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It’s crazy to think that 20 years have already passed since 2004, especially when considering some of your favorite songs are now that old. The year produced a plethora of nostalgic hits, some of which are still played on repeat to this day. Giving a snapshot of the monumental year, Pop Passion has compiled a list of Hit Pop Songs Turning 20 in 2024 that may or may not make you feel ancient by the end of it. 1. "Somewhere Only We Know" by Keane Released as the first single from their debut album, Hopes and Fears , Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” graced our ears 20 years ago on February 16, 2004. The track peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart, resulting in it becoming Keane’s biggest hit single to date and signature song. “Somewhere Only We Know” blends elements of alt-rock, pop, folk, and post-Britpop, driven by a hammering piano that Keane’s Tim Rice-Oxley compares to David Bowie’s “Heroes.” Though the track was released 2 decades ago, it is still prominent to this day as it has been used on film/TV soundtracks, like He’s Just Not That Into You (2009) and Winne the Pooh (2011), and has been making a resurgence on social media via short-form videos. 2. "Yeah! (ft. Lil Jon & Ludacris )" by USHER Released as the lead single from his fourth studio album, Confessions , Usher’s “Yeah! (ft. Lil Jon & Ludacris)” celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2024. The track was released January 10, 2004, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 consecutive weeks until it was dethroned by Usher’s follow-up single, “Burn.” “Yeah! (ft. Lil Jon & Ludacris)” was the longest-running number one single in 2004, later topping the year-end chart on the Hot 100. Adding to the wild success of the song, “Yeah! (ft. Lil Jon & Ludacris)” won Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards and was nominated for Record of the Year. As of February 2024, the ever-popular song has sold over 13 million copies in the US and is still a fan-favorite to this day. 3. "She Will Be Loved" by Maroon 5 Serving as the third single from their 2002 debut studio album, Maroon 5’s “She Will Be Loved” is celebrating 20 years of commercial success since its July 27, 2004, release. The track was used to help promote Songs About Jane , peaking at number five on the US charts and receiving a nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards. Though it feels like an eternity has passed since its release, “She Will Be Loved” is still one of Maroon 5’s top songs on Spotify and has garnered well over a billion streams to date. 4. "I Don't Want to Be" by Gavin DeGraw Technically from his 2003 debut album, Chariot , Gavin DeGraw’s “I Don’t Want to Be” is celebrating a 20th year anniversary since its release as a radio single in February 2004. The track's popularity skyrocketed after it was featured as the opening theme to One Tree Hill , leading to it becoming a hit single following the album’s release. “I Don’t Want to Be” peaked at number 10 on the US charts and is certified gold, having sold over 500,000 downloads. 5. "1985" by Bowling For Soup Originally written and recorded by American pop-punk band SR-71, Bowling For Soup released their infamous version of “1985” on July 26, 2004. The group changed some of the lyrics to make it their own, including more pop culture references like nods to St. Elmo’s Fire , Ozzy Osbourne’s The Osbournes and the band Duran Duran . During the time of its release, “1985” reached number 23 on the Billboard 100 and debuted at number 1 on Hot Digital Tracks with 15,500 paid downloads. “1985” continues to be a staple for pop-punk enthusiasts to this day, reaching over 346 million streams on Spotify. 6. "Accidentally In Love" by Counting Crows Written for the opening scene of Shrek 2 , Counting Crows’ “Accidentally In Love” celebrates its 20th anniversary alongside the beloved DreamWorks animated film. The iconic track was released on May 3, 2004, two weeks prior to the movie’s theater premier. “Accidentally In Love” was a commercial success, charting in the top 40 of several charts and being nominated for Best Original Song at the 77th Academy Awards. Just as many people’s love for Shrek will never die, the love for this song lives on as it has garnered over 409 million streams on Spotify. 7. "Toxic" by Britney Spears Though it was included on the 2003 album In the Zone , Britney Spears’ “Toxic” was released as a single on January 12, 2004. The track was used to promote In the Zone , being the second single to come from the singer’s fourth studio album. “Toxic” is one of Spears’ most notable songs, reaching number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 in March of that year and becoming certified 6x platinum by the RIAA in 2023. Leaving a lasting impression, “Toxic” has also reached over one billion streams on Spotify, becoming Spears’ first billion-streaming single. 8. "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson Coming from her second studio album of the same name, Kelly Clarkson’s “Breakaway” was released July 19, 2004. The power ballad was originally intended for Avril Lavigne’s debut studio album, but it was deemed as unsuitable for the project and passed to Clarkson. “Breakaway” was recorded for T he Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement soundtrack and the song’s success resulted in it being included on the artist’s second studio album. Being a commercial success, “Breakaway” charted at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the US Adult Contemporary for twenty-one consecutive weeks. 9. "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" by Green Day Hitting a 20-year milestone since the release of their infamous American Idiot , Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” was released as the second single from the album on November 29, 2004. The well-known power ballad won both the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and MTV Video Music Award for Video of the year. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Green Day’s most successful song in the US. Continuing to be one of the pop-punk band’s signature songs, “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” is still one of Green Day’s top songs on Spotify and has garnered over 850 million streams to date. Do you remember when these songs came out? What are some of your favorites from 2004? Let us know on our socials! Written By Cheyenne Johnson Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

The latest single by artist myah, “familiar,” explores the beauty of a romance so riveting that it feels eternal. Myah’s “Familiar” has such a delicate touch when it comes to trapping listeners into falling in love with the story presented in the song. The way it begins is slow and sweet and eventually builds and explodes in the chorus adding to the cinematic ambiance. Everything about “familiar” feels so warm and inviting and that’s what makes the listening experience so enjoyable. It’s great to have modern love songs that feel classic because it serves as a reminder of how timeless love can be. The song begins slowly, using short lyrics to present the beginning of this story. The song thrives on its use of nostalgia, presenting themes of the past and it paints the romance as classic and old school. The production on “familiar” is incredibly detailed and precise, and really brings the song to life. Additionally, myah’s vocal performance on this song is so smooth, that her voice is one you can find yourself listening to constantly. The nostalgia factor of “familiar” plays with the primary theme of this song, that this romance feels as if it’s always existed and always will exist. The line about “twin flames” especially presents this to the audience. Overall, “familiar” is a fun and sweet love story and myah has certainly outdone herself with this one. myah is an artist originally from South Florida who has been involved in music from a young age. Her musical style thrives on her talent for being a storyteller and blending several genres such as alternative rock, contemporary pop, and more. She is inspired by several different artists such as Foxing, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Modest Mouse , and Twenty-One Pilots . She shows passion for using nostalgia and cinematic soundscapes in her work and you can hear it perfectly presented in “familiar.” myah is certainly an interesting artist and it’s exciting to see where her musical path will take her. Written By Chantal Charles FOLLOW MYAH: Instagram   | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube   *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Hutton is coming in hot with her latest single, "Afterparty" which is about the aftermath of coming out of a toxic relationship that caused you to lose your sense of self. "Afterparty" reflects on how the relationship played out; how she gave everything to this guy and he still made her feel like she was never enough. This guy broke her down, and all she wants now is to get some revenge for what he did to her. In the chorus, Hutton sings of wishing she could show up to this guy's afterparty and play out this revenge. Deep down she knows this would never actually happen, but she calls him out on what he did to her, and acknowledges that she deserves better when she sings "I lost myself in you, it's time I got her back". "Afterparty" is gentle, emotionally somber indie pop / soft rock song with a late 90's / early 2000's nostalgic tone. It features prominent guitar, orchestral strings and a popping bass line. Gorgeous vocal harmonies fill the air along with an ear-catching melody that'll make you want to put this song on repeat. The lyrics are honest, shocking and relatable for anyone who has ever wanted to give the biggest middle finger possible to a toxic ex. Hutton has a conversational voice reminiscent of Phoebe Bridgers , with a melody and rhythm style that made me think of Taylor Swift and Gracie Abrams which are all incredible artists and songwriters to take after. Hutton is a singer/songwriter originally from Telluride, Colorado who is now based in Los Angeles, California since moving two years ago all by herself when she was just 18. She has spent the last two years working on debuting her music career, which is exactly what she did this Summer with her first official single, " COOL !". "Afterparty" is now her second single release and there's plenty more to come. She's been working with producers Austen Healey , Runnner , Stephen Conley and Derek Ted to make the songs she wrote come to life and to share with the world. She has style that mixes indie, pop, rock and folk and pulls inspiration from classic icons like Indigo Girls and Sheryl Crow , as well as modern pop names like Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan . This is only the beginning for Hutton, so make sure to follow her below to see what comes next! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW HUTTON: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok

"I'm Not Having Fun" is the latest single by rising pop artist Charlotte Chipembere, released on August 30, 2024. It is an indie pop gem about feeling done with being used for entertainment by someone, feeling empowered enough to stand up and call them out for how they are not being honest in their feelings, and moving on from something that just isn't worth it anymore. For anyone that can relate to this experience, blasting this track and screaming along is the perfect catharsis to get those emotions out. Make sure to check out this song on your favorite streaming platforms. "I'm Not Having Fun" is an anthemic pop track layered with bright vocals, punchy lyricism, and an exciting guitar production. Here, Chipembere sings about how she is "not having fun" with someone that is misleading, lying to, and messing with her. While she used to be all in, she has realized that she deserves better than to be with someone that is using her like this. She knows that this person has one foot out of the door in the relationship. If you have been having a Short n' Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter kind of summer, this is the perfect track to switch it up and add to your playlist. Charlotte Chipembre is a rising pop artist ideal for fans of artists like Billie Eilish, Tate McRae, and Olivia Rodrigo. Her first track, "Crushed," released in April 2022. Since then, she has put out three more singles and garnered over 40,000 streams along with over 4,000 monthly listeners on Spotify alone. If you enjoyed the most recent "I'm Not Having Fun," check out the rest of her discography. You can also keep up with all the latest information on Charlotte Chipembre and her music by following the social media links below. After this release, I am so excited to see what she will put out next! Written By Sydney Gray FOLLOW CHARLOTTE: Instagram | Spotify  | YouTube

Nell Bryden’s new song “Cassandra” is a powerful and bold representation of how society is so quick to jump to disbelief when a woman speaks her truth. The verse begins by depicting a woman in distress, and saying “no one here believes her”. There is a distinct switch in perspective as the verses are describing the woman as a feared and odd person while the chorus gives an identity to the woman, repeating “my name is Cassandra”. When the second verse tells of Cassandra’s truths coming true, the scrutinizing voice brings about accusations that it “could have been the dark arts”. This mention draws on the sad reality that throughout history, women have not been believed. They have been burned as witches because that is an easier notion for society to grasp than a woman having something to say. The bridge of the song is Cassandra’s demand to be heard, repeating the words, “oh you will listen”. These are words of perseverance and hope that demonstrate feminine rage in a way that is fueled by truth. A ringing, distorted string bending rings before a bold and simple percussion pattern, and both high and low-pitched guitar-picking patterns begin. The sound holds a haunting, almost folkloric tone. The strong alto vocals begin, emphatic and fast, with the feeling of narrating a story. The last word of the first verse, “her”, is sung melasmatically, with notes ascending higher. Background singers like a vocalizing choir begin with Nell’s belting of the chorus, and they join to sing the name of the song and the words “I can read the signs”. The background music stops for the last line of the chorus, and Nell’s voice is the only thing audible. The power from the bridge emerges with louder percussion as the background voices work like a chant, supporting the lyrics that Nell projects. The auditory experience of this song is one of strength, as it brings the message into its sound. Nell Bryden, an artist raised by artists, is a singer and songwriter from New York. At the start of her musical career, folk clubs in Boston and touring Europe while based in London were her successful domains. Nell created her own record label where she released her first album in 2009, and has since released eight albums. Known for her strong voice and poignant lyrics, her songs resonate with listeners all over the world. Cher covered her song “Sirens”, which Nell wrote about 9/11. Adapting to the circumstances during the COVID-19 lockdown, she managed to perform safely including a show with the BBC Orchestra on Ken Bruce’s House Music Sessions . The artist is touring the UK in November, so be sure to check out her website for your dates. Follow her in the links below to remain up to date on her new music and performances. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW NELL: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

The song beginning with the meat of the chorus “Swimming pool, baby, I could lose my cool.” It’s a preview of the fun to come, both with the song and the summer weather, perfect for swimming pool activities. “All these endless summer days, just getting lost and getting lazy in the heat waves.” Immediately, Florrie sets the tone for chill summer vibes. A carefree existence. We as the listener can have that for the next couple of minutes as we take a deep dive (Ya see what I did there?) into Florrie’s latest single. The “mmm mmm” at the end of several lines only adds to the comfort that this song seems to bring to the psyche when thinking of how relaxing being in the water is. Your body literally floats, gravity is a myth and time stands still. “Won’t you meet me at the swimming pool? Baby, I could lose my cool.” Ah an open invitation to partake in the chill vibes. I’m not a swimmer nor an avid lover the water, but this song makes me want to meet Florrie at the swimming pool. Florrie knows the right notes to hit as she lays the groundwork for the scene she’s crafting with this person she wants to “lose her cool” with. “And I’m watching as you sink in, second guessing what you’re thinking, oh its torture.” These lines seem to hint at the both relaxing as well as torturous elements that are involved in a budding romance. You make me feel all “cool” inside but I’m also an over-thinker and have to know what you’re thinking about and if you still like me, all the time. But, just meet me here and it’ll all be cool. “For a moment, there’s nothing at all.” No feelings, no worries, no bills, no time restraints, we’re just in the water taking a pause. The music is a dreamy, 80s, disco pop delicacy, in one word, it’s groovy. I envision someone roller skating on the boardwalk with bell bottoms on and some vintage 80s curls, singing along to this song and blasting it with a boom box. Florrie’s tone adds to the overall feeling, all of the parts work in unison to help the listener relax and “lose their cool” in the best way possible. Florrie and her team were in their bag here and it’s very evident. The buildup of the bridge taking us right back to paradise after the wicked instrumental highlighting all of the parts that make this song just work so well is a great addition to an already killer song. Let us all meet at the swimming pool and activate our chill modes. Florence, known professionally as Florrie is more than a triple threat. Florrie is a model, singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist ( you should see her videos on social media of her singing while playing drums, it’s pretty sick). The Brighton-based creative is a force to be reckoned with as this single comes after the release of her highly anticipated debut album “The Lost Ones” in June. Florrie describes her artistry as “Making uplifting anthemic pop for your lovely ears”. Our pop loving hearts enjoy reading that for sure. Florrie’s online presence boasts hundreds of thousands of followers across all mediums. Florrie has been a part of the music industry for several years now and, with the release of her first album and this latest single, suffice to say that she has found her sound. A sound we are enjoying and look forward to enjoying more of. If you’d like to hear more of Florrie‘s sound, follow her at her socials below! Written By Keiunna Thompson FOLLOW FLORRIE: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube

Nothing’s worse than having to let go of people who did you wrong. You know that it’s for the best, cutting them out of your life, but that doesn’t make it any harder once they’ve dug deep into you and have implanted themselves into your daily routine. Aiida’s latest single “Bad Tattoo” tells its listeners about the difficulty of leaving behind those who aren’t good for you, likening them to a bad tattoo. They’re something that’s stuck to your skin, needled into your muscles– your heart– and it’s not so easy to just get rid of something like that. In many ways, they've become a permanent part of your body and sense of self. But, even tattoos can be lasered off, and you, too, can cut out the toxic people in your life without having to sacrifice your identity. As much as "Bad Tattoo" ruminates on how forever-seeming these people are to you, it is also a dedication to those who had the power to be rid of them once and for all. “Bad Tattoo” strikes that perfect chord between moody and earnest. Moody, in that its instrumentals are deeper and darker than the average pop song. An amazing bassline hugs the song’s spine, slowly pulling listeners into the soundscape. Add the percussion and the vocals, and you’ve got a track that knows exactly what it’s doing with its production and composition. Every part of the soundscape matches the song’s meaning perfectly– it’s a tense atmosphere that these instrumentals create, almost with a touch of desperation. That desperation is entwined with my aforementioned earnestness from the track– when you get a tattoo, you never want it to be considered a “bad” one. Having a bad piece of art on your body is something I would liken to claustrophobia, and that feeling of not being able to be rid of a problem that is directly in your face. Especially the chorus line “It’s never fading / I fucking hate it” echoes this sentiment; the narrator complains how people in their life are always digging deep into their skin and sticking there, exclaiming then that they won’t fade away, and how much they despise it. For better or for worse, important people in our lives will end up becoming part of us– not unlike a tattoo– and those who end up being bad for us, which we ultimately cut off, can nevertheless remain. With expressive instrumentals and lyrics that highlight the struggle of letting go of those you once loved, “Bad Tattoo” empowers people who have overcome their past relationships and spoken out about them while also being aware of the difficulties one must first go through before reaching that healing stage. Hailing from Oslo, Norway, queer pop artist Aiida makes even heartbreak sound good with her poignant vocals and stellar songwriting. Similar to artists such as Dua Lipa and Mimi Webb, her music style tells stories with electric energy and honest lyrics, bringing her listeners together with good sounds and relatable tracks. She debuted in 2020 with her single “More Than A Minute”. Following that, she released singles every year since then, with her 2021 song “Talk (About What?)” hitting nearly 150,000 streams on Spotify to date, as well as her 2022 song “Landslide” reaching over 140,000 streams on Spotify. “Bad Tattoo” is Aiida’s most recent release, and is a fantastic track to end the summer with. If you enjoyed “Bad Tattoo”, consider following Aiida and listening to her other songs while we await her next projects! Written By Alexa Leung FOLLOW AIIDA: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook

“Dancing On Dynamite” perfectly encapsulates the powerful rollercoaster of emotions that love can take you through. The latest single by Boy In Space talks about two people who are clearly in love, but as much as they tried, couldn’t make their relationship work. You would think that this would make for an incredibly sad breakup song, but Boy in Space’s deeply emotional lyricism paints a different picture. The lyrics, “We were beautiful, so delusional // Said we’d try until do or die // It was chemical, inevitable // We were dancing on dynamite,” reflect the journey of two people who parted ways knowing they gave it everything they had. Sometimes, as much as love can hurt, it’s worth the risk, and that’s what comes across with this song. “Dancing On Dynamite” is quintessential Boy In Space with a subtle country touch. The song is very heartfelt, starting off with an acoustic guitar that’s met with the artist’s piercing angelic tone that adds an extra layer of sentimentality. While Boy In Space experiments with some fun Western percussion sounds on this track, we still hear plenty of that upbeat pop flare that he’s become known for once the drums kick during the pre-chorus. The change in the song’s intensity also matches the impassioned story that Boy In Space tells, allowing the listener to experience an array of emotions as it unfolds. Robin Lundbäck, known professionally as Boy In Space, is no stranger to the music industry. The 30-year-old Swedish pop artist first achieved success as a member of the boy band JTR. After touring with the group for a few years, Lundbäck successfully embarked on his solo career in 2018, releasing his debut single “Goodbye” and re-introducing himself to the world with a new, distinct sound. His unique voice and versatile writing style have secured him a loyal fan base, racking in over 800,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. After the release of Lundbäck's 2022 album, Backyard , his 2024 EP Copium signified a new chapter for the musician. Now with a new team and a fresh musical outlook in tow, Boy In Space is preparing to take the pop music world by storm. His latest single, “Dancing On Dynamite,” is now available on all music streaming platforms. Written By Giselle Morales FOLLOW BOY IN SPACE Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Daniel Arison presents us with a song that describes the hatred and anger one can feel for someone after having your heart broken. Not only after having your heart broken, but also fighting for the relationship to work and being the last one standing. There were certain lyrics that contributed to the depth of the song. A few that stuck out to me were, "We were best friends / Until it all went wrong / I was there when no one else stayed long / Do you regret how you treated me sometimes." These lyrics help contribute to the feeling of sticking around for someone when they don't appreciate you. Daniel Arison conveys this in a way that every listener can relate to it. He doesn't stop there though he continues to dig deeper into the emotion of being hurt when he says "My time on you was wasted / Cause you're good at changing faces / There's no point in putting faith in this, / Cause it's easier to hate you then pretend we're fine." As a listener who recently went through something similar, these lyrics resonate with me and its comforting to know I'm not alone. When we're first introduced to the song the acoustic guitar guides us through the first verse. After the first verse the song begins to pick up, it becomes more upbeat and faster paced, the mood of the song is fairly cheery while conveying somewhat of a dim message. The structure of the song grabs the listeners' attention. It makes us want to sing along and take time to digest the lyrics. While the latter half of the song is more upbeat than the beginning the artist's voice remains soft. The vocals aren't rough or rocky but rather soothing. The artist remains calm, cool, and collected which helps bring the song and its purpose full circle. The overall tone is mellow, with an upbeat seriousness to it. Daniel Arison is no stranger to the creative arts. His journey with music began at a young age with interest in learning multiple instruments and dabbling in songwriting. Growing up, he was steeped in an environment that welcomed and fostered creativity. Daniel Arison also enjoys acting which he pursued throughout his younger years. His songs explore a variety of different themes but some of the most prominent are love, identity, and personal growth. When asked about the song 'Easier To Hate You,' he said, "When I wrote 'Easier To Hate You,' I felt angry. I gave my heart and soul to this person and still got a lot of shit back. Although I gave so much love and support, and literally was the last one standing, I still ended up being cut out of this person's life." He later went on to say "At that point, I decided that it would just be so much easier to hate this person than to wait around hoping things would get better. When you don't have closure, sometimes it's easier to hate someone and be done with it. It's an easier way out and to be able to let go." If you find yourself in this position, make sure to give the song a listen, you won't be disappointed. Written By Destiny Rundquist FOLLOW Daniel Arison: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

margø’s latest single is an empowering anthem about unhealthy societal beauty standards and refusing to change yourself for someone else. “love me ugly” was inspired by a toxic relationship where her ex-boyfriend constantly tore her down and tried to make her feel lesser. He wanted to change the way she looked, from her hair and make-up to what she posted online and how she talked to her friends. She immediately propels the listener to this gut-wrenching atmosphere with the lyrics: “Drew a line around my flaws and told me I should cut them out// Said that I would look much better if I learn to shut my mouth.” Just from the first two lines of the song, she reveals that her ex tried to change both her looks and her personality. Throughout the track, her candid lyrics sucker punch the listener as they experience the pain and shame margø endured. margø’s ingenious songwriting shines through in “love me ugly.” In the pre-chorus, there is a lyric that calls back to a previous single this year when she sings: “But I'm not a mannequin to play around with as you please.” This contradicts her single, “marionette” where she tells her muse that they are her “marionette.” The song shares the narrative of a toxic, codependent relationship. It is a stark difference from “love me ugly,” representing margø’s growth and resilience. The two songs will be featured on her upcoming album, giving listeners a hint of the detailed and immersive storyline throughout the new project. “love me ugly” upholds margø’s iconic dark-pop soundscape that initially drew me to the artist. From her spooky aesthetics and grim lyricism, margø is an expert at drawing in listeners – especially those who have a natural attraction to the macabre. The new single is built around triplets, emulating a marching song, perhaps signifying the death of their relationship. The bass and synth are done in such a way that the listener can feel it radiate through their bones. The song begins with the bass and rhythm, as well as eerie synth floating in the background. The production gains emphasis on the beat, leading to the first verse. The pre-chorus briefly loses the beat to allow a subtle transition to the drop in the chorus. The chorus reveals the full production which highlights the true intensity of the track, emphasizing margø’s raw and passionate emotions. The instrumentation suddenly mellows to the next verse, bringing the focus back to the candid storyline. The second verse and chorus maintain a similar production to the last. However, the bridge leads to an altered version of the chorus that seamlessly transitions into an electronica solo. This leads out the song with an epic ending, showcasing margø’s extraordinary songwriting and producing. “love me ugly” is the perfect song to lead into the upcoming project, leaving fans in anticipation of the finished album. margø is a dark-pop singer-songwriter from Edmonton, Canada. She made her debut in 2019 with her single, “In Between”. Since then, the artist has released over a dozen singles and three EPs. “love me ugly” is the latest single from her upcoming debut album. She has over 30 million streams globally with over 7 million streams on Spotify alone for her hit single, “Play Pretend”. Furthermore, she has been featured on several of the streaming platform’s prominent playlists, such as Villain Mode, SALT, young & free, misfits 2.0, Ready to Rock, It’s a Bop, Best of Rock 2022, Fresh Finds: Pop, Rock Now, New Music Friday Canada, and many more. margø draws inspiration from iconic rock artists such as Joan Jett and Blondie, while maintaining her individuality with a modern, dark twist. Make sure to follow her on social media to stay up to date with any future announcements and check out her creative posts that encapsulate her unique aesthetic. Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW MARGØ : Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

KARINA’s latest single “bed of flowers” describes the self-destructive tendencies that gradually accumulate after experiencing abandonment countless times. There was once a time where you could appreciate the small things in life without worry. But as you gently touch the hand of your recent love, you do so with a genuine ache. Genuine instances of care and affection are fleeting as you believe this cannot last. You soak up every second you have with them and store deep within you so the memories can never leave. As you weep with loneliness, their hand withdraws from your touch and becomes just out of reach. It seemed inevitable that they too would leave and take their flowers with them. The foundational flowers everybody gives you eventually rot and decay because of your true self. Everyday before they left, you took time to smell and appreciate the flowery joy they made you feel. It seems almost pointless to deeply cherish joy in the moment, but you believed you would be alone again. Click here to listen to "bed of flowers"! “Bed of flowers” is a contemporary single that builds itself with its sweet yet simple instrumentation and vocality. We begin with a simple yet effective guitar solo that continues throughout. This is soon accompanied by the sweet and intricate vocal performance by KARINA. Each line is delivered with an affectionate and melancholy tone when paired with the lyricism. Immediately following the second chorus, we are introduced to some harmonization that greatly highlights an impressive upper-register vocal performance. This vocal treat is lyricless beyond taking “hey” and building off it with various vocal stems. The harmonization is reserved for this one section and we are soon reintroduced to the simple yet gorgeous guitar and vocal pairing. KARINA is an American singer-songwriter currently based in Virginia. KARINA has been enamored by music from a young age, idolizing young glamorized artists such as Hannah Montana. She first began her music career when she released her first single in August 2023 and has since released a plethora of music. She has released many singles as well as her first album just this year. Much of her music evokes a feeling of nostalgia that builds off experiences of mental health struggles and life experiences. These feelings create an air of blissful ignorance that is heavily explored throughout her musical catalog. She has built a strong presence on social media by promoting her music and singing covers of artists such as Sabrina Carpenter and Reneé Rapp. Make sure to follow her on social media and give “bed of flowers” a listen! Written By Willow Gray FOLLOW KARINA: Instagram | Spotify

Engage with a tale of romance and youth with artist philine’s recent single, “confused”.  As if living within one of her thoughts, philine crafts a personal world surrounding the nature of romantic relationships and trying to make sense of varying emotions at a young age. “confused” details a connection that leaves philine with her head spinning. She doesn’t understand how, no matter how seemingly “bad” or different from expectations their interactions come to be, this other person wants to stick around. Additionally, this person is vastly different from philine – causing her to reflect on her own thoughts & beliefs. She discusses subtle change within “confused”, and how their differences have ultimately led to her becoming confused about the entire connection between them. In a modern dating setting, philine’s raw thoughts and openness regarding lack of clarity is a prime example of how to properly connect with audiences – as well as people in general. Phrases such as “love” and “too soon” are mentioned in subtle ways throughout this track, yet as the song expands, philine dives specifically into why she’s confused about this romance. As mentioned in the first chorus, philine describes how this girl is “all that’s on her mind” and is the opposite of her type. By the second chorus philine adds details to these thoughts, displaying her fears. She mentions love should be avoided, that it’s too soon for her to feel how she does for this girl, and that she simply just cannot ignore her feelings any longer. These thoughts and concerns perfectly match the tone of the song as well as philine’s voice. Her voice is both kind and vivid, while the tone of the song is cool and imaginative. These qualities remind me of artists such as Clairo, Faye Webster, and the Japanese House. While these artists all have differing, overall sounds, I find a connection between them and philine all through their use of clever, time and event-centered songwriting that comes from places of personal experience and honest emotion.   philine is a singer-songwriter from the Netherlands. Growing up in a household where her Mom taught music to kindergarten-aged children and often played music within the house, philine grew inspired to write music of her own. By 11-years-old, she went from writing songs in Dutch to switching to writing in English. Upon competing in a professional songwriting competition during her teenage years, she decided she wanted to pursue her dream to become a professional singer-songwriter and went on to attend a conservatory in Rotterdam. By 2020, philine released her first single titled “gone”. In 2023, she had gained momentum for the release of her EP so sick of myself and generated millions of streams. Now, philine is gearing up to release her new EP the side-effects of living in a fantasy . Written By Madison Spies FOLLOW PHILINE: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube