Somewhat recently, I was thinking about certain bands from the 70s/80s. It’s always fascinating watching the music industry go from one thing to the next in terms of what’s popular but personally, I haven’t felt like we’ve had as much passion and creativity as we did back in those decades. Listening to “Drive.” by Marty Kolls gives me a sense of what that passion could’ve sounded like. At first listen, my first instinct was how much it reminded me of Bon Jovi. Where it somehow walks the line of country and rock music. As the song continues, though, so many other influences come to mind like Kate Bush while also weaving in modern sounds. Being able to make a song bring in sounds of nostalgia is not an easy task but Marty does a perfect job at handling that. The song begins with a dreamy sound scape that really throws listeners into a feeling of zen. One of the best things that this song brings is the drum track. What sounds like something right out of Stranger Things, the drum track really captures that feeling of the 80's. So much synth while somehow still making it relevant to the music that we're hearing today, Marty Kolls does such an excellent job while tying everything together with the lyrics. As a writer, I always love being able to take two things and map them to each other. One of the first things that Marty talks about in this song is the feeling of losing control but knowing that when you're driving, that's the one thing you do have. The lyrics really flex Marty's emotional impact on the music and it's something that is so incredibly refreshing to see. Marty Kolls is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist that somehow has mastered pop, folk and soul allowing their music to reach a huge range of audiences. Being able to take these sounds and blend them with incredible storytelling capabilities, relatability, honesty and storytelling really allow listeners to feel like Marty is speaking directly to their own situation. Marty is incredibly passionate about bringing out the care in their music by living through making art not for the sake of practice but because it's a way of living. "Drive." is Marty's latest single and can be found streaming on all streaming platforms. Written By Bre Macomber FOLLOW MARTY KOLLS: Instagram | Spotify  | Facebook  | YouTube

Country-pop superstar Megan Moroney has had a whirlwind career since the release of her single, “Tennessee Orange,” in 2022. I discovered Moroney on TikTok in early 2022 when she posted a snippet of her song, “Hair Salon.” Since then, I’ve watched her skyrocket to new levels of fame and success. Moroney’s third studio album, Cloud 9,  was released on February 20, 2026, following much excitement. This record is, hands down, her strongest yet. While I love her first two albums, Lucky  and Am I Okay? , Cloud 9  has absolutely stolen my heart. Tracklist Cloud 9 Medicine 6 Months Later Stupid Beautiful Things Convincing Liars & Tigers & Bears I Only Miss You (ft. Ed Sheeran) Wedding Dress Change of Heart Bells & Whistles (ft. Kacey Musgraves) Table For Two Wish I Didn’t Who Hurt You? Waiting On the Rain Cloud 9 As the album’s title track, “Cloud 9,” opens with a dreamy guitar and melody that invokes the feeling of floating on air. As a longtime Moroney fan who knows that she typically doesn’t write love songs, this is the romantic track I, and other lover girls, have been waiting for.  This song explores the butterflies and the bliss of true love. Even when life and its inconveniences arise, knowing that your partner will be waiting for you with open arms at the end of the day makes those things seem insignificant.  Some lyrics in this song are reminiscent of “Happy & Sad” by Kacey Musgraves, who Moroney has cited as one of her biggest inspirations and who is featured on the latter half of this album. In Musgraves’ song, she sings, “I never felt so high // No, I’ve never been this far off the ground // And they say everything that goes up, must come down // And I don’t wanna come down.”  Meanwhile, in “Cloud 9,” Moroney plays off the age-old adage of being on “Cloud 9.” However, this relationship is so euphoric that Moroney feels that she’s even higher than that. Medicine “Medicine”  is a honky-tonk track that playfully seeks vengeance on a cheating ex by giving them “a taste of [your] own medicine.” While a stark immediate contrast to the title track, “Medicine” still truly sets the stage for the overall upbeat nature of this album. It has an old-school twang that has been missing in the modern country scene, while still being inviting to the newer generation of country listeners. The song is a snappy and biting showcase of Moroney’s razor-sharp wit.  6 Months Later “6 Months Later” was the first single of the album, released in June 2025, and has achieved major commercial success by reaching #29 on the Billboard Hot 100. This was a perfect introduction to this new, pop-heavy era for Moroney and has been a hit among fans since its release. Though I’ve heard this song countless times since its debut last summer, “6 Months Later” still lives up to the hype.  It’s one of the catchier tracks on the album that describes the moment an ex tries to get back into Moroney’s life long after she has moved on. She sings, “When you couldn’t care more, I couldn’t care less // You’re a little too late to the party, heartbreaker // What doesn’t kill you calls you six months later.” For those of us who believe that they always come back one way or another, this song is all too relatable. Furthermore, this song is a prime reminder that what doesn’t kill you only makes you “stronger and hotter.” Stupid “Stupid” is a standout track on this album for me, and not just because I can relate to it!. With her tongue-in-cheek lyrics, Moroney pokes fun at a guy for ghosting her by implying that, despite him not being the brightest star in the sky, there’s no way he’d be stupid enough to let a girl like her go.  It speaks to feelings we’ve all had when someone we liked didn’t text us back. Moroney tries to rationalize how someone who isn’t even on her level could give up the chance to be with her. While the guy she wants, “probably couldn’t spell valedictorian,” she’s “humble and most days attractive.” If she’s the whole package, the only logical explanation for her love interest’s silence is that something terrible has happened that is keeping them from getting to their phone.  The track is upbeat and spunky, and it’s bound to be on the setlist for Moroney’s upcoming tour. In true Moroney fashion, she uses her glittery gel pen to put a fun spin on a negative situation. Beautiful Things “Beautiful Things” is a ballad written for Moroney’s niece that tugs on the heartstrings with every listen. When talking about the meaning behind the song, Moroney said, “When she was born, I remember being in awe of how sweet and perfect she was… I was sad knowing that when she grows up, the world may be cruel to her sometimes." When reflecting on the song, Moroney also stated that this song is one she wishes she could have given to her younger self.  The backing instrumentals are simple yet beautiful, allowing the lyrics to shine. The emotion in Moroney’s voice is evident as she sings, making the song even more heartfelt and raw. This track is a true testament to the growth of her songwriting. Convincing “Convincing” is one of my favorites on this album because of its dreamy instrumentals and its skeptical, yet hopeful, love-at-first-sight lyrics. As a hopeless romantic and a major realist when it comes to love, this song would easily fit into one of my favorite romantic comedies.  The best songs are the ones that we can imagine ourselves in. When listening to this track, it’s easy to get swept up in the image of spending one magical evening with someone you know you’re about to fall in love with, but knowing you should probably stop yourself before you do. It’s full of butterflies and the tentative hopefulness of meeting someone for the first time and instantly clicking with them. While in the back of your mind, you know you might just be caught up in the moment and the romantic scenery, you’re still wishing that this will last beyond a single night. “Convincing” is one of the shortest songs on the album, clocking in at just under three minutes, but it makes a lasting impact and is an easy listen to put on repeat. Liars & Tigers & Bears “Liars & Tigers & Bears” is one of the best songs on this album. While this song is written to Moroney’s experience as a woman navigating the experience of being one of country’s rising stars, it is relatable even for those of us who do not work in the music industry daily; we have all had falling outs with friends, tense relationships with coworkers, or generally felt unwelcome in spaces we deserve to occupy. While the play off the common children’s expression, “lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my!” could easily become cheesy, Moroney expertly navigates around this pitfall to create an insightful track that displays her maturity and longevity as an artist.  I Only Miss You (ft. Ed Sheeran) Featuring Ed Sheeran, “I Only Miss You” is one of the tracks on this album that I’m not 100% sure how to feel about. It’s a slow, lamenting guitar ballad that speaks to the heartbreak felt long after a relationship has ended.  Moroney yearns for this person, only missing them “when [I’ve] been drinking, and [I’ve] been drinking all the time.” This song feels like a classic country heartbreak tune that I’d hear at my favorite karaoke bar. It has a nostalgic quality that adds to its devastating honesty. While I enjoy the track overall, I feel it would have been stronger featuring a male country singer with more twang, rather than Sheeran. I grew up listening to his music, so while I typically enjoy his vocals, I’m not sure if they were best for this song. That being said, I don’t know many male vocalists in the current state of the country scene, so I’m not sure whose voice would best be lent to this track instead. Overall, this track is good, but a bit less polished than some of the others on the album. Wedding Dress “Wedding Dress” is a song that I needed when I was 20 years old, convinced I would never get over my first love following our breakup. It’s a heartwrenching track that can only be written after experiencing such a great loss. Moroney fearfully wonders if she will ever fully move on and be happy without this person again, or if she’ll be comparing every future partner to them. Will she be able to stop missing him one day, or will memories of him still be burned into her brain as she’s about to marry someone else? Backed by only a few strumming guitars, the pain in Moroney’s voice makes this song more believable. She recounts being able to survive missing this person every time she sees something that reminds her of him, but she prays that the yearning runs its course before she’s standing at the altar before another person.  This is another standout track on the album for me, even though I haven’t had my heartbroken in a long time. This song speaks to the fears too many of us have lived with, even if we refuse to admit it. We all carry secret memories and mournings for people we were once connected to, even if we’d never go back to them. While we can live with these things quietly most of the time without letting them consume us, Moroney recounts the feeling of being completely haunted by this old flame. It is heartfelt and honest, highlighting the evolution that Moroney has experienced in her songwriting up to this point in her career.  Change of Heart “Change of Heart” is one for anyone who has ever survived and left (then returned, then left again, rinse, repeat) a toxic relationship. While the rollercoaster can be fun at times, it’s not worth the heartache it brings… until it is. Moroney fights with herself and with her on-again, off-again partner, knowing that she may never be truly done with them because each time she swears them off for good, she has “a change of heart.”  The song is more pop-rock than it is true country, but that’s what I love about it. Moroney’s voice is strong enough to match the intensity of the song’s electric guitars, and with a few call-and-response sections designed for a live setting, this song is bound to be a fan-favorite on tour. The lyrics are angry and cathartic, easy to scream in an arena full of girls who have also had their hearts broken.  Bells & Whistles (ft. Kacey Musgraves) Featuring Kacey Musgraves, “Bells & Whistles” is another more traditional-sounding country track that sounds like a bonus track from Musgraves’ sophomore album, Pageant Material. The song describes watching an ex move on with a new woman who is “just like [her] without the bells and the whistles.” This new girl is sweet and uncomplicated, without the added baggage of being in the spotlight and having “a heart on the highway.”  The song is more self-deprecating than it is scathing or jealous, but there is an undertone of self-assuredness at the same time. With lyrics like, “She don’t put on no makeup, and she don’t bleach her hair // She wouldn’t be caught dead in the clothes that I wear,” Moroney knows that her self-expression isn’t for everyone. Yet, she writes, “I’m not me without the bells and the whistles.” Table For Two “Table For Two” continues to follow the back-and-forth dynamic of Moroney’s relationship with this person. In this case, she can’t help but miss him and wonder if they still have a chance to get it right. She daydreams about calling him and getting “a table for two” in a romantic, candle-lit restaurant and hoping that it will fix everything. She knows she shouldn’t, but her heart may win over her head, and if it does, she knows that he will meet her wherever she asks. The instrumentals are wistful and soft, encapsulating the melancholic fantasy of getting back together with an ex.  Wish I Didn’t “Wish I Didn’t” is the third single from Cloud 9  and another well-loved song among fans. In this track, Moroney warns her new love interest against breaking her heart. She has heard “all of the horror stories, the graveyard of girls before [her],” and cautions that should he play games with her as he has with others in the past, she’ll quickly make him regret it. While she’s developing feelings for this person, she’s still keeping her eyes open, “I think I’m falling for ya // Don’t make me wish I didn't.” This song is very reminiscent of Sabrina Carpenter’s hits, “Please, Please, Please,” and “Good Graces,” as Moroney tells her partner, “Roses are red, you’ll be so blue // If I take a chance and find out firsthand that they were right about you.” The track is witty and just the right amount of scathing.  Who Hurt You? “Who Hurt You?” is the aftermath of “Wish I Didn’t,” as Moroney now has to pick up the pieces of the relationship. She fell for her ex’s persona, only to be hurt in the end. Now, she has to wonder what made this person so cold, and how someone could lie so convincingly. This song is for the moments when you’re over the person, but you’re not over how badly they treated you. Even though Moroney would never take him back, she still flashes back to the instances where this person hurt her, and she wonders how things went so wrong. There is a true strength to her vocals that effortlessly embodies the mix of hurt and frustration that arises in such situations.  Waiting On the Rain “Waiting On the Rain” closes the album in stark contrast to how it began. While “Cloud 9” opens the project with Moroney feeling on top of the world in love, this track reminds us that even the best things can come crashing down.  It evokes the same feelings that “Scared of My Guitar” by Olivia Rodrigo brings out every time I listen to it. Moroney explores the guilt of being with someone she knows is not the one, but staying with them anyway. While she cares for this person, she knows that the metaphorical rain is bound arrive and ruin their bout of sunny days.  Being with someone you love, but aren’t sure if you’re in love with, is terrifying and shameful. There is no worse feeling than breaking the heart of someone good at their core, and this track articulates that.  Moroney’s vocals on this track are vulnerable yet strong, backed by a cinematic collection of strings and a gentle guitar, making it an excellent way to bookend the project. Overall, I greatly enjoyed this album, and I know it will be one I put on repeat throughout the year. She has a true knack for writing songs that are relatable, no matter where you’re at in your life. Though all of her songs are written about her own experiences, they’re still easy to put yourself into, whether you’re currently living them out or reminiscing on a time when you were. It has been truly amazing to see how far Moroney has come since I first discovered her music, and this record is a real triumph. Written By Tessa Brainard Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

McKinney layers her confession in dark undercurrent synths, thrumming bass, and the heavy truth in “Guilty.” McKinney’s latest single expresses her survivor’s guilt. She enters a crossover state between hyperawareness and rumination. Self-doubt and shame replace gratitude, and McKinney struggles with these uncontrollable thoughts. Raw moments are stomach-churning as she sings, “Feel my skin it’s tight around my bones/ I’m in my head/ Overthinking everything I’ve ever said.” McKinney’s fear is a rising concern—the world where we base our worth on what we do, and not just the fact that we’re alive. The upbeat tempo and dark mood recreate the contrast between a standing survivor and these weighing thoughts. Mid-80s electronic pop synths and bass that vibrate through the speakers revive a sense of nostalgia—the desire to go back to the way things were. But there’s a twinkle in the production, as if she’s saying, no matter what, you’re worth living. The key to keep going lies in taking the guilt off your chest, singing out the bad feelings, and vibing to the next track. McKinney experiments with different genres per track, but each song embraces sadness. The bass player and singer-songwriter blends the sounds from her BFA in jazz, her blues-singing mother, and her interest in classic rock. Growing up in West Virginia, she lived in a music school. Now, she teaches lessons at LEAF Global Arts. McKinney works shows at the Orange Peel and continues to release sad-pop tracks. Check out the links below to hear more. Written By Taylor Sheridan Lempke FOLLOW MCKINNEY: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Apple Music  | YouTube

Photography & Editing: Don Q Hannah Photography “real things” is the second track from Pickup Game , the debut EP from musician Andie Yagher. The lyrics introduce the fresh beginnings of a romantic relationship, and how the artist feels in regards to falling in love. While she is happy about being with someone that makes her feels loved, she is worried that she could be let down eventually, fearing that she’s getting her hopes too far up. She is afraid of what might be an inevitable breakup, as she does not want the fun times they’re having to end. She is hopeful about the relationship she is in, but can’t help being cautious about wearing her heart on her sleeve. Click here to listen to “real things”! Everything about “real things” just exudes pop perfection. From the upbeat guitar instrumentation, to the modern drum production, to Yagher’s amazing vocals, as well as the accompanying sound effects throughout the song, it’s gonna be on everyone’s spring and summer playlists. If you live on the east coast, listening to “real things” is a breath of fresh, summery air from all the snowfalls and blizzards. Yagher shows off her virtuosity and creativity in this track, and also on the others in Pickup Game , as she combines the genres of pop and country while still maintaining the status of pop perfection in her music. Based in New York, Andie Yagher began her music career in July 2024 with the release of her debut single “cassiopeia”. She has also crafted other fantastic songs leading up to them becoming tracks of her debut multi-song project Pickup Game . She posts acoustic versions of her music on her TikTok account, and has performed live at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Not only is Yagher an incredible and multitalented musical prodigy, but she’s also an actress, having played roles in several theater productions. With her long list of skills, Andie Yagher is on her way to becoming a huge star in both the music and acting industry! Written By Ashley Adams FOLLOW ANDIE YAGHER: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Apple Music  | YouTube

Have you ever gotten an offhanded comment that stuck with you for years? Instant Crush's new single, "GRUDGE," is perfect for a revenger worthy needs. The single explains how a small comment has the potential to explode into something life-changing. I could picture this song playing during an epic redemption scene where the main character finally proves all of her naysayers wrong. The single takes the audience on a punk journey of guitars and steady singing. Music video for instant crush single "APOLOGY TOUR." The band consists of four members: Megan Cannon, Matthew Tran, Keegan Mangahas, and Zoee Mangahas. With a mission to breathe new life into the genre that ruled the 2000s, instant crush is ever-evolving. Fusing shimmering synths, electrifying guitar riffs, and penetrating vocals, they take the energy of the anthemic rock bands that ruled the radio and intertwine it with poignant, soul-baring lyrics that fit the soundtrack of a coming-of-age film. They make music for the tongue biters who have a lot on their minds. Having shared the stage with renowned acts such as Del Water Gap, the Home Team, The Wrecks, and Friday Pilots Club, and joining the bill for festivals such as Capitol Hill Block Party and Treefort Music Fest, instant crush is carving their own space in the alternative music scene that raised them. The deluxe release of their debut album, "I’M SORRY I DIDN’T BITE MY TONGUE," further solidifies them as a band on the rise. "Grudge is a song I wrote about my frustration in the music industry," Cannon said, "throughout my life, I've done a lot of things out of spite, and there is nothing I enjoy more than proving people wrong." This powerful statement sets high expectations for the band to deliver. Throughout the single, Cannon is in complete control of the melody. "At the start of this band, people thought I was only capable of doing one thing or sounding one way," Cannon said, "those words really stuck with me for a long time, and I felt a bitterness in my soul that would eat away at me." The band is on tour right now, so make sure to check out their socials so you don't miss an upcoming date near you. "GRUDGE" is out now on all streaming platforms, and make sure to give "I'M SORRY I DIDN'T BITE MY TONGUE" a listen on March 13th! Written By Deanna Moody FOLLOW INSTANT CRUSH: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube

Photo credits: iStock/Getty Images Physical media has been on the rise again lately, experiencing a resurgence of interest as individuals build their collections of various items like CDs, vinyl, cassettes, and DVDs. If you're on social media, you've probably noticed this trend spreading wildly and maybe wondered to yourself why suddenly everyone is buying outdated media. To help answer that question, we've explored the reasons for this renewed interest and compiled them in this article, "The Resurgence of Physical Media: Why Physical Media is Making a Comeback." One of the main reasons people are becoming more interested in building their physical collections again is because they have a desire to have true ownership of the media they consume. Streaming and digital purchases have been leaving audiences scorned as licenses run out and different things like songs, movies, TV shows, and video games are no longer available on certain platforms. This can get quite frustrating when you've paid for something digitally just to have access to it ripped away. Building a physical collection of media to consume can help remedy this issue as you can always pop in a DVD or CD instead of having to hope that services like Netflix or Spotify won't take away access to your favorite show or song. Photo credits: iStock/Getty Images Streaming prices are another reason people are turning to physical media again. There have become too many streaming services to keep up with these days and it's frustrating when each one has some kind of exclusive content; some shows or movies are only available on a certain platform, leading people to need several different streaming services to keep up with the content they're interested in. With all the streaming services charging several dollars a month to subscribe, it can really blow a budget and make certain media inaccessible. Physical media helps with this as people have been able to find some of the content they're interested in cheaper through thrift stores or used marketplaces. Another huge reason consumers are finding themselves interested in physical media again is because of nostalgia. Many of us grew up in a day and age when physical media was king. We'd watch movies on VHS tapes or DVDs, listen to music on CDs, or game with game cartridges. There's a certain tactile appeal to handling the physical platforms we used to consume, letting us yearn for when times seemed simpler. Even if someone didn't grow up with certain physical media platforms, there's still a novelty to collecting and it creates a pretty cool aesthetic. It's also safe to say many of us are feeling fatigued when it comes to this digital age. We're constantly connected to screens and are victims to social media algorithms, so it's nice to be able to unplug from being online and consume media the old-fashioned way. Physical media can help with digital detoxing, something many of us struggle with as there's so much content constantly available at our fingertips. Moving towards using more physical media has been helping many individuals create healthier habits and switch to a more meaningful way of consuming content. Are you starting to shift away from digital media to physical again? What collections are you interested in building? Let us know on our socials! Written By Cheyenne Johnson Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

Sad alex and Grayson Foster have come together to release their new single, “Eyes First.” A love song straight out of the ‘80s, “Eyes First” comes with the feeling that could be captured in an old-school romance. Spunked up with synths and a fast beat, this single fully contrasts sad alex’s name, widening her and Foster’s discography. “Eyes First” describes the feeling of falling in love at first sight, with hopes that the other feels the same. While it may not be confirmed that love at first sight may be real, Foster and sad alex come forward with something that may contrast that statement. By falling in love “Eyes First,” both singers may have captured the feeling of falling fast and hard, along with a great addition to the music world. “Eyes First” is a definitive add to any playlist for daydreaming and wondering about how falling in love at first sight. With electrifying synths straight out of the ‘80s and fun vocals, “Eyes First” is definitely for those who are wanting to romanticize their lives before a first date. While it wasn’t what I expected, expectations are meant to be broken, as I ended up falling in love at first listen. The production and the vocals match up perfectly to create a catchy yet intimate single. “Eyes First” is a spunked up love song that is a great addition to any playlist, and will be a permanent staple on my own playlists. Sad alex is an American singer-songwriter. Ever since her debut single “Routine” released in 2019, sad alex has slowly been making her mark in the music world. As the nearly 200,000 monthly listeners sad alex has on Spotify listen to her discography, listeners are eager for more. Grayson Foster is also an American singer-songwriter, hailing from Nashville. Influenced by artists like Vampire Weekend and John Mayer, Foster has released an award-winning discography that’s hard to find anywhere else. If listeners would like to keep up with either sad alex’s or Grayson Foster’s new releases and new concert announcements, they can follow them on their respective social medias, linked down below.  Written By Abby Mornhinweg FOLLOW SAD ALEX: Instagram | Spotify FOLLOW GRAYSON FOSTER: Instagram   | Spotify

Emily O'Neal's tears fall with a splash of sarcasm and sparkle in her latest single, "I'm crying (in a cool way)." She teases puffy red eyes as a makeup trend and the strange spectrum of suffering when there's money in her pocket. "Give you the dollar in my wallet, I do my part/I'm a bummer stunner/Can't you see my life is so hard?" O'Neal playfully points at the irony, crying while she takes so much for granted. It's the moments we find ourselves upset after work, even though we're wearing Adidas sneakers (and waiting on our paycheck). Yet, her lyrics don't come from a place of judgment. O'Neal never invalidates the broken relationships, rejection letters, or coffee stains in your favorite shirt. She has the timing of a best friend who knows when to crack a joke during the breakdown. O'Neal sings, "Don't you know that I'm the owner of this house/ And I built all the bricks that I complain about." Underneath it all, there's a sense of gratitude. So Emily O'Neal flaunts her sadness like a Swarovski necklace. "I'm crying (in a cool way)" turns a pounding heart into a source of adrenaline. The drums hit like slamming your bedroom door after a stressful day (whether it's a difficult encounter in customer service or the question you forgot on the midterm). It opens with an Olivia Rodrigo Guts  bass, and the drama buzzes in every vibration. The arpeggio adds this feeling of ascension–that euphoria after crying. The cyclical pattern favors this emotional rollercoaster, from breaking down to second-guessing herself to letting go and laughing. Lead synths sparkle like those small glimmers in tears. Autotune-filtered vocals add a confetti-pop of celebration over her voice, intentional like PinkPanthress's music. You'll be smiling like the 2026 gold medalist Alysa Liu on the ice, free-flowing and happy. O'Neal ties the same knot between the ropes of struggle and liveliness. Beaming through the falls and failures on the way to the top, there's glamor.  Emily O'Neal finds herself in music with the same celebratory power that she uses to find coolness in each teardrop. She started piano lessons at age 6, voice lessons at age 10, and writing at age 13. After listening to Taylor Swift’s 1989, her passion for songwriting was clear. She moved from her hometown, Starke, Florida, to Nashville, Tennessee. Since then, she has opened for pop singer Olivia O'Brien, played a sold-out show at the Bluebird Cafe, and was a 2021 John Lennon Scholarship winner for her single “Paint Me.” You can check out her debut album Bird’s Eye View and her recent singles, using the links below. Written By Taylor Sheridan Lempke FOLLOW EMILY O'NEAL: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

"Being a girlfriend is temporary. Being the hot ex is forever,” said Leah Kate about her new single, "World's Best Ex-Girlfriend." Despite this, the single is full of emotion in a slow build-up to the final chorus. “I wrote this song after we broke up. His family and friends were more devastated than him. This song is for every ex-girlfriend who was the best part of his life." The track captures Kate's post-breakup transformation and the dire consequences for her ex-boyfriend, who’s left wondering why she's been left alone. The single seeks to motivate listeners to flourish after a heartbreak. Set against a stripped-back guitar, the production forces his "worst regret" into the spotlight, pairing blunt lyricism with powerhouse vocals that no future girl could ever deliver. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Leah Kate has been redefining the genres of pop and alternative music from the start. The 2x Gold-certified singer of “10 Things I Hate About You” began her journey on YouTube, sharing song covers. Kate quickly made waves with her breakout hit “F*ck Up the Friendship,” going viral on TikTok and has been streamed over 90 million times on Spotify. Kate’s songwriting prowess extends beyond her own music; she has writing credits on Kesha’s “Attention” and recently featured on Steve Aoki’s “Talk About Love.” She joined pop icon Madison Beer on the European leg of her Life Support Tour, and Chase Atlantic on their Cold Nights Tour, and headlined her own tour, named after her third EP, "Alive and Unwell." Kate is the definition of a go-getter; the independent rising pop artist runs a full-service label for herself out of her bedroom. She is her own manager, creative director, A&R, label head, artist, and publicist all in one. Her music feels like the 90s have met the 2020s - bringing a retro electro pop sound that's passionate and brimming with hope. The one thing her songs all have in common is that they are very truthful and reflective of her life. “No matter what kind of song I'm releasing, whether it’s a disco dance pop song or just me on guitar, the lyrics have to matter and be very truthful to my life.” With the release of her latest album, Kate is gearing up to headline her world tour, "The Genius Tour," set to kick off in May of 2026. Listen to "World's Best Ex-Girlfriend," wherever you stream your music! Written By Deanna Moody FOLLOW LEAH KATE: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube

Kid Sistr delivers a romantic, wistful ballad about queer love in their new single "American Teenage Prophecy." The song is accompanied by a narrative music video that showcases the band members recreating traditional coming-of-age moments in sapphic relationships across time and place. Kid Sistr considers what moments and relationships could have fulfilled the proposed prophecy for American life if queer people existed in a world that celebrated them. The song exemplifies the power gentle love has against even the harshest of hate. The lyrics in the chorus personify this feeling. Kid Sistr sings, "Die for love, the politicians can't stop the rush, the medication's not strong enough to keep me away from you." The instrumental base of "American Teenage Prophecy" mirrors the soft yet compelling emotional depth of the ballad's lyrics. Acoustic guitar strums set the stage for a light, melodic piano track that continues organically throughout the song. Guitarist and lead singer Sabel's delicate vocals convey the messy, sweet, and brutal business of falling in love. The piano repeats, rising in frequency before taking a brief pause, after which the percussion kicks in. In the last minute of the song, percussive instrumentals pair with a building piano that brings the song's finale to a satisfying release ending in fading airy vocalizing. The final lyrics repeat the phrase "Teenage Prophecy" followed by the final acoustic strums that wrap up the single. Kid Sistr is made up of three native New Yor kers: bassist Sara Keden, guitarist Sabel Englert, and drummer Becca Webster. “American Teenage Prophecy” follows on the heels of the band’s recently released single “ Shitshow . ” The indie pop band, currently based out of Los Angeles, also navigates between musical genres of indie rock and dreamy alt-pop. I, along with many other listeners, first fell in love with their sound after hearing the hit single "Dallas" released in 2020. Kid Sistr has toured alongside musicians K. Flay, Willow, and Carly Rae Jepsen, among others. Averaging over 80,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and a following of over 140,000 on Instagram, Kid Sistr is undeniably carving out a loyal audience, powered by their fresh sound and charm. Written By Azalea Withrow FOLLOW KID SISTR: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Drawing on the whimsy of a favorite breakfast cereal, Callie Young's charming love song, "lucky charms" captures the desire to be close to someone. The speaker of this song follows an unassumingly deep train of thought, connecting the dots to all the possible romantic connotations of the song's namesake cereal. Luck and clovers, and alluring lyrics like "magically delicious, just a couple kisses" take listeners into a colorful portrayal of romance. Unapologetically bold, the chorus insists "I can be your lucky charm." A beacon of positivity and longing, this immersive track is perfect for listeners who like to get lost in the light-hearted sweetness of love. Bright and whimsical, this track blends folk and pop styles into a playful expression of romance. Opening the track, acoustic and electric guitars accompany soft percussion in a way that leans into the signature feeling of indie warmth, continuing through the verse. Through the verse, there is storytelling sound to the singing that offers a rounded, comforting feeling, further embraced by the acoustic guitar. The chorus breaks into the realm of dreamy pop with Callie's melodic, breathy vocals escalating and joining electronic instrumentals. A testament to the love-struck fun expression of the song, speak-singing layers emphatically project throughout. Repetition into the end of the track is both bright and resonant at the same time, keeping the sweet, sweet emotions fresh in listeners' minds. Callie Young is a Nashville-based, Colorado-born-and-raised country/folk/pop musician whose musical career emerged from collaborating with her elder brother and fellow musician Garrett Young. Together, they formed a band and joined Chevel Shepherd on stage, touring as an opener for names like Little Big Town and Lee Brice. With 155 000 annual listeners on Spotify, collaborations with artists like Nate Fragassi , and a discography of emotion-driven, storytelling songs. Callie's powerful music continues to grow. Follow her music with the links below. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW CALLIE: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok

There are so many versions of ourselves we step into throughout our life. The people in our lives during these moments play a huge part in who we are. It’s easy to miss varients of who we used to be when there was someone of importance in your life. You step into a version of yourself that you admire and when they leave, it feels like you lose that sense of self. Makena Tate put out her new single “Missing Me” about being reminded of who you once were when you were with somebody and missing that. The track is packed with anger, sadness, envy towards your past self and the bittersweet feeling of acceptance. If you’re mourning a past love, this is the track for you. “Missing Me” is a dark alt-pop anthem that leaves you grieving all the best parts of yourself. The vulnerability of understanding it’s okay to miss versions of yourself that once existed with someone else. “Cause every time that I miss you, I start missing me.” Makena laid herself bare in her lyricism and faced her pain head first. She found safety and comfort in this person and once they left, it felt like those were ripped away from her. It’s hard to find the line between pining for what you once had and who you were when you had it. With a gloomy bass line, hard hitting drums, haunting harmonies and emotion filled vocals, “Missing Me” has you drowning in that longing. Let yourself feel it all because it’s the only way to heal and move forward. Makena Tate is an alt-pop singer songwriter who picks up her skeletons in the closet and throws them straight into the party. She started her career in the genre of indie-folk, but she has since shed that skin to step into the moody pop that carries you through every late night drive home. In her writing, she doesn’t flinch at chaos, heartbreak, or the moments where you stare at your reflection and wonder if you recognize the person staring back at you. She doesn’t sugarcoat what she feels, she keeps it raw with a touch of bittersweetness. She believes in taking the uncomfortable moments and twisting them into songs you want to scream along to. “Missing Me” was the last of three singles that Makena has released in preparation for her album rollout that begins next month. Follow the links down below so you can stay up to date with the release of her debut album. Written By Emylee Herring FOLLOW MAKENA TATE: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube