When the world is continuously on the brink of extinction, people are thrusted into a never-ending state of helplessness. The brief moments when we do find relief or bliss, an odd wave of guilt washes over us. It feeds into the belief that misery must be a constant, communal experience. Thankfully, bands like The Collection remind us that we’re allowed to feel a range of emotions; even the love that’s found in their new single, “Love at the End of the World”. Listen to "Love at the End of the World" by The Collection here. “Love at the End of the World” is a love ballad about finding romance in a turbulent world lost in persistent pandemonium. The song opens with soft piano notes while lead singer David Wimbish laments over adversities that have become habitual within the first verse. The verse describes daily, dystopian measures like unaffordable housing, nonexistent insurability, climate change, insurmountable brutality, and performative activism. It’s difficult to be the generation of idealists when our dreams are “under the ashes of today”. The piano notes begin to rise towards the end of this verse and are accompanied by violin strings to reflect the sorrow of the situation we find ourselves in; seemingly the end of the world. But all is not lost, as both instruments revel in the peak of their richness listeners are treated to a chorus that provides optimism. The chorus highlights how love can be found under undesirable circumstances and doubles as a motivator to endure another day. Existing under detrimental conditions becomes mildly bearable when we have a love to look forward to, and we shouldn’t “feel guilty for feeling” this way. The ending of the chorus introduces a brief horn instrumental solo to mark the joy this newfound love has brought in. The next verse focuses on intimate adversities like the desire for a family (when most do not share that vision) and experiencing loneliness before the chorus is brought back around as reassurance. Reassurance that it’s okay to allow ourselves to feel anything outside of impeding gloom and doom. As the song progresses, atmospheric elements such as additional percussions and a choir, are incorporated to provide a cinematic experience. By the time the song ends, listeners have been enveloped in a symphony of overwhelming love. Despite the current tribulations we face, The Collection always manages to put a hopeful spin on the most tumultuous state of affairs. “Love at the End of the World” is the last song featured on The Collection’s newly released EP, How to Survive an Ending. The EP centers on overcoming the adolescent fear of denouements. Each song on the EP focuses on a different ending: the end of the world, the end of a serious relationship, the end of an aspect of your identity – the rest of the endings you’ll have to hear for yourself. These denouements, however, do not translate into the end but simply the end of specific chapters of your life. While some are painful and take what can feel like centuries to heal from, they allow more space for the inception and creation of new chapters. For fans ready to take on the next chapter, The Collection announced touring dates to see them live! The tour begins next Friday, February 17th, at the Lowell Winterfest in Massachusetts. The rest of their performance dates and locations can be found here. If you’re unable to attend any performances, showing them some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows is always appreciated, too. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW THE COLLECTION:

I can read body language and sense tone well. The next logical step is mastering how to read minds. Until that’s a possibility, I need to rely on communication like everyone else. But some people expect me to read their minds – this passive immobility can be extremely infuriating. And thankfully, Amanda Ayala’s “Just Tell Me” perfectly captures both the frustration and exhaustion of this expectation. “Just Tell Me” is a dream-pop single that doubles as a dedication to the maddening partners that made us constantly guess what they wanted instead of communicating their needs. The song opens with a whimsical atmosphere, putting listeners into a dreamlike state. The opening verse reveals that this relationship is shrouded in confusion due to the lack of communication. But Ayala has grown tired of the “mixed signals”. The chorus reflects this by no longer beating around the bush. She directly says; “So tell me what you want babe”. The single’s progression, primarily its change in tempo within the middle of the chorus, skillfully showcases the buildup of this frustration. We can be sympathetic to partners needing some time to feel comfortable enough to communicate. But when we habitually find ourselves trying to figure out their needs, it raises the big question of how much time is an appropriate amount of time. Especially if we’re putting forth the effort like Ayala vocalizes in the second verse to only be toyed with by the partner utilizing passive immobility, the initial frustration begins to grow into feeling depreciated. This depreciation stings all the more when the partner is unaware of their own actions as Ayala points out in the third verse – actions that are actively sabotaging the connection. Ultimately, “Just Tell Me” is the perfect advocate for open communication. New York based singer and songwriter Amanda Ayala is a familiar face for fans of NBC’s “The Voice”. The Team Adam alum got her first big break in music while on the show after giving her powerhouse rendition of Mountain’s “Mississippi Queen”. Her version of that song and Stevie Nicks’ “Edge of Seventeen” were featured on the Top 100 iTunes Rock Chart, which is a huge accomplishment for a rising artist. Most recently, Ayala was on the second season of Amazon Prime’s musical competition “Who Will Rock You?”, where she placed as a quarterfinalist. If you’ve enjoyed Ayala’s candid attitude as much as I have, show the artist some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW AMANDA AYALA:

The store aisles are covered in shades of pink and red. If there’s no heart prints on an item, then the actual item itself is heart-shaped. And the butterflies in my stomach are fighting to get out. This could only mean one thing: Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. There are quite a few people in my life that adore this holiday and are expecting grand gestures that outperform last year’s – which only worsens my preexisting nerves. Thankfully, joan with their appropriately named single “nervous”, has been helping me get over my pre-Valentine’s Day jitters. The alt-pop single “nervous” centers on the anxiety we experience whenever we’re romantically interested in or simply have a deep fondness for someone. The song opens with acoustic guitar picks as a faraway chorus is played to get listeners nostalgic for any past crushes. It re-introduces the audience to the intense feelings that once had them fluttering between being overwhelmed and excited within these moments. The first verse accurately depicts how this crush reverts us back to a state of childlike innocence where we become clumsy and clammy in their presence. Even showcasing little abstract sounds here and there to drive this idea home. Then the pre-chorus reaffirms how these emotions make it feel like we’re tongue-tied. The chorus then kicks in with claps to accompany the lyrics to diagnose this emotional state for what it is, nervousness. I personally love the third verse where the tempo of the song shifts to give us a little rock out session while explaining that there’s a need to communicate these feelings but there’s a fear of the words falling short of the love that’s felt. The tempo shift aids in this mild panic that’s being experienced. Ultimately, joan’s “nervous” reminds us that feeling like this is a common, universal encounter and it helps ground listeners like me who find themselves with pre-Valentine’s Day jitters. The Arkansas-based duo that make up joan are Steven Rutherford and Alan Benjamin Thomas. Their infectious sound gets listeners hooked, but it’s the two’s personality that keeps ‘em coming back. Their warm and lively stage presence that goes along with relatable tunes demonstrates their enthusiasm for the music they craft. If you’ve enjoyed the alt-pop twosome as much as I have, there’s an upcoming opportunity to watch them perform live! They have a nationwide U.S. 20-date tour to celebrate their upcoming album ‘superglue’. The tour begins on May 13th, and you can find tickets here. But if you find yourself unable to attend, virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows is always appreciated, too. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW JOAN:

There’s a lot of open discussion regarding role models and their obligation to uphold high standards since they aid in molding the general public. This conversation focuses on how these figures influence character and professional aspirations. But seldom do we see role models exemplifying how healthy relationships operate. And that’s why I’m grateful for artists like BRE who not only take their status as a role model seriously but demonstrate how to manage and foster the connections we have. BRE’s “IDNTBR” (or “I Don’t Need to Be Right”) focuses on nurturing a romantic relationship in moments of heated disagreements. “IDNTBR” is an alt-pop single about validating your relationship over feeding the compulsive need to be right. All the verses within the song reflect BRE’s inner monologue, while the chorus is what's said to the partner. The music video for “IDNTBR” expertly showcases this difference, too. The song opens with BRE admitting they’re wrong in the first verse. But this is a self-admission; notice in the music video that BRE is surrounded in darkness with only a spotlight on her. In the center of this spotlight, its focal point, tends to be BRE’s head which relays to the audience that what is being said here are internalized thoughts. Once the chorus is laid down, the landscape of the music video changes. BRE is now in a well-lit room, singing into a microphone in a pink suit. The lighted room lets the audience know we’re no longer inside of BRE’s head. The microphone expands on this sentiment – it directly represents vocalization and informs that these lyrics are spoken words said to the partner. Finally, the pink suit symbolizes empathy in this context; letting the audience know that this conversation with the partner is grounded with the awareness and understanding that their connection is much more valuable than winning a dispute. Throughout the song and subsequent music video, audiences see the continual shift between BRE’s internalized thoughts and spoken words. Ultimately, “IDNTBR” proves that when we’re willing to unlearn the need to be right, it provides the space to have honest communication that helps a romantic relationship blossom. Los Angeles-based producer, songwriter, and singer, BRE, has been perfecting and performing her blend of fem-rock for over a decade. The artist released her debut album in 2012 at 16-years-old under the stage name Breanna Lynn. Between then and now BRE’s released three singles, two Eps, and a live album under the previous stage name; established her band Bre-L, and produced their album; and releases singles under the new stage name, BRE, all while working as a dueling piano bar player. All of her projects have helped the artist evolve into the powerhouse performer we all know now with an infinity for lyricism, melodic vocals, and messages of self-empowerment and improvement. If you’ve enjoyed BRE’s creative inclinations as much as I have, show the artist some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW BRE:

Break-ups are hard to do. What can understatedly be tougher though, is healing and moving on from the break-up. I think a large contributing factor to its difficulty is how the process of healing is perceived. It’s usually viewed to be laborious. Thankfully Leanna Firestone has changed the narrative around healing. Leanna Firestone’s “Reincarnation” frames healing from heartbreak as a way to reinvent yourself. “Reincarnation” is an indie-pop single about healing from the loss of a love and redirecting that energy into other relationships . The song focuses on Firestone’s vocation for storytelling, and is one of the five singles on the artist’s newly released EP, Public Displays of Affection or simply, ‘PDA’. The single opens with soft guitar strings before the artist chimes in with angelic vocalizations that echo. In the first verse, listeners learn that the artist is struggling to move on after a break-up. Because of this struggle, she seeks out advice. The given advice is set up as the song’s chorus. Redirecting the love you once shared with a former partner to other connections helps with the process of moving on. The second verse reveals to listeners that the love has been redirected into the relationships Firestone has with her friends and herself. Even coming to the realization that she can recreate the feelings of bliss felt with the former partner for herself, without any external input. The third and final verse highlights how the process of moving on isn’t linear – there will be moments of nostalgia for both the former partner and the identity we had while with them. And that’s perfectly okay; we have every right to mourn the loss of a relationship and the person we once were on our own time while reconstructing a life without either. Leanna Firestone is a 20-year-old singer and songwriter. At the beginning of the pandemic, the artist joined the TikTok community to beat the collective isolation we were all experiencing. While sharing her musical inclinations was not the initial purpose for joining, it soon became what she was known for on the platform. Firestone’s relatable lyrical confessionals resonated with viewers and gained momentous support. Now living her dream, the artist released her debut album Forward / Slash in 2022 and has even had her music featured in an episode of the U.K.’s Love Island. Currently Firestone is traveling around the U.S. with New Found Glory as the opening act for their 2023 acoustic tour, Make The Most Of It. Tickets can be found on the websites for New Found Glory and Leanna Firestone. Tickets are also selling quickly, and some venues have already sold out. If you find yourself homebound though, virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows is always appreciated, too. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW LEANNA FIRESTONE:

Self-doubting is a vicious cycle. Whenever I find myself plagued with it, it debilitates how I operate and conduct myself. That self-doubt feeds my procrastination. So, I tell myself the common procrastinator white lie to muster up a little stamina to get through the task; I work better under pressure. I don’t – most people don’t. But I think I found something to help break my cycle and yours, too. WILSN’s “Those Days Are Over” gives listeners the second wind their confidence needs to take on habitual and new obstacles. “Those Days Are Over” is a soulful jazz-pop single about trusting in yourself despite what uncertainty may lay ahead. The song opens with WILSN vocalizing alongside a melancholic piano melody. It sets listeners up for the first verse where the artist describes the self-doubt they find themselves “drowning” in. This self-doubt has become a detrimental source of stagnation – they’re unable to move or grow past the expectations that have been placed on them. As the song shifts to the pre-chorus, there’s a noticeable change in both the tune and tone. The piano melody begins to rise, mimicking the sensation of one picking themselves up. Meanwhile WILSN expresses their exhaustion with being weighed down by self-doubt. But their fervor “to uncover the real me” has given them a renewed strength. With the unveiling of the chorus, the piano melody begins to reflect the energy and zeal WILSN has to believe in herself. The lyrics within the chorus are a vow to make a commitment to yourself regardless of the adversities that may lie ahead. The following verse emphasizes this commitment; promising that the words of others won’t shake their confidence because she’ll “rise up” above it. While we’re bound to struggle with this commitment at times, WILSN reminds listeners in the bridge that fighting for a better relationship with yourself is never over until “the battle’s won”. Soul singer WILSN was born and raised in Australia. The artist was always enamored by classic soul and jazz singers. She even decided to move to Melbourne after high school to study jazz at the Victorian College of the Arts. There she would learn to write music that honored the voices of soul before her while instilling a distinctive character to reflect her attitude and style. After this, WILSN found herself stateside in Nashville to sharpen her skill with noteworthy songwriters. Two years later she was asked to perform on The Teskey Brothers 2019 U.K./Europe tour. When 2020 rolled around, the artist moved back to Melbourne and began recording music with Stephen Charles. Now, WILSN’s debut album Those Days Are Over will be released next Friday, February 3rd. While you patiently wait, show the artist some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW WILSN:

Eurovision is one of my favorite guilty pleasures. I am always dazzled by the contestants' talent and stage presence. But there is always one song that manages to put me under a spell, charming its way into my head and heart. This song drips with lust and yearning. Its become a direct shot of serotonin for me, and it'll be one for you, too. Allow me to introduce you to your soon-to-be newest obsession, “Ooh La La” by Hunter Falls. “Ooh La La” is an energetic dance-pop anthem about someone who not only possesses sex appeal but knows how to utilize it to captivate others. The song opens with a striking guitar walk. Falls then begins to lay down the first verse, and the beat shifts to a funky groove that puts any listener’s hips into a trance. Next, we’re treated to an abrupt transition into the second verse where every line and instrumental arrangement is delivered with a punch to build up the anticipation for the chorus. By the time the final line of the second verse is presented, there’s a slight pause afterwards that puts listeners on the edge of their seats. This pause emphasizes how explosive the upcoming chorus is. The chorus erupts with debonair, craving, and vitality. Most importantly though, the chorus has a catchy rhythm that’s bound to keep the cheeky lyrics on your mind long after listening. As the song progresses, the chorus even starts to feel like a chant to summon the person of your desires. “Ooh La La” transcends the preconceived notion of sex appeal needing to be serious by demonstrating that viciousness is just as enchanting. Hunter Falls is a singer and songwriter based in Belgium. Falls has been singing since the age of six and began writing songs in his teens. An early introduction to cultural diversity has had a significant impact on the music the artist creates. Falls has a firm belief that multiculturalism challenges the expectations of preexisting musical genres while simultaneously producing unforeseen beauty. All of which his music reflects, especially after incorporating R&B and soul into his work. Fans of Eurovision witnessed the rising star’s talent a few weeks ago when performing “Ooh La La” for Belgium's Eurosong 2023 contest that serves as the preliminaries for Eurovision. If you’ve enjoyed Hunter Falls dance anthem as much as I have, show him some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW HUNTER FALLS:

We initially hear the word placeholder in elementary mathematics. Outside of mathematics, this word takes on a very different meaning. Especially when it comes to dating. To be a placeholder in a relationship means to hold an emotional space until someone more desired or deemed to be ‘better’ can occupy it. To put it simply, you're the understudy for a lead actor. Not only is this manipulative, it’s also cruel because the placeholder’s feelings are never a consideration. Ben Provencial’s “Easy” depicts what a relationship feels like when you’re the placeholder. “Easy” is an indie-pop single about not wanting to be a placeholder within a romantic relationship. The song opens with an upbeat melody that immediately catches any listener’s attention. As soon as Provencial lays down the first and second verse however, we can identify the lyrical dissonance. Despite the melody’s optimism, they’re expressing how they’re experiencing neglect and disregard from their partner. Only receiving affection and attention from the partner when it’s convenient. With this pattern becoming habitual, they’ve come to the realization that they’re a placeholder for their partner. The chorus builds on this realization; rather than lashing out at the partner, they’re quite understanding. They’re aware “that people change and grow in separate ways”, and they’re not going to hold this against them. All they ask for in return is to be let “down easy”, so they’re no longer the placeholder. This allows the placeholder the opportunity to heal and find someone that sees them as a partner, too. Unfortunately, the third verse reveals that the partner has been anything but easy – instead, the partner is “pushing [them] out”. Tying back to the tragic sentiment that the placeholder’s emotional state is never held in high regard. Ben Provencial was born in Atlanta but is currently laying down roots in Los Angeles. Provencial’s identifiable falsetto and arrangement of infectious hook melodies leaves audiences wanting more. The indie-pop singer and songwriter released his debut single “NOT ALRIGHT” back in 2020 which saw incredible streaming success across multiple platforms. The artist has been able to keep his well-known presence alive in the musical sphere with follow-up singles “BETTER OFF” and “FORGET ABOUT ME”. Meanwhile, “Easy” is the first single to be released in 2023 from the indie-pop artist. If you’ve enjoyed listening to Ben Provencial as much as I have, show him some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW BEN PROVENCIAL:

Why is it so hard to end a relationship? Is it because we rationalize that it’s better to be with someone that makes us feel half-empty, then no one at all? Or could it be due to some lingering hope that the relationship can be what it once was? Regardless, there’s always some hesitation when it comes to this decision. Hazlett’s “Hesitate” provides listeners with some insight into this reluctance. “Hesitate” is a soft guitar ballad revolving around a couple’s hesitation to end their relationship. The song opens with Hazlett relaying to the audience in the first verse that the relationship at hand is beyond “repairs”. Following this up with people from the outside looking in have no idea that this relationship has run its course because the two partners have never disclosed “the hell” they’ve gone through together. All before revealing to listeners that they “don’t talk like we used to”. Hazlett demonstrates beautifully that the foundation of this relationship relied on communication, and the decline of it has unfortunately contributed to the couple not knowing where they stand with one another. The uncertain future of the relationship is emphasized in the chorus where listeners hear a last plea for any communication – any sign that this is the end. But there’s still some hesitation. We then get to hear about the relationship from the other partner, vocalized through OSKA. In the third and fourth verse, OSKA expresses confusion about how the relationship wound up here while simultaneously being nostalgic for the connection they once shared. But this confusion outweighs the nostalgia and contributes to their inability to communicate. The chorus is then sung with both parties, highlighting that both desperately want to communicate - except, they don't know how to anymore. This makes the hesitation a double entendre; not only are they hesitating to communicate, but they’re also hesitating to make a definitive judgment about the future of the relationship. Hazlett was born in Australia but grew up in Sweden. The nomadic artist’s music centers on storytelling; ranging from emulating the feel of oral tradition by providing much-needed advice, to confessions in a secret diary. Which makes his rare live performances all the more welcoming. Meanwhile featuring Austrian artist, OSKA, has upcoming live performances scheduled over the next few months – information regarding these performances can be found through her Instagram. “Hesitate” is one of the singles that audiences can find on Hazlett’s newly released album, ‘Bloom Mountain ’. The album perfectly captures the experience of being in your 20's where the emotions certain moments possess are often times more memorable than the hazy details surrounding them. If you’ve enjoyed the combined presence of Hazlett and OSKA as much as I have, show the two some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW HAZLETT: FOLLOW OSKA:

Sometimes I feel like I’m stuck in an episode of Doom Patrol. There’s always a cataclysmic event lurking around the corner to sucker punch me out of existence. But by pure dumb luck, it narrowly misses, and I come out victorious. The feeling of triumph never lasts, though. Like clockwork, the next life-threatening incident is waiting for me. The reoccurring nature is bound to make anyone a little introspective. Sir Echo’s “Obituary” serves as listeners’ exploration guide into this introspection. Listen to "Obituary" by Sir Echo here. “Obituary” is an alt-pop single that doubles as a lyrical confession about the impeding existential dread that’s got our generation in a chokehold. The song opens with catchy guitar chimes that lead listeners into the first verse. This verse accurately captures how we feel about an uncertain future that’s been misshaped by the careless generations before us; “Placed all my bets on the weakest horse / That sucker’s gonna get me there / I’m gonna come in first”. We’re fully aware that we’ve been dealt a bad hand, but we’re determined to make the best of it and to even come out ahead. The second verse is where the group reads prior generations to filth – informing them that they’ve worn “past the expiration on [our] patience these days / [We’re] not gonna take their sound advice”. ‘Sound advice’ is the perfect utilization of irony here; the advice we’ve been given has been anything but sound. Especially when it’s considered that the doom stalking us is a byproduct of their actions (and inactions) – their advice shouldn’t be trusted to begin with. The chorus then breaks from the thoughts at hand to give listeners a flash of sentimentality by asking: “If everything ended would you lie with me? / In the middle of the road while it crumbles beneath us?” It makes you think about who you’d want next to you if our generation succumbed to an ill fate. And serves as a testament to how compassionate our generation is, too. This compassion is emphasized in the third verse when it’s vocalized: “I picked up the glass and I cleaned up the mess / I don’t expect you or anyone to understand”. Despite addressing the mess older generations have left for us, their inability to comprehend compassion unfortunately makes them dismiss it as a valuable contribution to society. That in turn has our generation believing we haven’t done anything that’s worthy of being written in an obituary – but I think our eternal optimism and benevolence in the face of unwarranted catastrophe proves otherwise. Sir Echo features the collective musical forces of lead-singer, Chaz Kiss; guitarist, Jeremy Stene; and drummer, David Stingle. Based out of Hudson Valley, New York, Sir Echo gets their kicks from inducing mosh pits up and down the east coast. The noise-makers discography consists of clever social commentary disguised as rich lyricism and ear-gasmic instrumentals that’s sure to bring out anyone’s inner angst. If you’ve enjoyed their woman-fronted alt-pop as much as I have, there’s an opportunity to see them play live in New York next Friday, January 20th. The band will be one of the performers for Breaking Sound NYC at Pianos. But if you find yourself west coast bound like me, virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows is always appreciated, too. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW SIR ECHO:

Modernity and gloom seem to go hand in hand nowadays. That gloom often gets exacerbated by all the little things that we can’t manage to control. And this inability to control our environment can make us feel helpless at times. But having someone to both alleviate our concerns and navigate difficulties with makes an unpredictable world all the easier to be in. That’s why it’s crucial that we remind our partners how grateful we are for their presence. Dan Healy’s “Only Your Touch” is an ode to the significant others in our lives that have stood by us through adversities and prosperities. “Only Your Touch” is an alt-pop single expressing not only the love we have for our partner, but the deep gratitude we have for them during moments of insecurity and weakness. The song opens with a piano ballad that makes a listener’s chest swell with a renewed confidence before hearing the first verse. Within the opening verse Healy conveys the two things he doesn’t want in his life; he doesn’t want to be a disappointment to his partner or to have a pessimistic outlook on life. In the next verse he describes that he’s able to ward off these concerns by communicating them with his partner, which also has the benefit of providing him with an optimistic disposition. The heartfelt chorus afterwards is where Healy tells his partner how grateful is for them – relaying to listeners that his partner’s spirit helps bring balance to his life. But most importantly, his partner provides him with the strength to continue to “lift” himself up when he’s feeling “all out of luck”. Dan Healy is a singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and actor from Loch Lomond, Scotland. The quadruple threat began his creative career much earlier than most; and was named the Scottish Daily Record’s “Songwriter to Watch Out For” at 15. This eventually led to Healy receiving praise for his EP “Fragile” and a tour around the U.K. Since then, the artist has been a part of numerous projects. Healy’s played, sang, and written alongside the musical talents of Peter-John Vettese and Ronan Keating. He even took on major theatre performances; he was cast as Paul McCartney in Backbeat, and (my personal favorite) as Guy in ONCE. Healy has now decided to release a solo album with “Only Your Touch” as the first single to be featured. If you’ve enjoyed Dan Healy’s music and career as much as I have, show him some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows. Written By Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW DAN HEALY:

One of my favorite fictional characters within literature and film is Gomez Addams from The Addams Family. He’s the patriarch of his family but stands in complete opposition to what audiences have come to expect from men. To sum it up neatly: Gomez is a man that’s comfortable with being emotionally vulnerable with the ones he loves. So, when songs like Kayden McCarthy’s “Vulnerable” spring up, I’m filled with overwhelming joy that we're paving a space to have open discussions about how men can express vulnerability. "Vulnerable" is a moody, pop single with heavy elements of soul and R&B. The song details the desire to be emotionally vulnerable and how this desire conflicts with societal expectations of masculinity. The song opens with slow, heavy guitar picking leading into the first verse, giving listeners a laidback atmosphere while simultaneously setting them up to embrace turbulence. This verse drips with imagery that feeds into the traditional archetype of masculinity. My favorite piece of imagery is McCarthy comparing himself to a gun; revealing he's "locked and loaded" but is only aiming to be "emotionless" because this falls in line with what's expected of him, unfortunately. This verse builds up to a drop which then brings on an enriched chorus backed by an enticingly sexy electro-pop rhythm. The chorus highlights the artist's desire to be emotionally vulnerable to better himself, and to preserve and foster current relationships. When the chorus comes around again, listeners hear him vocalize; "She wanted me vulnerable / She wanted me", before disclosing in the third verse that 'she' left because of his inability to open up. "Vulnerable" much like Gomez Addams, I think, helps shift the narrative around masculinity and how emotional vulnerability is not detrimental to it. Singer and songwriter, Kayden McCarthy, is a native Jerseyian with ties to Amsterdam, NL where his love affair with music began. Now a Chicago local, McCarthy is influenced by multiple genres ranging from early 2000s R&B to current electro-pop. With a distinctive sound locked down, the artist’s grittier lyrics draw attention from all kinds of music lovers. “Vulnerable” is the first single to be released from an upcoming album from the artist. Until more info on the album is dropped, you can show McCarthy some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows. Written By Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW KAYDEN MCCARTHY: