Search Results

Many dream of finding “true love” someday, from teenage heartbreakers to life-long bonds that become unshakeable. However, with anything that’s worth chasing, the pursuit can often turn costly. “Don’t Know Why” by Haley Nance delivers a story of another type of romance, one that’s unrequited and broken, leaving someone trying to mend what is left in the relationship. Most of us will likely experience this at some point in our lives—an unequal friendship, a budding love that only seeds confusion and doubt, or even a newfound crush, leaving us vulnerable to rejection. Haley’s lyrics convey a great awareness that sometimes, we can’t convince people to care about us, and if someone doesn’t prioritize us, we cannot prioritize them. Click here to listen to *Don‘t Know Why*! The song begins with muted guitar strumming and solely Haley’s voice. Subtle yet explosive synths add a unique touch, intensifying the message during bigger moments and enhancing it during quieter ones. There’s a really nice grit to her vocals, reminding me of Lexi Jayde and Gracie Abrams, having a softness but also a needed presence and power. Structurally, the song is simple yet effective, going from each verse into the song’s main hook, adding and taking away energy to generate momentum. Starting in verse two, the production introduces these underwater-sounding “bubbling” accents, conveying a sense of inner turmoil that provide even more ear candy for the listener. Towards the end, the production strips back, leaving nothing but guitar and Haley’s reverbed voice, concluding with the resonant lyric “I can feel you letting go of me.” Haley began posting original songs to SoundCloud in 2022, from the single “Belly” to “Sleep Talking”, featuring intimate guitar ballads and airy soundscapes. Through TikTok, she currently showcases new song ideas and covers, ranging from Gracie Abrams to Lizzy McAlpine, both of which have influenced her melancholic indie-pop sound. Haley released her first song “Death of Me” to Spotify in 2022, leaning into the post-apocalyptic yet cozy instrumental, paying homage to artists like Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift (we love a fellow Swiftie). Although she’s just beginning as an artist, her first two singles have reached over 10K listeners on Spotify—a testament to the intangible cohesion within her sound. It’s rare to find an artist who makes you feel instantaneously, yet there’s a simplicity, crispness, and subtle power throughout her music that is super refreshing. I am excited to see what she releases next! Written By: Conner Pettit FOLLOW HALEY:

"Come Back to Me" is such a beautiful song. Can you talk a bit about the inspiration behind it? Keegan: Thank you! 'Come Back to Me' was actually written quite a while ago, I penned down the main ideas during the peak of the pandemic. It was definitely an odd moment for us, all, and I myself was stuck in the middle of a foreign country, 15 hours away from home, in the midst of my first year of college. During that time, I had to part ways with many loved ones, friends, family, and most importantly my partner/girlfriend at that time. It wasn’t easy for any of us, that was kind of the original inspiration behind the song. It is intentionally a love song but whenever I'm singing it, it's always just about wishing I could bring all my favourite people along with me through the little journey we call life. You got started in the underground metal scene before pursuing formal music education. How has that start influenced the music you continue to create? Keegan: Very much in the vein of utilising chords and organic methods of making music. Creatively, I have always gravitated towards jamming on my guitar, pen and paper, and collaborating with other musicians. Starting off any project with just a guitar or a piano is quite a traditional way of making music but it has worked for so many people and for such a long time. Having grown up making music in basements with minimal resources, I tend to start my love ballads similarly to how I would on a progressive metalcore tune; singing with a guitar in hand! What is the best part about creating music for you? Keegan: Being able to direct and express emotions/passions to a whole new level. It sounds cliché and pretentious, but I believe that art, whether it may be music, photography, painting, etc, was created by us due to the lack of being able to express ourselves fully. There are only so many words and body language we can use to portray our souls. The best part of music for me, is being able to pour out in detail and mould such messages to the world. Do you have any funny or interesting gig or busking stories from your early days? Keegan: As of now, I'm having a blast, gigs are going great, but in the past, I used to busk and play underground shows. People would leave, try to steal my money, or I would play in empty rooms. Clearly not the best musician at that time but we've all been there and I think looking back it's pretty funny. Especially when I'm trying to sing a heartfelt love song and in the corner of my eye, I spot someone trying to swipe all my cash. If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, which album would you choose and why? Keegan: Why?! That's the equivalent of asking a chef to eat one thing for the rest of his/her life. Um, have you heard Shrek's soundtrack? I'm joking, but 'Accidentally in Love' was an absolute tune. On a more serious note, probably, Zach Williams: Chain Breaker, or Chris Stapleton: Starting Over. Both wholesome, classic, shattering, and complete music mastery. What is something you wish you could tell the person you were when you wrote this song? Keegan: I guess it speaks for itself in the title and choruses of the song, but if I could add more. I'd say, "Forgive me for not being able to bring you along, I wish you could've been here for all my highs and lows, and I wish we could've done life together, grown together, and moved forward together. But that's rare, so thank you for making the time I had with you so amazing. I will never forget it." Interviewed By Tessa Brainard FOLLOW KEEGAN ISRAEL:

“Something for the Weekend” is an effortlessly chill and bouncy summer track about a sudden flame that’s reserved for the weekends. Summer is the season of absolutely nothing going on and everything going on, with weeks interlaid with lounging days and action-packed days. Kandler draws a parallel with allocating a flame to these action-packed days but is not yet ready to share a life with them. But for summer, the season of fancies and flings, Kandler turns something for the weekend into confident and cocky interpolations about both a sudden flame and the joys of summer. Kandler uses his smooth and mellow voice with a danceable background. Though the song starts slower, it gradually picks up in speed as the chorus cruises past, catchy yet lowkey. Kandler croons as his melody worms its way into the audience’s ears, the bouncy guitar accompanied by the ever-present beat of the drums. As he sighs about making their fling “only for the weekend”, Kandler’s mannerisms and personality perfectly complement the suave character he’s portraying, and his outstanding work in production alongside his collaborators Shepps and King Wizard provides a beautiful base to work off of. Nick Kandler is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter and producer currently based in Los Angeles. Releasing his debut single “Closure” in 2020, he took a small hiatus as the world grappled with the pandemic. But all that time away led him to come back with two more singles in 2022, “Kill You Slowly” and “Stay” reaching over 200,000 listens combined on Spotify. In 2023, Kandler released “Good Life” in March and “Something for the Weekend” in May, revving up for a potential new EP or maybe even an album. Though he’s only released five tracks, Kandler has left his mark on the industry, and his upcoming projects are sure to continue to wow and impress. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW NICK: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Being in your twenties is a very transformative time, and when feeling the full weight of this transition into adulthood, you might not always feel like you’re in the right place. This can lead to emotions ranging from confusion and frustration to even depression. Jessica Morale’s new single “twenty something” touches on all these confusing feelings in the powerful ballad. The combination of Morale’s incredible voice and solemn lyrics that she weaves through the rhythms in perfection, the song is incredibly easy to relate to and a meaningful way to get these emotions off your chest. It is important to reflect on these emotions as you feel them, something Jessica makes very clear in her music. Jessica pulls us into the first verse of the song with a very chill and light melody. She then locks us in with her crisp and deeply emotive voice as she sings over the song’s base. We as listeners can hear the power and feel behind her words from the very first second and are captivated by her vocals as she cascades into the chorus of the song. Jessica shows off an impressive range and ability to feel the music as the beat picks up into the second verse, with some vocal layering featured toward the second half. Despite the slightly darker subject matter, Jessica keeps an upbeat tone throughout the song, and this contrast works well for conveying the message of the song. Originally from South Florida, Jessica Morale has had her unique sound and presence from day one. Since she was only four years old, Jessica has been developing her beautiful and rich voice by performing in choirs, musicals, and many talent showcases. Her talent was discovered very quickly at such events, as talent scouts were always present. She quickly began further developing her talents as an artist by writing songs, learning to play guitar, and mastering the art of piano. In 2017, Jessica released her debut EP “Good Intent” with Hoot/Wisdom Recordings. Jessica has always and will continue to use her music to advocate for mental health and female empowerment, capturing the hearts of many fans and us at Pop Passion alike. Written By Molly Schiff FOLLOW JESSICA:

It can be a painful experience when a song that you used to love and enjoy with your ex starts playing. The familiar melody, lyrics, and beat can instantly transport you back to a time when things were good between you two. The good memories flood your mind, and you remember all the happy moments you shared with them when this song came on. You can't help but think about the conversations, the laughs, and the jam sessions you had together. These types of memories can be bittersweet, but can also leave you feeling heartbroken. Your favorite song that once brought you joy now stings and hurts your feelings, and has you wanting to try things out with them again. “ MY FAVORITE SONG ” by Clide is a track that perfectly illustrates the emotions and thoughts going through one’s mind about memories with an ex and how they’d like to go back to what they once had when a particular song that they shared together begins to play. As the drums kick in and Clide starts singing, the first thing he mentions is that his ex has ruined his favorite song. Initially, this statement might seem harsh, but we later realize that he is not being rude. Instead, he is explaining that the song used to be a source of joy and fun when he shared it with his ex. However, now that they are no longer together, listening to it alone brings back feelings of sadness instead of the happiness and energy that he used to feel when with them. Right before the chorus, he sings, “ I hit replay, but it don't feel the same. It just makes me cry .” The emotional toll of their breakup is evident as he reminisces about their past. Breakups are challenging, and the memories associated with them can be hard to navigate. In the chorus, the guitar comes in and creates a catchy vibe as he says, “ You took my favorite song and made it so sad. I used to love it now it makes me so mad . I wish that I could hit rewind and go back. Now everytime I cry cause you .” The song that used to generate positive vibes and happy memories when they jammed to it together has now become the opposite for him. It now brings a feeling of sadness. Whenever his favorite song comes on, he cannot help but think about how he is no longer together with the person he shared it with, which makes it sting even more. Listening to this specific song now only reminds him of the past and what he has lost, which “ makes [him] so mad .” Clide isn’t a bitter ex, nor is he playing the victim here. He even mentions how the memories that this song brought back to him has made him realize that he wants to go back to them, and rekindle those moments that they shared together (“ I still listen cause it's all that I have. I wish that I could hit rewind and go back .” This song is probably the only thing he has that reminds him of his ex. After all, it is a song that they bonded and jammed together to. A cute little memory is also included towards the end of the song, which again, is another memory that Clide thinks of when this song plays. He shares with us that his ex would, “ Sing it wrong like there was no mistake. I can’t forget it if I tried to .” Lastly, Clide shares multiple times that his favorite song has made him cry listening to it after they had broken up. He just wonders if she has cried as well, misses him, and feels similar emotions and thoughts as he has ( Does it make you cry, too? Cry too .") Clide is a 22 year-old singer and songwriter from Berlin, Germany. There, he currently resides and creates music. Back in January of this year, Clide released an EP titled, “ Parachutes ” which includes 5 songs with one of the songs surpassing 400,000 streams. “ MY FAVORITE SONG ” currently has over 99,000 streams. Clide is an extremely talented and big artist with majority of his songs having millions of streams. As of today, he has over 885,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Make sure to check out Clide’s latest single, “ My Favorite Song ”, out now on all streaming platforms! Written By Sneet Efrem FOLLOW CLIDE:

Sure, partying is fun, but sometimes you simply are not in the mood to go out. This can be for many reasons but rings especially true when you’re incredibly into someone who doesn’t seem to like you back. If this is you right now, then Migrant Motel has the single for you. Their newest release “PARTY” despite having all the beats and giving other indications that this is a song about partying, is exactly the opposite. The song is originally an anthem to staying at home and having a chill night, but with the chorus comes the mark of an ulterior motive for not wanting to go out. This party anthem with a twist might just be the perfect not wanting to go out song of the summer. The soft guitar melody and chill vibe of the Migrant Motel voices bring us into the first verse of this song. However, the song quickly picks up into an upbeat dance vibe while maintaining its coolness in the chorus. Migrant Motel achieves this by working more instruments in and layering them throughout the chorus while keeping the original guitar rhythm as the song’s base. The song follows the same theme with the second verse and lead-up to the chorus, making it catchy and easy to quickly pick up. You will no doubt be singing along perfectly by the second chorus, having picked up the pattern and enjoying yourself while doing it. Migrant Motel is made up of David Steward Jr. and Chava Ilizaliturri. David is Peruvian-American and Chava hails from Mexico. The two friends began combining their love for music into their unique and special songs while studying together at college in Boston. Throughout the years, they have built up a fan base in the United States, Mexico, and a large part of Latin America. Recently, they have shifted their focus towards growing the Bi-Cultural and Bi-Lingual movements in America. With their relocation to Los Angeles in 2020 and time spent playing iconic venues on the L.A. circuit, the pair worked up enough momentum to perform as headliners on the BMI stage at Lollapalooza in 2021. You can catch Migrant Motel on tour coming up very soon! Written By Molly Schiff FOLLOW MIGRANT MOTEL:

Trying to find your place in the world can be exhausting. Falling into vices to fill the void, fighting to find happiness in any way you can but it always feels like you're coming up short. Omar Rudberg handles this topic beautifully with his new track She Fell in Love in the Summer. In it, Omar sings of a girl who constantly has love and trusts slipping from her grasp. She is doing everything she can to find her place in the world but something is always bringing her down. She is constantly fighting to keep her head up but with every bit of hope, she’s hit with another ping of pain. The track follows as she learns to find happiness in herself and eventually falls in love with herself in a hopeful ending. The track begins with Omar’s breathy vocals layering over each other while a subdued piano ping in the foreground. We are then introduced to the main character of the song in the opening line. “She gets a little high when she feels a little low” This opening line encapsulates what the girl Omar is referring to is going through. She’s suffering and masking it with whatever she can. Using our vices to cover up our upsets is common. The lyrics on this track paint an even more vivid picture as the song progresses. The soundscape is quite simple leaving the lyrics and Omars' masterful vocals on full display. Omar Rudberg is a Venezuelan-Swedish powerhouse. With talents that include both acting and singing he rose to fame at quite a young age. Starting in the Swedish boyband FO&O in 2013 he honed his skills and went solos five years later. While making a name for himself as just Omar he became one of Sweden's top-selling artists. He is currently playing Simon on the Netflix drama Young Royals but still has time for his massive music career. With the release of She Fell In Love In The Summer Omar is showing a softer side of himself and making way for more people to hear his sultry vocals. If you haven’t heard of Omar Rudberg, now is the time to give him a listen because he is surely becoming a household name. Written By Kaiana Lee FOLLOW OMAR RUDBERG:

Loss is inevitable – this is something we all consciously know and understand. But emotionally, it doesn’t register with us until we’ve experienced it. The loss of a loved one though, is an experience that cannot be paralleled. The process of bereavement is different for everyone in this circumstance. Some of us need space during this period to rebalance ourselves. Some of us see it as an opportunity to self-destruct and rebuild ourselves from the ashes. And finally, some of us create meaningful art. RAYVEN’s “A Little Grief” captures their experience with losing their mother while simultaneously relating to those who have withstood a similar loss. "A Little Grief" is a heartfelt dedication to RAYVEN's mother that doubles as a sympathetic ode to loss and reminiscence. The piano-laden ballad centers around a bittersweet melody as a testament to the life RAYVEN’s mother lived. The opening verses of the single recall early memories before RAYVEN expresses the difficulty with moving on in life without the presence of their mother. Even communicating their fear of not being able “to do this alone”. This builds towards the chorus that summons a change in the song’s atmosphere. The chorus submerges listeners into a chasm of heartache that transforms into an inspiring memorial. The lyrics that perfectly embody this sentiment are: “Cause I can’t imagine a world that’s without you / But I know that grief is just love persevering / So, I’ll take it all / And make your life the centerpiece / ‘Round tables of loved ones / That carry on your memory”. The reverbed and delayed background vocals emphasize this chasm effect the chorus has, giving the song a high-quality cinematic feel to it. The second verse of the song provides more insight into the relationship between RAYVEN and her mother. This is where listeners learn that RAYVEN was not only adopted by her mother, but the adoption took place on her mother’s birthday. Which makes the lyrics “you’ve been the gift ever since” all the more sentimental. Finally, the bridge offers listeners a wonderful reminder: the desire for the presence of someone that’s no longer with us will always linger, but their spirit is kept alive through mementos and the people who hold memories of them. “A Little Grief” is a deeply intimate piece of art that stands as the epitome of emotional vulnerability within music. And I hope its creation has brought RAYVEN the same comfort it extends to listeners also enduring a significant loss. Wisconsin native, RAYVEN, is a woman of many talents within the arts. When they’re not writing and singing heavyhearted ballads, they’re producing, acting, or writing plays. The multi-talented artist’s debut single was the alternative “Questions, Comments, Concerns” that featured inventive gospel-laced synths centering on the skepticisms of religion. While their most recent single, “Fly As Me”, takes on a funkier sound with a mixture of heavier and laidback rock elements. RAYVEN’s discography showcases how versatile their music is while conveying a genuineness that can’t be replicated. If you’ve enjoyed RAYVEN’s ability to evoke emotion as much as I have, show them some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW RAYVEN:

Coming from a personal place, Jonahh has released new single, "Ghost of You," narrating some of his feelings about a long-term relationship that ended abruptly. Jonahh shares that the relationship lasted for several years until she showed up with two large men and a fighting dog to clear their shared apartment of valuables. "Ghost of You" is a collaboration between Jonahh, renowned Icelandic songwriter Ásgeir Orri Ásgeirsson, and Danish producer Malthe Seierup. The trio wrote and produced the song in just one day, an impressive feat for such a well-composed song. "Ghost of You" is short and (bitter)sweet. While the track's lyrics are full of frustration and hurt, Jonahh creates a light atmosphere with his smooth vocals and energetic pop beats. "Ghost of You" drips with electronic pop attitude, featuring a dreamy synth atmosphere. Throughout the song, Jonahh shows off his impressive vocal range, seamlessly soaring into high notes during the chorus. Composing an enthralling masterpiece, Jonahh showcases addictive melodies in "Ghost of You" that are sure to linger in listeners' minds. Between Jonahh's dazzling voice and the track's melodic appeal, "Ghost of You" needs to be an immediate addition to any pop fan's summer playlist. Hailing from Stavanger, Norway, 26-year-old Jonah Bjerga is the face behind Jonahh. The young artist is making waves in the electronic pop world, bringing a unique, Scandinavian twist to the genre. His music journey began at the age of 7, being a drummer in a marching band; he later found his voice on theater and musical stages. After facing some difficulties in his early adult life, Jonahh has found his way back to music, working intensely for the past the 3 years on his artist project. Giving fans an authentic view into his life, Jonahh uses his personal experiences as inspiration for his music. Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW JONAHH:

Many songs have been written about partying as a means of emotional distraction. On the latest single from The Habits, "The Birthday Song," the California duo turn this premise on its head. On the night meant for dancing and celebration, they find themselves pulled away by the past. The verses root themselves in a somewhat playful call-and-response between barbed lyrics and rumbling guitars. Sometimes the guitars growl in gritty distortion, clawing into the mix with ferocity and anguish. In the next moment, right when you expect "The Birthday Song" to spin its tires in the mud, The Habits soar into the brighter sounds of dream pop. Gauze-like synths filter the song's harsher tones into a bittersweet triumph. The resulting single is ear-worm pop with complex, internal experiences permeating its booze-laden air. The thrill of "The Birthday Song" is in how The Habits put forth a defensive exterior while undermining seemingly petty phrases ("tonight's my birthday party, you're not invited") with rawer details. "I don't want you to know I'd drop everything if you say so," vocalist Wolf Bradley admits. Charting the course of a birthday party gone sour from memories of the past, the duo give the celebratory narrative a distinctly internal experience. Many of the single's sharpest lyrics read like texts he never sent ("I've got your number saved as: don't you fucking call her "). In the dreamy haze of the bridge, there's undeniable clarity. "Is it me that's here for what we used to be—not reality?" But then the Uber pulls up to his ex's house, pushing reflection to the wayside. Wolf Bradley and Andrew Macatrao met as teenagers, eventually becoming friends through music. With Wolf playing guitar and Macatrao playing drums, the two bonded over jam sessions and growing as musicians. In 2017, the duo would release their first single, "Feeling It." After the pandemic hit in 2020, they decided to release their debut EP, What's The Worst That Can Happen? The Habits made a name for themselves through their unique brand of upbeat, catchy pop. Since the release of their debut EP, they've been on an upward trajectory—reaching wider audiences through their infectious singles and new collaborations. "The Birthday Song" released alongside a retro, diner themed music video, as well as their sophomore EP, I Think I'm Fine But I Don't Know. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW The Habits:

Maya Angelou once said, “there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you.” We are quick to tell of the successes in our story, yet we hide our mistakes. In reality, you should tell all of it. You should be proud of your accomplishments and how far you’ve come. On the other hand, you should also tell others of your setbacks and what you learned from them. After all, they could help someone else that is going through the same thing. In her latest single, “My Mistakes,” Nessi inspires listeners to embrace every side of their story. One thing I enjoyed about this track was the instrumentation. In the verses, the bass is gritty which makes the music angry. This fits in perfect with lyrics such as “I’ve been listening to doctors that don’t give a f**k.” As the chorus gets closer, there is a mood change. It starts with the words “thank god I’m better.” This music becomes brighter as Nessi sings about letting the rain wash away her mistakes. As she sings this, I liked how the steady drumbeat seems to be a musical representation of rain. After this happens, Nessi goes on to declare “I don’t give a damn what anybody says cause I’m so f**king proud of my mistakes.” She goes from being mad at herself to embracing her flaws. Every aspect of the song works to illustrate just how freeing this change is. I’m sure it will inspire other listeners to do the same. Vanessa Hutel (AKA Nessi) is a singer/songwriter from Norway. She turned to music as a way to cope with hard times. She now hopes that her work will help others in the same way. If you liked “My Mistakes,” you should check out her 2022 single, “In Another Life.” It is an anthem with a catchy piano sound that normalizes messing up. “My Mistakes” is only Nessi’s first release of 2023. She hit the ground running, and I can’t wait to see what other stories she has to tell! Follow all of her socials down below to be the first to hear about any new releases! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW NESSI

No Surrender is a song many listeners can relate to with its themes of being under pressure yet pushing yourself during difficult times. What was your thought process when creating this song? Miles To One: No Surrender was created out of doubt, fear and hope. We wanted people to hear this song and feel empowered to find the strength to keep going. Struggling doesn’t make you weak and it doesn’t make you any less of the person you were when you were at your strongest. You just need to give yourself a little time to breathe and remember that with every breath you take, you’re giving yourself hope. Your band is from many different regions, including members based in Europe, Asia, and, South America who came together by chance. How did that happen? How do you make the long-distance work? Miles To One: We found each other online and we communicate with each other on the daily! We want everyone to know that this is what this project means to us. Distance will never be an excuse and we just want to show that this is something big for all of us, we are fully committed to our dream. With each band member having their own role in creating music, how do you incorporate your different cultures to make new dynamics in your songs? Miles To One: We honestly don't think the differences in our culture ever played a role on how we've made our music so far and we also don't see it affecting the future of our music. All of us have become good friends! Being long distance, we always communicate. We found each other based off our love for the same taste in music and similar goals. In terms of the difference of what we bring to the table individually, we incorporate our own personal touch to each and every song that built our music. Everything that we've done so far has worked well together. Even when we're far away and we grew up differently, we're like puzzle pieces that just naturally fit each other. You have four singles out on Spotify so far! If you were to fly out and record a music video together, which song would you make it for and why? Miles To One: Out of the 4 that's out right now, it would probably be "Downfall". At the same time, we are also planning something even bigger, which we will release soon and it will be something worth waiting for! As much as we want to share more details, we have to hold back a little. In your lyric “I’m finding my way tonight / With all my Demons right behind me,” I feel that the term “Demon’s right behind me” can be interpreted in different ways such as demons can be considered your friend or your enemy. What does this meaning of Demons mean to you? Miles To One: It’s more of not letting your inner demons control you anymore and leaving behind everything that’s been weighing you down. It's an act of rebellion you wage against yourself for your own good. It’s about all your demons trying to catch up with you but as long as you keep moving forward, they will never get under your skin again. So instead of letting your inner demons control you, conquer them! Dance through the fire until you realize it doesn't burn you anymore. What goals do you have in the future as a group? Do you plan on ever relocating closer to each other? Miles To One: Yes we have nice surprises to come so remember to please stay tuned and follow us on all our social media accounts for more news….. Interviewed By Sophia E. Henry FOLLOW MILES TO ONE: