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I’ve heard many people say that nothing lasts forever, whether it’s a relationship, love, a season of life. It’s a bittersweet thought but as I get older I realize how true that is. Things come into our lives for a variety of reasons and sometimes it’s only temporary, but it shapes us into who we are and who we’re meant to be. LOVA found this concept endearing and wrote her new single “Leave it Beautiful” about walking away when it feels right. It’s a dose of bittersweet pop that leaves you content with every goodbye you’ve ever faced. You can walk away without anger and save the memory of what once was and leave that in tact. LOVA created this song to empower us all to trust our guts and follow our hearts. LOVA noted that “Leave it Beautiful” was never about once specific moment but more so the places and times in life she had outgrown. She states, “Sometimes you find yourself in a space that was once vibrant and full of meaning, but over time, the spark fades.” It’s such a powerful point to make because we are ever changing as humans. Just because something ignites a spark in us one day doesn’t mean it will keep that flame forever. The reality is that connections can strain and turn into something painfully ugly fast if you don’t let go when the time is right. Change is scary, especially when you’re making the decisions, but you never realize how necessary it is until you trust that you’re making the right call. LOVA found her voice and songwriting at a young age being born into a music-loving family. She first caught attention with her debut EP “Scripted Reality” and her breakout single “You Me and The Silence.” She’s had opportunities to support tours for Noah Kahan, LANY and Lennon Stella which is incredible. She’s beginning a new chapter with her artistry to explore themes of self-discovery, empowerment and acceptance. She just announced her latest album “Alvilde” to release on March 27th, 2026. LOVA described it as her boldest work as she rips apart the rule book and hones in on her style. If you want to stay up to date on her work, follow the links down below. Written By Emylee Herring FOLLOW LOVA: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

‘Tis the age old tale that opposites attract. While finding your perfect match can look like finding your own personality mirrored in someone else, more often than not a relationship has two partners who are exact opposites. In her most recent single, Australian singer-songwriter Alexandria discusses this very trope. “Fire and Ice”, released at the end of September, follows the love between a fierce and blazing girl, and a calm cool collected boy. They highlight their differences as what has drawn them together, something that allowed them to balance out the extremities. However, they also have to be careful to not snuff each other’s flame or set the other ablaze, as their differences are also what could tear them apart. The soundscape of “Fire and Ice” is simple and enticing, allowing Alexandria’s voice and storyline to be the main interest. One of the only instruments is a picked string, plucking along and punctuating her soft voice. This track is full of metaphors for their love and personalities, as shown in the first verse: “She′s made of flame and ash / She's reckless and wild / He′s made of ice and stone / He's a winter's night”. Alexandria constantly emphasizes their differences and how exactly they oppose each other, until the bridge when she shows how they felt at the thought of losing each other. She sings, “His heart thawed out at the very sight / And her fire heart for the very first time / Felt safe / In that winter's night”. In 2017, Rianna Corcoran auditioned for the Voice Australia. In 2023, Rianna renamed herself Alexandria, and released her first single on Spotify. Hailing from Western Australia, Alexandria is a 24 year old singer-songwriter with over 500,000 monthly listeners. She gained a large following on TikTok, posting snippets of her songs and behind the scenes content that allowed viewers to also fall in love with her personality, as well as her ethereal and unique voice. She blends indie folk and dark pop music along with her distinct voice to create a truly unreplicable style. Make sure to follow the social medias below to stay tuned for more music from Alexandria. Written By Tessa Maddaloni FOLLOW ALEXANDRIA: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube

I don't know if anyone else feels this way but I really love a song that can capture so much in such little time. Adding vulnerability, along with a catchy chorus are is the recipe to a song that will stick with someone forever. "The Devil I Know" by Mae Hill brings all of that to the table alongside a new sound that borders along so many different genres. Their gravely voice adds perfect texture to music that is big and in your face which reminded me of a mix of Bon Jovi and KT Tunstall - a little bit of folk, pop, rock and indie. It's an incredible turn from some of the other songs that I've heard this year and so great and fresh. Click Here To Listen To "The Devil I Know" The beginning of the song starts off with what sounds like guitar feedback and chants really capturing the vibes - almost like a cult. This energy follows through the the first verse as the song continues to build up allowing the listeners to really feel the intensity that Mae is bringing. The chorus explodes with energy bringing us to a unique point of view that Mae is actually very aware of how toxic this person might be for her but her own insecurities are getting in the way and making her feel like this is actually better than being alone. Between their voice and the attitude that this song brings, listeners should buckle up for quite a journey. Mae Hill is a singer-songwriter from Brighton in England who is breaking through the music industry with quite a bit of force. With voice comparisons to Christina Aguilara and Becky Hill, attention really grew with audiences finding a crave for their voice. With a little help from social media, Mae has created an impressive following on both Tik Tok and Instagram where you can find posts of covers like "Wild One" which seems to be a fan favorite. Other singles of theirs include "Love Rehab (Dun Dun)" which has a whopping 6 million listens on Spotify. This is only the beginning of Mae Hill's journey and we cannot wait to hear everything that they end up exploring. Written By Breanna M. FOLLOW MAE HILL Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Step into the pages of an unconventional storybook romance with “Everything, Everywhere” from artist John Muirhead. “Everything, Everywhere” tells the story of a romance that is divided by two people wanting separate things out of their connection. From the start, Muirhead dives into explaining both sides of the story, showcasing his intricate feelings as well as detailing how his partner’s wishes have impacted his view of her. “Everything, Everywhere” is a song that has it all - love, heartbreak, beauty, loss - and does not shy away from telling a simple story. As Muirhead repeats throughout the track, there is no “just black and white”. Listening to “Everything, Everywhere” felt similar to reading a novel, as each new piece adds detail and context to the overall story. Muirhead cleverly starts from a point where this person is everything to him, then ends the track in a place where his former partner can be seen in everything, everywhere, to him, showing the complexities of this romance as well as thoughtfully explaining the timeline of the relationship.  Listening to “Everything, Everywhere” feels as though you’re receiving a warm hug from a long-missed, familiar loved one. With elements of indie and alternative genres intermixed with pop, Muirhead has crafted a dynamic, heartwarming track that will linger with you, regardless of your perspective on love. Muirhead’s talented songwriting allows people to view romance from all angles, providing a song that jumps from the start of a relationship and picks up at different, further moments as the track continues to play. This implementation of a layered timeline is both realistic for relationships and gives details to the fullest extent for listeners to jump into and follow along with. Along with Muirhead’s smooth, passionate voice, “Everything, Everywhere” is clearly a personal and close song to Muirhead that translates beautifully to the audience. Even with the repeat of the line “You’re everything, everywhere, all of the time”, Muirhead’s ability to show a changing timeline gives the line an entirely new meaning almost every time you hear it. “Everything, Everywhere” is a song that one can resonate with at any point, seeing themselves either in the beginning, middle, end, or aftermath of a relationship with someone, and it can speak to a multitude of emotions with knowledge and without judgment.  John Muirhead is a London, Ontario-based indie folk and roots artist. Inspired by artists such as Neil Young, Julien Baker, etc., Muirhead has crafted fingerpicked folk confessionals and upbeat root-rock jams to add to his eclectic song collections. His two EP’s, Yesterday’s Smile and Foundational, detail the high & low points of being a young musician and showcase his ability to transport listeners with his storytelling. His indie-folk sound both reflects the atmosphere of late-night Canadian campfires and speaks to his call to adventure as a musician. Whether he is in a “moving train, a folk festival, a theater, or someone’s living room”, Muirhead translates his true love for music into his work. Since the release of his debut EP, Yesterday’s Smile, he has been nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award, given an honorable mention in the Canadian Songwriting Competition, and played legendary festivals like the Winnipeg Folk Festival and Home County Music and Arts Festival. With the recent release of his latest album, The Nomad, Muirhead shows a reflection of his time spent touring and performing for years, as well as his love for transporting his listeners via his music.  Written By Madison Spies FOLLOW JOHN MUIRHEAD: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Mariah Carey has released her newest album "Here For It All', another breathtaking addition to her discography, and another pop bible featuring flawless vocals and amazing musical production from one of the greatest artists of all time. Mi Play This Song (feat. Anderson .Paak ) Type Dangerous Sugar Sweet (feat. Shenseea & Kehlan i) In Your Feelings Nothing Is Impossible Confetti & Champagne I Won't Allow It My Love Jesus I Do (feat. The Clark Sisters ) Here For It All Carey's discography is perfection, from its start in 1990 to now, 2025, with sixteen incredible albums. She released her eponymous debut in June, and her sophomore record Emotions a year later in September. Music Box was released in 1993, preceding the start of a yearly tradition of millions upon millions of people listening to one of her most famous singles, and in general, one of the most famous songs of all time, "All I Want for Christmas Is You", from her 1994 album Merry Christmas . A year after came Daydream , and two years after that came Butterfly . Rainbow was released next in 1999, and Glitter and Charmbracelet were released back to back in 2001 and 2002. In 2005, she released her comeback album The Emancipation of Mimi , and three years later, released E=MC² . In 2009, Memoirs of a Perfect Angel came out, and Merry Christmas II You came out a year after. In 2014, Carey released Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse . Five years ago was the release of Caution , and now we have Here For it All in 2025. Mi In a groovy, RnB introduction, Carey sings about self-love and having fun to positively start off Here For It All . She declares she will not waste her time on things that do not pertain to her, and instead will only focus on what matters most, which is that she is living life and having a good time while doing it. This includes the sought-after popstar lifestyle, the benefits of which she has right at her fingertips. Carey sings in different octaves amongst an infectious bassline and cool, calm, and collected production, while still maintaining her signature pop sound. Play This Song (feat. Anderson .Paak) With .Paak on the second track of the album, it makes sense that when you hit play, you are met with a chorus of a pure jazz and blues fusion that makes you feel like you are being transported to a different dimension with nothing but the vibes of a late summer night. Carey and .Paak harmonize perfectly as they sing about trying to revive past relationships, as they try to convince their exes to get back together with them, but are continuously met with failure. By the end of the song, it appears as though their exes have changed their mind and will get back together with these extraordinary musicians. Type Dangerous The sound of Type Dangerous is timeless, as it mixes 90s RnB and pop with plenty of modern influences, making it a distinct and enchanting track. Carey clarifies that she knows she is a star and wants someone who will treat her as such, and also has a side to them that does not choose to follow the rules all the time. The idea of being with someone who is a complete goody two-shoes is boring compared to being with someone who likes to go out and have a fun time, not care about what others think, and can prove themselves to be a good partner who will always treat her right. Sugar Sweet (feat. Shenseea & Kehlani) "Sugar Sweet" is a flawless combination of different genres and incredible musicians. You can hear influences pulled from pop, reggae, RnB, jazz, and more throughout the production of the track. Carey, Shenseea, and Kehlani also sound amazing together and separately as you listen to each section of "Sugar Sweet". The three describe the well-known feeling of the butterflies you get when you develop a new crush, and you know you are starting to fall for them fast, and romantic feelings begin to brew. The mixture of being both excited and nervous around them is what makes the lead up to a potential relationship all the more fun. In Your Feelings Jazz and RnB take the reigns on the production for a Here For It All track with "In Your Feelings" being a beautiful take on a doo-wop song, embellished with Carey's stunning vocals. The lyrical content is melancholy, as Carey says that she got her hopes up about someone she thought she was in a relationship with, but miscommunication showed otherwise. She did not felt loved, seen, or even acknowledged by the person she was with, which has caused her great distress and pain. She thinks this person feels like a stranger to her because they never truly got to connect with one another. Nothing Is Impossible A piano ballad comprises the majority of the sixth track of the record, "Nothing Is Impossible". Sometimes, it feels as though when many things start to go wrong in life, it appears that there is no way out from this. The pain feels so suffocating that you feel helpless. But you are able to pick yourself back up. You are able to overcome anything. You can persevere through the hardships life throws at you and come out even stronger than you were before. This is the message Carey expresses in the song, as towards the end of it, a symphony of orchestral instruments finds its way into the production. Confetti & Champagne The production of "Confetti & Champagne" is that of RnB and hip-hop with ethereal synths surrounding Carey about being with many people at a party but still feeling alone because who she deeply cares about is not there. This changes by the end of the first verse, as per the lines "My new baby text me, "I'm on my way" / A smile is on my face". Carey accurately describes when you love someone so much that you become their other half, and you feel incomplete without them. Even knowing that you are going to be able to see them soon can turn your whole mood around. I Won't Allow It Funky disco production (thanks to .Paak again) and delectable melodies make up "I Won't Allow It", the eight track of Here For It All . Carey realizes that someone she was with was not anything she originally thought. She saw that she was being used for her fame, and decided to end the relationship, because she refuses to be with anyone who does not love her for her, and not just for her money and celebrity status. Now out of the relationship, Carey realizes her ex was never worth her time in the first place, and deserves to be left in the dust while Carey can move on. My Love Paul McCartney originally wrote and recorded "My Love" for his wife Linda in 1973. More than half a century later, the classic love song still holds up, with Carey adding her own amazing twist on her Wings cover. Majestic harmonies are paired with gorgeous arrangements of jazz instruments as Carey sings a song that she shared is nostalgic for her. Jesus I Do (feat. The Clark Sisters) Another upbeat and funky style of production can be found on the penultimate track of the album, "Jesus I Do". Singing along with The Clark Sisters, them and Carey emphasize their connection with God and how it greatly affects how they love, and in the best way. The people that they love strengthen their relationship with religion overall, which in turn, strengthens their relationships with other people even more. The vocals of all the musicians on this track are nothing short of marvelous, as well as how each individual instrument was played, and it all comes together to create a musical masterpiece. Here For It All The final and title track of Here For It All is the perfect way to close out the album in multiple different ways. For the first four minutes, it serves as another ballad amongst the tracks, and continues the themes of religion from the previous song. Then, the song takes a slow and steady turn into a cacophony of several instruments that feels like you are watching the end credits of a spectacular movie that you wish could never end. As the album ends, you immediately know Carey has put out yet another perfect body of work composed of her infinite talent. It is physically impossible not to be a Mariah Carey fan. Her music always has something for everyone's tastes, and with her showstopping musicianship, she is considered of the greatest artists of all time for a reason; but even that is an understatement. Carey manages to defy the laws of time when it comes to production styles, combining past and modern elements into her distinct and original songs. Her vocals are one of a kind, although this is not new news. Her songwriting abilities are off the charts, describing relatable experiences in creative and unique ways. All of this on Here For It All easily makes the album a solid 10/10. Written By Ashley Adams FOLLOW MARIAH CAREY: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

A song for the sake of dancing, "Night Owl" by Jennifer Jess was thought up when the singer decided to make a song inspired by "someone who loves to dance and stay up all night, but they're an introvert who doesn't go to the club." Creating a track for the stage of your living room, Jess crafted this track to be danceable and fun, giving a nod to the sound of retro and 80s pop music. Breaking through societal ideas that having fun requires anyone but yourself, "Night Owl" empowers the individual who stays up into the night, listening to music and moving their body how they want to. Clearly expressing this idea in her lyrics, she describes the experience as "an invitation to a serenity that's only mine. Turn up the music, I love dancing on my own." Techno-heavy beats introduce "Night Owl," establishing the song's retro pop atmosphere. The song quickly gains momentum, transforming into a full, energetic sound exemplifying the noctu rnal pulsing energy. The entrance of the first verse brings the vocal forward to guide the song. The chorus expands into full texture, layering backing vocals, fuller synths, and rhythmic complexity, creating a sense of aural fullness one would experience while out dancing, as the song references. The dynamics of the track ebb and flow through expanding and diminishing instrumentation and escalating vocal intensity. Jess's production culminates in a layered, immersive sonic environment where the palette stays moody, sultry, and atmospheric. Based out of Atlanta, Georgia, Jennifer Jess shares her original music as a Twitch streamer and recording artist. "Night Owl" is the singer's first recorded release of 2025. Describing her music as "cinematic pop," it bounces around pop genres, feeling unrestrained by categories. The artist has reached impressive audiences, amassing over one million streams on her debut single, "Blue." With an average of about 5,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, Jess also performs her music live online via Twitch TV for a worldwide community and in person throughout the country. In her own words, she makes music “not only for life’s euphoric moments, but for the quiet aftermath...” The singer/songwriter's debut EP comes out on November 20, 2025, marking a new chapter in her music career. Written By Azalea Withrow FOLLOW JENNIFER JESS: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Taylor Swift The Life of a Showgirl via TaylorSwift.com Taylor Swift just dropped her highly anticipated 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl.  The new project is her first release since concluding her record-breaking The Eras Tour . Swift takes her audience on a lyrical journey through her time behind the scenes during the tour, her personal experiences, and how her life has changed. From meeting her future husband to buying back her masters, The Eras Tour  accomplished more than just entertaining fans in the crowd. Throughout The Life of a Showgirl , Swift gives listeners a deeper insight into who she is and where she is going. When approaching this project, Swift revealed that she was very intentional behind the music - not just the lyrics. Which is why she brought back long-time collaborators, Max Martin and Shellback, to produce the LP. These producers were the masterminds behind some of Swift’s biggest hits, such as “Blank Space", “I Knew You Were Trouble”, “Bad Blood”, and “Don’t Blame Me”. Heading into the album, fans were excited to see just how fresh and vibrant this new album really is – and we were not disappointed.  To make the album release even more special, I had fellow Pop Passion writer, Tessa Brainard, in town for another event. We were able to experience the album together, and I immediately had a Swiftie to share my thoughts and feelings with. Track List The Fate of Ophelia Elizabeth Taylor Opalite Father Figure Eldest Daughter Ruin the Friendship Actually Romantic Wi$h Li$t Wood CANCELLED! Honey The Life of a Showgirl (feat. Sabrina Carpenter) The Fate of Ophelia Swift kicked off the album with the perfect opener. “The Fate of Ophelia” was my claim because Hamlet  is my favorite Shakespeare play, so I had high expectations. From the very first note, I knew this track was going to be in my top favorites. I remember thinking, “I fear for the remainder of the album if this song is that good.” The track contains a catchy beat, glittery instrumentation, and flawless vocals. She rewrites the tragic ending of the infamous play, where Ophelia evades drowning and instead marries her love. This is the second song where Swift changes the ending of a Shakespeare story to be happy – the first being “Love Story.” The clever lyricism and infectious soundscape immediately drew me into the track and made me even more excited for the next 11 songs. Elizabeth Taylor The album takes a slight turn with “Elizabeth Taylor.” The intro contains a staggered piano followed up with a delicate violin and Swift’s haunting vocals singing the hook: “Elizabeth Taylor // Do you think it’s forever?” The verse continues with this instrumentation, providing a wistful, almost tragic element to the song. When the chorus hits, the listener is blown away by the heavy synth beats and dark-pop atmosphere. The lyrics share her love for her muse and warn them if they ever leave, she will “cry [her] eyes violet // Elizabeth Taylor.” This clever lyric depicts strong imagery, as the iconic namesake was well-known for her deep blue eyes that were often called “violet.” Swift has always shared a deep admiration for Elizabeth Taylor, even mentioning her in previous songs like “...Ready For It?” With the complex production and descriptive lyrics, the second track instantly became one of my favorites. Opalite “Opalite” is perhaps one of Swift’s cutest and most whimsical songs. Since the album’s release, it has been constantly playing on repeat in my head. The bright, cheerful track is about going through hardships and break-ups, but finding the light at the end of the tunnel. In the sweet hook, she sings: “Sleepless in the onyx night // But now the sky is opalite.” Swift has shared that she has always loved opals, which also happens to be her fiancé, Travis Kelce, (and my) birthstone! Furthermore, she found the concept of opalite fascinating, as it is man-made opal. So much like these unique gems can be made by man, so can happiness. She believes that you can forge your own joy if you can’t find it naturally. It is a sweet sentiment that is beautifully represented by this glittery song. Father Figure “Father Figure” is made for anyone who has ever been betrayed by someone they had once done anything for. The song begins with steady drums quickly met with a wavy keyboard melody, which sets the cool, mysterious vibe of the track. Swift credited George Michael as a songwriter in honor of his song of the same name. The lore behind why Swift chose this route, rather than interpolate, was most likely driven by Michael's fight for his own masters. By crediting him as a songwriter, his estate will receive royalties rather than the company that owns his music. To read more, click here . Despite this interpolation, Swift and Michael's songs have an entirely different message. Instead, Swift is singing a young ingenue just starting in the industry. She takes them under her wing and promises to fight their battles for them, as evidenced by the lyrics: “I can make deals with the devil because my dicks bigger” and “Who covered up your scandals?” She tells them that she protects the family and will be there every step of the way. However, in the bridge, it is revealed that this person stabbed her in the back, attempting to stage a coup against her empire. But Swift still came out on top as she sees her once loyal mentee be the maker of their own downfall. Although there is also an interpretation that the song starts in Swift's "father-figure's" perspective, who turned out to betray her. But she flipped the script, re-recorded her music, and reclaimed her music. And her singing "I protect the family" six times represents the six albums she saved. With the clever lyricism and multiple possible meanings, “Father Figure” is another ingenious track that showcases the singer’s descriptive language and ability to make mental movies out of songs. Eldest Daughter Within Taylor Swift lore, track fives are known as the “emotionally vulnerable” song on the albums. This started as an accident, but around reputation,  Swift began doing this intentionally. When going into “Eldest Daughter,” we all expected to be crushed, but instead, we were met with a different type of vulnerability. The song shares the singer’s struggle of wanting to fit in and be cool like her peers and colleagues, but she admits that is just not who she is. The soft, piano ballad turns from a melancholic track to a lovely ode to her fiancé. In the second verse, Tessa and I both audibly gasped when we heard the lyric: “When I said I don’t believe in marriage // That was a lie.” The dichotomy of the lyrics in Midnights to now is heartwarming. She had her heart shattered, was led on, and convinced herself that she never wanted to get married. But now, she’s engaged to a man who celebrates her. The bridge and final verse flip the song into a romantic love song to her fiancé, promising to stand by him forever.  Ruin the Friendship Swift reels the listener in with the fun, lighthearted reggae-inspired melody. She takes the audience back to high school, where she tells her muse she should’ve kissed them anyway. She looks back on the chances missed and wishes she could have a do-over. However, Swift suddenly took a turn in the third verse. She sings: “When I left school, I lost track of you // Abigail called me with the bad news // Goodbye, and we’ll never know why.” These lyrics connect to her Red (Taylor’s Version)  vault track, “Forever Winter.” Both songs are about her school friend who passed away by suicide. Swift implores her listeners to take a leap of faith and “ruin the friendship” because you never know what might happen. Actually Romantic “Actually Romantic” is a witty tongue-in-cheek track with humorous lyrics and an alt-rock soundscape that Swift has rarely explored. The song begins with a muted guitar melody that emulates the 2000s punk style. Swift sings to the subject, revealing their malicious and petty behavior. However, she feels flattered because they are spending so much time and effort on hating her that it’s actually romantic. For me, the track feels like a sister song to Lover ’s “I Forgot That You Existed.” In both, Swift brushes off her haters and turns it into a silly little joke. Wi$h Li$t In “Wi$h Li$t”, Swift shares what her deepest desire is: to settle down, marry, and have kids with her fiancé. In the verses, she lists the things that others want from fame and fortune, to good looks and adventure. And she hopes they get what they want. In the bridge, she confesses that she has made wishes on all the stars and prayed to God for a “best friend who [she thinks] is hot.” She then closes the bridge with “I hope I get what I want // ‘Cause I know what I want.” The sweetest part about the track is what we know behind the scenes. The day Swift and Kelce filmed the podcast episode where she announced the album, they got engaged. The song had already been written and produced before she knew she was receiving her wish list. The track evokes even deeper emotions when you consider the track “The Prophecy” from her last album. She went from pleading to anyone who listened to change her fate from heartbreak to love — and they did.  Wood There’s not much to say about the song “Wood” other than it’s a fun, energetic song that is bound to get the audience dancing. She even briefly references her fiancé by name-dropping his podcast, New Heights. I wouldn’t think too hard about the song’s meaning, though. Just take Swift's word: “‘Wood’ is a song about superstitions — very popular superstitions. Knocking on wood, black cats, stepping on a crack, and things like that.” It’s just a sweet, innocent song about luck.  CANCELLED! Immediately, I knew “CANCELLED!” was my favorite track on the album. Dark-pop and alt-rock are my favorite genres, and this song would fit perfectly on reputation or the future rock album I’m praying for. The song kicks off with a muted guitar that lulls the listener into the moody atmosphere. When Swift begins the verse, her voice drips with a fiery attitude that encapsulates the essence of the song. The guitar continues to lead the verse until the chorus hits, and the heavy beat and synth production are introduced. This matches the energy in the lyrics, where Swift reveals the villainess narrative where she prefers her friends to be “cancelled” and she welcomes them to her “underworld, where it gets quite dark.” Swift has been the subject of unjust public scrutiny and has become the person many celebrities reach out to when they have a PR crisis. Many people theorize who the song is about. While I don’t think it’s about one singular person, but an overall message about women being villainized for things a man would be praised for, I do hope that Sophie Turner is in the music video.  Honey Swift switches the album from the angsty mood to a cheerful track about her fiancé. The song begins with a sweet, staggered piano and light beat while her angelic vocals sing the hook: “You can call me honey if you want because I’m the one you want.” Then, the chorus begins with the catchy R&B-inspired beat. Swift reveals that anytime she was called “sweetheart”, “lovely”, or “honey”, they were being passive-aggressive or condescending. But her fiancé is allowed to call her these names because, from him, they are endearing. The song is a beautiful testament to the true love the couple shares. The Life of a Showgirl (feat. Sabrina Carpenter) The final song is a perfect closer to the project. Featuring one of my favorite artists and a big name in pop music, Sabrina Carpenter , Swift shares the truth about being in the limelight. The theatrical track stars a fictional character, Kitty, whom the singers idolized. But when they met her, she told them that the life of a showgirl is not as glamorous as it seems. Carpenter makes her entrance in the second verse, and throughout the remainder of the song, the two singers flawlessly harmonize. Their voices are a match made in heaven and have left me craving a collab album. In the bridge, the slow, steady soundscape switches to a fast-paced rhythm that mirrors musical theater — bringing the showgirl to life. Then, Swift closes out the track with live recordings from the last Eras Tour  performance, where she thanks her band and the audience. It is a sentimental send-off that perfectly wraps up the album about this chapter of her career. “The Life of a Showgirl” may be Swift’s best title track yet.  From the very first note, Swift captured her audience’s attention. Her mesmerizing production and her candid lyricism made The Life of a Showgirl  stand out amongst her flawless discography. In the past five years, her albums felt more like a cathartic diary that Swift was compelled to write into existence – focusing more on the storylines. However, this album maintained the poetic language while providing the listener with something to dance to. Swift once again has outdone herself, something that continues to blow my mind after every release. The Life of a Showgirl  by Taylor Swift is available on all streaming platforms now!  Taylor Swift The Life of a Showgirl  via TaylorSwift.com Written By Karlee Skipper Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

Midnight Til Morning’s new song, Heart on Fire, is a pop song about being in love. You’re so in love with someone that looking into their eyes feels like a priceless gift that can never be replaced. Boybands may not be marketed towards everyone, but love affects everyone so don’t let them being a boyband deter you from listening to their music. Love is something we’ve all experienced and it feels validating to have those exact feelings sung back to you. The music video also has a feel good vibe to it. It’s in black and white and filmed in front of a backdrop. The band is singing, playing the acoustic guitar, and, ultimately, just having a lot of fun with each other. Heart on Fire is led by an acoustic guitar that makes you want to sit around a campfire and eat s’mores. I love the harmonies when they’re singing “Go on and set my heart on fire. Go on and put this love in drive.” Their voices sound beautiful together and separately. Despite being brand new to the scene, their vocals are very mature and crisp. The song reminds me so much of One Direction during their first two albums, Up All Night and Take Me Home . I was a big 1D fan and a fan of boybands in general around that time. Midnight Til Morning are comprised of Australians, Conor Smith and Mason Watts, and Americans, Shane Appell and Zach Newbould. They were pursuing solo careers and were formed on Netflix’s Building The Band, a new reality television singing competition show that premiered in July of this year. The recently released their brand new EP, Afterglow, featuring “ Bye ”, “Heart on Fire”, “ 17 ”, “ Welcome to LA ”, “ Navy Eyes ”, “ Edge of Amazing ”, and “ Ghost of Us ”. Their tour starts on October 12 spanning North America, Europe, and Australia. Numerous dates are already sold out so, if you haven’t bought your ticket, you need to get it now! Written By Jazz FOLLOW MIDNIGHT TIL MORNING: Instagram | Spotify  | YouTube | Website

One of the toughest pills to swallow in life is realizing that you're no one's favorite person. It's hard to grapple with the feeling of being looked over, wondering how you've ended up in friendship after friendship where you're the last to be picked or chosen for anything. Expressing the hurt and frustration of this in an indie-pop song, Swan Mack is back with her latest single, "Nobody's Best Friend." The track is an anthem for anyone who has ever felt overlooked, unvalued, or underappreciated, assuring listeners that they're not alone and their feelings are valid through Swan Mack's vulnerable lyricism. Despite the song's poignant narrative, Swan Mack's "Nobody's Best Friend" is a captivating mix of lighthearted indie-pop, pop-rock, and pop-punk, hyping up those feeling low about never being someone's first choice. The track takes listeners on an enthralling sonic journey, featuring a compelling blend of instrumentals including electrifying guitar riffs, pulse-pounding drums, and spunky bass lines. Swan Mack gives a gripping performance, showcasing her vocal prowess as she delivers line after powerful, angsty line that encompass the frustration and heartache captured in the lyrics of "Nobody's Best Friend." A Texas-born, Minnesota-based singer-songwriter, Swan Mack is building a career focusing on the in-between moments in life. She's a natural at storytelling, crafting songs with raw, honest, and confessional lyrics that blend well with her indie-pop hooks and folk-inspired narratives. Making her debut just this year, Swan Mack released her first single, "Unready," in September and is gearing up for more releases in 2025. Ending the year with more music on the horizon, Swan Mack's upcoming singles include "Feel Like Me" and "Call The Doctor." Perfect for the outsiders and overthinkers of the world, Swan Mack is certainly an artist to keep an eye on. Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW SWAN MACK: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Apple Music  | YouTube

"Good Medicine" by The Mynabirds is a powerful indie-pop masterpiece that is incredible to hear. The song goes beyond its beautiful composition. The Mynabirds prove that art is one of the most powerful ways of spreading awareness about certain matters. The lyrics in "Good Medicine" are hard-hitting and unforgettable. Each line is meant to make you reflect while listening, and it certainly succeeds at that. Lyrics like "All I know is bad news / Play it on repeat" and "The night is filled with gunshots and boots of refugees / Im safe at home but I can't sleep," do not shy away from sharing a message to all listeners. "Good Medicine" is very relevant and impactful with all of the horrors happening around the world that innocent people are subjected to. The lyrics encourage listeners to reflect on them, but maintains a gentle, compassionate tone that feels like a comforting blanket for anyone who needs it. "Good Medicine" is a fitting title that best describes the feel of the song. The soft sound and Laura Burhenn's vocals combined makes the entire song feel like medicine for the soul while listening. The background instrumentals are as gentle as the vocals, adding to the comforting sound. While there is a sense of tranquility, the song also balances that with a more pensive, somber sound. Throughout the entirety of the song, it feels like a lullaby that can lull anyone to sleep. Instantly while listening, you get overcome with a sense of peace. At no point throughout the song does that peace fade. From start to finish, The Mynabirds creates a beautiful sound that can heal you and take away any stress or anxiety you may have been experiencing. The Mynabirds are an American indie pop band that originated in Omaha, Nebraska. The band was formed in 2009 by singer-songwriter Laura Burnhenn. A short time after this, the band signed to Saddle Creek Records. Before forming The Mynabirds, Burnhenn was a solo artist in Washington, D.C., where she also founded Laboratory Records in 1999. After a previous project in her duo group Georgie James, Burnhenn returned to Saddle Creek and wrote a new batch of songs inspired by Neil Young, Motown, and Carole King. She relocated to Oregon to record the songs with producer Richard Swift. Orenda Fink, another Saddle Creek artist, helped Burnhenn assemble a solid backing band. The resulting record, "What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood," was released under The Mynabirds moniker in 2010. Written By Kyler Griggs FOLLOW ARTIST: Instagram | Spotify | Facebook  | YouTube

As humans, we crave to be loved and adored. We accept anything we believe we deserve and it can be damaging. Not every love is good and establishing the difference can be a mind battle. Luvsikgrl just released her debut album and on it is a single titled “if you want to hurt me.” It goes into the depths of wanting to be cared for and taking it any way you can get. Filled with the emotional turmoil of giving yourself to someone completely despite the consequences. If you’ve ever stripped yourself bare for someone undeserving just to feel alive, this is a must listen. “If you want to hurt me,” is luvsikgrl’s own personal admission. It’s lyrically vulnerable with catchy electronic melodies and dreamy beats. She encapsulates the moodiness of craving more with the numbness of not caring enough to find it. “If you want to hurt me, then come on and hurt me, I’ll make it easy.” This track feels like late night thoughts that keep you staring at the wall until 3am. Wondering why it’s so hard to exist and receive the things you want out of life. The hurt and confusion are only temporary, even if it feels all consuming. Let yourself revel in the pain, but don’t forget to stand back up. Luvsikgrl is an indie pop singer-songwriter. She blends spacious synths with dark emotional layers. Her music portrays her innermost thoughts leaving you feeling everything all at once. She’s been releasing music since 2023 when her debut single “false start” was released. After releasing multiple singles, she’s back with her debut album “Let it Hurt.” It’s a gut wrenching addiction to the ears that will have you baring every scar you’ve ever received. If you love music that brings out the deepest of emotions, give Luvsikgrl a listen. Written By Emylee Herring FOLLOW LUVSIKGRL: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube

Place yourself among the stars in listening to “Thousand Nights”, the latest single from artist Aqua Riyaz. “Thousand Nights” is a dutiful love song, echoing strong sentiments in its lyrics as well as its dreamy soundscape. Drawing you in from the first piano note played, this single from Riyaz offers a deeper look into who he is as an artist and where a great number of his strengths lie. It’s clear that although “Thousand Nights” is a special, stand-alone piece, it truly works in tandem with the work that Riyaz has released up until this point. Each of his releases reflects his ability to artistically be honest, creative, and bring something fresh to the table with every new release. This single stands out due to its sincerity, embedded emotions, and storytelling - building a world of Riyaz’s own. “Thousand Nights” brings you into this world as if it’s your own, brilliantly displaying a range of emotion felt between two people through musicality, quality songwriting, and a wealth of knowledge on how to be authentic through song.  Click here to listen to "Thousand Nights"! Riyaz’s authentic characteristics bring his best strong suits forward, showcasing his ability to make complex, varying projects and reflect inspiration - as this song brings strong reminders of emotional pop writers like Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, etc. “Thousand Nights” is an emotionally heavy, yet uplifting, delicate piece of powerhouse pop music. It’s clear from the start that Riyaz has put his all into creating a well-balanced track that places a spotlight on both the intensity and sensitivity of being in love, tilting between the two to produce a beautifully connected song & story. Playing into the emotions held within this love story, Riyaz does a fantastic job of allowing “Thousand Nights” to build upon itself as it goes. While listening to the track, the fluidity of it felt as if I were following a novel. The level of detail, changes in tempo, and use of more classical instruments - such as the violin & piano - adds layers upon an already complex, deep love story that you never want to end. “Thousand Nights” is the kind of song that you want to hold close to your chest, as it unleashes a world of needed emotion for listeners as well as reflects the best creative qualities of experimental pop music making.  Aqua Riyaz is a singer-songwriter from Belgium. Born with a natural gift for singing and music, Riyaz’s musical journey began before he could speak his first word. He would spend his days playing guitar and singing in his bedroom, until his mother decided to share his talent with the world and enroll him in The Voice Kids 2020. After giving a dazzling performance of “Lovely” by Billie Eilish, Riyaz captured the audience’s hearts and became a sensation. His blind audition on The Voice Kids has garnered over 62 million views on YouTube, going viral and propelling him to his music career. Now, Riyaz is bringing his experience & perspective to make his own music. His most recent release pre-dating “Thousand Nights”, titled “Pinocchio”, places his honesty and evolution as an artist up-front and discusses the all-too familiar topic of pretending to be someone you’re not to fit in. Riyaz is only getting started, now focusing on preparing for upcoming live shows and the release of his debut EP!  Written By Madison Spies FOLLOW AQUA RIYAZ: Instagram | Spotify  | Facebook  | YouTube