"Killer" is the latest release from singer-songwriter Lizzie Esau. It is an empowering track, as Lizzie writes about taking accountability for her self-doubt, and tendency to sit within her sadness. It feels as though the song is an emotional release for Lizzie, leading to listeners also receiving a catharsis through listening to the song. "Killer" provides and example of the personal growth that can arise from calling out a particular part of ourselves, or behavior. In this way Lizzie, leaves her listeners feeling more confident and empowered, while also inspired from the songs adventurous creativity. The sound and sonic space that is created in "Killer" is both familiar and unique. Lizzie uses her inspirations, and contemporary references to create a song that indie and rock fans know well, while adding her own touch inspired by her personality. There is also a personal and vulnerable angst in "Killer," that sounds very authentic to Lizzie and her truth that she is implementing into her songs. "Killer" from start to finish never has a dull moment, but instead takes listeners through a journey of cathartic highs until the song's end. Lizzie Esau is a talented twenty-three year old singer song-writer. Lizzie has been developing her passions for music and writing ever since a young age. Ever since putting her penned thoughts into the world Lizzie has made an exciting entrance into the music industry. Lizzie is not only writing amazing songs, but she is making her presence on the live stage known. She has been working with her live band, to perform and develop her live sound. Taking inspiration from artists such as Radiohead and Beabadoobee, Lizzie is on her way toward making her own unique mark on the music industry with her discography. Written By Alison Holst FOLLOW LIZZIE ESAU: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Pop legend Rita Ora and electronic mix master Fatboy Slim collaborate on the EDM song of the summer, “Praising You.” When the loving is right, it’s a religious experience. Your bedroom becomes Sunday Church; His kiss has you speaking in tongues, and you’re on your knees for much more than prayer. You’ve suddenly found something much bigger to believe in, and this is a god who encourages a little sin. A spiritual connection with another person can transcend any dimension, any rulebook, and any understanding from covetous bystanders. When you find someone who reconnects you with your soul and desires, they deserve some admiration. You can scream it from a rooftop to millions of onlookers, or whisper it when the lights go down, and the world feels like you’re the only two left. However you proclaim your eternal gratitude, praise the one who made you fall back in love with yourself and has given you a refreshed perspective on the life you’ve always craved; praise them earnestly; praise them enthusiastically… and praise them often. “Praising You” is a rework of Fatboy Slim’s Grammy-nominated, chart-topping “Praise You” that sampled Camille Yarbough’s “Take Yo’ Praise," celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Rita Ora and Fatboy Slim take this cult anthem and turn it into a surefire summer anthem. “Praising You” draws the classic piano riff and feel-good chorus of the original and introduces Rita’s tantalizing take on the story. The holy lyrics exist as a delicious metaphor for the entrancing nature of love. “Praising You” is the newest release from eagerly awaited album You & I. As Rita declares in the opening of the stimulating dance song, “I been gone for a minute. Been low key minding my business,” it’s abundantly clear this album is a labor of love. You & I is Rita’s most diaristic project yet, and it’s an exclusive glimpse into her mind’s diary over the last few years. Fatboy Slim’s 1999 classic “Praise You” was an incredibly influential song from Rita’s childhood, and she calls collaborating with him and getting the opportunity to pay homage “truly a surreal experience.” From their chance meeting one late night in the Naughty Corner at Glastonbury, an unlikely friendship and eccentric collaboration was inevitable. Setting a much-needed, positive example of praising your loved ones and proudly celebrating those incomparable relationships, Rita Ora is a powerhouse pop icon, and she is humbled and honored to breathe new life into this cult favorite and re-introduce it to an entirely new generation. Rita Ora is an international, critically acclaimed singer-songwriter from the UK who has taken the world by storm. With over 10 billion streams, four #1 UK singles, seven Top 10 hits on Billboard's Dance Club Songs Chart, five of which reached #1, and impressive record of most Top 10 singles for a British female artist in history of the UK, her talent and ability to reach her audience speaks for itself. On July 14th, Rita will release her highly anticipated third album, You & I, featuring “You Only love Me,” lauded “a finely crafted ode to complicated romance” by Billboard. Working with executive producer Oak Fedler, Rita has created a masterpiece conceptually threaded together to reveal the different chapters of her relationship. With her latest, high-spirited record about falling beautifully and instinctually in love, it’s undeniable Rita is at the top of her game with her new, complete artistic control. Pre-save and pre-order You & I, and mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 9th as Rita will make her debut, global-exclusive performance of “Praising You” at the Eurovsion Song Contest semi-final. While we feverishly wait for You & I, stream “Praising You” now, and give Rita Ora and Fatboy Slim ample love and well-deserved praise on their socials below! Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW RITA ORA: FOLLOW FATBOY SLIM:

Kami Kehoe is staking her claim in the alt pop/pop rock world with her new single, "hate ur f**king self." The heavy track is one of 9 featured on her debut album, DRAMA QUEEN. Outlining a journey through healing from a painful breakup, the album captures each stage of the process from feelings of numbness, to anger, and finally forgiveness. "hate ur f**king self" closes the album out, taking us through the pain and heartache, eventually arriving at closure. It's a hauntingly beautiful and powerful song, showing us that healing is possible, and there's strength in forgiveness. "hate ur f**king self" starts off soft and contemplative, featuring Kami Kehoe's lush vocals floating over flowing guitar lines. The song builds in energy and intensity as a chugging guitar and hard-hitting drums take over, beautifully reflecting the line "Cause seasons change." Between Kehoe's melancholy delivery of the lyrics and her heavy reflection of this past relationship, "hate ur f**king self" flawlessly conveys feelings of heartbreak and the pain that comes with loving someone that constantly hurts you no matter how much you love them. Though the track is filled with deep heartache, it's laced with a feeling of closure and forgiveness—a perfect conclusion to Kehoe's DRAMA QUEEN. Kami Kehoe continues to push boundaries with her unique genre-fusing sound. She tastefully blends rock, R&B, commercial pop, and funk—an edgy sound showcased on her debut album, DRAMA QUEEN. Kehoe's rise to the spotlight began with the release of "loaded gun," making the young artist a TikTok sensation. The viral hit increased her social media following, amassing more than 10,000 followers overnight. A seasoned musician, the 19-year-old's journey began at the age of 6 when she learned how to play the drums. She eventually began writing her own music and sang back-up vocals in a band with her two sisters. Though the band split when she was 16, Kehoe continued to pursue music, teaching herself how to produce and engineer from her bedroom. She currently has a catalog of over 100 unreleased songs, which continues to grow each day. After hearing what Kehoe has to offer with DRAMA QUEEN, she's definitely an impressive artist to keep on your radar. Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW KAMI KEHOE:

Everyone has heard the phrase, “two heads are better than one.” This is especially true when it comes to villains, as two of them together have more power and can do more damage. For example, Harley Quinn and the Joker were a force to be reckoned with in Suicide Squad . Additionally, Cinderella's evil stepsisters helped their stepmother make Cinderella’s life miserable. In his defiant alternative pop song, “Fire & Smoke,” BEECH LOVE uses every element to demonstrate a force of supervillain power. The fierce tone and lyrics make it a great new song for your hype-me-up playlist. One thing I loved about this track was the use of the drums. They were very loud and hard hitting which contributed greatly to the power of the instrumentation. Another detail that I liked was the ticking clock sound in the verses. I interpreted it as illustrating a countdown to destruction. It is all the more fitting because lyrics in the verses talk about the villains apart from one another with lines like, “together we could be more than superhuman.” The clock stops on the lead up to the chorus. In the second verse, for example, it stops on “do you see now, what we could be right now…” After that, the chorus seems to demonstrate an explosion that comes from the two villains working together. Along with the instrumentation, I really liked BEECH LOVE’s voice. It was very theatrical and sounded like a supervillain. BEECH LOVE is a singer, songwriter, and producer from San Francisco, California. He was inspired to pursue music after working as a DJ. He draws heavily from the work of popular bands such as The Killers and The Black Keys. If you liked “Fire & Smoke,” then you should listen to his other song, “Rhythm of Violence.” It has a similar loud and defiant tone. BEECH LOVE’s other track, “Alone,” has a lighter sound and the lyrics address the all too relatable experience of a bad breakup. Follow all of BEECH LOVE’s socials down below to be the first to hear of his new releases. Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW BEECH LOVE

Estella Dawn eloquently expresses authentic, honest emotions through poetic lyrics in her latest single. “Just Me” explores a new level of vulnerability as she recounts a broken relationship, including everything that led to its demise and the despondent feelings that linger. Throughout the song, Dawn illustrates the relationship as one sided: her being full of love and the other person being full of indifference. The song begins with the chorus that details this unreciprocated dynamic. Dawn sings, “It’s just me// Who’d jump at any chance to try// It’s just me// Replaying memories in my mind// It’s just me// Who doesn’t wanna let it go// It’s just me// Who hates the thought of you with her.” With these lines, she acknowledges that she was the only one that ever put in any effort, and now she is the only one that is pining over the lost love. The other person cheated and lied, and she knows she was never treated right. Yet, she still holds on. In the first verse, she utilizes a brilliant metaphor that brings this idea to life with the lyrics: “Know that I should quit you like a cigarette// Always leave me dragging.” She compares this person to smoking—she knows its bad for her, but she always comes back for more. Then, the song continues to paint this vivid picture of Dawn mourning her broken heart. She sings, “I’m curled up in the front seat of my car// Text typed out, not sure if I should send it.” The audience can imagine this gut-wrenching scene as if they are living the heartbreak themselves. Throughout each verse, Dawn describes every mistake made that led to the disastrous end—infidelity, miscommunication, and even honest vulnerability. Dawn divulges into the critical moment that she disclosed all her emotions and no longer “played the cool girl,” causing the former partner to leave. Despite this only further proving that this person was unhealthy and heartless, Dawn feels it is her fault the relationship ended. She spends the song questioning her own behaviors and feeling that she often cares too much. However, she ends the song with the lyrics: “Gotta get you out my veins// What a waste.” She comes to terms and realizes she is not the problem—they are. Having them in her life and on her mind is a waste of her time and effort. Wrapping the song up in this manner encourages listeners that resonate to cut off the toxicity in their own life and let go, just like Dawn. “Just Me” is ingeniously written, showcasing Dawn’s unmistakable talent of conveying true human emotions through artistic lyrics and an infectious melody. “Just Me” is a moody track that effortlessly blends the sultry sounds of R&B and the carefree spirit of pop. The song begins with an elegant piano paired with unique high synth sound effects that set the melancholy tone for the track. In the background, Dawn’s angelic voice can be lightly heard humming. The production continues into the first chorus with the introduction of the synth beat. This provides the R&B element of the track as Dawn’s powerful vocals guide the listener through the song. Throughout the track, the production utilizes periodic synth waves and effects in the background, creating an ethereal ambience. Between the first verse and the following chorus, the beat decreases to a soft muffle, while the track focuses on the melody and Dawn’s voice. This enhances the whimsical atmosphere and perfectly complements the vocals. When the chorus returns, the track transitions back to the full production. The song maintains this steady instrumentation, drawing a deeper focus on Dawn singing the vulnerable lyrics. Her passionate vocals flawlessly harmonize with herself throughout the track, hitting every impressive high note and showing off her phenomenal range. “Just Me” is another outstanding addition to Dawn’s remarkable discography. Once again, she demonstrates that she is a force to be reckoned with: living proof that women can dominate the field as not only singers and songwriters, but also as extraordinary producers. Estella Dawn is a singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist from New Zealand, now based in San Diego, California. Her music does not stick to one style, but rather mixes the sounds of multiple genres to create her own unique sound. In 2018, she made her debut with her first single, “Feet". She released several singles leading up to the onset of the global pandemic. During quarantine, she took the time to hone in on her sound and capture her true essence within her music. That year she released 10 original singles every six weeks, defining her impeccable ability to keep audiences engaged with anticipation of her next masterpiece. Since then, Dawn has released several more incredible singles and she continues to release music that reels in hundreds of thousands of listeners. Her creativity shines through every single one of her releases and she shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW ESTELLA:

“Round & Round” is an upbeat and bouncy pop track that inspires you to value your own self-worth. This beautiful sonic masterpiece is a testament to a night out after a rough breakup, full of excitement and hope for a new beginning. After a breakup, sometimes it’s hard to convince yourself that you made the right decision, especially when the hurt is so raw and immediate. But Allegra’s newest bump “Round & Round” makes you forget about your past woes to focus on the now. Her honest vulnerability twined with her bold risks shines for the audience to fully see and understand Allegra down to the depths of her soul. The production of the track is one of the many shining moments, leading your heart to beat furiously from start to end. Allegra’s bewitching voice powerfully cuts through this electrifying club anthem. With whimsical whistling melodies and strong basslines driving the drums, the hypnotic soundscape coaxes you up and out of your seat, dancing and living in the moment just as Allegra does. Her voice effortlessly shifts between different emotional registers, displaying her skilled techniques to convey a range of emotions within a single song. The song’s polished sound is expertly crafted to highlight the strengths of the music and vocals, with different elements blending together seamlessly, creating a cohesive and dynamic soundscape that’s both immersive and engaging. Allegra is a London pop sensation only marked with consistent success. With over 4.5 million Spotify streams, Allegra’s musical career has been marked with consistent success, from top 2 chart positions to collaborations with notable DJs like R3HAB and Tobtok. Her empowering message and performances have caught the attention of major publications like Rollacoaster Magazine and OK! Magazine, even announcing her single “He Ain’t You” on BBC’s The Ultimate Playlist. “Round & Round” is only another irresistible banger from Allegra, with many many more to come. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW ALLEGRA: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

If you haven’t heard of Bianca James, let me introduce you to a fun, 60s sounding artist that just debuted her single, “Monaco.” This was an electrifying track with a drum-heavy introduction that had me dancing around in my bedroom. Her bold voice and upbeat production made this track feel like it belonged in a club. The song that makes you just wanna dance. I had never heard her name before, which makes sense with her Spotify monthly listeners just above a thousand, but I am already looking forward to the next Bianca James' single or album. Her debut single is transportive and engaging. Music is always changing, molding, and shaping into the “next big thing.” Here, James takes us a refreshing step back to a more light side of music: it is fun, happy, and empowering. Her inspiration stems from a modernist touch on a 60s sound. She sings about Monaco with lyrics like “I’m gonna walk the streets like I own the place” and “A little wild, a little crazy.” It’s the perfect anthem to blast from a speaker for a day on the beach, stepping off an airplane, or even dancing around in your bedroom in pajamas. Even if you aren’t taking a trip to Monaco, you can escape for a few minutes through the lyrics and best of James’ upbeat, infectious song. Bianca James' vocals are strong, her music is bold, and the lyrics are vivid. She hails from Toronto with a father of Italian descent and a mother from the UK. Perhaps, this explains the international and timeless sound that she has crafted in this single. Looking forward, James' debut album will release in August of 2023: a well-chosen release date for an artist's whose sound reflects the light and warmth of the summer season. If you are looking for the next contemporary but 60s sounding artist to add to your playlists, James is the place to start. "Monaco" marks only the beginning of her success. Written By SYDNEY GRAY FOLLOW BIANCA JAMES:

Photo credit: Natalie Goldstein “If I Wanted I Would” is an excellent song that should remind us all – you have to be comfortable and whole within yourself before you can be so with another person. What do you hope listeners take away from this song? Bamba: I want people to understand the importance of self-care and staying true to yourself. As time has gone on I have realized the importance of doing things for yourself and not for other people. Nowadays people put their happiness in the hands of someone else and they need to NOT lol. Which interested you first, songwriting or singing, and what led you to pursue a career in music? Bamba: First off singing! I used to run up and do Karaoke with my family when I was 4 years old. I was singing Whitney Houston ballads and other kids my age were singing nursery rhymes. Shout out to my grandma for forcing me to sing hahaha. Which is your favorite song of your own (you can only choose one!)? Bamba: My favorite song is the “next one” ;) I feel like once a song is released it stays in a moment that cultivated a certain feeling that I had in a previous chapter of my life. As I continue to grow in my journey everything that feels real to me and resonates with me are things that are happening now. Who are some of your biggest musical inspirations and influences? Bamba: Vocally - Beyoncé, Usher, Adele, Mariah. Musically - Rihanna, Frank Ocean, Beyoncé (again lol), The Weeknd, SZA. Photo credit: Natalie Goldstein What do you enjoy most about being an artist? Bamba: Being able to express myself in a manner that is able to resonate with other people. Life is crazy……and I love creating art that lets you know I’m right there with you! What are your hobbies and interests outside of music? Bamba: Traveling, fashion, and sports! Interviewed By Vanessa Siebrass FOLLOW BAMBA:

Have you ever found yourself getting lost in your memories? As you take a look at the past you are suddenly filled with a bittersweet happiness. "Nostalgia" by Blair West details the beautiful pain and emotions that can accompany looking back on the early stages of a relationship. This song explores the idea of something being gone and never returning, which leads to the universal yet unique feeling of nostalgia. The singer describes these heavy feelings with stunning lyricism and a peaceful acoustic sound. The vulnerable message and mesmerizing melody will have you singing along with Blair's outstanding vocals. Dreamy synths, hazy acoustics, and uplifting strings make up the instrumental of this whimsical breakup single. The calm melody allows the singer's gorgeous and soothing harmonized vocals to shine as she shares emotional lyrics. This track has the amazing and tranquil instrumental of Jewel and Joni Mitchell, as well as the incredibly captivating and creative songwriting of Taylor Swift's sister albums "Folklore" and "Evermore". “Nostalgia” is the perfect track to listen to as you reflect on fond memories. As this catchy song fades to an end it will have you singing at the top of your lungs, wishing it never ended. Blair West is a versatile pop artist based in New York. This songwriter has a background in piano, guitar, musical theater, and was president of her college a-cappella group. After moving to New York, her musical dreams were put to a halt as she established a career in journalism and marketing, however, she is confidently returning to music with more experience and passion. The singer's musical journey has led her to perform her two other singles, "All This to Say" and "Rabbit Holes", all over the East Coast and to perfect her folk, soul, and indie pop sound. Make sure to support Blair by giving her a follow below! Written By Stephanie Berning FOLLOW BLAIR WEST: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Photo Credit: @throughajslens "Love You More" is such a beautiful song! Can you describe the songwriting process behind it? Kristina: Thank you so much! Love You More started as a one take voicenote on my phone back in 2016. The lyrics and melody came to me at the same time (which is what usually happens for me) and I barely changed any of the lyrics from that first pass (which is actually pretty rare!). I knew there was something a bit different and special about the song, so I brought the song to my producer, Rich, to work on with me. Love You More grew into the 1st "romance" song I’ve ever released as my producer and I added acoustic guitar accompaniment while sitting on the floor of his bedroom at his Aunt's house. The guitar picking was my producer's idea and I don’t think the song would have the same feeling without that stylistic choice. How do you know that a song is complete and ready for the world to hear? Is it a gut feeling? Kristina: We wrote and recorded Love You More in a 2-3 day period, but I didn’t feel it was ready to release at the time. It was quite different than anything else I had (or have) released, but I kept coming back to the song and was performing it live. From performing it live, I knew people were connecting with it. I was definitely set on eventually releasing it, but kept sitting on it. In 2019/2020, I had Rich add percussion to the track and then in 2023…I finally felt it was ready to share with the world. I had it mastered by Nathan Dantzler at The Hit Lab because I loved the way he mastered Niall Horan’s Flicker album and Love You More has a similar vibe. It was kind of meant to be that I hadn’t released it because in the summer of 2022 Rich passed away unexpectedly and this was one of the last songs I had worked on with him. I’m really glad I kept holding onto it…the song holds a lot more meaning to me now. Over the years you have done a lot of amazing work to spread an anti-bullying message to kids and teens. Why is this work important to you? Kristina: I was bullied in elementary and middle school. The biggest mistake I made was never telling anyone. Instead, I held everything in that I was going through. I found my voice through performing and through following my heart’s dream. The anti-bullying concert tour that I was part of visited 150 schools across the country and it was such an honor to share my story with thousands of kids and teens. After the shows, we would receive messages from the students on social media telling us how much it meant to them to hear we had gone through the same things they were going through and that we were able to overcome these challenges. I hope the tour that we did helped them feel less alone and see a brighter future for themselves. Besides "Love You More," what is your favorite song to sing? Kristina: Out of my original songs? Definitely “No Doubt.” I always end my set with it. It is so high-energy and really gets a crowd going. It’s the perfect way to end a show. I also love performing “Got That Magic” - it’s one of my unreleased songs. If we’re talking about covers during a concert then definitely “Tell Me You Love Me” (Demi Lovato, but NOTD’s remix version), “The Middle” (Zedd, Maren Morris and Gray), “Symphony” (Clean Bandit and Zara Larsson), and Clarity (Zedd and Foxes). They all really fit my voice and performance style and they’re all songs I wish were mine! I’m also really loving “Red Flags” by Mimi Webb…but I’d have to change the key! Photo Credit: @throughajslens You are known as “The Girl With The Big Pink Heart™." Where does this come from and what does it mean to you? Kristina: Back in 2010, I went to Justin Bieber’s concert in Trenton, NJ. It was his first arena tour! During the entire concert I was holding a big pink heart poster. At the end of the concert, the lights went up in the arena and he asked, “Who wants to be my ‘Baby?’” and he picked me, “the girl with the big heart”…I don’t think he actually said the word “pink.” After the concert, girls walking by me kept saying, “Oh my gosh, it’s the girl with the big pink heart!” The name totally fits my personality and it was such an amazing feeling to know that you can stand out in a crowd just by being yourself. If you could talk to your younger self, what advice would you give? Kristina: You can’t predict the future, but I think your journey is going to turn out even better than you imagine. Be patient, have fun, and don’t get too caught up in your head. You’re going to sing your heart out on stage and meet amazing people and inspire them along the way! You got this :) Interviewed By Tessa Brainard FOLLOW KRISTINA LACHAGA:

With how fast the state of our world seems to change by the day, it can be easy to ignore the underlying dynamics that have consistently shaped society from the past to present. On the latest single from singer/songwriter, Maya Malkin, the Toronto-based artist lampoons the notion that pervasive sexism is "just the way it is." The charming sound of "Untouchable" is sharpened through its lyrical commentary on prevailing, patriarchal power structures. Each instrument is produced and layered into the mix with such intentionality, rewarding close listens. I love the high impact choices Malkin makes throughout its runtime. The percussion is explosive through the verses, blossoming into a slighter-but-denser beat in the catchy chorus. The keyboard synthesizer—playing the most significant instrumental role— frequently distorts into a heart-stopping inferno. In the final chorus, "Untouchable" takes flight into a lush soundscape of vocal layering and pop bliss. Her sound welcomes you into its ethereal world, but Malkin reminds us that our tangible world is failing to progress. "That's the way it is, that's the way it goes," repeats Malkin throughout "Untouchable." Her delivery is matter-of-face, replicating the resignation within its messaging. Instead of accepting this compliance, she directs her frustration with it. Sexism is as pervasive in society as it is to this day because of the "just how it is" mindset. While patriarchy can feel like an insurmountable force to dismantle, it is a fatalistic error to regard it as such. The pre-chorus finds impact in specificity: "Go ahead call me a bitch, I don't deserve it. Validate some chick, shame me for the same shit." It's a reminder that there is a burden to accepting toxic dynamics as facts of life. Originally from Montreal, the now-Toronto-based musician, Maya Malkin, first entered the music scene through her band Motel Raphael. She began releasing under her solo project, however, in 2020. "Untouchable" released alongside Malkin's debut album Congratulations . The album is a buffet of indie-pop hits, covering the genre's many angles. From the gritty pop-rock of "Hypocrite" to the bubblegum daydream of "Hostage," Malkin shows versatility and expertise in blending these sounds into a cohesive project. The nine-track record is well-worth your time, showcasing a rising star in her element. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW Maya Malkin:

Sometimes your heart can speak louder than your brain, especially when it comes to turning a blind eye to red flags in a toxic relationship. Lois’s new single, “Strong” is an alt-pop anthem with notes of R&B and indie influence that communicates a narrative of realizing someone you care about is holding you back in life. Her meaningful lyricism presents themes of reflection, anger, confidence and self-respect. Lines such as, “Want to move forward but you’re holding me down” and “But why does my heart leave me wanting more” perfectly captures the struggle of wanting to leave behind a person who brings negativity into your life yet letting the love you hold for them keep you from moving on. “Strong” presents audiences with a highly relatable message of pain and simultaneously provides the motivation to put yourself first and demand the respect you deserve. Lois’s soulful vocals, moving lyricism and remarkable instrumentation make “Strong” a must-listen-to track with undeniable groove and empowering messaging. “Strong” is a track that immediately pleases the ear. With stunning orchestral samples, delicate piano, playful percussion, distorted synth noise and divine backing vocals, the track’s instrumentation alone Is enough to warrant its addition to your favorite playlist. The single contains the most magical and groovy rhythm, firmly established by Lois’s unique and mesmerizing voice and impressive vocal range. Lois adds soothing harmonies and ethereal vocalizations to make “Strong” even more beautiful. “Strong” and its official music video were released on April 14th. The video, directed by Christopher Gribbin, features high quality video production and excellent visual storytelling. The music video’s aesthetics and artistic direction perfectly matches the tracks unique sound. For instance, there is plentiful motion videography, utilization of zooming in and out of shots and eccentric scene framing that give off a trippy or hallucinogenic vibe that compliments the song’s wild instrumentation. “Strong” has garnered over 1.3k streams on Spotify and almost 1k views on YouTube in just the 12 days since its release. Hailing from Leeds, Lois is a rising alt-pop artist with hints of indie and R&B inspiration. In 2022, she released her debut single, “The Way You Are” which was streamed over 70k+ times in its first four weeks. Now the single has accumulated over 147.4k streams. In May of 2022, Lois released her second single, “Twist in the Wind” which has received almost 9k streams on Spotify and 2k views on its accompanying music video on YouTube. In February 2023, Lois released her third single and title track of her upcoming EP, “Strange Men”, which has performed very well with over 15.6k Spotify streams and 8.6k views on its official music video. Lois's music can be discovered on various highly followed playlists, such as “Fresh Finds UK”, “Independent Music Monday” and “Girl on Fire” which alone has 30.1k likes on Spotify. Lois’s new single, “Strong” is another track off her highly anticipated debut EP, “Strange Men” which is set to release on May 26th. “Strange Men”, according to Lois, is an assortment of tracks for the girls who had to become women too fast. The songs blend the feelings of pain, dissociation and falling in love by recounting on Lois’s life and experiences as a woman from the ages of 16 to 21. The “Strange Men” vinyl, cd, cassette and other merch is now available for pre-order on Lois’s online store. Luckily for fans, Lois will be preforming live on Friday, April 28th at Sound City, the UK’s leading independent music festival in Liverpool. Written By Julia Hooper FOLLOW LOIS: