“Boyfriend” is Anna-Sophie’s latest single. The piece focuses on independence, growth, and the strength it takes to gain them. Though it begins in heartbreak and dependence, her tone quickly changes in the chorus, “I can be my own boyfriend” Anna-Sophie sings. The song reflects the stages of grief, settling on acceptance, and even positivity coming from the breakup. She finds herself, and that person is incredibly capable and self-sufficient. The use of the specific word “boyfriend” is especially important, being a title that holds very strict requirements. She doesn’t say “I can love myself”, “I can be my best friend”, these are titles that can be found elsewhere and that she can actually hold. By using “boyfriend” she expresses that even these seemingly impossible to fulfill roles can be met by herself. The song begins with an electric catchy beat that will remain replaying in your head long after the piece has ended. Anna-Sophie begins singing quickly after this introduction, starting low physically and mentally. Her voice seems saddened and raspy, not something seen later in the song where she sings with such noticeable passion. Here, though, it works to set the scene of heartbreak. The music increases its pace around her story, gaining more confidence with each note. The chorus chimes in with great lines such as “I’ve got two arms they can hold me” that offer their own motivation even beyond the storyline. She goes from feeling hopeless, to being enough for herself, to the final stance of the song in which she feels she’s an even better boyfriend. Anna-Sophie is an Austria based artist who has semi-recently been launched into public view. Three years ago, she released “Cambodia”, a single again focused on the story of a relationship, and it was an instant hit. Since its release, her Spotify listeners have increased by the millions with her most popular works holding over 2 and 5 million respectively. In Austria, she’s achieved the status of making a “Top Ten” hit on multiple occasions and across the world these hits have been featured on several popular Spotify made playlists. Her popularity among live performances is also incredibly impressive, appearing at the Sziget Festival in 2022 and sharing an audience with Justin Bieber and Dua Lipa. Follow her below to track upcoming tours and releases. Written By Hailey Schap FOLLOW ANNA-SOPHIE:

Natalie Shay has just dropped “Figure of 8”, an upbeat song about being constantly reeled back into a toxic relationship. Like quicksand, you keep sinking deeper and deeper into it with seemingly no escape. And even when you finally get out of it, you may find yourself being curious about jumping back into the pit, despite knowing its consequences. “Figure of 8” is all about the cycle of leaving and coming back again, but realizing that, for your own health and happiness, it’s just best to stay away and focus on yourself. Containing both an insanely catchy beat and an important message, the song’s lyrics will hit home hard if you’ve ever been in this situation and managed to claw your way out. The lyrics in “Figure of 8” have to be my favorite part of the song’s composition. Like the dizzying figure 8 that the song is titled after, the lyrics surround the cycle of leaving and returning, like being “caught in/a broken circuit.” The songwriting is highly evocative, raw and vivid; the way that Shay describes the terrible repeating process is beautifully poetic and wickedly catchy. Every time the pre-chorus swings by, you’ll feel where the song’s pulse lies, beating in time with the percussion and Shay's strong vocals. The instrumentals, too, are powerful and redolent; on full-blast, "Figure of 8" is the kind of song that echoes through your ears. It keeps climbing in intensity until it all culminates in the chorus, which is just perfect as it details the moment when you realize that they will never change, and the only option is for them to stay far, far away. BRIT School graduate Natalie Shay is a singer-songwriter pop powerhouse known for her dynamic live performances and infectiously catchy music. Influenced by greats such as Taylor Swift, Paramore, and The 1975, Shay’s music touches on similar themes as her inspirations, such as youth, love, and friendship. She’s performed twice on CBBC’s Saturday Mashup! and has sold out venues across London, including the notable Camden Assembly and Oslo. With her first single being released all the way back in 2014 entitled “Follow You Home,” Shay’s discography is vast and varied, though they all carry her fantastically smooth and rich vocals. “Figure of 8” is one of her most recent releases and I encourage everyone to give it a listen; it’s an empowering, anthemic tune that truly wants you to put yourself first. Written By Alexa Leung FOLLOW NATALIE SHAY:

We’re all familiar with the notion that being “ Antisocial ” means to be lonely and isolated from others, prefering to be alone, right? Well, Palmboy has taken this concept and given it a fresh and new perspective. Instead of being antisocial by yourself, he introduces the idea that you can share your antisocial moments with a special someone. This special someone is a partner that you can share and spend all your time with, without a care for the outside world. It’s about the two of you enjoying each other's company, loving and cherishing this simple, yet antisocial connection. For the both of you, it's considered enough and you enjoy the intimacy of it. This person is the only one you care about, and they become the only one that you want by your side. This alternative perspective is positive, cute, and intimate because you’re both in sync about ditching the rest of society and choosing to spend your time with just each other instead. The lyrics in this song are adorable, emphasizing the desire to be antisocial with someone else, rather than alone. Palmboy doesn't have the slightest interest in being or hanging out with groups of others, and is instead looking at one person he wants to spend time with: “Ditch our friends when no one’s watching, you’re the only one that I want talking to me. " Not only is it relatable to not have a single care about being social and going outside, but honestly, it sparks an interest knowing that someone else is on the same page of wanting to escape the crowd and be exclusively with you: “ Leave this show before its over, cancel our plans be antisocial with me .” This track also mentions life’s challenges, sharing that we all face some tough times. Palmboy gets vulnerable and expresses that even during moments of self-doubt, he still has his focus on the presence of his partner and only wants them to be there for him, as he sings: “ I’m afraid to let you see me fall apart, tell me that it’s all alright. ” Nick Sadler, known by his stage name Palmboy, is an emerging indie singer and songwriter. One of his tracks called “ Sophie ” has surpassed an impressive 150,000 streams to date. You can also catch his rock vocals in episode 6 of the hit Netflix series “Perfect Match.” Additionally, he co-wrote, produced and mixed the track “ H8 Me Too” alongside Meg Smith, which aired on the show EZRA on Apple TV. Check out Palmboy’s latest single, “ Antisocial ,” out now on all streaming platforms. To keep up with his future releases, follow his socials by clicking on the links below! Written By Sneet Efrem FOLLOW PALMBOY:

“Miss Know Nothing” is Maddie Ettrich's newest single and is the embodiment of longing for simpler times that will never return. It is simply the best representation of that full-bodied pining for a version of yourself that you can never get back. Pinpointing the ennui of nostalgia and naivete, Ettrich’s soft vocals and instrumentals create a beautiful, heart-wrenching song that makes you want to sit next to a cool, rainy window and think of how those happier days are far past you now. Summer nights, youthful mischief; “Miss Know Nothing” knows exactly what you want again. Click here to listen to "Miss Know Nothing"! There’s just something about “Miss Know Nothing” that has me playing it on repeat. It’s all soft and nostalgic with that precise pang of yearning. The instrumentals are absolutely phenomenal in driving home its vibe– the strings and percussion are calm and consistent, forming such a strong backbone for the song. And even then, they’re super catchy and so hummable. The songwriting, too, is just what you’d want from a song like “Miss Know Nothing”; each verse and chorus flow into one another, creating this stream-of-consciousness, memory-type of song. It’s a collection of remembrances and an ache for the past; as the song goes, “I miss you, Miss Irrelevant.” The lyrics are just so relatable and universal– they capture such a strange, liminal feeling that strikes on late nights and empty evenings. Ontario-born singer-songwriter Maddie Ettrich makes pop music like you’ve never heard: raw yet powerful, personal to the core, and oh-so catchy, each song is a new soundscape with that perfect touch of Ettrich’s personality and style. Now based in Nashville, Tennessee, Ettrich’s music draws on her personal experiences from parties, love, and days long gone, hitting that sweet spot of relatability. Her debut single “Decaying Candles” was released in 2022, and her debut EP “I Think the Party’s Over” dropped in 2023. A brilliant blend between softness and passion, longing and fleeting, she manages to combine all the best bits of modern pop. “Miss Know Nothing” is her most recent release and is the first single of an upcoming project, so keep your eye out for it! Written By Alexa Leung FOLLOW MADDIE ETTRICH:

Following her cheeky, self-deprecating track about being a hopeless romantic, Kayla DiVenere flips the narrative with her latest single, “Date Myself.” While the previous single explores her unrelenting hope to find love, this new track is a powerful juxtaposition from this. In her new single, DiVenere expresses her frustration in the culture behind modern dating and the continual disappointment she faces. Rather than dwelling on this, the singer switches her outlook and determines that it’s time for a change. Instead of wasting her time on guys that are not worth her breath, she has decided to take a step back from dating them, and instead, has chosen to date herself. The cleverly written track celebrates self-confidence, as the singer recognizes her high standards and appreciates her ability to stand by them. In the second verse, DiVenere sings the profound lyric: “Kinda forgot that heart break existed// When I found out that self-love hits different.” After taking time for herself and rekindling the self-love she lost, the artist has forgotten about all the hurt and suffering she has undergone. She is better without the toxic relationships that once ruled her life. Instead, dating herself gives her the confidence she deserves because she knows she treats herself better than any guy can. From their very first listen, audiences are entranced by DiVenere’s poise as the song serves as a cathartic release for both the singer and her devote fans. With a song that exudes an overwhelming amount of confidence, it is no surprise that “Date Myself” has a vibrant production to match. The song kicks off with a powerful intro consisting of two guitars. The acoustic guitar is playing two simplified chords with an intricate strum pattern that effortlessly merges with the electric guitar in the background. The electric is playing bright chords higher up on the neck to bring focus on the lower notes of the acoustic. With this complex intro, the audience is immediately captivated by the song’s electrifying atmosphere. Prior to the verse hitting, a beat is introduced that further enhances this unique dynamic. Once DiVenere’s voice picks up, the electric guitar drops while the acoustic continues alongside the vocals. Additional synth and vocal effects play in the background as the audience is guided through the storyline. This continues into the pre-chorus, where background electric guitar melodies are introduced. The beat intensifies to signify the chorus, where the production shifts into an energizing soundscape. The song introduces a synth bass and high-end guitar chords, while the acoustic guitar strum pattern speeds up and fades into the background. The final lyric of the chorus blends directly into the second verse, giving no pause as DiVenere continues with the empowering narrative. While the original instrumentation from the first verse returns, additional synth is added, helping maintain the lively atmosphere. When the second chorus arrives, the full production returns and remains until the final line: “I kinda want to date myself.” During the last word, the production mutes, drawing emphasis on DiVenere’s compelling voice as she closes the track. With another incredible song under her belt, the young artist has once again proven her unmistakable talent and her rightful status as a triple-threat. Kayla DiVenere is a singer, songwriter, and actress from Montreal, now based in Los Angeles. She kickstarted her acting career at the age of six and has credits in productions such as, Love Victor, Law & Order, and Light as a Feather. Then in 2020, she released her debut single, thus propelling her into her music career. With “Date Myself” being only her seventh single, DiVenere has already made massive waves in the industry. The artist has over a million streams across all platforms and over 200,000 followers on social media. Her latest releases have earned her a spot on some of Spotify’s top playlists, such as New Pop Picks, SALT, and All New Rock. She continues to impress industry tastemakers while earning a loyal fanbase. Check out her social media for all upcoming releases! Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW KAYLA:

In her song “Death of Me,” Ashley Elle details her anxieties that come with change and an underlying fear of failure amidst the chaos of everyday life. The lyrics are intimate and vulnerable, detailing how she’s trying her best, but chasing her dreams is difficult and is taking its toll. She acknowledges the changes she’s going through, saying she cut her hair and “dyed it blond” as well as “signed a lease” in a new city in the first verse, but despite her attempts to exert control over everyday life, she’s anxious and lonely. She says she goes to a “therapist to keep me calm,” but she’s still struggling, and doesn’t feel like she’s built to handle the adversity that she constantly faces. This leads to the chorus where she potently bottles her emotions in the phrase “The city’s gonna be the death of me,” confessing to the listener that while she’s trying her best, her pursuit of success is taking its toll. Yet, despite the harsh reality of this new city and new life, she expresses hope, saying she’s still young and if she plays her cards right, she might “make it out alive,” adding a hopeful tone to otherwise a melancholic sound, capturing the dichotomy of her emotions of both fear and hope. The song begins with a soft, acoustic sound. Gentle guitar strums lay the background for her vocals, allowing her lyrics to shine through. Elle confesses her struggles to the listener, and the production builds as the song approaches the chorus, after which only a soft pulsing beat and piano accompanies her vocals. The stripped down chorus makes the song feel more intimate, and I felt like I was reading a diary entry. After the chorus, the production kicks in full force, with what sounds like an electric guitar trailing behind in the background accentuating her sentences. The second chorus feels cathartic with the added production, building up to the line “Take it easy on me." Elle is pleading and desperate, and the added production in the second chorus adds to the volatility of her emotions. The feeling of panic one gets when their life is changing is real and relatable, and “Death of Me” feels like an assurance to the listener that they’re not alone in feeling this way. Addressing that your current circumstances are difficult is not giving up, it’s part of the growth process, and Elle bravely achieves this by opening up the way she did. Ashley Elle's early passion for music, though initially humble and shy, blossomed when her dad encouraged her to record in a studio, revealing her true passion. She delved into the songwriting process, emphasizing authenticity in her music, which quickly caught the attention of industry professionals who worked with her to refine her indie pop sound. Her music centers on themes of heartbreak, love, maturation, and mental health, drawing from her personal experiences. Ashley values the connection and self-expression music provides, embracing vulnerability as a songwriter. In 2019, her dedication paid off as she signed a publishing deal with Given Entertainment in Nashville, continuing to pour her heart and soul into her ever-evolving catalog of songs. Written By Rachael Bach FOLLOW ASHLEY:

“Know Me Yet” is an introspective contemporary pop anthem that explores the new and sudden feelings that accompany an emerging love story which has yet to be written. Fantasies and a bit of delusion can drive the beginnings of a new relationship. Before a relationship can even be called that, your feelings have made themselves known to you. Every new action and little moment is unknown yet comfortably familiar, like their hugs and when they speak your name softly. As the relationship begins to blossom, you contemplate whether or not you actually need the qualities and care you receive from them. However, time ever flows, and you realize that without this love, you feel directionless. It is only just beginning, but you can't imagine life without getting the chance to write this new love story. Click here to listen to "Know Me Yet"! “Know Me Yet” is an easy-listening anthemic pop single that is centered on its simple contemporary instrumentation as it is with the vocals. This single intertwines its instrumentation to truly complement Etham’s sweet vocals. As he pours out every line passionately each instrument and beat is delivered with an ambient tone. Everything blends together, yet makes sure to never become muddled or lost behind his vocal delivery. The leading vocals are less ambient than the melody and backing vocals, but this has an intended effect. The true focus here is the message as well as how we receive it. We want to focus on the lyrics and are allowed to do so through what occurs here. Etham is a singer-songwriter based out of Reading in the United Kingdom. Etham made his debut by posting covers on his YouTube channel when he was 14 years old. Over time, with some success from his channel, he dropped his debut single. Since then, he has amassed quite a following through both his music and his social media presence. He released his first EP in 2016 which was met with relative success and praise. He has an impressive 200 million listener plays on Spotify alone, with his highest played single having over 76,000,000 plays. He has maintained an excellent social media following and has a decent following over time. Make sure to follow Etham on social media and give “Know Me Yet” a listen! Written By Willow Gray FOLLOW ETHAM: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Photo: Holly Humberstone via Constatine//Spence After three years since her debut, Holly Humberstone has finally released her highly-anticipated debut album, Paint My Bedroom Black. The 13-track album is a compilation of the singer’s inner thoughts and personal experiences. Deemed her “coming of age” album, the artist gives her listener’s an insight of her life through poetic lyrics and dark productions. Every single song released leading up to the album increased my excitement for the project. From the grim lyrics of “Antichrist” to the harmonies in “Superbloodmoon,” Humberstone picked the perfect singles to represent the album. Now, finally being able to listen to the record in full, I know that it was worth the wait to listen to the flawless masterpiece that is Paint My Bedroom Black. Tracklist— Paint My Bedroom Black Into Your Room Cocoon Kissing In Swimming Pools Ghost Me Superbloodmoon (feat. D4vd) Antichrist Lauren Baby Blues Flatlining Elvis Impersonators Girl Room Service Holly Humberstone is an alt-pop singer-songwriter from Lincolnshire, England. Prior to releasing any music, the singer performed at the iconic Glastonbury Festival in 2019 on the BBC Music Introducing stage. Then in January 2020, she released her debut single, “Deep End.” After releasing two more original singles and a Radiohead cover, the artist released her debut EP, Falling Asleep at the Wheel. In March 2021, she was signed with Polydor Records in the UK and Darkroom/Interscope Records in the United States, as well as a publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group. Then in fall 2021, she released her sophomore EP, The Walls Are Way Too Thin and earned the Brit Award for Rising Star. In 2022, she opened for artists such as Girl In Red and Olivia Rodrigo. Humberstone’s music is a mix of alt-pop, soft-rock, and pop rock, with inspirations from artists such as Damien rice, Ben Howard, Phoebe Bridgers, and Haim. In support of Paint My Bedroom Black, she will be heading out on her own headlining tour in Europe and Australia, so check out her social media and website for tickets! “Paint My Bedroom Black” Just two days prior to the full album arriving in listener’s hands, Humberstone surprised them with the title track, “Paint My Bedroom Black.” The opening song propels the audience into the alternative-pop project with a production filled with an electrifying guitar melody and infectious synth beats. The song illustrates the overwhelming freedom of breaking away from a toxic relationship and reclaiming your peace. Everyone once thought she would never “have the guts” to fight back, and she is here to prove them wrong. Humberstone proclaims that she is going to paint her bedroom black, blast her music, and board her windows up in an attempt to drown out all the noise— figuratively and literally. The artist wrote this track while juggling the overstimulating experience of being on tour and being isolated in her hotel room. The very first lyrics even represent this as she sings: “Here’s to new horizons.” While this is sung in the context of leaving an unhealthy relationship, Humberstone singing this to kickstart her debut album is a brilliant detail. After starting three years ago as an independent artist and releasing an indie EP, which then led to her signing to a major record label, Humberstone has had a whirlwind of a career. With her debut LP album, the singer has just introduced this new chapter of her life. And she is ready to see where it takes her. Furthermore, before she begins singing, Humberstone is heard speaking an ad-libbed part left behind from production: “Turn my voice up.” This exemplifies the singer’s power and her confidence. It shows that, whether in context of the toxic relationship or in her impressive career, she has learned to speak up for herself and make her voice heard. With “Paint My Bedroom Black,” Humberstone immediately draws the listener in through the meticulous details that make her music unique. “Into Your Room” “Into Your Room” is the fourth single released ahead of Paint My Bedroom Black. From my very first playthrough of the track, I immediately sent the song to some of my friends, imploring them to listen to it. Alongside a catchy beat that is absolute pop perfection, Humberstone shares a story of about clinging onto a love that she just cannot let go of. The song is composed of such brilliantly poetic lyrics that proves it is a certified masterpiece. From “Without you my soul is eternally doomed// You’re the center of this universe//My sorry ass revolves around you,” to “Don’t make me stand outside in the pouring rain// With a freshly ripped human heart from my ribcage// And a boom-box// How pathetic, babe,” Humberstone ingeniously describes this overwhelming, consuming love. The passion she feels for this person and her inability to let them go, even if she wanted to, is represented through her clever lyrics. From the five pre-released singles, “Into Your Room” is by far my favorite of them for her deep and profound lyricism. “Cocoon” One of the many reasons I love Humberstone is her natural proclivity to eloquently convey authentic human emotion and internal struggles. She established this talent from her very first single, “Deep End,” which shares the message of being there for someone through their darkest moments. In “Cocoon,” the singer takes this storyline and flips the script, where this time the narrator is the one in the deep end. The chorus solely consists of her repeating the phrase: “I’m just going through something.” Throughout the track, the emotional lyrics illustrate her experience of falling into a deep depression, sinking further and further and feeling paralyzed. Without explicitly stating clinical words, Humberstone ingeniously describes the despair that comes with depression, anxiety, and a frail mental health. In the first verse, she tells her loved one: “This is protocol// I need you here beside me//I’ve been paralyzed for more than a week// But don’t let it scare you// This is fairly routine.” She then enters the pre-chorus with the song title: “Soon, I’ll break out this cocoon.” She admits to this person that this is something she goes through—dark, depressive states that change her personality. And that they only need to be patient with her and be there for her, and eventually she will break out of this solemn place. Alongside an upbeat, alt-rock production, “Cocoon” contains an element of hope and reassurance that in the end, everything will be okay as long as she is not alone. “Kissing In Swimming Pools” Released a week prior to the album, “Kissing In Swimming Pools” is the fifth promotional single for Paint My Bedroom Black. The sentimental track is a sweet love song that effortlessly tugs on the hearts of listeners. The song explores the feeling of being so deeply in love with someone that you are completely comfortable with them and you can be your true, authentic self. Once again, through deep and insightful lyrics, Humberstone paints this picture beautifully. In the chorus, she tells her lover: “We don’t have to complicate it// I just wanna be alone with you.” She truly feels the most herself in the presence of her partner, making her want to spend all her time with them. Furthermore, she sings a clever parallel with the pre-choruses, making this sentiment even sweeter. She sings: “When you found me, I was a trainwreck// You gathered my bones in a blanket” and “When I met you, your cloud was heavy// I could repair you so gently.” This represents that prior to meeting, they both felt broken and bruised—unable to heal from their past. But now that they have one another, they have mended each other’s hearts and have grown this unbreakable bond. These lyrics convey the sweet notion that love is the most powerful force on this earth, making “Kissing In Swimming Pools” a perfect love song. “Ghost Me” “Ghost Me” is an incredibly poignant track that details Humberstone’s deep fears of losing her friends. The artist wrote the track about her experience of constantly being on the road and away from her family and friends. Her loved ones get to continue to live their lives without her, while she spends her nights alone in a hotel room. While she is grateful for the opportunity to live her dream, she is fearful that everyone is going to move on and forget about her. In the second pre-chorus, Humberstone makes a brilliant pop-culture reference that ingeniously encapsulates her sudden burst into stardom and fear of losing her roots. She sings: “The more I see, the less I know// And this feels like The Truman Show// Everybody’s up and left// And I can barely catch my breath.” The reference to the popular movie, in which the protagonist realizes that everyone in the world is watching everything he says and does for their entertainment, highlights the overwhelming feeling that Humberstone is experiencing. Now that she has been propelled into the limelight, she feels as if she is slowly losing herself and her former life. She is terrified that as she continues to spiral into her well-deserved fame, everyone from her hometown will soon forget her. In the chorus, she begs them to stay with the heart-wrenching lyrics: “And if you try to ghost me// And quit being in my life// Don’t you dare.” With these vulnerable lyrics, Humberstone beautifully describes the phenomenon of wanting success but not wanting to sacrifice everyone that helped you get there, making “Ghost Me” my favorite track on Paint My Bedroom Black. “Superbloodmoon” (feat. d4vd) The third single prior to the album’s release is a flawless alt-pop track featuring American artist, d4vd. The infectious song is composed of nostalgia and melancholy as the two artists sing a message of longing. A brief synth reverb introduces the track before Humberstone’s heavenly vocals kick-starts the verse. An electric guitar strums alongside her voice, drawing focus on the gloomy lyrics. Throughout the song, the singers harmonize as they share the story of a long-distanced relationship where the two lovers are left missing one another. The hook is not mentioned until the outro, where both artists sing: “I saw a super blood moon in the sky// Can you see it from where you are?” After learning about a super blood moon, Humberstone was inspired to write a song based on the idea of this rare phenomenon. She daydreamed about two lovers looking into the night sky and knowing they are looking at the same natural wonder, despite being thousands of miles apart. While the song is heart-wrenching, it also evokes a feeling of hope in the listener’s heart. “Antichrist” As the lead single from the album, I already have listened to this track a million times through. From the heavy vocal effects to the dark lyricism, Humberstone eloquently describes the feeling of being the villain— the “antichrist” who was designed to corrupt someone else and leave them broken hearted. The song begins with her singing the hook, “Am I the antichrist?// How do I sleep at night?// Just need to escape my mind// I guess it figures.” Layered vocal effects are utilized with a deep vocal harmony that emulate the demonic voice often found in horror movies. This immediately catches the listener’s attention as they are drawn in by the sinister atmosphere. They are intrigued by the deep questions that Humberstone is left asking herself—wondering if she is the bad guy. After the intro, the song instantly switches to the alt-pop production while the eerie hook continues to make an appearance in the chorus. The moment I first heard this song, I knew that her new era of music would be incredible. Of course, at the time I did not know that it would be a part of her perfect debut album, making it all that more special. “Lauren” The moment I heard the opening line of “Lauren,” I had to restart the song to ensure I heard the lyrics right. Sure enough, I was correct, and the track was instantly boosted to a top place on my album ranking. Humberstone opens the track with: “I used to drive you home, but now I just drive you crazy.” This was another excellent example of the singer’s clever songwriting, using brilliant word play to captivate her audience. She continues with the line: “You used to call my phone, but you’ve been a little quiet lately.” This directly relates back to “Ghost Me,” as the subject has been avoiding contact. Furthermore, this continues the overarching theme found throughout the album where the singer acknowledges that she has hurt her friends and accepts that sometimes she is the problem. Named after the singer’s best friend, “Lauren” details the pain and suffering the muse has gone through. Humberstone reveals her unrelenting guilt and her desire to make amends for her mistake. The song relates back to “Ghost Me” further, as the previous track includes a voice memo at the end with Lauren herself relaying back a SpongeBob SquarePants quote. These unique connections make Paint My Bedroom Black not simply a compilation album of songs Humberstone has written over the years, but a well-designed project consisting of meticulous details that make this one of the best releases of 2023. “Baby Blues” “Baby Blues” is the most unique track on Paint My Bedroom Black. The intimate song is less than 90-seconds long, and involves only Humberstone’s angelic voice. The vocals utilize a layered effect that envelops the listener with the electronic atmosphere, intensified while listening through headphones. Despite having only three stanzas, the song still shares a detailed story of a person that makes all Humberstone's troubles go away. When she was down on her luck, and drowned and drunk, the subject was able to make her feel whole again. Just through a “flash of those baby blues,” she knew everything was going to be okay. This song is not only unique to the album, but also to Humberstone’s entire discography, making it stand out from all other tracks. “Flatlining” With an impressive production that brilliantly encapsulates the emotions behind the song, “Flatlining” easily puts itself in the top three of my favorite track on Paint My Bedroom Black. The song shares the aftermath of a relationship. One that was clearly dead on arrival and cannot be revived. Throughout the track, Humberstone uses clever lyricism to accentuate the detailed imagery of the song. Through lyrics such as, “We’ve got no chance of resuscitation” and “I pulled the plug and let the line go flat// Now there’s no coming back from that,” the singer takes advantage of this ingenious metaphor. Furthermore, the production starts off slow, but as the song progresses, the tempo increases and maintains this energy. This personifies the heart that kept beating, until it got out of control. The fast-paced instrumentation induces a feeling of anxiety in the listener, as they are placed into the mindset of the singer. The production even utilizes sound effects that emulate the sound of a heart monitor. The outro brings back the slower production, while this special sound effect continues to beat slower and slower, before the song completely fades out. This truly brings to life the entire imagery of the track that Humberstone was trying to convey, making “Flatlining” contain the most impressive production of the album. “Elvis Impersonators” Humberstone has revealed that “Elvis Impersonators” is her most personal song on Paint My Bedroom Black. Alongside a melancholic guitar, the singer shares her emotional thoughts about her sister moving to Tokyo for her studies. While Humberstone stayed behind for her career, she was left missing her sister and wishing they could go back to the time that they were still actively in each other’s life. The nostalgic track was written after the singer was in Japan for a show and was fortunately able to spend her time off with her sibling. She shares her experience in the city and the title comes from the two of them spotting Elvis impersonators, and it becoming a memorable experience for her. Furthermore, this is another track that contains lyrics which tie back to her debut single, “Deep End.” In the second verse and pre-chorus, Humberstone sings: “You always were the least happy child// I always thought that was unfair// And you always hid your sadness// With the smoothest slight of hand.” Tying these two songs together showcases that despite the fact that the singer has grown since her debut, she will still always love and support her sister, no matter what. “Elvis Impersonators” is an elegant track filled with bittersweet lyrics and a soothing production, making it another flawless addition to Humberstone's discography. “Girl” Once again, Humberstone makes references to songs previously played on the album. The intro contains her sweet voice singing the words: “Going. Through. Something.” This line immediately brings to mind the chorus in “Cocoon.” The singer feels lost and broken and does not feel like she can be who her loved one needs her to be. She is trying her best, because “in a perfect world” she would be their girl. She stresses that she “needs them next” to her. But this person looks right through her, like she does not even exist. In the bridge, she further emphasizes this with the lyrics: “Why don’t you look at me like that?// The way you’re looking at her.” She reveals that not only is she being ignored, but she is being overlooked for someone else. This person that she cherishes and feels she cannot live without does not reciprocate these feelings. It is a soul crushing experience that diminishes her self-esteem and makes her feel like she is not enough for them. The alt-pop production of “Girl” perfectly complements Humberstone’s angelic vocals, accentuating her ability to captivate audiences through deep lyrics and unforgettable melodies. “Room Service” The same day Humberstone released “Antichrist,” she also released “Room Service.” Despite their shared release dates, the two songs could not be more different. While the former discussed her fear of being the toxic one in a relationship, the latter is a sweet love ballad about feeling safe with the one you love. The song is led by a soft acoustic guitar while Humberstone’s mesmerizing vocals sing an ode to her lover. She reassures them that everything will be okay, as long as they are together. Instead of going out, they will stay in the comfort of a hotel room and order room service, “where no one could” reach them. They will avoid the distractions of the world outside and the stressors of life. Humberstone will be a comfort for her lover in the silence of a cozy hotel room. It is a sweet sentiment that sticks with listeners. With the vast differences between “Room Service” and “Antichrist,” Humberstone brilliantly chose the best tracks to represent the album. Going into this project, I already knew I was going to love it. There has not been one song of Humberstone’s that I have disliked, and she easily became one of my most listened to artists by the end of 2022. From her unique synth beats to her authentic guitar riffs, her discography is incredibly diverse, and she has something for everyone. Fans of Bon Iver, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lorde will easily fall in love with her musical style. And anyone who loves artists that write their own music from their hearts will naturally fall for her candid songwriting. With Paint My Bedroom Black, Humberstone has once again solidified her spot as the industry’s next alt-pop queen. Photo Holly Humberstone via X.com Written By Karlee Skipper Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

There’s a fine line between love and hate. A lot of time, energy, and thought goes into committing both actions. However, I think viewing it as this fine line feeds into the idea that one can trump the other - and that’s not always the case. Viewing it as such also ignores the complexity of the connection. Especially when we consider complicated relationships like the one observed in EMI WIDE’s “hate u” where we find ourselves still in awe of a former partner that rightfully deserves to be despised. That’s why I prefer to think of the love-hate connection as a continuum. In a continuum there can be progressions to either sentiment at given time; and there’s no clear, definitive dividing lines either. As much as we’d love to loathe a former partner for actions committed during the relationship and its aftermath - we still find ourselves enamored with them. And WIDE perfectly captures the infuriating circumstances of this situation in “hate u”. The eclectic pop single opens with bouncy, electronic synths that command listeners' attention. The opening verse throws listeners right into the middle of the love-hate infuriation: from desiring to be “over” them to dying whenever we get a hint of their “perfume” on others. It’s just not fair that “images of” them appear in our mind like intrusive thoughts when all we want is to untangle ourselves from them. The synths then begin to rise, suiting WIDE’s lullaby-like vocals in the pre-chorus all before dropping a harsh reality in the chorus. And this reality features one of the greatest injustices in the dating world: the former partner has “mov[ed] on with another” person while we’re still processing the relationship’s denouement. In an ideal world, that would be a criminal offense. But atlas, it’s not - making our inability to completely hate the former partner all the more frustrating. Particularly when reflecting on the relationship like WIDE does in the second verse. The reflection reveals how dehumanizing this relationship was, and yet we still “shed a tear” for it. This annoyance reaches its peak in the trailblazing bridge. Within it, WIDE displays their versatility and willingness to experiment with soundscapes. Transforming the pop single into an alt-rock one by the end through heavy guitar riffs that express the world of hurt they’re experiencing. Ultimately, “hate u” is a break-up anthem that expertly showcases the temperance of hatred in a connection built on love. After a year-long hiatus, Copenhagen-based songstress EMI WIDE has returned with a new identity and altogether innovative sound. If “hate u” is any indication, listeners can come to expect empowering synth arrangements and candidacy delivered with boldness from WIDE’s upcoming music. Before her rebrand, the Danish singer and songwriter played multiple festivals in Denmark and Sweden where she quickly established a reputation for creating alluring melodies that piece together an immaculate universe centered on personal experiences. With this re-introduction to the music scene though, this universe is expanding to take on a global presence. If you’ve enjoyed EMI WIDE’s music as much as I have, show the artist some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW EMI WIDE:

Irish songstress Elle Coves creates yet another hit called “Headcase.” It’s a massively relatable track about overanalyzing every little glance and move. Elle starts off the song introducing this situationship; she says that she was doing good until this guy got into her mind. She thinks it “sorta cool that ‘til you made me a headcase,” but she doesn’t even know him. He “hit [her] with that smile/way to rip my heart out of my ribcage.” Then in the addicting chorus, Elle says it only occurred to her when he called her up one night just to see her face that she was down the rabbit hole. This guy is making her so confused, and she says “I can’t seem to figure you out.” Elle asks him if he’s still with that girl from his hometown, but “if [they] never kissed, does it even count?” But, she “still can’t get [him] out of [her] mouth.” Elle keeps overthinking and overcomplicating everything, and she asks him “won’t you let me stay in this fake heartbreak” and comes to the conclusion that she’s “a real headcase.” In the second verse, Elle says that she can give this guy her weekends, but only if he tells her if this relationship is real. She needs something, anything from him, and asks herself “is this what modern art is?” In the bridge, she reiterates that she just cannot seem to figure this guy out. Elle said “This song is for those who read too much into mixed signals and end up feeling like a ‘Headcase.’ Overthinkers & over-complicators.” Elle perfectly and seamlessly blends elements of country and Americana with indie pop. The acoustic guitar throughout is reminiscent of many pop country songs, while the electronic drum beat utilizes more modern techniques. However, the drum beat doesn’t overwhelm the track, but rather complements the other production elements and the lyrics. All the vocal techniques are incredibly refined, and I was taken aback the first time I listened. Elle has a distinct voice, and with the post-production, her voice is echoed and reverbed beautifully. The chorus of harmonies behind her in the chorus really adds a depth to the song that you wouldn’t know you needed before. For the overall vibe of the song, Elle somehow perfectly fuses an energetic pop song with chill indie and country vibes at the same time. Elle Coves sure had an orthodox start in the music scene. The 19-year-old was born in Germany to Spanish parents and moved to Ireland at 13. According to her Instagram bio, she is a “wannabe rockstar”, which is definitely felt in the singles she’s officially released so far. Elle signed with Universal Music Publish UK in April 2023, which is home to singers such as Adele, Elton John, Coldplay, and Florence + The Machine. Even though her first single “Before I Fall Apart” was released on streaming in May 2023, she has had plenty of music experience before that. Her music went viral online, gaining millions of views across many platforms. In October 2022, she headlined her first performance in London, and she even toured with Lewis Capaldi in February 2023. As of now, Elle has over 100k monthly listeners with over a million streams for her debut single on Spotify. “Before I Fall Apart” was even featured on the famous Love Island UK television show. Now, she’s embarking on a UK tour with Cate this month.There is no telling how far Elle Coves will go, but she is absolutely an artist to look out for in the future. Written By Lauren DiGiovanni FOLLOW ELLE COVES:

The pop-punk revival is the best thing that has happened to music in a long time. The attitude of early 2000s pop punk has been sorely missed and many musicians are taking a stab at resurrecting it. The genre awakens a sense of rebellion and self-confidence in everyone who listens to it. Davvn is adding their hat to the ring with fun riffs and a carefree attitude on their new track Care Less. The track is a passive-aggressive anthem for those of us who happen to fall into the trap of pleasing people. Care Less puts the power back in the hands of the people pleasers. It's a track for anyone who is tired of being a doormat for their entitled friends and family and wants to stand up and fight back a bit. It’s not your everyday pop-punk track. Davvn brings creativity to this track that only Singer McCall and Guitarist Mike can do. McCall does not play around with the vocal performance on this track. The clarity and raw energy push the passive aggressiveness to the front of the track. The rawness gives the track a relatable edge that is needed for the genre. When it comes to instrumental there's nothing more engaging than the sheer talent Mike exudes on the guitar. The riffs are immaculate and blend perfectly with the powerful vocals of McCall. The two work extremely well together and crafted this track to showcase this. Each section of the songs provides another layer of the genre, from emo to skate rock it's all there adding to the soundscape and living in harmony. Davvn is a Nashville-based duo inspired by the dawn. Their mission is to evoke similar emotions of pulling an all-nighter and watching a new day begin. Each track has this emotional backdrop. The two bonded over their love for 2000s pop punk and decided they'd incorporate this admiration into their music. The way the duo uses 2000s pop punk to blend with other genres adds to the emotive experience they build with each track. The duo has been getting noticed for their unique song structures and incredible musical ability. Both McCall and Mike are incredibly talented and are receiving the flowers they deserve for their music. Written By Kaiana Lee FOLLOW DAVVN:

GAYLE has once again blessed her fans with a fiery pop-rock anthem that was made to be played on repeat at full volume. “i don’t sleep as good as i used to” is a deeply candid track about growing up and realizing that the world is not as wonderous and beautiful as it once was. Now that GAYLE is older and wiser, and has faced the many hardships this life has to offer, she has realized that this world is in fact cruel and filled with unrelenting suffering. With her innocence stripped from her, she is no longer able to sleep easily as the horrors of today’s society haunts her. This is an unfortunate phenomenon that impacts many young people globally. While they are forced to digest the terrors of the world, they are still expected to wake up early the next day and work like nothing happened. Throughout the song, GAYLE confesses that she hates night-time because she is unable to fall asleep. Her brain continuously goes through these morbid and dark thoughts, unable to shake her anxiety. No amount of melatonin can help her and she is stuck in an endless loop. In the second pre-chorus, she sings the profound lyric: “’Cause how am I supposed to live my life, when everybody’s born to die?” This lyric not only describes her inner most thoughts and fears, but also may be a subtle nod to her 2022 track, “god has a sense of humor.” This melancholic ballad discusses the loss of innocence and the loss of loved ones, and how nobody truly knows what the meaning of life is. Through each one of her releases, GAYLE conveys a level of authenticity and boldness that proves she is a cut above the rest. She does not hold back in her songwriting and tells the audience her honest emotions through cutthroat lyrics while highlighting her vulnerability. With “i don’t sleep as good as i used to,” the singer once again showcases her powerful spirit and her unapologetic personality, while discussing critical topics that resonate with listeners. Even with her most despondent, somber tracks, GAYLE still ignites a burning fire through her infectious pop-rock songs. “i don’t sleep as good as i used to” may contain more solemn lyrics, but the singer lets out her anger and frustration through the energetic production of the track. The song kicks off with GAYLE’s powerful vocals, quickly met by an acoustic guitar playing muted chords. The guitar focuses on the root note, picking it twice before strumming the whole chord. The muted strum pattern allows the guitar to be played louder without overpowering the vocals. The pre-chorus changes the production to signify the build into the chorus. The guitar strums only the bass note while a keyboard follows the melody of the vocals. As GAYLE’s vocals slow down while she sings the line, “Close my eyes,” an alarm clock goes off, symbolizing the constant interruptions that disrupt her and make her unable to stay asleep. This introduces the chorus led by the acoustic guitar playing only the bass notes alongside a bass guitar. The second half of the chorus picks up the snares and bass drum, while layered vocals are added and remain periodically throughout the song, providing a more dynamic sound. As the chorus continues, guitar feedback is heard in the background, hinting at a build-up into an explosion. The drums speed up at the end, before the anticipated explosion hits, introducing an electrifying guitar solo that epitomizes GAYLE’s iconic alt-rock sound. The bass drum plays the last few beats as the final note is held out on the guitar, signifying the transition into the second verse. The drums and bass continue alongside the now-unmuted acoustic guitar that periodically plays licks in the background. Additionally, the guitar plays notes that harmonize with the melody of the vocals. The second pre-chorus differs from the first, as an electric guitar and drums guide the listener through the song. The bass and cymbals hit on the down beat as GAYLE sings “born to die,” signifying the explosion back into the chorus. This time, the chorus is led by the electric guitar strumming power chords while the drums and bass play in the background. This transitions to the powerful bridge that utilizes a unique scale change on the guitar that is mirrored by the vocals. This leads into the emotional climax as GAYLE screams the statement: “what the fuck’s wrong with me.” The production fades during the last word, while the singer’s scream lingers. She ends this by taking an exasperated breath, showcasing her frustration and defeat. This signifies the introduction into the final chorus, where the vocals have a subtle muffle effect, and the electric guitar plays the bass note of the power chord. Then, a brief pause in the instrumentation, prior to the second half of the chorus, makes the fiery eruption back into the full production even more formidable. This maintains into the outro before the song abruptly ends, in the classic GAYLE style, emphasizing that “i don’t sleep as good as i used to” is another outstanding pop-rock anthem by the multi-talented artist. Taylor Gayle Rutherfurd, better known as GAYLE, is a 19-year-old pop-rock singer-songwriter. In 2021, she signed with Atlantic Records and released her 3x Platinum single, “abcdefu”. Quickly the song went viral on TikTok and Instagram, gaining her a significant following on social media. Her hit single peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and earned the number one spot in multiple international countries, including the United Kingdom and Germany. The massive success resulted in her earning a Grammy Awards Song of the Year nomination, a Billboard Music Award nomination, and two MTV Video Music Award nominations. In March 2022, she released her debut EP, a study of the human experience volume one, which included “abcdefu”. In October 2022, she released her follow-up EP, a study of the human experience volume two. Then in December 2022, she released a special EP, a study of the human experience volume two and a half, which included unique remixes of songs from both EPs. With all these incredible accomplishments, GAYLE has proven that she is a force to be reckoned with and has declared 2023 as her year. She was a special guest on Taylor Swift’s sold-out Eras Tour as an opening act for 15 select tour dates, including opening night in Glendale and closing night in Los Angeles. Additionally, she spent her summer as a supporting act on the European leg of P!NK’S Summer Carnival Tour. This fall, she will be heading back on the road for her own headlining tour, the scared but trying tour. Check out her social media for information on show dates near you! I will be at the Los Angeles show on October 25th, so if you are in attendance, come say hi! Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW GAYLE: