The ability to change and grow is one we are often pressured to suppress. On the latest single, "Forget About Me," by The Uncertain, the NYC pop-rock band declare a total metamorphosis. With pop hooks and alt-rock instrumentation, the trio set ablaze to each word with the force of someone officially sick of the bullshit. The bass, guitars, and drums pack a punch only matched by the lead singer's impressive vocals. Centering around a toxic situation, "Forget About Me" finds a triumphant vindication in squeezing out the poison. If people aren't willing to follow you through change, they're better off forgetting about you. "Took a trip to find myself / Cause I gotta get away," goes the opening verse. This self-discovery catalyzes the realization that the status quo is no longer sustainable for her. She leaves those who know her the option to "choose to step aside / Or take my hand and join the ride." "Forget About Me" is not a wholesale rejection of old friends, but a turned cheek to those not willing to accept her growth and change. Often we allow ourselves to be entrenched in toxic environments, relationships, or situations because we lack the courage to advocate for our own health. The Uncertain use irresistible pop-rock to encourage this self-preservation and willingness to change in spite of those who may reject it. The Uncertain are an NYC-based Alt/Pop rock trio. Their style pulls from a wide-range of alternative pop and rock to create a modern sound. Their lyrics are as complex and exploratory as their sound. "Forget About Me" is the band's fifth single, as the group began releasing last year. Each of their songs has an official music video on their youtube page. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW The Uncertain:

The latest single from London artist, Anthony Benjamin, is an addicting love letter to 80's synth-pop. Electronic key chords provide an anchor for Benjamin's modulated vocals to whirl around. It allows for the song's shining moment—the bridge—to feel even more magical in their absence. As nebulous in lyrical concept as it is in sound, "Rainfall" is a vivid expression of pure feeling. With modern sensibilities, Anthony Benjamin uses 80's synth-pop as a vehicle to drive a lucid fantasy. "Rainfall, hear my call," Anthony Benjamin sings in the electric chorus. What it is he's referring to only becomes more of a puzzle. "Everything changed when the rain came around," he remarks in the bridge. Rather than shutting us out, however, this abstract nature becomes a mystifying and evocative quality. Strings swerving through the mix, synths glittering each corner, and a dance floor drum beat all make for perfect ingredients to a tune you'll never get out of your head. "Rainfall" is a phenomenal pop song full of curiosity and mystery. But it's the unanswered questions you're left with that provide it that concrete feeling. Anthony Benjamin is a London-based artist. He began releasing music in 2020 with a three-track EP. Since, Benjamin has released a slew of fantastic pop singles at an impressive rate. His motto seems to be "The world is mad, then there's music!" The artist does reveal demos, answer questions, and more on his instagram linked below. "Rainfall" is just the tip of the iceberg for this growing artist. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW Anthony Benjamin:

On the debut single from pop-rock band, Blue Lush, titled "Save Me," the group reckons with who they can depend on at their lowest. The mix is rich and impactful, bringing each punchy instrument to the front. Dense vocal layers create an anthemic feel. This is most evident in moments like the pre-chorus, when they soar as they recount "reaching out to the stars tonight." It's a bright and brilliant track that packs a direct and affecting punch. The only reliable source of healing, they suggest, comes from oneself. "When the gust met the tide, you were there by my side," Blue Lush remark in the opening verse. The support of this person, however, was only felt in these moments of convenience. As they blast through the chorus, the band identifies the disillusion. "Wanted you to save me, but I didn't realize / that I need to save me." The immaculate production only serves to demonstrate their confidence in this assertion. On "Save Me," an astoundingly debut single, Blue Lush find strength in the times when there is no guiding light. It's the type of catchy and evocative pop-rock track that makes screaming affirmations feel cathartic. Blue Lush are a band of five members forming in 2019. The group's three original members met in college through music, with the other two members joining two years later. They're known for their unique rock sound—incorporating elements from a wide array of genres. Their goal is to create music meant to heal, preserve, and connect with others. "Save Me" arrives as their first released single on streaming platforms. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW Blue Lush:

"Oh Shit," the latest single from Madison Davenport charts the multitalented artist's spiral into syrupy sweet adoration. Pulling from 80's synth-pop and 2000's grunge-pop, the immaculately produced track lives in a cinematic and nostalgic world of its own. The marriage of fluttering synth and rougher bass shouldn't work as well as it does, but it perfectly captures both competing feelings. Her emotional callouses in resisting love come through in the grungier aesthetics, while they're softened by the distinct sparkle and danceable hooks. "God, no! We're just friends," Davenport assures a friend in the song's intro, but the immediate flood of glittering production indicates without words that this is far from the truth. Even when our jaded nature resists, true feeling bleeds through. "I went and broke the rules I made for us," Davenport admits in the first verse. If one thing is clear, it's that she is getting dragged into love, kicking and screaming. But like the swarm of butterflies on the single's cover art, her true feelings are uncontainable. The clear-eyed songwriting and production prove her to be an artist with undeniable vision for her work. "Oh shit! I think I like you," Davenport shouts in the irresistible chorus. The way she delivers it carries the irrepressible giddiness laced in each expression of frustration. She may not have wanted to fall for this person, but she can't deny just how much joy it brings her. Madison Davenport's recent foray into music this year is preceded by a prolific career in acting. Her voice has always been her most powerful tool, used in a diverse variety of voice-acting roles in film, television, and video games. This year, she's made her debut into music with the song "Monster." "Oh Shit" follows as her second single, proving her as an unstoppable force. Beginning her artistic career at such a young age has given Davenport the experience and polish uncommon for someone so young. If one thing is clear, it's that she still has plenty of surprises left in her career. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW Madison Davenport:

Beyond heartbreak, "It Was All A Lie," the latest single from Leanna Oki, charts the disorienting lack of direction in its aftermath. Opening to a folk-tinged intrumental incorporating synth and acoustic guitar, Oki sets the stage in the direct wake of a breakup. Interestingly, the song breaks into something more stylistically similar to R&B in the chorus. It's a testament to her skill as a songwriter that the two styles are married seamlessly without losing any of the emotional impact. She able to capture complex and nuanced emotion without overcomplicating or muddling the songwriting. The constricting nature of grief in heartbreak locks horns with the paralyzing freedom Oki's left with. "I don't know which way to go," captures the directness of Oki's lyricism, which is elevated by her emotive and impressive vocals and production. Beyond the sadness of being left behind ("It was all a lie, / 'Cause you said goodbye), she flounders in the loss of direction. Like many, Oki's built herself around this relationship and the trajectory it's built into her life. Left shaken by it's unforeseen end, she expresses her disorientation more than simply grief. "I let myself fall / So where do I go from here? / I'm drowning dear." She's winding herself into knots only to unravel again and again. Asian-Canadian singer-songwriter, Leanna Oki, has been writing and recording her own hand-written tracks for over seven years. Her style blends elements from pop, R&B, and electronic music alongside her emotive lyrics and vocals. As a multi-instrumentalist, Oki retains creative control over her music's creation. The artist began releasing her music in 2020. "It Was All A Lie" arrives as her second single of the year. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW Leanna:

"Waste My Revenge" wields pop-rock like a power drill, piercing precise and lethal holes through the standard breakup-song concept. Every instrument, including vocalist David Welcsh's singing, is amped up to anthemic levels. The result is a stadium-ready blast of nostalgia and catharsis with enough depth to remain potent on repeat listens. And trust me: you'll have "Waste My Revenge" on repeat. The complexity of the songwriting, employing clever countermelody and pacing, never undermines the song's immediacy. The band pack a deeply felt and undeniably danceable blitz. "I won't pretend I knew the end was coming," Welcsh remarks in the chorus. This small admission captures the song's subtle subversions. It demonstrates the band's talent as both expressionists and raw storytellers. It plays like a letter to an ex that we aren't meant to be reading, but we're able to piece enough details together to understand the depths of their relationship. "Waste My Revenge" is a triumph in the aftermath of having the wind knocked out of you. Even weaving such an intricate web of nuanced emotions and exposition, The Thing With Feathers never let the catchy hooks and melodies falter in priority. Dance first, cry later. The Nashville-based band, The Thing With Feathers, bring an eclectic mix of alt-rock, indie pop, and dance to their wide-ranging sound. Lead vocalist, David Welcsh, began forming the band in 2016, though it wasn't until the fall of 2018 that his vision was fully realized along with the current lineup. The band released their debut EP, "Sundays in the South" earlier this year. "Waste My Revenge" is the second single and titular track to their upcoming sophomore EP. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW The Thing With Feathers:

On her sparkling, latest single, singer-songwriter Daisy Gill invites an intoxicating drama and character into her clear-eyed songwriting. The dizzying chorus is outfitted in glitzy keys and slick synths, practically tasting of expensive champagne. Reminiscent of Amy Winehouse, the jazz-influenced pop single is full of charisma and style. There's clear restraint in the production: the percussion only rolling in thunderously when it's given centerstage during the verses, the keys and synths distinct but harmonious, and her vocals always at the forefront to imbue "New York State of Mind" with its persona. The technical qualities of "New York State of Mind" are impeccable. It's evident Gill has honed her craft, paying skillful attention to pacing and construction. However, it's the visceral feeling that stands out. In the chorus, the descending chords over her velvety vocals call to mind a lavish staircase or gaudy casino. "I'll take you for a ride with my New York state of mind," she smirks through the heady mix. She is the eye of the storm, effortlessly cool as she sends you spiraling. Daisy Gill is a Liverpool-based singer-songwriter. Self-taught in guitar and performing gigs from a young age, her experience is evident in each track. Not beholden to the narrow constraints of genre, Gill brings together an eclectic variety of sounds and styles. Her shift towards pop music still draws from retro/jazz. "New York State of Mind" arrives as her second single of 2022, following the also remarkable "Telephone." Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW Daisy Gill:

It's easy to say that there's no sense fretting over that which you can't change. On her latest single "Rest of my life," however, Holly Wild uses reflection and remorse as measures of perspective. Her considerations of a failed relationship in London highlight her growth and maturity, rather than tear herself down. The production is sturdy, piano chords and light synths breeze by like soft strokes of a paint brush. Drawing on folk-pop songwriting, Wild demonstrates her ability to merge confessional lyrics with catchy hooks. "Rest of My Life" anchors the buoyant folk-pop production in reflective confessionals. "I feel like I left this car wreck over in London / I'm sorry for what I did." The lyrical specificity is amplified by her emotive vocals, giving the song an intimacy to nurture. "You could've been the rest of my life, the rest of my life, the rest of my life," she repeats, as though tasting how the words feel in her mouth. "Want you to know I'll never forget." If there's any indication that Wild has made peace with her reflections, it's the warmth of the production. It acts as a sturdy backbone, never shifting from its temperate pace. She's given newfound perspective on the more turbulent times of her life through stability. Pop singer/songwriter Holly Wild draws upon her vibrant life experience. Moving countries, achieving her bachelors degree at the Australian Institute of Music, marrying and starting a family all serve as the rich precursor to her career as an artist. This lends her music an empathetic and expansive worldview, painting them in the most vivid and organic colors. Wild has released singles for several years, building towards her debut album, which is set for late 2022. "Rest of My Life" opens the record, which is titled "Wild." Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW Holly Wild:

Dutch band, JASONWATERFALLS have always been masters of constructing stadium-sized rock anthems. Their latest offering, "Anything You Want," ahead of their upcoming EP continues this trend with a pop twist. The production is larger than life: chugging synths, smooth bass, and boxy drums all lift up the immaculately mixed vocals. Reminiscent of late-2000s emo, "Anything You Want" dials everything up to its breaking point and lets it hover there. Fusing it with modern pop sensibilities, the song works because its never beholden to its own rules. Even the lyrics of "Anything You Want" bring out the larger-than-life feel. "As we go down in flames, one thing that keeps me sane is / Ain't giving, won't give you anything you want from me." Tying these broader feelings to specific, personal confessions keeps the songwriting grounded and introspective. "I think that I feel best with no one else around," he remarks. That the lyrical layers feel well-blended is a testament to the band's writing strength. Even from the solitude of a bedroom, "Anything You Want" makes you feel like you're packed into a crowd at a concert. For a rock song, that's exactly what you want. JASONWATERFALLS are a 4-piece Dutch alternative rock band. Their sound merges dark electropop with energetic metal. In 2020, they released the EP "Pillars," which resulted in their nomination to the 2021 Edison Pop Awards. With their growth in popularity, the band has been headlining shows in Netherlands and supporting world-renowned artists, such as Panic! at the Disco, Machine Gun Kelly, Highly Suspect, etc. "ANYTHING YOU WANT" arrives as the second single ahead of their upcoming EP entitled "The Great Masquerade." The 6-track record features a post-apocalyptic theme. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW JASONWATERFALLS:

What does dishonesty feel like from the recipient's perspective? Often, rage and confusion coats contemporary representations of this experience in a blunt force. On their fantastic single, "Hayley," Whales-based band THELIXX fashion 80's synthpop into an evocative and eerie chronicle of calloused confrontation. The chorus opens up the song to a wider palette of influences. The streaks of guitars paint a vaguely new wave hue into the chorus. Never cooling down, these dreamier flavors feel like letting a blanket of fog roll into a blitzing party. Some pop songs are constructed like a shotgun shell, blasting through quickly and overwhelmingly. "Hayley," however, is a perfectly strung bow with an arrow aimed directly between the eyes. Its most striking and gripping in its intricacy and specificity. The relative brevity, clocking in just over two minutes, allows THELIXX to wind a tight and concise narrative with catchy songwriting that begs for repeat listens. Interestingly, the prechorus shifts ever-so-slightly between the first and second verse. The first presents the cheating partner as aloof and not present, but the narrator adopts this attitude himself by the second. This is fantastically subtle and impactful songwriting, using the pop format to create expansive experiences beyond what words can say. Where a listener might assume the lyrics purely refer to the infidelity of the titular partner, the immaculately-filmed music video twists its meaning to something more ominous. As frontman Curt declares, "Caught you red-handed," the love interest creeps onto the screen with a knife. Sometimes, dishonesty in a relationship can feel as cutting as a knife. "Hayley" is just the first of three singles the band co-wrote with Grammy-nominated songwriter Daniel Evans. The song begins a new era for THELIXX, following poppier sounds and hook-driven writing. Based in Whales, THELIXX are an indie-pop trio formed when they were fifteen. Aside from "Hayley," the band has released three other singles, beginning in 2021. The next twelve months is set to make THELIXX a band to watch closely. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW THELIXX:

The lightest touches can pack the heaviest punches. Nowhere is this more applicable than to the latest single of New Zealand singer-songwriter, Connor Mac. His latest single "See Through" seeks new heights with his most la. The sound is rooted in the torchy, folk of prior singles—such as Hippie; but on "See Through," instruments are layered to cascade over Mac's smooth voice in a way that feels new. The lushly produced ballad finds its greatest strength in wide open spaces. Every instrument, from the gorgeous strings to the gentle acoustic guitar, feels aired out to maximum effect. At times, Mac's voice becomes the solid ground to cling to as the restless instrumentation whirls around. "See Through" is like a snow globe, whirling with urgency, but anchored in devotion. Mac's previous singles reckoned with relationships that seemed to bury themselves alive. He fixated on exploring people's capacity to damage one another. "See Through" brings a similar sense of crisis, but instead asserts that - just as they have the power to cause pain - people also have the power to help each other heal. "I know that sometimes, deep in your mind, / you are six inches tall." Mac acknowledges in the chorus, his voice bursts with desperation. The woman he's addressing is recognized for her feelings, context, and validity. "I hope you'll remember," Mac sings, dipping into his husky, lower register.Just as she hasn't forgotten how she's been ignored, his most urgent plea is to remember how she is loved. Connor Mac is a 24-year-old singer-songwriter based in Switzerland. Though originally from New Zealand, he lives in Switzerland and tours Europe. "See Through" is Mac's third single of 2022. He has confirmed that these tracks are leading up to an EP. Describing his sound as "smooth pop with soulful overtones," Mac embraces a wide ranging sound that feels sensitively rooted. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW Connor Mac:

There are two fundamental relationships we have with songs: what they tell us and what they make us feel. As an art form preoccupied with representing feelings and experience, music has the power to articulate what might feel too abstract for words. The breathtaking latest single from Ilona Mahieu, "Ribcage," is as volcanic as it is incisive, documenting the experience of an eating disorder. The song sizzles like a lit fuze in the first half, sparse rock instrumentation melting away at the confrontational lyrics. At the song's climax, every instrument erupts into a wave of distortion and chaos. The production is immaculate, balancing these two juxtaposed sections to strengthen the whole of the song. It's awe-striking. Rather than attempting a summative articulation of disordered eating, the UK-based indie rock band narrow the focus to the role eating disorders play in one's life. "Have you come to join me once again / at the table," lead vocalist Pointeau questions over the tense bassline. Even as the song's still simmering towards its climax, the verses hold tremendous impact in their engagement with deeper issues belying the eating disorder. "Carry me through the grief for them," and Pointeau's silvery voice leaps to plead, "Keep me stable." It's not that "Ribcage" is so emotionally gripping because it's tremendously vulnerable; the unforgettable single resonates because it authentically represents an experience with specificity and perspective. It's a song featuring conflicting forces: stability and dependency, anger and grief, stadium-sized and small. After the stormy climax, Pointeau's voice shakes in the hazy quiet of the song's closer. "Watch where you break your bread," she warns. "Ribcage" smolders like a signed contract with the devil. UK indie rock outfit, Ilona Mahieu is an eclectic band never confined to the boundaries of sound or genre. Punch-packing, dreamy, and rich—the production always swings big with a clear-eyed vision. Mahieu began releasing in 2019, with "Maslow." This was followed in the subsequent two years with three, exquisite singles. "Ribcage" arrives as the first single of 2022, and follows up the previous four tracks with another banger. The band takes pride in the versatility of their sound and the poeticism of their lyrics. Notably, the music video for "Ribcage" is a stunning, visual companion to the fantastic track. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW Ilona Mahieu: