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The song “7 years” by KARLOU immediately transports one to the peak feeling of summer. The euphoric and intricate melody delivers a light and happy feeling, while the lyrics paint a different story. Surrounded by a fantastic pop song, KARLOU sings about her bad luck and not wanting it to ruin something new, which is so far great. A significant lyric of the song, which really resembles the song's concept as a whole is, "I broke the mirror, I've just been given". The song starts out strong, giving an indie-pop presence. Listeners are then introduced to the fantastic vocals of KARLOU, who sets herself up as having this “premonition”, which she will reveal through the song. This “premonition” reveals itself to be rooted in the bad luck she feels she’s always had and is worried it will ruin a relationship of hers. Throughout the song the melody is backed by an electric guitar that sets the tone and pace. The song remains upbeat until the bridge and end of the song slow down and satisfyingly complete the piece. KARLOU is an energetic pop artist who can express emotion and creatively tell a story through her lyrics. Not only that, she brings a fun energy to her projects that is easily received by any listener of her music. KARLOU recently moved to the Sunshine Coast, which is most definitely attributed to the coastal vibe in her songs. KARLOU is beginning to plan an upcoming tour to showcase all of the fantastic songs she’s released so far. Written By Alison Holst FOLLOW KARLOU:

Photo Credits: Phoebe Wrapson Photography and Aurelia Forte Art When someone is your safe space you can’t let that go. Having a person you know you can always come back to is a blessing. No matter how treacherous the waters get in life, you'll always have your harbour to dock in. Finding that peace in someone else for the first time should be cherished. In her song, Harbour, Aimee Iris, reflects on that feeling of safety. Finally, she feels like a happy ending is possible. That no matter where you go, you know you have your harbour to assure you a safe home. Harbour is comforting; Cradling the listener into the same sense of security the song describes. Aimee uses her captivating and bright vocals to paint a story of fairytale love. Trust is the first seed that buds the flower of safety in a new relationship. Aimee can finally feel safe in her lover's arms and it is all calm in her eyes. The instrumental beautifully entangles piano chords with strings that subtly sweep through the track. Aimee has a classical feel to her vocals. Her voice is so powerful yet so dainty and feathery that it meshes extremely well with the simplistic instrumental. Together they create a soundscape that is truly irresistible. Harbour is a cozy folk-pop ballad that gives you a glimpse into the warmth that is having a home in a person. Always have a place to come back to after any emotion you face. True love is crooned about in Harbour and it’s oh-so-sweet. Aimee Iris is a UK-based artist who takes a lot of inspiration from her musical theater background. This is incredibly evident in her work. The way she composes her lyrics embraces the fantastical elements of storytelling. Combine this influence with the musical styling of Sara Bareilles and Ben Platt you're left with beautifully produced acoustic pop. Aimee fills her music with honesty which makes for an impactful listen. Harbour is a tune that will stick with you well after the initial listen. Aimee is only at the beginning of her journey and I can’t wait to see what more is in store. Written By Kaiana Lee FOLLOW AIMEE IRIS:

Do you sometimes think about the past when you were a teenager? Being rebellious, sneaking out of the house, stealing your parent’s alcohol, remembering old friends and partying? “Ed’s House” by Ben Ellis has the perfect nostalgic feeling about partying and enjoying life in your teen years. This song makes me miss those moments before I turned into an adult, and I feel like a lot of people can relate to it as well. I can imagine a montage video of friends hanging out together on multiple occasions, enjoying youth and not caring about anything other than that exact moment. This song screams freedom, and I know when you're a teenager, that is all you want; to be free and live life the way you crave. The introduction of the song started with upbeat guitar before the lyrics begin. “ Where are you going? / There’s a party at Ed’s house / We stole some liquor from our parents who drink too much. ” Ellis’ says he wanted to capture the moment of living while we’re young with this song. The lyrics radiate optimistic and youthful energy which makes it hard not to sing along. Ellis’ voice is soothing and ran smoothly along with the tunes. His voice is clear, delicate and full of passion. The percussion is introduced after the first verse which leads to the chorus with a little bit of acapella. The second verse flows beautifully with the music which would have to be my favorite part of the song. There's a nod to the classic Wheatus’ song, “ We’ll play Teenage Dirtbag on repeat / cause we don’t know what to do at seventeen ”, reiterating that this is an anthem for the forever young. The vibe is nostalgic and perfect for reminiscing the old times as a teen. From Cardiff, Wales, singer-songwriter Ben Ellis has been singing for as long as he can remember. He started writing music at the age of 10 and started to learn how to play the guitar at age 14. During the pandemic, he has written numerous songs and collaborated with other artists from around the world. His debut single called “not this time” was released on March 9th, 2022, and his second single, “Ed’s House” was released on February 22nd, 2023. He was also featured in a song called “Night Shift” with Aidan Cross. He enjoys performing around London and Cardiff, playing covers and his own music. There's a lot more in store from Ben Ellis, so make sure to follow him to keep up with his musical journey! Written By Lyndsey Cheng FOLLOW BEN ELLIS:

Have you ever wanted to live in the 80s? All the different streaming and TV series set in the 80s, makes me wonder where I could have fit in within this period. Would I have been playing D&D in Mike Wheeler’s basement or participating in ballroom culture alongside Blanca Evangelista? This is a train of thought that is hinted at or touched on within these shows. The undercurrent theme for the bulk of them has been identity – who you are and who you aspire to be. The group Selfish Bodies keeps in tune with the feel of the 80’s but expands on the theme of identity in their latest single, “Disassociated”. “Disassociated” is a pop-rock single that centers on feeling disconnected from the identity we’ve created for ourselves. The song opens with heavy synths that immediately transport a listener to the 80s and invoke a feeling of nostalgic bliss. Don’t be fooled, though. This is lyrical dissonance at its finest. Despite the upbeat nature of the rhythm and melody, the lyrics tackle a heavy subject; actively undergoing disassociation at the hand of someone else. In the first few lyrics listeners understand that there’s a detachment from a recognized identity. This detachment is solidified when our vocalist begins to call themselves “little scarecrow”. Traditionally, scarecrows are symbolic of death and rebirth – but we land on disassociation when this process has been forced upon us as it has in the single. And I think this transformation has been forced because of the lines “You set me on fire / Even though you say you love me”. When the push for a transformation of this magnitude originates from an external source, you’re bound to feel disconnected from yourself. You might even feel like a foreign entity in your own body, or even a scarecrow – just a pile of straw in old clothing that you once wore. “Disassociated” successfully explores the surreal experience of an identity that's been thrusted upon us. The Edmonton A.B. trio, Selfish Bodies, came together in February of 2018 under their combined passion for creating cinematic atmospheres, genre-merging writing, and introspective lyrics. The group is fronted by lead singer Brandy Sharpe, with Michelle Bessette on piano, and Garrett Jette on the guitar. They dropped their first EP, Gold Hair, in 2019, and began the new year by releasing “Hideous”. Over the last five years, their passion for creating unique music has evolved into a transformative art that listeners can engage and relate with in various emotional states. To celebrate the alternative pop-rock group’s fifth anniversary, show them some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows! Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW SELFISH BODIES:

I think we all have heard of the Big Bang Theory; and no I'm not talking about the awesome sitcom. I'm talking about the actually scientific theory that our universe was created by a giant explosion that continues to expand indefinitely. Somehow this moment in space and time is why we are here today. I think this is something we don't often sit down and think about, mainly because it's hard for our brains to process, but life is an incredible and magical thing. We are all made up of atoms and molecules that allow us to walk the earth and experience life and love. "Bang! Bang!" by Only Bricks has a play on words by comparing being in love with the science of the universe. When you've got strong feelings for someone, it literally feels like all the stars have aligned. "Bang! Bang!" is an incredibly catchy hyper-pop influenced sound that will 100% have you on your feet and dancing. The song starts with a soft dynamic that slowly builds throughout the song, a genius and subtle detail that makes the song literally sound like the expansion of the universe. Lead vocalist Anne DiGiovanni guides her voice through the same dynamics, starting soft and then giving us life with her incredibly smooth and strong vocals in the hook of the song. The chorus is heavily electro-pop in it's beat and features galactic synths that send you off into a ethereal experience. If you close your eyes, you could put yourself into the scene of a rave concert where all you can see is lasers and strobe lights flying in the air and surrounding you are people dancing like no one is watching. Let's just say the production on this song is out of this world. Only Bricks is an indie-pop duo project by the two love birds, Anne DiGiovanni and Joseph Lewczak. Inspired by the lyrics in The Vamps song, "Risk It All", they came up with their band name - " For you I’d risk it all / I’d rather crash, I’d rather crawl / then never have your love at all / with only bricks to break my fall ". After getting married in 2017, Anne and Joseph used their chemistry together to combine their musical talents and released their first EP, Foundation, in 2018. Since then, they've released several more singles and they, literally, started out 2023 with a bang with their first single of the year, "Bang! Bang!". If you like this song, I'd also suggest checking out there other most recent songs, "Contact High" and "Smile, It's Over :)", both in which also give off fantastic energy and electro-pop rock tones. Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW ONLY BRICKS:

In Taylor D’s latest release “Wasting All my Love” her unrequited passion is far from wasted. She manages to take the bottled feelings of silent love and transform them into a beautifully expressive song. “Wasting All my Love” is a rendition of a dynamic everyone experiences, especially at the young age Taylor herself is. That is the story of rejection and an acceptance of it. It is vulnerable, so empathetically written that the listener cannot help but feel Taylor is speaking directly to them. And she is speaking to someone, that is clear. “Wasting All my Love” represents the last love letter this subject will ever receive, it is a painful but never reluctant goodbye. Her voice reflects this theme, it is gentle but her words make the strength of the singer clear. The melody matches her voice with a gentle ongoing tone present in much of the song. But, it is impressive beyond just how well it compliments her. This melody is the perfect balance of original and classical. The basis of it is Taylor’s own instruments, a soothing piano and guitar but with touches of modernity that find their way into the beginning of the song. She manages to avoid being overproduced while maintaining a professional and unique sound. The song begins with a swaying beat that lasts only a moment before the immediately recognizable piano chimes in. It has the essence of a classic even before the chorus with repetitive chords that are impossible to avoid humming even after just one listen. After a moment of this piano solo, Taylor begins, “I see you every day” she sings. She begins the song, of course, in the midst of her love. She speaks of her various attempts to reach out to the subject of her admiration with no avail and of her supposed insignificance to them. Taylor seems to be trapped, unable to extinguish her love but also incapable of spreading it. However, she never makes the love she has to give the enemy. She never regrets her feelings, rather, she regrets they can’t be put to good use. “Here I am wasting all my love on you” the chorus begins. The start of the song implies it to be a solemn and lonely tale but with the third chorus this becomes evidently untrue. She sees her emotion as valuable, not as a weakness. “There you are wasting all your love on her” she resolves. Taylor D. began writing songs when she was only thirteen, and within a year, she was making newspaper stories and gaining views by the thousands. As a self-taught pianist, singer, songwriter, and guitarist there’s nothing Taylor can’t do and there is nothing she hasn’t. In the past two years, she has released eleven singles, seven of them being in 2021 alone. And her labors have paid off. In 2022, she won artist of the year for First Choice Radio U.K. and a president Gaisce award. Her music has reached 99 countries and she has gained hundreds of thousands of streams on Spotify. But even amidst her consistent growth she continues to give back. She has participated in several charitable events, most recently announcing her upcoming contribution to the Big Busk for Focus Ireland, a group whose intent is to build funds for unhoused people. Her kindness, commitment, and hard work are deservingly being noticed; don’t waste your love elsewhere, go stream Taylor D.! Written By Hailey Schap FOLLOW TAYLOR:

Virginia To Vegas’ “casamigos” tells the story of a night out that we’ve all lived before. Two souls who went out to be invisible feel seen by one another and find comrade within small talk and big shots at the barstools. When the drinks start flowing and the music is blaring, you become unsure if it's the tequila making you hot or if it’s the coquettish glances exchanged with a stranger who feels like home for a moment. The music blurs, and the background fades, and what’s left is two strangers with nothing to lose; two shot glasses and two people who don’t mind being used for the evening. Maybe it’s the Casamigos, and maybe it’s the company, but it’s an indescribable intoxication. Let’s be drunk in love for the evening, and pray the lights never come on, and the hangover never hits. “casamigos” is an infectious pop song that is sure to get you on your feet. Whether you’re at the club, or in your living room, the music flows through you like a chilled double-shot, and it requires no chaser. The lively tune and sensual lyrics combine like a delicious mixed drink, and it’s one we want to order over and over. Like all good nights and good stories, this song started with a bottle of Casamigos tequila, and the rest is history. The progression of “casamigos” mirrors a night out that only continues to get better. Unlike a sunrise to end a night on the town, we are transported to a bar, club, or dance-floor whenever we hit play, and this is one “casamigos” night we’re sure to remember. Virginia To Vegas is one of Canada’s most promising global exports. He is a singer, songwriter, and producer who's talents were first discovered on YouTube. Widely known for his sticky pop choruses and electronic hooks, Virginia To Vegas is an international phenomenon. He has accumulated over 735 Million streams, and is a multi-platinum selling artist. While on a National headlining tour, VIIV continues to collaborate with today’s best songwriters and producers like Mike Wise, David Mescon, and Geoff Warburton. “casamigos” is the focus track from his latest album, “life gets interesting…,” and his work is sure to brighten your day like that first sip on a Friday at 5 o’clock. Virginia To Vegas… to the universe, and as we pour ourselves a glass of Casamigos, we hope he is the soundtrack to every night out and every morning after. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW VIRGINIA TO VEGAS:

She Is Jules tackles the unique relationship between therapists and their patients in her latest single, “Do Therapists?”. She wrote this track from her own experience with therapy and how it has impacted her life. Throughout the song, She Is Jules wonders about the mental health of her own therapist. She begins the track with the hook, “Do therapists need therapists ‘cause that’s a lot to hold?” She goes on to discuss her concerns that the trauma she discusses in her therapy session only puts overwhelming mental stress on her therapist. She asks agonizing questions like, “Do I got too much baggage// It’s bursting at the seams,” and “Am I so traumatic// That she’s been losing sleep?” She is worried that her trauma is becoming her therapist’s trauma—that even though she is a professional, she herself is falling apart on the inside. But because it is her job, she has to keep it from her family and loved ones. She Is Jules even sings, “And I still can’t help but worry about her// ‘Cause if I sat in her chair// Think I’d lose it, I swear// Hearing everything that I’ve been through.” For those that have experienced anxiety themselves, these lyrics cut deep. It reminds them of their own anxious thoughts, where they hate asking for help because they are afraid it will only be a burden to this person. In the track, She Is Jules even admits that sometimes she likes to overthink, or “at least that’s what she tells me.” These lyrics hold a deeper meaning for those that are self-proclaimed overthinkers, and recognize that these thoughts are not the truth—yet they still worry. Although the answer is ‘yes’, therapists do often go to therapy, it is not due to her trauma. In the end, the therapist is happy to let She is Jules unpack all her emotions and trauma. “Do Therapists?” opens the door for important conversations on a delicate topic such as mental health and allows listeners that resonate with the lyrics feel less alone. “Do Therapists?” wraps the sensitive lyrics up into a perfect dreamy pop production reminiscent of Taylor Swift’s Midnights album. The track starts with a synth keyboard riff that is paired with She Is Jules humming the harmonies. This sets up the ethereal atmosphere that remains for the entire track. After several measures, the lyrics begin, introducing the first verse. The keyboard riff remains steady, keeping the focus on the vulnerable lyrics. Leading up to the chorus, the production intensifies, introducing a light guitar strumming and a synth sound effect that ebbs and flows with the melody. In the chorus, the track is led only by the keyboard and She Is Jules’s vocals, including her angelic harmonies in the background. In the second verse, the song reaches a full production, complete with the high energy drums. This production continues into the chorus, complemented by unique synth noises that enhance the whimsical nature of the track. In the bridge, the song returns to the keyboard and vocals only, before exploding back to the full production in the last chorus. The exquisite track remains in the heads of listeners for days, as they are constantly drawn back to the relatable lyrics and airy production. “Do Therapists?” further demonstrates She Is Jules’s outstanding songwriting and solidifies her spot as one of the world’s next big pop superstars. Julianna Pollifrone, known as stage name She is Jules, is a singer-songwriter from California’s Bay Area. At only 8-years-old, she learned how to play the guitar and began her musical journey. In 2017, she released her debut single, “Eyes Shut”. Since then, she has released over 20 singles, including collaborations and remixes with other artists. She has over 113 million streams on Spotify alone. Her sound is a mix of acoustic pop and electronic dance, providing an ethereal production that consumes listeners. She not only writes for herself, but for other artists as well. She lends her talented voice, creative songwriting, and infectious production to her peers, making her an essential asset to the music industry. She has made an enormous impact and continues to blow away listeners with her unmistakable talent. Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW SHE IS JULES:

Hardship can illuminate our fondest emotions, bringing us closer to those who got us through tough times. On "I Love you," Max Edwards' breathtaking, power pop ballad, the singer-songwriter pens intimate gratitude from the page of struggle. From the subtly pulsing synths opening the track to the somber chords of piano, the single layers shades of cloudy mood-setting that backdrop and contrast gorgeously off of the warmth in Edwards voice and lyricism. The verses are full of atmosphere, submerging listeners in a dense haze. The vaporous nature of the instrumentation forces you to grip onto the vocals like solid ground. The flourishes in production and vocal performance give the song dimension and nuance on repeated listens. When the chorus strikes, "I Love You" is at its most awe-striking: lurchingly passionate as the instrumental soars and vanishes to heart-stopping effect. Edwards' lyricism is startlingly intimate, fashioning direct observations into intense confessions. "This city's never felt so small / and all it's done is break my heart." He wrote the song after moving to the city for the first time, an experience that left him feeling isolated and struggling ("this empty little feeling dug so deep"). In this time of uncertainty, his girlfriend was his strongest support system, leading Edwards to pen "I Love You." It's the contrast of vulnerable dejection and tender strength that transcend any traditional balladry. "If our time is spent together, can we stay right here forever?" It's not a declaration of stagnation, but the knowledge that these moments of unconditional love will stick with him forever. Max Edwards is a Vancouver-based artist with big plans for 2023. "I Love You" is the first single of the year, but last single teasing towards his debut EP's release in April. The song was recorded and produced in LA with Simon Jay and Luke Shrestha. Edwards began releasing music in 2020 with his first single, "Can't Go Back." Since, he's released a slew of singles and collaborations. Just in 2022, he released five, excellent singles. His sound pulls from the wide corners of pop in sublime fashion. "I Love You" proves his capability in balladry, but his danceable records are equally as excellent. With the warmer season approaching, definitely check out "Malibu," a personal favorite of mine. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW Max Edwards:

photo cred: ANNA AZAROV I am absolutely wowed by your new single “Plateau”!!! The message and lyrics of the song really spoke to me, so I would love to know more about the creative process for this new track! Gal: Hello Sarah! Thank you so much for your kind words on the track. I wrote "Plateau" singing in my car while sitting in bumper to bumper LA traffic. While driving the lyrics started coming out as a form of venting, basically I was babying out/complaining about how much time I spend in my car. But as the lyrics progressed, they kind of revealed a season of numbness and monotony I was stuck in, and the driving became a metaphor for how I felt in general, going through the motions, mindlessly traveling through life without much direction or emotion. What inspired you to pick up the guitar and learn piano when you were younger? Did you get hooked right away and know you wanted to dedicate yourself to music? Gal: My relationship with guitar is a bit hot and cold- I don't connect with the instrument like I do with the piano but I have seasons where it's all I want to write with. The piano in particular became an obsession of mine when I was around 10- one of my favorite things to do was try to pick out the melody of songs I knew. The first time I tried that little game was with the song "Once upon a dream" from Sleeping Beauty; I remember once I finally picked out the whole tune I dragged my grandpa over to the piano and proudly performed it for him. He took notice of my inspiration then and started teaching me some of his favorite standards/ragtime pieces. My grandpa and my dad were both piano players, and in those early years they taught me songs they had written or covered, which I think really influenced my style of playing. Even before I could play an instrument, music has meant the world to me, so to be a part of it I used to dance. When I discovered I could write songs I gave up dancing in a heartbeat. Do you have any advice or tips for aspiring songwriters who don’t quite know where to start? Gal: It can take years for some artists to find their sound or their audience, so it's important to follow your intuition and create music that you love, and not compromise with your art. Your time will come! I know you had the chance to collaborate with Rufus Wainwright on your last album, which is absolutely INCREDIBLE by the way!!! Can you share how that opportunity came about and what it was like?! Gal: Awe thank you! The way it went down is my producer Jon has a connection to Rufus through his incredible sound engineer, Chris Sorem, and we were looking for a male lead vocal for the duet last minute. We took a shot in the dark and asked via email, and by some miracle Rufus agreed to sing it! Rufus was an absolute angel to remotely perform on the track that same weekend. The whole experience blew my mind and I still haven't fully processed it, but I'm overwhelmingly grateful and overjoyed. photo cred: ANNA AZAROV What is on the top of your bucket list for your career? I know you’ve already accomplished some amazing things, so maybe a certain venue/city you hope to perform at or artist to collab with? Gal: It's a dream of mine to tour as an opening act for Madison Cunningham, the singer-songwriter-guitarist extraordinaire who has inspired me more than any artist in the last few years. Can you give us any hints on what to expect from your sophomore album “Pendulum” releasing this upcoming May?! If this new single is an indication of what to expect, I cannot wait to give it a listen! Gal: "Pendulum" is a deeply personal and relevant record to me. Many of the lyrics are a release of one of the most challenging times of my life mentally, where I was struggling with mind-altering anxiety and numbness. Recording this record was cathartic and helped me find myself again. My producer Jon O'Brien and I went a bit wild and explored more density and bolder instrumentation on this record than anything we've previously created, which was such a blast. I really hope my listeners enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed recording it. <3 Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW GAL:

Photo Credits: Theodore Swaddling “About Me”, is an introspective song from artist BEUX LEVI. It ponders and questions the ideas we have when interrogating ourselves. Throughout the song it feels like BEUX is sorting through who he is, and is trying to find meaning or value in that thing. It also really dives into the thoughts that come up when trying to soothe ourselves from the discomfort of questioning our current realities. This song displays that BEUX's artistry reflects elements of contemporary pop while still having a sound of his own. BEUX’s music shares some of the same qualities found in other relevant pop artists such as ROLE MODEL. “About Me”, is an impressive song, due to its sonic characteristics. The song incorporates both raw and acoustic sounds, while also incorporating more current electric pop sounds. The rawness of the piano in the opening of the song helps to really set the tone. It lets listeners know that the song is going to have emotional substance, and will be more reflective. While the song tackles some difficult reflective concepts, it maintains a calm and steady sound throughout. This gives the listener the space to enjoy the song while also digesting the lyrical content. BEUX’s impressive vocals also aid in giving the song this effect. His vocals are clear, steady and soft, making it the perfect accompaniment for the instrumentals and the song as a whole. BEUX LEVI is a multifaceted artist from the United Kingdom. BEUX's skills as an artist include both song-writing and producing. BEUX has extensive experience touring with multiple projects. He has recently been on a journey of musical discovery, which now fuels his current music making. Beux’s style fits into the alternative pop music scene. While fitting into this genre BEUX is also trying to go beyond the typical pop scene in order to leave an authentic mark with a fresh sound. BEUX also has another previous single that he has released that really highlights his skills and talent for production. BEUX is the perfect artist for listeners looking for fresh alternative pop music, that is fun while still introspective. Written By Alison Holst FOLLOW BEUX LEVI:

As a former overachiever and people-pleaser, it took a lot of time for me to understand that I was overextending myself to the point of collapse. I would even punish myself for not being able to perform at the height of my capabilities for the benefit of others when I hit those periods of downfall. It wasn’t until I saw that no one was reciprocating my extreme efforts that changes needed to be made. I began setting boundaries and realistic limits for how much of myself I could pour into others. But some might not come to this self-realization - some need a little assistance. For those of us that need assistance or a simple reminder of our own emotional needs, "Not Cool With It" by SOBI is the perfect ancillary weapon. Listen to "Not Cool With It" by SOBI here. “Not Cool With It” is a contemporary-pop song about no longer being okay with our emotional needs not being met in a connection. The song opens with delicate folksy strings while the first and second verse provides a brief history of the relationship at hand. Listeners learn that this is a very close, long-term friendship. But the introduction of the drums in the second verse marks a change in this close-knit relationship. There’s a growing tension here and it lies in the fact that the other half has “a habit of brushing off [their] mistakes”. This friendship has become one-sided; all the emotional accountability and labor is performed by one party. This is taking a toll on the performing party. But SOBI isn’t ending this bond, she’s simply setting boundaries for it. The bright, bouncy chorus symbolizes these boundaries being set so the connection no longer emotionally exhausts SOBI. And listeners get a crystal-clear image of how exhausting this relationship has been in the following verses. From driving “across the city” to cancelling “plans for the day” just to mend the friend’s heartache – it’s a heavy emotional energy to not have reciprocated and makes one feel depreciated. Which is why it’s so important to advocate for our own emotional needs within connections. The end of “Not Cool With It” gives listeners a gospel-like experience as the chorus grows into an anthem for people-pleasers everywhere. It’s a reminder and a much-needed push for those of us that might feel guilty for wanting our emotional needs to be met that it’s perfectly all right to have this desire. London-grown singer and songwriter, SOBI, began writing and performing for listening audiences at 16. Her instrument of choice was the acoustic guitar; it provided a deep intimacy to the stories she told and got fans hooked. But after watching Lianne La Havas perform with an electric guitar, she was inspired to take on the edgier stringed instrument which would evolve her intimate sound into a therapeutic oasis to sweep up listeners in. Since then, SOBI’s performed her confessional-styled songs on several tours and garnered a loyal following in the U.K. and Germany. Currently, SOBI is working on her debut album that’s set to be released in early 2024. If you’ve enjoyed SOBI’s music as much as I have, show the artist some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows so we can establish a loyal American fanbase. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW SOBI: