LOGAN wrote this one for all the recovering people-pleasers out there who couldn’t help but bend backwards for people who wouldn’t have done the same for you. “Not the Problem” is an anthemic song all about letting go and embracing your authenticity. It’s pop rock at its finest– LOGAN’s powerful vocals mingle with vulnerable lyrics about friendship to create a cathartic track that makes you want to sing along. It carries an important message about realizing your importance and acknowledges that doing your best never means you're the problem; by surrounding yourself with those who celebrate you for you, and who you want to be, you too can rid yourself of overthinking and those who just want to use your kindness for their own selfish means. If you’re the type to give and give and give, “Not the Problem” is going to speak to you in a way that only you can understand. Ardent percussion, strings, and vocals, “Not the Problem” has that quintessential pop rock vibe that grows into a crescendo, a coming wave, as each verse piles on top of one another to form a chorus that is the build-up of sheer emotion. LOGAN does a fantastic job of both writing and providing the vocals for her latest track, but where they meet in perfect harmony is definitely in the chorus, which tends to be my favorite part of any good pop rock song. Just the way she sings “I was naïve thinking everybody had such/good intentions” flows beautifully, and I simply adore how each word eats into the next, making the lyrics feel almost like a rushing stream teeming with feeling and catharsis. The verses, though, are much quieter and understated, but all this does is emphasize the amount of power behind the chorus each time it comes around; with the crash of percussion and intense guitar, “Not the Problem” is exactly what I love about pop rock, especially from one such song with an extremely important message about embracing yourself and self-confidence. LOGAN, AKA Logan Welborn, is a singer-songwriter whose blending of soul, folk, and rock with pop creates a soundscape that could only belong to her. While she is originally from North Carolina, she moved to Los Angeles after her graduation from Duke University, which allowed her to perform at tons of well-known venues ranging from the Viper Room to Hotel Cafe, to name a few. At Duke University, she was an artist with the student-run record label Small Town Records. Her debut single “Mixed Signals” dropped in 2019 and since then she’s released three other singles, including “Not the Problem”. Currently, “Not the Problem” is LOGAN’s latest release, and if you enjoy the sounds of Kelly Clarkson and Olivia Rodrigo, then you’ll find solace in LOGAN's similar tunes, although with that special touch of hers that makes it unmistakably LOGAN. Written By Alexa Leung FOLLOW LOGAN:

Making memorable pop, especially in the contemporary state of saturation, requires an understanding and commitment to developing character and personality. Kahone Concept has spent his music career demonstrating this perfectly: imbuing each song with its own charm and concept. "Trashy State Of Mine" is quirk-fueled pop at its slickest. Layers of vocals bend and accent each line about feeling unglamorous in glamorous places. "My trashy habits follow me," he exclaims before a delayed, new wave synth ripples through the mix. Kahone cites Prince as a major reference for this song, and there are faint flavors of 1999 -era funk-pop synths and choral coos. The subtle-and-sweet guitar and drum machine certainly points towards Prince's Dirty Mind album. But "Trashy State of Mind" is structured more loosely and smoothly, matching Kahone's unserious humor in interviews. The song feels like a funhouse of warped mirrors and neon lights, bursting with confetti and idiosyncrasy. That description, of a funhouse, is particularly apt to the song's sense of displacement. Lines such as, "if it's free that's where I'll be," are delivered and arranged to sound pretty luxurious. Inspired by a gig in a Manhattan social club, Kahone flaunts his less glamorous habits as though they are hedonistic escapades. "Looks like I'll get my hotel pool on!" Just as Prince penned "1999" to partying through impending doom, Kahone Concept pens "Trashy State of Mind" to partying through an overdrawn bank account. "I've got nothing on my mind; I'm just floating," he hums in the first verse. Without the burden of shame, fun and joy can take centerstage over pride and insecurity. Being a software developer and singer/songwriter have served Ben Kahone's artistry in surprising ways. Whether it's coding his own website (linked below) or coding websites to help other artists find playlists, having the technological backgrounds goes hand-in-hand with his work under the Kahone Concept project. Releasing his first song in 2018, Kahone shortly followed it up with his debut EP, And Then, My Five. In 2020, Kahone began releasing on a consistent basis, but nothing could quite match his pace beginning in April of 2023. That's when the artist began his plans to release a song a month for twelve months. "Trashy State of Mind" is Kahone's ninth song in the project, which has been a thrilling display of his characterful pop sound. Written By Andy M. FOLLOW Kahone Concept:

The fear of opinions from other people can trap us in a cage, stopping us from pursuing our passions. It stops us from pursuing activities we’re interested in, which would have led to discovering more about ourselves, and finding peace in that. Judgemental people and social media have made this challenging, which has led many of us to hesitate and second guess expressing ourselves whether it's in a post, or something we’d like to say or do. It sounds pretty crazy considering the simple concept of having free will in this world, but we all go through it. In JAÏNDA’s song “ Little Bird ,” she shares the little things that give her peace in life, while also thinking about new things she thinks she’d find joy in, and how much better trying them out would feel if she no longer worried about what other people might say about it. JAÏNDA says that contemplating new things you’d like to do and sacrificing your happiness or new passions because of the fear of others’ opinions should have been thrown out the window as a child. I agree because the inner peace and confidence we would’ve gained and found from then until now would have been incredible. Being happy, glowing, and enjoying the world of free will is our birthright. Trying things out, and not knowing where it’ll take you, but enjoying yourself along the way without anyone stopping you is such a cool ride through life: “ Driving in my car without a destination. Underneath the stars, it’s such a strange sensation. I don’t know what I’ll become. ” JAÏNDA continues exploring all the things she’s ever wanted to, only to find a sense of beauty in the world that she's never seen before. The verse, “ Climbing high trees, a great big world to see. What I used to be feels like a cage to me. Little bird, little bird, stop hiding your wings now ” is JAÏNDA realizing how far she’s come in the process of growth and self-discovery. She now sees what it's like to stop hiding the wings that she had all along to help her fly and be free. She has freed herself from the cage of fear and is getting to use her wings to let go and explore the world. “ See my feathers shine, iridescent mine, Dreams all come alive ”, she’s a beautiful little bird that has learned how to fly! JAÏNDA is a 20 year old singer-songwriter based in Amsterdam. She’s been performing since the age of 10, but as a teen, she earned the position as the frontwoman for the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, as well as winning the Dutch national Kunstbende Young Creators Festival.  Since then, she’s been on TV, performing at venues, and releasing songs. She has nearly 10,000 monthly Spotify listeners, with her most streamed song being “ Seconds, Minutes, Hours .” “ Little Bird ” is 1 of 5 songs from her newest EP “ Little Bird ,” which was released on December 8th. Keep up with JAÏNDA by clicking on the links below, and check out “ Little Bird ” out now! Written By Sneet Efrem FOLLOW JAÏNDA:

“Stigma” is a refreshing perspective that needs to be emphasized more. The song speaks for the outsiders who never seemed to fit in but haven’t embraced standing out yet. However, with the help of Wynter Reyne, now is the time to celebrate your differences and come to terms with who you are as a unique individual. Sure to boost your confidence and remind you of your purpose, “Stigma” is a great song for all people, but especially those who were made fun of for being different from others. Instead of conforming to standards set by society, Wynter Reyne welcomes her individuality and encourages everyone who has experienced the same to accept themselves for who they are. The song begins with steady guitar strums, and anticipation grows before Wynter Reyne breathes life onto the track. She has a strong and confident voice, giving people exactly what they need to feel empowered. She perfectly enunciates her words which helps convey the meaning of the song and the emotion behind the lyrics. As a result, the overall effectiveness of the song is enhanced, creating a safe space for listeners. The chorus is upbeat and has amazing drums that will fill you with energy. The song feels like a rush in the best way, leaving you with a pounding heart and a smile on your face. The chorus is the best part of the song, which skyrockets the replay value. Wynter Reyne is an up-and-coming artist ready to take the music industry by storm. Her innovative mix of future, epic, and alt-pop defies genre boundaries and exceeds expectations. She is influenced by artists such as Linkin Park, Halsey, and Molly Sanden. She incorporates space elements and warrior drums in her music and is not afraid to create a bold and creative sound. Wynter Reyne uses her gift of music and her platform to advocate for neurodiversity and mental health awareness. Her music and artistic vision resonate deeply with millennials and older Gen Z, who appreciate her strong lyricism and beautiful voice. Written By Victoria James FOLLOW WYNTER REYNE:

Makena’s newest release “stages of grief (acoustic)” might have just become my newest breakup anthem. The song puts a spin on the rumored 5 stages of grief denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, and relates them to how a person going through heartbreak would experience them. The song itself is acoustic, so the simple pulsation and instrumentals in the background eb and flow with the lyrics and the structure of the song, without taking away from the meaning. The bones of the song are set up simply, with stages one and two being in the first verse, then an all encompassing chorus, then stages three and four in the second verse, another chorus, and stage five in an outro. The lyrics are hard hitting and realistic, and the listener can practically see Makena in every stage she details. The next time someone breaks my heart, at least I know I have a song that can relate to every single step. The verses talk about specific instances that everyone who has gone through a breakup can definitely relate to, such as talking shit to your friends, going out and hoping to see them, then the depression after you don’t. My favorite lyric, however, is the pre-chorus and the slight changes from the first to second one. In the first pre-chorus, Makena sings, “reading all the self help books / it gets harder everyday i don’t call you / even though i want to.” Clearly, she is not doing so well. All she wants to do is talk to her ex lover, and she is trying so desperately hard to get over it, i.e. the self help books. However, by the second pre chorus (and by this point in the song she is presumably in between stages four and five) she throws away the books and states that it's easier not to talk to them now, and truthfully she doesn’t even want to. The growth is prominent, and you find yourself cheering her on while simultaneously healing your own heart from any grief it has felt. The most touching part of the song is the outro, where she simply states, “stage five / i forgot how it feels to breathe” and the song ends abruptly. She doesn’t need to explain herself any further, the listener simply knows that she is happier and healthier. Makena is an LA based singer-songwriter on her rise to fame. She began writing at a young age, and her pop vocals tied with her intricate lyrics relate her overall vibe to artists such as Taylor Swift, Olivia O’Brien, and Fletcher. She recounts wanting to write a song like this because "Everyone talks about the love of your life, but what about the heartbreak of your life? Losing someone you love can feel like a death, and I wanted to capture that feeling in this song." This is such a true statement, and clearly she has accomplished this. The original version of this track has over 100,000 streams, and has garnered her over 20k monthly listeners. Make sure to follow the social medias below to stay tuned for more music from Makena. Written By Tessa Maddaloni FOLLOW MAKENA:

Laura Davidson twists perspective and storytelling in her new edgy single “Twisted”.  The song is a dark romance, sung from the point of view of someone deeply encapsulated by a toxic relationship.  There’s a sense of self awareness throughout the lyrics, claiming she “knows (her friends) are right” about the terrible state of the relationship, but this realization only makes the relationship more attractive.  This sense of danger and the idea of star crossed lovers that comes from it is seductive, as is the song.  Her description of it draws in the listener and creates a craving for something similar, despite the dynamic not being complimented once.  She never says a single positive thing about the person she’s enthralled with or their interactions- and yet it seems so desirable.  It is this stark changing of mindsets and the effortless way Laura Davidson does it that makes her writing so compelling, her talent is magnetic and “Twisted” is a prime example of it.  The song begins with a fast paced electric beat, Laura’s voice matching its exact tone and speed as she chimes in.  The way she delivers her lyrics follows a similar organized timing to this, emphasizing the repetitiveness of this cycle.  The music matches the overarching themes of the piece, sounding like a chaotic night out.  Laura Davidson’s voice itself is captivating, with her usually singing slowly but powerfully.  When she breaks this, admitting “I can’t get enough”, the music brightens and picks up into an Arctic Monkeys-esque chorus, heavy on bass and moody but as catchy as any other pop anthem.  The song comes to a close with her repeating her intent to stay in the relationship, layers of her own voice whispering such. Laura Davidson is fairly new to professionally creating music, having only begun releasing songs this past year.  But even in such a short amount of time she’s already cemented her genre and aesthetic and begun acquiring fans that love it.  She most frequently focuses on romance, telling personal stories like the one found in “Twisted”, and developing the deep emotions felt within them to a communicable medium.  Her audience has noticed the skill she has here and her popularity is continuously growing because of it. She holds more than 50k followers on Tiktok and thousands on other platforms and has had her songs added to highly streamed public playlists on Spotify where, of course, her following is also continually increasing.  Follow these accounts and stream “Twisted” below.   Written By Hailey Schap FOLLOW LAURA DAVIDSON:

I Wanna Go  is an emotionally charged tribute to Abby London’s “cherished” late cousin Lindsey, who tragically passed away in February of 2019. The song is a touching dedication to her memory that is meant to capture the pain and loss experienced when Lindsey’s flame prematurely went out. Incorporated in the track’s lyrics is a poem written by Lindsey’s brother Scotty that shares the sentiments of their whole family and is an “homage to Lindsey’s life, struggles and the love shared within the family”. The title, I Wanna Go , was inspired by a childhood memory meant to encapsulate the exuberant spirit of a young Lindsey as she “wanted to be a part of every journey, no matter how mundane”. This song is meant to resonate “with those who have experienced the profound pain of losing a loved one” and can hopefully help listeners to find solace in its words and melody – conveyed by Abby’s ultimate message “Music can heal”. From a technical standpoint, London delivers a clean a conservative level of production on I Wanna Go  that effectively pairs a melodic backing piano with an impressive one vocal track. In fact, the most striking aspect of this song is the level of dynamism that accompanies the vocal delivery of its lyrics; a feat that is further highlighted by Abby’s ability to freely open up and draw her listeners closer to the heartfelt emotion she is expressing. There is an almost Disney-esque vibe to this track that features beautifully metaphoric songwriting and a dolorously catchy harmony, reminiscent of the plights faced during a protagonist’s journey to brighter days. The pleasant addition of reverb on London’s vocals remains constant throughout the entire tune and serves to underline the nice arrangement of each section. I Wanna Go  closes out with an elegant piano chord that is only featured during the outro, effectively acting as the cherry-on-top of this deeply expressive single. Headquartered in Seattle, but raised in Coer d’Alene, Idaho, Abby London is an ascending Alt-pop talent who has her sights set on taking the Pacific Northwest by storm with a powerful brand of music all her own. As a youngster, Abby displayed innate abilities to sing, play both the piano and guitar, and even write songs – going so far as to dabble with recording by using her little sister’s Playskool cassette (!!) recorder to effectively capture her earliest ditties. London is somewhat of an excursionist, having traversed the better part of North America during her youth, all the while collecting inspiration for her self-confidence-themed album Fill You Up . Eventually the lyrical luminary settled in Washington state and continued to progress as an artist, growing on both a professional and personal level – credit due in large part to her newfound sense of sobriety and positively altered outlook on life. Abby is renowned throughout Seattle for her performances at “freedom-friendly” events like political rallies and festivals, where she incorporates fun skits and videos to her songs in order to take the shows to a whole new level. Outside of music Abby lives a full life with her loving boyfriend and two cats, occasionally making time to work on home projects and travel the globe. Written By Dan Caddigan FOLLOW ABBY LONDON: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

There’s something so special about songs that tell a story. Imagine it like you’re reading a book. You can envision what’s going on just by reading the words. The same thing goes for music! In MICHA’s newest single, “Little Man,” you get to hear the story of a mother who worries for her son, unsure of how to help him. It’s a hauntingly beautiful message that relates to so many people. And the lyrics left me with a feeling of both unease and contentment. “She said / Oh my child I wanna see you smile again / I miss my little man I miss his light / The shadows in your room are ready to attack / And I’m terrified you’re gonna lose the fight.” It's kind of like how I said before, there is something so haunting about this song. Maybe it’s because it’s from the perspective of the mother. It would make sense, but I think it may be because of the song's simplicity. Lyrics sung by one person, with one instrument. I think solely using a guitar was a bold but smart move. It allowed me to truly respect and appreciate the lyrics without being distracted by an over-the-top musical accompaniment. It was all perfect. As a solo artist, MICHA is still pretty new in the industry. However, you are likely to have heard his name in other places! He’s still young, but he sounds like he’s had years and years of songwriting experience under his belt. At the start of his career before the pandemic, he found himself a part of the duo group, Micha and Julia. The duo got a little under 3 million streams by the end of the year, but soon after, MICHA began to work on his solo career. Currently, MICHA is working on his solo career in Nashville, and is set to perform at more than 40 different locations on tour. I can’t wait to watch his career progress, I think he’s going to go very far. Written By Isabel Mays FOLLOW MICHA:

Capturing the intricacies of young love, Lisa Curtis has released a poignant and reflective ballad with the single "Made For You." Curtis explores the complex emotions that come with early adulthood, showing how easy it is for young adults to find themselves confused and losing their sense of self. Love can play a major role in this loss of self, depicted by the song's narrator as she shows she is willing to do, say, or change anything for the person she loves, even if that means losing herself in the process. Ultra-relatable, "Made For You" is perfect for anyone who has struggled with these emotions or has fallen victim to this mindset. Moving and vulnerable, "Made For You" begins exposed and soft as Lisa Curtis belts the opening lines. The track starts with an ethereal, synth-laden soundscape, supporting Curtis' lush vocals. About a minute in, "Made For You" shifts into a compelling power ballad, featuring symphonic drums and flowing piano lines. Building and building, the song draws inspiration from rock ballads, incorporating heavier drums and guitar riffs to push "Made For You" to its climax. Curtis' voice masterfully soars over the thickening soundscape, each note teeming with emotion as the song reaches its close. Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, Lisa Curtis is an up-and-coming pop singer/songwriter. She debuted in October 2021, releasing her first single, "Hand Me Downs" and later her first EP, Too Hard For You. Initially recognized for her songwriting on TikTok, Curtis has now amassed several million streams of her music. Her single "Gasp of Air" went viral on multiple platforms, garnering over 2 million streams. Curtis' raw songwriting style has earned her a loyal following, bringing a heartfelt audience together. Some of her popular releases include "Gasp of Air," "Hand Me Downs," and "Never Gave Up." Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW LISA CURTIS:

This song, “Hollywood Heartbeats” by musicians Black Sands and KOOLKID, is a modern, upbeat pop song that explores the feelings of love and nostalgia. Written with the feeling of soaking in LA sunshine, this song dives into the vibes and moods that make Hollywood the aesthetic dream that it is. References in the lyrics of the song add to that feeling, with lines like “you’ve got me feeling like a new James Dean” painting a picture of a time that’s gone by. I can perfectly envision this song playing while a car with two teenagers zooms along a beach side road, while they laugh and have a good time like the last scene of a coming of age movie! “Hollywood Heartbeats” is a very upbeat, joyful song with a great beat that keeps you dancing for all two and a half minutes of it. Starting out with four beats before spreading out into a rich melody and bright harmony for the first verse, the song sucks you right in and makes you bop your head from the very beginning. The vocals are smooth and slide right into the stylish track, and pick up the pace along with the beat as the song continues into the chorus. It then melts back into a second verse without a hitch, before jumping right back into another rendition of the chorus and wrapping up the song with a cool echoing effect of the vocals that just adds to the feeling that this song would be perfect for a Hollywood movie soundtrack! Black Sands is a new collaborative recording project started by the American producer Andrew Balfour and based in the city of Los Angeles. Working with various artists from all over the world, Black Sands creates sounds and tracks reminiscent of artists like Marshmello, Troye Sivan, and the 1975, mixing genres such as alt-pop, modern rock, and R&B. Black Sands has been releasing music since 2020, and has gathered an impressive group of friends with their acclaimed and experimental music. Accompanying Black Sands on this track is the UK pop artist KOOLKID, who hails from Glasgow and has also been releasing music since 2020. This singer-songwriter produces his own modern pop ballads, as well as pens tracks for other famous bands such as BTS. Use the links below to explore more of Black Sands’ and KOOLKID’s amazing music! Written By Morgan Fischer FOLLOW Black Sands: FOLLOW KOOLKID:

Singer, songwriter, producer, and audio engineer Zach Paradis just released his brand new track, “exhausted.” This is a relatable track that describes the feeling of being exhausted of living up to the high expectations of society. He starts off singing about just that, saying “It's exhausting keeping up with everybody else.” He tries to stay positive, but he can’t help but not feel like himself all the time. But, we never love the hand we were dealt “'Cause we all wish that we were someone else.” Zach knows he should focus on his mental health, but how can he when he doesn’t know how to love himself? In the chorus, he says he just feels exhausted; he doesn’t want to dream, he just wants to sleep in. “The clock keeps ringing/but [he] just [wants] to sleep in” because he’s tired of trying to live up to society’s expectations for him. There’s a major switch up in the second verse, which matches the theme of the lyrics. Zach takes back all the things he said because he “just had a busy weekend” and he didn’t mean it. He feels like he can’t slow down, and he’s always trying to do more, just like many of us do in our lives. The production of “exhausted” varies from the first half of the song to the second half of the song. The song starts off with a simple, laid back production, which features just an acoustic guitar and vocals up until the second verse. However, Zach adds more background vocals and adlibs during the first chorus. The chord progression also varies from most pop songs, which audibly separates this honest and vulnerable track from upbeat and happy pop tracks. After the first chorus, there’s a massive switch up in production, which helps listeners recognize the change in the lyrics and melody. The second verse features a drum beat that exemplifies the feeling of not being able to slow down, as Zach talks about in this song. There’s also more harmonies and ad-libs in the second verse and chorus, which really add a nice depth to the track. Zach Paradis is LA-based singer-songwriter raised in Cleveland, Ohio. His passion for words started at a young age, being captivated by poetry and fictional novels, so much so that he wrote a Lord of the Rings knock off at eight. Soon enough, his words went along to melodies, and after a failed stint with piano lessons, he took up drum lessons and began in a band at church. This was the birth of his interest in music recording. Zach began studying audio engineering at a local community college in 2013. He first started his professional career at just nineteen years old when he moved to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue an audio engineering internship. He now writes, produces and engineers a wide variety of genres that enrich the city of Atlanta. His first release on streaming platforms was “Mine This Year,”  a Christmas track. Since then, he’s put out three EP’s and one album. Now, Zach has over 100k followers on Instagram and has 130k monthly listeners on Spotify alone. It’s clear through his catalog that Zach has a raw talent, and he will continue to innovate with his new music. Written By Lauren DiGiovanni FOLLOW ZACH PARADIS:

The thrill of pop music is the depth to which artists twist, bend, and enliven the formula without removing the immediacy and universal appeal. Like a puzzle-box of references, genres, and ideas, pop has the power to unfold as you listen closer. On his third single, Cole Redding presents music that is all this and more: immediate and accessible, daring and intricate. "Higher" goes down so smooth you'd almost miss the clever fusions of genre. Redding's blissful drawl and universal imagery feel playfully rooted in Classical Folk and Americana. Listen to the way he squeezes the vowels from the chorus, like a lemon into iced tea. How about the flavor of Ska music in its off-beat guitar rhythm? It's subtle, but imperative to the sense of levity. But this is no bluegrass ballad and it's not reggae fusion either: "Higher" positions pop songwriting in the foreground. Lush vocal layers, airy synths, and steady drums appeal to contemporary pop in a way that still feels compatible with a varied blend of genre. Singing of living blissfully, Redding takes a lyrical approach that is both conversational and sensory. "Hey, aren't you tired of the pressure, baby?" He opens the song with, as though the question had just popped into his head. In tradition with some of pop music's most connective and sensitive songwriters, this "you" remains vague to keep a universal interpretation. Aren't you tired? Elsewhere, the indie artist paints more with the sounds and immediate images of words. "Everybody's higher / Life's a little lighter," he croons on the chorus. The blank spaces fill in with sunset oranges and pinks; a warm smile fills the air. Being his first year in the pop scene, Cole Redding has already shattered expectations with each subsequent release. Beginning with May's "Dying 4 Love," Redding eschewed artistic growing pains with a fully-formed, pop vision. The indie popster followed up in August with "LA's Not Home" (which you can read our coverage of here ). Capping off the year, "Higher" proves there's no end in sight to Redding's exciting pop material. His music articulates lifelong themes of self-acceptance, freedom of expression, and finding joy in life. "You have to know the dark to appreciate the light," he remarks on his latest single. Contextualized by a lifetime struggling with his sexuality, "Higher" is Redding's chance to bask in the sunlight. Written By Andy M. FOLLOW Cole Redding: