“a heart of doubt” is a nuanced look at how guarding yourself from others creates a yearning for understanding and acceptance so intense that it ultimately transforms into something destructive. It’s difficult to learn to let someone in, a scary thought that someone out there knows anything and everything about your every existence, from your childhood upbringing to how your insecurities manifest themselves. But guarding yourself from love and comfort may actually turn you into someone much more jaded, someone who’s so longing for acceptance so badly that it turns onto them and the relationships they already may have. The danceable electronic beat envelopes beautifully with Niklas’ smooth and mellow voice. Though the song starts softer, it reaches greater heights as the climax in the chorus bursts into a wistful and exciting apex. As Niklas muses over himself, he realizes that though it still hurts, he wants to embrace others and learn to be vulnerable with them. From Niklas’ songwriting prowess alongside his emotional vocals emerges a passionate song that argues for you to let others in to connect with them. Music is empowering, and Niklas' mixed hodgepodge of sounds, emotions, and lyrics is a beautiful melding of everything that makes him so irrefutably himself, looking to give his advice and inspire his listeners to look after themselves. St. Niklas debuted in 2016 with his C-O-O-L EP, accumulating almost two million streams on Spotify alone and ranking high on Spotify Viral in Norway, Sweden, and Spain. Four years later, he returned with his EP your imperfections make me even more obsessed with you, containing breakout singles like “ Rebels” and “ Late Nights” . “ a heart of doubt” is his third single after starting his new chapter in mid-June, following previous releases “ comfy ” and “ no one else” . As he gears up to release his next EP, we're sure to see how St. Niklas' music evolves and changes as he explores the human condition. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW ST. NIKLAS: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

“Lavender Sky” is an 80s-inspired indie pop song about surrendering to the end of a dying relationship and looking forward to a new chapter of growth within yourself. With a crooning saxophone hook and nostalgic guitar solos, the song emphasizes that though you might be sad about the tragic ending of your relationship, you can also look forward to rebuilding something new. Olson notes that “after a hurricane or typhoon hits, the skies will often turn a shade of purple so striking and beautiful that you almost forget the death and destruction that preceded it. Despite the horror and chaos of the storm, there is still beauty to be found in the aftermath.” Starting with the sound of a smooth guitar off of snappy bass tones, the song has a hazy atmosphere, starting off slowly before picking up with brassy horns. With tentativity lining his voice, Olson perfectly captures the hesitant nature of a breakup, unsure whether you should work to move on or fight for it back. The brass was a beautiful wake-up call to learn to live alone again, becoming enthusiastic to rediscover anything and everything about yourself again. Sometimes it’s only after pain that you can really understand who you are, and Olson’s subtly when gradually letting go of his relationship demonstrates the wonders that can come out of it. Sky Olson is a pop artist based in Utah. Known for his hard-hitting lyrics, he’s a three-time winner of “The John Lennon Songwriting Contest” and a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition. His solo music is self-produced and experimental, combining an eclectic mix of ideas and sounds into a beautiful shimmery soundscape supplemented by his breathy vocals. Drawing inspiration from artists like John Mayer and The 1975, Olson aims to capture the beauty and authenticity in real genuine human emotions. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW SKY: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Being in love can bring on some great feelings. This time in your life can cause you to be on Cloud 9, as if nothing can get any better. At the same time, this feeling can also be blinding. The rose colored glasses you put on can shield the bad parts of the relationship. Everyone else can see them and they wonder when you will too. Gia Darcy knows just how blinding love can be. In fact, she calls her love life a sh!t show. Everyone can see her mistakes but herself. She writes about both of these elements in her new single! Darcy combines an upbeat pop song with tongue in cheek songwriting to create “Horror Movie.” I really liked the instrumentation of this song. The first verse consists of a groovy bass line as Darcy searches for the comparison between her life and the plot of a classic horror movie. You know, the ones where a girl wanders back into the haunted house by herself after her friends swore they wouldn’t go back. Dumb decision, right? It finally clicks in the chorus when Darcy sings “Cause they’re right, You’re the villain.” The music then transitions into a gritty electric guitar that I think is supposed to symbolize anger. Darcy is mad at herself for being sucked into a bad situation. Another notable line in the chorus is “a bad decision and everyone seems to know but me. It’s like a horror movie.” She repeats this line at the end and says “I don’t want to know.” This just goes to show how powerful love is. Gia Darcy is an Australia based singer/songwriter. She is very vulnerable when it comes to music, as she draws inspiration from personal experience. The quality has allowed her to build up a large fan base. “Horror Movie” is Darcy’s fourth release of 2023 as well as the third track off of her upcoming EP. If you want to hear more of her, I recommend her other 2023 single, “Save Your Breath.” It is an upbeat and defiant song about fending off unwanted attention. Her EP doesn’t look like it has a release date quite yet, but I know it’s going to be great if these songs are any indication. Follow all of Gia Darcy’s socials down below to learn more about her and stay up-to-date on new music. Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW GIA DARCY

As summer dwindles to a close, artists are pushing to get out those last few songs that fit the audience's current vibe. The rush to create the perfect song of summer has seeped into every artist’s mind, and Chris Buxton has followed suit. He created a track full of an airy, dreamy vibe describing a perfect love titled “LEXI (MAKE TIME)”, that is truly a fantastic song to end the season with. Coming off of an EP release titled “Beautiful Disaster”, Buxton is now in the works of creating a counter EP titled “LITTLE BIT OF YOU”, with this track being the second song released for it. This second EP is a happier take on life, with less wistful and angsty vocals and a calmer backing track, and lyrics full of love and appreciation for his girlfriend, the namesake of this song. Buxton gives a healthy break from the typical view artists have about women nowadays. It seems like every other artist is talking about their constant partying and bad decisions, but not Buxton. The chorus of this song is full of devout promises to his love, where he sings lyrics like “Gotta make time for two / ‘cause every time we touch I feel alive” and “Lexi you’re the one thing on my mind”. The song itself is upbeat and full of popping drum beats and an electronic synth throughout the background, aiding the carefree and happy attitude. This relationship is safe and secure, and all Buxton can do is write about how in love he is. Chris Buxton is the professional name of singer and record producer Joshua Reid. He is 26 years old, and from Rock Hill, South Carolina. He has over 5,000 monthly Spotify listeners, and has been making music professionally for the last 6 years. Buxton’s vibe has dipped into the indie-pop world, and has only solidified since his start. He writes about his personal experiences in life, which allows his audience to connect with him. He has been placed on rising star lists, and has gathered attention in magazine and radio segments praising his new releases. Make sure to follow the social media accounts below to stay tuned for more new music from Buxton. Written By Tessa Maddaloni FOLLOW CHRIS BUXTON:

I don’t know about you but I miss catchy dance music. The trend of making angry break-up songs and slow sad girl tunes is great, But nothing beats the blood pressure spike I get when hit with a good bassline and some synth. Something that really gets the blood pumping and the limbs shaking is what I need. I love the feeling of turning something up as loud as I can and just dancing nonstop. To dance like no one is watching is something we are sorely lacking in today's music. The good thing is, Eurovision sensation KEiiNO has come to end the drought. Get Up is by far their catchiest tune yet and I can’t get enough of their vibrant energy. This upbeat banger is a unique blend of instrumentation and beatboxing. The track uses minimal traditional instruments in its production and relies heavily on the use of vocals. The highly infectious is a tip of the hat to the ever-popular soundscapes of the 90s. 90s electronica was dominated by Europe and the genre continues to be a strong suit. Get Up combines the precision of electronic pop and the traditional sounds of joik. Joik is a cultural expression for the Sami people. It is a type of song that is used well in this track. KEiiNO is a Norwegian supergroup consisting of members Fred Buljo, Alexandra Rotan, and Tom Hugo. Their music is a smart blend of electronic dance and Joik creates something they call PEEP music. PEEP is Pink Electronic Ethno Pop and this sound has allowed them to be heard around the world. The group brought major attention to the Sami people with their music and has since won many awards and even the Eurovision Song Contest. They have amassed 115 million streams on Spotify and are 5x platinum. Their discography is rather short with a mere 27 songs on the roster. However, these tracks are a testament to the group's potential and what to expect as they continue in the industry. Written By Kaiana Lee FOLLOW KEIINO:

Bittersweet nostalgia deeply hits listeners in Holly Jade’s latest single, “November.” The poignant track illustrates the complex, yet delicate emotions that come with losing someone too soon. Her heartfelt lyrics hit like a sucker punch to the gut for listeners that resonate with the feeling of losing a loved one. Regardless of if death occurs through a sudden tragedy or an expected illness, grief is impossible to navigate. No one ever truly stops mourning; even when things seem to get better, one triggered memory can bring it back. In “November,” Jade navigates these intricate emotions and summarizes them in one beautiful ode to the friend she lost. Through detailed lyrics, she uses the verses to describe the carefree memories she had with her friend before they were taken from her. In the first pre-chorus, she even sings the tragic line that foreshadows the grim message: “We always dreamed about how life would look when we’re older.” Then in the chorus, she contradicts this by revealing the heart-wrenching truth of the future. Jade sings: “Kids talking shit// Too busy looking for trouble to think too far ahead.” This exposes the harsh reality that we truly do not know what we have until it’s gone. When you’re young, you think you’re invincible and that you have your whole life ahead of you. This is how it should be, but life is cruel and unfair. This leads to the final half of the chorus that absolutely wrecked my heart and brought tears to my eyes. The singer continues with the lines: “You know I never believed in God, but damn if I did// I’d say he takes the best ones early// Cause when we were kids, who knew you wouldn’t make thirty.” These poetic lyrics evoke a deep feeling of heartache and sorrow in the listener, as they realize just how young Jade’s friend was when she passed. For many listeners, it may remind them of their own painful memories of losing loved ones. And as someone who recently lost their grandfather, although much older and lived a long, fulfilled life, this track cut significantly deeper to me. With Jade’s comforting words, she makes her audience feel less alone while bringing to light the difficult topic of grief and death. “November” consists of a soothing alt-pop production that beautifully complements Jade’s compelling vocals and highlights the melancholic lyrics. The song is introduced by a brief muffled ad-libbed statement as the producer says: “Cool, I think we have it. Let me do one more.” Then, the first verse immediately begins. Simultaneously, an acoustic guitar and Jade’s soft vocals kick off the nostalgic storyline. In the background, soft vocal echoes harmonize, and another ad-lib part is subtly heard. When the pre-chorus hits, soft airy synth sounds, and unique sound effects are added to provide an extra layer to the production. As the chorus is introduced, a synth beat is added while the rest of the production continues through. In the post-chorus, the production pauses. It is unclear why at first until the guitarist slides their hand on top of the strings to mute the instrument signifying a “mistake” while Jade’s muffled voice speaks the phrase: “I forgot the words for a second.” This production ad-lib was, perhaps, left in to bring emphasis on just how difficult singing this topic was for Jade. Then the second verse begins with the same production as the first, with the addition of the beat. Then in the pre-chorus, the beat softens before the full production is returned for the second chorus. This continues to the emotional bridge, where the vocals become muffled and the guitar goes silent, utilizing only the beat. This pulls in emphasis on the heartbreaking lyrics: “Let’s keep pretending you’re too busy killing it to call// I keep my distance so I can’t even think of you at all.” In the second run through of these lyrics, the muted effects stop while layered vocal effects are added. This further boosts the intensity of the words, before the final chorus hits with the full production. At the end of the last word, the song abruptly ends with the ad-libbed line: “Yeah fuck it, that’s fine.” With the help of producer, Jamesfromtheinternet, and co-writer, Stephen Ordoñez, Jade has created an unforgettable alt-pop ballad that perfectly encapsulates the woeful emotions behind the profound lyrics. Holly Jade is an alt-pop singer-songwriter from Western Australia. Music has been a part of her life since she was seven-years-old when she learned to play the guitar. Initially, she was trained in classical guitar but eventually turned to her current sound. The singer moved to Los Angeles in 2019 to pursue her music career. The following year she released her debut track “Lessons” with artist and producer, Alone Architect. In the three short years since her debut, she has made impressive waves in the industry. She has earned several songwriting achievements as a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition. Recently, she wrote and recorded a track for the NBC television series, Vampire Academy. Additionally, several of her songs have been featured on the show’s official soundtrack. Her music has been featured on multiple prominent Spotify playlists, such as, New Music Friday, Crush, Fresh Finds AU & NZ, and The Local List, as well as Apple Music’s New in Alternative playlist. Check out her socials for news about upcoming releases! Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW HOLLY:

Photo Credits: Anna Lee Morgan has given us a sweet, spunky, and sassy new single, titled “What Love Is”. Going through the trials of a relationship, we follow Morgan as she finds out “What Love Is” and even what it isn’t. With each line, she gives us a different remark on what things could have been. “ Maybe we’d be strong. We’d get along. Baby we could eat pray love live ”. There is a sense of hope towards the beginning of the song that fizzles out as we approach the end. As anger arises, Morgan ends the song with, “ And all the other lies about what love is. I finally realize this time what love is. And what it isn’t ”. Starting with a smooth, easy-flowing sound, Morgan quickly jumps in with her steady voice, following a firm beat. As we get into the refrain, her voice builds with an electrifying sound, allowing every element to gain volume and power. She adds her own spirit; going back through the lyrics, more emotion is added with each beat. She brings us to a point in the song when everything flips. Morgan has come to the realization that this is not what love is, and her tone along with her words show it. Blasting into more of a rock effort, she finishes the song with passion and beautiful harmony. Morgan Paros does it all: violinist, vocalist, and songwriter. The multi-talented artist is based in Los Angeles, where she has been able to grow her career in every way, taking her skills everywhere - from film scores to pop music. With her background in classical violin, Morgan has been able to launch herself as a pop artist. With every one of her 4 singles and now her EP, also titled "What Love Is", each of her songs creates its own world that you are completely engulfed in while you listen, leaving you wanting more. If you loved the title track, go stream the “What Love Is” EP now, and don't forget to follow Morgan below to see what she does next! Written By Cate Schnoebelen FOLLOW MORGAN PAROS:

Ethereal and soft, “Run Home to You” is Alle The Dreamer’s love letter to all the twenty-somethings trying to feel their way around the firsts, lasts, highs and lows of relationships. Dating is always confusing, but compounding that with the inexperience of youth is a whole other thing entirely; with feelings running hot, the pushing and pulling, you may find yourself wanting to return back to a partner that you’ve already ended things with. It’s all part of being in your twenties, and Alle captures that feeling perfectly in “Run Home to You” through her masterful songwriting and flowing vocals. Click here to listen to "Run Home to You"! “Run Home to You” is moody, quiet, and personal, best represented by the song’s chill underlying beat. Like a heartbeat, it slowly pulses in the background along with the strings and synth– coupled with Alle’s elegant vocals, “Run Home to You” is an amalgamation of those powerfully youthful feelings encapsulated in the form of a song. Personally, my favorite part of the song is the chorus: the mirrored lyrics, “You’re with another girl/I’m with another guy/You’re going home with her/I’m kissing him good night”, are wonderfully indicative of trying to let go but being unable to. Here, the song slowly climbs in intensity, but always falls off by the next verse, as if trying to move on, yet by the end of the track Alle’s vocals gently fade out. Alle The Dreamer is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter who only loosely defines her music as pop, and instead mixes and combines sounds to create her very own style and genre. She’s worked and collaborated with tons of artists from Toronto, LA, and London, some of them including Negin Djafari, Jeff Shum, and Dayyon Alexander, to name a few. Her first single “Clumsy Heart” released in 2021, though she was initially featured in the single “Bohemian Like You (feat. Alle the Dreamer)” which has gained over 1 million plays on Spotify. Perfectly singular, Alle creates music that is fluid, dynamic, and overflowing with that dreamy-pop sound. She is currently working on her debut EP, “Starting Over,” so while you patiently await its drop, listen to her most recent release “Run Home to You.” Written By Alexa Leung FOLLOW ALLE THE DREAMER:

This song, “urs” by the girl group PEPTALK, perfectly conveys how it feels in the early days of falling in love. Tackling those emotions of when you know you’re in deep, this song describes that feeling of infatuation and the rollercoaster that you can see is ahead. We’ve all been there, we’ve all had those intense feelings for a person that we romanticize and giggle about with our friends, all while knowing that nothing’s happened yet even though you desperately want it to. With catchy lyrics like “I can’t shake this feeling, I want you around” and “might be unrequited, but I’m so delighted to just take in the view,” PEPTALK nails down that feeling of what can sometimes feel like a debilitating crush, making this song relatable and also fun! Click here to listen to "urs"! “Urs” is an addictive indie-pop track, with a bright and bouncy track accompanied by simple yet meaningful lyrics. This combination ties in the message of the song with the perfect vibe of music that you can’t help but dance and sing along to. Right from the beginning, when the guitar starts strumming, you’re already bouncing your head with it, and when the first verse starts in, you’re already hooked. The first verse starts off sedately, drawing you in with a simple melody before expanding to multi-layered vocals and deeper instrumentals that lead you into the explosive chorus. This pattern repeats as we dive back down to the second verse and second chorus before sliding right into the bridge that builds up the tension in the song through the pull back of the instrumental before exploding one last time into the brilliantly fun chorus. Altogether, with “urs,” PEPTALK has created an amazing song that is guaranteed to be a dance party classic! PEPTALK is an all-girl band made up of members Jay-Lee Kwan, who plays keys, Lara Frew, who plays bass, and Phoebe Sinclair, who rounds out the group as the lead singer. At home in Australia, PEPTALK has written songs for artists and producers all over the world, including countries like the USA, Canada, Sweden, South Korea, France, New Zealand, and the UK. Proud of being two-thirds queer, two-thirds POC, and all female, PEPTALK’s goal is to be the positive influence and role models that they felt they were missing growing up. Citing influence from other artists such as MUNA, Remi Wolf, and HAIM, PEPTALK has had many recent hits, including a collaboration with Aussie platinum-selling artist LDRU on the track “Alone Again” and a K-Pop songwriting cut with Rumble G’s “Every Other.” With several performances under their belt as well, PEPTALK is taking the pop world by storm! Click the links below to listen to more of their music! Written By Morgan Fischer FOLLOW PEPTALK:

The stark contrast between the spiraling lyrics and kinetic instrumental of "mental" brings out the emotional whiplash of experiencing mental health struggles. Singer/songwriter Carla Freude—under the pseudonym youcallmecarla—finds the energizing rift between a hopeless freefall and tenacious climb. The south-German artist creates the dizzying feeling of being swarmed with self-doubt. Blitzing, upbeat pop gives impact and momentum to each line, as Freude spits out questions like they've been festering inside for years. Her delivery gives "mental" its unique progression, with phrases rolling over each other to be heard. While it maintains a danceable energy, the single piles up with frustrations. The music cuts out as she blurts out the song's centerpiece: "how do people live out here so naturally — so fucking casually?" When the chorus responds, sweet and poppy, it sounds like internal doubt being painting over with that casual coolness. There's no singular issue or event that incites "mental." As with most mental health struggles, it's a flurry of little doubts that chip away at Freude's wellbeing. What can feel like a lifetime spent circling the drain leaves her susceptible to breaking down over something simple ("crying 'bout a pair of jeans"). Much of the lyrics document the singer/songwriter's insecurities through gritted admissions. "I laugh about my own jokes way too much," she bites, "so much that people think I'm out of touch." This vortex of frustration and exhaustion only exacerbates her plight, leaving the twenty-two-year-old susceptible to darker thoughts. "So I'm back to being a fuck-up," she sighs in the song's final moments. Clinging to the edge of the drain, she stares directly into the listener's eyes. "Wow," she murmurs, before vanishing along with the whirling synths. Though she only began releasing her music as youcallmecarla last year, the German singer/songwriter has been writing from the age of fifteen. In 2019 and 2020, she released several singles under Carla Freude. Last march, youcallmecarla released her debut single, House in the Suburbs. A year later, she followed up with "love of your life" and "another lack" respectively. With her fourth single, "mental," Freude has cemented herself as a breakthrough artist in confessional pop. Her storytelling has remained uniquely personal across each track, documenting a young adult navigating the challenges of our time. Written By Andy M. FOLLOW youcallmecarla:

Photo Credits: Pitchfork Kylie Minogue has once again proven herself to be a timeless act with her new album, Tension. The release of this album marks the Australian artist’s 16th studio album, further cementing Minogue’s success in the dance-pop world. TRACK LIST: Padam Padam Hold On To Now Things We Do For Love Tension One More Time You Still Get Me High Hands Green Light Vegas High 10 Out Of 10 (Oliver Heldens) Story Though she started her career as an actress, Kylie Minogue quickly became a global megastar in the music industry, becoming the highest-selling female Australian artist of all time. She is rightfully considered Australia’s queen of pop, topping international charts with her iconic dance-pop hits since the ‘80s. Her impressive career has spanned decades and has been a consistent mainstream success, starting with her teen-pop hit, “I Should Be So Lucky,” and her cover of “The Loco-Motion.” With the release of her previous album, DISCO, and her latest album, Tension, Minogue finds herself appealing to young and old, ushering in a new generation of fans. Sounding both nostalgic for the ‘80s and modern in the same breath, Tension mixes elements of ‘80s dance-pop and today’s commercial hits to create its unique sound. “Padam Padam” is the first track on the album, kicking things off with enticing dance-pop beats and rich synths. Tying into the album's overarching themes of love and lust, the song’s title mimics the sound of a heartbeat with lyrics reflecting a flirtatious desire. Prior to the album’s release, “Padam Padam” was released as a single, teasing the direction Minogue was taking with Tension. To Minogue’s surprise, the single was an instant hit, going viral on social media platforms like TikTok. Following “Padam Padam,” “Hold On To Now” is the next track on Tension, keeping the heavy synths and energetic pop beats going. “Hold On To Now” has a more modern feel to it, drawing elements from contemporary electropop. The track features Minogue’s light, lush vocals and lyrics that relate to themes of love. “Things We Do For Love” keeps the modern pop energy going, taking a page from today’s commercial pop. The track features lively pop beats, arresting melodies, and a synth-laden soundscape, making it a compelling listen to be played on repeat. Returning to a blend of ‘80s dance-pop and contemporary pop, “Tension” is next on Minogue’s new album with a sound somewhere between Dua Lipa and Madonna. The titular song was also released as a single ahead of the album, giving a delicious sneak peek into the album’s sound. “Tension” features a heavy use of synths and Minogue’s wispy vocals, giving a vibe that would be perfect for a club setting. Filled with feelings of lust and desire, the track continues to tie into the sexual themes present on the album. “One More Time” also has an essence of timelessness, bridging the gap between ‘80s pop and today’s hits. The track is light and fun, featuring animated dance-pop beats and plenty of unforgettable melodies. Slowing things down briefly, “You Still Get Me High” comes up next with a ballad-like beginning, later transitioning into another upbeat dance-pop anthem. The track is full-on ‘80s pop, modeling the beginning after something that might have come from The Cars or Prince. Keeping on par with the rest of the album, “You Still Get Me High” is filled with memorable melodies and feelings of love. Both “Hands” and “Green Light” have a similar sound, seemingly taking inspiration from more modern pop artists. With groovy bass lines and disco-inspired beats, “Hands” has a similar sound “Say So” by Doja Cat. The flirty track ties back into Tension’s themes of sex and desire, featuring Minogue’s breathy vocals and rich vocal harmonies. “Green Light” sounds like a nod to what Dua Lipa has been doing, having a similar vibe to the songs “Dance The Night” and “Don’t Start Now.” Drawing influence from the days of disco, “Green Light” features groovy bass lines and shuffling beats reminiscent of disco’s four-on-the-floor. Unlike the other tracks on the album, “Green Light” incorporates a sultry saxophone solo, giving the track a classic ‘80s sound. Hinting at Minogue’s upcoming Vegas residency, “Vegas High” is next on Tension. The track is addictive, filled with peppy dance-pop beats and enthralling melodies. Like the rest of the album, “Vegas High” has a synth-laden soundscape, accompanying Minogue’s intoxicating vocals. Minogue might be feeling a high from being in Vegas, but we’re definitely feeling one after listening to this track. Collaborating with Oliver Heldens, “10 Out Of 10” comes next, featuring driving pop beats and heavy synths. This track is extremely fast paced, making it another feel-good banger on Tension. For anyone needing a pick-me-up, this track is a 10 out of 10. Ending the album on a high, “Story” is the last entry on Tension. The track is another one that feels both new and old at the same time. “Story” features ‘80s inspired synths and pounding pop beats, creating an energetic background to accompany Minogue’s soaring vocals. Highlighting the artist’s vocal range, Minogue effortlessly reaches into her upper register on the choruses, gliding over the song’s synth-laden soundscape. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Kylie Minogue or hearing her for the first time, Tension has something to appeal to everyone. Minogue’s timeless sound feels like the ‘80s and present at the same time, giving any generation something to enjoy. The album’s heavy use of synths and dance-pop beats is infectious, making you want to get up and move with each song. Though the music might not have the deepest meaning, it’s filled with a positive, uplifting energy that just makes you feel good and lets you escape into that feeling for a while. Written By Cheyenne Johnson Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

I’ll cut to the chase: SkyDxddy’s latest single showcases the two predominant ways people manage their anger. They can channel their anger or let their anger consume them whole. By channeling anger, we can produce meaningful content that recognizes a fundamental problem within society. But when anger consumes us, we force everyone within our reach to feel just as shamed and frightened as we do. The former management style is what SkyDxddy has done with “Pretty Distraction”, while the latter has been the response to the song from immature men that should consider going outside to touch some grass. “Pretty Distraction” is an alt-pop single that highlights the everyday reality women endure. SkyDxddy details various dehumanizing encounters women have had with men that have contributed to this reality. The song opens with a melody that captivates the listener as our artist lays out a common yet sinister scene: a man preying on a “sweet, lonely” woman. And if there’s any confusion about this scene, the accompanying music video provides clarity. This predator is buying and spiking her drinks. If this hasn’t been a first-hand experience, than it’s a dreadful thought that stays on the back of a woman’s mind whenever they’re in an environment that includes men. This shouldn’t be a worry women have - not in 2023. It is, though, and SkyDxddy encapsulates the frustration of this situation in the chorus. The songstress’s powerful voice strikes a delicate chord of familiarity with any woman that’s walked “home / With keys in her hands” because men were present. To make matters worse, men are conditioned at a young age to disregard women as people with inherent value. SkyDxddy points out in the second verse that careless actions like forcing young girls “to cover up [their] shoulders” teaches boys to think of girls as objects: either as trophies to display or obstacles to decimate. When they should be teaching them impulse control instead. This misguided teaching also robs girls of any perceived humanity - making it easier for this objectification to graduate to gross offenses against women. “Pretty Distraction” not only validates the adverse experiences of women but loans much-needed visibility to these experiences while simultaneously providing a space for women to simply exist as people. SkyDxddy is the self-proclaimed CEO of traumacore - a blend of several music genres that dive head first into personal and societal problems that get swept under the rug. With heavenly vocals that entrance as much as they call to action; and songwriting that makes misogynists punch the air - it's no wonder why our artist is so unapologetically beloved by listening audiences. For fans dying to see the artist in concert, mark your calendars for October 12th. SkyDxddy begins their nationwide Traumacore Tour (in the states)! The 30+ performance tour kicks off at The Outland in Springfield, Missouri; various performance dates, venue locations, and tickets can be found here. And as always, if you've enjoyed SkyDxddy's open discussion on the struggles women face as much as I have, show the artist some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW SKYDXDDY: