Summer is steadily approaching, and I’ve got the perfect song to get you ready for it. It’s got sultry vocals that never lose enthusiasm throughout the single's runtime. Mixing that keeps things interesting while keeping you on your toes. A stringed instrument to make you fawn as it keeps up with change in tempo and dynamics. An overall vibe that encapsulates pure excitement. And leaves you wanting more - for it to never end. But if you put it on loop it doesn’t have to end. Let me introduce you to Drugs Cosmetics latest single, “Gimme (It Girl)”. Listen to "Gimme (It Girl)" by Drugs Cosmetics here. “Gimme (It Girl)” is a high-energy banger that’s determined to play on repeat in your head and on your playlist. The song opens with Max Steger’s guitar plucking that mimics a ticking bomb moments before it blows. This is building up towards something explosive and listeners are bracing themselves for it. Alongside the strings is Shi la Rosa’s alluring and provocative vocals that are calling in for love. But love always seems to come knocking at the door at the wrong time. That’s okay, though - just because it’s the wrong time doesn’t mean we still can’t have a good time. And if Drugs Cosmetics is providing the good time, I’m more than happy for love to be placed on the back burners for now. The bomb’s finally detonated as the chorus bursts into the single. It gives listeners endless guitar riffs to get addicted on when they’re not transfixed by Pete Cho’s mixing or Shi la Rosa’s energetic delivery. The song repeats this sequence as it progresses, making the high listeners get each time greater and greater. It also transforms the “Gimme just a little bit” lyrics in the latter half of the chorus into a double entendre: we don’t want just a little bit of love - we want a little bit more of the song, too. We’re craving more. And I’m especially craving a music video! If “Gimme (It Girl)” already has me this delirious from an auditory experience, I can only imagine what accompanying visuals could do. The alt-pop band, Drugs Cosmetics, was founded in Chicago but came together in Los Angeles. The group consists of Pete Cho and Shi la Rosa, with guitarist Max Steger joining with the release of the group’s single, “Car Crash”. They make unique blends of pop music that have elements of alternative, dance, indie, and rock in it – satisfying the palette of any casual listener. But each member has an impressive discography outside of the group, too. Pete Cho’s 2020 EP, CHO, features some fantastic dance-pop singles – “Talk (Make Up My Mind” is a personal favorite of mine. Shi la Rosa’s 2017 EP, Sometimes I Think of You, is bedroom-pop that’ll have you hooked for days. And Max Steger mixed and mastered the recent, soul-filled R&B excellence that is “Candlelight” feat. D Smoke by SHERIE. If you’ve enjoyed the collective creativity of Drugs Cosmetics as much as I have, show them some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows. You just might be able to catch them create and produce upcoming music on their live Twitch streams, too. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW DRUGS COSMETICS:

Envy is a hell of a drug and too many people let it take over their lives. Mauve wants to embrace that little bit of bitterness. I Wish I Was This Girl is a cheeky play on jealousy. Seeing someone through the lens of the internet and wishing that was your life is a common experience. It’s normal to feel jealous but it shouldn't be taken so seriously. Mauve refers to this track as an ode to Nepotism babies. That may seem strange to most. Nepotism is a hot topic currently and most don’t take too kindly to those who seem to skip through the hard parts of life. It may not be fair but it can't be changed so, why not blow off some steam with this track? I Wish I Was This Girl is a danceable bubblegum pop track made to help with the ache of bitterness and envy. The track opens with a beachy guitar and the playful tones of the mauve’s voice. The song immediately elicits a sense of nostalgia. Its instrumental is similar to the iconic bubblegum pop tracks of the 90s. The nostalgia is only a fraction of what makes this track so addicting. Mauve does her best to create vivid images with her lyrics. Each lyric paints a picture of what Mauve herself is seeing that makes her so jealous. Though this track is meant to soften the blow of jealousy Mauve spends a good bit on this track cheekily describing the girl who seems to have everything. The object of Mauve's Jealousy is living it up on beaches and red carpets while Mauve watches. It’s bittersweet because on one hand she wishes he had this life on the other she knows the images she sees may not be true. The lyric “the IG carousel obstructing my view" is a line that points out self-awareness in Mauve. She knows what she is seeing on this girl's Instagram may not be real life but she can't help but feel envious of the lifestyle this girl portrays. The track is fun yet deep and worth multiple listens. Mauve is a Canadian pop star with so much under her sleeve. With each song, she reveals a part of herself that is relatable and unique. Her songs capture ideas that not many have covered which make her stand out so well among the crowd. She loves dabbling I’m different genres but consistently brings the playful electro-pop she is known for. Mauve sees music as something more than storytelling. She feels as though music can take you to a whole other reality and she perfectly shows this through her sound. She is a unique soul who wants to share her essence with the world through song. She began her journey at 14 years old and has since gained a massive following online. She has been nominated for many awards and this is just the beginning. Mauve can only go up from here and her talents will certainly take her to the top. Written By Kaiana Lee FOLLOW MAUVE:

Love is not something that’s meant to be simple; with that, there’s a guarantee that it will not be easy. The relationship will be far from absolutely perfect in an indisputable way, but it will also be far from imperfect to you. Thus, this ideal love will exist in the in-between. SOZI’s new single titled “In Between” details this sweet spot perfectly, incorporating instrumentals to draw out the exact feelings of the in-between. SOZI utilizes the layering and addition of sound, beat, and tempo leading up to an explosive chorus to show us what it feels like to be in one of these relationships, and how amazing it is when you experience it for yourself. SOZI’s soft voice brings us into the song's first verse, where she sings about all that she wants with the person she loves. A lot of echoey instrumentals are introduced into the background of her single as the first verse continues, which is to illustrate the buildup of feelings in this “in-between” spot in a relationship. The chorus incorporates these same sounds at an even higher intensity; something you would hear in a movie or a club. With this, we as the listeners get a sense of the euphoric feeling this relationship causes, which is what makes it so addicting. And just like this relationship, the way SOZI’s voice and the instrumentals work together in this song will make you want to listen to it again, and again, and again. After entering the Los Angeles music scene, SOZI is making a big name for herself. Growing up surrounded by music in her family, it was inevitable that she developed a strong love for singing, dancing, and entertaining a crowd. SOZI has been classically training in the piano since she was seven years old and started writing songs just three years later at age ten. She stands out among the other budding musical talents already, with her debut single “Drinking For Two” released on December 20th already amassing over 20,000 streams on Spotify. She has performed on the sages of the Viper Room, Hotel Cafe, Bar 20, and many more respected establishments. We are excited to see where SOZI’s career takes her! Written By Molly Schiff FOLLOW SOZI:

Being in love is a feeling that can put you on Cloud 9. Even though it is great, this powerful feeling can get in the way of your better judgment. You put on the rose-colored glasses and can see no wrong in your object of affection. You may not even realize you’re doing it until it’s too late. When the glasses break, you may be left to pick up the pieces on your own. KID TRAVIS' new upbeat pop song "Pretty Eyes" details this experience. More specifically, he hones in on the fact that pretty eyes cannot be trusted. The prettiest eyes caused him to believe the "prettiest lies". In KID TRAVIS’s song, “Pretty Eyes,” the elements are very contrasting. On the one hand, the instrumentation sounds like a daydream. This is fitting, as KID TRAVIS sings, “I took one look and lost myself” in the chorus. It is very bright with a strumming acoustic guitar and drums. The background vocals also contribute to this mood, especially the “la, la,la…” and the whistling sounds. On the other hand, the main vocals seem like they are reflecting on a past experience. In the opening lines to the first verse, KID TRAVIS sings, “Baby, you’re my weakness, but your love was pretense.” He later says “maybe we can meet up in another life.” These elements work well together because they are contrasting the good and bad parts of love, being on Cloud 9 and coming back down again. KID TRAVIS has a huge passion for music. His work is very diverse, and he does not restrict himself to the creation of a single genre. Travis has built a huge following with his original music and visuals. He has even garnered praise from some big names in the industry, such as Post Malone and Dominic Fike. If you want to hear more of him, I recommend “Strawberry Skies,” the title track off of his 2020 album. Similar to “Pretty Eyes,” it has a pop sound. The instrumentation also matches the title, as it sounds smooth like a sunset drive. The lyrics reflect on the joy of spending time with the one you love! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW KID TRAVIS

There are a few struggles in life that many of us experience. Sometimes we wrestle with self-doubt or figuring out who we are. It's also easy to lose yourself in external expectations, worrying so much about what others or society expects of you. AVEY gives us an introspective track that takes us on a journey of self-discovery with her new single, "talk back." The song addresses themes of regret, self-criticism, and struggling to find one's identity, encouraging listeners to overcome any feelings of self-doubt and the pressures of external expectations. "talk back" is an honest, light-hearted approach to conquering these feelings and is sure to put you in a great mood. "talk back" begins with a soft, laid-back vibe, featuring energetic guitar plucking and ethereal electronic interjections. AVEY's crisp vocals effortlessly deliver catchy melodies and introspective lyrics. Towards the end of the song, "talk back" explodes into fierce electropop beats, releasing the epic energy the song had been building up to. The upbeat rhythm of the track is infectious, giving the perfect backdrop to dance along to. It's a must-listen for any pop enthusiast. Full of memorable melodies and pleasing vocals, "talk back" is a short and sweet addition to the pop world, leaving you begging for more. Indie alt project, AVEY, is Avery O'Brien's debut solo endeavor. After enjoying the success of her band, Harlequin Gold, the singer-songwriter decided to spread her wings and embark on her solo career. Prior to the release of "talk back," AVEY released the single, "end game." With more music on the horizon, "end game" is the first single to be released from AVEY's five song EP. The EP is expected to be released Spring 2023. AVEY draws inspiration from artists like Bon Iver, Holly Humberstone, The 1975, and Billie Eilish. Featuring a sincere tone, AVEY fuses the warmth of traditional instruments with a twist of darker electronic sounds. Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW AVEY:

“Made Of Love” is the heartfelt new single from Seafret’s latest album, Wonderland. The song is inspired by more than one thing in the band’s life. However, lead singer, Jack Sedman, allows this song to take on a deeper meaning in relation to the passing of his beloved grandmother. Regarding the song, Sedman has said, “When I listen to it, it reminds me of a close family, and of big starry skies.” The song details a type of love that is full of comfort and warmth, even on the darkest winter nights. Although the lyrics indicate more of a romantic relationship, the song can be applied to any type of love: romantic, familial, and platonic. In the chorus, he sings, “I'm sure that I'm feelin' more than a feelin'// I hope you feel the same way too// I'm only being all I can be// And you know it's all because of you // When the stars come out to shine, I think of you here by my side// I never realized that it was written in the sky.” This all leads into the post-chorus that contains the hook: “We’re made of love// We’re made of love.” These lyrics reveal this beautiful romance that was written in the stars. When they look into the beautiful starry night, they think of the person they cherish. Our world is vast, and the universe is bigger. Through all of the trials and tribulations of life, they were brought together by some happenstance. Their love was destined to bloom. The sweet, sentimental lyrics throughout “Made Of Love” flawlessly expresses this notion and provides the picture-perfect love song for any occasion. “Made Of Love” consists of a soothing production that evokes feelings of serenity and comfort within the listener. The light piano kicks off the song with soft synth sound effects in the background. On the piano, a high note is played to keep the beat as the track continues into the verse. When the chorus begins, the tempo increases as Sedman hits flawless falsettos that perfectly blend with the high notes on the piano. In the background, the airy synth waves continue to provide an ethereal atmosphere to the track. In the second verse, the original production found in the beginning returns with the addition of the soft, steady drums. Furthermore, an angelic guitar strums away in the background, providing an extra level to the whimsical production. The second chorus brings back the previous production, while incorporating the new inclusion of the drums and guitar, highlighting the complex dynamic of the track. The song reaches the emotional peak in the bridge. The tempo increases as the guitar and drums become more prominent. Sedman’s compelling vocals leads the listener through the sentimental message, emphasizing the vulnerability the band is showcasing. This point in the song feels like the cinematic climax of a heart wrenching movie, as this passionate scene plays in the listener’s mind. It is the moment in a film when the main protagonist is about to get the girl; the hero is about to save the day; the doctor is about to bring someone back to life. The audience shakes in anticipation as they wait to see how the story unfolds. This is the exact feeling the band evokes in their listeners when they listen to “Made Of Love.” After the bridge, the song returns to the mellow production for the final chorus, providing a calming conclusion to the story, before the track fades out. Seafret effortlessly captivates listeners with the passionate storytelling in “Made Of Love,” proving once again that they are an undeniable force to be reckoned with within the music industry. Seafret is a British indie-rock duo consisting of members, Jack Sedman and Harry Draper. They have a strong fanbase supporting them, with over 12 million monthly listeners on Spotify and nearly 1 million followers on Instagram. In 2014, they made their debut with their EP, Give Me Something. The following year they released their sophomore EP, Oceans. Then in 2016, the duo released their hit debut full length album, Tell Me It’s Real. This album peaked at number 59 on the UK Albums Chart and features their single, “Atlantis,” which has over half a million streams on Spotify. Since then, they have released five more EPs and two full length albums. On April 14th, 2023, they released their album, Wonderland; “Made Of Love” is the fifth track on this new project. They are currently on tour to promote the project, with dates across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Check out their website and social media to see if they are coming to a city near you! Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW SEAFRET:

Getting into a relationship is hard; but staying in a relationship is arguably harder. Sometimes we get so caught up in the fact that we’ve done the impossible and landed ourselves in a relationship, that we forget to nurture the relationship itself. In order to know how to nurture a relationship, the partners involved need to communicate their desires and needs. As easy as this sounds, communicating your emotional needs and hearing out your partner’s can be difficult to perform. Jacob Frohde’s “Let Me Talk” explicitly demonstrates how difficult this can be when young and in love. Listen to "Let Me Talk" by Jacob Frohde here. “Let Me Talk” is a soulful plea to communicate within a straining relationship. The single begins with a soft piano melody that sets a serious mood. In the opening verse, listeners hear two separate admissions from the artist. The first eludes to how young couples forget to work on the connection at hand once they’ve found themselves within a committed relationship. While the second admission describes how the physical distance the relationship experienced was worsen by the fact that they were unreachable. It paints a vivid picture of how careless in love we tend to be when we’re young – even forgetting to do the smallest of gestures just to remind our partner how much we adore them. Frohde recognizes just how this carelessness has taken its toll and vocalizes a moving plea to communicate in the chorus with the hopes of restoring the connection. But his rising vibrato in the second verse where he professes: “So if you wanna make it work, I'll put in the work / So say where you hide the dirt, and I'll mend the hurt / I don't care where you have been, who have touched your skin / If you let me in”, is the appeal that’s bound to make their partner hear them out, and melt listeners' hearts. This all builds to a grand finale of incredible instrumental arrangements while Frohde gives us a gospel-like experience with his remarkable vocal delivery. “Let Me Talk” is a simple reminder that relationships require continual effort throughout; and an essential part of that effort lies in communicating feelings grounded in both bliss and discontent. Jacob Frohde is a Sweden-based singer, songwriter, and musician. The artist is a self-taught pianist and has been playing the guitar since the age of eight. An impressive feat considering how difficult chordophones can be. Frohde’s been releasing music since 2019; his debut single “Cigarettes for Minors” was released in December of 2019 and has amassed over a million streams. Frohde’s discography envelopes listeners in emotional ballads and catchy confessionals, leaving them eager for more. If you’ve enjoyed the artist’s appeal to communicate in relationships as much as I have, show them some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW JACOB FROHDE:

Photo credit: Ricky Johnson Apartment 414, the physical space that is, represents a sort of memorial for Bradley Kim’s ex. Filled with memories and tangible reminders of their relationship, it’s the last thing standing following the breakup. “Apartment 414”, Kim’s latest release, is a goodbye letter to this space, and it turn, to the ex. The idea of moving on is often sped up, seen as merely a day where one wakes up and is suddenly apathetic to the one they once loved. Apathy is not necessary for resolution, though, as Bradley Kim explains. He discusses his feelings, how he misses them, how hard it is to move on, and then he does anyway. Apartment 414 may be locked behind him now, but in his ability to sit in the “apartment” and live in his feelings of loss, Kim is able to create a cathartic and touching story lost on those who reject their natural sentimentality. At the start of the song, Bradley Kim begins singing in a seemingly empty space. One scattered tone echoes his voice in the background. But as he starts elaborating, building the imagery of this apartment, the music seamlessly picks up behind him. He sings in simple statements, ones that can be broken down easily. It is in this way that he can truthfully explain his emotions, which he told the listener from the very first line of the song he intended to do. “I don’t pretend that it’s easy doing life alone.” he stated with complete transparency. The song continues to follow this theme, describing details that live within the walls of 414 while Bradley displays his incredible vocals. The instrumentals have a mostly modern sound, except, when the music swells in the chorus and the more emotional portions of the piece. Here, an electric guitar and traditional percussion can be heard. It is with those, that the listener has now come to associate with intense feelings, and the note “leaving apartment 414” that the song comes to a close. Bradley Kim, though born into a life not seemingly meant for music, has discovered it and his potential through a variety of experiences, each step bringing him closer to the incredible ability he reveals today. He was born outside of Seattle, to a military family. He played sports in school and followed the path of those before him in serving, in his case in the air force. But, along this starkly contrasting road, he found music. To perfect his “promposal" to a friend who had her own passion for music, Bradley taught himself ukulele and in this act, taught himself how much he loved creating and performing. Later, he met another friend with this passion, he would go on to create and release his first original song with him. Balancing his responsibility to the military, his music career, and the breakup with his boyfriend of three and a half years is what has brought us “Apt 414”. A song written from his personal experience, as many of his others have been, and one of his favorites. Go stream "Apt 414" now, and follow Bradley Kim’s socials below to see where he takes this theme of balance, heartache, and continuing on through it all. Written By Hailey Schap FOLLOW BRADLEY:

With heart in hand, scene veteran Casey Allen is back, this time with HeartMouth, the experimental pop project best known for the 2022 wildfire single, ‘ I Know You Know (Wrapped Around Your Finger) .’ Highly produced and polished to a tee, the mellow new offering “Hear me Out” is sure to captivate listeners with its emotional, uncompromising sound. Putting an anguished, ambient spin on the time-tested ‘pop ballad,’ Allen introduces conventional themes such as love, miscommunication… over an experimental, choir-leaning track. Rife with elements of sound healing and post-pop–presented in a sleek, stylized package–this is HeartMouth like you’ve never heard him beore! This is music that speaks … this is music that feels … Known for boasting a musical resume as wide as it is deep , Allen has been reticent to “define” HeartMouth since the project’s inception; dabbling in EDM, alt-pop, now the aesthetic angst of mainstays like The Weeknd, Sam Smith, Post Malone–“Hear me Out” finds the frontman employing poetry and repetition to draw new life from a simple, meditative instrumental. From the start, Allen’s voice sits at the helm, leading the way as his tenor gels with gentle piano and soothing strings. Across “Hear Me Out,” lyrical and melodic motifs help anchor the track, providing direction and familiarity amidst an otherwise circular soundscape. The words “ hear me out ” shine bright, as does the punchy, repetitive phrasing of “ I know! I know! ” For the first two minutes, the track functions like a vocal soli , at times punctuated by colorful ornaments (strings, percussion, etc…) But rounding the 2:45 mark, the song makes a U-turn… Allen’s energetic vocals finally find a counterpart as the song picks up steam, leading into a cathartic final chorus! With angelic harmonies and orchestral bravado, the song breaks into an emotive ending; Allen stretches his range as he embraces burning, post-hardcore passion! For HeartMouth, music and malady have always gone hand in hand… As HeartMouth–North Carolina-native, Casey Allen, struggled to achieve his dream of pursuing music–poor health, obstacles, and fortunately, opportunity , continued to make life more than interesting… With roots in modern metal, folk music, and beyond, it’s no surprise that Allen has found success with this most recent outlet, thriving in the role of frontman and solo artist! “ Gathering inspiration from the harder times in his life ,” listeners will be sure to appreciate the honesty and openness that defines this moving music! Written By Thomas Hiscock FOLLOW HEARTMOUTH: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

It is human nature during times of misery to entertain slightly selfish desires. Sometimes these feelings are simpler to contend with and accept, like hoping that the person you long for misses you back. On Rowan Drake's latest single, "Part of You," the LA-based singer/songwriter gives himself the grace to express these desires for shared pain. Through reverb-soaked guitars and an atmospheric soundscape, Drake pulls together a crushingly intimate song nestled between moments of loss and progress. The mix is sparse, allowing for each sonic nuance to land with full force. Haunting, delicate, and gorgeous—"Part of You" is the sound of being left out in the cold. "I may regret saying this tomorrow," Drake admits after letting himself be a little bit selfish. Drake's songwriting is intensely focused, like he's writing every word from a single moment. The variations between lines sharpens the broader themes into tangible subjects. As a talented vocalist, he's able to render jaded lyrics in peculiar shades of blue. "Hope you think of me when you make love to somebody new, / and it feels like something's missing he's touching you," may read bitter, but Drake wields them like confessions. Managing the pain of a breakup, he catches himself hoping his ex misses him the way he does. These brief moments of insecurity are processed in "Part of You" as natural products of grief. Sometimes you wonder whether misery really does love company. Rowan Drake grew up surrounded by music, but he dedicated himself to songwriting at the age of fifteen. After a car accident ended his dream of competitive snowboarding, music became an outlet and exciting new horizon for him. After graduating High School, where he self-released his first song, Drake packed his car and left New York for Los Angelos. There, he signed to Atlantic Records and began his professional career as a singer and songwriter. Consistently releasing music, Drake is hard at work preparing for the release of his debut EP this year. His hope for his music, as he states, is to provide space for the emotions we've locked away. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW Rowan Drake:

Sam Short’s “Hooked” is audible representation for our intrusive thoughts. The dark monologue is reminiscent of the things we only allow ourselves to know, and are afraid to proclaim to the world. Many people walk around with a fake smile and a permanent script about how life is fantastic and they’ve never been happier. All the while, life can knock you down over and over, and it’s important to feel safe sharing you need help. We all suffer from those chilling intrusions that we quickly erase and try to forget about, but being able to admit our divergence from normality is the first step in taking back the power of your mind. Healing is not linear; healing is not easy; healing is your journey to take and yours to be proud of with every small win. Struggling with your mental health should never ever be something to be embarrassed about. You are never alone in feeling alone. If we walked around with magic lenses to see the soul of every person we crossed, our self-judgment and crisis for identity would vastly improve when we realized they're just like us. Everyone has a true self with true doubts and true fears that they are pushing down, but the sooner we admit we are not this intangible perfect being, we level up to be the person we are, and that is the moment we begin to truly live and be proud of our past because it allowed us to open up to the world, and most importantly, ourselves. Sam Short gives her listeners a safe space to expose their inner demons, admit the hard truth that everything is not okay, and find solace and camaraderie with the hundreds of thousands of souls who are listening right now, feeling the exact same way. “Hooked” is a moody alt-pop song that gives us a glimpse into Sam Short’s diary of her mind. She wrote this song as someone who struggles with OCD, and she wanted to turn her dark inner thoughts into a song to help others. Listeners are able to ride along the common journey of spiraling, negative thoughts, and we get an accurate peak into the head of someone who is struggling. It’s incredibly essential to be able to openly speak about our grapple with mental health, and in today’s society, it’s astonishingly beautiful that people are using their craft to bring people together and try to save lives. “Hooked” has a cheeky, cynical nature that lets the audience openly scream their struggles and realize everyone has their own, unique battle with mental health issues. Sam wrote this as a song she wished she could’ve heard at her lowest, and now she’s giving us the gift to save it for that really rainy day when we need it most. Sam Short is an Oregon bred, LA based indie-pop singer/songwriter. Sam first made her debut as a solo artist in 2022 with her release of empowerment anthem, “Already Mine,” that went viral on TikTok. She followed that with another viral release about body positivity called “Naked”. This emerging pop artist is using her music to tackle some of life’s biggest challenges that we all face, and she does it in a way where we can openly sing at the top of our lungs to a catchy track that perfectly describes the things we can’t always understand. With millions of views on TikTok and Instagram, Sam secured a spot opening on tour for ELIO last month. Having worked with Travis Barker, MGK, Jesse Rutherford, and more, her talent is magnetic, and she is sure to take the world by storm, and she continues to use her power for the purest form of good and helping thy neighbor. Sam Short is fully tapping into her artistry with her debut, full-length EP to be released this summer, and we can assure you, you’re gonna be hooked! Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW SAM SHORT:

From the opening moments of "Find You," New Friends release their genre-bending sound in a torrential downpour. The latest single from the Canadian band closes the their latest EP, Camaro , with an explosive declaration of hope after staring into the void of heartbreak throughout the project's three prior tracks. The magical effect parallels the EP's cover art: luminescent fireworks transforming the inky black of night. The anthemic, power pop sound is truly larger-than-life: misty, bright, stark, and overflowing. While satisfying to blast from a distance, it's the depth to its composition and mix that make "Find You" so exquisite on close listens. The guitar work is especially exceptional, providing a versatile undercurrent to the subtle and distinct movements. There's always sonic nuance to delve into as a listener, whether it's the searing buzz of distortion in the pre-chorus or the brilliant, electric guitar riffs in the song's final moments. There is a collage-like quality to the lyrics behind "Find You." Poignant and vivid phrases are linked together in a kaleidoscopic quilt of expression. "Are you hiding? There's so much I know that I want," vocalist Stefan Boulineau seamlessly shifts from belt to croon. If the subject feels vague, like he's singing to the silhouette of someone rather than their face, that's because "Find You" tracks the moment between the end and beginning. After excavating their loss, insecurity, and numbness in the EP's three, prior tracks, New Friends end at the moment when hope creeps back in the door. "Where can I find you?" They ask, though the real miracle is that they're ready to search again. New Friends are a Canadian indie-pop band made up of Stefan Boulineau, Ayden Miller, Cole Wilson, and Conrad Galecki. They debuted with the 2018 single, "Purple Candy," to viral attention and acclaim. While the covid pandemic halted their momentum, the band was able to record and develop as artists, returning with their first live show in 2021. Since then, they've been on a non-stop uprise to their current place at the vanguard of indie-pop. "Find You" has released alongside the EP, Camaro , which follows the endings of a relationship. Honing their chemistry and talent, the relatively new band is proving themselves to possess the talent and perspectives of industry veterans. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW New Friends: