Indie-pop artist Lila Dupont just released her latest single, "Dance and Smoke and Sing." The upbeat track was born out of Lila recovering from a cold and wanting to end the romantic relationship that she was in. She begins the track describing her feelings of sickness and continues into thinking about how different and happier her life could be if she could move on from her current situations. The dream-like soundscape adds to this theme of fantasizing, about ending her current relationship and job and finding one that fits her ideal lifestyle of dancing and smoking and singing. It is definitely worth a listen. Lila Dupont's "Dance and Smoke and Sing" is a song that both sonically and lyrically captures the feeling of daydreaming. Here, she opens up about the disappointments and flaws in her current relationship with lyrics like "You don't even know my degree but / I know your middle name and what it means" and "And maybe you're not good for me / But you're someone else to blame when I am lying up awake." In the chorus, she sings about finding a new job and new guy "who cares to dance and smoke and sing." The tone of the song is sad, hopeful, and freeing, created with cheerful guitar and pop hooks. Lila Dupont is a New York City-based singer and songwriter that debuted her first single "Fake Silver" in 2020. With an impressive indie-rock and pop sound and strength in authentic lyricism, it is no wonder that she has already amassed over 77 thousand monthly listeners on Spotify. Her track "Everything You Do" has over a million streams just itself. If you're a fan of artists like Maggie Rogers and Clairo, then Lila Dupont will perhaps be the perfect addition to your streaming library. You can keep up all with all the latest information on her and her music by clicking on the social media links below. Written By Sydney Gray FOLLOW LILA DUPONT:

Isn’t it strange how the things we’ve been wanting or trying to manifest for a while, but decided to set aside or give up on, tend to show up when we least expect it? I know that there have been times where we all have let a desire go and gave it to the universe, trusting that it’ll show up in our lives whenever the time is right. Well, in “ Feels Like Us ,” GT_Ofice, ALWZ SNNY, and Robbie Rosen collaborate for an extremely cute and charming love song about the person of your dreams coming into your life out of the blue. It catches you off guard, but in a good way, and this song dives into the thrill of it! It’s interesting how the universe works this way, right? It’s just casually having the love of your life walk through a door and right into your life. It catches you off guard, and comes at a time where you’re either healing or just doing you. Now this does seem to be a little backwards, considering how when you go looking for things like love, you struggle finding it. This late-summer anthem, or as these artists jokingly call it, “The Summer Anthem of the Fall,” explores the surprise of finding love and the feelings associated with the strong connection with this person. The track opens with this mystery: “ When you don’t expect it is when you run right into love ,” but then dives into how a relationship that forms this way is one that comes with incredibly strong feelings that have you feeling like they’re on cloud 9: “ Can’t explain it. How you take me to those places up so high. I'm in heaven, it's a blessing.” The relationship is also compared to a breath of fresh air, calmness and beauty: “ It’s like cold drinks on hot nights. Sunday morning paradise. It feels like us, oh, it feels like us .” Comparing a relationship with someone you consider to be the love of your life to the feeling of having cold drinks on a hot night, paradise, and heaven is just the cutest thing ever. But that isn’t even the best part! They describe it as love at first sight: “ I knew it from the moment that we met, no second guessing. I’ll say it ten times over, that forever is where we’re headed .” If this isn’t adorable to you then I don’t know what is! GT_Ofice is a Miami based DJ and producer in the Electronic Dance Music scene. He’s also a Billboard charting artist, having appeared twice on the Billboard Dance Radio Chart this year! ALWZ SNNY is also in the EDM scene as a DJ and producer from Annapolis, Maryland. He’s known for that big and bright iconic sunshine mask with the sunglasses and three smiles. He’s a Billboard charting artist as well, and has an upcoming performance with GT_Ofice at The Ainsworth in Phoenix on October 20th. Robbie Rosen is an international singer-songwriter with nearly 1 million monthly Spotify listeners, surpassing 90 million streams. He charted at #16 on the Italian Dance Charts, whereas a couple of his songs have been featured on MTV’s Siesta Key, and during March Madness Basketball on CBS. He was also a Top 16 Finalist on season 10 of American Idol, appeared on the RollingStone website, and has opened for Shawn Mendes, Melanie Martinez, and Jake Miller. Check out “ Feels Like Us ” out now on all streaming platforms! Written By Sneet Efrem FOLLOW GT_OFICE: FOLLOW ALWZ SNNY: FOLLOW ROBBIE ROSEN:

Having a mental illness can be completely debilitating, especially when you struggle to admit to yourself and others how much it affects your day to day life, and how much you are truly hurting. PAENDA’s newest album release “CALL ME CAT” features this notion on the second to last track, titled “turn the light off”. The song is full of lyrics that are beyond relatable and full of truth, as well as an upbeat and classic pop soundscape. The song is very indicative of PAENDA’s music style, electronic and loud, with fluctuating pulses and drum beats. Her vibe is similar to that of Dua Lipa, Ellie Goulding, and Anne-Marie, and this song is certainly not one to miss. Her lyrics are extremely raw and real, and truly drive home the plot of the song. The chorus starts with “Cuz if I don't let you turn / you can look close enough to see / that all my engines burn / saving myself from being hurt again”. Her voice is full of emotion and angst, as she punctuates each phrase perfectly on beat. The second verse opens with the phrase “Turn the light off / I don't want to face myself”. This idea is heartbreaking, and the rest of this section details the thoughts racing through her mind, the fact that she can’t turn her brain off. She feels like she can’t control her head or her thoughts, and this idea scares her. Despite her feelings of helplessness, the strong background tracks lend strength to PAENDA’s words, and give a structure that proves she is not as weak as she thinks she is. PAENDA is an Austrian pop sensation, who has amassed almost 200,000 monthly Spotify streamers. She self produces all of her music, and is one of a very few female artists to do so. Her determined and strong minded nature shines through in her music, which is a fresh take on the classic genre of pop. Her shock of bright blue hair shows her creativity and her fearlessness to be authentically herself. Her recent album release is a perfect example of this, as she compiles her mature, real life experiences with a jumpy background and elements of pop: contemporary lyrics and a fast danceable tempo. Make sure to follow the social medias below to stay tuned for more music from PAENDA. Written By Tessa Maddaloni FOLLOW PAENDA:

"One Night Only" is the third and latest release from singer-songwriter VALE. The track tells the earnest and delightfully relatable story about fleeting connections and those blurry, in-between stages of a relationship where both parties figure out what they are. The narrative recounts an assumed one-time encounter, the subsequent meet-ups, and the confusing rollercoaster of emotions that follow. "One Night Only" is dynamic in its narrative and instrumental. VALE's sharp lyricism complements Tom Marlows's atmospheric production to create a vivid, captivating electro-pop ballad. The verses' spacy, melodic background synths allow the up-and-coming artists' songwriting prowess to take center stage. The track gradually builds until the vocals and instrumental explode in the chorus, corresponding to the emotions VALE describes. "One Night Only" is as catchy as it is heartfelt. VALE's musical inspirations include Taylor Swift and Maisie Peters, which is evident in "One Night Only." In line with artists like Swift, VALE is, first and foremost, a storyteller. Her distinctive writer's voice jumps throughout the track. There is a film-like quality to VALE's lyricism. It is picturesque and rich. Small details like "the petrol station / where my mum buys / cigarettes and ice cream" make "One Night Only" come alive, grounding the listener into this scene. The more straightforward lines are equally impactful. "So I'll take what I can / Call me pretty," is a heartbreakingly simple yet effective lyric in how universal the sentiment is. "One Night Only" highlights VALE's skills as a singer-songwriter. VALE is a U.K.-based artist. "One Night Only" is her third officially released single, following "Good on My Own" and "Pathetic," also from this year. These three songs currently amassed over 7000 streams on Spotify. Her discography often focuses on themes of heartbreak and relationships, tackling diverse areas of these issues throughout her discography. "Good on My Own" is a funny, Lily Allen-style takedown of an awful ex, while "Pathetic" is a quieter, self-reflective ballad. An up-and-coming artist, VALE is growing a large TikTok audience of over 31,000 followers. All her music is available on streaming platforms now, and I'm looking forward to her next release. Written By Lauren Nolan FOLLOW VALE:

“Locked Down” is a stark and honest reflection of pandemic life for someone with cystic fibrosis, brimming with optimism as Crisp charges ahead to the better days that are here now. With a strong reminder to preserve past the toughest times, Crisp describes to us the life we may have known and felt, but with a twist. Her confidence is infectious as she describes her own strength and capabilities that have come with jumping over past hurdles. The raw emotional punch as Crisp pours everything into her voice creates a thrilling musical experience, creating something catchy but hopeful. Packed to the brim with colorful melodies and shimmering synths, Crisp has perfectly captured positivity in a bottle. From strong narrative lyricism, jaw-dropping vocals, a sense of urgency, and a hopeful look toward the future, the song hits all the right notes to lift your artists as you need them the most. Crisp’s intention with this masterpiece goes beyond simply highlighting the challenges everyone’s faced during the pandemic; instead, she intends to engage in honest conversations that acknowledge her own vulnerability and compassion, reminding her listeners that a little hope even in the darkest places can transcend moments in time. Lucy Crisp is definitely one of the artists to watch in the coming years. Inspired by Dua Lipa, Lorde, and Ellie Goulding, Crisp started songwriting at the age of twelve while self-teaching herself piano. Based in Nottingham, Crisp uses her own deeply personal experience of living with Cystic Fibrosis as part of her own empowerment. Her highly anticipated debut EP “65 Roses” comes out November 3rd, and is supported by Youth Music’s NextGen Fund. Delving into the life of Crisp as she experiences happiness, isolation, and foreseen fears, “65 Roses” is the opening chapter to Crisp’s legacy she’s determined to leave for the world. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW LUCY: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

HAIDEE’s drive to write music stemmed from her parents’ journey. She was inspired by the way they moved to Edmonton, Canada from the Philippines to start a new life with next to nothing. HAIDEE is proud to be a part of the Asian community. She was saddened by the increased mistreatment of them during the pandemic and decided to write a song about it. “Typical” is a moving ballad about how cruel people can be when you don’t fit their rigid mold. The track is specifically talking about race and skin color, but I think the message is relatable in many contexts. Hopefully, HAIDEE’s honest words inspire listeners to embrace the Golden Rule, “treat others how you want to be treated.” The instrumentation of “Typical” is very simple with a piano backed up by a guitar and occasional background vocals. I thought this was a good stylistic choice because it allowed the emotion of the song to be at the forefront. The lyrics tell a story with two opposing sides. On the one hand, people don’t like when others are different. On the other hand, they may make it harder for the outsiders to try to fit in. This message is embodied at the beginning of the chorus when HAIDEE sings “treat me like I’m different, hate it when I’m not the same.” This leads into the song’s title when she says “this shouldn’t be typical.” Haidee Manansala (AKA HAIDEE) was born and raised in the Philippines and currently resides in Canada. She got her start in music at a young age by singing in church and doing karaoke. HAIDEE’s hard work paid off and she now has a budding musical career. “Typical” is the title track of her new album, This Shouldn’t Be Typical . Other songs on this project include “Get Over It.” This is a track with a great pop sound about getting over a breakup. “With You” has a similar sound, but it addresses the opposite. That is, being in a great relationship. I really enjoyed listening to HAIDEE’s music. Go follow all of her socials down below to learn more about her and stay up-to-date on new music! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW HAIDEE

Connor Kauffman’s latest release “Far Too Late” is a written confrontation that seems a long time coming. It utilizes beliefs of self preservation and respect, setting boundaries with the person he sings to. Though the lyrics appear almost heartbreaking the song is far from it, instead he makes it feel freeing. Yes, he’s losing this person but it feels more like relief than grief. This is a song to someone who doesn’t seem to deserve an explanation, but he gives one. Years, it seems, of chances and forgiveness are now gone because they cannot follow the light he provides. This is a heartbreak song, but it’s the last of them. He begins the song with a little hope, “I’m standing on the edge of what we could’ve been”, but this is the only instance in which he allows himself to think this way. His voice is the first sound we hear, alone. But after that first line, a guitar slowly strums behind the confession offering a soft consolation to it. A little piece of the instrumentals is added after each line, including a mystifying background vocal by Kauffman that is especially touching. When he reaches the chorus, stating “And I don’t think we can work this out”, it is as if he’s screaming the words for the first time his voice holds so much passion. He goes from singing slowly, sadly over that slight acoustic to nearly shouting with instrumentals that match quickly. This change in tone is a brilliant way to frame this story as anything other than depressive, it turns it into a pop anthem, something to yell along with. And fitting with this theme, it ends on a high note. Connor Kauffman is the perfect example of a self-made success story. He was born in Connecticut and grew up without any real intent on following this path. But, when he found it he ran. He started making music only a few years ago as a simple method of self-expression. He taught himself with no prior experience, and now he does everything surrounding it. He writes, sings, masters, mixes, and produces all of his own work. And he is skilled at it, his top songs now hold millions of streams each, his most popular “Bleed” reaching nearly 20 million on Spotify. Follow his Spotify and other socials below and stream “Far Too Late” before it’s far too late to say you were there first for this growing pop sensation. Written By Hailey Schap FOLLOW CONNOR KAUFFMAN:

Captivating the pop world once again, NOEL has released his second single, "Headed North." The artist keeps things real and authentic, sharing a vulnerable moment with fans. Reflecting on the meaning behind the track, NOEL states, "Writing 'Headed North' was like a therapy session. In the past I’ve found myself leaving a potential relationship before it got too serious, and I never really knew why. It sounds like a cliche, but the conversations in the studio made me realize I might be running away from the possibility of getting hurt. I’m such an overthinker which often leads me to finding wrongs in everything, even when it might not be there." A transparent and powerful ballad, "Headed North" explores the cycle of self-sabotage in a beautiful way. Matching the track's vulnerable message and heavy emotions, "Headed North" starts off soft and exposed, later building into impactful choruses. NOEL expresses the intensity of what he's feeling, belting out melancholy melodies over rich piano harmonies. "Headed North" creates an immersive alt-pop soundscape that makes the track impossible to listen to just once and showcases the artist's impressive skills as a performer and songwriter. Though he is just getting started, NOEL has a gorgeous, mature sound comparable to acts like Lewis Capaldi and James Arthur. Hailing from Stockholm, Sweden, NOEL is a 20-year-old singer-songwriter on the rise. Demonstrating his resilience and adaptability, NOEL has had quite the journey from a childhood immersed in football to a blossoming music career. Following a knee injury, the young artist found his athletic trajectory altered, leading him to pursue music as a way to express his passions. Though the change was unexpected, NOEL has embraced it and shown much dedication to his new pursuits. His music journey is just beginning, moving from TikTok covers to collaborations with well-known producers and songwriters. Debuting this year, NOEL's first single, "When You're Not Mine," was released on August 25th; he has already gained over 87k followers and 10 million views on TikTok. Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW NOEL:

Healing from a breakup is a really rocky road to walk on. Keeping a busy lifestyle and creating distractions are coping mechanisms that many turn to; but just when you think you're fine and you're over it, you're not. At the end of the day when there are no more distractions, just you and the darkness, you find yourself lying awake and all you can think about is how much you miss them. It's hard to move on if you don't allow yourself to experience and process the feelings of a breakup. "See Through" by Kayla Oh is about convincing yourself you're over someone, but realizing that you've been holding all your hurt and sadness inside until it just all spills out onto the floor. "See Through" is a very delicate, folk-pop song that has a very classic rawness to it. Written about a relationship Kayla ended before she had to leave for college, "See Through" was an outlet for a rush of unexpected emotions that she needed to express. Kayla has a voice that is soft but strong, and poetic lyricism that really hits you in the soul. It's a beautifully tragic soundscape that will leave you in a state of catharsis. The main point of the story is about pretending (or trying to convince yourself) that you don't love someone anymore, but it's a little too obvious that you're not okay. "What's a cover if it's see through?" is how the chorus is concluded. I'd have to say the bridge is the part of the song that got me the most. The emotion behind both the music and lyrics are just breath-taking; especially the line, "for the first time I want to be alone / but you haunt me still, you creek in my bones". Kayla Oh is a 19-year-old, up-and-coming indie singer/songwriter who is currently studying contemporary voice and New York University in New York City. Independently kickstarting her music career this year, "See Through" is her official debut single as an artist. Inspired by iconic folk and rock artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Joni Mitchell and Stevie Nicks, Kayla has created a sound that takes the classic folk rock vibe and gives it a little bit of modern pop pizzazz. Her songwriting style is very personal and she strives to create songs that other teenage girls can relate to. This is just the beginning for Kayla, and I can't wait to hear what she has in store for us next. Make sure to follow her below to keep up with her journey! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW KAYLA: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

During 2020, we all felt like the world was on the verge of collapse. The uncertainty of the pandemic and the way our politicians took advantage of the situation for political gain. Looking out the window felt like a chore and no one felt safe anymore. The world is constantly going through ups and downs and it can feel like the world is ending all around us. Mariel Loveland, AKA Best Ex, was one of us. She felt so uncertain and worried about the state of the world and still does. Living in New York she saw the severity of the state of the world firsthand. She could see the temporary morgues and the boarded-up shops in her city and wondered how anyone could pretend anything was normal when the world looked so grim. The End is an exploration of these emotions. Her feelings about that uncertainty and where the world might go after all the tragedy. The track is quintessential bedroom pop. It features dreamy instrumentals with soft vocals. Though the subject matter of the track is rather existential and a bit grim the soundscapes manage to be enjoyable and bouncy. Wrapping you in a sense of uncertainty that the Best Ex is singing about. The instrumental may be dreamy and casual like the attitudes of many in the world. The lyrics mimic the thoughts of Mariel’s mind. She describes the chorus as a sort of OCD fear loop. Cycling through fearful thought to self-soothing to fearful thought again with the repeating of the phrase "I know the world isn’t ending but what if it is?” The record is the focus track of her recently released album With a Smile . It blends beautifully with the other tracks and showcases Best Ex’s ability to blend pop-punk roots with a plethora of genres. Mariel Loveland is a New York-based singer-songwriter who will always be a DIY artist at heart. She began her journey by teaching herself guitar at the age of 16. She had all these thoughts and putting them into poetry wasn’t enough to satiate her appetite. She then went on to join the wide-eyed punk band Candy Hearts where she toured for some time. She had made it but even then she felt she wanted more. So she decided to make her childhood dreams a reality twice over by becoming the artist known as Best Ex. Enter electric tracks and incredible albums that solidify her stardom. Now, we’ve come full circle, once again, with her first full-length album Best Ex With a Smile . And just as suspected it’s incredible. Written By Kaiana Lee FOLLOW BEST EX:

"Haunted House" comes as the lead single and titular track of rising pop artist Tanja's debut concept EP, Haunted House. In this track, Tanja uses the descriptive and dark imagery of a haunted house on a hill as a metaphor for the toxic relationships and traumatic experiences of her past. Her vivid, storytelling lyricism transports us away from our current locations and into a confining place of ghosts and bad memories. As Tanja expresses feeling trapped, overcoming adversity, and starting over, we can all see ourselves and the memories we wish to escape within the walls of this haunted house. In "Haunted House," Tanja shows off her strength in lyricism, as she paints the picture of a haunted house on a hill and narrates her experience escaping from its confinement. She begins the track by addressing the listeners in that she will tell them a tale. She describes the trauma in her past with lines like, "Beaten and bruised / I was put through the hell" and "Will I miss you in the morning / Will I make it on my own." If you have ever been put in a toxic relationship and had to find the strength to escape, then Tanja's vulnerable confessions about trying to move on from them and struggling if it is the right choice through the metaphor of a house that rebuilds itself to haunt her will resonate deeply. Ending on an uplifting note, she moves past the monsters within and escapes. Born in Napa Valley, Tanja moved across the state to Los Angeles to pursue her career in music. She debuted her first single "Spend the Night" in 2018 and has accumulated a six-track discography since. I am excited to see the future of her musical career. If you also liked "Haunted House," make sure to listen to her debut EP when it releases on October 26th. Haunted House is a dark, alt-pop EP strongly inspired by Kate Bush's Hounds of Love, Stevie Nicks, and gothic literature. You can also keep up with the latest information on Tanja and her music by clicking the links to her social media below. Written By Sydney Gray FOLLOW TANJA:

“Heart Lies” is Maryon’s latest single, released just two weeks ago. The piece is an in depth one, telling the story of love and growing with and without it, She utilizes flashbacks to display a more touching tale of how her sense of affection has changed, to help the listener understand where her “heart lies”. This isn’t a nostalgic piece about her first love, rather it is about a series of loves that make her nostalgic each time, that is, in the way they repeat the same patterns. She seems to never see it coming, each time feeling as if this person is “the one”. And each time, her heart, her gut lies to her and she leaves. She ages with the song and it seems at this point in her life, her heart has started to grow cold and she can’t trust the connections she feels. “Heart Lies” is about finding balance between following your heart and mind. The song begins with a methodical piano before Maryon begins singing in her absolutely recognizable, stunning voice. It’s set up chronologically, beginning with her first encounter with these feelings, stating literally “I was sixteen when I first caught feelings”. She explains the start of her pattern here, experiencing a classic first heartbreak. Then nineteen, then the present. By laying out her relationship history like this, it allows the listener to understand her mindset when being afraid of these emotions, with even them feeling the repetition and her pain. The chorus then chimes in with her wonderful play on words “don’t you ask me where my heart lies, ‘cause my heart lies”. The song eventually ends on a following rendition of this chorus, those key words echoing away. Maryon King has been everywhere, but has never strayed from her path as a musician. She was born in Moldova and raised in Italy and London, it was here she first saw a performance by Madonna on MTV that was literally life changing. From that point on, at 11 years old, she knew she wanted to be a singer. Under the fairly unsupportive eye of her parents, though, she pursued it in secret. She took singing lessons she arranged herself, and once she was in college switched her major to music. She’s an educated and talented artist whose passion has never been doubted. So, it’s not surprising her work has begun paying off. She’s now based in L.A., though she’s been heavily involved in the London music scene for years now and has been writing in her home cities as well as Paris. Her single “Boys Will Be Boys” has gained over a million streams and others hundreds of thousands. Listen to these and “Heart Lies” below and follow Maryon King now. Written By Hailey Schap FOLLOW MARYON KING: