Evoking the nostalgia of childhood stories with a dark twist, "In The Woods" by Sophia Bavishi is a chilling exploration of hiding and fears. This bold song revolves around secrets and silence, using the vastness of the forest to create an abyss-like image of looming trouble. Repetition is hauntingly purposeful throughout the lyrics with eerie phrases like "whispers, whispers, here and there" that send shivers down your spine. Referencing Robin Hood and Little Red Riding Hood, the song paints the tales that carry an innocent sentimentality with a darker shade of truth, leaving listeners locked into the entrancing view of the lyrics. Ominous vocalizing opens the song, looping in the background of Sophia's entrancing dark vocals through the verse, along with rhythmic percussion. The pre-chorus in an intense build, stringing haunting, breathy vocals together with percussion until a switch in the tune. Bold electronic instrumentals bring a transcendent feeling to the chorus, as vocals loudly and slowly working through the lyrics "here they come". The power behind Sophia's beautiful vocals infuse the lyrics with force, gliding through eerie highs and projecting wonderfully gloomy lows. Enjoy the wild power that comes through the chilling sound of this dark electropop track. Sophia Bavishi is an Arizona-based musician with talents as a singer, songwriter, producer, and performer. Channeling the power of looping and electronic instrumentals, Sophia creates a truly powerful journey of sound both on the stage and in her releases. Beyond local music venues, her performances have taken her across the United States, opening for tours of artists like Dirty Loops , AltBoom / DoubleCamp , and The Astronomers . With an exciting electronic sound, Sophia's music will allow you to dance and coast in her ambient style. Check out the links below to listen to her songs and keep up with her music. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW SOPHIA: Instagram   | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube   *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Attachment and fear circle the relationship in Monkeys with Internet's release "A Band In My Shoes". The creative and intriguing lyrics take you through the physical ties the speaker feels to their partner, before moving through introspective questions about where the speaker stands in the relationship and outward ones towards the partner, saying "do you know what you're doing?" Sometimes it's hard to understand the affect you have on people, and this song illustrates the connections and dependence a person can feel while still caught up in uncertainty about their partners' feelings. A truly visual and bold demonstration of abandonment issues, this song encourages listeners to understand a different perspective to connection. This alternative pop rock track is an immersive dive into introspection, powerfully using simple sonic elements to create an intense and fascinating sound. A cool electric guitar riff blends opens the song before blending into the background of the breathy and atmospheric vocals. The way Monkey allows her sound to lift and ebb, walking the line between singing and speaking, creates an entrancing ambience of euphoric introspection. Layers of singing through the chorus emphasize the depth and vulnerability of the lyrics, creating a sound as though the speaker is calling out to their partner. This track is darkly romantic with its expressive and resonant style. Monkeys with Internet is a singer, songwriter, and producer with a passion for lyricism. She has worked as a songwriter for seven years with songs she has written charting in Denmark, Bulgaria, and Austria. Her project of the year is to release one song each week, and with immense talent and creativity through vocals, guitar, and lyricism, she has put out consistent and meaningful music throughout 2024. Beyond her music releases, Monkeys with Internet shares her music through social media and she recently performed at Notting Hill Arts Club, supporting VICTORIA . Check out the links below to keep up to date with her music. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW MONKEYS WITH INTERNET: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok

"Heaven only knows" by Phoebe Willo is a profound exploration of what it's like to be trapped by circumstance and unable to thrive. With lyrics that take you into the mind of an observer, the song narrates the confinements of a woman's life. Battling internal struggles with being by herself as well as situational difficulties that make her home a place she doesn't feel secure, the words of this song work like a story to have your heart racing for the character. Marveling at her strength the lyrics say, "she'll rule the skies." Sometimes incredible people are put in impossible situations, and this song promotes understanding and compassion through its poetic narration. Taking you through soulful expression with a range of vocals and pacing, this narrative track will have you wrapped up in its sound. Resonant piano chords blend with angelic vocalizing and Phoebe's soulful vocals to support a reflective atmosphere in the track. The singing glides through highs and lows in the verse, emphasizing the lyrics with Phoebe's beautiful range. Speeding up and introducing percussion, the chorus holds an intense dark pop energy. Electronic instrumentals sound, complimenting the rhythm with their texture. Get lost in the thick plot of strength and struggles with the catchy hook and emotional sound of "Heaven only knows". Phoebe Willo is a UK-based artist with an exciting dream pop sound, who launched her musical career in 2022. She has thrived with her honest lyricism and vocal talents, stemming from her childhood love of piano and songwriting. On top of her singer-songwriter talents, Phoebe is a multi-instrumentalist with skills on the piano, keyboard, guitar, and ukulele. With songs featured on Spotify editorial playlists, supported by platforms like SongBits , and praised in publications like Record of the Day and Fame Magazine , her musical talents are a hot topic. Check out the links below to keep up with her music. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW PHOEBE: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube

"Stay With Me Now" by Connor Mac is a powerful song that encourages togetherness as you face adversity. Dealing with illness in the family, the lyrics tackle the difficult emotions and thought processes that come with these trying times. The truth of the lyrics, and a reality for many, is that once an illness is gone, it can come back. Expressing the severity of the situation, lyrics like "we thought we'd seen the end" hit hard, letting listeners into the bleak and heart-wrenching moment. While the track takes on very raw realities, it conveys an uplifting message of perseverance through family, hopes, and unity. When life throws such struggles at you, the best thing you can do is rely on the people around you, and this moving track helps listeners to understand the importance of community in dire circumstances. Reflective and expressive, this song captures strife and heartache in its sound. Piano shifts from a sonorous, repeating low note at the beginning of the track to a resonant chord progression through the verse. Connor's emotional vocals kick off the tune, slowly working through the lyrics, before vocalizing and delving into deeper singing through the pre-chorus. Percussion adds a sound of motivation to the chorus, and faster singing offers a feeling of encouragement to compliment the lyrics of togetherness. Strings accompany the passionate belting of the words, offering another layer of emotion and intensity to the track. The way "Stay With Me Now" builds its sound over the coarse of the track boldly inspires strength. Connor Mac is a Switzerland-based soulful pop musician from New Zealand with talents in singing, songwriting, and production. He brings authenticity to his songs through genuine and self-reflective lyricism that listeners can connect with. His singles have amassed millions of streams, and his music has earned places on Spotify editorial playlists. Various platforms have supported his music like Future Hits Radio's +ive New Music Releases , and he has performed shows at venues like T-bar in Verbier, Switzerland as well as at private events. Check out the links below to keep up with his music. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW CONNOR: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

It's been 16 years since Sam Smith released their debut single, "Bad Day All Week," launching what would soon become a successful career full of iconic moments. The artist quickly rose to prominence in 2012 after being featured on Disclosure's hit song "Latch," setting Smith up to capture hearts with their 2014 debut album, In The Lonely Hour . To celebrate several years of Sam Smith blessing our ears with their mesmerizing vocals, here are our top picks for the Best Songs by Sam Smith. 1. "Stay With Me" Starting off our list, it's only natural that we include Sam Smith's "Stay With Me." The track is from the artist's debut studio album and has become one of Smith's most popular songs to date. "Stay With Me" peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart and at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and has since accumulated over 2 billion streams on Spotify. Originally credited as being written by Smith and James Napier (aka Jimmy Napes), Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne later received co-writer credits on "Stay With Me" due to the song's similarities to Petty's "I Won't Back Down." 2. "Unholy (ft. Kim Petras )" Dark and seductive, Sam Smith's "Unholy (ft. Kim Petras)" quickly became a standout hit from the artist's fourth studio album, Gloria . The track was released in 2022, featuring a sexually charged soundscape that's a heavy mix of dance-pop, electropop, and synth-pop. A commercial success for the collaborators, "Unholy (ft. Kim Petras)" went on to top charts and win Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, making Petras the first openly transgender artist to win a major category at the Grammys. 3. "I'm Not The Only One" Another hit from In The Lonely Hour , Sam Smith's "I'm Not the Only One" has had the pop world in a chokehold since its 2014 release. The track was a huge commercial hit for Smith, charting at number one in South Africa, in the top 3 in the UK, and in the top five in the US. Grappling with themes of infidelity, "I'm Not The Only One" is a poignant, emotional piano ballad inspired by the marriage of someone Smith and Jimmy Napes knew. 4. "Latch (Acoustic)" Originally a song by Disclosure featuring Sam Smith, "Latch (Acoustic)" is a reimagined version of the dance-pop hit, turning the upbeat track into something soft and vulnerable. Smith's tender rendition of the song was included on the deluxe edition of their debut album and shows off their impressive vocal prowess over a simplistic background. While the Disclosure version of the track is extremely popular, "Latch (Acoustic)" has been a fan favorite, garnering over 385 million streams on Spotify. 5. "Fire On Fire" Written and recorded for the 2018 Netflix adaptation of the 1972 novel Watership Down , Sam Smith's "Fire On Fire" is a powerful ballad for an equally powerful story. The track features Smith's commanding vocals backed by the BBC Concert Orchestra, creating a dramatic and compelling pop soundscape. Also appearing on Smith's third studio album, Love Goes , "Fire On Fire" was a mild commercial success, charting in the top 40 in Sweden, Hungary, Norway, Finland, Switzerland, and Ireland. 6. "I Feel Love" Originally a 1977 hit by Donna Summer , Sam Smith released their cover of "I Feel Love" in November of 2019. Smith described the track as a queer anthem and planned to include it on their third studio album, Love Goes , but later removed it due to the album's delayed release. The artist stayed to true to Summer's recording, only adding a slight modern flair to the disco/synth-pop chart topper. 7. "Lay Me Down" Serving as the lead single from their debut album, Sam Smith's "Lay Me Down" was released February 15, 2013, peaking at number 46 on the UK Singles Chart and at number 25 on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles in 2014. The track is a soulful, vulnerable ballad, exploring a longing for connection and the pain of being separated from a loved one. "Lay Me Down" has left a lasting impression on Smith's fanbase, having garnered over 319 million streams on Spotify. 8. "Dancing With A Stranger (with Normani )" An addictive blend of disco, R&B, and pop, Sam Smith's "Dancing With A Stranger (with Normani)" is another iconic collaboration that became a huge commercial success. The track was released as a single in 2019, later appearing on Smith's third studio album, Love Goes . "Dancing With A Stranger" topped charts globally, peaking at number three on the UK Singles Chart and number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. Still a significant part of Smith's catalog, "Dancing With A Stranger" has garnered over 1.4 billion streams on Spotify since its release. What are your favorite songs by Sam Smith? Did you find any new favorites on our list? Let us know on our socials! Written By Cheyenne Johnson Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

Step onto an emotional rollercoaster of abandonment issues and introspection in Lauren Presley's introspective song, "People Leave". The lyrics draw you into the speakers emotional struggles with its immediate dive into their personal struggles, saying "wish it was easy to trust". Incapable of depending on another person, the speaker's lyrics are remorseful of the way she isolates herself, allowing listeners to understand the deep internal conflict felt throughout the song. Letting people know that they are not alone in their habits of pushing people away, this heart-wrenching track is beautifully raw. Electronic instrumentals and Lauren's hypnotic, deep vocals bring an entrancing atmosphere to this song. Dark synth chords, soft percussion, and a repeating note pattern offer an ethereal gloom to the verse that reflect the heavy nature of the lyrics. Lauren's singing through the verse is intense and grounded in the meaning of the lyrics with expressive power. Strong vocals climb higher in the pre-chorus and intensely project through the chorus, accompanied by cinematically percussive elements and haunting electric guitar instrumentals. If you're a fan of dark pop, this track is packed with impressive vocals and a captivating sound that encompasses the intensity of the genre. Lauren Presley is a Nashville-based dark alternative pop musician from Texas. With her debut single amassing upwards of one million streams on Spotify, and plenty of captivating singes released in the four years since, her bold lyrics and captivating musical style have resonated with listeners who enjoy artists like Halsey and Fletcher. Platforms like Wonderland and Notion have sung Lauren's praises due to her engaging vocals and attention-catching sound. She has collaborated with talented musicians including Sam Will and ANTi , and had songs earn spots on Spotify editorial playlists. Check out the links below to explore her music. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW LAUREN: Instagram   | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube   *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Powerfully tackling the way the experiences of our pasts have lasting impacts on life, Dylan Cartlidge's song "New Day" offers reflection and motivating words of perseverance. The track starts off with honesty about a fear of independence and moving on from the past. In pursuit of a new walk of life, these lyrics explain the obstacles that follow you with words that capture different impacts like "waking up when you know we should be fast asleep." With a bold determination to keep living life to the fullest, the song uses natural imagery to embrace the positivity of starting anew through the powerful lyrics "when the sun hits the water, it's a smile on my face". This track will comfort you with its reassuring and validating message. Bold, textured vocals and an overall encouraging sound will lift you up in this soulful pop song. Piano and electronic instrumentals mix with groovy percussion to open the song, before Dylan's soulful vocals join in. Raspy and melodic, his singing offers a captivating tune through the verse before soaring in the chorus as he belts out words of relief. His range and volume surround you in a passionate, freeing feeling, moving into speak singing to shout out the words "and that's okay!" Strings and an immersive, upbeat array of instrumentals add to the encouraging atmosphere of this song that will leave you feeling uplifted and free. Dylan Cartlidge is a UK-based artist with a soulful genre-blending hip-hop, rap, and R&B style. With immense resilience after childhood struggles with poverty and instability, at the age of 16, he used a strong mindset to create change in his life. His passion, determination, and strength fuels his powerful music, especially with "Hope Over Adversity", his debut album. Receiving support from platforms like the New York Times and BBC Radio 1, this album was extremely well-received, even placing on American AAA charts. With songs amassing millions of streams, performances at festivals like Glastonbury and Reading + Leeds, collaborations with artists like Danger Mouse and Superorganism , his career is on the rise and so are his powerful messages. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW DYLAN: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Serving as the final single for his upcoming EP, Electric Love Connection , Chris Youmans has crafted and delivered his latest heartfelt ballad, "Summer Love." The track shows us what it's like to be resilient in the face of pain and loss, mourning lost love with a heartbreaking sincerity. A song that will resonate with many, "Summer Love" explores how grief isn't linear, focusing on how bittersweet memories linger despite time moving forward. Though "Summer Love" is written in a way that feels universally relatable, the story behind the lyrics is deeply personal for Youmans as he pays tribute to Griffin Madden, a close college friend who passed in the 2016 Oakland Ghost Ship fire. Haunting and vulnerable, Chris Youmans tenderly reflects on bittersweet memories, pairing his heartbreak with a warm, acoustic soundscape in "Summer Love." The track starts soft with delicate vocals and contemplative guitar lines, later escalating to a powerful climax as Youmans pours his heart out through raw, emotive melodies. Creating full and resonant layers, Youmans' melodious lamentations are accompanied by a full-bodied chorus, adding rich harmonies reminiscent of Pentatonix to the song's passionate composition. It's obvious from the first listen that "Summer Love" is undeniably breathtaking, perfect for fans of expressive ballads like Lord Huron 's "The Night We Met" and Amber Run 's "Amen (ft. London Contemporary Voices )." Learning guitar at the young age of 5, Chris Youmans has felt inseparable from music ever since. The artist grew up in Santa Cruz, finding himself inspired by icons like James Taylor , Joni Mitchell , Donny Hathaway , Whitney Houston , and Fleetwood Mac . Youmans later studied music at UC Berkeley, forming a band that played jazz standards and pop covers at local clubs in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has since moved to LA, working on his eponymous artist project and his forthcoming EP, Electric Love , reflecting on themes in his personal life like sex, love, and queer nightlife. Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW CHRIS YOUMANS: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

"Don't Throw It Away" by Isac Halldin is an authentic representation of the emotions that arise when you are struggling with mental illness and in a relationship. The song takes listeners into the observational and narrative mind of the speaker as seasons change, he watches the world around him, and says "the darkness is starting to get me." Wondering what his partner is feeling through this difficult process, the song will touch you with its vulnerable curiosity. Begging his partner for patience and time, the speaker says "I can't rush anything", understanding that healing is a process that you cannot hide from, even for the sake of someone you love. This powerful song stands in solidarity of anyone dealing with personal mental health struggles with a raw expression of fears and needs in a relationship. Twangy guitar and piano blend in the opening before cutting out as Isac's vulnerable and intimate vocals join acoustic strumming in the verse. The pre-chorus works meaningfully through the lyrics and showcases Isac's profound range, moving away from the indie style of the verse and into a heartfelt dark love-pop sound. Layered vocals harmonize in the chorus as the catchy tune picks up a depth with the lyric's vulnerability reflected through the style. Electric guitar and drums pick up in the post-chorus, enlivening the song with energy and wrapping the memorable melody of the chorus into the instrumentals. Piano folds into the atmospheric sound of the song, creating a cerebral feeling that compliments the vocals in a way that feels like you're entranced in the love and struggle of the lyrics. Isac Halldin is a musician with an exciting indie pop style. He is a singer, songwriter, and producer who has collaborated with many artists and written and produced songs for musicians like Richard Fairlie , Frans , and ASTE . With a discography full of singles that showcase his lyricism and immersive style, listeners can resonate with his storytelling words and catchy tunes. Isac has an upcoming EP to look forward to in 2025, with "Don't Throw It Away" being the powerful opening track. If you are a fan of expressive vocals and deeply meaningful music, check out the links below to keep up to date with Isac's releases. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW ISAC: Instagram | Spotify  | Facebook

When you've been hurt too many times by one person you used to love, cutting ties is the most freeing and healthy thing you can do to move on. Peder Elias's song "Row Your Boat" gives listeners a cathartic message of closure as the speaker of the song communicates a message to his ex-partner through the lyrics. He wants nothing to do with that person or anyone connected to them and the words, "I can't stand your games no more" boldly communicate the weight of his message. Encouraging listeners to give a bad relationship a clean break, this track is a motivating and creative permanent goodbye. With bright piano and comforting, soulful vocals this track blends a melody of nostalgia in the opening of this pop track. Fast-paced singing shows off Peder's commercial pop sound in the verse, accompanied by a soft percussive rhythm. The chorus takes listeners back, starting with a melody reminiscent of the popular children's song of the same title before descending into an energetic blend of layered vocalizing, drums, electronic instrumentals. With emotional explorations of his range, Peder delves into falsetto and deep expression throughout the verse. A playful and self-assured sound to moving on, this song offers listeners a captivatingly motivating sense of finality. Peder Elias is a Norwegian musician with an exciting pop style. Since childhood, he has been harnessing his vocal talents, participating in a choir with performances taking him to the US and Europe. His talents as a singer, songwriter, and producer has resonated with fans, with singles making the top 10 charts in South Korea. Peder is a recipient of the Genie Music Award for best pop, and his album has gone platinum six times in South Korea and once in Taiwan. He has collaborated with other artists like Alan Walker and Putri Ariani on the song "Who I Am" and Cha Eun-Woo on "Hey Hello". Check out the links below to explore his music. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW PEDER: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Rosie Darling gives us a wholesome and heartfelt song that celebrates and reflects a close relationship she had with a friend. In this piece, we get to experience the memories the two friends made together. We feel every ounce of gratitude and love that the artist has for the person whom they are talking about. Some of the lyrics make the artist's feelings about the situation evident. We see this in the lyrics, "Feels good to know / No matter where we come and go / There's never any lost time." This line allows us to see how seamless the relationship is. There's never an awkward moment, but only moments that deserve to be cherished. Not only do we gain an understanding of the strong relationship that has been formed between the two friends, but we also come to understand the feeling of missing that friend once they have both started lives of their own. One of the strongest lyrics of the song says, "If I could go back, / I would tell myself to slow down / We didn't know that we'd be missing back then, right now." I think this line speaks volumes about the emotion and depth of the song, allowing us to feel the sincerity of the artist. "Joanna" presents us with a mixture of emotions and moods. As the listener, we feel and relate to the sense of longing for someone. We know how it feels to reflect on good relationships, and this sense of reflection is the overall mood of the piece. We get a beautiful blend of instruments throughout the song that work together perfectly to craft a cohesive and well-paced piece. The guitar and drums help give the piece a slight country feel, which makes the song feel even more like home. The lyrics add depth and emotion, further enhancing the overall purpose of the song. They help create a distinct connection with us, the listeners. This allows us to sit with the lyrics and process the artist's emotions. Rosie Darling is a Boston-born, LA-based pop singer-songwriter. She is known for her flowing melodies and her deeply relatable lyrics. The song draws influence from artists like Kacey Musgraves, as Rosie Darling belts out the fondness she has for this friendship. Rosie Darling has said that her musical inspirations include Gracie Abrams, Phoebe Bridgers, and Taylor Swift. Regarding the song, she said, "It is a not-so-subtle shoutout to my best friend from high school, Joanna, who has always been there for me despite living 3,000 miles away from each other! I don't take my friendships for granted, and when I look back I am so grateful to have found a lifelong friend during those core teenage years when we were finding our way, growing into the people we are today. Years later, it's nice to pick up the phone and talk to someone who knows every version of you through all of your phases." If you're looking for a heartfelt song to show your best friend some appreciation, I recommend Rosie Darling. Written By Destiny Rundquist FOLLOW Rosie Darling: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

"Crush" is the newest single by Tapwaterlucy , a song about longing to be with the person you have a crush on, but still being too nervous about starting a relationship. Tapwaterlucy wants to see how far she can talk and flirt with her crush before she starts to fully enter a romantic territory, singing the line "I poke the bear then run". Her feelings for this person are so strong that she is constantly trying to get their attention and wants to relive the moment they met so she could have pursued the relationship then, but since she didn't, she feels as though she now has to wait to see if this person is into her as well. Influenced by a combination of electronic music and a metal guitar, a powerful and insane synth shoots out the melody of "Crush" like the beam from a laser gun. It is distinctive and stands out against the song's beat, which is akin to a pop/dance song from the early 2000s, similarly to the song's cover art. There was significant attention to detail in the production of this song, including when Tapwaterlucy sings "Bang on your chest like a man" and a bass drum is repeated multiple times to add emphasis to the line and the fast-paced hi-hats that contribute to upbeat vibe of the song. Tapwaterlucy is also a very talented singer, providing harmonies with her wide vocal range. Tapwaterlucy is a singer-songwriter and producer based in London, England. She discovered a passion for music at a young age and began releasing songs on SoundCloud, and was the sole songwriter and producer for them. She has been named in multiple publications, including EARMILK , and was interviewed by GroupieMagazine . For the promotion of "Crush", she made Instagram posts of her as a "controversial" early 2000s popstar in the format and aesthetic of magazine covers. She has released other amazing songs in addition to "Crush", such as "Loveblind", "Speed Dial", and "The Final Girl". Tapwaterlucy is an amazing and incredibly talented and creative music artist! Written By Ashley Adams FOLLOW TAPWATERLUCY: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube