Search Results

Hunter Hayes uses his latest single to lift the spirits of listeners with its empowering message. “Victory” explores the hardships and the triumphs in his life that have led him to where he is now. The final track on his upcoming album reminds the audience to appreciate the parts of their past that they may feel they should hide, because it is what made them who they are today. Hayes uses the first verse to set the stage for the wins and losses in his life. He sings, “I’ve been broken// I’ve been fine// I’ve been happy// and I’ve lied// I’ve been all the things I swore I wasn’t half the time.” These lines have an effortless flow to them that welcome the listener to the track and make them anticipate the message. The pre-chorus builds on this anticipation, slowly unveiling his gratitude for the past. In the chorus, Hayes sings, “I'm breathing in and out// And that's enough for now// I had my heart ripped out// I'm finally healing// My pain has set me free// I'm finally finding me// And that's a victory// That I can believe in.” With these profound lyrics, and the reveal of the hook, the listener is comforted by the song. They are encouraged to never give up and to find hope for their own future. Even if they are facing trying times in the present, their pain may lead them to their own “victory.” Then in the second verse, Hayes continues to sing about the changes he has seen in himself since this acceptance, and how he now knows that it is okay to not be okay. This is a crucial message to pass on to listeners and Hayes does it in a way that makes the audience cling to his every word. “Victory” is an inspiring track that perfectly encapsulates the feeling of letting go of your self-doubts and finally being free of these negative thoughts. “Victory” is a dynamic track that utilizes sounds from multiple genres to create the perfect, upbeat indie-pop song. The song kicks off with a unique string instrumental that reels in the audience, before switching to a few muted strums on the guitar. Then, Hayes begins singing and the guitar transitions to fingerstyle. In the background, there is a soft beat that disappears once the pre-chorus hits, adding emphasis to Hayes’s flawless falsettos. When the chorus hits, the full energy of the track bursts to life. The guitar and the drums work together to boost the inspiring lyrics in the song and fill the listener with joy. Then, in the bridge, it is only Hayes with the guitar, providing the emotional climax of the track, before exploding back into the final chorus. The song’s outro consists of only Hayes’s vocals and the guitar, adding one final emphasis to the uplifting lyrics. The track then closes with one final sound effect: a cassette tape ejecting, providing a unique, classic element to the song. Throughout the track, especially in the energetic chorus, Hayes’s voice is filled with a fiery passion that represents the emotion behind the track. He truly believes in what he is singing, and wants to spread this positive message to his listeners. He has a rasp behind his compelling voice that audiences effortlessly fall in love with and keeps them wanting more from the versatile artist. Hayes has an undeniable talent that is shown through his longevity in the industry and his unique genre-blending style. “Victory” is a vast difference from some of Hayes’s earlier work that garnered massive attention and awards, emphasizing his impressive range and unmistakable ability to keep fans on their toes. Hunter Hayes is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. His music has crossed over multiple genres and he is skilled in more than 30 instruments. In 2011, he released is self-titled debut album which became massively successful. The album peaked at number 7 on the Billboard 200 Chart and number 1 on the Top Country Albums. The album is certified platinum and includes his most-successful single, “Wanted”. He is the youngest male artist to top the Billboard Hot Country Songs. Additionally, he has been nominated for five Grammy Awards including Best New Artist and won the 2012 CMA Award for New Artist of the Year. He has headlined eight times, and toured as the supporting act for prolific artists such as Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and Lady A. His upcoming album, Red Sky, is set for release on April 21, 2023 and, he will start The Red Sky Tour on May 3rd, 2023. Check out his social media to see if he is coming to a city near you! Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW HUNTER:

Photo Credit: Sarah Beauchamp With a new single called “Feel It”, The Hillties are bringing their refreshing blend of genres and pop influences towards a song inspired by the hard times of the Covid-19 pandemic that most of us can relate to. With an infectious guitar melody, and a catchy chorus, it's clear that the Canadian band knows how to make a groovy song to get you up and moving. Taking a more indie- alternative feel than some of their previous work, "Feel It" is full of life with hard hitting lyrics and powerful vocals. In regards to the new release, one Hillties band member has said, “This song was written in a world of change and challenge, where we realize that love and loss drive our creative process”. Following in the footsteps of their 2022 single, “Midnight Calling”, their newest release is something you don’t wanna miss out on. Click here to listen to "Feel It"! The band's latest single drew its inspiration from real life experiences along with their love of their community. “Feel It” kicks off with a relaxed feel and instrumental melody and as the song progresses switches up to a high energy tempo, filled with an electric guitar and an explosive chorus to follow. Using dreamy soundscapes, they sing “I’m floating on, but I'm not without your love” while using an arrangement to leave listeners hanging on for what's to come next. This song specifically reminded me of other indie-alt artists like “Saint Motel” and “CRUISR”. Before long, I found myself tapping my foot and moving my head along to its' catchy rhythm. I won’t be forgetting those electric guitar riffs anytime soon. “Feel It” is a perfect song for warmer weather as we approach the beginning of spring time. The Hillties have a feel good song to distract you from whatever else is going on around you. With each new release from the group you get something a little different and surprising in the best way possible. They continue to create unique experiences for their listeners one song at a time. Any fan of indie and alternative genres will enjoy listening to their new single. The Hillties are a six piece band based in Nelson BC. The group is recognized for their one of a kind sound that involves elements of a chapman stick, ukulele, guitar, piano, drums, and their unforgettable harmonies. Each new release highlights every member of the band's music style that work so well together and have paved the way to their signature sound. Members of the band include: Phil Woodward (Chapman Stick and Vocal), Sam Mathews (Lead Guitar), Mark Barnard (Lead Vocal), Craig Beauchamp (Ukulele/Guitar and Vocal), Rahj Levinson (Piano), and Travis Yost (Drums). Their music is being recognized by listeners all over the world as they continue to grow a following on their social media accounts and on Spotify. The Hillties released their first single, “Moving On”, back in 2019. Since then they have released 9 singles, including their latest, “Feel it”, as well as their debut album, “Sunshine”. This full length album features 12 songs with tracks like "Hocus Pocus" and "On & On". Together, their work has won them two Kootenay Music Awards for Best Jam Band and Best Reggae Song in 2018 and 2019. The band shows a promising future ahead of them in the music industry. Keep your eye out for more upcoming releases from The Hillties in the future! Written By Jenna Barton FOLLOW THE HILLTIES:

We all have tough days sometimes. We’ve felt unmotivated and overwhelmed by doing the same things over and over. We deserve breaks and should have more time to ourselves. Chris James single, “The Race” is about struggling to find that balance between yourself and the things you have to do in life; whether that be your passion, a job you have to get through, or being in school, this is a song that everyone can relate to. We have to remember that it’s okay to have struggles, but learning to cope with it all will help a lot. Everybody has gone through hard situations, and we all learn to deal with it in our own ways. We often forget that we’re not the only ones struggling. Chris starts “The Race” off with soft ad libs and a mellow guitar melody. His raw and passionate vocals create a sensation that captivates the listeners from the very first note. His vulnerability plays a big role which helps us feel like it’s a safe haven to be in when listening to his song. The instrumental creates a gentle mood in its soundscape with Chris’ relatable lyrics of constantly reminding us that “ Everyone’s got these days / Remember you’ll be okay ” to help us feel like we’re not alone. The chorus has a catchy groove that is showcased through Chris’ soulful voice. Although with its motivational and reassuring lyrics, it’s slightly contrasted with an uplifting beat that is foot tapping worthy. The track throughout has a positive message that gets through to us because of his expressive tone and optimistic tune. Chris James is a German-American songwriter-producer based in Berlin. He started playing the guitar at an early age and has written and produced chart topping songs for many artists. Specifically, the RIAA Gold-certified Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit song, “Life Goes On” by BTS, German Single Charts #1 song, “Komet” by Udo Lindenberg and Apache 207, and his own song, “Not Angry” which has gathered over 4B+ uses on the app Douyin. He got on the “Taiwan Viral 50” and “Trending Hits” on Spotify. Chris has release other songs garnering over 70 million streams and as a songwriter, he has achieved over 800 million streams on Spotify. He is described as finding comfort and solace with his storytelling, relatability, and vulnerability. Chris James is an artist worth checking out! Written By Lyndsey Cheng FOLLOW CHRIS JAMES:

An important aspect to Sanna’s music is that there is always a story or message behind it. “Thought I was Happy” is no exception, as it is a ballad that explores deep personal topics related to Sanna’s mental health. The song gets relatable on a vulnerable level and she sings about an experience many listeners can relate to. The premise of the song is that Sanna believed that she was happy and in a good place, but she became overcome by an overwhelming sense of sadness and anxiety. These feelings were not only unexpected but also intense and emotionally consuming. Throughout the song Sanna's pain is evident through the emotion she expresses through both her lyrics, and most importantly her voice. "Thought I Was Happy", starts out soft with a focus on the piano. This is crucial, as it sets the tone up for the entire song. Furthermore, it establishes that the song will follow the structure of ballad, and thus it will contain strong emotion. The song delivers on the emotional content that is promised upon the opening, when it reaches the chorus. In the chorus Sanna fully gets into the melody, and take listeners through the personal story she is trying to convey. Her vocals express all of the pain she writes about so beautifully, and it feels as though the song is coming straight from her heart. Sanna Martinez is a singer-songwriter, who is in no way new to the music scene. Sanna has had much experience in the past working as both an artist and songwriter on many hits that have been played all around the world. She's also been involved in song contests and other things of the sort, that showed the promise of her talent as a musician. Sanna has even received musical experience in an academic setting, as she studied at Dreamhill Music Academy. Sanna now has her debut EP out and into the world for all to listen to. Written By Alison Holst FOLLOW SANNA MARTINEZ:

Nobody is perfect and we all have our flaws. Everybody makes mistakes and when we do, we have to look forward and continue life regardless of what mistakes we've made. Ivy Ash’s single, “Stop, Rewind” is about moving on from mistakes and learning lessons from them. The past is in the past for a reason and not letting it hold us back will help us carry on with ourselves. It’s hard to not think about the times where we've messed up and sometimes we dwell on what we could've done differently, but we have to learn from our experiences and accept our choices. The best way to let things go and cope is to swallow your pride and move on to bigger and better things. Ivy Ash starts “Stop, Rewind” off with a groovy hook. The energetic soundscape creates a funky feel contrasted with motivational lyrics about leaving our past behind. The beat matches Ivy’s tone which creates a fun energy that will get you dancing on your feet. The style of this song sounds like it could be a part of the Pitch Perfect franchise soundtrack with its trendy tune and high-spirited vocals. Ivy has a charm through her voice that is appealing to the listener. Although the song is uplifting, Ivy uses her emotion to show importance and a seriousness to the topic, especially towards the end of the song. It emphasizes the important message with its subtle change to create a perfect ending for the track. Ivy Ash is an up-and-coming artist/topline writer based in the UK. She is one of the UK’s midsize fashion and beauty online queens. She has an outlook on body positivity, feminism, and mental health. She’s been listed #8 out of the top 30 most-played local artists of the year through BBC Introducing shows. Some of her other tracks have been named “Track of the Week” on BBC Music Introducing stations. Ivy has secured many funding awards such as Arts Council England’s “Developing Your Creative Practice Fund” and Help Musician’s UK “Transmission Fund.” Other than pursuing music, she is in her 3rd year of Music Business studies at BIMM in Birmingham and also working part-time as a Music Publishing Assistant in Leicester. She’s definitely an artist worth checking out! Written By Lyndsey Cheng FOLLOW IVY ASH:

Being abandoned by someone you love is one of the most hurtful betrayals. It violates the most core element of love—trust. It’s difficult to trust others to stay in your life and to love again after abandonment. The Graes deliver powerful sentiments in their new single, “Stay,” delving into the difficulties of navigating those emotions after being abandoned by someone who claimed to love you. The song is about acceptance, learning to be okay with those who choose to walk out of our lives. The Graes were inspired to write this song, reflecting on their experiences of being adopted and how feelings of abandonment impacted them. “Stay” is euphoric, featuring a perfect blend of acoustic guitar and synth sounds. The intoxicating way CJ and Cassie Grae’s vocals compliment each other create enchanting melodies, gliding over the song’s ethereal soundscape. A slower track with a gentle feel, “Stay” offers a chill atmosphere to escape into. Though the lyrics are slightly melancholic, this dreamy addition to the pop-folk world has a twist of hope hidden in its elegant layers. Whether you can relate to the meaning behind the music or not, "Stay" is an enthralling listen for any pop-folk lover. The dreamlike mood The Graes create will have listeners feeling like they're floating on air. The Graes are a pop-folk duo consisting of members CJ and Cassie Grae. The two are based out of Wilmington, NC and are married to each other. They craft melodic stories that highlight the human condition and show the beautiful co-existence between celebration and grief, and between dreams and daunting realities. They have quickly built their social media presence and fanbase, being known for their effortless ability to engage a crowd with unforgettable performances. The Graes put true authenticity and vulnerability on display, creating music that connects with their listeners—something simple conversation can’t always do. They write about all aspects of life—the good, the bad, and the ugly—it’s their way of processing, healing, and resetting. The Graes pull inspiration from artists like The Civil Wars, Johnnyswim, Jon Bellion, and Ed Sheeran, and have collaborated with well-known producers and songwriters like Austin Bello and Ron Geffen. Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW THE GRAES:

Have you ever had the feeling that you belong with someone, but you were just too afraid to tell them? Sometimes we fall in love with someone from a completely different world; kind of like a Romeo and Juliet situation. Except instead of fighting for your love, you keep quiet. Life goes on as you watch the person you love live their life without you. 'Birthday' by The Magnettes is about struggling with feelings for someone that you can't have. You watch their birthday go by, you watch them get married; and all because you were too afraid to speak up and tell them how you feel. Despite not being able to have them, you still have an urge to just grab them by the arm and runaway with them; somewhere away from the cruel world we live in today. But instead, you just sit and imagine what life would be like when them if you had the courage to speak up. "Birthday" by The Magnettes is an incredibly catchy and unique alt. pop /synthpop song with a nostalgic 80s influence. The soundscape is an ethereal electronic experience that is both dreamy and danceable at the same time. The blend of their unique, raw and energetic vocals fit perfectly into the groove of the song. Between the strong electronic drum beats and the incredible assortment of synths, this song transports you into an 80s romance movie and makes you feel like the main character. This song is perfect to blast in your headphones while going on a jog or just laying alone in your room. The Magnettes is a Swedish alt. pop group who debuted in 2012 with their single 'Paper Cut'. Their first ever album, 'Ugly Youth' released in 2017 which featured the song 'Sad Girls Club' that was used on the Netflix show Elite, and Young and Wild. 'Sad Girls Club' was also one of the top-ten most played Swedish tracks on national radio for 2017. They've toured in 20 countries, performed at award shows and at festivals. Now working with K51 Records and Warner Music Sweden, they're second album is in the works and is highly anticipated after the release of their single 'Monster' was released at the end of 2022 and their critically acclaimed documentary, The Magnettes, was released at the same time. Make sure to follow this incredible and unique band below. Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW THE MAGNETTES:

Photo Credit: Libby Danforth Sometimes we can get highly protective over the people we love, to the point where some may call us crazy. Emily Ronna's new single "BATSHIT" is a lively track communicating the wild and rash tendencies that can come out when your relationships are threatened. The single is overflowing with passion, confidence, ferocity and peculiarity. The pop anthem is full of exhilarating and dramatic lyrics such as, "You can tell her I'm batshit, showing up at her house with a hatchet". The single's sweet and dreamy instrumentation is creatively contrasted with unhinged and brutal lyrics. "BATSHIT" is the perfect song to sing-along with at the top of your lungs, with it's energetic chorus and fun lyrics. Emily Ronna's original lyricism, creative vision and stunning voice make "BATSHIT" a fun and groovy listen that reminds audiences to steer clear of any crushes who might be taken; you never know if their partner is batshit crazy. “BATSHIT” is introduced with groovy synth beats, soon accompanied by Emily Ronna’s clear and sultry vocals. The single’s catchy chorus is energetic and fierce. Emily’s strong voice has impressive range, dipping low for melody vocalizations and reaching high-pitched accent notes. The single contains haunting underlaid vocals that pair perfectly with the track's synth sound. The “BATSHIT” official music video was released on January 25th and has already surpassed 22k views on YouTube. The video features stunning cinematography with colorful artificial light, motion filming and shots featuring a shallow depth of field. The vibe of the music video reflects that of the song, with high energy, eccentric shots and destruction. Emily committed to the role, staying in character and even smashing a guitar. Originally from Boston, Emily Ronna is a talented singer-songwriter taking the Nashville pop music scene by storm. Emily spent the first decade of her musical journey in the punk genre, aiming to front a band. After deciding to pursue a solo career, she has met mass success. Her debut single, “Someone Else” was released in 2021 and garnered over 17k streams on Spotify alone. Since then, she has released various hits such as “Breathe”, “Bad Excuse” and “Agony” which has accumulated over 84k streams on Spotify. Emily released her first EP in 2021 titled, “Sex & Depression (S.A.D.)” which features five lively songs said to pay homage to the early 2000’s emo music that she grew up on. In 2022 she collaborated with Ericovich and Mordrez to create their hit single, “No One Else” which has performed nicely, earing over 120k streams on Spotify. Luckily for fans, Emily Ronna is releasing her second EP, “S.A.D. 2”, a sequel collection of songs that is just as sexy and depressed, on March 17th. Written By Julia Hooper FOLLOW EMILY:

Lexie Carroll’s latest single fully encapsulates the feeling of being completely comfortable and safe with the one you love. “tomorrow” describes a relationship where, even in the most trying times, just being in the safety of your partner’s arms gives you an overwhelming amount of comfort. Even in the midst of “a full-on apocalypse going on outside,” as long as you are together, everything will be alright. The song begins with Carroll singing the hook in the first verse: “Tomorrow feels like it might never come.” This introduces the listener to the delicate topic, before continuing with the endearing lyrics. She then sings, “Keep me here, my head against your lungs// And I wouldn’t mind if the world stopped turning// And I wouldn’t mind if we just did nothing.” With only these three simple lines, Carroll flawlessly sets the scene for the listener, allowing them to visualize exactly what is happening. The couple is content with sitting together in this silence—a type of silence that is only found in the most comforting, loving relationships. Carroll continues with this touching notion that she is more than happy to just lay here with her partner and let all the worries of this harsh world just fade away. At the end of the song, she closes the track with the hook, and one final sentiment: “Tomorrow feels like it might never come// Just keep me here, it’s safe within your arms.” These lines end the track where it began—Carroll lying with her partner. It wraps up the song beautifully and reveals that everything she sang in between were her ongoing thoughts while they were curled up together. “tomorrow” is a soft pop ballad that consists of an ethereal production which effortlessly complements the emotional lyrics. The song immediately kicks off with a fast-paced electric guitar with a reverb sound effect that creates a soothing atmosphere. The guitar’s strum pattern focuses on specific high notes with a steady bass. As the song continues in the chorus, a second electric guitar is introduced, adding more emphasis to the bass and providing a unique dynamic to the track. When the second verse begins, a soft drum is added to the background, adding an additional layer to the song. Throughout the track, Carroll’s angelic vocals further enhance the whimsical element, transporting the listener to this safe space described in the lyrics. Her harmonies mesmerize the listener while accentuating the melody. The track closes out with only Carroll’s enchanting voice and the soft background music that slowly fades out. This ends the track in a beautiful manner, highlighting the ethereal vibe and emphasizing the captivating vocals. “tomorrow” is a sentimental ballad about true, genuine love, and the production paired with the lyrics naturally evoke feelings of warmth and comfort within the listener. Lexie Carroll is an 18-year-old singer-songwriter from London. Her music is a perfect blend of indie, pop, and folk. Her insightful lyrics and angelic voice mesmerize listeners and makes them fall in love with her. In 2020, she released her debut single, “Paint Me In Colours”, followed by her debut EP, Birthday Cake. In 2021, she took a break from releasing music before coming back in April 2022 with her sophomore EP, when the sun came up. Recently, she signed to Seven Four Seven Six record label and has released a handful of singles under the company. She is set to release her first EP with the label in May 2023. Her music has garnered support from Spotify, BBC Introducing, and BBC Radio 1's Future Pop. She has headlined a sold-out show at The Grace in London and has supported a handful of artists at their own shows. She continues to grow as an artist and reels in hundreds of thousands of listeners that anticipate every release. Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW LEXIE:

Noah Kahan kicked off his latest tour, Stick Season in the fall of 2022. Noah made many stops touring around the U.S before stopping near me for the 2023 leg of the tour. I had the ultimate privilege of being one of the 4,000 people at his completely sold out show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the Miller High Life Theater. You couldn't see an empty seat inside the theater by the time Noah entered the stage. It was good to see him back in Milwaukee, a place he mentioned had been where one of his first performances occurred when he opened for the Strumbellas back in 2017. This time around, Stephan Sanchez supported Noah on the first part of his tour and you can expect Joy Oladokun and Ruston Kelly sharing the stage with him on the upcoming summer tour. Joining him on this second leg of the tour as a supporting act was up and coming artist Jack Van Cleaf. It was my first time listening to him and during the short set opening for Noah, his rich vocals and acoustic guitar captured the audience's attention and set the tone to prepare them for what was to come next. Noah had a small band supporting him on stage playing guitar and drums and besides quite a few guitar changes, there was a minimalist approach to the overall set up that kept the audience focused on Noah center stage throughout. He covered a lot of his discography during the show, which also included a short encore to bring his stage time total to be a little over an hour. One of the many highlights of this concert was when Noah went unplugged to do an acoustic set for two of his songs. Noah opened his show full of energy with “False Confidence”, a song from his debut album in 2019 before jumping into some of his newer ones. This track was a perfect choice to kick off the show and get everyone moving around me. Noah had a good mix of songs from his recently released album as well as including his popular ones like “Young Blood '', “Passenger”, and “Animal". One song in particular that I was most excited to hear and was highly anticipating was “Growing Sideways”, a song that I feel a personal connection to, and is inspired by Noah’s history with therapy. This happened to be one of the two songs performed acoustic as he opened up about his own life experiences leading into the track. This was followed by “Glue Me Shut" which was also done the same way with just Noah's powerful vocals and acoustic guitar. His stripped back performance had thousands of people holding their breath and listening to every single word. A lot of Noah's songs leave listeners with emotional responses, and hearing them live you could hear it in his voice how much his music means to him as well as everyone in that room. Before exiting the stage for good, Noah performed an encore with a couple songs, which of course included the highly anticipated “Stick Season” being one of them. This is becoming one of those songs where he doesn't even have to sing it because the audience knows every word by heart. Once that recognizable guitar melody began you could hear the crowd as loud as him singing every lyric as he stared back in amazement. Out of the 14 tracks on his “Stick Season” album Noah covered 11 of them during his show. The artist had everyone in the audience on the edge of their seat, and you could hear him so clearly in between the cheers. Noah doesn't need anything special besides his voice and his guitar and this season's tour helped prove that even more. Noah Kahan (Pronounced Con) is a singer and songwriter from Vermont. He has been making waves around the music industry for the last 5 years and with much success. He is well known for his music in genres like folk, indie, and pop. Noah is also recognized for his songwriting that is inspired by his own life experiences of growing up in a small town and everything in between. Listeners can relate to his authenticity and vulnerability he adds to every lyric. Noah released his first single, “Hold It Down” in 2017 then would go on to release more singles that year and his debut EP a year later. With even more singles released in between, Noah released his first full length album, “Busyhead” in 2019. After releasing an EP and even more singles, Noah shared his second album out with listeners during the pandemic. More recently, his latest release is his third album, “Stick Season” which was released in October 2022. Currently Noah has amassed an impressive following of over 8 million monthly listeners on Spotify as well as over 1 billion streams on the platform. Along with The Strumbellas, Noah has opened for artists like Ben Folds, Milky Chance, George Ezra, Dean Lewis, and James Bay before headlining his own shows. Seeing Noah live was a highlight of my year so far. If you get the chance to see him live or if you are considering going to one of his upcoming shows that aren't already sold out, you will not regret it. Written By Jenna Barton Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

At just fourteen years old, Emilia Vaughn wrote “Sunflower,” a song that has gained a lot of traction upon being produced and shared with the world. It is a song described by Vaughn herself as something that is very open and airy. She allowed herself to write what she felt at that moment, challenging herself to expand her mind lyrically and tap into new parts of her imagination. Upon your first listen, you’ll very quickly see exactly what she’s talking about when describing her song to have a laid-back vibe. “Sunflower” maintains a beat and soft guitar melody throughout, and when coupled with the softness of the tone that Vaughn’s voice has, it leaves the listener feeling light and relaxed. Vaughn’s song begins with a lovely acoustic melody in the intro that immediately captures your attention. The first verse starts with Vaughn’s voice showcased over the same tune established in the intro, with a soft beat added about halfway through. She sings lyrics relatable to anyone who has a crush and wishes for their person to be in their life. The chorus is catchy, upbeat, and very laid-back. With the bridge, Vaughn showcases her ability to maintain the quality and crispness of her voice while speeding up her delivery of the lyrics. Just as we were eased into this song, it slowly fades out in a way that makes us want to continue listening. Overall, this song is extremely vibey and a must-add to any upcoming summer playlist. Born in San Diego, Emilia has been writing poetry and playing the piano for as long as she can remember. Now, she’s following her dreams as an alternative pop artist set to graduate from the Berklee College of Music in 2026. She has always had a passion for music, as it has remained the one constant of her life, in her own words. Emilia put that passion to work come 2022, when she released two independent singles and immediately came out with her first EP after this release. Her single “Sunflower” gained a lot of positive attention from the media, reaching number forty-seven on the All Access "What's in Store" retail play charts. She has another single titled “Dead Bouquets” set to come out on February 23, 2023, so be sure to stay tuned and give the talented Emilia Vaughn another listen! Written By Molly Schiff FOLLOW EMILIA:

The more you try not to think about something, the more it creeps into your mind. It happens with anything that makes us sad, mad, or nervous. Riya Gadher’s “You Take Up My Songs” is an emotional pop ballad about not being able to get past a breakup. You can tell that she has taken all the typical measures such as ripping apart all the pictures, deleting their number, and unfollowing them on Instagram. Despite those efforts, the sadness takes up her mind and she deals with it through music. This is a great coping mechanism, but Gadher’s patience still seems to be wearing thin. The feelings that she is experiencing in this song are very relatable. Romantic or not, we all have nagging thoughts at one time or another. One aspect of this song that I really enjoyed was the instrumentation. The combination of the piano and drums adds to the exasperation Gadher is feeling on the chorus as she sings “I am hopeless, I am hopeless. I wait for the day when I’ll move on. As for the lyrics, another part of the song I enjoyed was when Gadher said her thoughts of the breakup “owned the land” in her brain. That was a great analogy to express how much these thoughts are consuming her. The sadness of these thoughts then block out the happy ones. The only way to get rid of the sad thoughts is to put them down on paper. There doesn’t seem to be a resolution by the end of the track, but I hope that Gadher was able to find relief. Riya Gadher is a singer/songwriter from London. In her short time on the music scene, she has hit the ground running. “You Take Up My Songs" was mixed at Abbey Road, one of the most iconic studios in the world. Music is a very big part of Gadher’s life, as she once said, “the piano is the root of every creation and the seed of all my emotions.” It is hard to believe that “You Take Up My Songs” is only her second single. Her first single, “Indian Ocean,” was released in 2020 and is also about navigating a breakup. I love both of these songs and can’t wait to hear what else she has in store! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW RIYA GADHER