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Top: Conan Gray via uDiscover Music; Maisie Peters via Facebook; Bottom: Charlie Puth via Insider; Sia via Fashion Gone Rogue You'd be surprised how many singers out there don't write their own songs. Though it's becoming more popular in the indie music community to write your own music, there's a lot of legendary names that are just singers and are singing songs that were written for them by other people. This list is the opposite of that. It's a list that highlights the best singer-songwriters of our time. These people take pride in singing songs that they've written for themselves, and some of them have also gone behind the scenes written for other artists as well. 10. Jason Mraz If you haven't heard his name, you've definitely at least heard one of his songs. Jason Mraz is one of those rare gems whose first single in 2002, The Remedy (I Don't Worry), became a hit. If you haven't heard that one, you've 100% have heard I'm Yours or I Won't Give Up; and if you haven't, you need to! Jason Mraz isn't one of the biggest names in the industry but he's an unbelievably great songwriter. His sound is so diverse that no matter what you style is, you will love his music. His most recent song 'I Feel Like Dancing' is infectiously catchy and a must-listen. Check it out right now below! 9. Sia Despite her controversy in the recent years, Sia is one of the best hit pop song writers in our day and age. Other than her own music, she is known to write songs for the legendary artist Rihanna; Such as the mega hit songs 'Diamonds' and 'Stay' as well as 'Don't Stop The Music' and 'Only Girl (In The World)' - plus others. She's written for so many big names, but just to name a few - Beyoncé, Jessie J, and Britney Spears are on the large list of singers Sia has been involved with. If you hear a tropical-influenced dance pop beat with crazy high-range vocals, there's a big possibility it was written by Sia. Her sound is very distinct and she herself has a beautiful voice. 8. Lauv Lauv is probably one of the most underrated pop songwriters on this list. The amount of music knowledge this person holds is probably more than most of us have in our pinky finger. He is not only a fantastic writer, but he's also a producer and multi-instrumentalist, uniquely starting with viola as a child as well as piano and then later on guitar. Lauv went on to study all aspects of music from recording and producing to singing and songwriting before moving onto college and studying Music Technology at NYU. He's had the opportunity to collaborate in his music with incredible names such as wolrd famous K-Pop band BTS, Troye Sivan, Anne-Marie and Julia Michaels. He's also written top hits for other artists, such as 'Kings & Queens' by Ava Max, 'No Promises' by Cheat Codes and Demi Lovato, and 'Boys' by Charlie XCX. 7. Conan Gray We as the human race don't deserve the incredible talent that is Conan Gray. He is another highly underappreciated artist and is so wise beyond his years. He was raised on Taylor Swift's music so it's no surprise that he's able to create both catchy pop hits and sad breakup anthems. His lyricism is modern and relatable and his voice carries his melodies so smoothly that it's not possible to not like his music. He's one of the most original and raw artists out there today which is hard to find in this industry anymore. If you're active on TikTok, then you've heard Conan's trending song 'Heather'; but if you've never listened to much of Conan Gray, I suggest listening to 'Overdrive' below as well as 'Disaster', 'Memories', 'Maniac' and 'Family Line'. He is guaranteed to capture your heart. 6. Sara Bareilles Sara Bareilles has been in the music industry for quite some time now. Although she never became a household name, she is hands down one of the best songwriters of our time. Not only do her lyrics slip right off the tongue, but her melodies and groove are captivating and uplifting. She's a graduate from UCLA and has a unique mixture of pop, soul and contemporary in her sound. Also a sucker for musical theatre, she wrote the entire soundtrack for the critically acclaimed Broadway Musical, Waitress. Her songs are so timeless and that's a trait that is needed for good music. 5. Maisie Peters I would argue that Maisie Peters is the most underrated pop artist right now. Her songwriting is on another level when it comes to modern pop music. Her sound is youthful and euphoric. Her voice is probably the sweetest voice you'll ever hear, and her lyricism has the greatest story-telling. Her music is more than just songs, it's an entire universe full of stories that will keep you on your toes. What makes a great songwriter is not only their ability to help listeners visualize a great story, but to express emotions through their words and sounds. Maisie Peters has this skill down to a T. If you've never listened to Maisie Peters, I suggest listening to 'Cate's Brother' below as well as 'Psycho', 'John Hughes Movie' and her most recent single, 'Body Better'. 4. Brendan Urie (Panic! at the Disco) Brendan Urie (also known as Panic! at the Disco) is not only one of the best songwriters from the past 2 decades, but one of the most unique writers as well. His music isn't quite pop, but it's also not quite rock either. His sound is his own and he delivers it in such an authentic and raw way. His odd pairing of words and cryptic lyricism style is unlike anyone else. They're very poetic in nature and it may take you a couple listens of one of his songs to get a full understanding of what they mean. A couple of my personal favorite songs of his are 'Victorious', 'LA Devotee' and 'Dying In LA'. 3. Ed Sheeran I wouldn't say Ed Sheeran is underrated. He's written so many incredible hit songs and chart-toppers; heck, he's broken streaming records. But something I've noticed a lot when I ask someone if they like Ed Sheeran, they usually say no. As a musician myself who can appreciate his talents, I'm not able to understand why so many people like to hate on Ed Sheeran. Maybe it's because his song get overplayed on the radio; maybe it's because he doesn't fit into the mold that society wants pop artists to be; whatever it is, it doesn't change the fact that Ed Sheeran is one of the best songwriters in today's music. Don't lie - even if you're not his biggest fan, you've found yourself jamming to one of his songs before. (It was Shape of You, wasn't it? lol!) 2. Charlie Puth If I'm jealous of anybody's musical talent, it's Charlie Puth. This dude's abilities are insane and on a genius level. He has what is known in music theory as 'perfect pitch' - which means he can sing any note correctly off the top of his head without having to hear it first. He's been playing piano since he was 4 years old and earned a full-ride scholarship from Berklee College of Music where he graduated with a degree in Production and Engineering. His versatility and natural abilities has led him to writing some of the catchiest pop songs of our generation. He's able to create a hit song in his head within minutes. I recommend follow him on social media so you can witness his musical super powers when it comes to writing a new song. 1. Taylor Swift Well, this probably doesn't come as a surprise to anyone. Taylor Swift is one of the best songwriters - probably of all time. Her lyricism is unlike anyone else. It's commonly said that there's a Taylor Swift song for everybody and everything, which I believe to be true. She's able to stay relatable while also using poetic and distinguished words to create a cathartic experience in every song she writes. Not only is her lyrical writing on a genius level, but she also has the rare ability to fit in with a variety of styles and genres. Many artists experiment with different sounds, but Taylor Swift does it effortlessly. For this article I'm highlighting what I feel to be one of her most underrated songs, 'The Last Time' (Taylor's Version of course) featuring Gary Lightbody from the band Snow Patrol, which was featured on her 4th studio album, Red. Did it surprise you that any of these artists write their own songs? Do you feel there's someone else belongs on this list? Follow us below and let us know your thoughts! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

Anna Bea shows her listeners a different style of her music in her single, “The Other Side of Me”. The newest release is an emotional pop song layered with a deeper meaning hidden in its lyrics about self worth. When it comes to the new single, the artist has said, "It's about hiding part of yourself to please someone and never letting the other side of you show”. Her song centers around the idea of losing control in a one sided relationship, where one partner may find themselves staying silent and hiding who they really are. The authenticity in the lyrics may be relatable to those who find themselves in similar situations. With lyrics like “ I'm one step ahead, you think I'm way behind, but you can't see what's going on inside my mind,” Anna’s new track speaks up for those who may find it hard to be their authentic self by using an infectious pop melody, hard hitting lyrics, and a voice you won't be forgetting anytime soon. Anna released a music video along with her track which has already been viewed nearly 20,000 times in under a week. In the video, you see two opposite sides to the artist as the screen splits throughout the video as different situations come up. Scenarios like finding your partner flirting with another person when you leave the room and controlling how much food you eat are some of the situations played out. During the split screen, one of those sides you can see Anna showing her true self with real emotional responses and on the other side you find her less authentic side reacting how the other person wants to see and hear her. Anna's visual performance ties in perfectly with her track and it's message while she smiles and nods away the truth. Her clever use of lyrics was the highlight of this track. Opening with Anna singing, “I've been giving up, you've been giving in, is it a sin to let you go or let you win”, she continues this narrative with lyrics that pack a punch as you listen. Her song writing cover aspects of being one step ahead, smiling to please, and trying to hide the other side of her as a secret. With the release of her new single, "The Other Side of Me", Anna want her listeners to take away the moral of the song, which is to not hide your self in order to please another person. Anna Bea is a Singer and Songwriter from London. She first started releasing music during the COVID-19 lock down in 2020 with her first single, “Bleeding Heart” and has been performing and releasing music ever since. Anna currently has over 23,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, over 400,000 streams on Spotify collectively, and over a million views on TikTok. Anna first got into performing live while attending Bristol University a few years ago and now performs regularly around her hometown. She often writes songs to connect with other people that draw from her own thoughts and feelings. Her music is influenced by artists such as ASH, and FINNEAS. At a young age, the up and coming artist already has an impressive list of accomplishments in her music career so far. From her music reaching hit No.1 on Itunes Chart in Luxembourg, to landing interviews with radio stations like BBC London, and even hearing her own music being played on BBC Radio. Recently, Anna has working on new music so you should expect more releases in the upcoming year from her. Written By Jenna Barton FOLLOW ANNA:

photo credits: Rachel Sweeney Ali Diane’s modern style brings us an honest outlook on modern relationships in her new release “High Hopes”. Ali intends to tell a love story, to sing a love song. Yet, every time she begins it circles around to her disappointment once again. The desire for love and connection is a very human one that is being lost day by day. Or at the very least, is being hidden and undermined. Ali rejects this. She expresses her love and want for more, but is nevertheless another victim of a societal shift towards apathy. Even she is aware of this risk, “I think you're gonna be my mistake” she recites several times throughout the course of the song. And she is unfortunately correct. She is let down again and again. This is a song for hopeless romantics who are beginning to feel the burden of such a title. In “High Hopes” Ali manages to say what most people in the modern dating world want to with unwavering confidence. The song begins with a magnetic beat that captures the listeners attention before Ali immediately begins singing. “We walk through the seasons” she says. This sets the context for her desired love story. She continues to describe the beauty of it, dedicating this portion of the song to explaining those hopes which she so wishes to maintain. The beat is slow but strong and sure of itself, heavily percussion based and recorded at almost the same volume as Ali’s own voice. That is until a new melody wipes it away and softens the tone of the song. A gentle piano paired with the impressive heightening of Ali’s voice tell the listener of the disappointing aspects of the relationship. Lying and regret are whispered before the beat drops into the strong and beautifully hypnotic chorus. The listener is under the impression this is the peak of Ali’s vocals, and the chorus in itself is very impressive, but it is the verse following her second rendition of it that is truly nothing short of breathtaking. After this incredible display of her range, the chorus begins again and the song ends with the same bold abruptness with which it began. Ali Diane began singing and performing at a very young age. In school, both college and otherwise, she participated in activities that offered her the chance to express her talent. Music has always been the center of focus for Ali, in 2016, she graduated with a degree in it from Skagit Valley College in her home state of Washington. Not long after, in 2018, those choirs and musicals she was so dedicated to quickly turned into her own, independent, stages when she began performing in a band. She traveled with her college friend between local venues, performing for family, friends, and eventually her now producer Jake Crocker. Her popularity has only grown since. Her original song “Magic” was featured in a Disney+ show, she’s gained hundreds of thousands of streams on Spotify, and collected thousands of followers on Instagram. I have extremely high hopes for Ali Diane so go stream “High Hopes” now! Written By Hailey Schap FOLLOW ALI:

Lois’, “ Strange Men ”, is a song about losing yourself in a relationship where the effort wasn’t reciprocated, but not realizing that until the break-up. The title of the song is used to indicate how these types of men in relationships are indeed strange. They want things done a certain way, they’re selfish and tend to not match the effort that their significant other, or in this case Lois, is providing for them. This song is used as an outlet for Lois. She uses it to reflect on what happened leading up to the break-up, the things she did that her ex wasn’t deserving of, and how she realized that she lost herself during that time. Relationships like these are often stressful. You want your person to be happy and satisfied with the way you're treating them and providing for them, but sometimes you just don’t realize how one-sided it is until it's too late. Lois specifies a couple of things that felt “off” during their time together. She says, “ I put my heart on a plate for you. I'd sit there and pray for you. But would you do the same? I opened my mind to you. Did my hair how you liked me to. But would you do the same? ” These examples show how she did anything to make him happy, whether it was making herself look a certain way that he preferred, praying for him, and fulfilling other things just to see him happy. And although she asks if he would have done the same to her, or matched the effort, the answer is clearly no. She put him first, before taking care of herself and making sure she was happy. However, she felt that the relationship was definitely one-sided and that she was losing herself while being with him and caring for him more than she should have. He didn’t appreciate her and her efforts at all. In the song, you can catch the guitar and drums. In one particular verse, after breaking down her ex’s lack of efforts, she says “ losing myself ” six times. This part sounds as if she's in a daydream, with lots of harmonies and things slowing down. It sounds dreamy and beautiful, but she’s actually being vulnerable here. This also might be her way of showing how she was ignoring the red flags and signs around her, and losing focus of what was happening during their time together. She didn’t realize how she was being done dirty and losing herself until the very end of their time together. After this verse, her voice projects again, we hear the beat pick back up, and we hear the return of the drums and loud bass. She deserves better than what these Strange Men were giving her. This is Lois’ story and I’m sure many women around the world can relate to her situation and appreciate her honesty. Lois is an alternative-pop artist from Leeds, United Kingdom. Her most popular song is “ The Way You Are ” with over 145,000 plays. She also has one other song released that you can check out titled, “ Twist in the Wind .” This song is about acknowledging your negative thoughts and feelings then restarting again, so you can grow into a better person. According to her Spotify page, she has over 6,000 monthly listeners. Make sure to follow Lois on her musical journey with the links below, and check out her latest single, “Strange Men'' out now on all streaming platforms! Written By Sneet Efrem FOLLOW LOIS:

Photo credits: Elfesya Canimana Congratulations on the release of "That's Life"! What has been the best part about having it out for everyone to hear so far? Chris de Sarandy: Thank you!!! It’s an amazing but yet daunting feeling releasing new music but the reactions so far have been really great! The best part of having it out for me has actually been the opportunity to remind myself of the deeper meaning of the song which is that not everything is meant to be which I try and carry into other lanes of life outside of love. This is such a beautiful, heartbreaking song. What advice would you have for fans who are finding themselves haunted by a past relationship like described in the song? Chris de Sarandy: Thank you that's really cool to hear! I have to admit I’m not the best at giving advice on these topics as writing songs about it may not be for everyone haha…But I would suggest they think about what was good from that relationship, what they learned about themselves and try to use that in a positive way moving forward You describe yourself as a "small town boy with a big man's voice." Having grown up in the suburbs of London, moving to the Cornish coast, and now living in Berlin, how do you feel each place has influenced the way you approach music and given you your voice? Chris de Sarandy: Growing up in the suburbs of London has been really influential in the music I listen to and began to make and this is where I guess I found some sort of ‘sound’ which then developed further a lot whilst living in sleepy Cornwall as there was far more mental space for me to write and nurture the sound if that makes sense. I love being in and around the countryside and I find escaping city life provides a whole different outlook for reflection! Especially important in a city like Berlin. I read that you inherited the worldview of believing in fate from your father. What is one serendipitous moment you can share with us that made you think it was fate? Chris de Sarandy: haha yes I did, thanks Dad! Moving to Berlin!!! Photo credits: Elfesya Canimana What strengths do you believe make someone a great musician? Chris de Sarandy: Motivation, commitment, patience and self belief What is one goal you have for yourself musically this year? Chris de Sarandy: To get out and play my upcoming debut e.p that’s being released in April as much as possible! Interviewed By Tessa Brainard FOLLOW CHRIS DE SARANDY:

Julia Alexa’s “alone with me” mirrors a diary entry we sadly know all too well, the loop in our mind that only stops when we finally fall asleep, or the long text in our notes app we probably won’t ever send. This chilling track of melancholy encapsulates the deep feeling of loneliness when you put your whole heart, soul, body, and mind into someone, and they let you down. It’s the indescribable feeling of emptiness after you’ve let yourself slip away to fulfill someone else’s idea of the perfect person, and when they leave, you see no resemblance to the old you as you stand in the mirror. When you loved someone harder than you even imagined possible, and they break your heart, it’s easy to blame yourself and convince yourself you’ll never be good enough. We hold on to the past because we build walls higher and higher after every heartbreak, and we think back to the optimistic person they met who was naive enough to give her soul away to help him find his. We can’t fathom a world in where it’s not us together again in the end because the pain and suffering has to be worth it, and we don’t think another love like that exists in our story. We wish for one more phone call, one more night together, and just one more chance to prove we are worthy. We will take him in any dose he wants to give us because we want to feel something other than sorrow, even for just a night, even for just a moment. “alone with me” is an emotional, raw alt-pop song. Julia Alexa based it off a real experience of feeling lonely and empty after somebody broke her heart. The vulnerable storytelling seeps over the crestfallen piano, and you feel the weight of every word she utters. Julia offers comfort to her listeners in a time when nothing makes sense. She wants her audience to know that she has been there and understands just how hard it can be to even get out of bed when you’re trying to mend your own heart that someone else destroyed. Aside from her awe-inspiring voice and lulling, soulful music, she has created a safe space for 3 minutes where we find solace in knowing we are not alone in feeling alone. “alone with me” contains all the words we wish we had the courage to say, and it lets us feel all the things we’ve been stifling. Healing begins the moment you hit play. Julia Alexa is an independent artist from Switzerland. When she’s not singing and songwriting, she’s studying pharmaceutical science at ETHZ. At just 21 years old, she has such a grasp on life and love, and her old soul seeps into everything she creates. Julia has been playing the piano and perfecting her craft since 13, and her passion for music and raw talent has only improved with time. She is inspired by other small online creators and began posting covers and original music on Youtube. She started to write, produce, and release her own music in 2019 where she was welcomed into the lofi community with open arms. Julia has really found her niche in the sad, chill pop scene, and her songs have garnered over 40M streams on Spotify alone. After many successful collabs and an EP that showed her talents as a songwriter and producer, Julia is taking 2023 by storm and planning to release her full album, and "alone with me" is the first single from it, so we can only imagine what's to come. Follow Julia below to become a part of her incredible journey, and be the first to know when she releases new music! Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW JULIA ALEXA:

"Don’t Give In" has a hopeful and magical feel that is undeniably uplifting and serves as a gentle reminder to keep persevering through life’s challenges. What message and feeling do you hope your listeners gain from it? Simone Elisa: Thank you! Writing “Don’t Give In” was in some ways a therapeutic process. It definitely serves as a reminder that as long as you have that fire in you, you can get to where you want to be. There have been times in the past when I had to remind myself of that and pull myself back up to keep going. I hope that I can help anyone else needing that message to feel their power again and to remember that it’s not up to anybody else, it’s up to you. As long as you keep going, you’ll get closer to where you want to be in life. Can you describe your songwriting process and what you need in order to get your creative juices flowing? Simone Elisa: I usually start at the computer or piano depending on my mood. If I’m at the computer I’ll start with a few synths most likely and a beat, to see what kind of energy the song feels like, and then let the ideas start flowing melody-wise. Usually, it feels like I fill in the blanks lyrically and let the melodies dictate the experience first before really diving into the lyrics. If I start at the piano, I’m usually (definitely) feeling moodier and use that as a therapy session to get out anything I’m feeling and then move it to the computer afterward. Who are some of your biggest musical influences and inspirations? Simone Elisa: Definitely Tove Lo, Marina, Taylor Swift, and Ashe. All of their writing styles are different and unique to them and I like to stay true to myself as a writer too. What first got you into music, and when did you realize that you wanted to be an artist? Simone Elisa: I got into music as a really young kid. Before that, I had always been singing random melodies about anything I could think of, and my parents eventually hinted that I might want to learn piano too. I ended up really getting into piano and songwriting in high school, but I wanted to be an artist since as early as I knew musical artists existed. My mom always played Celine Dion and Whitney Houston and I’m pretty sure those iconic artists as well as The Spice Girls, and Britney Spears, made the connections for me as a kid that it’s what I wanted to do with my life! Aside from your own, what are the three top songs you currently enjoy singing? Simone Elisa: “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus, “Chronically Cautious” by Braden Bales, and “No One Dies From Love” by Tove Lo are three songs that are an immediate dopamine hit to my brain and I can’t stop singing them! If you weren’t pursuing a music career what would you be doing instead? Simone Elisa: I wouldn’t do anything other than this, I’m completely obsessed! Interviewed By Vanessa Siebrass FOLLOW Simone Elisa:

Long distance relationships are not easy. Missing someone that is too far away for you to reach is a heartbreaking feeling. You can’t see or talk to them in person…you can’t feel or smell them…you can’t hear the way they talk and sound… Luckily, we live in a world where technology can do amazing things. It can be hard for some people because they rather have their significant other right next to them, especially if their love language is physical touch. They can kiss them, cuddle them, hug them and have a deeper connection. “Video Calls” by Taura Lamb is the perfect song for those who feel this way. Having that urge to be with them in person, but there’s also the option for video calls when you’re far away from each other. “Video Calls” is a sensual, pop R&B song with sexy lyrics and upbeat music. The song starts off right away with the lyrics, “ You’re sugar baby / and I’ve got a sweet tooth ” indicating that this song will be romantic. Lamb has a soft voice which sounds pleasant to the ears. She has that relaxed R&B flow through her lyrics which is very pleasing to the ears. A male voice is incorporated through the song which is like an answer to her call. It was a clever idea to add a male voice because it gave the listener both sides to the relationship of how each felt. The rhythm and beat is easy to groove to and will have you moving along with the song. Everything in this song creates a melodious jam that is exciting for love and intimacy. Taura Lamb is a pop singer/songwriter and producer who resides in London, UK. Singing in choir during her teenage years, Lamb decided to move to South London to study music at Goldsmiths where she discovered a love for music production. She was credited as a writer on the European Top 40 hit, "Tied Up" by The Magician and Julian Perretta. Though she's previously written for many other artists, she debuted as a solo artist with her EP “Lucky Girls” back in 2020. She’s gained recognition for her soothing and relaxed R&B/pop sound. “Talk,” which is her latest release before "Video Calls", was featured on Spotify’s New Music Friday UK and also massed over 47 million views on After performing at notable venues and events like Camden Assembly, Cross the Tracks Festival, and Powerhaus (FKA Dingwalls) in 2022, she is going be playing her first ever headline show in London on April 5th! If you live near London, click here to get your tickets! Written By Lyndsey Cheng FOLLOW TAURA LAMB:

Have you ever had a love-hate relationship with someone? You love them dearly, but you also can’t stand them? You might start to develop those feelings within the relationship or after the relationship. Different people each handle these types of relationships differently; it can bring the two together stronger than they've ever been before, or it can end with one of them walking away and giving up. Sometimes you have to let someone go because the longer the relationship goes on, the more you despise them. But in some circumstances, they drive you crazy but they’re also still all you could ever want. “This Is Who We Are” by Sophia Bavishi is the epitome of that kind of love-hate relationship. “This Is Who We Are” has that perfect pop and moody mixture to its sound. It makes you want to scream your feelings out when listening because of how relatable the lyrics are. The lyrics are powerful, and Bavishi has a great attitude in her tone when singing them. You can tell she has passion through her strong and emotional vocals. The lyrics, “ All I want is you / cause you drive me crazy / I fucking hate you ” can resonate with many people when it comes to someone you love but also have some hatred against. Though the lyrics might not be totally positive, the music has a bit of an upbeat and catchy vibe that makes you want to jam along with the song in your room, in the shower, or in the car. This is definitely a song you’d want to add in your “hate him but love him” playlist. Sophia Bavishi is a live digital performer and an indie-pop singer-songwriter. The past 6 years of her life, she’s been writing, recording, and producing music. Her first single, “Ya We Broke Up” was released in early 2021. Throughout the past couple of years, she’s released several singles including "This Is Who We Are" which is her seventh release and her first song of the year 2023. Her music has been described as moody and mid-tempo pop. She’s performed at local venues in Arizona where she attends college at Arizona State University, studying music of course! She is currently exploring new sounds and creating concepts for digital performing. If you’re looking for new music that incorporates technology and traditional music, make sure to check out Sophia Bavishi! Written By Lyndsey Cheng FOLLOW SOPHIA BAVISHI:

Photo Credits: Eden Shohat Congratulations on the release of "Loveless!" Can you share what the song is about? JANEX: Thank you! “Loveless” is about being close to someone who goes a bit absent…the feeling of unease and impatience and trying to trust in a return or reunion. Even though it’s called “Loveless” it’s more about feeling loveless than being unloved—kind of like, “I’m used to your attention, I want your attention, I’m not getting it now, when do I get your attention again?” Do you have any behind-the-scenes stories about the production of this song? JANEX: I was working on a different project and feeling stuck when unexpectedly I started humming the chorus (“You leave me, leave me hopeless, you leave me, leave me loveless”). I immediately stopped what I was doing and started recording the song on my phone to later develop it as a whole composition and production. It came very organically from writing the lyrics up to the arrangement. For better impact and richer sound I decided to invite two other musicians who are friends of mine to rerecord the guitars and go for live drums, Hayden Fogle and Austin Birdy. I read in an interview that you are from Albania! How has your heritage influenced your musical style? JANEX: Growing up in Albania I idolized Western music—my dad instilled a deep love for it, and together we listened to The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and Michael Jackson. But Albania is big on folk music and traditional poetic power ballads, both of which I borrow from here and there, especially when creating soundtracks. How has being in New York City changed or enhanced the way you approach music? JANEX: Oh, New York City really made me grow—both artistically and personally! There are so many inspiring creatives here that I have been lucky to rub shoulders with and learn from—it is really where I started to get seriously into music production (which I studied at City College). That being said, there’s also, like, the hustle. I used to be a little dreamier, but NYC has (and maybe still is) teaching me to hustle. Photo Credits: Eden Shohat Other than "Loveless," which of your own songs is your favorite? JANEX: I really like “Déjame”. It’s my first Spanish/English bilingual song and is just a bit of a vibe. It was inspired by struggling to fit in while working in catering and hospitality when I first moved to New York. I come from a culture where we don’t smile if we don’t feel like it! I’m much happier now that most of my work is creative. According to your website, your debut EP, "Psychic Whiplash," is coming out soon! What can listeners expect from it? JANEX: The EP consists of 5 songs that further showcase my work as a producer as well as a performer. They are a bit more electronic and dance-y than “Loveless”. Expect layers of interesting sound and lots of energy. There have been production delays, but I am really excited to share it with the world soon! Interviewed By Tessa Brainard FOLLOW JANEX:

Strawberry Pie is a perfect catchy pop song that will leave you hooked. Just after a few listens it was stuck in my head and I couldn't help singing along, every listen after that. The song has substance yet still remains playful, making it really enjoyable to listen to. The title, "Strawberry Pie" itself sets up the tone that the song is going to be fun-loving and witty. Using strawberry pie as a way to describe the relationship she is writing about, is incredibly unique, and creative. The way she combines her unique ideas, within the constraints of a modern pop song, make it both familiar, but refreshing to listen to. Arden also brings a uniqueness to the song, with her style of vocals. Throughout the song her voice is constantly changing and emphasizing certain phrases and words to add different variations of emotions. There is so much story to be told in the song just through her style of singing alone. The uniqueness of her voice, and the concept of the song, will draw listeners in and leave them hooked. "Strawberry Pie" will be sure to make an appearance on many summer playlists this year. "Strawberry Pie" resembles the framework of a traditional pop song. In particular the song resembles such popular music artists as Olivia Rodrigo and Ashe. These artists create playful melodies and concepts while still delivering substance and a story. Arden uses this technique and skill in her song "Strawberry Pie". The instrumentals resemble a pop beat, but remains fairly simple, allowing for the character of the song to be highlighted through Arden's voice styling and lyrics. Arden Alexa was born and raised in San Francisco, California. Even as a child Arden began showing interest in music, and singing. She would get involved with music when she entered high school, singing after and during school. It wasn't until 2021, when Arden would release her first single. Since the release of her first single, she has committed herself to her art. Her newest single “Strawberry Pie” is a testament to her talent and desire to create music within the pop space. Like "Strawberry Pie", her songs display her talent and desire to create authentic music. Written By Alison Holst FOLLOW ARDEN ALEXA:

“Love of a Lifetime” is a heartfelt song, written and performed by Ruth Teeling. In the song Ruth writes about the person who she feels is the love of a lifetime. Instead of opening the song with intense dramatic emotions she focuses more on the mundane, “I ask about your day, about the TV shows you’re watching”. This immediately creates a realness to the song, and displays the idea that love and spending time with someone is about the mundane things. Ruth also describes this person as her safe space, another important and very real feeling that comes with loving a person in the way she’s describing. It's significant that she chooses to go with a more raw, authentic depiction of love, instead of the exaggerated and superficial feelings that are sometimes expressed in most pop love songs. Instrumentally, “Love of a Lifetime”, remains fairly consistent, and simple. The song is a perfect product of a singer songwriter, as the song is just Ruth and her guitar. There is not much variation in melody from the guitar, as the song primarily consists of the same chords. This style of instrumentals allowed for the melody to primarily come from the vocals. Where the guitar lacks variation in melody, Ruth’s voice fills in those gaps beautifully. All the components together work to create a song that is successful at capturing and relaying the emotions Ruth writes about. Ruth Teeling is an Irish Singer-Songwriter. Her presence as an artist is one that is very genuine. She also generates a personal connection to audiences, through her style of music. As shown in her work Ruth has an authenticity to her writing that connects listeners on a genuine and real level. “Love of a Lifetime” is a stellar example of these qualities she has as an artist. Ruth also has two other singles that she has released. “Evidence” is another one of her singles that is similar to “Love of a Lifetime”. On the contrary her single, “I Kinda Like This Christmas” is a more upbeat, faster paced song. Be sure to listen to Ruth if you are looking for personal songs from a genuine artist. Written By Alison Holst FOLLOW RUTH TEELING: