“Rain It Down” is The Collection’s newest single, a piece reflecting the natural state of freedom found in living, in love, and in letting go of it. The song describes a sense of building up, of confinement, where there isn’t freely flowing communication and instead there is a feeling of being trapped and stagnant. Despite the potential harm that may be caused by speaking out or by moving on, he encourages the one he sings to to be open and express whatever is being left unsaid. It is better to move apart than stay still together, imagery of water is cleverly used to express this sentiment. From a waterfall to scattered rain drops, The Collection’s metaphors surrounding this flow like the poetic flood they describe. The song begins with a methodically scattered note that sounds almost like raindrops itself. The lyrics set the scene, describing static and stillness while the beat comes down harder with small bursts of an increased pace. All of this is contributing to the overwhelming sense that must be felt by the narrator that there is something intensifying. When he encourages the listener to speak out by saying the title words “rain it down”, the music explodes and turns the song around into an upbeat pop anthem. From here, the piece is nothing short of inspirational with words of encouragement and music that matches. In fitting with this theme, it doesn’t return to the still place where it began, instead it ends with the chorus still going as if the “floodgates” have been opened. The Collection is a band composed of six members, fronted by David Wimbish. The group has a close knit relationship amongst themselves, as well as with their fans, being known for their incredible live performances. They've spent a considerable amount of time touring, originally hailing from North Carolina but appearing across the states in concert. They’ve performed alongside artists such as Tall Heights, The Oh Hello’s, and RIPE. The Collection has gained well deserved praise from these shows as well as their produced music which has received recognition from NPR, Glide, American Songwriter and others. Learn more about them below and stream “Rain It Down”. Written By Hailey Schap FOLLOW THE COLLECTION:

The highly anticipated debut album of the Australian Singer/Songwriter, Female Producer and former finalist of The Voice Australia from Melbourne, Jackie Sannia is finally here. Now known as SANNIA, Jackie was a vocalist loved by many in her home country 10 years ago when she was a teenager participating on the highly popular singing competition show. However, it was only 5 years ago that she officially began her career as an independent artist and really broke into the pop music scene. She released her first single, "Go and Get Over" in 2018 and has been unstoppable since. SANNIA's brand new debut album, "James" has been in the making for the past 5 years and it's finally out for the world to hear. Including recent singles such as "Travelling", "Trigger", and "August", this album is about the long journey of healing from a toxic relationship. Written about her own personal experiences, SANNIA took a step out of her comfort zone to share her story about the man she used to love, who broke her down and didn't make her feel worthy of love. Throughout the songs on this album, we get it witness the long and difficult process that SANNIA had gone through to love herself again and break free from the chains that "James" had put on her. TRACKLIST: Love You Like For the opening track, we have "Love You Like" which is about being addicted to a person as if they were a drug. Even though SANNIA knows this person is bad for her, she craves for him to be in her life. In the lyrics she describes going through all the horrible symptoms of withdraw, like the booming headache and body aches. She calls him up just to get the tiniest fix, even if he still doesn't want anything to do with her. This is a very strong scenario that many can relate to; losing someone you love so much and have been with for so long because somewhere along the way, they stopped feeling the same. It's a very blind sighted feeling and having to stop a relationship cold-turkey is not an easy thing to go through. You have to literally rehabilitate yourself into learning how to live on your own again. This song has a slow build, but by the end, you find yourself caught in a sonically ethereal experience. August "August" is a sad-girl BOP of a pop song about reminiscing on the good times you had with a past love who you still think about often - particularly your first true love that you had in life. The one you thought you'd spend forever with, and that you'd be the fairytale story that everyone wishes for. It's all the words you wish you could say to them now after years of being apart. SANNIA describes the song as a "love letter to your teenage flame". This nostalgically catchy and upbeat single is going on my list for one of the most underrated pop songs of the year. It's incredibly written and produced, and it has an infectious melody that you won't be able to shake from your head. We wrote a full article just focusing on "August" which you can read here! Stuck In Your Orbit Considered the focus track of the album, we have "Stuck In Your Orbit" which has an official music video you can watch below! This song is about feeling like the person you're with is out of your league. They perceive themselves as too good for you and that you're lucky to be with them, and you unfortunately are made to feel like that is true. Being brainwashed in such a way makes you feel like you can't live without them, even if they don't give you as much love and affection as you give them. You're chasing after a kind of love that you'll never have with a person like that. They look down on you, as if you're just one little star in their galaxy; but gravity refuses to let you leave. SANNIA writes of how she wished she could love herself more in order to stop loving him, to break free from this strong grasp he had on her. Although the topic is an emotional one, the song itself is pretty upbeat and has a catchy synthpop groove. Trigger "Trigger" was SANNIA's second single of this year about the aftermath that comes from a sudden break-up, which feels like getting shot in the back but you're just too in shock to let the pain take full effect. . Losing someone you love out of nowhere with no warning is so damaging to a person. You find yourself stuck in this purgatory where you try to pick up the pieces of an uncleanable mess. Co-produced with The Temper Trap's Toby Dundas, the song features lots of gun sound effects (like the loading of a gun, the safety switch turning off, and the trigger being pulled) and is purposely made to feel cold and mechanical to give "pulling the trigger" a musical sound. This song is a bit heavier than other tracks on this album; with a rock guitar and strong, soulful vocals, it takes SANNIA's sound to the next level. Don't You Know? (feat. LANKS) Track five is a collaboration piece with artist, multi-instrumentalist and producer, LANKS who is from Australia but is now based in Brooklyn, New York. This particular song is more focused on the soundscape than the lyrics, like the rest of the album. Featuring vocals from both SANNIA and LANKS, this song is sonically mesmerizing. From the guitar riff, to the harmonies, to the groovy beat... this song's production quality is high-end. The style has a bit of funk and soul to it, especially in the vocals during the chorus which gives the progression that little bit of "umph" it needed to amp up the emotion. It's a great fit for the sound and topic on this album. LANKS and SANNIA have great creative chemistry and it really shines through in this track. Doubts "Doubts" is about that moment you realize that your relationship isn't as happy as it used to be. You're fighting more, the spark is starting to fade, and even though you still love them you're not sure it's gonna work out in the long run the way you thought it would. The longer you're with a person, the more you start to see their true colors; and sometimes those colors aren't so pretty. With a minimalistic soundscape featuring synths and beats, the song eventually progresses into a big, dynamically emotional climax. SANNIA gives us all of her emotion through her voice and lyrics. It's one of those type of songs where you can close your eyes, listen, and be able to put yourself in her shoes. The Good Ones Fair Warning - this song hurts. I was not ready for this sad girl ballad when I first pressed play. "The Good Ones" is about that moment you realize the one you fell in love with, wasn't as good of a person as you thought they were. You're kind of mad at yourself for being fooled because you honestly thought they were going to be different than the rest. This song is primarily keys and a beat, because the main focus here are the lyrics. The lyrics in this song will punch you in the face. They're so incredibly written, and very relatable to many. Not to mention SANNIA's vocal style here is just extraordinary. It's a little bit reminiscent of Lana Del Rey, but with more soulfulness. The emotion that was put into this track is just so strong, that even if you've never experienced a relationship like this, you're going to feel that sharp pain in your chest once you hear it. Travelling (feat. Jason Rodi) "Travelling" was SANNIA's first single of this year, and the first song to start building the hype of her album release. Produced by ARIA nominated producers, Andy Mak and Jason Barclay, as well as Colin Leadbetter and Hayden Lauerson, this synth-pop bop is about knowing a relationship might not work out in the long road, but instead of letting go you just stay quiet and stay along for the ride until it crashes and burns in flames. The focus moment in this song is the outro, which is a guitar solo performed by SANNIA's current partner-in-crime, Jason Rodi. It's such an important highlight in this song because it was all improvisation; straight from the heart and soul. To quote SANNIA, "We set the chord progression to loop, gave him a beer or two and let him fly and what came out had all of our jaws on the ground." Salvation "Salvation" is about exactly what it's titled - preserving yourself from further harm; moving forward with dignity, strength pride so that nothing can hurt you anymore. This track gave me absolute chills. It's one of those songs where you feel like you're being taken to church. It has a very spiritual soundscape and experience between the heavy beat, the hauntingly religious humming and harmonies and SANNIA's iconic soulful voice. It's sonically one of my personal favorites on this album and has an out-of-this-world production quality. It's a very empowering song; a reminder that no matter how much you've been through, you can always rise from the ashes. Awake Accompanied with SANNIA's most recent music video is "Awake". This track is about staying in a toxic relationship with rose colored glasses on, until one day you finally take the glasses off and see everything as it is. You knew things weren't going well for a long time, but there was something that made you feel like you had to stay - until now. "Awake" is an alt. pop song at heart, and has a really unique groove that sets itself apart from the rest of the tracks on this album. It's synth-based but with an electronic beat that is unpredictable. Make sure to watch the music video below for a glowing red experience that is a great visual pairing for this song. Daylight "Daylight" is a single that SANNIA had came out with (also with a music video) four years ago! "Daylight" is pop perfection with lyricism that'll tug at your heart-strings. This song really puts the whole album into perspective. It connects to other songs and brings the story all together. Within the music video, we see SANNIA emerging from a car crash during sunset. She's in the passenger seat, and the driver is nowhere to be found. It's the moment she had been anticipating with "Travelling"; It's the emotional shock she described in "Trigger"; it's all the words running through her head that she spilt her heart out with in "August". It's the sum of everything we've heard on the album so far. It's such a genius way to bring everything together, and to have a visual representation of this story just really makes things even more emotional. Lay Your Heart Down "Lay Your Heart Down" is a beautifully tragic pop ballad about unrequited love. When you've given someone your all and it wasn't enough, it really impacts how you feel about yourself (even though it's really not your fault). He tells you he just doesn't feel the same, and it has nothing to do with you (you know, the classic it's not you, it's me crap) - but you feel like he hasn't opened up enough to give your relationship a chance. This song has a gorgeous melody and an emotional build like no other. The vocals during the climax of this song are going to blow you away, and the chorus will get stuck in your head for days. It's a gorgeously emotional track for all the sad girls out there. Go and Get Over (James Version) "Go and Get Over" was SANNIA's debut single back in 2018. It was an upbeat, soul-pop banger, kind of reminiscent to the style of Adele's "Rolling In The Deep". This track however, is the James Version. It's an extended, more stripped down and more emotional rendition of the song - which in my opinion, brought this song up to a whole new level. With some RnB elements in there, this song has my favorite melody and vocals on the album. "Go and Get Over (James Version)" is about those gaslighting types of relationships where they can't give you a minute of their attention, but when you bring up how you feel, they will just say "everything is fine". It's an endless, torturous cycle until one day they're gone and you're left to fend for yourself while you're not even a thought in their mind anymore. Ending it with where it all started, this is the perfect closing track for this album. "James", SANNIA's debut album, absolutely blew me away. Primarily combining soul-pop and synthpop, as well as other hints of styles throughout, SANNIA has a beautiful and unique style that you don't hear from many other artists today. Her lyricism comes from a very vulnerable place; it's raw, emotional and so real. The story of James is something that many out there can resonate with. It's a great album to listen to from start to finish with no skips, because everything perfectly adds up when you hear every song. SANNIA is a force to be reckoned with, and it may have taken five years but this album was well worth the wait. SANNIA has been on my radar for quite some time now, and she has a few incredible tracks that didn't make it on this album such as "Sad Rich Girls", and "Better". So if you loved this album, I highly recommend listening to those too. Also make sure to follow SANNIA below to see what's yet to come! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW SANNIA: Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube *Sponsored Post - Discovered on SubmitHub. A contribution was made to help create this article as part of a promotional campaign.

Sparks fly, and the stars align when you meet the right person for you. Your dream partner shares the same beliefs as you, adores you, and treats you like royalty without you having to ask. Me& has a song that perfectly describes the moment of finding your soulmate. Their new single, “Eye to Eye'' is a bubbly song about discovering the perfect romantic connection and cherishing it for as long as it lasts. Even if you aren’t dating or looking for a partner, it's still important to treasure the positive relationships in your life. In a healthy relationship, significant others communicate properly, respect one another, and agree with each other. Simply put, they see eye to eye. “Eye to Eye” is great because it feels like a serotonin boost. The track is bubbly and incredibly sweet. If the song were a color, it would be the most vibrant shade of pink. It’s impossible to be in a bad mood when hearing Me&’s cheerful vocals on a brilliantly produced track. Although Me& is a Cantopop group, they take inspiration from Kpop, which often fuses pop with other genres like hip-hop and electronic dance music. Each member works together to give us a catchy hit to sing along and dance to. Their charm is hard to miss on this upbeat tune, and their infectious energy oozes out of the chorus and bounces to the rhythm of the song. “Eye to Eye'' has a fun and electrifying beat that will keep you hooked and the song on replay. Me& is Hong Kong’s new Cantopop girl group consisting of three members Vian Lin, Mandy Tam, and Feanna Wong. The trio trained for two years before recording their first single, “Eye to Eye,” in South Korea. The song and music video were released under Media Asia Music, the record label that signed them. Kpop influences their music and style, but Me& brings an exceptional flair to Cantopop. Although the group is new, the three members had solo endeavors before Me&. Mandy is a model and basketball player, and before joining Me&, Vian was a dance trainee in South Korea. Feanna debuted in 2015, as the singer behind the theme song “We Are Young” for the film She Remembers, He Forgets . "Eye to Eye" is the first release of Me&'s, but they have a promising future ahead of them. Written By Victoria James FOLLOW ME&:

The latest single by the duo Gunning for Allie, “Alive,” takes you on a trip through different eras of music, from the classic synths of the 80s to the alt-pop melodies of the 2010s. Additionally, there is a bit of a pop-punk influence when it comes to the song's structure and other elements within the song, specifically in the second verse. While the musical style is very high energy and colorful, the lyrical content is much more deeply emotional as it deals with loss and trying to live without someone. While the song is about loss, there is an element to it about trying to survive, and it connects to the anthem-like energy that the song carries. Gunning for Allie does well in blending a multitude of musical styles to create “Alive” and is a great introduction to the musical duo. As previously mentioned, “Alive” uses classic 80s synths and it’s how the song begins. This introduction almost makes it feel like you’re entering a video game. The vocal performance throughout is very nice and you can hear the genuine emotional intent in the singer’s voice. The chorus is incredibly catchy and clearly has a lot of heart. The chorus especially is what makes the song have that cinematic element. That slowdown in the bridge really helps build up listeners for the final chorus and it makes the ending much more powerful. It’s interesting to have a song discuss difficulties that come with life and align it to such an energetic song, but Gunning for Allie is able to perfectly execute it. Gunning for Allie is a musical duo from Brisbane, Australia. The band consists of Joshua Mulheran and James Waters who have been playing music together since the two were in high school. Gunning for Allie has experimented with different genres, such as pop-punk, synth-pop, and more. Their latest song, “Alive,” is the third single from their upcoming EP, “Sleeping Alone.” Other songs from the EP that have already been released are “Stay” and “Talk.” Gunning for Allie is certainly an intriguing duo and the way they mix styles makes you want to see what else they have explored in their past work. Overall, Gunning for Allie has done well with their song “Alive” and it’s exciting to see what the duo will do next. Written By Chantal Charles FOLLOW GUNNING FOR ALLIE: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

On the surface, I could see how one might anticipate Saviour Complex as being yet another break-up song filled with heartache and unrequited love – given the fact that it entails a protagonist canorously calling out her ex-partner’s past transgressions; however, this song is much deeper and more uplifting than that. Abby Pierrot deserves immense credit for her ability to craft a dark pop narrative into an anthem of self-empowerment, one which should surely resonate with all us listeners who’ve unfortunately had to deal with toxic lovers in the past. Abby begins by calling out the song’s antagonist for their self-centered tendencies in her opening line “Don’t you think it’s a little bit serial, the way that you play your game”, implying they routinely take advantage of their love interests and seemingly have little remorse for their actions. She goes on to adroitly draw attention to the fact that her song’s subject is delusional when it comes to how their relationships always end in strife, declaring “So maybe take a look in the mirror, maybe see yourself a little clearer – You need therapy and not another girl to please”. This song is a sable, but inspiriting, dark pop ditty meant to deride all of the relationship narcissists out there who wrongfully believe they aren’t at fault when things don’t work out – a sentiment that is embodied by the eponymous last line of the song’s chorus. Saviour Complex is a fantastical medley of bright vocals and synth-laden beats, spliced together to create an enigmatically eerie aesthetic that gives visions of a scorned lover filled with disdain for her former partner. The melancholic vibe and unapologetically brooding lyrics heard throughout make this song inherently dark pop in nature. On the technical end, Saviour Complex is artfully textured with heavy synths and a lucid drumbeat – with the drums being swung to create a rhythmic shift as the track builds. There is an impressive use of reverb and space added to Abby’s voice, giving the singer a more bewitching aura, and further enhancing the tune’s sweetly haunting feel. The inclusion of a telephone effect on the second verse was certainly appreciated, as it metaphorically enhanced the sense of separation between Pierrot and the subject of her derision. Overall, this is a song that is overwhelmingly catchy and certainly deserves to be added to your Liked Songs playlist on Spotify if you’re an avid fan of dark pop. Abby Pierrot is an ascending pop talent from Vancouver, BC, known for her intoxicating voice and Promethean lyrics; a combination she uses to take listeners on a wistful journey of artistic expression. Her passion for music began at a young age, when she taught herself to play guitar, piano and write poetry. Heavily influenced by artists like Lana Del Ray and Halsey, Abby channels inspiration from personal emotions and experiences to craft stirringly authentic pop music for her audience’s consumption. Writing has always been a solitary part of the process for Pierrot, a cathartic experience between the starlet and her notes app that she describes as having “always been a way for me to vent more than anything else”. The July release of her hit single Drink His Wine brought critical acclaim from Sonic Radio, where the host described it as “really cool and a little haunting” with some “really witty lyrics”. In September of this year, Pierrot performed at Barnside Harvest Festival in Delta, B.C. – her first big live show since Covid broke out. Outside of music, Abby has a unique affinity for studying obscure history on Wikipedia, thrifting, and taking care of her four darling cats. Written By Dan Caddigan FOLLOW ABBY PIERROT: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Relationships can be difficult to navigate sometimes, requiring many sacrifices to keep people happy. Whether it's a platonic, familial, or romantic relationship, all relationships require work and commitment, leaving us feeling like we're giving up a lot to make someone happy. Ben Kahone addresses this in his track, "Hey, Have It Your Way." The artist elaborated on the meaning behind the song, stating, "Relationships can be hard. Whether it's a romantic, friendly, or family relationship, we all at some point have felt like we are constantly giving up what we want to make someone else happy. The irony of it is the person we feel we give so much to, often times feels the same way about us. Yeah, yeah, we shouldn't be keeping score but sometimes it just feels great to complain. We do things for those we love, because we love them, but it doesn't mean we can't give them a hard time along the way. This song is part of my plan to write, produce and release a song a month for 12 months. At the end it will be released as a collective debut album called "The Greatest Hits". Turns out it's a lot like pizza places that says "Best Pizza In Town," nobody is going around verifying." Having an essence of timelessness, "Hey, Have It Your Way" combines elements of '80s pop with a fresh, modern sound. The track is energetic, being driven by a disco-esque beat, reminiscent of "four-on-the-floor" rhythms. Kahone delivers infectious melodies with finesse, making it a track listeners can play on repeat. The nostalgic nature of the song gives "Hey, Have It Your Way" a quality that would appeal to many ages and generations. With an upbeat and playful soundscape, "Hey, Have It Your Way" has a happy and carefree feeling to it that makes it addictive and charming. Based in Pittsburgh, pop artist/producer Ben Kahone is the face behind the Kahone Concept. The artist was originally Ben Orrvick, legally changing his name to Kahone to pursue his artistic vision. He taught himself a variety of instruments throughout his childhood, beginning his music journey. Kahone started producing and recording tracks independently, swearing he would never "make music with anybody but Mr. Wonderful (NBC's Shark Tank star Kevin O'Leary)." Having an impressive and growing catalog, some of the Kahone Concept's popular tracks include "Maybe," "In One Ear and Right Out the Other," "Shaking Out My Problems," "I Can Do It Better Than You," and "I Like You but Don't Talk." Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW KAHONE CONCEPT:

What I love about music is that through the lyrics, you can really get a deeper understanding of the artists’ creative processes. “Collide” is the latest single by singer and songwriter Steve Marinangeli, and it’s filled with emotional and melodic lyrics that got me hooked from the start. It’s not easy to turn life into art. However, I feel that Marinangeli hit the nail on the head with “Collide.” The lyrics are so well written. “I take care of you / You’ll be safe with me / We’re gonna fly / I, need you / You’re my missing piece / I’ve been trying to find.” It’s genius, romantic, heartfelt, and moved me to my core. I first want to give kudos to the incredible talent that is Marinangeli’s voice. He has an achingly beautiful tone to his voice, and it pairs well with the lyrics. He uses his chest voice for a good majority of the song, but as he sings the word “collide,” his voice shifts to a falsetto. It sounds very healthy, and you can tell it’s an easy note for him to sing. He even manages to go up an octave! I also want to talk about the instrumentals a bit. It has a bit of a pop sound, which I think pairs nicely with the lyrics. The main stars are the drums and the electric guitar, which had some sick-sounding riffs playing in the background! If you don’t know who Steve Marinangeli is now, I don’t think it will take too much convincing to get you to put him in your “favorite artists” playlists. Marinangeli is a Luxembourg-based singer and songwriter, most known for his song “It’s You,” off his album, Hidden Thoughts . The album was even named Album of the Week in Luxembourg! He has been releasing music since 2020, with his debut single “Rescue Me” getting around 42 thousand streams on Spotify. Since the song’s initial release, Marinangeli has gone on to release nine singles and one album. Aside from the music he personally writes and releases, he is also the founder of X-Sato Records, a record label based in his home country. Marinangeli is going to do big things with his career. I can’t wait to see how he progresses, and I especially can’t wait to hear what he releases next! Written By Isabel Mays FOLLOW STEVE MARINANGELI:

“The Willows” is a contemporary pop single that chronicles the realization and subsequent acceptance someone has when they let go of someone they held onto dearly. As time moves steadily forward and an era of your life comes to a close, you look towards a usual sense of comfort. However, what remains is your loved one, unsure and needing to leave. They are unwilling as they are used to your familiarity, and you understand that it is up to you to nudge them forward. They were meant for something more than being entangled in your relationship forever. Ever since you met them, they have shown how eager they are to find their greater purpose. What you must do is remind them of the world beyond you too. They will have no more trials or pain, just to be free after they leave you by the familiar willows you two were once drawn to. “The Willows” is an alt pop contemporary anthem that perfectly reflects the somber message through the moody and ambient instrumental and melody. An ambient tone flows throughout this single and encapsulates the overall themes conveyed through the lyrics. With every breathy vocal echoing throughout, the ever evolving narrative makes itself known. The themes are as melancholy as they are hopeful and the instrumentals serve as a polished yet lingering accompaniment. The cozy yet dreary atmosphere is felt through every echoey piano chord and guitar strum. A nice yet welcome surprise was the bridge and end of this song. As this single is essentially about someone else’s journey, it was encaptivating to hear this other person’s voice to our narrator. The instrumental shift after this message showed what could be interpreted as the singer’s true feelings: discombobulated and broken. While every element intertwined perfectly at the end, it was a unique and welcome experience to hear the “breaking down” of the single. Rowan Drake is a young singer-songwriter and producer based out of Los Angeles, California. He began his music career by performing in various venues throughout his hometown of Ithaca, New York. After starting his career through these performances, he released his debut single while still in high school. Once graduated from high school, he moved to Los Angeles for better opportunities to start and grow his music career. He has since signed a record deal with Atlantic Records and has released many well-received bodies of work, including his various singles and EPs. He uses his musical career to write about feelings that are important to him such as loneliness and other important struggles. Make sure to follow him on social media and give “The Willows” a listen! Written By Willow Gray FOLLOW ROWAN DRAKE:

ARIA has brought another hit release to the world of Spotify with the recent drop of his single titled “Tonight”. The song itself is about being young and having fun; the world is his oyster, and he has it all at the press of a button. It is full of dark atmospheric electric guitar riffs and a punk rock vibe, mixed with pop undertones. This track is the kind of song that puts you in the middle of a club at your peak partying days, ready for whatever the night brings. The title seems to be a nod to the feeling of “tonight is our night”; there are no limits and ARIA is certainly going to push them. There is no better feeling than that of knowing that you are young and in your prime, and ARIA knows that they have it all at this very moment. The first verse is about how electrically connected he feels about his partner, which completely adds to his ecstatic feeling. They are perfectly matched, and the pairing is a dynamic duo that leaves him feeling on cloud 9. They have the world at their fingertips, and ARIA is encouraging them to utilize this. The chorus is prefaced with a quick break in the music and following guitar riffs, where he explodes into singing, “Where you wanna go / And where you wanna sleep tonight, tonight / Who you wanna know baby what you wanna say tonight”. It is upbeat and calls the listener to dance along and share their ideals. He mentions the feeling of intoxication and elation intertwining, and his happiness is evident. ARIA is a DC born rapper now based in Los Angeles. He spent his college career close to home at American University so that he would be able to focus on honing his musical craft while getting an education. He has now made moves in the music industry, recently posting his artist Spotify Wrapped, detailing his 7.5 million streams in the past year. He only has plans to rise from here, and his witty caption on this post said, “by this time next year it'll be 750 trillion. manifesting it”. His conversational tone is indicative of his own personality- chill and laid back, while appreciating all that he has. Make sure to follow the social medias below to stay tuned for more music from ARIA. Written By Tessa Maddaloni FOLLOW ARIA:

TW: Death // Homophobia Since the first recorded HIV/AIDS diagnosis occurred in 1981, tireless work has been done to overcome the stigmatization of those living with HIV and find a cure. When the disease was first discovered, little was known about its cause and there was widespread panic that it could be caught from being in close proximity with anyone who may have it, or that only gay and bisexual men were capable of getting it. This misunderstanding was the cause of rampant homophobia and discrimination and hindered research from progressing more quickly. Throughout the last four decades, roughly 86 million individuals have been diagnosed worldwide. Sadly, nearly 41 million people have passed, while 39 million people were recording living with HIV or AIDS at the end of 2022. Research and scientific and medical breakthroughs have allowed for increased lifespans after diagnosis and increased prevention methods in the fight to end the AIDS epidemic. This kind of work could not be done without the courage of those who have been diagnosed, and those fighting with them. In commemoration of World AIDS Day on December 1, we are honoring five fearless musicians whose lives were affected by the AIDS epidemic. Freddie Mercury Photo Credits: Alamy To kick off our list, I want to talk about one of my favorite rock artists that I, sadly, will never get to see perform live. I’m talking about Freddie Mercury, the lead singer for Queen, a rock band that transformed what the genre of rock truly means throughout the 70s and 80s. Influenced by musical sensations such as Cream and Jimi Hendrix, Mercury (aka Farrokh Bulsara) formed Queen in 1970. Following the release of their debut album in 1973, the band would go on to gain millions of fans worldwide, release 15 studio albums, and over 70 singles. Freddie, being the face of the band, found himself in a bit of controversy when he decided to focus on his solo career, yet continuing to perform with the band. Most of y’all may remember Queen’s iconic performance at Live Aid in 1985. Unfortunately, this would be one of Mercury’s final performances, as the band took the stage one final time in 1986. Following this in 1987, Mercury was diagnosed with AIDS. Freddie Mercury succumbed to the illness in 1991, but his legacy would live on for decades to come. Mercury was gay and had a few private relationships with men throughout his career. But he was never out to the public, as it was practically unheard of back in the 80s. Queen is now adored by fans of every generation, and the music Mercury created will resonate with audiences for the rest of time. He’ll also continue to serve as an inspiration and icon for the LGBTQ+ community. Freddie Mercury was a huge influence on my life, and everyone should remember his name. Liberace Photo Credits: Larry Busacca There is one person that comes to mind when I think of classical, pop, and jazz music. His name is Liberace, and he was an absolute mastermind in the music industry. Born in 1919 to two musically talented parents, it was clear from the start that Liberace would be a prodigy. Now, if you don’t know him at first, maybe you’d recognize some of his iconic songs. Some of his most notable works are “I’ll Be Seeing You,” “Ave Maria,” and even my favorite, “Moon River.” Aside from his music, Liberace acted in some roles for a few films, and even had his own show: The Liberace Show . I like to call Liberace the Elton John of his time. Both had a fabulous sense of style AND knew how to play the piano like no one else. Similar to Freddie Mercury, Liberace was never officially out as gay. However, he had multiple male lovers in his life, one of whom (Scott Thorson), would eventually go on to file a lawsuit against the performer. He was diagnosed with HIV in 1985, but never made a public announcement about it. He died soon after his official AIDS diagnosis in 1987, but his legacy lived on, especially within me. I am a big classical music fan, and I’ve always found his songs comforting. I only wish I could have seen him live. At least his music can live on in all of us. Eazy-E Eric Lynn Wright, who was professionally known as Eazy-E, was a West Coast rapper who propelled the gangster rap genre. Often referred to as the “Godfather of Gangsta Rap,” Wright led the group “N.W.A,” featuring rappers such as Dr. Dre and Ice Cube and the group's record label, Ruthless Records. The group's release, “Straight Outta Compton,” although controversial, is revered as one of the most influential albums of all time. The 1988 record is number 70 on Rolling Stones’ “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list and was the first rap album to receive a 5-star review from Rolling Stones. After the group split in 1992, Eazy-E restarted his solo career, releasing 2 EPs: one in 1993, and one in 1996 posthumously. Eazy-E received his HIV/AIDS diagnosis in February 1995 and died one month later in March 1995 from AIDS-induced pneumonia. Eazy was born and raised in Compton, California, a Los Angeles suburb notorious for high rates of crime and a culture influenced by gangs. He dropped out of high school in the 10th grade but later received his GED. Because of the danger in Compton, Eazy-E started selling marijuana, which gained him a certain level of protection. Although he made a good living as a dealer, he decided after his cousin's homicide that he could make a better living working in the growing hip-hop scene of LA. He eventually started his own record label alongside his manager, Jerry Heller, in 1987 named Ruthless Records. Eazy brought in two other rappers from the area, O'Shea "Ice Cube" Jackson and Andre "Dr. Dre" Young, who recorded under the label. He teamed up with them to create the hit, “Boyz in the Hood,” and later joined together to make the group “N.W.A.” Rappers DJ Yella, MC Ren, and the D.O.C. joined the group as well to release “N.W.A And the Posse.” Then, the group released “Straight Outta Compton” in 1988, featuring hits like, “F--- the Police,” which resulted in a letter from the FBI being sent to Ruthless Records. The record went on to be certified double platinum. Ice Cube left the group in 1989, and not long after, the group broke up. However, Eazy continued to work behind the scenes with his label discovering and promoting various rap groups in the early ‘90s, and restarted his solo career. Although Eazy and N.W.A became synonymous with misogyny and violence. Suddenly, he was rushed to the hospital with severe respiratory issues in February 1995, which is where he was diagnosed with AIDS. He revealed his diagnosis to the public soon after and died a month later in March 1995. An EP he was working on was released posthumously in his honor in 1996. Eazy E is one of the earliest and most revolutionary rappers who pioneered the genre. He was one of the first rappers from Compton, California, and now, Compton is home to some of the biggest names in hip-hop. Eazy also set the tradition of an artist, not just a businessman, creating like a record label. Now, artists like Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Eminem, and many more all own their own record labels. Aside from all of his incredibly successful business ventures, he was a visionary and saw the potential of many up-and-coming artists. He signed J.J Fad, the first female rap group that received a Grammy nomination, which paved the way for future female MCs like Lauryn Hill, Lil Kim, and Missy Elliot. He also solidified the formation of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, who went on to release multiple Platinum-certified albums under Ruthless. Most importantly, Eazy was one of the biggest pioneers of gangster rap, and his violent descriptions of Compton gang culture introduced gang recognition to people around the world. Eazy E’s impact on rap, and music as a whole, is still so heavily felt 28 years after his death, and it’s a testament to his talent as a businessman and as an artist. Howard Ashman Howard Elliot Ashman was a playwright, lyricist, libretto, and musician employed at Disney Animation alongside Disney legend Alan Menken. Although you may not know their names, the powerhouse duo was responsible for the music heard in The Little Mermaid , Beauty and the Beast , and Aladdin . The era of these movies is often referred to as the Disney Renaissance due to their outstanding storylines and music. Ashman first got his passion for theater by performing at the Children’s Theater Association in his hometown of Baltimore. He studied at the undergraduate and graduate levels at Boston University and Indiana University, respectively. After working in smaller theaters in New York for three years, he became the artistic director of the WPA Theater, where he met Alan. Howard and Alan’s first venture together was Little Shop of Horrors , with Howard as the director, lyricist, and librettist. Ashman’s first stint with Disney was writing for a song in Oliver & Company in 1986. Soon after, he was introduced to a couple of projects on the backburner at Disney; one of those being The Little Mermaid . Howard and Alan composed the score and every song, including the hit, Part of Your World . Many LGBTQ+ individuals cite the song as their “pre-coming out” experience, and it’s now coined a “gay anthem” because of its themes surrounding love and acceptance. The Little Mermaid hoisted the Disney company out of a drought of hit movies in 1989, returning to their first fairytale in 30 years. However, throughout the process of making The Little Mermaid , Ashman was diagnosed with AIDS that was already pretty far along, and he found out he was HIV positive soon after. While doing a press junket for the film at Disneyland, Ashman had a catheter in his chest, making him unable to ride the rides at the park. After the duo's two Oscar wins in 1990, he secretly confided to Menken about his identity and illness. Regarding the talk he had with Ashman, Menken recalls him saying, “I didn't want to tell you because I didn't know how Disney would react. Here I am, a gay man, and I'm working on a movie for kids, and I didn't want to be fired” (CBC Canada). As he neared the end of his life, he was still largely contributing to Disney Animation for two projects: Beauty and The Beast and Aladdin . As he was too ill to travel to work on the projects, Disney brought their storyboards to him in upstate New York to work on. While upstate, Ashman completely changed the vibe for the Beast, which is a reflection of how he and other people living with AIDS were viewed as beasts. Before his death, he managed to complete his work on Beauty and The Beast , and famously created a 30-page treatment for Aladdin , which included hits like “Friend Like Me” and “Prince Ali.” Sadly, he passed away in 1991 and was not alive to see either of the completed films. Beauty and The Beast was dedicated to Ashman by all of his colleagues for his contributions to the company and to everyone who worked at Disney. There are no means to measure how large of an impact Howard Ashman had on the Disney company. His music is featured in every Disney theme park across the globe, on Broadway, and on countless pieces of merchandise the company has released. Ashman has set the golden standard for Disney movies since 1989, and virtually no Disney Animation release has deviated from his model of songwriting. He and Alan Menken were honored as Disney Legends in 2001, a prestigious and high honor for employees of the Disney Company. Disney also made a documentary titled "Howard" in 2020, and it is currently on Disney+. Without his music, the most beloved Disney films would cease to exist. Elton John Next on our list is global superstar and celebrated philanthropist, Sir Elton John. Open about his sexuality and his struggles with addiction, Elton John has been an inspiration for many throughout his decades-long career. While he himself does not live with HIV or AIDS, Elton’s life was touched by many friends who were diagnosed with these illnesses, as well as those who fought for a cure. After breaking off his engagement with his first lover, Linda Woodrow, in the late 1960s, Elton began his first gay relationship with John Reid from 1970 to 1975. Elton came out as bisexual in a 1976 interview with Rolling Stone, though he later confirmed in a 1992 interview that he is “quite comfortable about being gay.” Throughout the 1980s, Elton struggled with addiction. He has stated that he took risks with unprotected sex throughout the decade and considers himself "lucky to have avoided contracting HIV." He later stated that the catalyst he needed to change his life was the time he spent with the family of Ryan White, a teenager who was unknowingly exposed to HIV during a blood transfusion in the 1980s. White became a national spokesperson for AIDS research and advocated for the de-stigmatization for those living with HIV/AIDS. White was known as an "innocent" AIDS victim, a title he and his family rejected due to the connotation that gay men or those who contracted the disease from sex or drug use were "guilty." At that time, Elton became close friends with the family and dedicated his song “Skyline Pigeon” to White after his passing from AIDS-related health complications in 1990. Additionally, he was friends with Lady Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales, AKA Princess Diana. Diana was a known AIDS activist who strove to humanise people living with AIDS at a time when there was little known about he disease and the world at large was afraid to be in close contact with anyone who was diagnosed. Elton was also close friends with Freddie Mercury, who passed in 1991. Having lost two friends of AIDS within the span of a year, Elton was inspired to start the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992. Since its inception, the foundation has raised over $600 million to support HIV and AIDS-related programs in 55 countries and counting. It aims to end the AIDS epidemic and provide support for the most vulnerable populations, including the LGBTQ+ community, people who use drugs, and communities with growing numbers of people living with HIV and AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The Elton John AIDS Foundation provides support in "some of the most challenging countries and contexts and funds work in places where other donors don’t." Until her death in 2011, Elton was close friends with Elizabeth Taylor, a fellow entertainer and activist who founded the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation in 1991. The two friends supported each other’s organizations, often speaking at each other’s fundraisers and partnering to fund grants to projects that support AIDS research and care for those living with AIDS. A part-time resident of Atlanta, John gave back to the community in 2016 when the two organizations partnered in an initiative to combat AIDS in the Southern United States, which constitutes 44% of the HIV-positive population in the country. Together they offered grants of $330,000 to five different organizations. The influence Elton John has had in fighting the spread of HIV and AIDS has made a lasting impact on the world, along with his dedication to improving the lives of those living with the disease. He has truly humanized the illness and reduced the stigma, misinformation, and neglect keeping people from the life-saving care they need. At a 2023 fundraiser, Elton stated, “We mustn’t forget that HIV is still causing needless suffering around the world and we must protect those most vulnerable to this disease with testing and compassionate care. We can see an end to AIDS in our lifetimes, but first we must break down stigma and discrimination and provide equal access to healthcare to finally end the epidemic for everyone, everywhere.” Greatly stigmatized and misunderstood, HIV and AIDS has taken far too many lives due to the lack of proper research and funding since the epidemic began. It is due to the bravery of those living with HIV and the empathy of those who speak out in support of the community that are the reason an AIDS diagnosis no longer equates to death. While there is still no cure for HIV or AIDS, rates of HIV have been steadily declining year over year as the result of more widespread testing, access to live-saving treatments, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medications. The fight is not over, and sadly, socio-economic factors prevent the decline from being equal across people of different races, ethnic groups, and incomes. There is still much work to be done. However, there is always hope for a cure. Resources To learn more about HIV and AIDS: Center for Disease Control HIV.gov Stop the Virus To donate, and/or get involved with AIDS charities: AIDS United amFAR: American Foundation for AIDS Research The Black AIDS Institute Doctors Without Borders Elton John AIDS Foundation Housing Works Keep A Child Alive mothers2mothers To find a testing center near you: Planned Parenthood Written By Isabel Mays, Lauren DiGiovanni and Tessa Brainard Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

Pop newcomer Izzy Potter just released her newest single "can't end what never was." The indie rock and pop influenced track is fitting for those who love artists like Taylor Swift and Maggie Rogers. The punchy track came after the end of a 'situationship' that Potter was in. Her poignant lyricism tackles feelings of confusion, longing, regret, and hurt. When you are with a person, but not truly in a defined relationship, it can be complicated to sort through those feelings and move on from it. Potter chronicles this journey in a high-energy song that anyone can find catharsis in blasting and singing. Based on her situationship that ended, "can't end what never was" is a guitar-driven indie pop anthem about breaking up with someone that you never technically dated in the first place. Potter expresses these feelings with lyrics like "What am I supposed to say / Dread the question every day" and "How do I explain this 'cause / You can't end what never really was." She opens up about her feelings of loneliness and constantly thinking about this person, even though she has tried to move on from them. The authentic lyric "Had a toothbrush at your place / I wanted to go with grace" encapsulates the feeling of leaving and letting go of this person being harder than Potter had anticipated. Nashville-based singer and songwriter Izzy Potter has been writing songs since she was 12 years old. She has crafted a deeply personal, relatable, storytelling style of lyricism. With ties to both New York and Nashville, she can be found playing shows in a variety of venues, from Bowery Ballroom NYC to Cafe Coco Nashville. She continues to develop her musical abilities through studying Songwriting at Belmont University. If you enjoyed "can't end what never was," you can keep up with all the latest information on Izzy Potter and her music through following the links to her social media platforms down below. Written By SYDNEY GRAY FOLLOW IZZY POTTER:

If you love Gossip Girl, Pinterest, and Lana Del Rey, Pixia believes her music is meant for you. Her new release, “Boudoir Tears” is for the people with good yet expensive taste. It’s for go-getters who know what they want and work hard to get it. “Boudoir Tears” is about seizing an opportunity and finding a way to make the most out of an unlucky situation. In the song, she sings: “I’ll make perfume out of these boudoir tears,” perfectly encapsulating her ambitious attitude. Not only does Pixia have drive, but she has an edge, and she owns it. She wants you to know that things aren’t always what they appear. She may look and sound sweet, but she proves that assumption wrong when she hints at a dangerous side. Pixia is not afraid to get messy, but “Boudoir Tears” is polished. “Boudoir Tears” is a thrilling new song with impressive production. The instrumental is unique and whimsical and sounds like it belongs on the Alice in Wonderland soundtrack. The lyrics tell a story, and her voice makes the song even more exciting to hear. The lyrics are thought-provoking and fun to sing along to. Pixia’s singing style is similar to Halsey's, and it fits perfectly with the song's vibe. “Boudoir Tears” is mischievous and cheeky, and Pixia has an expressive tone that clues listeners in on her emotions. She shows off her daring personality with the song’s catchy and quirky chorus. Pixia has a bright career ahead of her, and "Boudoir Tears" is a great introduction to her artistry and what she can do. Pixia is a singer-songwriter based in London. She grew up performing for musical theater productions and talent competitions in the UK before becoming an artist. Pixia started by creating demos on her laptop and writing lyrics in her bedroom. Her music is heavily inspired by 80s electro-pop and darkwave and has been defined by her mesmerizing vocals and poetic lyrics. Several artists who inspire her sound are Lana Del Rey, Melanie Martinez, Halsey, and Lykke Li. She released ‘Morphia,’ her dark alt-pop debut EP, in 2021. Soon after, she released her single ‘If I’m On Your Mind.’ Her releases have amassed over 600,000 streams on Spotify. Pixia is currently performing at venues in London and working on new projects, including her sophomore EP. She is also studying at a music school to further improve her craft. Written By Victoria James FOLLOW PIXIA: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator