Growing up in today's society is incredibly overwhelming. Everyone is in a hurry to get to the top, even if it means sacrificing your health and wellbeing. The expectations for people now-a-days are way too high and everybody needs to learn how to slow down and enjoy your youth while you can. "Coming of Age" by Krooked Kings is a powerful indie-pop anthem about feeling behind in this fast paced way of life we've all come to know. Society makes us feel like we have to jump right into success the minute we turn 18, but that's just incredibly unrealistic. Everyone moves at their own speed and you should never let anyone make you feel bad for needing extra time to meet the adult milestones we are all pressured to reach. You're only young once and you should live it the way you want to. You have your whole life ahead of you to get where you want to be. This soft rock influenced indie-pop track takes me back to the early 2000's with it's hazy and ear-catching soundscape. It feels like a song they'd play at the beginning of a teen drama movie in 2006 (in a very good way). This song's nostalgic feel and emotional lyrics will have you putting it on repeat when you need a relatable song to listen to on a tough day. Their vibe gives me a mixture of The All-American Rejects and Foster The People between it's heavy reverb and the realness of the pop rock instrumentation. The vocals are light and raw; blending so well into the music that it becomes a divine experience for your ears. Krooked Kings is an Indie-Pop/Rock band consisting of members Oliver Martin, David Macey, Matthew Monosson, Paul Colgan, and Quinn Casper. The creation of Krooked Kings happened in 2019 when these 5 friends began playing music together while attending the University of Utah. Starting out playing in backyards and basements, they made their mark on others with their music which ultimately led them to being signed at the Los Angeles based Indie record label, Nobody Gets It Records. After signing, they released their single '96 Subaru' which gained over 3 million streams! Since then they released a debut album titled 'The Comedown', gained over 700,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and opened for both Goth Babe and Rare Americans on tour. They are now currently working on their sopphmore album which is being produced by Day Wave - so keep an eye out for the announcement by following them below! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW KROOKED KINGS:

Everyone loves a good Hollywood love story such as The Notebook , Legally Blonde , or Love Actually . We swoon over the profound romantic gestures, such as Noah writing Allie everyday for a year. It causes us to look at our own love lives and wish they were more exciting! In her new upbeat pop song, "Cliché,” Laura Davidson vents about her boring love life. She wants potential suitors to treat her like all the movie boyfriends she’s watched, no matter how cliché it may be. There is so much to love about this track, from the relatable story to the mood-boosting pop sound! One aspect of this song that it enjoyed was the instrumentation. The grungy electric guitar and the drums make it sound like a beloved 2000’s pop track. When I initially listened to “Cliché,” the guitar kind of reminded me of “So Yesterday” by Hilary Duff. This is ironic because both tracks have the same type of message. That is, both Davidson and Duff seem to be over their love lives and ready for something to change. As for the lyrics, I liked the format of the verses and chorus. In the verses, Davidson sings about how guys she’s met don’t show up on time and lie about their heights. When it gets to chorus, you can hear how fed up Davidson is when she outlines everything she wants in her “dream guy”. Love seems to be a big inspiration for Laura Davidson’s work. Her other two songs, “More Than a Friend” and “Drive Me Mad,” are both about the thrill of having a crush. They are both upbeat tracks that will put you in a dancing mood. It doesn’t matter if you’re in your room alone or out with friends. Be brave and dance like nobody's watching! It’s hard to believe that “Cliché" is only Davidson’s third single! She has definitely knocked it out of the park so far, and I can’t wait to hear other work in the future! Follow all of her socials below to be the first to hear about all of her new releases! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW LAURA DAVIDSON

Maya Malkin seeks to write lyrics that are always very straightforward and come right from the heart. What you’re hearing is exactly what you get. In her new single “Honey,” she speaks on what she calls the calm before the storm in a relationship. Her album Congratulations, set to release in three weeks, tackles the themes and patterns of an abusive relationship, which she herself has come out the other side of. “Honey” is overall a lighthearted song in comparison to the rest of this album, alluding to the much darker aspects of her past relationship without fully getting into it. It is a preview for what is to come and an extremely well-written song at that. The song opens with a soft beat, the closing of a door, and a man going “honey, I’m home.” His voice then fades out into the first verse which explains the complications of this relationship while still maintaining the upbeat, pop-music sounds in the background. This cascades into the chorus, which features lyrics that continue to outline the situation between Maya and this ex. The beat continues to build and becomes more energetic throughout the song. With the bridge, the listeners get further insight into the situation as Maya provides a combination of voice-layering, a vibey array of instruments, and her brutally honest take on her situation. It’s easy for the listener to follow along with the relationship explained in this song, and to enjoy themselves while doing it! Based in Toronto, Maya Malkin started out by playing gigs with her band Motel Raphael. Originally, with this band, Maya played many shows ranging from opening for Teagan and Sara all the way to Parliament Hill for the official 150th birthday of Canada. With the onset of COVID in 2020, Maya decided to work on her first single and released the song “Hostage.” Her songs can be heard on CBC, Virgin Radio, KiSS, and many more. Maya has also taken up songwriting in the form of commercials and jingles, and you can hear her talent in Line of Best Fit, EarMilk, Clout, Canada's Walk of Fame, etc. We are excited to see where her budding career takes her! Written By Molly Schiff FOLLOW MAYA:

Have you ever thought about your purpose for being in this world? Why you were placed in this position as a human being? We were put on this earth to do something and everyone has their own goals to accomplish; it's just a matter of discovering what that purpose is. People have their own beliefs and reasons for all the choices they make, and “Destiny” by GLO is about the path that takes you where you are meant to be in life. The cliché saying, “everything happens for a reason” is the best way to put it; it's your fate why things are the way they are. All the obstacles you’ve went through had to have happen to get where you are now. All the life lessons you've learned have made you the unique person that you are today. GLO starts “Destiny” off with a soft piano melody that gives a heavenly ambience. Her gentle vocals create an emotional feeling combined with her relatable lyrics. The chorus is paired with GLO’s harmony in the background which captivates the listener and gives a dreamy sensation. The consistency of the harmony along with the melody was a nice touch and added to the peaceful mood. There is also an electro-pop influence to the groove to balance out the calming tune. GLO is able to stop the airflow in the next verse after the chorus which shifts into a different direction making it more upbeat. She has control in her voice where she’s able to hit higher notes giving the whole track a variety of attractive sounds. GLO is a singer/songwriter and producer born and raised in the Bay Area and grew up in Southern California. Her influence for music is from the places she grew up creating "diverse musical inspirations." She is known for her “creative melodies, angelic harmonies, and powerful vocal mantras.” Since “Destiny,” she’s released “Money Mantra” early this year and “It’s A Vibe” late of last year. She’s earned over 900 monthly listeners on Spotify. “Destiny” is the first single from her four song EP called, “in my feelings.” It has a combination of moody, uplifting, and inspiring pop music. Make sure to check out GLO! Written By Lyndsey Cheng FOLLOW GLO:

“Noose” is a modern pop-punk jammer undercut with the steady pulse of trap. Starting from the bold title, the rest of the song is just as stark in comparison. Singing about a lover who takes and takes and takers, Bankston’s lyrics like “I wear my necklace like a noose just to get her attention” provide commentary on the sort of person who is much more concerned with the amount of attention that is received rather than the type of attention. It’s clear that no one should ever hurt their own mental or physical health for others, but the toxic pathways that the person reference’s mind takes them only view all attention as positive. Bankston’s honestly sarcastic lyrics add a bit of humor and self-actualization to the listener, evoking them to listen and consider whether they’re surrounded by people who put a noose on them or not. Bankston opens the track with a bang, from its dreamy beginning lulling you in, to a sudden muted electric guitar riff that’s then accompanied by trap 808s and drums. Bankston’s fusion of trap and rock is most evident in the catchy chorus, with mini climaxes systematically hitting the audience over and over again until we can’t help but sing along too. The heavy basslines and crisp hi-hats only accentuate the driving energy and raw power of rock, resulting in Bankston’s explosive and catchy track. Bankston cleverly ties into rock’s traditional themes of rebellion with his individualistic rebellion about someone who’s used to getting their way through any way possible. A man of many many talents, Bankston is an artist, a producer, a writer, and an engineer who has worked with the likes of Noah Cunane, Franz Roz, Kid Baron, Azealia Banks, and much much more. With this wealth of experience, Bankston only recently began to work on his solo career, releasing a small number of tracks to a wide amount of praise, reaching more than 10K+ streams. This year, Bankston takes up an admirable endeavor, pleading to release a new track within two months. Hearing the outcry from his fans last year, Bankston’s newest genre-breaking single has us counting the days until his next masterpiece is released. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW BANKSTON:

“Skyfall” is a catchy yet simultaneously poignant song. Would you mind sharing the meaning and inspiration behind it? Harzee: Thanks so much! Well, I'll say that the bottom line of my goal was to encapsulate the emotions of a person that could deal with loss and accept that love and life have to continue to thrive in even the most sudden or devastating love droughts. I wanted to write a song that allows the listener to feel encouraged by the sound of the music despite the lyrics being accepting and welcoming to a closing chapter. What was your reaction to learning that you had won the showcase for Tennessee Songwriters Week in Nashville? That’s quite an accomplishment! Harzee: I'm still as speechless as I was when they announced it on stage! I had a little doubt going into the whole experience since I'm currently growing into performing my own music. Seeing so many seasoned country artists able to sing and play their guitars in front of a packed crowd left me unsure of my cool outfit and backing track. However, I believe that being set apart from everyone else is what really got me this far. I'm just glad I got the opportunity to share my music with the world on a live stage! What led you to make the transition from your former alias, ALYX, to your current one, Harzee? Harzee: I get asked this question a lot, and also asked about my stage name in general. I made the transition from ALYX to HARZEE for a more futuristic taste and an eye-catching name sure to pave its own way. It's unique, it's not too silly, and it fits my aesthetic in terms of my artistic vision behind my music. As for the name itself, my last name is actually 'Harris', so I took the first three letters and added 'ZEE' for some "zing". Haha! What first sparked your interest in music, and when did you realize you wanted to pursue this full-time? Harzee: I can wholeheartedly say that my passion and inspiration for music and performing came from seeing Ariana Grande just doing her thing since I was a little kid. I've followed her since her Nickelodeon days, so being able to see her transition from an acting career to full on pop-star was thrilling to me. Through her music, I was able to discover what fun and love behind creating art in the studio really felt and sounded like. I realized I wanted to pursue music full-time when everyone started to notice I could sing my butt off. Now, I can't imagine a life where music isn't the center and main focus of my existence. If you could be the opening act for any band/artist, past or present, who would you choose and why? Harzee: If I could be the opening act for any artist, it'd be either Ariana or The Weeknd. They are both geniuses and icons, and seeing how they're changing the blueprint for the music industry is something anyone could only wish to experience! They deserve their flowers. I'd pass out if I met them. I swear it. What should fans keep an eye out for, what is next on the horizon for your musical journey? Haree: Right now, people should definitely be streaming Skyfall and helping me get my music out to more people who will love it. BUT, they can also be on the lookout for a music video I have planned, as well as my album, "A1DAY1", which I'm in the midst of creating. Interviewed By Vanessa Siebrass FOLLOW HARZEE:

We’ve all had the urge to change ourselves, whether that be our internal mind or our physical appearance. Society makes us feel like we have to look and act a certain way in order to fit in, but the truth is we are perfect as we are. However, if there’s a change we want, we should do it for our own selves and not for other people. Nick de la Hoyde’s single, “Don’t Go Changing” is about finding someone so unique and hoping they never change for anyone but themselves. This is a song everyone can relate to and feel motivated by. We have to remember that change can be good but not for the sake of others. It should be for our own benefit because that’s what makes it worth it. Having that reminder is important because we sometimes feel like we have to change to be accepted. Learning to ignore other people’s opinions of us will make us feel much happier. Nick de la Hoyde’s song, “Don’t Go Changing” is an indie pop track with high-spirited vocals mixed with a fast melody and beat. It has a refreshing vibe formed by Nick’s powerful and motivating lyrics along with its catchy, upbeat soundscape that raises your adrenaline. His pop vocals enhance the music which are paired with a rock influenced tune that is head bopping worthy. It raises positive energy and drives away negative thoughts. He reminds us not to change for other people but for ourselves with his passionate message. Nick’s voice softens before the last chorus with gentle piano keys which creates an inspiring and serious experience for the listener. The song ends by picking back up the optimistic sound and his energetic, raw vocals. Nick de la Hoyde is a singer/songwriter based in Sydney, Australia. He was exposed to many global influences that made their way into his music. Nick and his older brother Joseph (ZUZU) who is also a producer and collaborator have made a sound that’s described as “simultaneously intimate, expansive, and engaging.” Nick was a multi finalist at the International Songwriting Competition; he has received Honorary Mentions for his songs, “Mirror Mirror,” “Love Takes Time,” and “Thinking Bout You.” His debut album, A Beautiful Mess won first place at the 18th Independent Music Awards 2020 in the “Pop Album Category.” He has performed at Rolling Loud in Miami collaborated with artists from across the world, including being partnered with brands such as Seiko Watches, Hard Rock Café, Puma, and many more. Nick de la Hoyde is surely an artist worth checking out! Written By Lyndsey Cheng FOLLOW NICK DE LA HOYDE:

“Sometimes I Wanna Cry” is a yell-your-heart-out anthem that examines the catharsis of all these built-up and complicated emotions inside of you Taking inspiration from Japanese rock, Sarina succeeded in creating a song that people can just vent to. Skipping Sarina’s usual flowery poetic or vivid lyrics, this song is just straightforward, looking at how sometimes, intense feelings of depression, sadness, and apathy can overwhelm us. We cry because of the good or bad, to release pent-up emotions, to know that we are alive, and to just take a buffer from the constant negative media that plagues anywhere we look. Sarina’s refreshing rage is an honest reminder that others have no right to criticize your feelings, and it’s ok to cry, yell, and scream healthily. Sarina didn’t even know the charm that this song held over others. Writing the song “as a sort of cathartic release…only [writing] the chorus and [posting] it to Instagram on a whim”, she was pleasantly surprised by the sudden influx of views and the subsequent clamor for the song to be released. The song quickly grew from a simple cathartic release to a stark look at how emotions are processed and looked up in today’s age. The subsequent music video was beautifully shot, interspacing shots of her lounging in her bed with shots of her as a mime, trying to break through the invisible way of social normalcy. Fueled by a passion for self-expression, Sarina is continuously on the road to discovery and creation, establishing her genre-less and borderless musical skills with creativity. As all of her music, artwork, and production is produced under her own direction, her performances promise a cohesive experience that embodies her own vision and outlook on life. Currently based in Tokyo, Sarina began by releasing original music on Instagram. After hitting 2.3 million views with one video, her follower count increased dramatically, from 13.6K to 130K within two weeks. Talk about a blowup. Since then, Sarina has only reached higher heights, garnering worldwide attention from Asia, US, and the UK as a musician and also her additional talents as a model and influencer. Her next single, “Melancholy Roads No More” is set to release soon. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW SARINA:

Photo credit: Gabe Taylor I love “Speed Limit!” What a beautiful song; it feels like the dance of navigating through life’s challenges, finding balance, and learning to trust in yourself and your abilities. Can you tell us what this song means to you? Carson: There are some times when things have just felt overwhelming, and I've had to learn to let go of things sometimes. I think this is something everybody goes through at some point in their life, and it can be hard. When I was nine, I joined one voice children's choir, but I had to give up playing soccer to do it. I had to let go. That's what "Speed Limit" means to me. You are the youngest artist I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing for Pop Passion! As someone younger, what unique challenges have you faced trying to establish yourself in the industry? Carson: I’ve had problems with people not taking me seriously because of my age. Once, I was handing out flyers for an upcoming show I had, and some people would take a flyer, glance at it, and then throw it in the trash. One person even said to their friend after taking a flyer: “This is garbage. We’re not going to see some kid.” So it's hard in some ways. But it can also be a strength because people see a kid, think “Oh, this should be cute...”...and then see me perform and are just blown away. What was it like winning the contest and being featured in the song “One Bad Apple” for Donny Osmond’s Vegas show and what are some of your favorite memories from that experience? Carson: I was so excited. I had heard of Donny and heard some of his songs, and I thought it was so cool that I would be in his show. My favorite memory is when we went to see it, I was not expecting to get to meet him. But after the show, his manager took us back to the green room to say hi. It was so cool! We did the dance together. It was an amazing experience. He was really nice and also gave me some really good advice. You’re a multi-instrumentalist, and I know you play guitar; what other instruments do you play, and are you planning on learning anything else? Carson: I play keys, drums, and bass. I would love to learn pretty much any instrument, but at the top of my list of instruments to learn is probably the mandolin. Photo credit: Gabe Taylor I see that as a member of One Voice Children’s Choir, you’ve been able to tour and have performed for stadiums filled with fans. What’s your favorite venue, and where do you hope to perform in the future? Carson: I once performed on a ship in Japan, which was really cool! I also recently got to sing the national anthem at a Utah Jazz basketball game. But my favorite venue I have sung at is The Velour, in downtown Provo. A venue I hope to perform at someday would be The Hollywood Bowl. Who are some of your biggest musical influences and inspirations? Carson: My favorite band of all time is Journey! Other musical influences include OneRepublic, Alec Benjamin, and Ed Sheeran. Interviewed By Vanessa Siebrass FOLLOW CARSON:

Recovering from heartbreak is a difficult process many of us understand. If you've been through a bad breakup, you know how hard it is to manage the pain it causes. Dylan Dunlap addresses these emotions head-on with his latest single, "Right." After going through a breakup himself, Dunlap decided to tackle his feelings in this song. His breakup pushed him to take better care of himself, both physically and mentally. The lack of closure pushed Dunlap to find it on his own and write through the pain. This heartfelt ballad is a relatable listen, giving a personal and authentic view into Dunlap's journey to find closure and self-love. "Right" takes us on an emotional rollercoaster, tugging at our heartstrings from beginning to end. The beginning of the song feels vulnerable and delicate until the impactful build into the chorus. Dunlap's voice then soars over ethereal electronic sounds, causing goosebumps from the beauty and rawness of the combination. "Right" highlights Dunlap's impressive vocal range and songwriting ability. This track is a powerful anthem for anyone struggling through a tough breakup or tackling feelings of self-doubt. Even if you aren't struggling with these emotions, "Right" is a touching song full of gorgeous moments that anyone can get lost in. Dylan Dunlap is a Los Angeles native singer-songwriter. He creates lush blends of pop, folk, and electronic music, influenced by artists like Mumford & Sons and Coldplay. A talented musician, Dunlap has enjoyed much streaming success. In 2019 and 2020, he released the hits "If That's Alright" and "Who Would Have Thought." Dunlap has since signed with Nettwerk Music Group and released a pair of EPs—Soldier On in 2021 and Stranger's In My Head in 2022. Wearing his heart on his sleeve in his creations, Dunlap uses his platform and music to advocate for mental health awareness. Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW DYLAN DUNLAP:

Devon Cole’s “Call U After Rehab” is her most vulnerable track yet. It’s a love song, but the person she’s really loving is herself. This song is about taking time off from a relationship in order to heal internally and take care of yourself. Love can be a bandaid we put over our scars, but just because they’re covered, it doesn’t mean they’re properly treated. It can be terrifying to be alone and face your inner demons, but the moment you drop the crutches and step out of the safety of someone’s arms, you give yourself the chance to have the most healthy, forgiving, desired relationship with yourself. Without truly knowing who you are, accepting your flaws, yearning to grow and be better, you will never be satisfied in another relationship. As clich é as it may be, love begins within. Devon Cole uses rehab synonymously with whatever each individual needs healed or internally worked through. It is never selfish to put yourself first. The relationship we have with ourself is the one we must cherish and put above all else, and the one’s who stick around and wait for our healthy, happy return are just icing on the cake. Following her hit singles like “W.I.T.C.H” and “Hey Cowboy,” “Call U After Rehab” demonstrates Devon Cole’s ability to let her walls down and release a much softer, raw track. She uses her platform to uplift her listeners and let them know they are not alone. She profoundly proclaimed, “If anybody, even one person, finds solace in my music, if it lifts them up even a little bit, then I will have done my job,” and you can feel the sincerity and desire to help others through the weight of every word. Her voice has an effortless power that melds perfectly with her lyrics that seem right out of our journal. Devon stepped out of her upbeat, dance-in-the-kitchen comfort zone and graced us with a vulnerable track that is sure to resonate with her audience. Although it is a much softer track, her work is so captivating and relatable that we will surely still pour ourselves a glass of wine and dance around our kitchen to “Call U After Rehab” as the purest form of self-care. Devon Cole is a 24-year-old, alt-pop powerhouse. She first stepped on the scene when her remix of “Blurred Lines” went viral with her much-needed corrections of the lyrical wrongs. She is a singer/songwriter who uses her gift to empower women and sneak social truths into catchy pop songs that we can’t help but put on repeat. She has accumulated millions of streams across all the major platforms, and she has received critical acclaim from tastemakers BUSTLE and Billboard, and she was nominated for 2023 Juno’s ‘Breakthrough Artist of the Year’. With a major in psychology and the ability to inspire and really make a change through her music, this new, softer side is just the beginning for what’s to come. Follow Devon Cole on her social media below, and catch her live at one of her upcoming shows! Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW DEVON COLE:

Ahh, the California dream. The state where everyone there is known for saying, “ Dream big, anything can happen here .” Anything, huh? What about a relationship where you’re deeply in love with someone, but there’s a bump in the road that's blocking the relationship from pursuing into something much larger, and making it the real deal? theoneDNA’s, “ California Dreamin ’”, is a song that revolves around this issue, but he makes it very clear that he's willing to put in the effort and make it work for the person he loves. These two being together physically would be his dream come true. But right now, it seems like it isn’t working out due to a factor that isn’t specified in the song. However, he makes it very clear that he’s committed to this person and has high hopes for it working out in the end due to the effort he’s putting into it. You’ll always be willing to make things work for the right person, and that's just who the type of person theoneDNA is. In this pop-rock hit, you can catch the drums and piano. You can also catch how theoneDNA has fallen in love in a way that he’s never been before, to the point where he’d be lost without the person he’s craving to be with. He says, “ If I can’t have you, then I really don’t know what I would do ” and then adds that he's not confused about how he feels about this person because its “ been years since I've loved like how I do .” Either there's a big distance that's keeping them apart, meaning that they’re in a long-distance relationship and aren’t sure if it's going to work out, or it could be numerous other problems that's keeping them from physically seeing each other. We know that they’re not physically together, but are still in love and want each other because he admits that he’s been “ fantasizing ” about their romance. He visualizes them, “C ruising down the highway, going on our perfect date ”, and then afterwards says, “ I want us to be real .” He wanted that fantasy to be real and he's committed to making that happen! Although things seem to be difficult right now, he does show that he's going to put in the effort for them to see and be with each other. A few examples are when he expresses himself saying, “ I’m tired of the wishful thinking, I want us to make it real ”, “ I’m not confused ”, and, “ Committed to making it last .” theoneDNA is a singer and songwriter that was born Australia, but is based in Orange County, California. He uses his music as a platform to honor and acknowledge inclusion, authenticity and to break down barriers as an AAPI+ artist. Ontop of this, you might have seen him on Season 2 of the Vietnamese singing competition show, “VSTAR” where he was placed in the Top 27, as well as being featured in the magazine/media company, VoyageLA. He also has a couple of other songs released, such as “ Kiss Me Again ” and “ Boy I Got U on My Mind .” Make sure to follow theoneDNA on his musical journey with the links below, and check out his latest single, “ California Dreamin ’”' out now on all streaming platforms! Written By Sneet Efrem FOLLOW theoneDNA: