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“I Don’t Know Why” by Lizzie Derry, takes listeners aback upon first listen. In its entirety the song is diverse and has many different bits and pieces to it. Both the instrumentals and lyrics compliment each other in telling a story. This story goes deeper than the surface level as listeners are given insight into the raw emotions of Izzie Derry. The focus of the song surrounds a past relationship of Izzie’s. It’s clear that the experiences she’s gone through in this past relationship have hurt her, and caused an impact on her life. In the song she not only depicts the hurt she's feeling, but she shows listeners her thought process in working out these unresolved feelings concerning this past situation. The components of “I Don’t Know Why” compliment each other in that they all are a part of its excellent storytelling. From start to completion the song feels satisfying and feels like listeners are being told a narrative from the life of the songwriter Izzie Derry. The song begins very simply, with the soft but powerful voice of Izzie surrounded by chords on the guitar. Tension for the chorus begins to rise as the song moves through the first verse. There's a slight pause before the chorus, which makes the chorus’s downbeat that much more euphoric to listen to. No matter how many times you listen to the song the transition into the chorus packs a punch every time. Izzie Derry is an upcoming artist in the folk and indie music spaces. She is described, by herself and others, as the love child of Alanis Morrissette and Laura Marling. Izzie brings a fresh and unique presence both inside and outside of her music. “I Don’t Know Why” is Izzie’s most recently released single from the artist. Along with releasing "I Don't Know Why", Izzie has also released a complimentary music video for the single. The video really highlights the song and gives more insight into the story and scenes that Izzie paints for listeners in the song. Written By Alison Holst FOLLOW IZZIE DERRY:

“Almost” is a soft pop song, reminiscent of a past relationship. Through the song listeners can see that singer Ema Sid, has possibly not yet found closure from the relationship she is writing about. Throughout the song there is a pattern of her looking back, trying to make sense of what happened. In doing so Ema reveals how confusing and conflicting her feelings really are. Listeners are also given insight into the false belief Ema once had that things would all work out. “Look we made it, we almost made it”, really lets listeners know the emotions Ema is grappling with throughout this personal song. The song takes on a form that is very soft. It comes off as soft from the gentle pop instrumentals, along with the kind voice of Ema. The song opens with gentle guitar strumming and lyrics that reveal the singer is feeling nostalgic and looking back on a past relationship. Following the first verse tension begins to build both lyrically and instrumentally, leading up to the chorus. The chorus holds the most emotional weight, revealing the sadness and failed hope Ema had for this relationship. Although the song closes, it is up for question whether Ema has also received her own emotional closure. She seems to understand things about this relationship, but at the same time still has unresolved feelings. This creates an interesting and thought provoking ending to the song for listeners, which leaves them thinking about the song even after it's finished. Ema Sid is a singer-songwriter that uses her unique vulnerability to reach audiences. Her vulnerability and honesty give her songs a cozy and comforting tone. Ema has been working on her craft from the young age of just fourteen years old. Songwriting had previously been a very personal thing for her, but as of recently she’s decided to put herself out there and expose her music to audiences. Altogether Ema has released three singles. “Almost” is the most recent single that the singer has released. Both Ema's previous singles, and new song “Almost” showcase the songwriting talent she has to offer, surrounded by soft pop instrumentals. Written By Alison Holst FOLLOW EMA SID:

“Here With You” is the perfect combination of upbeat music, and emotional lyrics. The gentle guitar that opens up the song sets the stage for the emotional journey that will soon come. The song’s lyrics navigate the feelings of whether or not the singer will be able to leave a person in their life. Lyrics like, “I don't know, if I should stay or go”, let listeners know that there is a struggle the singer has in whether they should be with this person or not. The song dives into this idea, and despite hesitation and doubt, the singer realizes that deep down, their heart tells them they want to be with this person. "Here With You" does a great job at depicting the nuance of situations and emotions like the one presented, allowing listeners to become invested into the story. "Here With You" begins with a gentle guitar melody, creating a beautiful opening for the song. As the song continues it begins to take on more depth, and anticipation for the chorus rises. A drum beat then picks up the song leading into the chorus. At the chorus the music takes on full shape, as it reaches a both a musical and emotional climax. The song’s emotional depth can really be felt in the chorus through the powerful vocals of the lead singer. The vocals add a depth and intensity to the emotional situation being presented throughout the song. The Starkillers, is a band founded by Jon Omen, that consists of four members. The Starkillers are musicians focused on creating their own space, within the music scene. They’ve already had an impressive start to this goal, as they've used contemporary references to create new and fresh sounding music. The band itself does a great job of combining different genres together, which is shown in their new song “Here With You”. Their music draws similarities to bands such as The Killers, and Coldplay. Definitely check out The Starkillers if you are looking for a familiar but fresh sound. Written By Alison Holst FOLLOW THE STARKILLERS:

RUN is a perfect pop song, power packed with electric instrumentals and the voice of Sydne Strauss. The song has a very enticing and electric tone that draws listeners in right from the start. Strauss’ voice is the most impressive aspect of the song, as it gives it a sound that is uniquely her own. Her voice also presents itself as a powerful one, which ties into the theme of self empowerment, which can be found in the song's lyrics. Strauss uses her powerful voice to show her confidence, and her strong awareness of her self worth. The variation of the instrumentals, in RUN, is an admirable aspect of the song. Throughout the song the melodies change and vary as it progresses, making it an interesting listen. These changes in melody, are facilitated through the seamless transitions from beginning to end. The transitions never feel abrupt, making it a smooth and enjoyable listen. The instrumentals also do a great job at highlighting Strauss’ voice, as they work with her voice, rather than drown it out or distract from it. Sydne Strauss is a Taiwanese-American artist, who was born in the state of Missouri. She is a multifaceted artist with skills in song-writing, singing, and producing. She has always found herself in the music scene from a young age. Beginning at age seven Strauss would begin performing in musicals up until the age of eighteen. After turning eighteen Strauss decided to jump start her own music career. Since then, Strauss has moved to L.A., and has been creating, and releasing, new music. Written By Alison Holst FOLLOW SYDNE STRAUSS:

“Consume” is the new single released and written by singer MADELINE.. The single is a strong representation of MADELINE.’s talent, and makes her entrance into the music scene an exciting one. Excitedly, “Consume” has a seductive undertone, along with captivating lyrics that draw listeners in. The song takes listeners through the emotional journey of someone in a relationship with a consuming partner. This partner is depicted to be, what one would consider toxic, and emotionally draining to be with. The toxicity makes MADELINE. question how much more she can be teared open, and tries to understand why she even continues to be in this relationship. The song begins with the haunting vocals of MADELINE. which creates a fascinating and seductive undertone. The song also begins at a slower pace, where listeners are first introduced to the narrative of “Consume”. The transition of the opening of the song into the chorus is instrumentally seamless, providing the right amount of build up and release. The chorus is subtle, but drives home the concept of the song which is that this person in MADELINE.’s life is really consuming everything out of her. Reaching the end of the song is gratifying for listeners as MADELINE. reaches her epiphany that she will no longer let herself be consumed by this person. MADELINE. is a solo artist from New Zealand stepping into the music world. MADELINE. put her best foot forward with her single “Consume”. Though just starting her career, MADELINE. has prior experience as a part of the group She Loves You. Being a part of this group has allowed her to put those skills of songwriting and performing into her solo career. While having her own sound, MADELINE.’s music draws similarities to pop artists such as Noah Cyrus, and has instrumental similarities to SZA. MADELINE. reveals her promising talent, with new single “Consume”, and leaves listeners eager to hear more. Written By Alison Holst FOLLOW MADELINE. :

"Never Did Me Any Good" is a unique and insanely enjoyable listen. Frankie Bird ties so many brilliant elements into the song that work to leave a memorable impact on listeners. "Never Did Me Any Good" perfectly depicts the feeling of being misunderstood and trying to fit in. Frankie Bird portrays how conflicting this can be, as she explains that attempting to fit in never did her any good. She wonderfully depicts the feeling of frustration that forms from this conflict, where there seems to be no right answer. At the same time, the song also serves as a euphoric release for this frustration, because she successfully puts into words complicated feelings that make listeners feel seen. Particular elements of the instrumentals develop the emotions of “Never Did Me Any Good”. One of these elements is the upbeat pace of the song. While the song deals with a heavy and sometimes profoundly emotional topic, the melody stays fast-paced. The same goes for the rhythm, which remains relatively consistent and just as uptempo. This adds depth to the song as these fast-paced instrumentals are primarily played through acoustic guitar, which is an instrument typically used in a slower, and more melancholic way. Creating this fast pace, works to develop the frustrational element that comes from the song's theme of not fitting in. Frankie Bird is a rising artist from the UK. She's been performing locally and writing songs ever since she was a teenager. Even at a young age, she revealed that she had undeniable talent. Now between Frankie's lyrics and melodies, her songs are sure to leave a lasting impression on listeners. Frankie also brings a unique youthful element to her songs and storytelling, which make them a refreshing listen. Written By Alison Holst FOLLOW FRANKIE BIRD:

Loveta has truly created a song that is both impressive and creatively unique. “All We Got”, combines current pop inspiration, with sounds of the past. Together these two aspects create a unique sound that leaves listeners wanting to stay along for the ride. It’s the perfect feel good song, for when you have a crush or are first starting a relationship. The song also reveals how in the back of your mind you are secretly wishing that this new relationship will last, while trying to find a way to savor the present. “All We Got” opens with fast paced guitar, and listeners are introduced to the voice of Loveta. Shortly after, leading up to the chorus the guitar gets paired with a bass, therefore, introducing the rhythm of the song. By the chorus the song’s instrumentals become more substantial and reveal its intricacy. The intricacy and unique instrumentals of the chorus really highlight Loveta’s musical and writing talent. The bridge also highlights this talent, as the bridge takes on a whole new sound in this short part of the song. The bridge contains synths and more electric sound, different from what's heard in the majority of the song. After the bridge listeners are brought back to the familiar sounds that constitute most of the song, accompanied by the powerful voice of Loveta to close it out. Loveta is a New Zealand based artist that has immense musical and lyrical talent. Her instrumentals bring something new to the table, while still using past and contemporary references. A contemporary artist with a sound very similar to Loveta is Dua Lipa. Loveta establishes her own presence with the unique aspects of her writing, as it leaves listeners never feeling bored, but instead intrigued. Loveta's lyrics also always prove to be insightful, and relatable. Overall Loveta’s discography is an impressive one, and is worth listening to. Written By Alison Holst FOLLOW LOVETA:

“The Comfort of Falling” unveils a topic relating to the internal struggles we all face. One of the struggles being exactly the title, which is that we sometimes may find comfort in falling because it is all we know. We know ourselves enough to know when we've hit rock bottom, so there's almost a sense of relief when you know it can't get any worse than it is. Jewelia opens her heart and shares her vulnerability in navigating this idea amidst a beautifully crafted melody and rhythm. The song has a relaxing opening, giving listeners the sense that “The Comfort of Falling” is sure to be an emotional listen. Not only relaxing the song has a delicate essence to it, developing the vulnerability the song contains. These aspects are very similar to songs of the artist Billie Eilish, particularly her song entitled “TV”. Throughout the song the voice of Jewelia guides listeners and never loses its power. Originally from Romania, Jewelia now lives in London. Jewelia displays much of her lyrical talent and creativity, throughout her discography. She accomplishes the task of changing a simple phrase or concept into so much more. She does this in ways such as how in “The Comfort of Falling” she uses the lyric, “As the fruit begin to wrinkle one by one” as a way of signifying that time is passing by. Written By Alison Holst FOLLOW JEWELIA:

Have you ever had someone mean so much to you, that they took up so much of your thoughts and it feels as though they've captured you? This is a specific and vulnerable feeling ICEBERG beautifully depicts in her song “Captor”. “Captor” sorts through these feelings and is an attempt to make sense of them. Surrounded by this struggle is the infectious pop-rock melody that constitutes the song. ICEBERG brings a tender but powerful presence to “Captor” with her unique voice. Her voice is haunting yet comforting, something that sets her aside as a vocalist. Her voice is the perfect pairing for her deeply vulnerable lyrics. Together the lyrics and instrumentals create a euphoric feeling, in spite of the heaviness the subject matter of the song brings. Arguably the most euphoric part of the song is the bridge which is very climatic and provides a satisfying feeling as listeners approach the end of the song. ICEBERG is originally from Pennsylvania, but moved to London, and is now currently living in upstate New York. For the past four years she has been working as a producer and songwriter in London. Honing these skills, ICEBERG plans to release her new EP shortly, showcasing her immense talent. Just like the EP is sure to do, "Captor" also showcases the musical abilities and talents of ICEBERG, as she is able to beautifully tell a story, while crafting music that perfectly pairs it. Written By Alison Holst FOLLOW ICEBERG:

Starting with upbeat and catchy 80s synths, “I’m At A Loss” by Alta Falls, merges together sounds of the past and sounds of the present. Using this approach Alta Falls creates a passageway to nostalgia in the present time. Alta Falls has created their own niche in music, supplied by their immense talent, and ability to create intricate instrumentals. You will not only be hooked by “I’m At A Loss”, but it will also make you fall in love with the rest of their fantastic discography. “I'm At A Loss” opens with 80s style synths and beats, transporting listeners’ ears to sounds of the past. As the song continues the song begins to adopt more contemporary sounds found in Pop, that become most evident in the chorus. During the chorus the varying sounds and vibes of the song merge to create its own unique presence. The bridge is the most electrifying part of the song with the lyric “keep on breathing” being sung repetitively in the background, building anticipation and tension for the song's completion. The melody created throughout the entire song, finds a way to hold so much depth, and give listeners a melancholic feeling. Whilst, all of this takes place in the instrumentals, the lyrics of “I’m At A Loss” tell a sullen story, of feeling lost in one’s own head. Alta Falls is an Australian based group breaking into the indie music scene. Alta Falls is bringing something new to the table with their ability to mold and combine different styles of music together. Their style of both lyrics and instrumentals create a euphoric, and melancholic feeling for their music, something that attributes to why “I’m At A Loss” is the type of song you want to put on repeat for a few hours. Written By Alison Holst FOLLOW ALTA FALLS:

“Hollow” by Hunter Nelson is a truly exceptional song, due to its catchy and unique beat, and emotionally creative lyrics. The instrumentals capture the sullen tone of the song, whilst providing an impressive indie-rock beat. “Hollow” is what it feels like to go through a period of change, where you are left scrambling to find yourself. In this search you often find that you feel lost and empty inside, a feeling Hunter Nelson perfectly captures in “Hollow”. "Hollow" incorporates references from both the pop and indie-rock genres, creating a unique but familiar sound for this song. The most impressive and significant part of the instrumentals is the drums. While supplementing the overall rhythm and melody, the drums also seem to have a melody and rhythm of their own. The drums essentially feel as though they are the song's main character, and rightfully so. Furthermore, the song is remarkable in how seamless and natural the transitions between the chorus and verses are. Hunter Nelson is an up and coming Australian musician. He has the remarkable ability of using contemporary references from genres such as pop, and indie-rock, while still creating a unique sound for himself. The unique sound he has established for himself is also a reflection of his talent for production. Nelson has already released impressive songs showcasing his talent, such as “Hollow”, and plans to release more songs in the near future. Written By Alison Holst FOLLOW HUNTER NELSON:

"Changed" by Mary Ella Hunt is a deeply personal song that is both vulnerable and honest. These aspects make it feel as though listeners have gotten a peek into Hunt's diary. In taking a glimpse into the mind of Hunt, listeners are shown how insightful and reflective she is. Her insight comes through in the song as she shares a story and her feelings toward a particular person. This person is revealed to have done wrong to her and has qualities that make them unsuitable to remain in her life. Despite this, Hunt expresses a hope that this person will be able to change for their own good, whether they are in her life or not. With this, it feels like Hunt is reflecting on this person and receiving closure. The song's slow nature and soft vocals establish the essence that Mary Ella Hunt creates. These elements also help to develop the theme of the song which is change. The simple guitar that opens the song creates a sentimental and honest tone, which are aspects that will remain consistent throughout the song. As the song progresses, an excellent harmony accompanies Mary Ella's voice, creating a beautiful sound. At the end of the song, the piano becomes the focal instrument, rather than the guitar, which helps to close out the song and leave an emotional ending. Mary Ella Hunt is a vivid storyteller who translates this ability into her lyrics. Her abilities are apparent in both singles she's released, including "Changed" and "Need a Minute". Not only do her lyrics hold heavy and vulnerable emotions, but so do the melodies that accompany them. The melodies of her songs beautifully match the emotions and experiences of the story she is trying to tell. Written By Alison Holst FOLLOW MARY ELLA HUNT: