“boy like u” by Bryan Munar encapsulates the feeling of falling in love with an upbeat and groovy tune. The song uses cosmic language—sun, orbit, and atmosphere—to represent the all-consuming feelings the narrator has for his partner. The second verse uses the words “you’re the moon, I’m the tide. Drag me into your undertow”. This metaphor uses great and constant natural forces to depict the deep connection the singer has with his partner. The chorus begins “in your blue eyes, swimming in the middle”, and assigns emotional attachment to color. It represents openness and love, as the lyrics further weave the word into the verse and chorus. Ambient and eclectic synth sounds open this song with arpeggios. They emulate sounds like a xylophone, hollow bamboo instrument, and sound pad, before sustained chords bring a warming depth to the introduction. Muted laughter sounds, then drums kick in and Bryan begins to sing. His voice is light and soft. It is breathy at the beginning of the verses, and rounds out near the end, allowing his range to be heard on meaningful words. The vocals climb to reach a falsetto in the chorus for a glowing sound. No doubt the chorus is catchy with its floaty and light-hearted groove. An instrumental interlude of happy synth sounds precedes a softer version of the chorus where the instrumentals are ambient. It complements the romantic and gentle sentiments before Bryan’s voice climbs an octave on the last word. The chorus repeats with layered vocals that resonate in a way that could inspire anyone to get up and dance. Bryan discovered his voice and love for music by singing in churches when he was a little kid. At the age of five, he performed at a one in California, marking his first musical gig. He graduated from UC Berkeley in computer science, but musical theatre further piqued his interest. His journey moved on to explore different cities’ musical theatre scenes, eventually moving to New York. He has another song out called “never asked” which was released in January, and it’s an emotionally loaded break-up song with the same creative flow as “boy like u”. Bryan has collaborated with many talented artists, including Liamani Segura and Wanya Morris . Make sure you follow the links below and keep an ear out for his review pop EP in 2025! Currently, he has the role of Orpheus, touring North America in Hadestown . Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW BRYAN: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

“anesthesia” by Alexa Valentino is a song riddled with the intense hurt of someone who has been in a toxic relationship. The lyrics start off by showing the narrator’s backslide into the relationship, along with a cry for help: “lock myself in the bathroom, pills on the floor just to make you listen”. This is a distressing and extreme image, and the rest of the song shows just how the person got to this point. Her whole life became about making sure her partner was okay, and that burden is simply too much to bear. In the second verse, the lyrics “push away everybody so I could be free to console you” are a testament to the way being in such a dependent relationship is isolating. The speaker would rather be sedated than break up with her partner. Although the relationship consumes her life and is constant emotional labor, the narrator has built a life for them together in her mind. Even so, she knows she has to end it for her own sake. Her partner certainly does not prioritize her, and the relationship has separated her from her friends. The lyrics “if I’m lucky I’ll finally break the curse of saving everybody when I’m at my worst” express the narrator’s want to be there for herself. Through the pain, this thought is a step towards healing. It is recognition that she deserves to be a priority. A slow, high, and gentle piano melody—the same as the chorus—opens the song. Each note rings out so softly, they almost sound broken. The piano glides into sustained chords as gentle acoustic guitar joins in. Alexa’s breathy and soft voice holds an intimate quality like a whisper. She has a feminine and comforting voice which sounds reflectively expressive with each word. The vocals through the end of the verse, while beautifully tuneful, have a fragility to them as though each word is infused with meaning. Alexa’s vocals are bold and rounded through the chorus, and all tones of a whisper are gone as her voice moves through emotional high notes. Percussion is gentle through the second verse, and builds onwards. Alexa is singing her heart out on the bridge, complimenting the independence featured in the lyrics. The song ends with a melodic and emotional soft note with vocals and piano. Alexa Valentino is a singer, songwriter, and actress based in New York. She won the John Lennon Songwriting Contest Song of The Year in 2022 for her song “ Dear Love ”. She has five years of experience in teaching piano, and her skills as a pianist are audible in most of her songs, including “anesthesia”. With sweet,  passionate vocals and vibrant instrumentals, Alexa’s emotional tunes easily resonate with listeners. Her music gets personal, drawing on her experiences with borderline personality disorder, creating genuine and moving representation of mental health struggles through her art. The artist has performed on the stage and on the screen, including on NBC’s “Ministry of Evil, The Twisted Cult of Tony Alamo”, and in the web-series “The Mortician” that can now be found on Amazon Prime. Learn more about Alexa’s performances and listen to her moving music by checking out the links below! Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW ALEXA: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Horsebread's latest single "cant" explores the profound struggles of post-coming-of-age disillusionment, capturing the essence of losing inspiration and the existential quandary of whether to persevere or abandon one’s dreams. Nashville-based duo Sam McLeod and Andrew Frazier delve deep into the emotional turmoil of grappling with unfulfilled aspirations and the weariness that comes with dissipating support and belief. Through poignant lyrics, "cant" becomes an anthem for anyone who has faced the daunting challenge of finding motivation in the face of fading encouragement. With "cant," Horsebread solidifies their position as compelling storytellers and skilled musicians, delivering a track that resonates deeply with listeners. Musically, "cant" is a rich tapestry woven from the ethereal soundscapes reminiscent of Radiohead and Sigur Ros, combined with the intricate, narrative-driven artistry of Sufjan Stevens. The song begins with a melancholic guitar line that sets the stage for McLeod’s emotive vocals, which are supported by Frazier's atmospheric keys and bass. The production, meticulously crafted over three years from 2020 to 2023, showcases Horsebread’s dedication to creating a sonic environment that mirrors the song’s introspective themes. The track’s layered textures ebb and flow, capturing the tension between hope and despair, making it a deeply immersive listening experience. This intricate layering creates an expansive yet intimate soundscape, drawing listeners into the depths of the band's reflective narrative. Sam McLeod and Andrew Frazier have been making music together since their childhood in Nashville, and their seamless musical chemistry is evident in every note of "cant." Formed in December 2023, Horsebread has quickly gained traction in the indie music scene. Their songs have been featured on Apple Music editorial playlists and received airplay on Nashville's Lighting 100, signaling their growing influence. Their live performances have earned them a devoted following, with gigs at iconic venues such as The Roundhouse, Manchester Albert Hall, and Shepherds Bush Empire. These dynamic and emotionally charged sets captivate audiences and their partnership with Mahogany Songs for distribution further cements their potential for a bright future in the music industry. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW HORSEBREAD: Instagram   | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube   *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Canadian musician young friend sings about rejecting the idea of romance in his newest single "boyfriend material". He believes he would not be a good boyfriend, as he does not want a relationship due to his commitment issues. He also does not think a relationship could work out because he has no romantic interest for the subject of this song. Following this, he claims he is unfit to do things boyfriends would typically do, such as write songs for the special someone in their life (because he is a musical artist), when young friend says, "No, I don't sing about you when I'm playing this guitar". These lyrics summarize "boyfriend material" as an anti-love song. In contrast to the lyrics, the production of "boyfriend material" takes a look into a flashback of the California sound genre that was popular in the 1960s. Originated by the Beach Boys , one of the members, Brian Wilson , was partly inspired by 1940s and 50s pop classics to form the genre. This song definitely takes notes from that, with its mix of old school pop and rock. The static guitar and distorted guitar bridge in the song add a touch of modernity, making "boyfriend material" original and genre-bending. Combined with young friend's insanely talented voice, easily shifting from his chest voice to his head voice in the chorus, this song is literal pop perfection. young friend is an indie artist from Vancouver, Canada. He takes inspiration from artists such as Frank Ocean, musically and aesthetically. He is currently going on tour in the west coast of the US. In 2019, he released his debut EP yours truly, , and in 2022, he released his project HOW DID WE GET HERE? . In addition to "boyfriend material", he has also released other incredible singles, including "PINCH ME", "met this girl on the internet", and "feral canadian scaredy cat" (he also went on a tour based on this title in 2023). He has over 344,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, and his most popular song, "PINCH ME", has garnered more than 41,000,000 streams. young friend is a very talented artist who makes amazing music! Written By Ashley Adams FOLLOW YOUNG FRIEND: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Music partners Skye Paula and Od flip back to the first page of The Bible in their new single "The Fall of Eden". Paula starts the song off with "Long ago // There was a man // A snake // And a choice" to show how irresistibility has persisted ever since the beginning of time - its metaphorical for the strong feelings her and her love interest have for each other. In regards to the line "Maybe there's a double meaning", Paula compares how Eve was unable to resist eating the forbidden apple with being unable to resist liking or falling in love with someone. Paula refers to herself as the apple, and the person she is talking about symbolically as Eve. Produced by Od, "The Fall of Eden" is a chilled and lofi-esque song, with elements of wavering acoustic guitar chords and definitive notes from a bass guitar. The beat compliments the instrumentation with its rhythmic claps, and also features reversed sections. In the chorus, some of those claps are replaced with the sound of an apple being bit. The bridge is a low tone guitar solo, with Od repeating the song's title over it. As for the vocals, him and Paula harmonize together, mainly during the chorus, with Paula singing in a higher register and Od singing in a lower one. Alongside this, a small portion of "The Fall of Eden" consists of spoken word by Paula, mostly at the beginning of the song. Skye Paula is featured on the artwork for "The Fall of Eden", seemingly taking inspiration from the album cover of Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 by Shakira . Paula has an aesthetic that revolves around and consists of the beauty and vastness of nature and greenery, present on her social medias. In addition, she also has released other amazing songs, such as "Mr Sandman (SYML)", "The Best", and "Demon's Gleam". "The Fall of Eden" is the first song her and Od have made together. Although Paula is from the UK, they were both able to create the single online from their own countries of residence. Od also has a new song, "Calling On The Beast", coming out on September 13, 2024. Paula and Od are both great and very talented musicians! Written By Ashley Adams FOLLOW SKYE PAULA: Instagram | Spotify FOLLOW OD: Instagram   | Spotify

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

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

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

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

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

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

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