"Paint Me Blue", a recent release from artist Bella Kaye, is a song full of intense electronic beats and lyrics full of anger and pain. Kaye sings about how she feels her ex-partner, and the breakup, has painted her blue and she expresses how frustrated this fact makes her. She explains how her past relationship broke her down and turned her cold, despite how hard she tried to stop this feat. The bridge of her song states, “You left me no space on my canvas / Losing myself I can't stand it,” a heartbreaking statement that is a common feeling after a breakup. She feels that she has changed completely from the loving person she used to be, and her ex is to blame. With her sultry voice and dark soundscape, it is obvious that Kaye is going for an emotional and heartbroken storyline in this song. Despite this intent, "Paint Me Blue" is fast paced and loud, rather than taking the typical ballad approach to a breakup song. This allows the audience to feel the anger with Kaye, as you are transported into her mindset and reaction to the breakup. The electronic background and intense guitar riffing shows the chaos and pain she went through, and proves the fact that music is a way for songwriters, especially Kaye to express their pain and heal from the events that cause it. Bella Kaye is a 19 year old singer songwriter from Southern California. She has been professionally making music since 2019, and has compiled multiple singles and an album. Her album, entitled “Learning To Be”, was released in October of 2021 and has garnered her over 600 monthly Spotify listeners. Kaye attributes her sound and vibe to her different inspirations, including Taylor Swift, Lorde, and Gracie Abrams. Make sure to follow along on her journey with the links below, and stay tuned to hear more raw and real music from Bella Kaye. Written By Tessa Maddaloni FOLLOW BELLA KAYE:

Summer is finally here, but I’m a little nervous to see what characters and events the heat brings out. Warm weather always gives folks an excuse to act up and act out. Instead of looking anxiously towards the future, I’m seeking comfort in the past. I want nostalgia served up hot to me. I want to be able to envision myself in films like Crooklyn and Licorice Pizza. So, I’m declaring it a retro summer; the songs that have been released lately would certainly agree with that declaration, too. And Elle Baez’s newest single is no different. “Player’s Fool (Who Am I?)” transports listeners back to the 70s at the height of soul music. “Player’s Fool (Who Am I?)” embodies what falling in love feels like when you’re used to being fiercely independent and on your own. The single opens with background vocals that reverberate, beckoning the strong visuals and experience of being inside a swanky jazz lounge. And this is exactly what audiences can expect to see in the opening moments of the song’s accompanying visualizer as well. It’s truly incredible when an artist is able to make listeners envision the visual concept they had in mind for their own song. The single then brings us out of our reverie with a slowed bass melody as Baez delivers the opening verse. Here we learn about Baez’s character: this is someone filled with confidence that knows her worth and doesn’t second guess herself – this is the archetype of the independent womxn. But our artist has been struck by cupid’s arrow and feeling different because of it. The visualizer shows how falling in love can feel like an otherworldly, out-of-body experience through Baez’s transformation into an angel. Love has quite literally lifted our artist “off the ground” and got them floating around. The chorus raises an important question, though: who are you when you’re in love? This line of questioning is draped in rhythm from drums and guitar strings to illustrate that it comes from a place of admiration. It’s hard to picture ourselves in different energies when we’re so familiar with radiating the same energy; and in this case the energy of familiarity is independence. Baez breaks away from her own reverie to drop the third verse. This verse is my favorite because it establishes that she doesn’t accept the bare minimum in love – meaning whoever’s got her heart on lockdown is not just any “playboy”. Throughout the duration of the song, our artist has a lingering worry about being played by her new love. Even vocalizing her wish to not be strung along in the bridge. It’s a universal worry when you allow yourself to be vulnerable enough to let someone love you. Too many people get caught up in the idea of what it means to be independent - that being emotionally vulnerable somehow negates their own independence. But Baez blows this sentiment right out the water with “Player’s Fool (Who Am I?)”, demonstrating that a womxn can possess both without having to sacrifice either. Native New Yorker, Elle Baez, is a singer-songwriter and inspiration to those underrepresented within the music industry. Baez’s affinity for creating singles centering on themes of self-empowerment and love with rich melodies and well-crafted stories have captivated listening audiences. The artist came on the scene back in 2019 with her funk-pop debut single “Your Lips”, with her debut EP Bold Soul coming shortly after in 2021 which features elements of R&B, jazz, soul, and Latin-pop. Showcasing early on her diversity in musical production, wide vocal range, and prolific songwriting. Baez’s songwriting has even been recognized by The Recording Academy for co-writing Scarlet Parke’s “369”. For fans either bound or traveling to Massachusetts this fall, there’s an opportunity to see Baez perform live! She’ll be apart of The E-Stage lineup where artists perform over the span of 17 days. Baez’s performance starts at 8:30PM on September 29th, ticketing information for day and 17-day passes can be found here. If you’ve enjoyed Elle Baez’s retro single as much as I have, show the artist some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW ELLE BAEZ:

Photo cred: Alessia Bulani " Fighter " by Matilde G displays her personal struggles, showcasing her journey of resilience and taking control of her life. The song shares her decision to choose a healthy path to healing, rejecting quick-fix solutions like pills. Matilde is determined to have a more transformative process, working on herself and fighting the inner demons that she faces. Despite the difficulties she encounters, she refuses to give up. She acknowledges feeling weak during her battle, but her strength and belief in herself fuels her determination to reclaim her normal self. The song serves as a powerful anthem of self-empowerment, highlighting the challenges faced on the path of personal growth and the strength required to overcome them. The song begins with the singer being on the verge of conforming to societal norms when she contemplates the thought of taking a pill “ Just to fit in ” because she “ Ran out of hope .” This suggests that she was battling something personal and needed an escape in order to feel better. There's a common tendency for people to use drugs as an easier gateway for temporary relief rather than diving deep into solving an internal struggle and working on themselves in order to heal. Despite these challenges, she highlights her determination to keep going and chooses her heart over her mind when it comes to killing off “ The demons inside .” She understands that she’s in charge of her own life, meaning that she is the only one who can turn it around and win the fight. Battling depression, anxiety or other mental health issues is difficult, but the support of friends, family and even yourself can help immensely. It's a journey, but Matilde is showing her listeners that there are healtheir ways to fight it - with the most important takeaways here being to choose your heart, keep going, and win the fight. During the chorus, we can hear that the beat has dropped, her voice has projected, her tone sounds more confident and she repeats the affirmation: “ I am a fighter. I’m on fire. Let me burn ”, which represents her desire to overcome this hardship and stand strong. She then decides that, “ There's no pill that can save me. No prescription can cure what I got ”, which shows her rejecting quick fixes, but also the realization that healing comes from within. It comes from your heart. She’s alive and she’s going to fight in order to heal and grow from her personal struggles. Matilde G is an independent 18 year old singer and songwriter from Italy, but currently based in Singapore. She has nearly 200,000 monthly Spotify listeners, with many songs surpassing 1 million streams. She has been featured in many big publications, such as Billboard Italia, Billboard Vietnam, CNA, and TGCOM24 Italia. She received the “MUSIVV Award” in Dubai for being the best singer to reside out of the Middle East, and later asked to perform on Dubai’s national channel, DubaiOne TV. Matilde’s previous single, “ Hypocrite ” was also featured on MTV in the US, where she states its where she belongs. Check out Matilde G’s latest single, “ Fighter ” out now on all streaming platforms! Written By Sneet Efrem FOLLOW MATILDE G:

Stalking Gia releases new alt pop single “Euphoria.” The song is about the yearn to find a deeper connection with someone, and the fear of losing them if you don’t. Some people are okay with complacency; having someone next to you when you go to bed and wakeup is enough. Some won’t settle until they’ve found something more; a state of euphoria that only comes from the deepest of connections. The lyrics describe the struggle to break free from the monotony of everyday life. There is a longing to escape the mundanity, and arrive to an unprecedented level of intimacy. We all have desires that need to be met, and with that, comes fear that the person you heart has chosen won’t fulfill your needs. Your bliss is out there. Whether it's with the person you have, someone new who's searching for you too, or deep inside yourself, it's here for the taking. You should never stop searching, or fighting, til you find your euphoria. “Euphoria” is Stalking Gia’s newest, dreamy single. The song has upbeat instrumentals that contrast perfectly with her vulnerable lyrics and ethereal voice. Her soft, crestfallen vocals are layered over bright, hopeful instrumentals that mirror the confusion that is wanting more but fearing losing what you already have. This track instantly transcends you to a state of euphoria. Known for her angelic voice and mesmerizing lyrics, “Euphoria” fits seamlessly in her “saddest happy girl” repertoire. You can’t help but long for something greater, something that brings you unequivocal ecstasy, when it’s playing. “Euphoria” is a striking alt pop anthem that will cut deep while healing other wounds! Stalking Gia is a singer/songwriter from New York City. She got her first taste of the limelight when she starred in globally successful commercials and Broadway show from a young age. She released her first debut single, “Second Nature,” as an independent artist in 2016. This kickstarted her viral fame garnering over 13 million Spotify streams. It was later sampled by blackbear which led to opening his tour and a collaboration for the two artists. She has cowritten with many well-known artist for their projects and has received acclaim from the likes of Billboard, NYLON, and more. Stalking Gia describes her music as “no rules” which explains her creative genius in her craft. She has a loyal fanbase that continues to grow with each release, and she has been streamed over 20 million times. Stalking Gia materializes like a specter in the space between online fantasy and Manhattan’s real-life nocturnal glow, so checkout “Euphoria” and get ready to be hooked on something much bigger than a feeling! Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW STALKING GIA:

Here’s the thing about life: it can be difficult. Sometimes, we lose ourselves, we feel lost, we make mistakes, we get our hearts broken. In Macey Estes’ confessional but uplifting track “help,” she explores the depths of life and mental health to send the message that we can simply ask for help when we need it. Her vulnerable lyrics and soulful vocals make this song one that we can turn to to feel seen and comforted. Her understanding about the complexity of the human experience shines through between a blend of pop and R&B production. This song is one that she said she wrote "quickly and naturally," which explains the true authenticity in it. If you are looking for an artist that wears her heart on her sleeves, Macey Estes is one to watch. Macey Estes uses the verses of this track to talk about her own struggles. The apartment she can struggle to afford, the difficulty to show love to someone, the watching your parents fall in and out of love, the realization that some things just do not turn out okay. Life is not easy, but as Estes sings in her chorus, "It's okay / It's okay to ask for a little help." She opens up about her life and admits that she is not always okay. The honesty in her lyrics, backed by rich vocals and a soft pop instrumentation, makes Estes feel like a friend or older sister that we're confiding in her; there is a conversational aspect to her song that makes it truly stand out. Mental health, fear, insecurity, love, and confusion are all themes that shine through the song and can resonate deeply with listeners. Ever since she stepped on a stage in Nashville, Macey Estes has wanted to make music. She auditioned for "The Voice," where Christina Aguilera said she had a "really cool voice." Her vocals are strong, and so are her lyrics. Her debut EP "Save Yourself" contained similar themes to "help" of mental health and heartbreak. She has been compared to Kehlani and cites Alessia Cara and H.E.R. as influences. This can be seen in the way she blurs the line between pop and R&b with her vocals and music. She has also moved past writing and singing music to learn the production; she studied music production at Indiana University. In 2018, she then moved to LA with her team, where she has further developed her sound. Macey Estes' "help" opens up her heart to us, and I cannot wait to dive into more of her music. Written By SYDNEY GRAY FOLLOW MACEY ESTES:

Faith Louise has released yet another vocally stunning track, “Your Love”. This song can feel hopeful in a way that something is going to change and love is going to come and be real. While talking about her new single, Faith says “ Your Love for me was about how being in love truly makes you feel. Although many would have experienced bad relationships a lot of us have experienced great ones. This song explains how every element of a person can transform you and make you feel great about yourself, and I really hope people can relate to this". This song is upbeat and inspiring, and makes you want to find what you are destined for. Empowering lyrics aside, Faith has presented us with an upbeat and powerful song. “Your Love” really gets your body moving and makes you feel ready to dance. Starting with Faith's smooth voice, this song builds on itself by slowly adding in a catchy beat. This beat has a spunky vibe that keeps you engaged throughout, whether it is your first listen or the eighth time you have had it on repeat. "Your Love" is ready to be your summer pop anthem; with its energetic nature, Faith has the power to slow us back down to take a breath before we are launched into this amazing groove. Faith pulls you into her song and it is hard to find an out when you can give it a listen any time of day; this song could be listened to at the club, or just simply jamming out in your room. Faith Louise, is a young and gifted Singer/Songwriter. At the age of 18, she has already released 8 singles that continue to leave her fans wanting more, and they have made this clear with Faiths music reaching over half a million online streams. This pop singer from Essex has only just begun her career. Her musical talent is exciting and allows us to be ready for what she has to bring to the table in the future. With an array of summer show dates you will want to make sure to listen to “Your Love” and all of Faith Louise's other singles this summer! Also make sure to stay up to date with this young artist and give her a follow below! Written By Cate Schnoebelen FOLLOW FAITH LOUISE: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Laura Marano never fails to create music that perfectly encapsulates her honest emotions through vulnerable lyrics and an unforgettable melody. With “The Valley,” she continues this trend by wearing her heart out on her sleeve and holding nothing back. The song details the aftermath of a relationship that has ended and the hopeful possibility of reconnection. Marano wrote this song from her own experience, when she was living in Los Angeles and her former boyfriend was living in another country. After breaking-up, she was wondering if he would call her when he was back in town—back in “the valley.” In the verses, Marano provides an insight on the break-up and the extent of how close they were before it all ended. In the first verse, she sings: “You told my mother you’d be back for your birthday// When she told me, I laughed at your wordplay// I still wanted you back in the worst way, though// I’m so typical.” Then in the second verse, she sings: “Told Vanessa, cause she knew I wasn’t feeling right// She’s not used to seeing me, seeing me cry// Think a part of her was still on your side// Oh, it’s so typical.” With references to both her mother and her older sister, Vanessa, Marano reveals that her family had a strong rapport with her former boyfriend. After the break-up, it appears that he was still in contact with her mother and even her own sister empathized with his side of the story. This de-villainizes him by portraying him as the type that mothers love and implies that the break-up may not be completely his fault, differing from what most break-up songs suggest. In the pre-chorus, she begs him not to let their story end, before bursting into the chorus. With the infectious hook sung on repeat, she invites him to call her when he comes “back to the valley.” In “The Valley,” Marano gives a detailed background of her break-up with cleverly written lyrics that flow effortlessly into a catchy pop anthem. “The Valley” is a high-spirited pop track that embodies Marano’s cheerful energy with infectious beats and a lively melody. The song immediately kicks off with synth sound effects and a keyboard that emulate a heavy 80s pop vibe. Right before Marano begins singing, a set of high keyboard notes play, introducing the track to the first verse. The production continues through the verse, pulling an emphasis on the lyrics. Before the pre-chorus, an added muffled vocal effect echoes in the background, before the instrumentation picks up. Muted guitar notes are heard through the pre-chorus as the song builds. The production briefly pauses for the final line, drawing focus on Marano’s compelling vocals, before bursting into the chorus. With synth heavy production, high end guitar chords are played through the background, providing an additional dynamic to the song. Towards the end of the chorus, harmonizing vocals enhance the whimsical atmosphere and showcase Marano’s angelic voice. There is another brief production pause, before transitioning back into the verse. The song maintains a steady structure throughout the second verse and chorus, creating a flawless flow for the track. When the bridge begins, the instrumentation contains only the keyboard and Marano’s voice with light vocals echoed in the background. Then, the second half of the bridge introduces the synth beat and guitar as the song builds to the explosion into the final chorus. The song closes out with the production muting while the last line is sung, ending the song with one final bang. “The Valley” is another outstanding addition to Marano’s impressive discography, showcasing her innate ability to create perfectly-crafted pop tracks that fans will fall in love with instantly. Laura Marano is a singer, songwriter, and classically-trained musician. In 2019, Marano dropped her debut EP, Me. Then in 2020, she released her second EP, You. These two projects combine to showcase that “there are always two sides to every story.” In 2021, she released a deluxe version of You. In July 2022, she released the surprising third chapter, Us. Currently, fans anticipate the release of her upcoming debut album. Not only is Marano a skilled artist, she is also a talented actress. She is well-known for her role as Ally in the hit Disney Channel series, Austin & Ally. She has starred in many movies such as The Perfect Date, Saving Zoe, which she also produced, and The War With Grandpa. Her most recent film was 2022’s Netflix Original The Royal Treatment. On August 31, 2023, fans will get to watch her in the interactive Netflix Original romantic comedy, Choose Love. The movie will feature two original songs from the actress. Between her music and acting career, Marano has many projects, keeping fans on their toes for her next move. Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW LAURA:

"Don't tell me to go slow," Emei sings on her latest single, "Irresponsible." It's for good reason—trying to stay ahead of the alt-pop artist's audacious pace is an impossible task. The production and songwriting are exquisitely chaotic; it's as though Emei wrote a pop song, tore it to shreds, and then pasted it together. Blink and you'll miss her transitioning between drum'n'bass, schoolyard chant, club-pop, and digicore. Each well-developed element passes, fuses, and transforms into one another. "Irresponsible" is an electronic collage of bold musical ideas all tied together by Emei's creative vision and gossamer vocals. Similar to its sound, the lyrics of "Irresponsible" feel nonlinear. It's as though we're hearing the racing thoughts of Emei as they whirl around impressions and observations. "I don't know why / I never grew up and it's mortifying," reads the most lucid, yet self-lacerating statement. Other lyrics expand on this sentiment of stasis; the frenzied passion is constrained by her inability to move past her perceived irresponsibility. There's a sense of weariness in the way she depicts experience ("slap me on the wrist / tsk, tsk, I'm trying"), but Emei smokes in out as she speeds away. Even before writing, performance was a significant part of Emei's life. Competing (and placing third) on Chinese Idol at 15 years old gave the artist experience and a platform which she directed towards releasing music on Chinese platforms and performing on Dancing With the Stars China. After the pandemic, Emei began releasing on American platforms to quick success. She rapidly garnered an audience through her excellent vocals, bold sound, and vivid lyricism. "Irresponsible" arrives as the second single of her sophomore EP, preceded by the single "Scatterbrain," which has already accumulated over nine-million streams on spotify alone. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW Emei:

Younger kids often dabble with the thrilling yet innocent “trust fall game”, one person eagerly preparing to catch as the other blindly falls into the void. While the stakes are relatively low, worst case—scraping the carpet or haphazardly being caught—the real life consequences can be much scarier. Kenzie Cate’s new song “i don’t need u” describes a trust fall into an actual cult (a doomsday cult), and the journey that follows—one between self-trust and self-doubt. Although most of us haven’t fallen victim to a cult before (quite yet, hopefully never), people can likely relate to feeling lost or swept away in a relationship that turned toxic. She says “I was using you as the truth”, similar to how (many of us) can start worshiping false prophets, since, sometimes, trusting ourselves can be the scariest unknown. Beginning with psychedelic piano chords and driving drum kicks, the song immediately feels confidence-boosting, tempting me to strut, dancing to the simple yet effective beat. The production introduces these sweet-sounding lofi hits while Kenzie quickens her vocal delivery, helping the song create added momentum. The track breaks into a vibey, alien-like, electronic melody, complemented by the song’s hook “I don’t, I don’t, I don’t, I don’t need u”, hinting at the ritualistic nature of her experience. As the song develops, I really appreciate the distorted, space-radio sound effects along with Kenzie’s diminished vocal harmonies—the song ending with piano notes that morph into sounding like distant rain. Vancouver-based singer, songwriter, Kenzie Cates, uploaded her first single “Black Magic” to Spotify in 2019, followed by varied yet refreshing takes on bluesy, modern pop. From the poignant “Just Ain’t You” (2021) to the groovy, Lorde-inspired “Ruin it” (2022), her music combines bedroom pop vocals with experimental, Lo-fi production. Highly ranked at Nashville’s International Annual Song Contest and Toyota’s Searchlight competition, Kenzie is no stranger to great songwriting—a skill that has garnered the new artist 6,300+ Spotify listeners, and growing. Her recent single “Right About Me”— starting with oceanic guitar, airy vocals, and lyrics of self-doubt—sets the stage for her darkly relatable, aesthetic sound. Without hesitation, I have been re-playing her songs while driving to work, loving her ability to quickly capture an emotion (with an innovative spin). I hope she continues creating! Written By: Conner Pettit FOLLOW KENZIE:

“When The Shadows Go Home” Noak Hellsing’s latest release, is an instant classic, upbeat and catchy paired with a source of genuine emotional sentiment. Avoidance of darkness, of negativity, is the clearest theme he describes through the metaphor of shadows. Whether this be alone, as he seems to prefer, or only around those who don’t cast their darkness on him; Hellsing is voting for light. He speaks of the city sleeping, of hiding away, places which represent the end, or an escape from, an otherwise confusing and disturbing place. His preference for light, or even dark that encompasses individual darknesses, reflects his optimism amidst a pessimistic world. The song begins with his voice alone, perhaps a reflection of his own hopes for positive isolation. “I stuck my head in the ground” he sings, confirming these suspicions. Instrumentals join him soon enough, careful to not allow the song to turn melancholic. He sings quickly with the pace of the music but when he breaks his consistent pattern of singing in favor of longer, more drawn out notes, it somehow seems even more upbeat. His voice is nostalgic of early 2000s pop bands, offering something new within a familiar genre, the perfect formula for an immediate hit. He wants the song to be memorable, offering background vocals and unique whistles among the music that create an unforgettable tune, replaying in one’s mind long after the end of the song. Noak Hellsing began his music career the moment he was born, he was part of an extremely musical family, his father being one of his biggest inspirations. He learned to play guitar at only five years old, and would only add more elements to this as he aged. Songwriting, singing, and piano soon joined his talents and by high school he was already on his way to a successful career in the music industry. “Lost” which Noak released in 2019 at just sixteen years old, was a reflection of this early show of skill. It holds up today, consistent with the themes and sound of his other works. In the following years, he would go on to release eight more singles, with most receiving millions of streams each. “When the Shadows Go Home” the most recent of these is likely to receive similar results, stream it now and follow Noak below. Written By Hailey Schap FOLLOW NOAK HELLSING:

If there was ever a catchphrase for me within my friend group, it would be: no news is good news. My friends know I live inside my head. I’m a daydreamer with a fixation for overanalyzing and dwelling on problems from the past. So, when I don’t reach out or respond for months on end – they know not to panic. They understand that the distance means I’m sorting through my own Pandora's box. But lately, I’ve been feeling better and more motivated to take on life. This hasn’t been the case for a lot of close friends, unfortunately. And it’s made me take up the position of group therapist – a surreal experience that Georgia Meek explores in her latest single, “All My Friends Need Therapy”. Listen to "All My Friends Need Therapy" by Georgia Meek here. “All My Friends Need Therapy” is an alternative pop single about the flexibility of roles within friendships to accommodate differing emotional needs. Primarily, the song is about Meek offering herself as a source of comfort and care for friends contending with their mental health when the roles are usually reversed. The single opens with chiming synths that lead into the first verse. Within this verse we learn about the role reversal our artist is experiencing; from usually being “a little distant” and “self-absorbed when [they’re] feeling okay” to now playing therapist and listening to their friends’ troubles. The pre-chorus captures the awe of the situation as background vocals and drums are incorporated into the rhythm of the song. This is a role Meek is nervous to take on but she’s more than happy to because it gives her the opportunity to be there for her friends like they’ve been there for her in the past. This all builds towards an energetically charged chorus that encapsulates what it truly means to be a good friend to someone: being dependable in moments of both hardship and joy. The song’s second verse gives listeners a glimpse of the problems our artist’s friends are facing that’s requiring them to lean on her for “advice” before the song takes us through the pre-chorus and chorus again. Ultimately, "All My Friends Need Therapy" is an anthem of solidarity meant to signify that a person is willing to make space within themselves for friends that are in need. British alt-pop artist, Georgia Meek, grew her fanbase by centering her music around feminist values and sexual freedom. After finding success with various bands, the artist decided to become a solo act in 2017. The singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist has been thrilling listening audiences with expressive melodies and innovative productions ever since. Meek released their debut EP Womanhood in 2018: receiving praise from stations like Radio 1’s Future Pop Anthems and BBC Introducing, and publications such as Stylist and Atwood Magazine amongst countless others. In 2020, Meek founded Female Music Producers World, also known as FMP World, which has amassed a sizeable community of more than 3,000 women to showcase their talents in the music industry. Making Meek a pioneer in leveling the ever-changing musical landscape for all genders to thrive. For U.K. bound fans, you’ll have the chance to see the artist on their Cheaper Than Therapy tour this September – locations, dates, and tickets can be fond here. If you’ve enjoyed Georgia Meek as much as I have, show them some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW GEORGIA MEEK:

Life is short and you deserve the best, even if it means hurting other people in the process. Unfortunately, this truth doesn’t make saying goodbye any less painful, for you will always cherish the great people and fond memories in that previous time of your life. SKIA has experienced this firsthand and she writes about it in her danceable breakup song, “Make you cry.” Even though this song is about a romantic relationship, I think its message can be applied to a variety of situations. When I listen to it, for example, I think about graduating college. While I was sad to leave that time in my life behind, I was hopeful for what was to come. This track is very inspirational, and all listeners will be able to apply it to their own lives. Since this track is classified as a “danceable breakup song,” it is sad and empowering at the same time. The empowering aspect comes from the instrumentation. I particularly enjoyed the bass line on the verses. I thought this element really gave the song a pop sound. You hear a noise over it that sounds like raindrops to me. I thought it was fitting because the lyrics talk about sadness and crying. On the other hand, the lyrics are the “sad” element of the song. They address how hard breakups can be with lines like “the feeling was gone and I just can’t explain why I don’t wanna be here.” As the song progresses, the lyrics come to match the hopeful tone of the instrumentation. In the chorus, SKIA acknowledges that she’s sorry for hurting the other person and asks “Is there ever an easy way to say goodbye?” To answer this question, there isn’t. You just have to do it and know that you are moving on to bigger and better things. SKIA was born and raised in Norway and now resides in Liverpool, England. Her musical influences include members of pop royalty, such as Britney Spears and Beyonce. SKIA uses music as an outlet to answer existential questions and find her place in the world. “Make you cry” is a song off of her newly released self-titled EP. It was written on a ski lift and recorded in her bedroom. You should definitely listen to the rest of the album. If you need recommendations on where to start, I recommend “Dance with me.” As the title suggests, it is about the freedom one feels when dancing their troubles away. I really enjoyed listening to SKIA’s music and can’t wait to hear what else she comes up with! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW SKIA