Relying on your partner for happiness is one thing, but having them be your only source is something completely else. Zach Hood’s “dopamine” knows this well, and with this being his first release of 2024, it kicks off the new year with a single that wants you to know that if the love in a relationship isn’t sustaining the both of you– or one of you isn’t in the right place to do so– then it’s okay to let go and remember what you had, fondly. A somber ballad, “dopamine” combines stormy imagery and soft beats to illustrate a relationship that clings in spite of the problems it brings. Sometimes, it’s nobody’s fault that a relationship ends, and if it isn’t the right time or the right person, then there’s no shame in ending things. I love a good ballad and Hood absolutely provides that in “dopamine”. Soft piano and synth draw you in by creating a soundscape that feels vast and wide, like standing at the edge of a cliff; you’re encased in a sonic experience that is immersive and colored with deep emotion. And, like with most songs, I’ve completely latched onto the songwriting. Hood artfully manages to capture what it feels like to be in a relationship that is slowly crumbling, bit by bit, in a song with lyrics that are just as poetic as the instrumentals. I really love the line “I know this feelin’ isn’t home”, which drives just how much this relationship has deteriorated. The chorus is especially phenomenal; combined with Hood’s smooth and evocative vocals and the pining percussion, it’s that one part of the song that you won’t be able to stop humming with how hooky it is. The expert songwriting and passionate vocals make "dopamine" a fantastic heartbreak anthem; it's a vibrant combination of everything that makes songs about the end of relationships so addictive and relatable. Zach Hood was born and raised in Daphne, Alabama. With over 200 million streams across his first six singles, placements on Spotify’s Pop Rising, and an appearance on the Global Viral 50 chart, it’s a simple thing to say that Hood is a pop phenomenon. He specializes in blending poignant emotions with that pop touch that is honest, earnest, and personable. While he began posting social media content, he eventually signed a record deal with Arista. His first visit to a recording studio produced his 2020 hit “Flashbacks” which has amassed over 49 million streams on Spotify to date. Likewise, his 2022 debut EP “BLOSSOM” has done just as well, with its most popular track “never knew a heart could break itself” having over 36 million streams on Spotify. “dopamine” is Hood’s latest release and is absolutely the next addition to your playlists. Written By Alexa Leung FOLLOW ZACH HOOD: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube | SoundCloud

BANNERS just released a duet version of his 2022 song “Perfectly Broken” with Lily Meola. The song has a heartfelt and inspiring message that your jagged edges from your flaws can fit perfectly into someone’s else's jagged edges. Humans aren’t perfect, but we can still find someone to love. BANNERS sings the first verse, starting off the song by saying that he’s still falling apart in his old ways. He wants to be flawless, but once “[she] told [him] her name,” everything fell perfectly into place. He’s so happy to find her, and he never wants to let go. In the chorus, he recognizes that everyone is broken and has some missing pieces, but BANNERS believes that this girl is “perfectly broken for [him].” Lily sings the second verse, and starts by addressing his insecurities, telling him he shouldn’t listen to the people who believe he’s anything less than he is. She believes that “all the scars and bruises/they’re what make you human.” Lily reassures him that they don’t need fixing because they fit together perfectly, and they don’t need to change a thing. “Perfectly Broken” perfectly balances deep emotions while also being uplifting at the same time. The verses have a bit more of a modern pop production style, but the track really leans into that ballad-like feel in the chorus, with the large presence of a string orchestra in the background. The final chorus and the outro has such a prominent string section that it gives the cinematic feel to it, like it could be played at the climax of a movie. BANNERS and Lily’s vocals blend perfectly together, and the harmonies in the second chorus are absolutely gorgeous. The harmonies in instrumental break before the last chorus adds even more emotion to the song. Overall, “Perfectly Broken” is a track that has powerful lyricism, warm melodies, and a beautiful build of instrumentation into the end of the song. Micheal Joseph Nelson, professionally known as BANNERS, is a UK indie-pop singer that has been putting out hits since 2016. Since his first release, “BANNERS”, he has amassed well over 1 billion streams on Spotify. His song “Someone to You” has over 750 million streams on Spotify, and was even able to perform this song as a celebrity duet partner on Season 16 of American Idol. He is set to embark on a 15-show tour across the UK starting May 7th, 2024. Lily Meola is a singer-songwriter born and raised in Maui, Hawaii. She started performing locally in bars at age 11, but people first started hearing her name with her duet with family friend Willie Nelson in 2013. She was also featured on season 17 of America’s Got Talent, and got 3rd place. Lily has been releasing music since 2016, with her first album “They Say.” Since then, her single “Daydream” off her 2022 EP “Daydream” has garnered over 60 million streams, and she boasts nearly 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Written By Lauren DiGiovanni FOLLOW BANNERS: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube | Website FOLLOW Lily Meola: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube | Website

Maya Malkin just dropped her first single of 2024 "affirmations! affirmations!" on January 18. The energetic dance pop track is an ode to manifestation and self-confidence. It's easy to get bogged down in comparing ourselves to others and doubting that we have the ability to succeed as much as we want to. Here, Malkin enthusiastically uplifts listeners with the idea that we simply need to believe we can be successful in order to do so. The song was inspired by a conversation with her producer about how the difference between succeeding and not could come down to just whether you have a positive outlook on it. "affirmations! affirmations!" is a fun pop track about the importance of a positive mindset when it comes to reaching success. In this song, Malkin sings about becoming "rich and famous" and "in my beat up car, I'm a superstar." The song's sentiment on manifesting the future you want is delivered with a high-energy pop production and lyrics that cannot help but inspire you. As the track begs us to consider, why can't we achieve all the same things as other people? Why can't we wake up with grins on our faces and just seize the day? While Malkin sings about "making millions in my best friend's basement," her infectious mindset had me also recognize there is some power in delusion and telling ourselves that we've already made it big. Toronto-based rising pop artist Maya Malkin sprang into the music scene first with her band Motel Raphael, who played a few festivals and even opened for Tegan and Sara. Then, in 2020, she released her first solo single, "Hostage." She blends glossy pop production with hard-hitting lyricism in a sound that will keep you wanting to listen more. Her first album Congratulations dropped in February 2023. If you are looking for an artist that is willing to pour her heart out into her music and dress that vulnerability up in a fun upbeat soundscape, then Maya Malkin is the perfect artist to add to your next playlist. Written By Sydney Gray FOLLOW MAYA MALKIN: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube | Website

Abandon the Fall's newest single, "Matches," featuring the band Dreamhouse, is a fiery alt-rock banger about heartbreak and passion. The concept of the track is poetically relatable: our hearts are matchboxes, and the pains we live through are the matches that ignite it. Abandon the Fall pitched this idea to Dreamhouse, and the track came to fruition and became what it is today. The two acts have a strong musical chemistry. Abandon the Fall's ear for production complements Dreamhouse's heavy rock aesthetic perfectly. The intricate instrumental features blasting guitar riffs and pounding drums, while Brianna Moffat's vocals are powerful and assertive. What results is a song that sonically encapsulates its lyrical themes of vulnerability and struggle. "Matches" is a headbanger that also emotionally resonates; it is a track to blast in the car or scream out to when you need it. In an interview with Illustrate Magazine, Abandon the Fall's creator, Juan Espinoza says that his musical project is "a sound representation of the human experience that is consistently honest, vulnerable at times, and balanced between strength and weakness." This goal comes through evidently in "Matches." The single is an authentic representation of intense emotional turmoil. Lyrical moments like "All my frustration has overtaken every thought and how I feel like a match" are poignant, poetic takes on heartbreak and rage. "Matches" is a smartly constructed track. Every element works harmoniously to create a passionate and dynamic piece of music. The metaphor of the match is a clever take on fury that corresponds with its fierce backing tune. The song is also a gradual build, with the verses starting quieter, only for the chorus to belt out vocally and sonically. "Matches" is a cathartic listen that stands out as an outstanding new rock ballad. Houston, Texas native Juan Espinoza started releasing music under the project Abandon the Fall in 2021. Their first release, the four-track EP "Infinite Seasons," was an entirely solo project that featured songs like "Forever" and "October Sky." However, soon after, the musical act began working with collaborators like Dayshell and Dreamhouse on tracks like "Exhale," "Devours You," and, of course, "Matches." All these tracks currently have a combined number of over 175,000 streams on Spotify. Espinoza says that punk bands like Linkin Park greatly influenced him when creating the project, which comes through clearly, as Abandon the Fall focuses on rock-heavy sounds and authentic lyrics. With only about a dozen songs under its belt, the musical act has already established itself as a talented and exciting new project to look forward to. Abandon the Fall and "Matches" are available to listen to now on streaming platforms. Written By Lauren Nolan FOLLOW MATCHES: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube | *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

There’s something about a comeback that gets me so excited to listen to music, and the band june is coming back stronger than before! After a hiatus of nearly three years, our ears were blessed with their latest single, “Cross Bridges.” The song, from how I interpreted it, is about facing difficult situations and coming out stronger in the end. The message translates similarly to june’s return as a band. This song was super fun, and even had a killer animated music video accompaniment. You can tell a lot of thought and care went into the making and release of this song. The chorus is also written very well! “Bout time that I face it / Cause there’s no other way out / Cross bridges, cross bridges / First I’ve gotta take it.” I think as far as comeback songs go, this one checks every box. Killer lyrics (check), alluring vocals (double check), and an entertaining music video (triple check)! I really want to give kudos to the animators for the music video! For me, I tend to gain a deeper appreciation for music when I can tell a lot of care and dedication went into making the music video. And for “Cross Bridges,” it’s obvious. It gave off the same vibe as an adult swim show, while also being able to display everyone’s personalities clearly through their characters. I absolutely loved everything about this song and video, genuinely, hats off. june is a band that first started releasing music in 2019, starting with their hit debut single, “Chills,” which currently has around 1.5 million streams on Spotify. Up until 2021, the band released six more singles, two of them being acoustic versions. However, despite the hiatus, the band continued to rack in streams on their previous songs. As of today, on Spotify they get around 190,000 monthly streams. Their biggest single, “A Little Messed Up,” has almost 30 million total streams! And fans can expect more to come in 2024, including the band finally releasing their debut album! I think the response to this band’s long-awaited return speaks volumes, and I can’t wait to hear what else they have in store for us. Written By Isabel Mays FOLLOW JUNE: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube

Pop-punk band NLM calls for listeners to live life to the fullest and live for something meaningful in their new song, "Isn't It Obvious?" The track encourages audiences to abandon materialistic and superficial mindsets, trading those lifestyles in for something deeper and more significant. We only get one life, so we might as well make the absolute most of it. Elaborating on the song's meaning, NLM states, "Sometimes, the most profound truths in life are easy to understand but difficult to follow through on. That's the meaning behind our new song, 'Isn't it Obvious?' Embedded in driving drums and soaring guitars are lyrics challenging the listener to abandon materialism and superficiality for the deeper truths in life. It's a call to reject half-living for something deeper and more meaningful." Immersing listeners into an unapologetically pop-punk soundscape, "Isn't It Obvious?" gets the blood pumping with its energetic mood and anthemic hooks. The track features pounding drums and face-melting guitar riffs, propelling the song forward and keeping audiences enthralled from start to finish. It's clear that NLM draws inspiration from established, popular pop-punk acts, incorporating compelling vocal melodies that are reminiscent of artists like MGK and Yungblud. A truly gripping composition, "Isn't It Obvious?" is an incredible addition to the pop-punk world. A pop-punk band on the rise, NLM is an international band based in Minneapolis and boasts members from across the globe. They draw inspiration from the golden era of pop-punk, infusing modern, contemporary elements into their sound to create a unique approach to the genre. Matching the intensity of their music, NLM's live shows are a spectacle to be seen, immersing audiences into a captivating multi-sensory performance. Some of their popular songs on Spotify include "Dying Inside (Without You)," "Medicated," "Hearsay," and "Ur the Air I Breathe." Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW NLM: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube | Website

“Foolish” by youcallmecarla is a relatable confessional that details the heartbreak and self-hatred that comes when you fall for someone who isn’t looking for a relationship. As captured by the title of the song, wanting to be in a relationship with someone who is making no effort to be in one makes you feel stupid. Rationally, you know better than to try and pursue this person who only wants to hook up, but emotionally it’s hard to reconcile the intensity of your feelings with the reality of the situation. Youcallmecarla puts this into words perfectly, with lyrics like “I hate the way I am/ When I’m falling/ Waiting for texts at 3 AM/ from people who never saw me as an equal.” Being aware of the fact that you can do so much better than this person and yet you still want them is difficult and painful to work through, and youcallmecarla addresses these complex emotions beautifully.  The song has a soft, bedroom pop sound, with a steady drum beat and gentle electric guitar progressions. The production isn’t overbearing, allowing youcallmecarla’s vocals and lyrics to shine. The song is upbeat but with a melancholy undertone, which parallels how she is trying her best to hide her heartbreak, but ultimately can’t ignore how she feels. Youcallmecarla has a warm, husky voice that feels as intimate like the lyrics. She seamlessly bounces between a soft tone that feels vulnerable, and a more aggressive tone when calling out all of the red flags in the relationship. "Foolish" feels like a friend confiding in a friend, which makes it feel even more personal. Youcallmecarla began crafting her own songs at fifteen and has since become a standout presence in the industry. With a calming voice, haunting lyrics, and a unique sound, Carla is a breath of fresh air in the music scene. Her latest release, "another lack," beautifully encapsulates raw heartbreak and self-reflection. Embracing her distinctive style and personality, Carla's music resonates with those who appreciate genuine storytelling. Join her journey from the start and experience the captivating allure of youcallmecarla's artistry. Written By Rachael Bach FOLLOW youcallmecarla: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | Twitter

“Sick of Self Love” isn’t a motivational song, it's not another hyper pop piece about how beautiful the anonymous listener is.  It is so much better.  It offers relatability and honesty where it isn't always welcome.  The idea that the seemingly feminist or positive ideals of today's culture could be tiring is taboo, but understood by most.  The comparison and the competition in a visual world is exhausting, and the exhaustion over it taints the image wanting to be achieved, so it’s nearly never addressed.  But She Is Jules says what we're all thinking in an expressive and upbeat way that opens the conversation.  “Sick of Self Love” doesn’t bring down the narrative of positivity, or encourage insecurity, but rather encourages individuality and acceptance when these negative pieces of life inevitably appear. The song itself sounds as modern as its lyrics with electric instrumentals maintaining its upbeat course throughout, the subtle but skillful audio beginning at the start of the piece with an underlying base note.  She Is Jules sings in a rhythmic, repetitive, way with this- subconsciously creating the feeling in the listener that she feels each day: tired.  When she opens up about her exhaustion with the mental beauty standards, and more so, decides to break free from them, the piece is instantly lifted and the chorus begins.  She sings, this portion of the song in particular, with a talent that has so clearly been perfected, higher in range and reminiscent of other current pop stars such as Olivia Rodrigo.  Every detail of “Sick of Self Love” made its themes shout even louder and formed it into the ideal piece to sing along to on repeat.    Julianna Pollifrone, otherwise known as She Is Jules, began creating music extremely early in life.  She grew up in the Bay Area where, at only eight years old, she started playing guitar and exploring her creativity in music.  In 2017 she released the first of many singles, “Eyes Shut”, and almost immediately made a name for herself.  She stood out as a pop artist to keep an eye on and had the sound of one everyone was already watching.  Her audience is beginning to match her work with her Spotify now holding over 120 million streams and her social media accounts having thousands of followers each.  Between collaborations with other artists and the outstanding work she’s done for film and TV, Pollifrone has been busy.  “Sick of Self Love” is incredible and almost certainly not all she has in store, follow her below and stream it today to stay up to date. Written By Hailey Schap FOLLOW SHE IS JULES: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok   | Facebook  | YouTube | Website

“IDWTAY” delves into the complicated emotions behind wanting to move on from a toxic situationship while your feelings still linger on it. There was once a relationship in your life that was undefined, wild yet fleeting. You’ve felt secure in your decision to replace them and continue without thinking of them. Neither of you want to admit that you crave the dynamic you once had no matter how toxic it may have been. There is a thrill in the chase that occasionally pulls them back in. A simple text asking you to come over makes you melt into their arms, only to be burned later when they ghost you yet again. You know you don’t want any part of them yet you find yourself craving the taste yet again. But at the back of your mind, you have the knowledge that they still want you as much as you do. Click here to listen to "IDWTAY"! “IDWTAY” is an energetic pop-punk anthem that is as energetic and powerful as the feelings this relationship brings about. Every line introduces a powerfully prominent vocal that is constant throughout. Dela Kay proudly belts each word in the chorus so the complicated emotions are easily felt. The upbeat aggressive nature of this single are reflected throughout the lyrics as well. Each situation that brings us back into the situationship is laid out against how badly we want to just forget about it all. It is exhilarating yet reflective through the encaptivating lyricism. The punk-reminiscent instrumentation leans into explicit rebellious yet toxic situations occurring. Every punch-kick beat and guitar riff tie every element together into an explosively enjoyable experience. Dela Kay is a singer-songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee. She has always had a passion for creating music that was noticed from an early age. She went to The Chicago College of Performing arts at the Theater Conservatory at Roosevelt University and diligently studied musical theater. Her career took off in 2014 when she collaborated with Grammy winner singer-songwriter Femke Weidema. In 2016, she released her debut single “9 out of 10”. She has since released more singles which has amassed an impressive amount of positive reception and streams on various music streaming platforms. Make sure to follow her on social media and give “IDWTAY” a listen! Written By Willow Gray FOLLOW DELA KAY: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube

Jack Miller's much-anticipated Bedroom Bops EP is two years in the making, with Walk This Way being the most recent addition to the project. This track is a bonified dreamer's ballad – elevated by Jack's poetic lyricism and shining vocals, listeners are sure to feel the warming sense of optimism this song is meant to invoke. Walk This Way conveys the oh so relatable feeling of wanting to unburden yourself from life's limitations in order to chase your dreams; a sentiment that is epitomized in the lines "take my hand we can get away, don't look down as we fly away to better days". This is a single listeners are sure to gravitate to and play on repeat, due in thanks to Miller's ability to relate to his audience through his whimsical lyrics and entrancing voice. Walk This Way opens with an arpeggiated synth and tastefully layered guitar/strings sections before Jack's voice shines through on an early hook. The song's beat is reminiscent of 90s era hip hop with saturated/re-sampled drums that have an iconic swing to the groove. By combining this beat with the track's already groovy guitars and synth, Walk This Way provides listeners with a truly dynamic soundscape. The entire tune is basically the same progression with instrumental elements brought in and out to give the track an arrangement. With a strong hook, Jack's vocals emphasize this arrangement, so the continuous drum loop never feels repetitive. The song winds down with the same synth arpeggio from the intro, bringing everything full circle, and closing with a surprising solo bass outro to put a bow on it. Jack Miller is an indie pop artist hailing from New York who known for his uniquely brilliant sound, best described as a fusion of varying genres. Jack's sound blends a bevy of different styles – like indie pop, alternative hip hop, RnB, and many more – to create a sonic amalgam for his audience's auditory consumption. Miller is a (relatively) recent college grad who has pivoted to focusing more on his music in the past year or so. After seemingly trading study hall for studio time, Miller's discography has begun to grow (much to the delight of fans), and his musical career appears pointed on an upwards trajectory. Written By Dan Caddigan FOLLOW JACK MILLER: Instagram   | Spotify  | Soundcloud  | Twitter   *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Sitting in an airport daydreaming about the person you were supposed to be sitting with? Lottie McLeod has just the song for you. McLeod wrote “Never Gonna See You Again,” her latest release, about a friend who had experienced a breakup right before a trip they would take with their romantic partners. McLeod, watching her friend throughout the trip, wrote “Never Gonna See You Again” to take place at the airport right before getting on the airplane, with McLeod stating that “as a writer, [she] often reflect[s] on [her] own life and experiences to draw inspiration, but sometimes…[she’s] influenced by the events and relationships around [her].” McLeod writes about this experience with so much thought and empathy that the listener feels like they’re going through it with her. McLeod sings about what could’ve been with this song, using her friend's perspective to inspire the music. I loved the production of this song–if you’re a fan of Lizzy McAlpine, this song is right up your alley. Its indie production hits in all the right places, with the music starting at a slow tempo and progressively building throughout the song. Not only that, but McLeod’s lyrics are the star of the show for me. I’m especially a fan of the lines “wear me thin, wear me out / where are you now that I need you?” The lyrics and McLeod’s vocals, along with the indie production, lead to a great listening experience that fans of McLeod’s, new and old, will relate to and be able to connect to McLeod on a new level with her storytelling. Lottie McLeod is an Australian singer-songwriter hailing from Brisbane. McLeod’s other songs, “Happy Birthday” and “Bridge,” have led her to become an acclaimed singer. Winning the Queensland Music Award in the Youth category for the song “Happy Birthday,” McLeod is on her way to making waves in the mainstream. With her songs taking after the likes of singers such as Gracie Abrams and Lizzy McAlpine, McLeod will set waves in the indie and pop scenes. With McLeod loving to perform live and to meet people who resonate with her lyrics, a live experience from her is bound to excel. I can’t wait to see what McLeod has in store for the next step of her career. Written By Abby Mornhinweg FOLLOW LOTTIE MCLEOD: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Get ready for a wild ride of relatable post-breakup emotions as LO LA reveals her newest hit, " happy 4 u ." Breakups are messy. Managing the pain of separation from someone you love is rough, but seeing them move on and find happiness with someone new makes it more complex. With LO LA, we see her bouncing back and forth between trying to find the peace in being single after her ex failed to change, and not knowing how to feel after seeing them be happy with another person. She wants to move on, but the emotional baggage is holding her back. “ happy 4 u ” captures the messy reality of a break-up as we follow LO LA navigating through the complexities of the moving on process. The song opens up with LO LA’s unanswered questions. She raises suspicions about her ex, and expresses her dissatisfaction in the relationship. All LO LA wanted was happiness, but instead experiences broken promises of change after repeated chances. After deciding to separate because of this, she later watches him flaunt his newfound joy with someone else. This left LO LA’s head spinning. She sarcastically sings, “ Oh I’m so happy for you. I just love hearing you talk about her and how you’re good without us. Now that you’re with someone new, call me sayin’ that you love her now. Oh you’re just so good without us screwed up .” Her unique voice, melodies, and ability of storytelling perfectly explains and captures the confusing thoughts and feelings that everyone experiences in a breakup. When describing the songwriting process, she states, “ When I wrote 'happy 4 u,' I was digging into that messy post-breakup stuff, trying to turn it into a song that everyone could feel in their own way .” LO LA is an emerging pop singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. Her sound is a blend of indie, alternative and dream-pop. Her musical journey sparked in highschool, realizing that she was meant to be an artist in the middle of a performance where she, “ Felt such a high that I had an out-of-body experience .” Since then, her numbers have exploded. Across various platforms, she has over 100 million streams. She has also been a chart-topper in Indonesia for three consecutive weeks. A strong connection with fans worldwide is maintained with nightly Tik Tok live sessions where she sings, takes requests and promotes her music releases with fans that lasts for hours. This clearly shows her appreciation of those that listen to her and a commitment to reaching more audiences. Her efforts in creating music, connecting with fans and growing her audience continues to yield positive results, such as having multiple songs featured of various Spotify playlists. These include: SALT, Created by Women, New Pop Picks, Aesthetic, Fresh Finds, Indie Pop, Songs to Scream in the Car, and Pop Rising. Keep up with LO LA by clicking on the links below, and check out “ happy 4 u ” out now! Written By Sneet Efrem FOLLOW LO LA: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube | Website