I think George Carlin was the only person willing to admit that he was a fan of entropy. Entropy in this context refers to the lack of order and the unpredictability that comes with disarray – in other words, pure chaos. We ALL like chaos, especially the chaos that wreaks havoc in romantic relationships. If we didn’t, reality dating shows like The Bachelor, Love Island, Sexy Beasts, and The Flavor of Love would not have become pinnacles of pop culture. It’s why we’re obsessed with bad Hollywood romances, too. From Elizabeth Taylor's multiple marriages to Megan Fox's hot and cold relationship with MGK, we’re entropic romance fans. And so is Tash Blake. In their latest single, “So Bad Together”, Tash Blake explores the fascination we have with chaotic relationships that have been placed under the public eye's microscope. “So Bad Together” is a Dance-Pop anthem dedicated to Hollywood’s unhealthy portrayal of romance and our overenthusiasm to consume it. The song opens with intense synths and mixed beats to give listeners a little taste of how gripping the relationship being discussed is. With listeners adrenaline at its’ peak, Blake divulges some details about the partners in the first few verses. But the most eye-catching detail is how compelling the relationship is bound to be when “a love’s this deep”. Blake’s exquisite vocals make this connection sound so alluring and enticing, but it’s merely an illusion for the sake of the camera lens. Behind closed doors, the intense intimacy of the relationship does not live up to the ideal it projects. Instead, the relationship becomes a “plot twist”, appearing more like the connection from Fatal Attraction. The fatalistic nature is emphasized in the chorus: “Whether it’s pain or pleasure / It’s all the same / I promise you I’ll go through whatever it takes / Cause it’s only you / ONLY you”. This has transformed beyond a relationship, it’s now a detrimental obsession. The obsession doesn’t just lie with one partner within the relationship, however. It also lies with the voyeuristic spectators of this relationship. The title of the song serves as a double entendre to confirm this. “So Bad Together” is not just referring to how toxic this relationship is for the people within it, but the toxic relationship between its’ continual advertisement and observers eagerness to consume and project this entropic sentiment into their own relationships to recreate the same thrill. Tash Blake is a Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, and the possible lovechild of Brittney Spears, Lady Gaga, and Madonna. With a background in dance and musical theater, it’s no surprise the artist’s vocal prowess and stage presence gives listeners an out-of-body experience like the aforementioned icons. Blake released their debut single, “Mannequin”, last December. The accompanying music video was dropped last month and has amassed over two million views! The stunning visuals give fem-fatale vibes to empower anyone that’s been robbed of their identity within a manipulative relationship. “So Bad Together” is Blake’s follow-up single, and I cannot wait to see the music video she conjures up for it. If you’ve enjoyed Blake’s commentary on the public’s enchantment with bad romance, show her some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW TASH BLAKE:

Picture the protagonist of your favorite book finally dancing with her love interest at a ball of sorts that they both happen to be attending. The climax of their relationship on the brink of finally happening. That’s the exact vibe that “Slow Dancing” by Lucy McWilliams is giving. In the slow, intense rhythm resembling that in a lot of Lana Del Rey songs, Lucy sings about the euphoric feeling one might get from slow dancing with a stranger in a bar. The feeling of being with someone you never met, yet being held like it's been an eternity since you've last seen each other. Overall, this song will transport you right into the thick of a night out in a foreign place where you can be anything with anyone. Lucy’s voice begins to serenade us as the song begins. She sets the scene: a man in a bar walks up to her and asks how she’s doing. With this first verse comes the smoothness of Lucy’s vocals coupled with a powerful piano melody that then quiets down as she continues to sing. The chorus features the introduction of a guitar as Lucy continues to show off the crisp quality of her voice and the range she is able to achieve. More about the situation is revealed in the bridge, where the picture is painted through Lucy’s clever and descriptive lyrics, putting us right on the sticky floor cheap-perfume-scented bar with her. “Slow Dancing” holds a consistent rhythm throughout, the piano and accompanying instruments echoing in the background perfectly. It perfectly matches the vibe put out by Lucy’s lyrics. At just 22 years old, Lucy is originally from Dublin but currently lives in London and has been building a career for herself. Being in such a big city has allowed her to really embrace her passion for music. Since living there, she has released many of her own songs, ranging from her extremely popular single “Fair Play” surpassing over ten million streams on Spotify to her newest song “Slow Dancing” which everybody should definitely listen to. You can catch Lucy live on March 23rd at her headlining show in Dublin, and again on July 20th at Iveagh Gardens in Dublin. Lucy is extremely talented, and we are excited to see what lies in store for her! Written By Molly Schiff FOLLOW LUCY:

Have you ever thought about something from the past, and cringe at how you behaved or reacted? I do, all the time. Especially with past connections and relationships. I think about how I fawned over people that maybe shouldn’t have been given the time of day. Or how I poured compassion and understanding into someone that left a multitude of signals that they did not have the emotional capacity to return it. And throughout it all, I ignored my intuition when it was sounding off the alarms for these different situations. “On The Rocks” by Kayls effectively demonstrates how one’s intuition knows a relationship is lousy before the heart does. “On The Rocks” is a Pop-Rock single celebrating the end of an unsavory romantic relationship. Within the song, listeners get insight into Kayls previous relationship as she recounts details that led to its eventual demise. The single starts with punctuated bass plucking that immediately catches your attention before Kayls redirects it to the opening verses. The verses detail how the partner’s presence drained them of their energy while simultaneously being mildly insulting. The pre-chorus then abruptly cuts in to prepare us for the chorus; it also serves as the artist’s emotional awareness. In hindsight they realize the former partner never fulfilled their needs or truly complimented their lifestyle, even remarking “You’re bitterness, and I’m too sweet”. The guitar’s slow melody accompanied by the chiming of the cymbals that surround the chorus gives me chills and scratches an instrumental arrangement itch I didn’t know I had. Listeners also get an interesting statement here: “Something is off / Need a detox”. It encapsulates how a tumultuous relationship of this nature can make one feel physically ill. This is our intuition sounding off the alarms, and we need to pay attention. And it’s not until we free ourselves from it do we feel an ounce of normalcy and wellness, which is echoed throughout the rest of the song. I really want to take a moment to praise Kayls vocal phrasing, though; her lyrical delivery flawlessly aligns with the rhythm and provides listeners with a matter-of-factness attitude while still being able to convey the emotional ups and downs of a turbulent relationship. It’s just perfect – chef’s kiss. The west coast-based singer and songwriter, Kayls, was introduced to creating music by her grandfather. The two would spend afternoons making music together on a vintage multitrack recorder. These early beginnings would lead the artist on an experimental journey with music where they collaborated with producer Bambor Leany and the indie-pop group BRÅVES. Now her transformative sound incorporates the uniqueness of those afternoons with her grandfather, rich lyrical poetry that doubles as emotive storytelling, and frequent collaborator Ethan Kaufman’s guitar strings and synths. But the artistry doesn’t end there with KAYLS; to celebrate the release of “On the Rocks” she dropped jasmine soaking salts aptly titled On The Rocks. She also offers the cutest line of silk bérets made out of luxury deadstock fabric through her store, LÉONIE. If you've enjoyed KAYLS as much as I have, show them some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW KAYLS:

It’s really easy to criticize yourself, and everyone does it. It’s easier to say negative things rather than positive things. Being self-critical can be okay at times because it helps you acknowledge mistakes and change things, but it can also be damaging. Hanna Ögonsten’s single, “Big Teeth” is about the struggles with self-criticism and self-doubt. It can happen in any stage of life and be hard to ignore but knowing that doing it in a healthy way would work better because you’re learning to see yourself in a better light. Everyone wants to work on themselves, but we have to remember to do it positively. Your only enemy is you, and you'll have to fight your own battles that you created within your mind and body. “Big Teeth” has an alt-pop in its soundscape paired with honest lyrics. Her raw vocals enhance the words she’s singing that shows her vulnerability. She’s able to capture a meaningful message with an upbeat tune that balances out the track, and it creates a diverse listen which is captivating to hear. The music also has an influenced indie beat which gives it a funky melody that is easy to groove to. Hanna’s voice is distinct giving it a charming impact that enriches the sound. She has control in her voice where she’s allowed to create a different sensation throughout especially after the second chorus. There's an echo fade out at the end of the song that enhances the buzzing ringing sound to capture the mood. Hanna Ögonsten grew up in suburban Åkersberga, Sweden. She taught herself how to play the guitar, piano, and how to produce music. She got accepted to the leading music-school in Sweden, Musikmakarna during her teenage years. Her parents got divorced when she was young which made her escape into the world, and she was able to explore her artistic identity. Her music has appeared on channels such as Swedish Television, Vogue Paris, and Triple J. In this upcoming spring, she will be on Marin Garrix and JBL’s academy for “up & coming” artist in a three-day camp in Amsterdam. Following the release of her single “Big Teeth” will be the release of her EP, “have you seen my mind ‘cause I’ve lost it” which will be out on April 28th, 2023. Hanna Ögonsten is an artist worth looking forward to! Written By Lyndsey Cheng FOLLOW HANNA ÖGONSTEN:

“Wasted on Me” is a melodic indie folk song with an addicting and eerie sound. Bertie Newman wears his heart on his sleeve while writing and signing his new song. “Wasted on Me” can be seen as a chilling look inside Berties head, thinking he is not enough for his partner. This song battles with the demons on the inside while trying to stay composed to the outside, showing his fans his struggles while also being vulnerable. “Addictive to be around, I'm scared I might drag you down”, hits hard. Showing inner truths of what it is like to truly love someone but constantly wondering if you are enough for them. “Wasted on Me” has a beautiful tone all the way through. Berties voice is captivating, placing an arrow right into your heart and pulling you through this experience with him. Capturing us from the start with his enchanting harmonies before we are even placed into the world of his lyrics. Picking up speed at the chorus, Bertie draws his listeners in by drawing his voice out and then letting us wait for more with each beat. The tone of this song pairs perfectly with its lyrics, creating a musical world of Berties design. Listening through each moment is painful, but you want to experience this beautiful pain along with this alluring song. Bertie Newman is making large strides in his craft at only 22 years old. The young singer/songwriter is from Hackney London, writes and performs his deeply personal songs. Digging into personal experiences from relationships to mental health, Bertie shares his talent with his audience. He has grown a significant fanbase on Tik Tok. Fans interact by using his songs to create beautiful videos of their own point of views and experiences. Bertie is on track to release his debut EP in April, featuring ‘‘Wasted on Me’’ and ‘‘I Will’’. Make sure to keep up with Bertie Newman and follow him down below! Written By Cate Schnoebelen FOLLOW BERTIE NEWMAN:

Romance is more tempting when it’s forbidden. That's why we gravitate towards the star-crossed lovers trope in movies and books, such as Romeo and Juliet or Titanic . We love to watch the couple sneak around and are on the edge of our seats hoping they don’t get caught. In “salvation,” Christabelle Marbun sings about how the thrill of forbidden love is all-consuming. When I first saw the title for this song, I thought it was going to be a slow ballad about the importance of forgiveness. While the song is still very emotional throughout, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the theme is completely different. Marbun’s song is actually about living in the danger of forbidden love. Instead of asking for forgiveness, she is accepting her fate by denying herself salvation . As I said before, the song is emotional from start to finish. The first verse starts out with a tense guitar as Malburn sings, “treat us like it’s blasphemy, pray we don’t get caught.” Between lines, the music breaks with an intense booming drum and background vocals that sound like a church choir. They’re little eruptions of the music building up to the big eruption on the chorus. When it gets there, you can hear the choir again and what sounds like claps of thunder. Through all of that, Marbun declares, “I’ll deny you of salvation.” I’ll be the reason you repent.” All the elements of the song fit perfectly together and make it really theatrical. It pulled me in, and I know it will do the same to other listeners. Christabelle Marbun was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia. It is no surprise that she is a woman of many talents. She has published three collections of poetry, one of which took the #1 spot on Amazon’s Bestsellers List for Asian poetry. She is also an actor and stars in Station 19 , a spin-off show for Grey’s Anatomy. As for music, it’s hard to believe that “salvation” is only Marbun’s second single. Her first single, “passenger seat” is another emotional song about a breakup. After hearing them both, I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next! Marbun currently resides in sunny California. She finds happiness in reading books and shopping at Trader Joe’s! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW CHRISTABELLE MARBUN

Sometimes silence can be sufficating. On this track, Call Me Dio, writes about loneliness and forgiveness. In the single, he details how being alone is challenging and how he does not care who is in the wrong at this point; he just wants to move on because the isolation feels terrible. The artist sings about how through all the solitude, all he needs is his partner's love and for them to be together. These vulnerable lyrics are complemented by the slow and angsty instrumental. The song has a stunning guitar riff throughout the single that matches the beautifully melancholic writing. Overall, this song needs to be on your next playlist. The single begins with a stunning guitar riff and is soon joined by Call Me Dio’s ear-pleasing, low and raspy vocals. As he sings about his struggles with loneliness, a piano joins the grand instrumental. A highlight of the track would be the pre-chorus as the artist sings the lyrics, “It doesn’t have to be so lonely/ With just a little love/ With just a little love”. He starts the pre-chorus with a low tone but ends it in a breathtaking falsetto that shows off the singers wide vocal range. As the chorus begins, the piano becomes the star as the vocals and instrumental blend. After the second chorus, the singer shares a message in Portuguese, describing his raw emotions and how he wants them both to move past their mistakes. Ultimately, this song is an emotional banger that you will have playing on repeating and have stuck in your head. Call Me Dio is a Brazilian singer/songwriter and producer that is based in London, United Kingdom. This artist's unique sound is a blend of folk lyricism and alternative indie production, similar to Matt Mason and Foster the People. The singer released his first song in February 2022 titled, “Be W/U”, which has the emotional lyrics and gorgeous instrumental that Call Me Dio is known for. Since his debut, the songwriter has released three singles and has gained over 2,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. After moving from city to city for most of his adolescence, the producer is inspired to write music to help others through tough times. Written By Stephanie Berning FOLLOW CALL ME DIO:

Photo Credits: Libby Danforth “Batshit” is a fun and catchy tune, and the ‘fuck around and find out’ vibe is undeniable. (Bonus points for burning all the evidence!). How much bail money did you need…erm, I mean…what was the motivation for this song? Emily: Haha thank you! The idea came from two places; one was actually my mother. I have a history of being a conflict avoider so if I ever had to make anybody upset she'd tell me to blame it on her, which I always thought was nice. She cared more about my comfort than what random people thought of her. Fast forward years later I'm dating this guy who's out of town for the week and we're Face-timing. He's telling me about this chick who really wants to "catch up" while he's there but he's getting weird vibes and doesn't know how to politely tell her to get lost. So immediately I say "make it my fault, just tell her your girlfriend's batshit." Then the lightbulb moment happened. I think I wrote the chorus that night. I deeply appreciate the vocabulary used on your YouTube ‘About’ section that references you realizing that you weren’t the type to be ‘married’ to a band, so you fled the ‘altar’ in pursuit of your solo career. What led to this realization and decision? Emily: On my very first trip to Nashville I sat in on a lecture at Warner and this songwriter, I don't even remember his name, came up to the stage and said "Being in a band is impossible. It's like being married to five people at once." At the time I was fronting a punk band with my best friends and was deeply disturbed by the idea that everything we'd been working towards could just fall apart. Friendship always wins! But the thing is, he was right. If you are not 100% on the same page, if not everyone is both dedicated and passionate about whatever their role is, it ends up just being too many cooks in the kitchen and nothing moves forward. Again, I was also a conflict avoider, so when tension did come up I didn't deal with it like I probably should have. I bottled up so much resentment I literally fled the state to get away from it - THEN quit the band via a phone call. Not my best moment. How did you come up with the concept for “Batshit’s” video, and what were some of your favorite experiences and moments from filming it? Emily: The concept for that video was a collaboration between me and the video's director, Andy Pollitt. I have music-to-color synesthesia, which means I can see colors when I listen to music. Every one of my singles has its own color - usually whichever one I "saw" while I was writing it- and all visual branding/promo is exclusively that one color. "BATSHIT" is pink, so the video and everything in it had to be pink. I bought cans of spray paint and Andy sprayed all of the props himself. We made pink graffiti posters. As for the story part I was just like "I really wanna embody this and fuck shit up." So we got some things from goodwill I could destroy and I crazy smiled for eight hours straight. That was actually my favorite part. Even though the song is a joke there's some truth to it haha so it was really fun to just let that part of me run rampant with zero consequences. Your Facebook bio indicates that you describe yourself as ‘a reluctant artist.’ Could you elaborate on that for us? Emily: Yes! So when I quit my band in 2018, I swore I'd never do the artist thing again. No part of me wanted to. I moved to Nashville with the sole purpose of writing pop songs for other people, which I did for about a year. Then COVID hit and all of a sudden I realized I needed more outlets. I started writing songs that I loved but that no one in Nashville would touch with a fifty-foot pole. There was nothing else to do, so I just released them under my own name. But this time it felt necessary - like, "If I don't express myself in this way I will die." Which is dramatic. But I think a lot of artists feel that way. Photo Credits: Libby Danforth Do you find that you get a lot of pushback or judgment from those in the industry for being #genderfluid? (Also, I fully agree that every nipple deserves to be freed!). Emily: Surprisingly I haven't run into that problem yet. What I do get pushback for is the content of my music. I almost got kicked out of a writer's round mid-song for being too provocative. I wasn't even freeing the nipple! I was just singing the word "cum" and I guess that makes a lot of people uncomfortable haha. Especially in Tennessee. But it's also thrilling to be a sexually explicit artist in such a repressive state. If someone DOES like me, I know they really mean it. If you had to explain yourself to someone by having them listen to an artist’s album (aside from your own) what would you choose and why? Emily: Aw dang, can I pick two? A friend of mine told me once that I sound like an Avril Lavigne/Post Malone mash-up, which I think is pretty spot on. So I would say listen to "Under My Skin" by Avril Lavigne and "Beerbongs and Bentleys" by Post and imagine what they would sound like together. I grew up on Avril, so there's so much influence in my voice and writing, but I'm also a product of the times. A lot of what I do is trap or electronic-influenced as well because that's what I listen to now. It's a past-and-present smoothie. Interviewed By Vanessa Siebrass FOLLOW EMILY:

Taylor. Alison. Swift. I don’t even know how to fully put into words how phenomenal this woman is. She truly outdid herself, once again. Every single tour, she never fails to give fans a bigger and better show. Even with this in mind, Eras Tour was still nothing I expected in my wildest dreams. Going in, my friends and I expected her biggest hits and some of her non-single fan favorites, like “august” and “Cruel Summer.” Yet, she sent fans into a whirlwind with deep cuts that none of us would have ever expected. By the end of the show, we had been blessed with a total of forty-four songs in the span of a little more than three hours. In typical Taylor fashion, the show began with a dramatic intro, complete with mesmerizing visuals and flashy lights. As the anticipation builds, fans are hit with the lyrics: “It’s been a long time.” I remember looking at my friends and sharing the same puzzled look as we began to connect the dots and realize— this woman was starting the show with Lover track, “Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince”. From that moment on, we knew we had absolutely no idea what the night was going to hold. Taylor is truly a mastermind in her own right. She is notorious for her meticulous details and infallible ability to know what fans want— even if we don’t know it yet. The brilliant artist organized every act of the show into each individual era, separated by unforgettable transitions with special effects that assisted with the outfit and set changes. Through “Miss Americana”, Taylor kicked off the show with her 2019 album, Lover. This was a sentimental choice as it is a nod to Lover Fest, her unique tour for the album. The tour was unfortunately canceled due to the pandemic. Starting off with this selection of songs, Taylor was sending a heartfelt message to fans that she was devastated that she had to cancel it. Now, she used this as an opportunity to give us a taste of what she had planned. It was particularly special for me because I attended the show with my two amazing best friends, Caitlin and Lizzie, who I was supposed to go to Lover Fest West with. We met at a Taylor Swift dance party in California the week Lover was released, and we have been best friends ever since. Taylor kicking off the show with this era was a full circle moment for us, and we finally got to see the artist that brought us together. Speaking of bringing people together, Taylor is the expert at hand-picking artists from all genres of music to open the show. Throughout the entire tour, there will be a great selection of incredible musicians that will be there to hype up the crowd. For the Glendale dates, we were blessed with the presence of badass new artist, GAYLE, and legendary pop-rock band, Paramore. GAYLE kicked off the show with her fiery new single, “everybody hates me”. For me, this was even more special because I had to honor of writing a review for the song just two days before the show. I have been following GAYLE since last summer, and seeing her open for Taylor brought tears to my eyes. She blew away the crowd with her powerful vocals and commanded the stage like the natural-born rockstar she is. After her set, Paramore took the stage. The band was only set to support Taylor for these two Glendale dates, making it even more meaningful for the audience. Personally, I have never seen a crowd more enthusiastic over an opening act. For years, Hayley Williams has been the queen of pop-rock, and she further proved her rightful title with her performance. Her vocals were outstanding, and she had a contagious energy that spread to every single person in the stadium. It was the perfect way to set the mood before Taylor took the stage. It is well known by now that Taylor does not just go on stage and sing, but that she puts on an entire spectacle of a performance. Even if you are a casual fan who only knows the biggest hits, or you were dragged there by your significant other or children, you will have the time of your life. There is not ever one dull moment at a Taylor Swift show. Along with her flawless vocals, she astounds the audience with exceptional choreography and special effects. Between the haunting elements of the witch coven in “Willow”, and the “frozen behind glass” Taylors during “Look What You Made Me Do”, we were not just watching a concert; we were watching an entire movie live. The background screen and the real-life props were not the only thing enhancing this creative storytelling. The stage was even a screen itself that tied together the rest of the set. For example, when singing “Delicate”, the floor would ‘crack’ when Taylor stomped at certain beats in the song, signifying the fragility of the new relationship described in the song. Perhaps one of the most shocking moments was between the surprise song act and the Midnights final. The stage floor turned into a rushing river and the audio mimicked a water flowing sound. At the end of the catwalk, the floor opened, and we all expected she would just walk in. We were wrong. Taylor Alison Swift did a perfect swan dive straight into the hole, causing the entire audience to gasp. The stage screen then showed a digital Taylor swimming up the stage as the set transforms to the final act. I have been to many, many concerts and have virtually attended so many shows online. Yet, this was the most astonishing, unpredictable transition I have ever seen at any show put on by any artist. Taylor genuinely curated this setlist with long-time, dedicated Swifties in mind. She performed many of her massive hits, like “Blank Space” and “Love Story”, but the setlist was saturated with deep cuts than fans would have never expected. Perhaps the most talked about one is “marjorie”, her touching track from evermore about her late grandmother. I remember looking at my friends and my husband with a look of utter shock. This is one of Taylor’s most heart wrenching songs, and she decided to perform it live. There were six of us in our group, and not one of us had a dry eye. Not even Taylor herself. In the background of “marjorie”, her grandmother’s vocals from when she was an opera singer can be heard. Fans came to realize that Taylor chose to include the track so she could essentially perform with her grandmother. This conclusion only made the performance even more powerful and emotional. Another deep cut that surprised me was the folklore track, “invisible string”. This song packs a lot of meaning for me. When I got married, I walked down the aisle to it, and my husband often plays it for me on his guitar. It is our song, and his favorite track on the album. With this being his first Taylor concert, I was beyond ecstatic that we got to experience this together. Not only were there songs that were sung on the previous night, Taylor performed two surprise songs with just her and an instrument. The first track she performed was “this is me trying” on the guitar. This was one of the last songs from folklore that I was expected, but also one of my favorite tracks from the album. Then, she turned to the piano to finish out this section by performing a stripped-down version of “State of Grace”. As a Red album stan, this filled my heart with absolute joy. These two songs will be changed out with a different track at every show, making not one concert the same. This is what makes Taylor concerts unique. You can go to as many as you can and not get bored once. She always puts on an incredible performance and there is always something new that you can discover. Getting tickets this time around was difficult, but if you are lucky enough to snag one, you will have the best time. If you do not have tickets yet, do not lose hope. Continue to check SeatGeek and Ticketmaster—prices usually drop a week before the concert. This is definitely a show you will not want to miss! Eras Tour Setlist— Glendale Night 2 Written By Karlee Skipper Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube

Alt-Pop artist dee holt dropped her new empowerment single, “Dishes,” to announce her new EP, I’ll Be There . “Dishes” is about a one-sided relationship consumed with toxicity and losing yourself until you finally find the strength to leave. It can feel like the most impossible thing you’ve ever done to try and start fresh after your heart becomes collateral damage in someone else’s warfare, but that’s when there is no better time to do so. When we fall in love with someone who takes us for granted and constantly drains us, we fall out of love with ourselves. The relationship we have with ourself is the most challenging, beautiful, and long-lasting one we will ever have, so we have to prioritize that relationship in order to know our worth, and act accordingly. It is never selfish to choose yourself. There is only so many chances you can give someone you love, and all you want in return is the same love you give… seems simple enough in theory, but when someone shows you who they are, believe them. When our heart is involved, we fall into a pattern of naivety. We wear rose-colored glasses that make red flags look pink, danger look exciting, and manipulation look like love. It is never, ever too late to wakeup, change what you’ll settle for, acknowledge what you deserve, and get the hell out of dodge. The first days, weeks, and maybe months it will be the hardest thing you ever do, but gradually you will wakeup every morning and the sky will look bluer, and your heart will slowly glue itself back together. One day, out of nowhere, you will wakeup and be washed over with a sense of relief, and a hope for the future where you get everything you wish for and everything you deserve. Everything that happened will finally make the utmost sense because it led you to this moment, and you are free. “Dishes” is a catchy alt-pop song that contains an essential message for every listener. It’s a song that makes you want to dance around your kitchen and blast it on repeat. All the while, the empowering subject will slowly be engrained into your head, and you will slowly remember your worth and power. In honor of International Women’s Day , dee holt donated $1 to CARE Canada for every pre-save of “Dishes.” This organization focuses on fighting for the rights of women and young girls around the world. This is just one example of how dee uses her platform for the greater good. She uses her music to inspire young women, and her success to actually make a change. “Dishes” is like a 3 minute therapy session where you go through the rollercoaster of a toxic relationship, and dee inspires us and gives us the confidence and tools to understand that we are not alone, and we deserve better. No matter how long it takes to leave, this song is a constant reminder to love ourselves and never give up fighting for the relationship we should cherish most… the one with ourself. dee holt is an incredibly talented singer/songwriter from Montreal. She began singing to her dad’s guitar in VHS home movies, and she would perform at family gatherings where her gift could not be ignored. She began to study music in high school, and her creativity has always been the center of her life. dee’s first two singles landed her on Spotify’s LOREM playlist, and in 2022, she released her debut EP, When I Close My Eyes, which accumulated millions of streams, covers, and rave reviews. TeenVogue labeled her “one to watch,” and many compared her sound to the iconic Billie Eilish. Her new EP, I’ll Be There, is set to release on April 28th, and “Dishes” is just a taste of what’s to come for dee holt! Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW DEE HOLT:

Photo Credits: Anna Azarov Being struck with loss is one of the most difficult challenges we will ever experience. Those who have experienced grief before understand that a part of you dies when someone you care for passes. Lisa Danaë’s latest song “I’m Not Sure What To Do” is an incredibly raw artwork that depicts the aftermath of the death of a loved one. Lisa Danaë’s song tugs at your heartstrings as you begin to remember all the people in your life who have passed and how much that takes away with you. We are left feeling stunned and wisped into this state of uncertainty about how to go on without that person in our life. Not only is the subject matter of the track an incredibly personal one, the vocal performance by Danaë really carries the emotional toll she’s experiencing. Her voice is hauntingly beautiful as it takes you out of reality and sends you back to the past. Lisa Danaë’s talent brings a sense of comfort in her ability to make you understand how loss is a universal experience, and it is difficult for anyone to move on from. Click here to listen to "I'm Not Sure What To Do"! The song's sound has a clear darkness to it, in a way that pulls you from different ends. The song is direct with its lyrics and vocals struck with grief more than anything else. The primary focus we see in the lyrics is the inability to let go of what has taken place and being stuck in that moment of being told of someone’s death. Death and the tormenting agony that comes with it are ubiquitous, and that’s what the song paints. Danaë makes a connection to this by mentioning feeling empathetic, yet still frightened to go through with this moment in her life. This uncertainty to experience grief can be heard in her voice as well. The instruments in the song aren’t as complex, and this truly does benefit this track. The more prominent instruments in the song are a simple bass and piano in the background, but it works well because it allows more of a focus on the storytelling. There are some interesting harmonies with slight effects that make the song feel more substantial and ethereal. The song is very clean in production, which creates a nice contrast with the vulnerability of the song's subject matter. With everything Danaë has put into this track, the listener goes on this spiritual journey of the process of grief, and how frightening it can be to let yourself be consumed by it. Lisa Danaë is a Filipino-American musician from California. She’s had a love for music from a young age, idolizing several pop sensations early on. She’s developed this signature sound, which has been labeled as "dark pop" before, and this song comes from a combination of elements of pop and R&B. Danaë goal when it comes to songwriting, is to create a community that uplifts each other and reminds one another that there is always someone around the corner who has your back. She stayed very busy over the years, and even received a Wavy Awards nomination for Song of the Year for her song, “Weigh Me Down.” With her music, Danaë hopes to create a safe space for not just her fans but to create a space for minorities in music that share her experiences. She’s a clear genuine individual who is here to spread positivity and comfort in the form of addictive art. There aren’t many artists like Lisa Danaë, so start tuning in as soon as you can. Written By Chantal Charles FOLLOW LISA DANAË:

"Let Down" is the latest release from pop punk band, AVE (A Valiant Effort). The new track explores the ups and downs of a toxic relationship, including navigating co-dependency. The band shared that “the song ‘Let Down’ is about a toxic relationship that makes the other person feel worthless. The type of relationship that logic says you should get out of, but something keeps you there. It is inspired by a real-life relationship and details the emotional rollercoaster that happened. The song is available everywhere along with a music video. This song is for anyone going through a breakup, or anyone who just loves modern pop-punk vibes.” Making a striking impact on the state of pop punk today, "Let Down" follows the release of their recent singles, "Valhalla" and "Soul Vacancy." Drawing inspiration from the early aughts pop punk era, "Let Down" is a hook-driven anthem with serious attitude. The song fuses lead singer Michael Myerson's edgy vocals with guest vocalist, Christian Perez. Together, the two deliver angst-filled lyrics and arresting melodies, achieving that classic pop punk catchiness. Staying true to their distinctive style, "Let Down" fuses elements of early pop punk with EDM and hip-hop. The track features a fresh combination of modern electronic beats with driving drums reminiscent of post-hardcore bands. Between the unique fusion of genres and the captivating melodies, "Let Down" is a pleasing new addition to the pop punk world, pushing the genre in exciting new directions. Hailing from Orlando, Florida, AVE (A Valiant Effort) is an up-and-coming pop punk band. The four-piece ensemble consists of members Michael Myerson, Yegues Schettini, Abel Estrada, and Kevin Schoeppler. Together, the four aspire to be a tasteful culmination of heavy and pop music. AVE's music infuses aggressive guitar licks with catchy melodies, creating something any listener can enjoy. The band is an independent artist with one mission in mind: to make face melting music. They show their true artistry by combining elements of metalcore, hard rock, pop punk, nu metal, and even hip hop. Their unique approach to the pop punk genre is one to remember, and AVE should be on the radar of any pop punk fan. Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW AVE (A VALIANT EFFORT):