking artists who deserve to be headlining sold out arena's and stadiums by now. The people on this list have been at it for quite some time now, but this year in particular has been extra special for them all in some shape or form - but yet, they still just aren't getting the superstar amount of attention that they deserve. In no particular order, these are the top most underrated pop artists of the entire year of 2024. If you love pop music, I suggest giving them all a chance! Need some new music to listen to? Check out our playlist below to hear all the most underrated pop songs of the year 2024! Annie Omalley Annie Omalley is a singer/songwriter who grew up in the outskirts of Chicago, but is now based in Los Angeles. She released her sophomore album, "all the things that skare me" this year, which not only held a genius and unique concept, but was also one of the best and most underrated albums I've ever heard in pop music. Annie's album is about embracing and healing your inner child, and her whole artistic image is about not being afraid to be yourself. No matter how bold and eccentric your personality may be, never water yourself down for anybody. Annie's music this year was filled with colorful visuals and her signature, self-created genre of "tantrum pop" songs. "all the things that skare me" is a no-skips album, each with emotionally captivating and relatable lyrics, cathartic melodies, and phenomenal production work. Annie spent her year kindly uploading YouTube videos , sharing her journey creating this album, and even has done some touring and performing live. I promise you, if you're a pop music fan, you will love Annie, and you need to listen to her latest album! I did a full track-by-track review, which you can read here . Chandler Leighton California native, Chandler Leighton is no stranger to making music, but yet she still hasn't gotten the amount of attention she deserves. Now 29 years old, Chandler has been singing and writing songs since she was a little kid. She studied audio production at San Francisco State, and went on to participate in both season 14 and 15 of American Idol . In 2020, she finally started to officially release her own music, evolving into her own unique dark alt. pop sound with emotionally driven lyricism. Chandler Leighton has always deserved so much more than she has gotten, but this year in particular is very special because she finally released her first ever album, "Proof You Weren't The Only One", which made it into the top 5 in our Top 24 Pop Albums of 2024 . Chandler didn't stop there. After her album release, she continued to release more hit singles, and she went on her first ever headlining tour across the entire country. Madison Taylor Singer/Songwriter Madison Taylor is from Northern New Jersey, born and raised. She grew up in a beautiful home, in which she named her debut album released this year after, "Lady of Arbor Hill". Madison is more than just any ordinary songwriter; she is a poet at heart. A poetry lover herself, she takes inspiration from the Romantic Era. Her lyrics are inventive, masterful, and so full of brilliance while at the same time giving you that emotional impact and relatability you need as a listener. She also has this beautiful connection with nature, which you can hear within her music. Madison is such a unique and talented person, that she deserves a lot more love and attention. If you love complex lyricism and naturistic soundscapes, you'll love Madison. I wrote a whole track-by-track review on Madison's album this year, which you can read here . Cassadee Pope If you think you don't know Cassadee Pope , yes you do. Anyone who was alive in 2013 has heard her song "Wasting All These Tears". Cassadee Pope won Season 3 of NBC 's singing competition show, The Voice . She's been releasing music ever since - everything from pop, to punk, to country and nailing all of it with her incredible voice, and yet she still just hasn't gotten as big in the industry as she truly deserves. This year, she released her fifth album, "Hereditary" and a deluxe version, which was more of a 2000's nostalgic pop-punk vibe and it made it onto Pop Passion's 24 Best Pop Albums of 2024 . It's a skipless album, each song sending you into a sense of euphoric nostalgia. You can read our full review on the album here , as well as our concert tour review here ! Cassadee has also spent her year on a headlining tour, opening for Marianas Trench , playing at music festivals, and rehearsing for her lead role as Rose in the upcoming run of Tintanique the Musical in NYC! philine philine is a singer/songwriter from the Netherlands, who has been writing and singing ever since she was a little girl. She began translating her songs from Dutch to English at the young age of 11, and decided when she was teenager that music was her path in life. In 2020, she officially began releasing her music to the world. This year, she released her EP, "the side-effects of living in a fantasy", a 6-track, dreamy indie-pop and folk inspired project with honest, personal and relatable lyrics. philine has such a genuine approach in her music, that you can't help but be drawn to her. philine also had her own headline tour in Europe this year, as well as supported other artists on theirs. She released a duet titled "Babe, I'm All Yours" with Garrett Kato , and to top the year off, she just dropped her final single of 2024, "new year's eve". Savanna Leigh Savanna Leigh is a 24-year-old Nashville based indie singer/songwriter, who is natural born live performer and a phenomenal songwriter with a gorgeous voice. This year, she released her fourth EP within her 3-year music career, titled "reminders of you" and two other singles, "unfamiliar" and 'like i used to". What makes Savanna a stand out artist is how open she is within her music and her ability to perform them live like no one is watching. She shares live acoustic performance videos on her YouTube channel, and has toured as support for several artists (most recently with Ashley Kutcher ). She also shares tour diaries and has a roundtable interview for each track on her "reminders of you" EP. One thing I know is that Savanna is on a roll, and 2025 is going to be even bigger for her with more new music and expanding her touring. ROSIE ROSIE is an iconic singer whose whole image is based on being authentic and real, hence why you will never see a drop of makeup on her face - ever. I love her so much for this, because we have an industry that is way too focused on sex-appeal rather than what is most important - THE MUSIC!! She also loves to spread mental health awareness through her songs, and has one of the most gorgeous voices of this generation. Although ROSIE managed to release a viral collaboration song this year with fellow artist Caleb Hearn (also featured on this list), titled "Little Bit Better" which has over 68 million streams on Spotify alone, she still isn't quite getting the amount of attention she deserves. She released her third EP, "What Scares Me The Most" which features 7 tracks that are all worthy of being on the top charts. This year she also released collaboration singles with Knox and Zach Hood , and opened for David Kushner . Zach Hood Zach Hood is an artist who grew up in Alabama. He is very expressive, and emotionally unique in his sound and songwriting which is exactly why it didn't take him very long to make a name for himself once he started releasing music back in 2020. This year, Zach finally released his debut album, "Whispering Pines", and it even has a brand new deluxe version. Although Zach has had no trouble getting streams on his singles up to the millions, I believe that now that he has a full-length album, he deserves more attention on these larger projects. It's an incredible work that brings all his songs and stories into one cohesive experience. He ended this year with a bang, having his own little headlining tour throughout the U.S. titled the "I Tend To Lose Things" Tour and dropped one final single on December 20th, "Simple Life". I swear in my past three years as a music blogger I have yet to see Zach Hood slow down, and I love the dedication he has to his dreams and his career, which is exactly why he deserves more. Caleb Hearn North Carolina-born and now Nashville-based singer/songwriter, Caleb Hearn released his debut album, "Left On McKinney" this year. Like other artists on this list, Caleb has had no trouble gaining streams on his single releases - especially his collaboration this year with ROSIE on their song "Little Bit Better" which currently has over 68 million streams on Spotify alone; however, when it comes to this album project as a whole, it needs more attention! There are tracks that aren't quite reaching the millions that deserve just as much love, if not more, than the singles. Caleb has a voice that draws you in, but that's not the only thing that makes his music special. The lyricism is meaningful and emotional, which is something we always need more of in music. Bryce Fox From Indiana, to Los Angeles, and now Nashville, diverse pop/rock artist Bryce Fox didn't release just one, but TWO EP's this year. "The Bomb" and then "The Butterfly" are two EP's relating to each other, and are part of a bigger project to come in 2025. Both projects feature addictingly catchy soundscapes and meaningful lyrics that are hard to shake once you've heard them. He touches on subjects that are hard to swallow, but are relatable and need to be heard. Everything from the aesthetic down to the details of each story were perfectly crafted with such passion to make these projects come to life, and yet it hasn't gotten the amount of attention that past projects have gotten. In my opinion, I think it's some of Bryce's best work yet - and everyone needs to give it a shot, because his sound is so well-rounded that just about anybody can love it. He spent the year touring in support of a few artists and as a co-headliner, and next year he will be on tour with AWOLNATION which is huge! I can't wait to see what his next move will be. Lost Stars Nashville-Based Pop Duo Lost Stars consists of Kansas City natives, Damien and Charley. They've had break-through singles in the past, hitting streams in the millions. Lost Stars spent their entire year touring, opening for bands like Neon Trees and The All-American Rejects . They also released an EP "i think i love you lately" which blew my mind. There are no skips, and each song is just flawless from the vocals, to the production, to the melodies, to the lyrics. It's absolute pop perfection, but yet there wasn't a song that quite made the success that they had in the past. This project deserved so much more attention than it got, and yet Lost Stars didn't stop there. They went on to release 3 more singles this year, all equally as incredible. I'm hoping that they'll hit the algorithm in just the right spot, and finally get the attention they deserve, because once you hear their music you will never go back. Jade LeMac 20-year-old Canadian singer/songwriter Jade LeMac made waves with her debut album in 2023, "Constellations" which featured her hit song of the same name, having over 47 million streams on Spotify alone. This year, that same song was featured in the Tubi original movie starring Noah Beck , "Sidelined: The QB and Me". What makes Jade LeMac so underrated in 2024, is that she released both a deluxe version, and a stripped version of her EP, "Confessions", as well as two unbelievably incredible singles, "Narcissistic" and "Pink Balloon", all of which didn't get nearly as much attention as her first album did. The way that Jade can write all these songs, and they're able to be either banger pop songs or beautiful, gentle acoustic performances is such a unique and masterful talent to have, and it shouldn't go unnoticed. Jade is also a spectacular live performer, having done several shows this year including opening for Danish singer Christopher , playing at The Calgary Stampede on the Coca Cola Stage , and Festival d’été de Québec . LØLØ LØLØ is a Canadian pop-rock princess with killer songwriting skills. She is always on the move, and is a natural born performer. Although she's been releasing music since 2018, it was this year that she finally released her debut album, "falling for robots and wishing i was one", which was ranked at No. 3 on our 24 Best Pop Albums of 2024 due to her brutally honest and relatable lyricism. There are a few songs on this album that have gained traction, but overall the album as a whole deserves a lot more attention, most songs falling under 1 million streams. LØLØ is seriously a force to be reckoned with, as she's been on the road non-stop, performing at festivals, opening for other artists, and beginning her own headlining international tour. Just this year, she has performed at the SoWhat?! and All Your Friends Music Festivals, and opened for JADN and Marinas Trench . This year, she released a reimagined, stripped version of Green Day 's "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" in collaboration with The Recording Academy , and she also released a reimagined punk version of "Let It Go" from Frozen , in collaboration with Disney . To have accomplished all these things, and still not be a household name is beyond me. Brooke Alexx Brooke Alexx is one of the most unique pop artists we have today. She is self-made, and completely owns who she is. She is quirky, and uses humor and wit to draw us into her super catchy pop bops; but she also has deep, emotional and personal lyricism that listeners can connect to. Last year in 2023, she blew through the stratosphere with her songs, "All My Exes Moms", which amassed over 28 million streams on Spotify alone and won first place in the Pop Category of the American Songwriter Contest . This led to Brooke's incredible 2024, which consisted of the release of her debut album, "Big Mouth", and her first ever headlining tour. Though, the non-single songs on her album didn't quite get the traction they deserved, and they're some of her best, most beautifully written pieces. I suggest giving Brooke Alexx's full album a chance! You can read our album review on it here . JESSIA JESSIA is a Juno award-winning singer/songwriter from Vancouver, Canada. She is best known for her 2021 multi-platinum single, "I'm Not Pretty", but what you might not know is JESSIA has a large discography of incredible music that deserves a lot more attention than it gets - especially what she has released this year. In 2023, JESSIA was dropped by her label, but she didn't let that stop her from making the best music she could possibly make. She released her first independent project this year, an EP titled "Okay With Every Part", which features 6 tracks that are all passionately written and crafted to cater to no one but JESSIA's creativity and emotion. JESSIA also went on tour this year with Alexa Cappelli , another pop artist who shares a similar story, and is beautifully embracing her newfound freedom in the music industry. Griff Half Jamaican and half Chinese, but born and raised in England, singer/songwriter and producer Griff has so much diversity within her style and sound. She brings a new, fresh feeling to pop music; not only that, but she has a phenomenal voice, and is a masterful lyricist. This year, she released her debut album, "Vertigo", which, don't get me wrong, has a decent amount of streams. It's also No. 4 on our 24 Best Albums of 2024 . However, considering the journey this girl has been on and how good her music is, she should be a household name. This year, she opened for Taylor Swift 's Era's Tour in London at Wembley Stadium , AND for Sabrina Carpenter 's U.S. leg of the Short n' Sweet Tour. That's two of the world's biggest pop stars right now, and you're telling me no one is taking their time of day to listen to Griff more?! She only has 547k followers on Instagram, when she should be in the millions. Not to mention, amongst opening for the biggest names in the industry, she also went on her own headlining world tour, released a live version of her album, and recently dropped another hit single, "last night's mascara". You can read our full "Vertigo" album review here . Sasha Alex Sloan Sasha Alex Sloan , another genius singer/songwriter who should be a household name by now. The amount of accomplishments she's had this year are only some could dream of, yet so many still don't recognize her, for who knows why. For anybody who loves emotional music and detailed lyricism, you'll love Sasha - just give her a chance. Sasha released her album "Me Again" this year, which is featured on our 24 Best Pop Albums of 2024 . She was featured and performed live on Jimmy Fallon , at Vevo Studio , and at the Grammy Museum . She also went on her own headlining world tour. Just like other artists, this is stuff only some could dream of, and she's done it! But yet, someone who should have followers in the millions and should be recognized everywhere she goes, still only has 691K followers on Instagram. Read our full "Me Again" album review here ! MOTHICA Dark alt. pop artist, MOTHICA released her third studio album this year, "Kissing Death", a visual album which tells a personal and intriguing story ( watch it here ). MOTHICA is known for touching on difficult subjects in her music, but it's something many can relate to - and she mixes it with banger soundscapes and production. This album was featured on our 24 Best Pop Albums of 2024 . MOTHICA is so creative, honest and does so much for her fanbase even though she's a smaller artist. Her visual album is so impressively high quality, and you'd never know it wasn't produced by a major label. MOTHICA has dealt with a lot of her own personal struggles, and she still pushed through to do as much as she could for her fans - putting her health second, even though we would never want anything bad to happen to her! She was able to put on most of headlining international tour this year before canceling to take care of herself, and I'm happy to report that she's doing a lot better now. We love you MOTHICA and we can't wait to hear your gorgeous voice again soon. Read our full "Kissing Death" album review here . Holly Humberstone British singer/songwriter Holly Humberstone is another artist who has been taking over the world without enough people watching to notice. She's been on a headlining international tour all year with Medium Build after releasing her debut album "Paint My Bedroom Black" in 2023, as well as opened for artists like Kings of Leon , and Taylor Swift on her world-renowned Era's Tour. She's been on the road non-stop, playing at music festivals such as Victorious , Boardmasters , Truck Festival , Tramlines , Shaky Knees , Lovin' Life , and All Things Go . Not to mention, she was featured in British Vogue magazine this year as well. We can't forget the new music that came along, too. Holly released a brand new EP this year, titled "work in progress", which features 4 brilliant tracks. Not only that, but she released new duet versions of her songs "Cocoon" and "Antichrist", one featuring Medium Build and the other featuring Tiny Habits . She was also featured on a track by Del Water Gap , titled "Cigarettes & Wine". Boy In Space Boy In Space has a unique voice, and frankly some of the best written and most catchy songs I've heard this entire year. He's found quite the success in the past, and has a total of half a billion streams on Spotify alone. This year, he released his EP, "Copium", as well as two more singles to come after, "Dancing On Dynamite" and "Too Much To Lose", all of which have yet to reach his past multi-million success, but yet to me personally I feel is some of his best work to date. The fact that he has been able to get this amount of traction as an independent artists is already beyond impressive. What do you think of our list? Were there any pop artists this year that you think deserve more attention? Follow us on our socials and let us know your thoughts! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

I go into every year thinking that it can't get any better for music, and yet I am shocked and amazed each time. I look forward to this article every year, but at the same time it's the most stressful thing I have to do, having to choose between some of the best artists out there. The music this year was so incredible, I decided I had to do a top 24 instead of my usual 10. I take this so seriously, that I listen to as many albums as I possibly can to make this ranking as fair as possible (this time around, it was over 80+, I lost count). How can I know what the best albums are if I don't listen to them all?! You'll see a wide range of artists on this list, from big to small, so please give them all a chance because they wouldn't be on this list if they didn't deserve it! It's just my duty as a music blogger. I went into this with an unbiased opinion, focusing purely on the quality of music and songwriting, and ended up finding new favorite albums and artists I never would've found if it wasn't for this article project. I hope that reading this gives you the same opportunity! Also, check out our Spotify playlist below which features all the top, most popular, and most streamed songs of the whole year all in one place! 24. Blood On The Drums - Ashton Irwin Ashton Irwin is known best as the drummer for the pop/rock band 5 Seconds of Summer, but he is so much more than that. He released his second studio solo album this year, “Blood On The Drums”, to prove it. I mean yes, the drumming on this album is kick-ass, but so is the songwriting, the vocals, and the unique mixture of both pop and rock styles. Touching on subjects of love, mental health and the toll it takes on you when you’re in the entertainment industry, “Blood On The Drums” is an album coming purely from Ashton’s heart and soul. 23. Willson - Ashe "Willson", is the 3rd album by Ashe , also known as Ashlyn Rae Willson (can you guess what her other two albums are named?). This album is authentic nostalgic music. It sounds straight out of the 80's with real electro-synth pop and soft rock sound and production quality. This is something we have missing in a lot of today's music, it's that sense of realness in the instrumentation. Ashe also has this stunningly beautiful and classic vocal tone that matches perfectly with the style. Let's not forget the lyricism, because her songwriting is also phenomenal. It clearly comes from a personal place, but it's also flawlessly relatable. 22. rosie - ROSÉ You may know her best from her role in the worldwide famous K-Pop girlband BLACKPINK , but ROSÉ is ready to show the world what she's got solo and dang, did she start off strong. Her solo debut album, "rosie" is filled with a diverse variety of songs from lyrical ballads to danceable bops. It's truly a magical moment when you get to experience an artist step outside of their box, and see them as an individual person and not just part of a group. We often dehumanize celebrities enough as it is, but it's even harder when you're in a band. This is music that ROSÉ clearly poured her heart into to make it her own, and you can tell. 21. Rockwood - Mark Ambor The debut album from singer/songwriter Mark Ambor , "Rockwood", is named after a state park in New York, which is a place Mark used to escape with his friends when he was younger - which is exactly what he'd hope this album would be for his listeners; an escape. I think he accomplished just that, because this album was incredible. Filled with acoustic guitar driven, lyrically emotional, and folk inspired pop bops and ballads, "Rockwood" is has a universal sound that I believe just about anybody would love. 20. biting my tongue - kenzie "biting my tongue" by kenzie is described as emotive pop. As personal as the lyrics are to kenzie, they are so relatable and helpful for all of her listeners out there. Her songs touch on topics of mental health, heartbreak, and childhood trauma. She has such a stunning, soft vocal tone that is perfect for the honest approach she takes in her music. The production is also so cathartic, with melodies that are literally crafted in highly thought out ways and not thrown together just because it sounds good (example: the song "word vomit" having a ton of run on sentences without catching a breath"). It's so interesting to hear all the details put into this, and it deserves all the love! 19. Bitter Sweet Love - James Arthur With "Bitter Sweet Love" by James Arthur , we see something new spark within him. He really dug deep into his songwriting roots, which he felt may have gotten a bit lost over time, and got inspired to write in a way he never has before. This album is full of raw, vulnerable, and story-driven lyrics, while also still hearing those powerhouse vocals we all know and love. He also decided to only work with one producer, something that he hasn't done in a while, which made this album all the more special and connected. You can really hear the love and detail that went into each song, which is why it came out as such an incredible piece of art. 18. You'll Be Alright, Kid (Chapter 1) - Alex Warren Alex Warren 's "You'll Be Alright Kid (Chapter 1)" is half of a debut album, with the other half to come in the new year. I feel like I can't even begin to describe how great this project is. The concept of this album is to give advice to his younger self; things he wishes he would've been told when he was a kid. This album has some of the most addicting melodies you'll ever hear, so just get ready for them to get stuck in your head. The lyricism is also so incredible, and as healing as it probably was for Alex to write these words to himself, it's just as healing for us all to hear them for ourselves too. 17. VENUS - Zara Larsson "VENUS" by Swedish singer/songwriter, Zara Larsson is a flawless dance pop album with incredible vocals and phenomenal production. Although many would recognize Zara's voice if they heard it on the radio, I don't think she gets enough credit for her artistry and for her albums as whole. There is so much passion and soul in Zara's voice when she sings, but that isn't the only thing that makes her music great. It is definitely in fact, very danceable - there's nothing hiding the fact that there's a lot of production that goes into these songs; but have you ever paid attention to the songwriting too? I challenge you to give "VENUS" the album in it's entirety a chance if you haven't already! 16. Hereditary (Deluxe Edition) - Cassadee Pope If you're a fan of that nostalgic early 2000's pop punk sound, you'll absolutely love Cassadee Pope 's fifth album, "Hereditary", specifically the Deluxe Edition because, well duh, you get more songs! This highly underrated album is to die for. Cassadee has a voice that once you hear, you never want to stop listening; her tone, range and control are so phenomenally impressive that you get mesmerized. Not only that, but the catchiness and uniqueness of the instrumentations and lyrics stand out from other pop punk songs, making it so that you're still getting that sense of nostalgia but also getting something brand new and exciting. 15. Radical Optimism - Dua Lipa Dua Lipa 's third studio album, "Radical Optimism" was pretty much exactly what you'd expect from Dua Lipa, but with a bit more emotional lyricism and experimental production moments that helped up her game. There's tons of nostalgic 80's synth-pop and 70's disco influence mixed with modern dance pop production while the lyrics are themed around relationships and breakups to give us that signature Dua Lipa sound we all know and love. It's the perfect album to put on when you want something to dance and sing along to and need a pick-me-up. It's a skipless, bop after bop album to put you in a good mood whenever you need something fun and upbeat. 14. Kissing Death - MOTHICA Dark alt. pop singer/songwriter MOTHICA released her third studio album, "Kissing Death", an amazing concept and visual album that tells an incredibly personal and relatable story. MOTHICA is known about touching on subjects that often other artists don't like to sing about, but it's what needs to be heard; such as mental illness, addiction, and childhood trauma. She takes these topics and intertwines them with highly catchy soundscapes and mixtures of electronic and rock influenced productions. "Kissing Death" is so particularly clever, and you have to watch the visual album as you listen, because the seeing the story as you go just makes it all the better. 13. Me Again - Sasha Alex Sloan Sasha Alex Sloan is one of the most underrated songwriters of our time. Her album "Me Again" is a vulnerable, personal project that comes from a place of healing. The tone is very soft and gentle, with acoustic singer/songwriter influences and even some country twang here and there. With plenty of relatable lyrics and gorgeous vocals, this album is perfect for when you need something to either cry to, OR, sit and close your eyes, and just breathe. Sometimes that's all we need, and this album is the perfect decompression music. Writing this album may have been healing for Sasha, but listening to it is healing for her audience. Everyone say thank you Sasha! 12. Artificial Paradise (Deluxe) - OneRepublic "Artificial Paradise" (Deluxe) by OneRepublic was one that surprised me. I personally didn't expect to love it as much as I did, but now I'm surprised that I haven't seen people talk about it more! I will say, you HAVE to listen to the Deluxe version. It's a slow-burn album, which is such a rare occurrence, meaning the second half (at least in my opinion) was a lot more enjoyable than the first half. The Deluxe version features a total of 18 tracks, and it's definitely what I'd like to call "feel good" music. This is what you put on when you really need a good pick me up, or a sense of euphoria after having a bad day. OneRepublic is so stupidly talented, and there's no way to describe it - you just need to listen to this album. The production is immaculate, and the melody structures are to die for. Something I found so unique and beautiful, were the moments of classical orchestral interludes, which somehow fit so well in between all the electronic pop, and actually brought a tear to my eye. 11. Short n' Sweet - Sabrina Carpenter Ah, Sabrina Carpenter , our pop princess. This woman has managed to completely take over the world and she absolutely deserves it; and if you don't know who she is, you're sleeping under a rock. She is unapologetically herself, and I think what listeners love about her the most is how she's comfortable with her sexuality - and not for men, but for all her girls to cheer her on! The point of her songs are to have fun with them, and to not take things so seriously. While she does have her absolute killer pop songs like "Espresso", "Juno" and "Taste", she also is an emotional ballad songwriter that all of us can sit and cry together to; songs like "Dumb & Poetic" and "Lie To Girls". She really can do it all. 10. Found Heaven - Conan Gray Conan Gray 's third studio album, "Found Heaven", took a surprising but iconic turn. Completely taking an authentic 80's approach, both in it's sound and aesthetic, "Found Heaven" transported listeners back in time. You'll hear respectful nods and influence from icons like David Bowie , Michael Jackson , Bon Jovi , Queen and Elton John . This album is filled with catchy synth-pop bops (like Lonely Dancers, Never Ending Song and Bourgeoisieses), as well as emotional glam rock ballads (Like Alley Rose, Forever With Me and Winner). Mixing Conan Gray's impeccable and emotional lyricism skills with this nostalgic universe and his undeniably loveable voice gave listeners a perfect place of catharsis to get lost within. 9. Eternal Sunshine - Ariana Grande Ariana Grande has been through a lot of personal things in the past several years. Recently, she's been the subject of rumors (and yes, that's all they are, rumors) and has gotten a lot of backlash. Her seventh studio album, "Eternal Sunshine" comes after she had spent a lot of time already filming in the movie adaptation of the Broadway musical, " Wicked " in which she plays Glinda. You can tell in this album she's heavily inspired by her time as this character. Her voice is a lot brighter, more airy and soft. There are still RnB tones in the beats and instrumentations, but you can feel the fantasy and whimsical influence, as well as the Broadway inspiration in the harmonies. This time was a very healing moment for Ariana and you can tell. These songs are some of her most vulnerable, and that's why it's also some of her best work. It's also named after and inspired by a movie starring one of her all time favorite actors, Jim Carrey, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind". 8. Patterns - Kelsea Ballerini Kelsea Ballerini mixes country into modern pop in a way that makes country music haters, love country. It’s artists like her that have brought country music into the mainstream, because even though it’s “country” music, it’s also pop music at the same time. The instrumentation and production has way more of a pop groove and flare, while Kelsea sings with just enough twang to keep the country roots alive. “Patterns” particularly is such a pivotal album for Kelsea, both personally and for her career. Being her first big project after going through a divorce, it’s filled with emotionally healing songs and raw lyrics, both for her and for her listeners. Not only that, but the melodies are so incredibly cathartic and listening to Kelsea sing is indescribably comforting. 7. Dear Joe, - Jax I can confidently say that nobody came out with an album like Jax this year. “Dear Joe,” Jax's DEBUT ALBUM by the way, is so unique and has Jax’s personality written all over it. Featuring a mixture of full length songs with the most incredible lyricism you'll ever hear and quirky little comedic interludes that you may recognize from her TikTok stardom, "Dear Joe," will make you cry, laugh, dance and sing along all within one sitting of it's 47 minutes. Everything about this album will blow you away; the catchy melodies, the incredible production work, and of course, Jax's powerhouse voice. I truly believe that this album was underrated this year, so if you haven't listened to it yet, I suggest you give it a chance. 6. The Great Impersonator - Halsey Halsey has had it rough the past few years, having to go through a battle with lupus and a rare blood disorder. Battling for her life really opened up her emotional and creative mind, which in the end resulted in one of the most genius concept albums of all time. If I was going off of theme alone, this album would've been No. 1. Although not every single one of the tracks will knock you off of your feet, the songwriting on this album is incredibly vulnerable and comes from a very deep and personal place. The way each track is themed after an artist that Halsey was inspired by while she was growing up (from Britney Spears to Stevie Nicks ) is so fascinating and she does it in a really respectful and honoring type of way. It is an idea I'm honestly shocked hasn't been thought of before, but now Halsey gets to say she is the original great impersonator. 5. Proof You Weren't The Only One - Chandler Leighton Chandler Leighton 's debut album, "Proof You Weren't The Only One", is breathtaking. Rarely do I ever hear an album on a first listen and that's enough for me to know if I like it or not, but that's all it took for me to know that this was the perfect album. There are no skips. Every song takes you away on this emotionally captivating journey, and you just can't help but want to listen to it over and over again. Her dark alt. pop sound has mixtures of highly emotional ballads and hardcore energetic bops that keep you on your toes. It's a perfectly balanced and blended project, and you can feel every ounce of effort and love that was put into it. I had no doubt in my mind even after just my first listen that it was going to be one of the best album's I would hear this entire year, and it deserves a lot more attention than it's getting. I promise you, if you haven't heard it yet, it's worth listening. 4. Vertigo - Griff Griff made so many big motions in her career this year; from releasing her unbelievably impressive debut album "Vertigo", opening for Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter , going on her own headline world tour, then releasing a live album and a bonus single that ended up taking the world by storm, "last night's mascara". Griff is not only a phenomenal songwriter and vocalist, but a producer as well. She knows how to perfectly craft her songs to get you addicted to her sound. Her songs are relatable, emotional and catchy beyond belief. If you haven't given "Vertigo" a listen yet, I highly suggest you do. If you're a fan of nostalgic electro-pop production and emotional lyricism, you will love Griff. 3. falling for robots and wishing i was one - LØLØ Pop/Rock artist LØLØ 's debut album, (yes, another debut album was this incredible and made it to No. 3... LØLØ you need to be so proud of yourself), "falling for robots and wishing i was one", has some of the most brutally honest, unapologetic, heartbreakingly relatable songs I have ever heard in my entire life. As someone who loved The Wizard of Oz growing up, LØLØ used that as her theme not only for the cover art, but for the concept of how everyone she dates seems not to have a heart (like the tin man, or a robot), and she wishes that she could be that way - cause wouldn't life be so much easier if we didn't have to feel heartbreak? This is another album that is easy to instantly fall in love with on a first listen with no skips. Everything is flawlessly written, sung and produced with pure emotion and passion. It's truly one of the best debut albums and I know that LØLØ is going to make waves in this industry. 2. The Secret of Us (Deluxe) - Gracie Abrams Miss Gracie Abrams , she is no longer the secret of us and is getting the attention she has always deserved. With her second studio album, "The Secret of Us", she made waves in mainstream music and accomplished so much in such a short amount of time. If you don't know who Gracie Abrams is yet, you're living under a rock and NEED to listen to this album. TSOU peaked at No. 2 on the billboard charts when it released. She managed to do a rare thing, and made a deluxe track (That's So True) go No. 1 on the charts. She went from having 7 million monthly Spotify listeners just last year to (currently) over 43 million! She is one of the most talented songwriters today, not only lyrically but melodically as well. It's incredible to watch her get the success she deserves, and now her song "Us" featuring Taylor Swift is nominated for a Grammy in 2025! 1. The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology - Taylor Swift I feel like this won't come as a surprise to many. Taylor Swift is one of the most brilliant songwriters of our entire lifetime, and The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology album is just more proof of that. Her 11th studio album features 31 intelligent, unique tracks that everyone had to pull out their dictionary for, but it's totally worthwhile. Did you know what a soliloquy was before hearing "But Daddy I Love Him"? Yeah, me either. The catharsis you feel when listening to Taylor Swift is unmatched, and her songwriting abilities only seem to keep getting stronger (who the heck thought that was possible?!). The Tortured Poets Department not only was the top streamed album this year, but Taylor Swift was the most streamed artist in the entire world, which is why she's not only the number one artist statistically, but the number one person in so many people's hearts. Her music and her tour this year brought so many people together. There's nothing that can beat the magic and relatability of Taylor Swift. So there you have it! What do you think of our list? Remember that this is just my interpretation of the nearly 100 albums I had listened to this year, and I do hope you give the ones you haven't heard yet a listen. I truly believe any true pop music lover will find at least some tracks on each and every one of these that they will like! Please check out the list below to see most of the other albums I have listened to this year for more suggestions. Did we miss any that you think deserve more attention? Follow us on our socials and let us know what you think! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole MORE ALBUM SUGGESTIONS: (in no particular order) Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft Charli XCX - BRAT Shawn Mendes - Shawn Benson Boone - Fireworks & Rollerblades Joshua Bassett - The Golden Years ROSIE - What Scares Me The Most Zayn - ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS Girl In Red - I'M DOING IT AGAIN BABY! Kacey Musgraves - Deeper Well Alexander Stewart - bleeding heart Brooke Alexx - Big Mouth Nelly Furtado - 7 Caleb Hearn - Left on McKinney Alec Benjamin - 12 Notes (Deluxe) [16 Notes] beabadobee - This Is How Tomorrow Moves The Marias - Submarine mxmtoon - liminal space Dean Lewis - The Epilogue Zach Hood - Whispering Pines London Grammar - The Greatest Love Jess Glynne - Jess Will Young - Light It Up The Script - Satellites Nessa Barrett - AFTERCARE Lizzy McAlpine - Older (and Wiser) Remi Wolf - Big Ideas Emlyn - that's how you make a villain Coldplay - Moon Music Snow Patrol - The Forest Is The Path Dayglow - Dayglow Tom Walker - I AM Kylie Minogue - Tenson II Rachel Chinouriri - What A Devastating Turn Of Events Jordin Sparks - No Restrictions FINNEAS - For Cryin' Out Loud! Usher - Coming Home Gwen Stefani - Bouquet Foster The People - Paradise State Of Mind Paris Hilton - Infinite Icon Kehlani - Crash / While We Wait 2 Suki Waterhouse - Memoir of a Sparklemuffin Faye Webster - Underdressed at the Symphony The Last Dinner Party - Prelude to Ecstasy Goth Babe - Lola Green Day - Saviors Glass Animals - I Love You So F***ing Much Meghan Trainor - Timeless St. Vincent - All Born Screaming Normani - Dopamine Camila Cabello - C,XOXO Imagine Dragons - Loom Clairo - Charm Maggie Rogers - Don't Forget Me BoyWithUke - Burnout I Don't Know How They Found Me - Gloom Division Paloma Faith - The Glorification of Sadness Porter Robinson - Smile! :D Vampire Weekend - Only God Was Above Us Allie X - Girl With No Face Tyla - Tyla Zedd - Telos Katy Perry - 143 Bleachers - Bleachers Ian McConnell - Season 2 Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

Do you ever feel like your expectations are a little too high, so you find yourself settling for something you don't quite want? Well, Naomi Jane is here to validate your feelings with her latest single, "TACOBELL". Don't EVER settle for less than what you know you deserve. There's nothing wrong with wanting roses and someone throwing pebbles outside your window at midnight. All those romantic cliche's you've always dreamed of are still possible, so don't give up on them yet for someone who doesn't deserve your love, time or attention. "TACOBELL" is a euphoric, uplifting pop anthem about ditches the loser that doesn't deserve you and finding someone better who will give you everything you've been looking for - because it is out there! This song starts with just piano, until it reaches the first chorus and then you realize what you're about to be in for. "TACOBELL" builds into this incredible diverse instrumentation, including nostalgic synth-pop, marching-band (which is very fitting for the lyrics), and this stunning vocal harmony arrangement during the chorus that I'd kill to hear A Capella. Everything about this song is so beautifully blended and just bursts with feelings of catharsis and hope. If you're with someone you're not quite sure of, you have to listen to this song. Naomi Jane was raised between New York and California, with a natural born talent for music. She's a classically trained mezzo-soprano and a multi-instrumentalist, being able to play the guitar, ukulele, piano, and violin. It doesn't stop there - she's also a musical theater performer and actress, having been in live stage productions and on-screen projects. This experience paved the path for what would become Naomi's true passion, which was to have a career as a singer/songwriter. Naomi debuted her first single in 2022, titled "Bouquet", but it wasn't until this year (2024) that she had a breakthrough with her song "Little Miss", which won first place in the Teen Category at the International Songwriting Competition . Now, Naomi Jane have 174k+ monthly Spotify listeners to date, and over 1.5 million streams across all platforms. "TACOBELL" is just one song off of her recently released 5-track debut EP, "sweet talk". Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW NAOMI: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube | Website | X

It's hard to let go of someone you've been with for a really long time, but sometimes it's for the best. You feel like because you've been together for so many years, you have to try and make it work; but all you do is get stuck in same old toxic cycle. "Circles" by Kristin Davidson is about finally putting yourself first, and cutting yourself loose from a long-term relationship that'll never be what you wish it was. No matter how much they beg and plead this time, you can't let them come back. It's time to love yourself more than you love anybody else, and get your life back on track without a manipulative partner to hold you down. "Circles" is a dreamy, country infused folk-pop song. It's very lyric driven, with a conversational melody that rolls off the tongue like someone talking directly to the person who broke their heart, letting everything they need to say out in one big stream of emotions. This song was produced by Kristin's friend, artist and producer Josh Earls , in his home studio (featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show ). "Circles" has a beautiful instrumentation, full of acoustic elements that are reminiscent of Taylor Swift's "Folklore" and "Evermore" Eras. The song builds into a wonderous, euphoric soundscape and phenomenal production, giving you a sensation of catharsis, especially in the stunning outro when you feel sense of release while Kristin repeats the refrain. Kristin Davidson is a singer/songwriter from Baltimore, Maryland. Drawing inspiration from artists like Taylor Swift and Kacey Musgraves , Kristin uses story-driven, emotional lyricism and folk pop soundscapes to create her own unique style and writes all of her own songs. Kristin officially debuted as an artist last year (2023) with her first ever single, "If I Could Write You A Love Song", which already gained traction, currently having almost 350,000 on Spotify alone. "Circles" is only her second single release, which means Kristin is only getting started. I can't wait to hear what else she has in store for the future. Make sure to follow Kristin below to keep up with her journey. Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW KRISTIN: Instagram   | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook   *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

"Nightmare" by Melody Mortal sings from the perspective of someone having to go through a breakup in the spotlight. I personally couldn't imagine what that would feel like, having to hold yourself together while the whole world has their eyes on you. It probably feels like, well, a nightmare. Melody Mortal uses clever lyrics and plays on words to tell a story about the painful breakup of a rockstar. Backstage, there's all this chaos and madness, but when the curtains open and the cameras are flashing, you have to put on an act and pretend like everything is okay. In a way, you need this moment to keep your sanity, because you know once that curtain closes again, the nightmare will begin again. "Nightmare" is a dark, edgy, hyper-pop infused, punk rock inspired track. It features heavy drums and a wicked electric guitar. Melody Mortal sings in a conversational tone with hyper-pop vocal effects, creating this incredibly addicting and haunting hook mixed with both spoken words and melody. Taking inspiration from The Prodigy and Rob Zombie , this song has some nostalgic, electronic dance vibes as well as horror and sci-fi themes. The story honestly reminded me a bit of "Paparazzi" by Lady Gaga , but if it was way more hardcore. The haunting nature of this song really matches it's name, as we've all been through a breakup where it feels like a literal nightmare. Melody Mortal is an independent dark pop and rock singer/songwriter and music producer originally from New York but is now based in Los Angeles, California. She began releasing music in 2020, starting with her debut single "Bad Man Sam" which is on the brink of hitting one million streams on Spotify. She grew up on 80's Hair Band and Opera music, which you can hear sprinkled throughout her theatrical rock'n'roll influenced songs. It's Melody Mortal's mission to take a brand new approach to rock music, blending classic and punk styles with hyper-pop production to create what she likes to call anthemic revenge music . She teams up with her co-producer, Zad French , on all her projects, and there's only more to come; so make sure to follow Melody Mortal below to keep up with her journey! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW MELODY MORTAL: Instagram   | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube  | Website | X *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Australian Alternative Pop artist, Chymes has released her fourth studio EP, "Alien", and it's unlike anything she's ever done before. Taking a slight step away from her signature dark-pop style, Chymes experiments with a new, unique intergalactic hyper-pop sound. “My whole life I’ve always felt very odd. I couldn’t ever quite put my finger on it. I didn’t quite fit in at school growing up. I always felt that I stuck out in an awkward way. That definitely carried on into my adulthood. But last year… I was just like, ‘f**k it’. I’m going to embrace it and make some music about it.” - Chymes TRACKLIST UFO Sweet Celestial Voodoo Doll Sour UFO (Extraterrestrial Version) ft YOUHA Chymes got her stage name from the Greco-Roman alchemist of the same name, who was said to have the power to turn the ordinary into extraordinary. Chymes believes she carries this same power through her songwriting. Although Chymes has been releasing music since 2016, it wasn't until 2018 that her life and career changed forever when BTS band member Jungkook shared Chymes' song "Dreaming" on his social media, causing Chymes' streams to skyrocket. To date, Chymes has been stream over 70+ million times worldwide. She has toured with artists like Leah Kate , Winston Surfshirt , The Preatures , Lastlings , and Tigertown , and her songs have been featured on hit shows such as Good Trouble and Pretty Little Liars . She has also written songs for som of the biggest K-Pop entertainment companies such as HYBE , JYP , and SM Entertainment . Admittedly overwhelmed by the vigorous release schedule of her previous three EP's, Chymes wanted this next one to different. Instead of focusing on getting the music out as fast as she could, she focused on taking a deep breath and enjoying the writing process. She tried new sounds and explored new areas of production, freeing herself from any one genre or from any expectations. So now here we have it; the "Alien" EP, which is what Chymes would describe as one of her most creatively free projects yet. UFO We're starting off with "UFO", the leading single of the EP which was released earlier this year. It was the first taste of this new cosmic hyper-pop era we'd get to experience throughout the year leading up to the release of the EP. "UFO" is about when other people want to treat you like you're the weird one, when really they're just jealous of how open you are about your awesomeness. They don't like how brutally honest you are with your loud personality and "I do what I want" attitude - but the harsh reality is, they just wish they had the courage to be like you. Chymes sings "One of a kind I-I’m an alien / Taking off into space in my UFO" . She's carefree, and is proud to be an "alien" if it means she gets to be herself. The soundscape has a very eerie vibe while also being a whole bop and a half with Persian-esque slides in the melody and a very heavy synthesized bass. There's also a little bit of a hip-hop vibe, as Chymes raps in the beginning. Sweet Next we have the second single for the EP, "Sweet" which is about being with a guy who is way too nice to you. There's a bit of cuteness aggression behind the lyrics, but there's also some seriousness when it comes to wanting to rough up the relationship a little bit. She doesn't want someone who is just gonna give her puppy love - she wants more. Chymes takes her newfound hyper-pop influence and adds a bit of hip-hop and RnB flare. There's a catchy heavy beat while Chymes switches between a spoken tone and a gorgeously bright falsetto voice. This track perfectly flows behind "UFO" as you'll hear some of those similar Persian scale notes in the instrumental riffs. Celestial The third track is "Celestial", which is the third single and Chymes' personal favorite track on this EP, and I completely understand why. It seems like the most personal and meaningful song so far. It's also the most uplifting and lyrically driven, like Chymes' message to herself to remind her of how hardworking she is and how far she has come in life. My personal favorite part of the song are are lyrics, "Got the whole universe on my side / Every day I can feel it, I’m Celestial" . There's no better feeling that when you just know things are going to go your way, and that you will be alright. This song also has a very energetic hip-hop type of beat, with a percussion and synth-bass heavy instrumentation. Chymes sings with heavy emotion and catharsis, as you can tell how much this song in particular means to her. Voodoo Doll "Voodoo Doll" is about being in a toxic relationship with someone that controls you, but you let them and you don't even know why. You have this attachment to them that you can't seem to let go of, even though you know that they aren't good for you. Chymes compares this to being like a Voodoo Doll, with extremely clever and heartbreaking lyrics. Chymes sings of being put on a shelf, living for her creator. She has a sewn heart with pins in her mind. This song is has a very dark and haunting soundscape, with a very ominous production style and beat, a popping bassline and moments of church bells to add to the soul-stirring atmosphere. Sour Next we have "Sour", which seems to be a bit of a sister song to "Sweet". Whoever was too sweet, isn't going to be anymore. Chymes sings of someone who is sweet, and they just can't get enough of her, and she is ready to turn them sour. With a heavy bass drum and a lot of electronic elements, this song has a super catchy vibe and a phenomenal production. You just have the hear the moment when Chymes sings the word "Sour". UFO (Extraterrestrial Version) ft YOUHA Last but not least, the EP ends on another version of UFO, which features South Korean singer/songwriter and producer, YOUHA . This Extraterrestrial Version mixed Chymes' and YOUHA's vocals and adds another rap verse to give the song even more of a hip-hop flare. The production adds just a bit more to the vocal effects as well, giving it that extra galactical and outer space atmosphere. It gives for a fun, extra energic version of an already fire song. The best thing about Chymes' new EP, "Alien", is that you can hear and feel how much fun she was having getting to have new creative freedoms. There's nothing better than getting to create the music you want to create without worrying if it gets done by a certain time or if it sounds a certain way. By the end of the day, the best music comes from the heart and soul, and Chymes' did just that by having the chance to experiment with new sounds and write when she felt like it. "Alien" is a great concept, with a unique theme, meaningful lyrics, gorgeous vocals and it all comes together into a sonically cohesive story. This is a new beginning for Chymes and I can't wait to hear what she does next. I do recommend listening to her previous works as well, especially if you're a dark-pop lover! Make sure to follow Chymes below too, so you know what's to come. Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW CHYMES: Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *Sponsored Post - Discovered on SubmitHub. A contribution was made to help create this article as part of a promotional campaign.

"Insecure" by N33T feels like a thought-spiral, with lyrics that draw you straight into the speaker's mind and delve into ideas of anxiety and doubt. Exploring self-destructive thought patterns, the speaker of the song expresses that they always feel like they are doing something wrong. The song mentions the anti-depressant fluoxetine, and layers ideas of other people's perception on top of the pressure the speaker puts onto themself. With the words "don't want to be seen rolling down all over the floor", listeners are given an image of the speaker at their most vulnerable, adding ideas of fear and social anxiety on top of the existing difficult concepts in the track. Standing in solidarity with self-conscious people, this song allows listeners to explore the chaotic thought processes that can drag you down through its introspective lyrics. Ambient electronic instrumentals open the song with a calmness before humming leads to upbeat percussion energizing the track N33T's vocals are soft and cool, with an emo tone. Through the verse, there's an edginess to the singing, creating a middle ground between the upbeat instrumentals and challenging, introspective lyrics. Vocals harmonize in the chorus as the electronic instrumentals offer a bright warmth. Electric guitar joins the song, offering an energetic texture as the chorus continues on. Bubbling like water and various other electronic instrumental sounds add a cerebral feeling to the bridge before a truly brilliant electric guitar interlude that continues on even as vocals and other instrumentals join back in. Representing the beauty and chaos a troubled mind can hold, this alternative pop song has a captivating sound. N33T is an Australian alternative pop artist who blends genres like indie rock in their exciting style. Their discography is rich with singles and a recently released album called "All the things I couldn't change" which is packed with introspective lyrics and an exciting alternative pop sound. They have collaborated with artists like Bendel , Hiraeth Ink , and acloudskye . N33T has songs that have earned a place on Spotify editorial playlists, and an energetic style influenced by the Melbourne punk scene as well as artists like The 1975 and underscores. Check out the links below to keep up to date with their music. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW N33T: Instagram   | Spotify  | YouTube   *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

The holiday season brings a plethora of emotions. The one most commonly focused on, is joy, but there's a harsh reality that we all have to face at some point. The holidays are less joyful for others, and that's okay too. MICHA gives us this beautiful piece in the heart of the holiday season and it resonates with those who mourn in the midst of these moments. We see the picture that's painted before us, the grief and wrestling of someone who deeply misses a loved one. There was a set of lyrics at the beginning that personally resonated with me it said, "It's been so long and I still miss you every day / And in this empty all I see is your face." Each time I listen to these lines I'm brought back to that place of remembrance, and holding space for my loved ones that have passed away. Halfway through the song there's a set of lyrics that paints grief so perfectly when it says, "When my heart stopped beating, my last thought was you. / If I could see the second, I would take a few. /Just to hold you one more time, take it all in. /Just to see you there, tell you everything." When we lose someone, they take a piece of us with them. We long for one more moment that's exactly what this songs communicates to us. This piece continues to wrap us in a solemn hug. The flow of the music is slow and steady, giving off a sad and gloomy feeling. Toward the end we're presented with some hope of moving past the grief, but in the meantime we slowly waltz through this blue-beat. The artist's voice guides us through each emotion, presenting the lyrics in a strong and steady voice. However, MICHA's vocals aren't harsh but rather gentle and loving. He carries a certain roughness that creates a rustic edge to the song as well. The acoustic guitar adds to the melancholy vibe of the whole song which then helps meld all the elements together. "Hopeful" is the type of song you can close your eyes and sway back and forth to. MICHA is determined to blur the lines between pop and alternative music. His music taste is rather eclectic, from artists like Chet Baker to Jon Bellion. However, you can find his heart through his well crafted and honest lyrics. Before Covid, MICHA was part of a duo called Micha and Julia. They played some of the biggest festivals in the Netherlands such as Lowlands, Bevrijdings festival, as well as opening for bigger names. When the pandemic shut things down they decided to part ways and focus on their solo careers. He decided to pursue songwriting in Nashville, Tennessee, with the help of other great writing talents. I would highly recommend listening to MICHA if you want a piece that strongly resonates with you. Written By Destiny Rundquist FOLLOW MICHA: Instagram | Spotify  | YouTube

"Hey You" by ROMI is a bold track fueled by self-assurance. Its lyrics question the genuine care the speaker's partner has for her, delving into the complexities of their relationship. Bold statements like "say you're sorry but you don't really care" allow listeners to understand the patterns of remorseless hurt the speaker's partner has inflicted. Cathartically calling out mistreatment, the lyrics "what's the deal will you" are unapologetically authentic, giving a driven message that poor behavior does not go unnoticed. This track is motivational, telling listeners to be confident and true to themselves by getting out of a toxic relationship. Glowing synth chords open the track before keys and ROMI's slow and emotional vocals work through the verse, picking up in speed through the pre-chorus. Ambient, distorted echoes of the vocals and layers of electronic instrumentals fold into the sound of the track, adding atmospheric percussion and whooshing sounds into the mix. A somber tone hangs onto the the song, with emotional delves into introspection punctuated by the entrancing sound. Layers of vocalizing create an exciting depth, and as the song moves on, fast-paced percussion, cinematic strings, and expressive vocalizing create a beautiful intensity. With an increasingly forceful sound and electronic instrumentals that build and emulate the freeing feeling of letting go of a toxic relationship, this song is captivatingly powerful. ROMI is an Israeli artist who makes exciting pop music. Her entrancing vocals and invigorating electronic and dance style allows listeners to get lost in her sound. She has performed at venues like SYRUP in Haifa, and performed Jaffa Roofhouse in Tel Aviv. Her powerful vocals, personal lyricism, and a rock twinge to her sound offer a dynamic sonic experience both in live and recorded music. She has released music in both Hebrew and English, and has collaborated with other artists, having featured on Four One Four 's song "Again & Again". Check out the links below to keep up to date with her music. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW ROMI: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube