Internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Connie Talbot releases “Growing Pains” that symbolizes her experience growing up in the limelight. In life, not only are growing pains inevitable, but they are actually a good thing. Change can be frightening, but being stagnant should be feared much more. We are all a work in progress. There is always room for improvement within our selves and our surroundings. Connie captures the sentiment that we can move with our growing pains as they come and go, and in the end, they represent a new beginning. “Growing Pains” perfectly encapsulates how discomfort can make you a better version of yourself, and they won’t last forever, but they will lead you to the next chapter of your life. “Growing Pains” is an optimistic pop track that tells a beautiful tale that the ache is temporary, but the payoff is so worth it. Her lyrics are captivating, and the instrumentals leave you hopeful. We all have struggles, and Connie is honorably telling her fans that she is no different. It’s okay to not know your next move. As cliche as it may be, the journey is much more important than the destination. The “Growing Pains” music video is shot by Bradley Howard, and Connie performs the song to the camera with a youthful upbeat energy as the backdrop continues past her, It’s a rolling visual of the inside of Connie’s mind as she works through the understanding that growing pains can be good, and combat makes heroes. Connie Talbot is a world-renowned singer/songwriter born and raises in a small area just outside of Birmingham, England. She had an instant connection with music, and she knew its power to make you feel something from a young age. At just 6 years old, Connie took the world by storm with her cover of “Over the Rainbow” on Britain’s Got Talent. Now, almost two decades later, she is ready to show everyone the artist she has become in recent years. She released her debut album, Over the Rainbow , at 6 years old, and it skyrocketed to gold status in the UK and platinum in South East Asia, making her the youngest artist in history to ever achieve such success. Connie spent the years following to hone in on her craft as a musician and songwriter. She has found her voice, and she is kickstarting her self-proclaimed official music career in 2023. “Growing Pains” is the title track from Connie’s new coming-of-age 4-track EP that unveils her new found voice! Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW CONNIE TALBOT:

Marking their fourth release as independent artists, crysometimes has dropped their new single, "Something That Matters." The track is a relatable one, featuring a message that depicts a sense of urgency to make something of your life—to say and do things that matter. With lyrics like, "I wanna say something that matters/But all of it’s been said before/There’s not a single experience/That hasn’t been described by a song," it is clear that the song is introspective for crysometimes and touches on themes of existential freedom, loneliness, and self-awareness in the internet age. "Something That Matters" starts off with lots of energy and a scaled-back instrumentation that later explodes into a fiery chorus. There's a driving beat present throughout the song, propelling the song forward as the lead singer takes us through the track's introspective tale. "Something That Matters" features light guitar strums and electronic interjections at the beginning, later evolving into aggressive guitar riffs and rich harmonies at the chorus' arrival. The vocals on the track are euphonious, wavering between light, angsty verses and face-melting choruses. Between the song's memorable melodies and delicious pop-rock instrumentation, "Something That Matters" is a compelling listen that will have you hooked. crysometimes is a British-Swedish duo, consisting of members Megan (they/them) from Brighton and Marjo (he/him) from Stockholm. Being artists on the rise, the group has received lots of support from BBC Introducing, and their previous releases have been played upwards of 15 times on BBC Radio 1. Their releases prior to "Something That Matters" include "Nadiya," "Easier Said (Than Done)," and "American Football." Having a more alt-pop/pop-rock sound, crysometimes has a sound similar to acts like Paramore, Phoebe Bridgers, Clairo, boygenius, and Avril Lavigne. Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW CRYSOMETIMES:

Have you ever had the biggest crush on someone that you knew would never love you back, but you still couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if they did? "She They" by TYA is a queer summer love anthem for all of those who have fallen for someone who is unattainable, but you can't help but be playful and be direct about how you're feeling. TYA identifies as a she/they, and in this song she describes being in love with a woman who is taken by somebody who is he/him. TYA is undeniably themselves behind the lyrics and the emotion she puts into their voice, making it a empowering song that all the lady-lovers can relate to and sing along with. "She They" is a super catchy pop-bop that is filled with raw, emotional vocals and very honest lyrics. The soundscape is very nostalgic, with hints of 80s synth-pop that give me "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston vibes. The style is also very reminiscent of a cross between Carly Rae Jepsen and HAIM. It's a very fun-loving, high-spirited groove that'll easily get stuck in your head. If you've been a victim of unrequited love, especially all the lady-lovers out there, this song is for you. TYA is an indie alt-pop artist currently based in Vancouver, British Columbia who was born in Las Vegas, Nevada to two theatrical performers. That being said, TYA is a natural talent who grew up touring around with their parents, seeing what the entertainment industry was like first hand from a very young age. "Entertainment is in my blood," TYA says. "That's all I know." Singing always came natural to them, but they also are an actor, dancer and songwriter. She released her official debut singe, "Chamomile Tea" in 2021 and has since then released four more singles, including their latest release, "She They". Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW TYA:

"Don’t Be Afraid" is AMRIX's first single, and is offering up a helping hand. Speaking about guiding through the "dark days", AMRIX has let his voice be the guiding light within his song. Alongside writer Matt Miller, the two have opened up a world with their sound. Pulling you in with each line filled with emotion, singing "I've got you if no one else does" hits deep, giving us a taste of something different for a summer release. In each of his lines, we are able to dig into a personal experience of a relationship with him. As we are pulled through the song, we follow his voice to keep us away from the dark as AMRIX is able to tell us "Don’t Be Afraid". While this song does not speak to the upbeat tone of some EDM, AMRIX has delivered something far more powerful and deep-cutting. The song begins with electric yet familiar notes resembling a warm hum. AMRIX, along with Mix Engineer Ruben Castro, are able to allow each beat to flow as if we are feeling a sense of hope with every pulse. This song allows you to feel safe with its warm tone and cool beat intertwined. As we approach the middle of the song, we are more singled out by AMRIX’s voice, as he flows each word together as if his words were floating through a river of honey. By the end, you can begin to feel fulfilled by the harmonizing and slow decrease of the presence of a voice and sound. AMRIX, along with Matt Miller and Ruben Castro, have created an electrically enchanting first single for the artist. With "Don’t Be Afraid," AMRIX is able to stray away from genre conformation, defining the boundaries of each single genre. Daniel "AMRIX'' is a producer and singer from Perth, Australia. With his debut single, "Don’t Be Afraid," he is already well on his way to making his mark on the music scene. Using his unique tone and non genre conforming sound, AMRIX has created something beautiful. Be sure to keep up with AMRIX's growing career by following him on all platforms below. As well as listening to "Don’t Be Afraid" now! Written By Cate Schnoebelen FOLLOW AMRIX: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

"This isn't like you," is a stomach-churning sentence to hear when you finally act on your true feelings. You realize that people know a version of you and often reject your honest expressions. On her debut single, "crazy," Lizzy Donzis wields blazing pop-rock like a flamethrower. The sweet-and-sour melody emboldens the resentment while preserving the underlying hurt behind Donzis' expression. The verses carry agitation like a raw rug-burn, with gritty bass and vulnerable lyrics clawing at the seams. Donzis ignites "crazy" into a wildfire at the excellent chorus. Arena-ready drums and guitars flip the festering rage inside-out. The immaculate production fills each unique space with intricate detail, allowing for even the subtlest of additions to carry a tidal wave's impact. The most glorious part is the song's bridge, where Donzis briefly adopts an ethereal sound with feather-like vocal harmonies and pulsing synths. But as she transitions back into the chorus, the driving bass saps the sound of its pastel hues. It's a fascinating moment in which Donzis transforms a soft-pink sunrise into the inky black of night in mere seconds. "People don't change 'cus they wanna stay the same," Donzis spits on the eviscerating chorus. It seems simple, but it carries the thematic conflict of "crazy." As Donzis herself grows and changes, she realizes that those around her are resistant to that. "Gotta be alone to be myself," she recites in a list, as though divulging symptoms to a doctor. As though change wasn't difficult enough, it leaves her feeling isolated from others. "I'm getting harder to relate to." As she distances herself from the version of herself they project onto her, a rift forms between them. But "crazy" is not a perfect-solution type of song. Donzis recognizes that, indeed, it can be a lonely path to living life as your true self, but in allowing people to restrict who you are, you lose yourself. "Crazy" is the very first single from Elizabeth Donzis, but the singer/songwriter has always had a passion for writing and singing. As a former competitive dancer, Donzis gained a love for performance that spread into a multitude of passions. As an actress, she has appeared in the Netflix comedy, "No Good Nick." The single arrived alongside a music video, directed by Toby Cole. The music video jumps between scenes of Donzin in a therapy session, on a date, and practicing self care, all which result in the artist incapable of maintaining composure. With "crazy," Donzis arrives as a fully formed musical talent, with polished creative vision and brilliant execution. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW Lizzy Donzis:

If you’ve ever been unfortunate enough to have a panic or anxiety attack, you know just how hard it is to muscle through the experience– especially if you’re alone without anyone to help calm you down. Ollie Wade’s newest single “Breathe” was written for his partner, who, at the time, was suffering from severe panic attacks. The song is meant to soothe and comfort– it’s personal and vulnerable in all the right ways. Soft like a down-filled pillow, "Breathe" provides the reassurance to those experiencing mental health issues that they’re not alone and that these feelings will pass. “Breathe” is fairly sparse instrument-wise, but it all works very well with the song’s overall message: complete with an acoustic guitar, piano, and a drum to mimic a heartbeat, everything blends nicely to create a simple yet sensitive soundscape. The bridge in particular features live recorded strings that just sound so beautiful in tandem with Wade’s vocals; they swell with his voice, as if a chest growing with hope. Wade sings, accompanied by these strings, “But just know/That it’s always gonna end/You’ll make it out again.” It’s such a lovely representation of this moment– two people being uplifted by one another, and the instrumentals portraying that, as well as through the lyrics. The song shows both sides of the narrator and partner, although, for the most part, it focuses on guiding the partner through their panic attack, telling them to “Just breathe/Count to three/Try to listen to my voice.” It is important to mention that the song also often empathizes with the partner and validates their feelings: “Your chest is getting tighter/Your head is feeling lighter/So sit down here with me.” “Breathe” is a great representation, in a musical format, for panic and anxiety attacks; I’m sure it’s overwhelmingly relatable to many people in how Wade describes the shortness of breath and that clawing, tightening feeling in the chest. Ollie Wade began his music career on YouTube through posting acoustic folk-pop covers, as well as making vlogs. He eventually gained an online following and released his first single “Free” at the age of 17 as a tribute to his late brother, Ben. Since then, he’s released a host of music, including a 2016 EP entitled “Falling” that debuted as a UK iTunes Top 10, and has even played an intimate show for The Duchess, Kate Middleton. Vulnerable, honest, and precise, Wade’s songwriting has never shied away from being full of emotion; ranging from love to mental health, his music touches on the cornerstones of life to connect with his audience. “Breathe” is Wade’s most recent single and I cannot encourage people enough to listen to it– it’s a fantastic manifestation of mental health struggles, both relatable and comforting. Written By Alexa Leung FOLLOW OLLIE WADE:

Imagine for a moment you’re at a party. Dancing, laughing, and hanging out with your friends. The night has been good for a few hours, but slowly you start getting tired. Your friends may be ready to go all night, but the craving for alone time is becoming intense. All you want is to be alone for the rest of the night, and it has nothing to do with them. You’ve just been out for a long time and you need to recharge. Your social battery has depleted. Many of us share this experience whether we have the term for it or not. Maya wants us to know that feeling is not only normal but, valid in her new track Social Battery. The track begins with a pop-leaning guitar chug and then bursts into the opening lyrics. Maya describes her old self. How she once was the person ready to make plans and jump on tables but now that she has gotten older things have changed. She is reminiscing on this opening line but the feeling is acceptance. Maya has accepted that her days of partying all night are behind her and she has begun to acknowledge the existence of her weening social battery. This doesn’t mean she won't go out this just means she won't stay out for too long. The track has a steady and clear pop instrumental. Featuring claps 808s that carry the song's mood forward. The vocal layering makes it feel like the song is a memory. As Maya reminisces on the old times with her friends it is almost as if she is taking us on the journey with her. The track is excellently produced and does an amazing job at its storytelling. It is also incredibly relatable to discuss something not many have in such a fun and interesting way. Maya is a singer-songwriter from Seattle. She is currently based in Los Angeles and her career has been blooming since 2020. Since the release of her debut single Intoxicated Maya has seen massive growth in her fan base. With features in both Medium and Voyage LA under her belt she began working harder on her music. Her third single Bittersweet went viral on TikTok and amassed nearly 2.4 million views. This put her on the map but her debut EP set the stage for her greatness. 21 Years to Realize was a hit and gained Maya over 700,000 streams. She is currently working on new music and promoting her latest song on social media. Written By Kaiana Lee FOLLOW MAYA:

Emilia Tarrant’s latest release “Why Does It Always Rain On Me?” is a heartbreakingly beautiful reminder of the consistency of life’s challenges. She begs an answer to this question of “why”, why does this continue, finding explanation in self-blame “is it because I lied when I was seventeen?”, she worries. It’s a heartfelt song meant to serve a purpose of not only relatability but also the sense of being heard that comes with it. No, it isn’t because of the lie told at seventeen, she seems to confirm. Through Tarrant’s repetition of these depressive thoughts she singles out their seemingly unreasonable nature and provides comfort through a mere addressing of these issues. “Why Does It Always Rain On Me” is a song to cry to a little less each time, with her own expression of pain used as a remedy for her listeners’. The song begins with Tarrant’s haunting voice echoing her first lyrics. A quiet but impactful note plays steadily behind her with scattered, solemn piano keys filling her silences. When she begins the chorus “Why’s it always rain on me” the music picks up but only slightly, as if she is anticipating more hope, more energy and cannot find it. This allows for her to seamlessly maintain the depressive tone and somehow evoke even stronger emotion without changing nearly anything except her own voice’s volume. And that voice is enough, it is honest and raw, feeling like a genuine cry. This theme continues throughout the song, her single voice hinting towards the message of isolation so prevalent in the lyrics. Where the sun shines for others she feels rain, she seems to have a gray cloud following her and so, it is only her we hear. That is, until her finale where layers of her own voice join as the song comes to a close. Emilia Tarrant was raised in Winchester, though her travels and family road trips away from it were frequent. It was on these ventures where she first found her specific interest in music. Coldplay and Moby & Jack Johnson left a passion for sound echoing in her head, and now, at only nineteen, she’s followed that voice. She has already amassed a large following and a discography to match it. In the past four years, she’s released seventeen singles with hundreds of thousands of streams on her most popular. “Why Does It Always Rain On Me?” is soon to join these with already over 18k listens. With her growing social media presence as well, over 2k on Instagram and 30k on Spotify, she’s on her way to joining the sounds of the radio that inspired her growing up. Follow Tarrant below and stream “Why Does It Always Rain On Me?” to stay updated on her growing success. Written By Hailey Schap FOLLOW EMILIA TARRANT:

It’s always hard to say goodbye to a lost relationship. Yet sometimes, the aftermath of a breakup can lead to conflicting thoughts and feelings regarding the situation, and you can start to notice the little things that remind you of that person as time goes on. This idea is presented beautifully in Caroline Romano’s latest song, “St. George.” Within the lyrics, we the listeners are taken on an emotional journey of grief and acceptance, and coming to terms with the fact that sometimes, things are out of our hands, and there really is no way to bring the relationship back to what it was. This song has an incredibly human and authentic tone to it, and it really makes you wonder what occurred to make the relationship end. “But I want more, what did you want me for? Still see you in your sweater, couldn’t have loved you better.” I interpret these lyrics like this: as much as we may wish and hope for a relationship to work out, sometimes it isn’t meant to be. And sometimes, the best thing to do is to let it go before things get worse. There’s a deep-rooted pain in the events that follow, but it’s important to remember the good memories and to grow from the bad ones. The song opens with a short voice message, where the caller (Romano) is talking about a sweater she found of her ex’s. The song is genuinely such a beautiful piece, and is really made better thanks to the instrumentals. I heard a lot of drums and piano, it’s simple and stunning. Nothing is overcomplicated, which I really appreciate. I really want to talk about the range of depth and emotion that I noticed in Romano’s voice. You can really hear her pains not only in her words, but in how she sings them. It’s raw, real, and beautiful. It really made the song even better to listen to! Caroline Romano is a 21-year-old singer and songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee. Her debut album, Oddities and Prodigies , was released in 2022. Since then, Romano has accumulated an impressive 40 thousand monthly streams on Spotify. “St. George” is one of the few tracks featured on her latest EP, A Brief Epic , which was released in July 2023. Of the few songs of hers I’ve listened to, there is an overarching theme of trying to navigate the good and the bad in today’s world, and how we can use our experiences to better ourselves and just enjoy life. I think we need more songs like that, honestly. Romano is absolutely killing it in her career at the moment, and I can’t wait to see where her journey takes her! Written By Isabel Mays FOLLOW CAROLINE ROMANO:

Imagine being treated wrong throughout a relationship and then that same person initiates the breakup. But instead of moving on, they turn into a storyteller and centers the plot around you being the villain. Now, you find yourself having to defend yourself against the lies by turning the frustration into a song - a summer hit at that. In “ Don’t Call Me ” by maryjo, she exposes all of this and sets the record straight. Attempting to tarnish someone's image isn’t cool, especially when they’re lying. But karma never misses anyone, and now this person looks foolish to many listeners around the world. This relationship could’ve ended peacefully, but this person decided to open their mouths and spit out lies. However, maryjo knows the real truth, and it's now her turn to share it, along with expressing that they shouldn’t bother talking or calling her, after attempting to degrade her character. She clears up the biggest lie by stating: “ Cause you’ve been runnin round running your mouth just like a track star. Telling all of your friends that it's been so hard. When you’re the one who said we were done, said you fell out of love, boy, you must think that I’m dumb ?” She then clarifies the real reason for their break up, by sharing: “ You know you broke my heart in two. You know exactly what you did to me. I’ve had it up to here with you .” So, if maryjo isn’t the problem here, then what was the point of all of the lies? Now that things are cleared up and she got to share her side of the story, she ends the song, as well as the back and forth, with: “ You can call me a mess and say what you like. You can call me whatever you want but don't call me tonight .” She’s had it “ up to here ” and she's over it. Maryjo is a 22 year-old pop singer from Cleveland, Ohio. You may have seen her on Season 19 of American Idol where she sang “ You Broke Me First ” by Tate McRae, and received all three yes’ from the judges. Previous to this audition, she had never performed in front of anyone, including her mom! “ Don’t Call Me ” currently has over 100,000 streams on Spotify and she has nearly 90,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Keep up with maryjo by clicking on the links below, and check out her newest single, “ Don’t Call Me, ” out now on all streaming platforms! Written By Sneet Efrem FOLLOW MARYJO:

When we’re little, it seems like we can’t wait to grow up. We think that we won’t have to eat our vegetables and can stay up as late as we want. When the coveted time finally arrives, we come to the harsh realization that it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. For example, we can’t stay up late because we need a job to pay the bills. In her new song, “growing up sucks,” Taylor Mecca reflects on the struggles of growing up and longing to go back to a simpler time. It is very relatable, as the lyrics hold a powerful message. They persuade listeners to live in the moment not the future because they may miss where they’re at later on. The instrumentation of the song is simple with an acoustic guitar. I think this was a great stylistic choice because the lyrics have a lot to say and it lets the emotion shine through. I particularly liked the first verse. The opening line is: “got a fake ID that I don’t need anymore on a twin size bed that I’ve slept in since I was 4.” I think the second part is especially telling because of the stark contrast. While the bed never changes, Mecca definitely has, for better and worse. It is funny and relatable to me because I also still have a twin bed in my childhood bedroom. At the end of the verse Mecca declares “if that ID were currency, I’d trade in it for a younger me.” The chorus strengthens her point with the line, “traded Barbies for some solo cups, tough love, pay stubs..growing up sucks.” Taylor Mecca is a singer/songwriter based in New York City. Her work has been featured on Spotify’s Fresh Finds playlist. While “growing up sucks” is Mecca’s first release of 2023, it is also part of her upcoming debut EP, sidelines . The other tracks will have similar messages about coming-of-age and navigating the world. If you can’t wait to hear more music from her, I recommend her 2022 single “Sigma Chi.” It has a similar message of growing up with an added element of being unlucky in love. After hearing these two tracks, I know that Mecca’s EP is going to be great! Follow all of her socials down below to stay up-to-date on new releases! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW TAYLOR MECCA

Olive Louise’s brand new single, “Swallow the Ocean”, is here. Olive takes you deep into her psyche and exposes her fear of vulnerability with this song. She begins the song by talking about a boy, and how she can’t love him the way he deserved to be loved. She compares her mood swings to the ocean, saying “[she’s] calm, then [she’s] fierce,” and she crushes whatever is near her. In the first pre-chorus, her boyfriend is trying to navigate her shifting emotions. She says he has a “real strong grip on the right direction,” but she isn’t helping him at all. The chorus takes you under the wave when Olive says she wishes she could get rid of the ocean and sand. She wants her boyfriend to be safe “on a mountain so high,” but she can never let go. Olive in the second verse delves into how her relationship is slowly falling apart. “We’re worlds apart,” she says, but sometimes she goes back in time and feels his love again. Olive knows she wants to be with him, she “wants to make it better” but “will this last forever?” This song is crushingly relatable and makes listeners look inward and reflect on their difficulties with vulnerability. “Swallow the Ocean” is perfectly produced to make it sound like an ocean. First, the song starts out with the sounds of crashing waves. The verses have clouded synths with an undercurrent lingering beneath the surface of the track. The pre-chorus takes a step back, with sound effects that sound similar to water dripping out of a faucet. Then, the chorus sweeps the listener under the waves into a deep, dark, mysterious ocean. The synths get louder and darker in the chorus, symbolizing Olive’s darker emotions. As the waves calm down at the end of the chorus, the question of “I don’t let go do I?” leaves listeners lying on the sand after the wave hits them. Olive’s vocals are dreamlike, and complex riffs are sung with ease. She has stacked harmonies and punchy rhythm in a synth for most of the song. Olive’s sound in this song is similar to Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine, which is generally considered indie or contemporary. Olive Louise grew up in Kings Point, New York, the place that inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. Olive considers her childhood dreamlike, spending her days horseback riding and sailing. She also studied piano and violin under her mother, who was the lead pianist in the Long Island Philharmonic Orchestra. Sadly, her parents tragically passed in her youth, leading her to be bounced around from guardian to guardian. But, no matter where she was, she found herself constantly writing. In 2019, she released her debut single titled “Fool.” The track was followed up with her second single “Bad Things,” which gained much attraction for its eclectic music video. Since then, Olive has steadily released singles, and released her first EP, “275 Kings Point Road,” in 2023. It’s clear that Olive has so much in store for her future, and her sheer talent and passion for music will take her to many places. Written By Lauren DiGiovanni FOLLOW Olive Louise: