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  • Review: "Let's Talk" - Great Good Fine Ok

    In collaboration with Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, Great Good Fine Ok’s latest release “Let’s Talk” is a meditation on McMahon’s earnest and ardent lyricism and Great Good Fine Ok’s signature synth sound. The track addresses the importance of communication in all facets of life. You might fear the future, or perhaps feel shame in being rejected, but keeping that bottled inside will just make you feel worse. Whether it’s fear, a lack of trust, or shame that’s preventing you from discussing what’s weighing heavy on your heart, know that the best remedy for burdened shoulders is just bringing it out into the open. The song assures its listeners that our loved ones, no matter what we try to convince ourselves of, want to help and hear us. They want to be that rock that will support you, and all you have to do is make that first step to talk about it. All of it. Poignant and introspective, “Let’s Talk” is a delicate blend of captivating synth and honest, guiding lyrics for the lost in life. Definitely what struck me first about the track was the instrumentals– a synth that is warm and inviting, twinkling and pulling listeners closer to the song’s meaning and message. There’s a particular point right before the chorus that exudes comfort, the soundscape cresting and subsequently landing softly as the chorus begins in earnest. I love how sonically realized the track is, with a personality that knows precisely what it wants to communicate in smooth synth. Moving to the lyrics, it’s no surprise that this fantastic collaboration between Great Good Fine Ok and McMahon has borne some truly beautiful songwriting. Each line is filled with the fears we might have when navigating this confusing life, but the chorus always comes back around with “Let’s talk about how I’ve been here before”, addressing the listener directly to tell them that they, the narrator, has been in that exact situation before, and that they’ve gotten past it. The line “let’s talk” echoes in the back as the vocals swell overtop of it, like a reminder to let everything out. Everything about the track– from the instrumentals to the songwriting– forms this super comforting track that only wants to help you through the tougher times in your life. Great Good Fine Ok is an LA-based synth-pop duo composed of vocalist Jon Sandler and producer and multi-instrumentalist Luke Moellman. Sandler and Moellman prove that opposites certainly do attract. With Moellman as the “technical mind” and Sandler as the “emotional lyricist”, the two combine their musical experience to form soundscapes that connect those who love a complex, layered soundscape and those who adore emotionally-charge and heartfelt lyrics. Debuting in 2013 with their single “You’re The One For Me”, the track was an immediate hit and was followed shortly after with a pair of EPs, “Body Diamond” and “2M2H”. In their years of performing, they’ve appeared at Comedy Central’s Clusterfest, Bonnaroo Music Festival, Firefly and Bunbury Music Festivals, and have sold out a six city tour in China. “Let’s Talk” was created alongside renowned singer-songwriter Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness and is part of the duo's upcoming seventh EP “SEVEN”, which drops on January 24th, 2025. For those of you who just cannot wait for the EP, make sure to listen to the rest of Great Good Fine Ok’s discography to tie yourself over, and definitely give them a follow to keep track of the EP’s progress! Written By Alexa Leung FOLLOW GREAT GOOD FINE OK: Instagram | Spotify  | Facebook  | YouTube | Apple Music

  • EP Review: "Playing Pretend" - della

    Photo Credits: https://www.rikerbrothers.com/ ; Art: @quinnie.zol & @tatianalorich 17-year-old singer/songwriter, della, recently released her debut EP, "Playing Pretend" and it's already making waves in the contemporary folk scene having charted at No. 13 on Roots Music Radio . TRACKLIST matthew's in love scar tissue interlude grapevine playing pretend della, also known as Natalie Schroeder, started recording and pursuing a music career about two years ago at the age of 15. Now in 2024, she finally debuted as an artist, releasing her first ever single "matthew's in love", then "scar tissue" which was in anticipation for her first ever EP which we will be covering today! Also over the past two years, della has been performing live and gaining experience to develop her sound. She has placed in multiple songwriting competitions and has been recognized as one of the top seven teen writers in the International Songwriting Awards . della takes influence from mixtures of folk, pop and rock music to create her unique sound, but her masterful lyricism and gorgeous voice is what really catches the ear more than anything. matthew's in love We start the EP with della's debut single, "matthew's in love". The song tells a tale of a young girl named Jessie May and a guy named Matthew. della uses detailed imagery in her lyrics to set the scene. It seems Jessie and Matthew grew up in the rural countryside. Jessie grew up with a kind father who taught her to be tough, and she had a clear vision of what she wanted for herself in a man one day. She had no idea that one day, she would meet someone who would end up clouding that vision. I don't want to give away the whole story, because I really encourage you to immerse yourself in the lyrics of this song and take in everything della sings. This is a very deep and also a very relatable topic that many people go through in their lifetimes, especially early on when we're young and naive to the world of dating and romantic relationships. "matthew's in love" features beautiful acoustic guitar at the forefront; it has it's moments where it picks up with drums, but the parts that hit the most are the come downs when it's just guitar and della's heartbreakingly emotional vocals singing the gorgeously crafted melody. scar tissue Next we have "scar tissue", the second single to be released in anticipation for the EP release. "scar tissue" is about being in a long-term situationship that you've always wanted to be more. They've been leading you on, wanting the benefits of being in a relationship with you without making it official or exclusive. You're in love, but they don't want to hear you say it. It's been so long that you're starting to become numb, and all the hurt and pain they're causing you is starting to become "scar tissue". This song has a nostalgic groove, a dreamy production style and melody that reminds me a bit of young Taylor Swift . della sings with a bit of Americana twang in her voice and does it stunningly well. Not to forget the layers of gorgeous harmonies that really add to the dreamy element of this song. interlude Wedging itself between the singles and the rest of the tracks, we have a 55 second interlude. We hear a soft, cathartic electric guitar picking pattern, and then voice recordings of what sounds like della and her best friend Claire. I don't have official statements, so I can only make assumptions off of what I hear in the song, but it sounds like they've been friends since they were really young. They had plans of growing up together and being neighbors, living in houses right next to each other. Now that they're older, we all know those plans we make as kids don't usually make it through, and it sounds like they now live very far apart because one of them had to move across the entire country, forcing their friendship to be long distance. You can hear della say in one of the voice recordings, "I'm going to put this in the interlude". grapevine "grapevine" is a heavily emotional piano ballad, with a classic chord progression and belting vocals. This song is about social media and being chronically online, and how it impacts our mental heath and wellbeing as a society today. The lyrics sound both very personal to della, and like an important message that everyone out there in the world really needs to hear and think on. It's a reminder that your internet persona is not who you are, and that we need to stop judging people and their lives based off what we see online. A picture or a 30 second clip of somebody is not who they are. That is a moment in time out of their whole entire life that you've never seen or known them. In fact, we need to limit our screen time and start living our lives while we've still got them. Spend time with the ones you love, go outside and enjoy nature. Read a book. write in a journal, play an instrument - heck, just close your eyes and sit in the quiet for a while. playing pretend We close out the EP with the title track, "playing pretend". Using a simple down-up acoustic guitar finger strum and a gentle cinematic production, this song features some blues notes as well as seventh and sustained chords to really emphasis the heavy emotion being portrayed here. della sings in a conversational tone as she recalls an encounter with another songwriter who seems to see the world a brighter light than she does. She finds herself comparing herself to him, wishing she could be more like him, because she doesn't understand how it's just so simple for him to be so happy when the world isn't all sunshine and rainbows. However, as she reaches the end of the track, she realizes maybe it isn't that simple and he's also just someone like her who puts on a happy face, and plays pretend. della is so talented beyond her years, and she's only just now getting started. She writes like she has the life experience of a mature, seasoned poet. Her storytelling and lyrical rhythm is masterful and the fact that she is only 17 (some of these songs being written 2 years ago) just absolutely blows my mind. The way she writes draws you in and captivates you from start to finish. Her songs are relatable; and even if you can't relate, the stories are so intriguing that you can't stop yourself from wanting to know more. Not only that, but she has such a beautiful voice and an ear for crafting stunning melodies. It's no wonder that she is named one of the best teenage songwriters in the world right now by the International Songwriting Awards . There's no doubt in my mind that people are going to start finding out who della is, and she's gonna make a name for herself in mainstream music. This is just the beginning for della, so make sure to follow her on her socials below. I can't wait to hear what she does next. Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW DELLA: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok *Sponsored Post - Discovered on SubmitHub. A contribution was made to help create this article as part of a promotional campaign.

  • Album Review: "The Great Impersonator" - Halsey

    After eighteen perfect impersonations of famous and iconic musicians, Halsey has released her aptly-titled fifth album The Great Impersonator . With songs established into four categories, Halsey takes inspiration and pays homage to artists that have influenced her musicianship, not only by posting on Instagram looking like them with her talented makeup skills, but by making tracks as though she had a music career in the 70s, 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. Halsey made this album after being diagnosed with lupus and a rare blood disorder called T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder , thinking it would be their last. Them being sick is one of the overall lyrical themes of the album, along with religion, heartbreak, and betrayal, which are paired with varying genres such as pop, alterative, and rock. T R A C K L I S T 1. Only Living Girl in LA 2. Ego 3. Dog Years 4. Letter to God (1974) 5. Panic Attack 6. The End 7. I Believe in Magic 8. Letter to God (1983) 9. Hometown 10. I Never Loved You 11. Darwinism 12. Lonely is the Muse 13. Arsonist 14. Life of the Spider (Draft) 15. Hurt Feelings 16. Lucky 17. Letter to God (1998) 18. The Great Impersonator Halsey is from and grew up in New Jersey, and was based in New York in her early career. She started gaining popularity on Tumblr and after releasing her song "Ghost" on SoundCloud, and shortly after was signed to Atlantic Records. She released her 2014 EP Room 39 , which was connected to her 2015 debut album BADLANDS . This caused Halsey to become even more popular, as well as establish a definitive spot in alternative music. In 2017, she released her chart-topping second album Hopeless Fountain Kingdom , which leaned more in the direction of pop music. After this, she was catapulted into fame. In 2020, they released their third album Manic , and just a year and a half later, released their fourth album If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power . Only Girl Living in LA Inspiration: Marilyn Monroe The introduction to the album is a six minute and primarily acoustic song that sets up the main themes for the album, sonically and lyrically. The Great Impersonator is guitar-heavy, but with such sensational production, thanks to multiple virtuoso musicians, including Halsey. Creativity is one of the many aspects that make this album what it is, including the array of sound effects dispersed throughout, such as a subway loudspeaker voice in this song saying "This is Halsey St." after Halsey sings "I guess I have no name", which is where Halsey got her alias. The song ends with an ethereal cacophony of pressurized synths and distorted drums, but not before she takes us through a timeline of her career. She has suffered through the harsh reality of being famous, and has experienced isolation, feeling as though she is the "Only living girl in LA". They also felt this way in New York, where their career began, and also while growing up in New Jersey. They have been through many hardships in their life, and they explain how each one greatly affects them. Ego Inspiration: Dolores O'Riordan The theme of opposing fame from "Only Girl Living in LA" flows into "Ego", except the sound has shifted to alternative rock. Halsey's life has changed a lot since becoming a mainstream pop star, which was seven years ago, with much occurring in that amount of time. She reminisces on the past, whether its a positive or negative memory, and wishes she could return to that. This track can be interpreted as going hand-and-hand with the track "3am" from Manic , especially with the line "I hope that someone comes around // Helps me figure it out". Dog Years Inspiration: PJ Harvey The line "I'm one hundred ninety-six in dog years" is 28 multiplied by 7 , which is how you calculate the age of the dog; seven years is reoccurring reference throughout the album. This song is devasting, but the whole vibe changes once the chorus whispers into the track, sensuality now fueling the track. They use their dog, Jagger, passing away as an analogy for euthanasia, saying they want that to happen to them, comparing themselves to an old animal. She has been famous since 2017 (7 years) and unfortunately, a lot of musicians, mostly women, are pushed away from the spotlight as they get older. This is probably referencing the neglect from Halsey's old record label, and how they never promoted her music as much as the other artists signed to them. A distorted and magnetic guitar riff appears in the song, and Halsey harmonizing her vocals by screaming isn't the first time we will be hearing this. 4. Letter to God (1974) Inspiration: Cher This is the first of three tracks titled "Letter to God" on the album, subtitled with a year from each one of the album's eras. Each Halsey album has three songs that connect and follow each other, back to back, but this time they are in different spots on the album. "(1974)" appears to be a voice note, with Halsey first singing acapella, and then piano and guitar that was heard at the beginning of the song reappearing as the track continues. There are similar choruses for each Letter, the meaning changing every time. In this Letter, Halsey sings from the point of view of her younger self, singing “I wanna be sick” so she can have the life of a boy she knew who was sick as well, who had a good home life due to this, something Halsey wanted for herself. 5. Panic Attack Inspiration: Stevie Nicks “Panic Attack” is slow-paced, lounge, chill music, with a twinge of folk. Reminiscent of the Manic  track “Graveyard”, specifically the line “The warning signs can feel like they’re butterflies”, Halsey tries to differentiate between the anxious feeling of a new relationship and actual anxiety. The deep pit in your stomach you get every time you think of this person and/or when you’re around them is not always a good thing. This is a foreshadowing track, as Halsey says this person is not good for her well being, which will be explained further in upcoming songs. 6. The End Inspiration: Joni Mitchell Preceding Halsey coming out about her health, they quietly released the album’s first single, “The End”, wanting this as the introduction to their new era of music. This beautiful track primarily features Halsey and a guitar, as she reveals her diagnosis, and how it’s affected her life and herself as a person. She reflects on the hardships she dealt with growing up, and all of her feelings come crashing down on her. She wants someone to be there with her while she is going through these things, and be supportive of and to her, describing it on a Tumblr post of her’s as “please don’t watch me cry, but please don’t leave either”. 7. I Believe in Magic Inspiration: Linda Ronstadt Halsey’s son receives his first ever music credit on “I Believe in Magic”, a track dedicated to him. Another remarkable acoustic song, Halsey expresses the love they have for their child. Halsey has struggled for years with endometriosis, and once had to perform a concert right after having a miscarriage. In their album Manic , the track “More” is them expressing how much they want to be a mother, and how painful it is to lose a child. In late 2020, they became pregnant and wrote If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power  right after, and came up with a movie concept as well. “I Believe in Magic” is a beautiful song that is filled with love. 8. Letter to God (1983) Inspiration: Bruce Springsteen Now with the background ambience of a crowd, the next and second Letter is written during Halsey’s career, now a famous star. Having dealt with multiple illnesses throughout her career, the central line has changed to “I don’t wanna be sick”, regretting and wanting to take back what she said in the past. The production perfectly captures 80s rock and roll, and the reverberated instruments sound as though Halsey is doing a sound check, even with the audience, which was recorded at one of her shows. There is also a soft, singular synth following the instrumentation of the track. 9. Hometown Inspiration: Dolly Parton A pitched-up guitar and prominent drums (performed by Alex G as per the first line of the track) combined together make a classic country song, which is perfected by Halsey’s chameleon vocals that have been switching genres for these past nine tracks. This isn’t their first entry into the country genre, having had two songs already on Manic , but this delves more into alternative and folk. In “Hometown”, Halsey sings about a person she knew when she was younger named Davey, who was addicted to drugs and passed away at a young age. He seemed to have dreams of pursuing sports, but is unable to. 10. I Never Loved You Inspiration: Kate Bush Strums of a guitar and muffled drums and distinctive piano playing is what makes up the transcendent track of The Great Impersonator  “I Never Loved You”, the title in which Halsey belts out during the chorus. Production wise, listening to this track feels like you're traveling into space. A dark truth is that a lot of people, mostly men, slowly start to abandon their partners upon learning they are sick. Men often divorce their wives after this, not before cheating on them. Unfortunately, this situation seems to apply to what Halsey has gone through. Having cancer and raising a young child while also being betrayed by your partner is horrible to process and experience, and something no one should ever have to encounter. 11. Darwinism Inspiration: David Bowie “Darwinism” is a sci-fi-esque track, in which Halsey contemplates life and death. If “I Never Loved You” sounded like you’re in a rocket ship being shot into space, “Darwinism” sounds like you’re floating through it, passing by planets bigger than the human brain can comprehend, and flowing in and out of what feels like an infinitely silent darkness. The song grows more brooding with each section, a ballad interrupted by a guitar, which pair perfectly with one another. Distortion is a key element of this album, and as Halsey feels more and more isolated from everyone else, the song becomes stranger and peculiar, before ending with the original production. 12. Lonely is the Muse Inspiration: Amy Lee Akin to tracks from Halsey’s 4th album If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power , especially “People disappear here”, “Lonely is the Muse” is an alt rock track that does not contain a single flaw. Its like an immensely powerful, all-seeing god turned into a song. Shifting back and forth from acoustic guitar to electric, Halsey harmonizes her vocals either with whispering close to the microphone or metalcore screaming into it. They have been mistreated in their career over and over again, by their label, critics, and even their own fans. They sing about how they’ve done so much to make a mark in the world of the fame, and even doing so, they are still under appreciated and not taken seriously. Halsey lets out all her anger in the recording studio, through her vocals and the hard rock instrumentation. 13. Arsonist Inspiration: Fiona Apple “Arsonist” is a half-sung and half-spoken-word alternative trap song, influenced by beat poetry and reversed vocals. Seven years  returns with the line “Did you know the father’s DNA stays inside the mother for seven years?”. Halsey compares the person who wronged her to an arsonist, a lover of destruction and despair, causing pain to others for their own benefit. Rightfully so, she is brutal to this person in her criticisms, and calls them out for all the damage they have caused and have no remorse for. She details actions of control and abuse, and she tells this person that they are not worthy of her or anyone’s love, as they are evil and deserve nothing but the worst. 14. Life of the Spider (Draft) Inspiration: Tori Amos This is a heartbreaking track, originally teased in concert visuals, and is now a stripped down ballad where Halsey pours their heart out. Their voice breaking when they sing “I’m hideous” is gut-wrenching. They compare themselves to a spider, which many people are scared of and try to throw out the second they see one. In her worst moments, struggling and in pain, she wasn’t treated with the respect she deserves. She was made to feel like this by her partner, but no one should ever feel like this. This is Halsey’s rawest song, and writing and singing and being able to release a song like this takes lots of strength and courage, which is so commendable and incredibly impactful. 15. Hurt Feelings Inspiration: Halsey Pitched vocals take the place of where synths would be in the upbeat production of “Hurt Feelings” that opposes the lyrics. Halsey explains that what happened in her childhood affects her today when it comes to relationships. How she was treated, specifically by her father, may have warped how she views certain interactions. She makes sure not to follow her dad in his footsteps, which is also due to not being that close to him or having a good relationship with him growing up. She tried to push past how he behaved in order to connect with him, but then she decided that was not worth her time or energy. 16. Lucky Inspiration: Britney Spears “Lucky” interpolates the chorus from Britney Spears’ iconic song of the same name released in 2000, and it represents what Halsey has been going through. Yes, she’s an international celebrity who’s sold many records and tours and has many adoring fans, but due to what she’s been dealing with in her life out of the limelight, it’s heavily and negatively affected her. Halsey readdresses her childhood and her illnesses. She also references the criticism she has received for having a child whilst having a past of drug use. The song’s production is reminiscent of pop surrounding the Y2K movement, and includes an upbeat guitar and funky synth chords. 17. Letter to God (1998) Inspiration: Aaliyah The last Letter of the album, there is no central line. Religion has been a theme of this album, with Halsey having multiple conversations with God, and this one is resentful. Even after having to deal with the hardships of being famous and having to experience the pain of their illnesses, they are still being put through even more pain. They feel alone and are afraid of dying, not wanting to leave their son. They feel so much love, having a son whom they love more than anything, but there’s a chance it could be taken from them. The production is unique, with the exact vibes of a 90s song, but with no drums to be heard. 18. The Great Impersonator Inspiration: Björk The final track of the album is the title track, Halsey’s first ever one. Another name for Lupus is The Great Imitator, one of the cancers she was diagnosed with, which most likely inspired the title of the album. The production is made up of string instruments, and also a guitar riff. The track is the last because it means The Great Impersonator has died, which is what Halsey thought was going to happen to them. With more metaphors, and despite the uplifting instrumentation, its a heartbreaking note to end on. Nonetheless, the song is so beautiful, making you feel as though you’re walking through a meadow or a quaint medieval town, and this also applies to the “Ah-ah!”s they sing between lines. As a Halsey fan since 2016, I absolutely love this album. I have been a huge fan of her’s for so long, and I have witnessed the progression of her music style throughout the years, and in my opinion, this is her best work yet. Everything about this album is so beautifully crafted, from their outstanding vocals to the poetic writing to the production. Halsey is an amazing artist with a worth ethic like no other, so its no surprise that they made such an amazing record with so much content. “Lonely is the Muse” is my favorite song; ever since its come out I haven’t been able to stop listening to it. I’m so proud of Halsey and everything they have done in their music career, and I will be a fan forever. Written By Ashley Adams FOLLOW HALSEY Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

  • Review: "Take Me Home" - Goldtooth

    When you're with the right person, you may look back at how you felt in previous relationships and realize you never knew you could feel so wonderfully. Redefining what love can be, Goldtooth's song "Take Me Home" marvels at the wonder that is the speaker's love. Words of devotion and elation will electrify you, expressing the magic of connection through eternal words like, "I wanna be buried with my arms around you." This song uses love like a superpower, making morbidity a beautiful thing and obsession a gift. When you listen to this incredible track, you'll either be left longing for a love like the one in the song, or appreciate the blessing of already having it. Bask in the electric sound of connection with dynamic vocals in this uplifting tune. Fast percussion throughout the song captures that immersive intensity from the lyrics, and low instrumentals bring a comforting support to the powerful vocals. Tyler's glowing feminine singing is light through the verse, flourishing through high notes. She has a charismatic quality in her voice that hits the ear just right with an emotive delivery of the lyrics. Glowing synth patterns and supportive masculine vocals give the chorus a rounded sound. Melismatic singing through the chorus lets you cozy up to the enthralling meaning of connection. This invigorating song has a freeing style that envelops the moment in a feeling of love. Goldtooth is a electro-pop duo, combining Tyler Carlson's vocal and songwriting talents with Max Landry's production skills for an immersive musical experience. Beginning to release music this year, the group has several singles and a self-titled EP under their belt, and have already accumulated nearly 15 000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Platforms like Voxwave Magazine have sung their praises as Goldtooth's bass-heavy and authentic style is truly remarkable. The duo will be performing at The Virgil , supporting Fischer King alongside Part Time Love Affai r. Check out the links below to learn more about their music. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW GOLDTOOTH: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok

  • Review: "One More Night" - Ashley Elle

    When you’re up late at night wishing you had one more chance with a person who means the most is when the doubt about ending things creeps in. It’s crazy how fast things can change and how fast a regular routine can turn into a memory. It can change in a blink of an eye or in case, overnight. Ashley Elle perfectly captures this feeling in her new song “One More Night”. There’s a lot of imagery in this song. Line by line she gives us an example of things she’s going to miss in her relationship and explains how things will never be the same. The lyric “I don’t wanna be right about the ways we lie to each other and end up intertwined” shows that love can truly be blind, and although she knows that things aren’t right between the two of them, her heart doesn’t want that to be the real truth. She’s wishing that she can really see past it and cover up their differences in order to be together. Being intertwined with another person really connects you to them, your thoughts and feelings start to align with theirs and you become inseparable. Two hearts intertwined symbolizes that love is never ending, and although the relationship might be over, the love never truly fades. This song balances the contrast between following your head or your heart. What do you listen to? What path is truly the best for you? Acknowledging there’s problems in your relationship is a big step, and although it’s hard to admit, it will only make you stronger because of it. Loving someone who isn’t good for you long term can result in some internalized feelings about insecurity and doubt while you’re still in the relationship or thinking about every moment you’ve had together over and over debating if it was authentic. Wishing for one more night isn’t a bad thing, it’s human. When you love someone, you want to see and experience every good side to them, and because love is all consuming, it can be hard to let them go. Wishing for more time won’t mend a broken heart, but eventually as the time goes on the heart will come back stronger. Relationships are like lessons, there’s good and bad to them all, but you’re able to learn so much about yourself and what you want from how they treated you. Produced by Josh Lovell, “One More Night” by Ashley Elle is a ballad about wishing you can turn back the time to be with the person you’re still in love with. The song has a combination of pop and indie elements, with the pace picking up as the song progresses. The song is captivating, and I can’t decide if it’s because of the heartbreaking lyrics or the instrumentation. Ashley’s voice is soft and breathy. Her tone is perfect for the indie sound because it captures the raw emotion she projects. The song opens with an acoustic guitar and then as the song picks up the more upbeat the instruments become. The drums become more prominent towards the end and there’s a steady shaker/percussion sound throughout the track. The production compliments the song and really takes it to the next level. Ashley Elle is a singer songwriter from a small town in Wisconsin. She’s now based in Los Angeles, California. Ashley grew up with a love for music and started playing the piano and guitar when she was younger. Her passion and hard work paid off because in 2019 she was granted a publishing deal by Given Entertainment out of Nashville. With over 12,600 monthly listeners on Spotify, Ashley’s fan base grows each day. Her most popular releases are her 2021 single “how do you stop loving someone?” that’s amassed 242,392 streams, and her 2023 single “Heavy, Heavy, Heavy” that has 201,175 streams. So far, she’s only releases singles, so I’m really looking forward to her future releases. Check out “One More Night” and give it a listen! Ashley Elle is an artist to keep on your radar, I have a pretty good feeling we’ll be hearing her name more pretty soon.  Written By Alexa LaMalfa FOLLOW ASHLEY ELLE: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

  • Review: "kind regards" - Kaelynn Hayes

    No matter how a relationship ends, heartbreak is inevitable. Whether it is mutual, or one-sided, a long time coming or a complete shock, the aftermath leaves both parties reeling and in pain. Not to say that some are worse than others, however, but there is very little pain like a complete shock of a breakup. Kaelynn Hayes’ new single “kind regards” details this experience, and the turmoil that followed her after. “I wrote the song about a long-term relationship coming to an abrupt end,” she states, “and the heartbreak that accompanies that. In this track, the simplistic soundscape allows Hayes’ lyrics and vocal tone to pilot the emotional journey the listers take as Hayes recounts the healing process. As the bridge hits, we get more of an intense guitar and piano background, but for the most part it is simply solemn piano notes guiding Hayes. The beginning of this track starts with Hayes questioning herself and the relationship, as is very common in an abrupt breakup. She wonders if she was the problem, and if their love was ever even real, or if her ex love has even thought through their actions with this breakup. Listeners feel her emotions as she sings in her mournful tone, almost making me feel like this breakup is mine as well. In the chorus, she sings, “Now you’re standing here saying / That you just don’t know me anymore / There’s no smashing plates or slamming doors / Before we wrote it in the stars / You signed us off with kind regards”. The titular line shows just how nonchalant Hayes’ ex is: they wish her the best but that is all the sympathy they are willing to offer. As the second verse passes, we learn about their favorite past times, like long drives through the Chicago night, and see even more second guessing by Hayes. However, as we read the outro, Hayes has accepted this lost love, and returns the kind regards by saying goodbye herself. Kaelynn Hayes is an 18 year old singer-songwriter from the suburbs of Chicago. Finding her voice at age 7, Hayes has loved music ever since. Once she learned how to play the guitar and the piano, she started posting covers on social media, and began to write her own music in 2022. With a similar sound to Tate McRae’s ballads and Taylor Swift’s folklore / Red albums, Hayes released “kind regards” as her debut single just last week. Already reaching almost 9,000 plays and collecting over 4,500 monthly Spotify listeners, Hayes certainly has hit the ground running. Make sure to follow the social medias below to stay tuned for more amazing music from Kaelynn Hayes. Written By Tessa Maddaloni FOLLOW KAELYNN HAYES: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube

  • Review: "Heartbreaker" - Serena Foster

    Photo by Brooke Boyer Much like the music video that accompanies it, Serena Foster's latest single, "Heartbreaker," is a glossy, hyper-fun pop banger. Inspired by Netflix's hit show Stranger Things, Serena and producer Cory Barker wanted to make 80s pop for the modern age. "Heartbreaker" is retro in all the right ways--harkening back to the best of the decade while still ringing fresh for today. The synths are souring, the beat is rattling, and the entire track is pure exhilaration. "Heartbreaker" is perfect for dancing all night at the club or for exercising at the gym in your bright neon tracksuit and leg warmers. The song is just pure fun. On "Heartbreaker," Serena Foster captures the sounds of old in a way that is lively, energetic, and all her own. "Heartbreaker" is an instant earworm. The production gradually ramps up throughout the song, bursting with life by the final chorus. Serena shows off her performing chops as well. The lyrics are wonderfully cheeky, as Serena warns her future lovers how that she is a man-eating heartbreaker to stay far away from. The "didn't your mama teach you to stay away from a heartbreaker?" is such a playful line delivered perfectly. Serena brings a vibrant, exuberant sound that oozes an indisputable star power. "Heartbreaker" is a confident, feel-good pop track bound to bring the party anywhere it plays. Serena Foster is an LA-based singer-songwriter who's just getting started. In the nine years of releasing music, the artist has gained traction for her electro-pop sound and distinct songwriting aesthetic. Her diverse range of musical inspiration is one of her defining traits. Serena's music goes from having a dark-electronic edge from the likes of Melanie Martinez to a glitzy pop aesthetic a la pop idols like Madonna. Even more so, the singer is a big fan of show tunes. Her covers of Andrew Lloyd Webber's classics such as "Everything's Alright" and "Memory" with producer J2 have collectively garnered over 130,000 streams on Spotify alone, demonstrating the range of both Serena's vocals and musical aesthetics. With her focus on positivity and good vibe-centric music, Serena is one to watch, and you can listen to "Heartbreaker" on all streaming platforms now. Written By Lauren Nolan FOLLOW SERENA: Instagram   | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube   *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

  • Review: "Just a Handful" - Ali Wick

    This song, “Just a Handful” by Ali Wick, shares those complicated, all too familiar feelings that hit when you’re losing someone important to you and you don’t know how to hang on. Whether it’s just after the breakup, or during that stage where the breakup is inevitable, sometimes you’re stuck in that space of loving that person but knowing you have to move on. With lyrics like “I can’t risk asking for more than you can give,” and “I wish I didn’t have to drag you into loving me,” Ali Wick pins down exactly what it’s like to know that you’re in this relationship more than the other person. It hurts, and it can be difficult to realize, but sometimes you have to just let go. “Just a Handful” is an understated, emotional ballad that relies on beautiful piano and smooth vocals to tell its story. Starting off with just a simple piano melody, you’re drawn into the song slowly, caught up already when Wick starts singing the soft first verse. The chorus picks up the pace a little bit, adding in some new textures to the instrumental. The second verse keeps this up, with a hazy effect in the background that adds a new depth to the emotions in Wick’s voice. The bridge breaks up the pattern, but keeps the same heartfelt power that’s threaded throughout the whole song.  Ali Wick is an up-and-coming singer/songwriter based in Toronto and Calgary. Originally born in Montana, she attended the University of Alberta, and also briefly lived in Mexico as well as South America to work for Canadian embassies. She’s worked in product development, marketing, and more, but has always wanted to work with music since she fell in love with it as a child. She released an EP in 2022, Baja Sessions , while working at the artist residency Hotel El Ganzo in California, and is releasing another EP, Sobbing at the Squat Rack , later this year. Use the links below to explore more of her music! Written By Morgan Fischer FOLLOW Ali Wick: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Website  | YouTube

  • Review: "Again and Again" - San Sebastian

    In a profound statement of experience, San Sebastian's song "Again and Again" boldly proclaim that they would bear the same pain of heartbreak over and over in order to savor the good in a relationship. With lyrics that explain a hurt like drowning, the speaker admits that while the pain of a breakup is nearly unbearable, it is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. The line, "I'm burning in the flame that is you and I" paints a beautiful bitter-sweet image through positive connotations of light and warmth, as well as negatives of suffering. It feels impossible to let go of a relationship, even when it causes you pain, and this impactful song captures the situation with powerful imagery and lyrics that will make you think. A dance pop sound of fluidity will invigorate you with powerful vocals and a moving, upbeat sound. Through the verse, the singing feels like a nostalgic narrative, slow in contrast to the rhythm of the instrumentals, before propelling listeners into the heavy pre-chorus lyrics that ramp up the pace. Sebastian's high vocals feel like a heartfelt confession through the chorus, and the electronic rhythm of the instrumentals intoxicate the tune with a feeling of excitement. Percussion and fast-paced synth chords give the track a rapid sense of progression. This electrifying song will leave you mystified, emulating the lyric's cyclical patterns in its energizing rhythm. San Sebastian, also known as Sebastian Rydgren, is a singer and songwriter from Sweden. Two years ago, a 19-year-old Sebastian placed fourth on Swedish Idol, and was taken under the wing of Anders Bagge . From there, his music career and identity have evolved, moving away from his former stage name, "Norr", and into his current image. Under his previous stage name, he put out songs both in Swedish and English, with some amassing over 130 000 streams on Spotify. As San Sebastian, he has blossomed with collaborations, signing to the label Metronica , and continuously releasing new music. Check out the links below to listen to his songs. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW SAN SEBASTIAN: Instagram   | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

  • Review: "STUCK IN RENO" - FRANK

    Life is full of ups and downs, leaving us feeling like we're riding an unpredictable roller coaster. While we wish things always went according to plan, sometimes we're thrown a curveball and the unexpected happens. Alt-rock/pop artist FRANK tackles this in her latest single, "STUCK IN RENO," musing over the way life changes in an instant. Expressing how turbulent life can be, FRANK's introspective, authentic lyricism reflects on how quickly things can change on a whim, repeating in the chorus, " One day I’m a hero/The next one I’m a zero." A thunderous new anthem, FRANK's "STUCK IN RENO" is described as " equal parts grunge bombast and Tarantino-like cinematic western music," taking listeners on an interesting, addictive sonic journey with a music video to match. The track features infectious pop melodies, gritty guitar riffs, and powerful beats, keeping us on our toes from start to finish. FRANK proves herself to be a female powerhouse on "STUCK IN RENO," delivering a vocal performance that could hang with the likes of Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless and Lzzy Hale of Halestorm . Hailing from Indianapolis, IN, FRANK is the moniker of 25-year-old Sydney Elliott, a modern pop artist and songwriter on the rise. The artist is known for her vocal prowess and lively stage presence, having spent three years fronting and touring with the 5-piece band Forstory . Inspired by a mix of soul and rock artists, FRANK cites icons like Billie Holiday , The Eurythmics , Blondie , and Mazzy Star as being influential in her work. Building an impressive catalog for her fans, some of FRANK's top songs include "Sick Of Yourself," "Stupider," "MONEY GIRLS," and "Strawberry Vanilla Sky." Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW FRANK: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

  • Review: "Delayed Teenage Angst" - Olivia Aliotti

    Growing up is apart of life and while it’s exhilarating, at times it feels like the hardest task. We put the weight of the world on our shoulders driving us into deep rabbit holes of worrying if we are doing good enough. The teenage to young adult years are some of the toughest to get through. Olivia Aliotti’s debut single “Delayed Teenage Angst” goes over the hardships of finding your place in the world. The track has edgy guitar and vocal textures with a modern pop feel. The lyrics have a diary entry vibe with the rawness and vulnerability she portrayed. If you’re in your young adult years and constantly question yourself, this song is a must listen. Olivia wrote “Delayed Teenage Angst” about her experience moving from California to Stockholm. She said this song is inspired by the challenges of navigating high school and the upheaval of moving. It captures the whirlwind of emotions that come with growing up and finding your place in the world. A line in the first verse that I loved is, “Sunset in the rearview, but I’m still confused.” It captures how even when you’re moving forward in life, it’s still so easy to question if you’re on the right path. I love how she used examples of emotional teenage angst: staying out past curfew, unbroken habits, fear of commitments, depression, etc. to tie it into the title and the overall message. She stresses how these things follow you into adulthood and calls it “Delayed Teenage Angst.” Olivia Aliotti is a dual US and Swedish citizen who was on Swedish Idol. She had such an empowering time on the show and gained a lot of attention for her stage presence and beautifully unique vocal style. Olivia put her foot in the door and is now releasing this debut single to find her audience and share her journey as she starts this new chapter. I can already tell “Delayed Teenage Angst” is the first of many incredible releases. Olivia has a dream and immense talent to back it up. From her time on Idol, she has developed an incredibly supportive fan base. Olivia has many good things in store and I know like her fans, I’m anticipated to see what’s next. Written By Emylee Herring FOLLOW OLIVIA ALIOTTI: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok

  • Review: "Skin & Bones" - elijah woods

    Elijah woods’s latest single “Skin & Bones” is a love letter to the person who you hold most dear in your life. Every moment you wake up, you fondly remember that you’re with someone as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside. There is a close bond between you two that has evolved into a blossoming future alongside each other. The vows you make to each other are built on moments you have shared together. Wherever they go, no matter how far or how unfamiliar, you will follow. It is a long-lasting connection that is made unbreakable by the home you have built together. You couldn’t imagine even death ending the love that has flourished between the both of you. Even when they are skin and bones, you could never imagine loving anyone other than the beautiful person they have always been. “Skin & Bones” is an indie pop anthem that utilizes light instrumentals and vocals to curate an atmosphere that is as loving as its story. Just starting out, we are introduced to simple yet melodic guitar strums. The guitar playing alone with a full melodic line establishes the sweet, intimate nature that Woods describes in this love letter. When the vocals begin, there is a sincerity and breathy tone that feels as though the listener is being sung to. The chorus introduces us to a higher vocal register that resembles the sickly sweet adoring verbiage used to describe love. There are some proclamations of love that delve into the peak of your range. The duo of simple guitar and high register vocals remain as they intertwine around each other. These two elements do not need more to showcase the narrative they are retelling through music. Elijah woods is a Canadian singer-songwriter and producer currently based in Los Angeles, California. He has been heavily involved in music since he began his career and has since exploded onto the scene. He has collaborated with artists such as Jamie Fine in both producing and features. Some of his primary music inspirations are Taylor Swift and Frank Ocean. He has been nominated for numerous music awards such as the JUNO awards. In 2024, he opened for Niall Horan in Jakarta while he headlined his own tour. He has also amassed an impressive social media following by regularly posting videos promoting his music. On each platform, he creates content that utilizes his music in unique and on-trend ways. Make sure to follow him on social media and give “Skin & Bones” a listen! Written By Willow Gray FOLLOW ELIJAH WOODS: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

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