“Long Road Home” is a shimmering stellar track that reminisces on the end of a relationship sometime after it’s ended. After the hurt has moved on, Flora’s reflection on her journey and focus on her growth reminds her audience that while you may think in twos in a relationship, it’s always most important to put yourself first. Flora demonstrates how she has risen above her circumstances and inspires us to define ourselves without the input or noise of those who don’t have our best interests at heart. Her vocal prowess carries the listener to a completely different soundscape, one that empowers us to become resilient and independent. Flora’s matter-of-fact manner of singing presents her side clear as day, with little left up to interpretation. She conveys her own feelings of frustration, liberation, and female empowerment in the beautifully written narrative. Too often have men attributed themselves as the cause behind a woman’s success, and Flora highlights this fallacy by sarcastically thanking her ex-partner, acknowledging them as making her “the person I am” before listing how her ex called her stupid and worthless. Though she derisively mentions her ex, she pulls away from him to demonstrate the knowledge, growth, and love for herself she’s learned in his absence. Good riddance. Flora is a London-based songwriter and singer, interested in revealing her truths to the world. With jarring honesty, her mature lyrics explore the depths of her soul, barring her every insecurity and virtue to the world. Exploring her own anxiety, navigating personal relationships, and the complexity of modern love, Flora secured a spot on BBC Introducing as well as her first editorial playlist on Spotify. Connecting with her audience with live shows across London, Flora is an artist who has only begun to scratch the surface of what she can offer. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW FLORA: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Nostalgia is the positive, sentimental feeling we get when we are reminded of things from our past that made us happy. Sometimes those things are just little moments in time that have become core memories for us; like going to the beach for the first time, having your first kiss, or even falling in love. Speaking of love, that's where the song 'Nostalgia' comes in. The collaboration between Nitro X, Mykyl and Logan Martin highlights the outcome we all hope for in a long-term relationship - forever happiness. You need someone who is going to make you feel good, especially if you want to spend your entire life with them. The lyrics detail the little mannerisms that your partner does that can trigger nostalgic feelings, almost like you're falling in love for the first time all over again. Sometimes even just looking into their eyes takes you into a flashback memory of where it all began. "Nostalgia" is an EDM inspired dance pop track that has a strong bass and beat that you can't resist grooving to. It's part of the collaboration album, Young Pop Renegades Vol. II, which is a project created by singer/songwriter Matthew Parker and consists of collaborations between 13 different artists. "Nostalgia" is track 4 and features perfectly blended pop vocals and an electronic vibe that is perfect for a Summer romance theme song. It's unique hook has moments of chromaticism which make your head spin (in a good way) and it makes you feel that illusion of going back in time. What is so special about this song is it's so carefully constructed and crafted in a genius way. It takes your mind to a whole new place where you're entire body can feel the music. As mentioned above, this particular collaboration off of Matthew Parker's Young Pop Renegades Vol. II was between Nitro X, Mykyl and Logan Martin. Nitro X won 2nd place Matthew Parker's Remix Contest in 2019 and has collaborated with him multiple times since then. Nitro X is a producer who impressively has 35,000 Spotify monthly listeners at the current young age of 17. Mykyl is an artist who has been writing and producing since 2020 and has not stopped releasing music since. He now has almost 300,000 Spotify monthly listeners. Logan Martin is a young Florida based singer/songwriter and producer who released his first official single, Let's Go, in 2021 and now has over 60,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Each of these artists are featured multiple times on Young Pop Renegades Vol. II - click here to listen to the full album! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW NITRO X: FOLLOW MYKYL: FOLLOW LOGAN:

Waterparks is a band that plays with genres so much that it's nearly impossible to put them in a box. Whenever asked about the genre their band fits under they tend to be just as confused as the rest of us. That is because Waterparks can't be put into a category, they are a cacophony of sounds that transcends genre. Their most recent album, Intellectual Property is the best example of this. The raw creativity and heaviness that we are treated to on the album are perfectly adapted to the stage as Waterparks destroys a sold-out Baltimore, Maryland show. The show opens with an artist I have never heard of before but will certainly be in heavy rotation, Elliot Lee. Similar to Waterparks, their sound is powerful, mixing so many different elements it is extremely hard to put them into a category. The best I could describe them as is hyper pop but I truly believe this doesn't cover it. I found myself bouncing along to songs I'd never heard and falling in love with each track. Following Elliot's high energy was a band I had heard of but never listened to outside of their song, Televised. HUNNY, This 80’s inspired, pop rock outfit set the stage on fire. Giving massive amounts of energy and talent with each track and blowing through them with quickness. Opener Elliot Lee Once Waterparks took the stage it was truly pandemonium. The crowd pushed and shoved toward the barricade and as the first few words to ST*RFUCKER left Awsten Knight's lips the room truly exploded. Crowd surfers were coming from left and right, mosh pits formed in three separate places, and I started crying. It was heaven. Each track they played sent me into the stratosphere. The setlist was perfect it was a masterful mix of old and new that made my heart jump out of my chest. Geoff singing again (finally) was a major treat and we even got a short Ottoparks show. Midway through the show a pit opened up and some fans decided to bust out the ultimate mosh pit game, twister. This was short-lived but still a testament to the incredible vibe that was in that room. Awsten even makes a nod to the game by making a lyric change in the song Lucky People. The band continued their crazy energy somehow for their entire set and the encore and by the end of it I was drenched in sweat. Photo Creds: @lupinsfilms on Twitter If there's one thing I know, it's that Baltimore concertgoers take care of each other. I’ve been to many concerts in my life. I’ve seen many people get hurt in a mosh pit or get dropped while crowd-surfing. But a stark difference between those shows and this one is clear. Not a single toxic bone in any of them. I watched as crowd surfers were safely delivered to the barricade and moshers stopped everything they did to assist someone. I even saw crowds split like the red sea when someone who was injured needed to leave. That is something I’ve never seen before at a show. All moshers are nice, don't get me wrong, but in Baltimore, there was a sort of communication between them that was so respectful. It truly solidified why the band continues to come to Maryland time and time again. I’ve seen Waterparks three times now and Baltimore is by far the craziest show I’ve been to. The energy was high from beginning to end. I was screaming, I cried at one point, and I almost threw up and yet it was one of the best nights of my life. Written By Kaiana Lee Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

We all attempt to wash away, clean (even bleach) the metaphorical t-shirt stains we accumulate through life—erasing the bad and highlighting the good. In Cash Cash’s new song “Bleach (Move On)”, they speak to this desire—wanting to start fresh. The group writes “your mind can’t stop and the thrills won’t set you free”, a confronting realization many will experience, knowing distractions and vices cannot remove something permanently. I think many will relate to diluting certain feelings, pushing out painful memories, and erasing our personal thoughts to, essentially, “bleach our minds.” Beginning with a trippy, xylophone-sounding melody and muted guitar strumming, the song makes me think of an 80s/90s TV Show intro (e,g Full House), containing a distinct melancholic and introspective feel. As the song progresses, Jean’s voice reminds me of “The Astronomers”, containing a flavor of pop with a gritty yet dynamic quality. The pre-chorus then slows down, featuring just his voice and an organ-sounding soundscape, almost like he’s talking to himself (and the listeners), to, in essence, let go of the past. Featuring electronic hits and summer-like melodies, the chorus break becomes more energetic, providing nice engagement for the listener. I really appreciated how, even with changes in energy, the electronic elements (drums, etc.) still felt somber, enhancing the song’s innate message of letting go. Raised in New Jersey, the three-member electronica group (Jean, Alex, and Samuel) began releasing digitally-inspired music in 2009, submitting their first EP, “The Beat Goes On” in 2012, and second EP, “Overtime”, a year later. Featuring Kygo-like, anthemic chorus breaks, upbeat singer-songwriter ballads, video game production elements, and remixes of classic songs, the trio adds an experimental and playful energy to all their music. Having signed to Ultra Records, they have already amassed 4.5M monthly listeners on Spotify and 780K subscribers on YouTube—following a catalog of successful singles. From the song “Take Me Home (ft. Bebe Rexha)” to “All My Love (ft. Conor Maynard)”, their songs have been RIAA platinum/gold certified, each surpassing 100M streams on Spotify and YouTube. I’ve been playing their remix of AJR’s “Way Less Sad” on repeat, amazed at how seamless and poignant they can mold tracks to become. And, despite their climb to commercial success, I think the energy they infuse into their music and their experimental risk-taking will help them continue growing! Written By: Conner Pettit FOLLOW CASH CASH:

Have you ever heard the saying, "right person, wrong time"? Where you know someone could really be the one, but you're not in the right place in your life yet to make it work? "Love Me Now" by Mentum is an extremely catchy, Summer pop jam about growing up and making positive changes in your life to get back the relationship you once lost due to immaturity. The lyrics are hopeful as they ask, "Would you love me now? Would you feel at home? Would you give me a chance to prove you wrong?". We do stupid things when we're young and don't think about the consequences that could come from our actions; but sometimes all it takes is losing the right thing to finally make us want to change and become the person we need to be to get our lives in order. "Love Me Now" is going to be the song of the Summer. It has dance-pop production, an 80's retro synth-pop groove and smooth punk-pop vocals that create a perfect up-beat mixture of sounds to get you up and moving. It's giving off a vibe that is like if Post Malone and The Weeknd made a collaboration song. I can imagine it playing while I'm chillin' on the beach, driving with my windows down, or at a big concert festival. The beat is strong enough to make you want to dance, but at the same time, the dreamy synths surround your ears and put you into a cathartic state. It's the perfect combination if you're looking for a sense of euphoria. Mentum is a contemporary, electro/dance pop Norwegian duo based in Oslo, Norway, consisting of artists Finn Eriksrud and Tim Terkelsen. With 500,000 Spotify monthly listerns, Mentum has been taking the pop world by storm. They've recently partnered with Ultra Music Publishing and R3HAB's Astra Music Publishing, and they have an upcoming record deal with Patrick Moxey's Helix Records. They spent their start of 2023 at a songwriting camp based in Los Angeles and Ibiza. Their previous single and first single of 2023, "Better Days" which was a collaboration with DJ Max Lean, was on the top 100 radio charts in Germany. Finn and Tim consider themselves one of the the top independent acts in Norway, and I think everyone else would agree. Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW MENTUM:

“Lifesaver” describes a true “ride or die” relationship. Ayla spends more time describing her devotion to this person than why, a theme chosen purposely to reflect the overwhelmingness of this devotion. Her life seems to depend on them, if not because of something they give then because of what they take away. The feeling of dying, or of drowning, as Ayla describes. A freedom is granted in their presence, an ability to breathe. However, by speaking of this person and danger so frequently in the same breath, Ayla manages to create a sense of risk in this person as well. A sort of lethalness to the emotions she expresses. “Lifesaver” is as intense as the story it describes. The song begins with a whisper, as if she’s referring and offering appreciation to the listener for saving her. A rhythmic and electronic set of beats quickly follows her voice. It repeats, halting at the end of each sequence for a moment, as she continues singing in a low voice. This style of singing in conversation creates a sense of intimacy and draws the listener into Ayla’s own feelings of connection. As she begins describing a more general setting, no longer speaking directly, the music flows like the ocean she imagines. Her voice reflects her theme of a siren song, magnetizing and mystic, and the music behind it moves as the tide rises. When she reaches the chorus, repeating mesmerizingly “lifesaver”, that previously subtle sense of danger settles. The bass of the song increases slightly, as does the pace. A few renditions later, and the original tone is entirely corrupted, the song now clashing with various noises and creating an intense, beautiful, and deadly sound. It ends as it began with an almost unheard “thank you”. Ayla was born in Paris, raised in Germany, and is now reaching countries across the globe. As a young girl, she originally wished to be a figure skater, but she must have found the rhythm she loved there more suited to a career in music because by only fifteen she was performing in New York City. Her original songs heard echoing through the Lincoln Centre sparked a performer in her. She’s been performing live since, and offering the experience of a live performance through her stunning music videos. Her talent stretches beyond her voice, though, being skilled in piano, harp, and guitar. As her popularity rises she’s being more and more recognized for this expansive ability. In 2020 alone she was a finalist in the One World Songwriting Contest, My Song Wins, and Dein Song. Follow her below and stream “Lifesaver” to stay updated on her ever growing career. Written By Hailey Schap FOLLOW AYLA:

What is a man? The way society defines a man doesn't truly align with how the world works today. A man can be defined as anything today, whatever the individual feels makes them a man is just that. No one has to be confined to the barriers of societal masculinity. Morgxn’s new track Modern Man takes a look at what a man in the modern age looks like to him. Being a man doesn't have to be this toxic archetype anymore. You have the freedom to be whatever kind of man you want to be. The track opens with an orchestral take on a classic 70s disco-fueled soundscape. The strings continue with a funky bassline underneath. Morgxn’s vocals come in full force belting the lyrics in a sharp and powerful tone. The track is a powerhouse, it empowers the listener to feel safe and comfortable in their skin. The music video released with the track gives a powerful representation of the different types of men there. the video features Nashville drag performer and activist Vidalia Anne Gentry. seemingly pushing against Tennessee and the country's disdain toward drag. Morgxn makes it extremely clear with his lyrics that modern man is free from the gender binary and allows themselves to be whoever they choose to be. Morgxn is a Nashville musician but an activist as well. Using his music as a form of activism he has created a safe place for his fans. Morgxn has experienced toxicity in his life and doesn't want the same pain for others. Morgxn's dedication to this safe space has morphed from creating catchy and empowering tunes to something different. Recently Morgxn has teamed up with other names in music to bring justice to a Nashville teen, B Hayes. This teen was denied entry to their prom for wearing a suit. Morgxn used his platform to shed light on this and showed his fans his activist nature. Written By Kaiana Lee FOLLOW MORGXN:

The word narcissism is believed to originate from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Narcissism comes from the third book of the epic through the myth of Narcissus. Within the myth, readers see the Greek youth Narcissus fall in love with his own reflection in a still pond as a punishment for rejecting all the love within his life. Narcissus is so enamored with the image of himself that he’s unable to move or eat, forever yearning for his own love while withering away. The myth of Narcissus highlights how narcissistic behavior can be destructive to those who love the narcissist and the narcissist themselves. Wendi Mancaku’s “Narcissistic” is a modern retelling of the myth that centers around her experience of being entwined with a narcissist. “Narcissistic” is a dark-pop single about learning from past romantic relationships at its core. In this case, it’s knowing when you’re within the reach of a narcissist; and recognizing their patterns to prevent falling into their grasp. The single opens with a leading guitar melody with a recurring hook that leaves a listener wanting more – very similar to how narcissists make their victims long for an ounce of their affection and time. Alongside the melody we also get the opening verse from Mancaku that details her former partner possessing similar qualities to the Greek youth, Narcissus. Even identifying how this partner faked moments of intimacy like gazing into each other’s eyes, when in reality they were much more interested in seeing their “own reflection”. The second verse then grounds listeners and the confusing relationship into modernity by demonstrating how narcissists operate. They “move so fast” within their connections to keep up the illusion of closeness – it veils their self-absorption. The chorus then calls out the narcissist while Mancaku proclaims she won’t fall their tactics again. Here Mancaku’s vocals are sung in unison with the guitar hooks, giving the chorus a significant source of power. Throughout the chorus, listeners hear the gradual inclusion of other musical elements as Mancaku steps into her power to stand off against this narcissist and any future ones. The addition of the synths can be heard in the chorus’s beginning, the cymbals halfway through get listeners excited for the upcoming drums, and its end leads us into smooth bass line guitar and drum notes for the third verse. The third and fourth verses see Mancaku wising up to the game narcissists play. Here, the song switches its leading instrument from the guitar to the bass line guitar to carry the melody; it symbolizes the shift within this power dynamic. Mancaku now has the narcissist pining for her attention. From there, the song flourishes with our artist’s no-nonsense attitude. “Narcissistic” shapes up to be an anthem of empowerment for those needing the strength to untangle themselves from their narcissist and keep them at bay. Wendi Mancaku is an Albanian singer, songwriter, and producer currently based in New York. “Narcissistic” was made in collaboration with Sunday Dinner, a band and writing collective consisting of Matthew Castello on keys, Nick Spat on guitar, Joe Novello on drums, and Vince Guiliano on bass. This isn’t the first collaboration between the two musical forces, though; they also worked on the funky dance-pop single, “Still Want My Love”. But fans might best recognize Mancaku from Festivali i Këngës – Festival of Music – or simply FiK, an annual music competition hosted by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar in Albania. Mancaku was a semi-finalist on FiK’s 58th season in 2019. She dazzled listening audiences with her single, “Ende”, a heartbreaking piano ballad that explores the lingering feelings one has for a former lover as it blossoms with expressive synths. Since then, the artist’s sound has evolved into a gorgeous blend of pop, neo-soul, and R&B which can be heard in singles like 2022’s “Your Name” and 2021’s “Falling”. If you’ve enjoyed Wendi Mancaku’s latest single as much as I have, show them some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW WENDI MANCAKU:

Mental health awareness is observed during the month of May, where we use it as a time to shed light on the importance of understanding and supporting those facing mental health challenges. The song " It Always Seemed Easier " by slo/tide resonates deeply with this theme, diving deep into the personal struggle of an individual grappling with their own mental health issues. This personal song captures the raw emotions and difficulties faced in navigating this journey towards healing and self-care. It reminds us that this battle is not an easy one, but emphasizes the significance of taking time for oneself and approaching it step by step. With so many individuals silently fighting similar battles, the release of this song during mental health awareness month serves as a beacon of hope, providing empathy and encouraging open conversations about mental health. By sharing their own experiences, the singer bravely contributes to the understanding of mental health, inviting others to find solace and strength in the knowledge that they are not alone. This song is from the perspective of Spencer Chamberlain, singer from the band slo/tide. He opens the song by highlighting the confusion in his mind and his attempts to calm it down: “ Let’s take a sec and figure things out ‘cause my head is a mess […] Momma told me to count to 10 and just breathe it all in .” The mention of the advice from his mother to count to 10 and take deep breaths suggests an attempt to find a sense of calm during the turmoil. Sometimes, we can forget to take care of ourselves, and instead, we steer our focus onto others and worry about how they’re doing rather than putting ourselves first. This was the case for Spencer, as he later realized how long he's been neglecting his own well-being. Once Spencer noticed himself doing this, he realized that time had been passing by so quickly without him fully experiencing his own life and checking in on himself: “ I never took the time to check and see if I’m alright. I never realized how fast it all could just pass me by .” When we’re feeling down, we tend to want to isolate ourselves from others and things going on outside: “ So maybe I’ll just stay in bed today. All these fake faces, they seem to keep me awake .” This could indicate Spencer’s desire to escape from the overwhelming nature of the people around him. Staying in bed feels comfortable. It’s your safe spot to separate from others. Spencer being around others when he just wants to be alone, especially when he’s feeling down and drained, is making him feel exhausted and disinterested in their company. When you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues, it's common to remain in a place that you feel most familiar and comfortable at, which can be your house. It’s a place in which one is present daily. It's your safe place - one that you can always go to. Spencer staying in his house became a mechanism used to avoid facing others and just wanting to be alone: “ I don’t mean to be distant, it always seemed easier. I never tried to impress myself, I just stayed in the house ‘cause it always seemed easier .” He’s also admitting to detaching himself from his mom by being around her less than usual now because he prefers to be alone. The outro reveals Spencer's reliance on substances as a way to escape from his thoughts and feelings: “ If I want advice, then I'll let you know. I’m rollin’ the dice just to see how it goes. I popped a pill now to numb it all .” This shows his hesitation in seeking advice or help from others and instead deciding to figure it all out on his own. Overall, these lyrics convey the emotional turmoil and challenges faced by Spencer struggling with his mental health. He touches upon themes of self-isolation, searching for an escape with substances and isolation, and more. It’s important to approach such topics with sensitivity and compassion, recognizing that everyone's experiences with mental health can be different. Spencer's story was very emotional and I'm sure his listeners appreciate him for being vulnerable with them, as they hope that he continues to work on himself and his mental health daily while becoming the best and healthiest version of himself. Spencer Chamberlain is an alternative-pop singer and songwriter from North Carolina. Known as the lead singer of the metal band Underoath, he is now Slo/tide, which is his solo alternative/pop project. Slo/tide is used as an outlet for his musical inspirations and interests, where he gets to show his listeners his range as an artist and how " the other side of [his] brain works .” Because Underoath was a metal band and the music he’s been writing since he was a kid was not, he gets the chance to show what else he’s got and what else he's made of in the diverse world of music. “ It Always Seemed Easier ” was purposely released during this month, to highlight it being mental health awareness month. On Facebook, he states his reasoning for it being, “ With May being Mental Health Awareness Month I really wanted to drop this particular track. This song is about how often I forget to check in on myself. Sometimes my mental health sneaks up on me in a way I can’t control and I just need to take a second for myself and really see if I’m ok .” Check out slo/tide’s latest single, “ It Always Seemed Easier ” out now on all streaming platforms! Written By Sneet Efrem FOLLOW SLO/TIDE:

In your song empty soul , you discuss personal feelings of shame and depression, but you also mention how being loved can be healing. How does your cover art portray the themes of the song? luvblaise: I create my cover art most of the time. So, I had the idea in my head for every little thing to be symbolic. I feel like the little ghost character I created with those magazine patchwork letters under it really ties in what the song’s purpose is. Like you’re trapped and feel unfulfilled in your life. Feeling like there’s little pieces of you all over the place that you can’t seem to pick back up and piece together without things going wrong. Also, just trying to gain control over everything again even though it’s difficult. You were born and raised in CT, which is exciting because I am too! How did your upbringing influence your current artistry? luvblaise: My mom and sister surrounded me with all different sounding rock music when I was young. People like Avril Lavigne, Paramore, Blink-182, Nirvana, and so on. I really grasped onto the genre because of the way it made me feel. You could have something so upbeat and energetic talk about something upsetting like real life feelings and mental health. The music creates a safe space for people to be vulnerable and relate on such a deep level. I really just wanted to be a part of that community. On your Instagram, you posted a TikTok with the title “getting ready to perform on stage!!! (working cause i’ll have no money if i don’t”). I love the authenticity of an artist who is also working to keep the dream alive. How do you balance creating music and working? luvblaise: With perseverance and a terrible sleep schedule! I currently work two jobs in order to pay for my equipment and all the licensing involved with music. I use some free time at work to listen to instrumentals I have and write as much as I can. I’m always humming melodies I think of throughout the day and often record the idea in a voice memo on my phone. When I’m finally free to come home and get to it, I’m writing, I’m recording, and piecing together the songs up into the late hours of the night. Sometimes even 4 or 5 in the morning. With your performing experience, where was your favorite place to perform and why? luvblaise: As of right now, I don’t have a whole lot of performing experience with my own music. I mostly do cover songs at open mics online or attend events in person. The most memorable that I can think of is during the pandemic. I got a concert-like setup in my room and livestreamed the performance on Twitch and YouTube. I took suggestions for what songs I should do on social media a week prior to it so I could create a set list. It was super fun. I got to interact with new people just popping in for the first time and got to interact with long time listeners as well. It was great to take an unfortunate time and bring something nice to it. What inspired your Pop Punk artist name “luvblaise”? Did you have any other names you are considering? luvblaise: Blaise is my actual middle name and because it’s pronounced like Blaze, it felt right to try to incorporate that into the name. I went through multiple name changes like musicbyblaise and thatsblaise. I finally landed on the name luvblaise because the name sounds like somebody signing the bottom of a letter. It’s really how I feel about every song that I create. It’s almost like a letter to me or a letter to other people who could be going through tough times. After this successful song release what can we expect next? luvblaise: I’ve definitely got a few more singles to release after this one comes out. One of which I can say will be an acoustic song. Around the end of 2023, I’ll have a project/album out. I won’t say the release date or name of it yet but if you keep following me, you’ll definitely know soon enough! Interviewed By Sophia E. Henry FOLLOW LUVBLAISE:

“Cold” discusses a securement in one’s personhood amidst those who lack such feelings. Despite its title, the song is warm and full of life. Medhanit rejects the coldness of the person to whom the song seems directed, “you put words in my mouth and I spit them out” she sings in one of the most encapsulating lines of the piece. Instead, she is embracing empathy and a joyous way of living. She tells the subject to wrap their mind around her own mindset to “talk about it”. Even small moments of empathy can be found in her telling them to be quiet, someone is sleeping. Her utter rejection of melancholy is one based in self-assurance, with lyrics such as “I’m putting on a show” and other admissions of emotion being asserted with confidence and genuine care. “Cold” reminds the listener to write off those who may try to lower the temperature of the whole room with them. The song begins jumping right into its upbeat tone. A techno-sounding voiceover introduces Medhanit before she sings her immediately straightforward and unavoidably catchy lyrics. The song is packed full of these lyrics, never giving the opposition the chance to get a word in. She never pauses, instead moves forward with her message and does so with nothing but positivity. The music is fast paced from the start but only increases its speed as she continues. The instrumentals are formed from a variety of sources, all perfectly synchronized and active, but it is Medhanit’s voice that draws the most attention. Unique and compelling, her voice is used as an instrument of its own and it is absolutely electric. From start to close, “Cold” creates an energetic atmosphere that makes the replay button addictive. Medhanit is a Tasmanian based artist who grew up physically surrounded by music. Her father owned a music store, where she could be found frequently napping in the sound room. She began exploring her own independent interest in music with lessons in guitar and piano at a young age. By high school, she was performing live shows and soon enough these would lead her to meet the producer of her debut single “Her”. Continuing her iconic live performances has been a growing influence on her art. She tends to focus on deeply important issues and feelings within a song that can be just as easily danced to as analyzed and dissected. She’s performed pieces like these at Mona Foma, the Junction Arts Festival, Party in the Paddock and more. Her performing ability has even led her to singing with PNAU. “Cold” is a prime example of this talent, stream it and follow Medhanit below. Written By Hailey Schap FOLLOW MEDHANIT:

“Vertigo” is a pop track the combines the powerful vocals of Taura Lamb with the electrifying production of twlve. Here, they explore a toxic, addictive, dizzying relationship in a blend of pop and hip-hop sounds. The song hooked me right away with its exciting introduction with lyrics that compared this relationship to vertigo. Like vertigo, this subject of the song is causing a sensation of whirling and dizziness. They are ringing in her ears. These themes are delivered with a production and vocals that makes it an energetic yet vulnerable song. I am excited to dive more into Lamb's and twlve's work. The track begins with an infectious chorus that describes a toxic relationship through its similarity to vertigo. In the verses, between Lamb's rich vocals and the authentic lyricism, the constant back-and-forth and pain of the relationship is described. She opens up with the poignant lyrics "I might be sensitive / But no one makes me feel as bad about myself as you do" and "Why am I torturing myself over words you claim you never even meant." Even though we know someone hasn't changed, sometimes, we still want to believe they have. We still give them chances to break our hearts. Here, Lamb wants to let go. She knows they haven't changed. But she is still stuck inside this dizzying cycle. Taura Lamb is a London-based singer and songwriter that released her first, self-produced project in 2020. She is known for her R&B-influenced pop sound, which developed through singing in choirs growing up. "Vertigo," in collaboration with producer twlve, comes as the first of three singles this year as part of her EP, 'Tetchy.' Lamb has been featured in several publications, including Fizzy Mag and Lyrical Lemonade, and playlists, like Spotify's New Music Friday UK and Apple Music's New Music Daily. If you enjoy "Vertigo (feat. twlve)," you can look forward to her other releases for this year. Written By Sydney Gray FOLLOW TAURA LAMB: