Marco Polo. A game of tag typically played in a pool or some body of water, where one party shouts “Marco” and the other responds “Polo” in an attempt to find the first. TALLOU’s recent release, ‘marco polo’ puts a spin on this game, by relating it to how through breakups and new relationships you constantly feel like you’re losing and finding yourself over and over. The lyricism of connecting a child’s game to adult experiences and emotions proves how talented TALLOU is, and how important motifs are to her music. She ties the title and the lyrics together through the chorus, when she sings “I still can’t find myself outside of you / Never good at solo / Close my eyes and count to ten, but I’m still stuck / playing marco polo”. Despite the song carrying a weighted topic and heavy emotions, it is anything but slow and mournful. TALLOU’s pop-indie style shines throughout this song, with a consistently snappy beat throughout the background and an atmosphere full of fun electric guitar riffs and a light backing vocal track. The simplicity of the tune allows the listener to pay closer attention to the lyrics, while still producing a song that is catchy and sticks in the listener's head. The lyrics tell the story of heartbreak, but the soundscape gives something to dance to. This is a delicate balance, but TALLOU completes it perfectly. Tiana Dennis, who performs under the name TALLOU, is an Australian based artist who has recently joined the Spotify music scene. Along with ‘marco polo’, she has one other release, titled ‘i promise i love you’, which was released in early 2023. Her songs focus on adult themes of finding yourself and dealing with difficulties in relationships, while maintaining the pop-indie soundscape that can be found in ‘marco polo’. She connects her sound to Olivia Rodrigo and MAY-A, who both feature similar styles. Make sure to follow TALLOU's journey through the social medias below, we can’t wait to see what she has in store! Written By Tessa Maddaloni FOLLOW TALLOU:

Meeting someone new can be such a special and exciting thing, especially when that someone could be a potential romantic interest! In Myra Monoka’s latest song, “Drive,” the Hungarian singer delves into the feelings that come with meeting this special someone. I think this song has so many layers to it, but they all work together perfectly. For starters, the lyrics. “Come and take a ride with me. I love the way you’re drivin’ me crazy,” and “Look how you always want to make me lose my cool,” are two great lyrics that help to emphasize a lot of the feelings that, perhaps, many of us have felt at some point in our lives. Another thing I love about this song is Monoka’s addictive vocals. She sings in a very sensual, deep, breathy voice for a lot of the song. It’s a little sultry, in a way. I’m obsessed with it. Arguably one of my favorite things about this song is the backing instrumentals. It sounds like she used a synthesizer for the majority of the song, and it works very well. Even for the opening of the song, before she has even started singing, you start to hear the stunning synth enter. It’s almost angelic in a way, and with the addition of what sounds like a violin, a beat was created that got me excited to replay this song every time. Having solid instrumentals and beats are both, in my opinion, extremely important. They can make or break your song, and in this instance, Monoka hit the nail on the head. Everything about this song works, I love it. Myra Monoka is a Budapest-based singer, songwriter, and music producer with a love for R&B and electronic pop. At the start of her professional career, Monoka committed her time to working alongside various different musical artists. But in the last few years, she has branched out and begun to release her own songs. For “Drive”, Monoka collaborated with famous producer, Matt Lawrence, who is known for working with artists such as Beyonce, Amy Winehouse, Adele, and much more. Myra also released a music video for the song that utilizes the use of AI technology. It’s very interesting, and made me appreciate the song even more! Recently, Monoka has performed her music at various festivals and has even attended a few signwriting sessions in Nashville and the first-ever Stockholm Songwriting Camp in Budapest. With all of the success Monoka has experienced in the last few years, I simply cannot wait to hear what she releases next. Written By Isabel Mays FOLLOW MYRA MONOKA:

Laura Davidson’s “Dime a Dozen”, in her words, is about recognizing that your ex is a “dime a dozen” and not your “one in a million”. The song, which was released on June 23rd, delves into a past relationship and its flaws. Her first verse, sung in a distinct cadence, details the fact that a part of her still misses her ex, but she realizes that she missed her old and better self. Laura then goes on to mention that her relationship was seemingly picture-perfect, but she had to learn the hard way that it wasn’t. Then in the chorus, she sums up her battles with her past relationship, saying that “[he] messed up and [she] said sorry”, but she was left to pick up the pieces and tried to fix their relationship. But now that they’re not together, she came to recognize that he wasn’t anything special like she thought he was. In the second verse, Laura talks about her growth after they had broken up. She had “barely made it out at all”, but now that her ex is gone, she is better off on her own. With the bridge, she wraps it all up by saying that if he called her, she “wouldn’t wanna talk” at all because she’s better now. The title of the song perfectly captures the feeling of realizing your ex was just a normal guy, and he wasn’t the special guy you painted him to be. Laura utilizes a clean, alternative indie-pop sound in this song, which is becoming increasingly more popular and mainstream in the 2020s. Although most indie songs are without a set structure and have a sense of eccentricity with their homemade sound, Laura combines that with the classic structure of a pop song to create a unique sound for herself. Other artists, like Gracie Abrams, Tate McRae, and many others, also combine indie music and pop in their own ways to make their sound that their fan bases love. Even though her sound more closely aligns with the sounds of Gracie Abrams and Tate McRae, her lyric style is comparable to Billie Eilish and Phoebe Bridgers. Laura, Billie, and Phoebe all use sad, hard-hitting lyrics accompanied by seemingly upbeat instrumentation. Laura’s smooth vocals, combined with her simple production, create a “song of the summer” type pop song that sticks in your brain all summer long. Laura Davidson is a singer-songwriter from the UK. She first began making music at 10 years old, and she plays guitar, piano, and violin. Currently, Laura has over 500k streams on Spotify with over 30k monthly listeners. Her first debut single, titled “U Want Me” with the singer, Nexeri, in 2019. Laura has released multiple singles since then, most notably her TikTok Viral song “More Than a Friend”, which was released in 2022. “Dime a Dozen” was co-written with UK artists Hannah Jane Lewis and Jackson Dimiglio-Wood. This past week, she was featured on the front cover of the New Music Friday Playlist on Spotify. Written By Lauren DiGiovanni FOLLOW Laura Davidson:

Sometimes, the struggles of life get the best of us. While we can’t completely avoid them, we may need to put them aside for a little bit. It will be much easier to come back and face our struggles with a clear mind. If you need a good way to decompress, get up and dance! It reduces cortisol in the brain which makes you happier! W/FRNDS provides an excellent soundtrack for this in his new single, “DNCE W/ME.” He teams up with vocalist, Lauryn Macfarlane, on this track. The combination of her vocals and his upbeat sound will get you up and moving, making it easy to let go of your struggles. Click here to listen to "DNCE W/ME" (feat. Lauryn Macfarlane) One thing that stood out to me about the song was the bass line, as it makes you want to get up and dance. The combination of the bass and drums seemed to be a musical representation of a strut which fits into the message of the song. When you strut, it gives off an air of confidence. For her part, Lauryn Macfarlane sings lyrics to match this mood. I particularly liked the first line where she sings, “put my Ray Bans on.” She is blocking out the world and throwing her cares away.” While this line may be short, I think it sets the tone for the whole song. The rest talks about new love, partying, drinking, and having fun. While listeners may not have the big blowout party mentioned in the track, it will still inspire them to let loose and have fun. It may surprise you to discover that W/FRNDS is a pseudonym of the name Matt McCartney. Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, his musical journey began when he was in a folk rock band while pursuing a professional hockey career. Later, McCartney expanded his interests and developed a love for writing and producing music. It’s hard to believe that DNCE W/ME is McCartney’s first release of 2023 and debut single. He definitely hit the ground running and I can’t wait to hear what else he has in store. Follow all his socials down below to learn more about him and stay up-to-date on new releases. Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW W/FRNDS

Confidence is intoxicating, and Maty Noyes leads with it on her latest single, "Ambience & Applepie." Her mellow wispy vocals carry a playful smirk: she's setting the pace. The song drips like wax, intense but subtle. Hints of flamenco give the woozy sound an off-kilter intensity, brilliantly complimenting Noyes sultry vocals. Her voraciousness for multi-genre fusion keeps the latin-pop track on its toes, always swirling with distinct notes from pop's outer edges. "Yeah I got an appetite," she sneers, taking a monstrous bite out of the bassline. It's in the final minute of the song that Noyes' devilish grin melts into a complex puddle. Like knowing she's coming down from a high, the LA-based singer/songwriter lets the edges blur into nervousness, excitement, and bliss. "Never been bored, I'm prescribed more," Noyes remarks with little more than a sigh. But "Ambience & Applepie" is about making lemons out of lemonade—or at least making things less boring. "Trade my drugs for a brand new iphone." The Mississippi-born artist owns herself through ambition, but remains tantalizingly elusive. "I'm an actress when I need to, but no one ever sees through." Artists often remark on facades like constraints, preventing them from showing their real selves, but Noyes tries them on like costumes. It's clear that she knows what she wants and what it takes to get it. The feeling of pulling together that perfect night is a rush on its own, until the flame reaches the end of the wick. "I hate when we're coming down." For as laid-back as Noyes appears, "Ambience & Applepie" sounds like she's happiest in charge. Born in Mississippi, Maty Noyes first moved to Nashville at 16-years-old to launch her music career. After signing with Lava Records, Noyes skyrocketed to relevance. Featuring on The Weeknd's 2015 song "Angel," and Kygo's 2016 song "Stay," Noyes quickly became an internationally recognized artist. In 2021, she released her debut album "The Feeling's Mutual" with MITS records. "Ambience & Applepie" is the second single teasing towards her forthcoming project, "Rainbow Syndrome." The six-track record also features lead single, "Lightning Thief," which released alongside a music video. The record is wide-ranging and dynamic, but tied together by Noyes' authentic stories and perspective. "Every song I've written for this latest project is based on a real story," she states. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW Maty Noyes:

Like some narratives from his previous work, august brodie has given us a pop-punk anthem that takes inspiration from his personal life and past relationships. "Hated You All Along" shows a clear look into the song's meaning just from the title alone. The track is dripping with frustration and aggressive lyrics as brodie outlines his experience with a toxic ex, reflecting on all the bad times and issues that came with the relationship. Conveying a relatable message, "Hated You All Along" is a song that will resonate with many, giving listeners a cathartic track to play on repeat while thinking of that old relationship they're still mad about. For avid pop-punk listeners, august brodie is producing a sound that will fill you with nostalgia for some older pop-punk acts. brodie's music tastefully combines characteristics from emo, pop, hip-hop, and punk music—a writing style he translates into "Hated You All Along." The track features classic pop-punk guitar riffs, creating the right amount of aggressiveness to convey the bitter feelings that stem from this relationship. brodie's vocals are perfect for bringing listeners back to the early pop-punk days, sounding reminiscent of The All-American Rejects' Tyson Ritter and Simple Plan's Pierre Bouvier. "Hated You All Along" has an overall sound and vibe that would hang well in a playlist with the likes of Simple Plan, The All American Rejects, A Day To Remember, and Bowling For Soup. august brodie, a Canadian multi-genre artist, is making waves in the music industry with his unique sound and edgy vocals. He began his industry journey in 2018, already having amassed 2.5M streams and an MTV world video premiere. brodie has been writing songs in the back of an ambulance during his late night shifts as an EMT, determined to get out of his small town and on a stage. He has recently signed to Wax Records, taking inspiration from most forms of music, especially screamo. Some of the artists that have influenced him include Taking Back Sunday, Underoath, and Alexisonfire—acts that have played his hometown and influenced him from a young age. Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW AUGUST BRODIE:

Do you recall a time when you viewed yourself as insufficient or a burden to the people around you? We all struggle with mental health issues at some point in our lives, but it can sometimes be hard to work around everything and get to a better headspace. Well, Sam Short understands this frustrating struggle and decided to release a powerful and relatable song about just that. “I Wouldn’t Love Me” is Short’s most recent single, and easily her most emotional. While writing this song, Short wanted to put herself in her partner’s shoes so she could try and figure out why she was struggling with conflicting emotions in her relationship. In the end, Short said she “came to the conclusion that I wouldn't love me." I want to quickly go into the lyrics because I found that they were extremely relatable and raw. “I’ve got issues, baby, no it isn’t news to me,” and “I don’t blame you if you wanna go,” are both great examples of how Short was able to convey her thoughts, feelings, and pain in some deeply truthful lyrics that, perhaps, many of us can relate to. This song is short but sweet. And honestly, I feel that it works best this way. Short somehow managed to create a song that told a story and expressed everything that she was truly feeling deep inside, and does it all in just over two minutes. It’s genius. And I couldn’t forget the dark atmosphere this song carries. Not only from the lyrics, but from the instrumentals and vocals as well. For the majority of the song, Short sings in a whispery sort of tone, and it gives the song a haunting kind of vibe. There are also backing vocals played back in various different octaves, giving the song an added layer of depth. I love all of it, everything works together so well. Sam Short first started gaining media attention in 2022 through TikTok and Instagram, where she shared a few of her songs with her followers. Currently, Short has six songs released on Spotify, and ranks in an impressive average of 500 thousand monthly listeners. In fact, four of her songs have surpassed 2 million listens! Her first single, “Already Mine,” was only the start of her journey. Since releasing her first song, Short has worked hard to release empowering and positive hits. Short is also set to release her debut full-length EP this summer, so I hope you all are ready to hear what else she has up her sleeve, because I am! Written By Isabel Mays FOLLOW SAM SHORT:

“Another Woman” is an anthemic banger inviting women to take their agency and embrace their individuality rather than getting overwhelmed and getting lost in the crowd. In this day and age, as we transition into growth, sometimes it can be daunting to break free from the stereotypes and assumptions that bog us down. People can be resistant to change, and when faced with that, it sucks to see how you can constantly be overlooked and disrespected simply for something that you can’t control. Vay’s stellar breakout single of 2023 acknowledges this but propels us forward to stand up and advocate for ourselves, especially when we can’t find the motivation to do so. Vay’s stunning vocals carry the track to perfection, adding that delicious cherry on top that elevates the song from excellent to outstanding. Vay expertly manages her soundscapes to complement the ever-present beat of the drums with the sudden bass drops to add to the uplifting nature of the piece. Vay’s beautiful narrative ebbs and flows as the beat drops and comes back, over and over again. The polished production highlights the strength and power of Vay’s voice while blending the production and lyrics into a cohesive and dynamic soundscape that’s both immersive and engaging. Airyen Vay is the epitome of a rising star. Vay was born in Botosani, a small town in northern Romania. Discovering her passion for music at a young age, she learned voice, piano, flute, and guitar. Determined to live out her dream of moving to the United States to be one of the best performers in the world, she moved to Los Angeles, where she’s currently based. Emphasizing topics like equality, freedom, human rights, and love, Vay is determined to speak to people’s hearts authentically and sincerely. Vay’s slow piano balanced with an upbeat tempo liberates and untangles all those complex feelings you see in being human and living in the moment. Airyen Vay will soon be a household name, and her start is here and now. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW AIRYEN: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

*Created by yours, truly* My generation – generation Z – has been branded as the generation of nostalgia. We love all things vintage: appliances, decorum, fashion, stories, and especially music. Can you blame us, though? Our reality has been littered with nothing but stress and strife. Meanwhile, the public figures shaping our future refuse to factor in our input knowing damn well they’ll be long gone before they ever see the fruits of their crafted chaos. When you’re faced with such bleak circumstances, the only thing that provides an ounce of comfort is the idea of a simpler time – and it appears this comfort is stuck in the decades of a past we never experienced. So, in the spirit of bringing the past to the present, I want to highlight recently released songs that satisfy all your nostalgic needs. These retro songs range from providing listeners with a little taste of a given decade, to exciting fusions between multiple periods, and to finally bottling up an entire era to submerse yourself in. 10. "Midnight Hotline" - Thee Marloes "Midnight Hotline" by Thee Marloes is a three-for-one 50’s inspired single; delighting fans of jazz, pop, and soul in one shot. Within the song, a budding love story that quickly sours is unfolded through sweet harmonic vocals, horns with a tasteful punch, and an electric piano that keeps us eager to hear more. Our vocalist is trapped in a loveless marriage but gets to share passing glances that transform into moments of bliss with a mysterious stranger. To keep this growing love under wraps, our vocalist talks with their newfound lover on the phone after midnight to avoid arousing their partner’s suspicions. It’s unfortunately to no avail, though. The partner has been keeping tabs on their connection – being there to witness every interaction between the two. This leads to a murderous end that seals our vocalist’s fate – forever trapped in a callous marriage. 9. "Falling" - Raelle "Falling" by Raelle is a cinematic showstopper that belongs on the silver screen. The single fuses together 90s hip-hop and 60s soul. It depicts lovers gradually falling out of love. The single opens with strong, operatic vocals before it cools down into a sliding groove bass and drum-laden melody. Raelle’s rich, soft-spoken vocals narrate the breakdown of the relationship at hand. They describe the drift between the two lovers as they both struggle to admit the end of the relationship is on the horizon. But if narration isn’t enough to hit you in your feelings, the hauntingly beautiful arrangement of instruments will. The single’s immersive soundscape leaves no room for escape. Especially as the song progresses, the complications of a ending relationship increase alongside fluttering stringed notes until our artist eventually walks away from the relationship. 8. "Do Whatever Makes You Happy" - Lemonade Shoelace "Do Whatever Makes You Happy" by Lemonade Shoelace beckons listeners to go on a journey of self-exploration to pinpoint what brings them happiness. Through psychedelic synths and hypnotic vocals, the band's advocacy for inner peace is bound to resonate with all - even the most loyal, societal conformists out there. The accompanying music video holds listeners by the hand as they venture through the song together; showcasing how the demands of everyday life (while sometimes necessary) serve as a great distraction that further separates us from the events and hobbies that we truly revel in. The musical arrangement demonstrates this idea through a slow, fade-in of percussions before awing audiences with a heavier melody. It’s a faint reminder of the gradual instrumental build-up in The Who’s “Baba O’Riley”. As the single takes us further into the depths of the late 70s, the synths alongside the colors and imagery within the music video explode with vibrancy. But the transfixing guitar riffs keep us focused on the goal here – figuring out what makes us just as infectiously happy as this song. 7. "FANCY COAT" -FruitPunchLoverBoy "FANCY COAT" by FruitPunchLoverBoy is a fusion of early 2000s R&B, funk-pop of the 80s, and modern-day electronica. The single opens with funky, squelching bass lines as the music video sees our artist step foot into the dry cleaners to pick up their coat. FruitPunchLoverBoy shows off their flare through catchy hooks and simplistic choruses that are determined to imbed themselves in a listener’s memory. And they’re all the more memorable because of the layered, filtered vocals we hear during the single’s run-time. Even the cool-toned visuals of the music video have a strong staying power with viewing audiences; giving it an air of soothing tranquility while also questioning the undertone of slight sullenness. The real standout star of "FANCY COAT" is the stunning guitar break that manages to sneak up on you - but it's a more than welcomed surprise. 6. "recruitment season" - jenny nuo "recruitment season" by jenny nuo makes listeners nostalgic for early 2000’s power punk-pop that loaned a voice to feelings of displacement and awkwardness while growing up. And nuo’s single is no different. Soft rhythmic guitar plucking introduces listeners to feelings of shapelessness – how unformed and underdeveloped we can feel when we’re expected to advertise ourselves to colleges or workplaces during the dreaded “recruitment season”. While the drums in the chorus drive home just how frustrating the accumulation of these feelings are, and have the possibility to weigh us down even further. Our artist's direct, spoken-word vocals gives a great deal of visibility to any listener that finds themselves struggling to survive “in a very big pond” without coming out mentally unscathed. Ultimately, “recruitment season” highlights how universal this experience is. 5. "Live Your Fantasy" - Israel's Arcade “Live Your Fantasy” by Israel’s Arcade combines surf-pop of the late 50s and mid 60s, with the synthesizers of 80s new wave. The single opens with a dynamic reverbed guitar intro that sets an oceanic tempo before thriving drums accompany it. Establishing one of the most iconic melodies I've ever heard. And all before listeners even hear vocals that would drive Morrissey to pure jealousy. The instrumental introduction forces listeners to visualize themselves riding waves and feeling the freedom that comes with doing so. And that’s exactly what “Live Your Fantasy” is all about; feeling free enough to live out your wildest fantasies without cares or concerns. When you’ve lived a life filled with pain, you can be assured that you’ve already encountered “the devil in everything”. So, why let a few little hang-ups prevent you from thoroughly enjoying yourself? 4. "Better Late Than Never" - The Sextones "Better Late Than Never” by The Sextones doesn't just transport listeners back to the late 60s with Philly-styled strings that have the ability to sweep you off your feet - it convinces listeners that time has been reversed. Literally, I had to confirm with Google a few times just to make sure the single was released in 2023. Confirmation aside, this neo-soul single proclaims that there is no expiration date on love – however, there might be one how long we’re willing to wait for it. Within the confines of the lyrics, listeners come across a mild debate centering on how long is too long to be waiting for love. The two opposing sides are projected through the verses and chorus. The verses explain that the person on the receiving end of our love has not been reciprocating for a while – leaving us confused on where we stand. This should be enough of a reason to leave, right? But the chorus isn’t convinced. There’s still a lot of love to be experienced here; it’s just delayed. And love isn’t always reciprocated at the speed we’d like. 3. "Loser at Best" - Wallice “Loser at Best” by Wallice details the desperation that consumes us when we yearn for love to the point of obsession. However, the person of desire in the context of the single sees us only as a friend. Resounding guitar notes carry the weight of this melody, in addition to behaving as the burning desire for love and to be loved back. But heavy drums come crashing in during the height of the chorus to highlight the destructive and impatient nature of obsession. “Loser at Best” is a powerful punk-rock single that throws listeners into the peak of Riot Grrrl culture which was sprinkled throughout the late 80s and expanded into an established philosophy well into the 90s. This song is not all brass, though. Wallice surprises listeners with a soft, indie-pop bridge to close the single. The guitar notes lighten, as the melody is now directed by violin strings - evolving the single into a sweet serenade. Signifying that while the obsession has calmed for now, it still lingers in the background. 2. "Same Thing Every Day" - The Flints “Same Thing Every Day” by The Flints captures the experience of being stuck in a repetitive cycle and the desire to break free from it. The single makes this cycle and the desire contend with one another for an individual’s sole attention. By changing the speed of the tempo throughout the song, listeners can identify when either sentiment is demanding attention. The verses feature a drum-driven melody alongside bass lines that keep up with a fast tempo, putting listeners on the edge of their seat. It matches the urgency of our desire to get away as quickly as possible because the repetitive cycle always manages to lurk closely behind. The pre-chorus demonstrates how the cycle gradually creeps into one’s consciousness until its consumed us whole within the chorus. The slower tempo here holds the song captive in a dream-like trance with reworked synths that feature adorned tambourine chimes as the cycle forces you to experience monotony “again and again and again”. The unconventional but heavily appealing change in song structure is reminiscent of experimental euro-pop from the early 80s. 1. "Bless Your Heart" - chlothegod “Bless Your Heart” by chlothegod is not just an open letter to former friends we ended on bad terms with, but a deep introspection on self-image. The artist’s impassioned yet delicate vocals arouse a deep awakening within the soul. But what I love the most from this voice of wisdom is their use of soliloquies. The audience the song addresses continuously shifts between former friends and the self; the accompanying music video emphasizes these shifts through gazes. When chlothegod’s gaze meets the camera, the lyrics are addressing former friends while simultaneously speaking on the persona we adopt and uphold in their presence. Meanwhile, their gaze into mirrors marks the change in audience - a hard conversation is now being had with the self. Regardless of who is being addressed, the question remains the same: “Who are you still performing for?” This single perfectly encapsulates the meta-realism and overall aesthetic of the late 90s and early 2000s. Despite being released two months ago, “Bless Your Heart” could comfortably sit on albums like The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and Songs in A Minor. Musical trips through the past are always too brief for me. I can never get enough – call me greedy. But if you’re just as greedy as me, I’ve got more in store for you. The Blast to the Past Playlist not only features the 10 songs discussed here, but an additional 40 songs for you to get lost in for almost three hours straight. Don't forget to support the artists listed here, too; most are either independent or up-and-comers that deserve so much more praise than what I can give them. In the beginning of each review, the artist or group’s name has been highlighted and linked to their Instagram accounts because the best way to support and keep up with their artistic efforts is by following them directly. Now please, enjoy the rest of your summer retro summer and stay safe. Written by Giavanna Gradaille Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

Oftentimes, the most fleeting moments can feel just as significant. Indigo Hush’s new single “Clever ft. Faith Angeles”, discusses this concept—living in the moment, yet ignoring harsh truths about the future. He says “it’s too late for now for things to get better”, referring to how, once contaminated, certain relationships become unmendable. People can likely relate to this unsettling feeling: “making” something work whilst knowing, deep down, it never will. Shrouded in a classically indie, summer-car-anthem, the song communicates how letting go can be just as hard, or even more difficult, than holding on. Click here to listen to "Clever" Using natural-sounding drums and strong vocal delivery, the song begins with a repeated hook and high energy rock-guitar strumming. During verse one and verse two, the production strips back, highlighting punchy bass and nice vocal accents (e.g. metallic echo on “hollow”). Weaving in between the hook and verses, the entire track reminds me of a basement concert, appreciating how seamlessly their voices blend together. Near the song’s conclusion, filtered vocal ad libs provide a nice, added layer to the song, ending with Hush’s signature experimental sounds, similar to radio static. All-around musician and producer, Indigo Hush, released his first single “Drugs Are for the Weekend”, featuring psychedelic instrumentation and 70s-inspired vocals. Currently signed to Transient Wolf Records, he released his debut EP “Creature Spell” in 2020, featuring alien-like accents and exploratory soundscapes. Everything from western-sounding guitar to carnival-like piano, his technicolor and whimsical production catapults the listener into a different mental space, appreciating how his music (e.g. “Run its Course”) includes dreamy, industrial elements along with Labyrinth-inspired echoes. His unique sound balances trippy electronic music with mainstream indie—clearly seeing him carving out a cool yet needed niche in today’s music! Written By: Conner Pettit FOLLOW INDIGO HUSH: FOLLOW FAITH ANGELES:

Harper Allen has kickstarted her singing career with a bang by releasing a lively heartbreak anthem that pays homage to the queen of break-up songs, Taylor Swift herself. The catchy track takes a page from Swift’s book by name dropping a legendary singer in a debut song. Similar to “Tim McGraw” by Swift, Allen sings about listening to Taylor Swift and associating the music with a relationship. In "We're Listening to TS," Allen's clever lyricism brings together bittersweet nostalgia and gut-wrenching heartache to create an unforgettable debut single. The song details a relationship that is slowly drifting toward their inevitable expiration date. Despite Allen wanting it to work out and allowing herself to fall back into old patterns, she knows that staying together will only hurt them more. She fantasizes about the nostalgia of old Taylor Swift songs and her “stories of love unrequited.” Allen tells her partner that “if anything’s left” they will find it in the hopeless romantic superstar’s discography. But until then, she will have to keep holding on to the failing love that she is so desperate to keep. “We’re Listening to TS” captures the attention of fans with the cheeky title and effortlessly makes them fall in love with Allen for her clever songwriting talent. Click here to listen to "We're Listening to TS"! Despite the heart wrenching, melancholic lyrics, “We’re Listening to TS” has a high-energy production that takes the listener by pleasant surprise. The song begins with a very brief synth wave that is cut short by Allen’s compelling vocals. She kickstarts the first verse with an angelic acoustic guitar riff and the delicate sound of birds chirping, providing an intimate element to the track. The second half of the verse introduces the steady beat while Allen’s vocals harmonies enhance the heavenly atmosphere. Prior to the chorus hitting, the instrumentation mutes to only the vocals and bird sound effects, before exploding to the high-energy production. An electric guitar takes over the melody with heavy beats that emphasize each line. The second half of the chorus changes the melody to a retro vibe that brings an entirely new dynamic to the track, before returning to the original full production of the first verse. However, rather than a muted instrumentation at the end of the second chorus, a heavy electric guitar riff hits that leads back into the energetic chorus. In the background, harmonic vocalizations play with the melody and provide an additional layer to the song. The bridge then utilizes the full production to emphasize the emotional climax, before ending the track with the final stripped-down chorus. The track contains a very dynamic and unique production that accentuates Allen’s mesmerizing vocals and showcases her ingenious songwriting. Harper Allen is a pop singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles. Although “We’re Listening to TS” is her debut single as an artist, Allen is no stranger to the music industry. The talented singer has been writing songs for other artists, including an iTunes Top-10 country charts song and the theme song for Nickelodeon series, Side Hustle. With her previous songwriting experience, she has entered her solo singing career with already over 35 million streams. After writing for others, Allen is now focusing on curating songs based off of her own experiences and personal struggles. She draws inspiration from artists such as Maisie Peters, Noah Cyrus, and Leanna Firestone, while making her music completely her own sound. Currently, she is working on her first EP and playing shows in the L.A. area. Her next single is set for release next month; check out her socials to pre-save! Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW HARPER:

"Endless Summer" is an electro-pop, dance-heavy track in collaboration with producer Alex Zind and singer J.O.Y., two multitalented musicians that both hail from Frankfurt, Germany. Between J.O.Y.'s bright vocals and Alex Zind's catchy beats, we are reminiscent of an 'endless summer' of dancing, falling in love, and wishing it could last forever. But it also captures the pain, heartbreak, and betrayals that followed the end of this summer romance. If you are looking for the 'song of the summer,' look no further than this track with its upbeat production, rich storytelling, and sparkling vocals that makes you dance. J.O.Y. sings about longing for a woman that was an "endless summer" as he describes their romance. But he also admits that she made him feel like his love wasn't enough, stabbed him "a thousand times," and "committed crime after crime." The thing about summer is, it doesn't last forever. The seasons change, and in this case, so did the romance between this woman. She once gave him goosebumps and now she is "jaded and don't feel paradise." These rich vocals and lyricism are backed by an upbeat, summer-feeling production by Alex Zind that keeps you engaged through the track. Alex Zind is a German producer, pianist, composer, and remixer. He started playing piano at the age of six and has been building a successful career in music ever since. His music has also been featured in Hollywood films, including "The Adventures in Pinocchio." With an impressive range from classic piano to synth-filled songs of the summer, it is no wonder that he has amassed over 28,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. In 1993, he even started his own record label, in which he received his first contract in the year after. He has collaborated with artists like Tina Harris and met bands like The Rasmus. If you are looking for a discography that can surprise you with each track, give Alex Zind a chance. J.O.Y. is another German musician, who takes inspiration from soul, pop, R&B, and alternative music. He aims to open up with his feelings and use metaphors to convey deep and vulnerable meanings with his listeners. He was made offers from several major labels in both Germany and the USA. In fact, he has been praised by industry insiders Cardiak and Ezhel. His music has been featured in several Spotify playlists, and he has amassed over 350,000 monthly listeners on the streaming platform. If you want to keep up with any new updates with J.O.Y. and his music, follow the social media links below. Written By Sydney Gray FOLLOW ALEX ZIND: FOLLOW J.O.Y: