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Ally Hills’s latest single is an ingenious track with a unique background and an infectious melody that grabs a hold of the listener and propels them into a captivating journey. “manipuLIES” was born from lyrics written by Hills’s current girlfriend when she was only 10-years-old and had not yet experienced romantic heartache. The song was initially a joke between the couple, but their clever songwriting transformed it into the outstanding track it is now. Throughout the song, the lyrics call out a toxic person for their manipulation and lies—their “manipulies.” Hills immediately kicks off the song with these exposing lyrics when she sings, “You called me beautiful// You can’t play me// You called me wonderful// You can’t persuade me// It’s weird you didn’t realize// I’m friends with the girls you manipulize.” These lines instantly introduce the listener to the cheeky lyrics paired with the memorable rhythm. The uniquely written track was never intended to see the light of day, but Hills has blessed her listeners with “manipuLIES”, creating a song that is destined to be replayed on a constant loop. “manipuLIES” is a brilliant track that compels the listener with its witty lyrics and catchy melody. The production mesmerizes the audience from the first listen, making them want to listen to the song on repeat. The track kicks off with a compilation of synth sound effects that slowly transition into the verse, where Hills angelic vocals take over. The fast-paced beat pumps the listener up and takes control of their senses. The production is reminiscent of 80s pop with a blend of the modern alternative sound. The sounds tie together to produce a highly infectious track that engulfs listeners and keeps them company on late-night drives through the city. “manipuLIES” is the perfect alternative-pop song, showcasing Hills unmistakable talent. Ally Hills is a pop singer-songwriter, as well as a comedian, LGBTQ+ influencer, and content creator. In 2012, she launched her YouTube channel which has over 990K subscribers. Her content is a mix of comedy, music, and her personal experiences within the LGBTQ+ community. In 2016, she released her first official single, “Space”. Since then, she has released a handful of singles, including several collaborations. “manipuLIES” is her first release since her EP, Love and Other Figments of My Imagination, which was released early 2022. Hills frequently plays shows in LA and NYC and earned the 2016 Short Award Nomination for Best YouTube Musician. Written By Karlee Smith FOLLOW ALLY:

“Cherry on Top” is a booming anthemic revenge piece about a relationship gone wrong, but with the pockets of hope that emerge. While there’s often so much negativity surrounding the end of relationships, Costello’s genuinely optimistic nature leads her to express her feelings as they are, leading to her sadness, anger, or hurt and then getting past them. Costello teaches us a valuable lesson in being the bigger person when relationships or friendships turn sour. Costello’s classic bread and butter of pop, punk, and rock elements brim with her sassy attitude, clever lyricism, and catchy one-liners spread within the piece. As she nudges the line between the aggressive and powerful distorted guitars to the sweet ukelele was a fantastic stylistic decision. Her powerhouse vocals align perfectly with the just as hard guitars, but it’s her softer and sweeter side that truly adds something special to the track. Costello wears her inspirations openly, but her decisions to impart her own personality and uplifting lyricisms amidst her screaming and yelling of anger show how she’s building on the legacies of those before her. Ainsley Costello is an 18-year-old singer-songwriter based in Seattle. Beginning to perform at the young age of 7 and with unaired performances on American Idol and the Voice at 13, she’s had a plethora of experience beneath her belt in recording songs and performing them. Winning the ISSA (International Singer Songwriter Association) Young Adult Artist of the Year in 2022, it’s clear that Costello has much to show us in the coming years of her career. “Cherry on Top” is a strong single to close out 2022, and it’s exciting to see what direction Costello embarks on in the coming new year. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW AINSLEY:

Joey May’s latest single is a hauntingly beautiful ballad consisting of honest lyrics and a soothing melody. “The Other Girls” dives into May’s relationship and the self-doubt that consumes her. Despite her partner reassuring her that they love her for who she is, she cannot help but question her worth. Throughout the track, she sings vulnerable lyrics that illustrate these negative thoughts and the uncontrollable urge to compare herself to every girl her partner has ever been with. She starts the second verse with, “You treat me better than I treat myself// But when you get me flowers// I can’t help but to wonder// Did you ever get her the same.” These lines reveal that she recognizes that her partner cherishes her, and that she needs to love herself the way her partner loves her. However, she slips into these thoughts of self-doubt, thinking that their love is not special—that she is not special. “The Other Girls” is a unique reflection on insecurities found within relationships, because this track praises the partner for their love, while it puts the blame on May herself. The heart wrenching track resonates with listeners by effortlessly describing these emotions in a captivating manner. “The Other Girls” is a gloomy piano-led ballad with a peaceful melody that calms the minds of listeners. The track begins with the gentle piano that is quickly joined by May’s heavenly vocals. The production remains steady throughout the song, providing an ethereal element. When the song was recorded, May kept it as “raw as the first phone demo.” This created a unique effect on the track, making it feel more authentic and down-to-earth than if a full production were used. The only addition May added were some vocal harmonies. These can be heard throughout the song, further enhancing the heavenly atmosphere. “The Other Girls” is an enchanting track that transports the listener to another world and makes them feel like they are floating on air. Joey May is a singer-songwriter based in London. In 2021, she was crowned a winner of the Bingo Sounds Soundscheck Contest. This contest supports the dreams of aspiring artists, giving them the means to kickstart their musical career. In February 2022, May released her debut single, “fingertips”. Her second single, “Crime”, was released in October 2022, which was followed up by “The Other Girls”. These last two singles will be featured on her upcoming five-track debut EP, notes from my bedroom. This year, May has gone on tour and has continued to write songs—setting herself a firm foundation in the music industry. Written By Karlee Smith FOLLOW JOEY:

My first thought while listening to "I Don't Trust U" by Rian Cult was that it reminded of the famous artist Blackbear. This song tells a relatable story that I'm sure almost every listener can bring back to their own lives. You don't trust someone with your feelings, and you are making them known. They treat your heart with no regard for your well-being, yet you still let them snatch it up in the first place. You know, maybe you are partially to blame for giving in to their games, but you just want your heart back in one piece. With k-pop influences, this track will give you a pep in your step. Rian Cult's higher register is easy on the ears, and his tone is clear and listenable. The production on this track needs to be addressed; it's sleek and very well done, and it is most definitely my favorite part of this song. The lyricism is simple and witty, making this song easy to listen to and perfect to add to almost any of your playlists. Rian Cult is a Los Angeles-based pop artist from Romania. Rian is not new to the industry, having released his first single on Spotify in 2018. He has an impressive 9,000 monthly listeners, with his most streamed track, "Sundays In New York", having amassed 1,200,000 streams. He posts his music on TikTok along with relatable comedy, having reached nearly 200k followers and four million likes on his TikTok account. His brand new EP, "Songs I Wrote In The Loft", is set to release in January 2023! Written By Emma Kimberli FOLLOW RIAN CULT:

Isn't it so insulting to your existence when someone takes advantage of your kindness? Some of us say "I thought you were different" a little too much these days when it comes to dating. You meet someone who makes you feel good at first, and then before you know it they change into a completely different person once they know they've got you caught in their web. They go from being the most special thing in your life, to someone you never want to see again. You feel tricked, you feel used, and they don't even seem to care how bad they've hurt you. "It Matters To Me" by Queen Cult sings of this type of relationship that most of us can relate to. Right off the bat the style of the instrumentation gave me a nostalgic, No Doubt, 90s punk rock vibe with Queen Cult's own modern twist. The soundscape has an incredible flow that is easy to follow and will have you moving to the music. Queen Cult's lead vocalist, Maisie Johnson, has a vocal style that fits right into the nostalgic vibe and is reminiscent of Dua Lipa's rich and strong pop vocals. The instrumentation is what I like to call, a "real" sound. It sounds like a live band playing authentic instruments at a rock concert instead of the electronic virtual instruments we are used to in today's age - which if you ask me, we need a lot more of this in music again. I always say good music keeps you captivated throughout the entire song, and this song did exactly that. Queen Cult is a trio alt-rock band based in Macclesfield, UK. The band consists of Maisie Johnson, Brodie Carson and Piers Jarvis. Being a queer and femme-led group, Queen cult majorly supports the LGBTQ+ community, and is changing the UK music scene by giving others a voice through their songs. "It Matters To Me" was written by Maisie for a friend who had gone through a rough relationship, that way her friend wouldn't feel alone, and that's exactly what Queen Cult is all about. Influenced by the likes of No Doubt, Paramore, Royal Blood and Nothing But Thieves, Queen Cult started their 2022 year by releasing an EP, "Woman That I Know", that ended up on several official Spotify, Deezer, and YouTube music playlists. Queen Cult is known for their live music and will be going on their first headline tour in February 2023. Find your tickets at Songkick.com. Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW QUEEN CULT:

“Fake Highs” perfectly captures the struggles faced by young adults trying to navigate their way through the mundane responsibilities faced in life. Gabriel Munoz describes using coping mechanisms that leave him feeling empty come days end. From lack of sleep to trauma resurfacing, the song details the fruition of issues that most people have to deal with on top of work/school and day-to-day tasks. While socializing can be a great reprieve from the stress of growing up, Gabriel is tired of using these ‘fake highs’ as a distraction to spark joy. Despite the heavy lyrics, “Fake Highs” has an upbeat, flirty vibe to its sound. Filled with Gabriel’s low and smooth vocals and selectively placed reverb, the song comes across as emotionally impactful yet also catchy. While the single remains uniform through the verses and chorus, there is a climax of both emotion and instrumentals within the bridge that satisfyingly leads into the final chorus and outro. “Fake Highs” provides listeners with a relatable flux of feelings while maintaining the fun energy of Gabriel Munoz’s previous work. Los Angeles-born and raised artist Gabriel Munoz has a jovial pop sound that forwardly catches the ear. Though his discography tends to lean upbeat, you’ll find a variety of moods throughout his singles filled with catchy beats. Having just started releasing music a few years ago, his sound is comparable with pop radio hits of today's charting songs. The self-starter singer-songwriter shows palpable promise in his future in music. Written By Zewdi Cass FOLLOW GABRIEL MUNOZ:

In this advanced technological age, social media and mass consumerism often keep us from finding and expressing our authentic selves. KLEO’s new single, “INM” is an enticing and electrifying piece that highlights the tendency we have as humans to feel as though we’re floating through life, going through the motions, almost living in an endless loop of time. In this simulation-like environment that society has constructed, it’s easy for one’s dreams, desires and passions, the elements that comprise the human soul, to become lost and unattended to. KLEO’s meaningful lyricism brilliantly speaks to our technologically driven era, with lines such as, “mediated on a screen, pressing ctrl + alt+ delete,”. The single’s electric instrumentation and ethereal vocals establish it as a unique and melodic piece of art. “I had this longing to explore this feeling or idea of not knowing who you are in the context of society; and not sure if you're being yourself or just trying to fit in,” KLEO revealed when speaking about the single. Click here to listen to "INM"! “IMN” is introduced with booming percussion and distorted synths. KLEO’s high-pitched and crisp vocals give the song an angelic and almost otherworldly quality. The song’s heart-pounding melody presents listeners with a rave-like listening experience. Her utilization of precise sound distortion and vocal layering help add to the song’s cyber-pop vibe. The mixture of KLEO’s hypnotic notes and the tracks electrifying synth noise, blend to communicate a powerful and head-banging tune to audiences. Based in Glasgow, Scotland, KLEO draws inspiration from hyper pop, dark pop, K-pop, house and trap. She classifies her sound as post-internet pop and refers to herself as “half-human, half-android". KLEO’s work acts as a social commentary for our digital age, consumerism, capitalism and the commodification of human life. Her hit single, “Ukiyo” reached over 15.8k streams on Spotify alone. Likewise, her debut EP, “Machina” was released in 2020 and has had three of its songs earn the BBC Introducing Track of the week since their release. In 2022 KLEO started her Cyber Punk Club event, a VR/AR live experience for alternative electronic music from all over the world. She was nominated for The Sound of Young Scotland award in 2022 due to her unique sound and innovative approach to her art. KLEO is a rising star, whose music features deep meaning, beautiful sound and angelic vocals. Written By Julia Hooper FOLLOW KLEO:

Depression is known as the silent killer and is unfortunately something a large amount of people struggle with. Once you're in the darkness, it's very difficult to get out of. You're the one who has to decide when enough is enough and gain the strength to pull yourself towards the light again. "Save Me" by Lindsey is the empowering song that everyone needs to hear when they're tired of battling their thoughts and feelings. This song is to give you the confidence you need to rise from the ashes and let go of your past. Life is for living and the only way to live is to say goodbye to the demons and ghosts that have been holding you back from finding true happiness. "Save Me" is incredibly cinematic and strong in it's soundscape; the first time I heard it I thought it would be perfect for a action/drama movie trailer. The instrumentation gives off a brave energy, featuring a heavy electric guitar and a hard beat, giving the song it's modern rock influence. Lindsey's punchy pop vocals fit right into the rhythm and you immediately feel uplifted and empowered. This song will have you telling yourself "I can do anything". Lindsey's honest and genuine lyricism is message that most of us need to hear. In the music video, Lindsey creates a cinematic experience that perfectly aligns with the vibes of "Save Me", literally setting her demons on fire and watching them burn as she walks towards her newly found hope. Lindsey is an alternative singer/songwriter currently based in Nashville, Tennessee. "Save Me" is her debut single and the first of a five song series, titled "Out of the Ashes", which the rest of the four songs are still to come. This collection of songs comes from a place of vulnerability when Lindsey was in a tough battle with depression, which she has struggled with for most of her life. Each individual song is cinematic like "Save Me", but has it's own unique and captivating vibe. These songs stretch across all kinds of emotional soundscapes such as metal, orchestral, piano ballad, and ethereal pop. Compared to the likes of Evanescence, Imagine Dragons and Paramore, Lindsey is not an artist to sleep on. Follow her below to keep up with her new releases! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW LINDSEY:

It’s a tale as old as time… still believing the good in someone when there are red flags, roadblocks, and signs screaming to turn around now. When you love someone, it’s easy to give them passes on bad behavior and excuses for poor treatment. We become so intentionally naive because, when your heart is involved, ignorance is bliss. With our rose colored glasses and rosé stained shirt, those glaring red flags suddenly look a little pink, and we'd be fools to throw away something so great for something so little… great and little being the operative words. As we try our damndest to put our feelings aside, fit a square peg into a round hole, and do anything to keep this sinking ship afloat, they’re off betraying us, replacing us, and embarrassing us, and yet, we still stay. We once saw the magic within them and the possibility of forever, so where did it all go wrong? Every relationship begins with innocence, a fresh start, and the chance for this to be the one. We make small allowances for behavior we don’t agree with because the good outweighs the bad, but as time goes on, the problems are skyrocketing and you’re just praying for a net positive outcome. It’s easy to blame ourselves and wonder if we made up the person we’re trying so desperately to hold on to, but even if we did ignore some malice, it is not our fault that someone led us astray and deceived us from the start. People rarely come out from the jump and express their poor qualities. It’s something we learn from time and experiences. It’s not our fault for believing in the good. It’s not our fault for wanting to be treated well. It’s not our fault that some people change. It’s not our fault when someone inevitably drops their mask and shows their true self. It’s not our fault if we see their inner demons, and run like hell. From the moment “I Think I Made You Up” by Chymes begins, you’re instantly entranced. It’s the perfect combination of sultry and ethereal. It’s the type of song you dance to at the club with your girls, screaming at the top of your lungs, trying not to spill your tequila soda. It’s the type of song you listen to in the car, all the windows rolled down, and you decide to take the long way home. Her soft voice effortlessly melds with the sensual production. “I Think I Made You Up” is an energetic, lighthearted response to a breakup. We still feel all the feelings of regret and wishing we knew then what we know now, but instead of crying, we’re smiling, vibing, and laughing at ourselves. This song urges you to let go and feel free. Life is not about going backwards. We go forward with our new knowledge and promises to ourselves to do it different next time. We see the good in people, and we should never ever regret that, so we live, we loved, we learned, and thank god we can laugh about it. Chymes is an Australian singer/songwriter. She resides in the mystical dark pop world of music. She has an ever-growing fan base across the world due to her sheer talent and following recognition from BTS star Jungkook. She describes her sound as somewhere between Selena Gomez and BANKS. She likes to play with the contrast of light and playful and dark and moody. There is no surprise that she has accumulated over 30 million streams on Spotify and Apple Music and over a million likes on TikTok. She has supported numerous fellow incredible artists on tour, and she has even had her music featured on popular television shows, like the Pretty Little Liars reboot. Chymes brings so much realness to her music. She is raw and honest while remaining refreshing and illuminating. She is just getting started on her journey to stardom, and we are so glad that we did not make her up. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW CHYMES:

Living up to life’s expectations can be hard. We’re always so focused on our individual desires for validation in this society. It's easy to get lost in comparing ourselves to others and where they're at in life. As a result, we often lose sight of important things in life when we’re so focused on material things, like our careers and looks. Will Evans’ expresses this perfectly in his new single, “Already Gone.” The song is paired with a beautiful music video that captures how we chase self-fulfillment, even though it may always be just out of reach. “Already Gone” is a cheerful blend of pop country featuring some energetic banjo strums. Featuring driving rhythms and captivating melodies, this song easily catches the listener's attention. Evans’ smokey vocals deliver reflective lyrics about us chasing self-fulfillment and validation. Some of those lyrics include “We look into a mirror, Trying to validate/Dream like we’ll live forever, Live like we’ll die today.” An upbeat masterpiece, this song showcases Evans’ talented songwriting and ability to create a relatable, catchy anthem. Will Evans, a Rhode Island-based pop-folk singer-songwriter, has spent this past decade of his life as the front man for Barefoot Truth—a New England Roots Rock band. After four albums and over 50M streams with the band, Evans began his solo career. So far, he has released three full length albums and has performed for sold out shows across the U.S. and Europe. He is a master of live-looping in his shows, demonstrating his impressive skills as a multi-instrumentalist using the digeridoo, steel drums, acoustic guitar, sultry vocals, and percussive beatboxing. Evans is a known lifelong surfer and environmentalist, and his songs speak to the importance of protecting and connecting with the earth. His songs also convey messages of love, hope, family, and inclusion. Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW WILL EVANS:

Tayiha’s, “ What I Needed ”, is a pop song about growth - both individually and in a relationship. According to an Instagram post that she made about the song, she states that in the process of writing it, she felt lost and confused about the direction of her life. In the song, she reflects on someone who showed up in her life that helped her feel complete and better her outlook on life. Although this person made her feel loved and needed, she also remembered that she needed to continue learning who she was and to appreciate everything that she has in her life. Self-love and growth is a process, but having someone by your side to push and help you along the way is a lovely way to feel supported on your journey. You cannot prioritize one thing, or person, over the other, because it’ll still affect you. Having both, and giving attention to them is important. This is what Tayiha is trying to get across to her listeners in this song Tayiha starts off the song with a calm voice. She describes a feeling of relief from fear and compares it to the rain and storms fading away in the sky. Essentially saying that the dark cloud she was in had disappeared and she felt brighter, lighter and happier. Afterwards, the beat drops and she mentions another person involved. She describes them as someone that she felt connected with right away and how “ everything made sense ” when they were together. Tayiha was experiencing a loss of direction, but once this person had shown up and supported her, she began to realize that everything was going to turn out alright. She was learning to appreciate life one moment at a time, understanding, and having clarity with every moment she was in. The line “ Everything makes sense when I’m with you ” is significant because her person is what she needed to realize this. In the outro, she says, “ Drying up my tears, it's all clea r”, indicating her growth and awareness of how life will always get better as long as you put in the effort to make a change and have people supporting you along the way. Tayiha is a 17 year old singer and songwriter from Brisbane, Australia. She has an impressive background and has shown that with how far she’s made it in competitions and award shows. She has been featured on MTV Hits with her “ Not Feeling This ” music video, as well as the October 2022 magazine issue of “ It Girl .” In the ACMF National Songwriting Competition in 2021, she placed 2nd place for her song “ Out of Range .” Her song “ No Happy Ending ” was written at the age of 14, and had led her to be a finalist at the 2021 Queensland Music Awards. Lastly, she was a top 5 finalist for the 97.3 FM “The Band Brisbane Built” in 2021. Tayiha is a unique artist with her own sound, defying any and all genres. She shines and is successful at her young age, and proves that with all of her accomplishments and amazing music. Written By Sneet Efrem FOLLOW TAYIHA:

Talking way too much is never a good look. Talking so much that a whole song is written about you isn’t a great look either. “On and On” by Rheum is a synth-rock track about a chatterbox that just won’t quit even mid-break-up. Rheum hit the nail on the head with this power pop banger. Sometimes silence is the only way to penetrate the never-ending wall of words coming from your soon-to-be ex-partner. This energetic powerhouse of a song will certainly get you on your feet and pumped to take on anything. Even that talkative person you can’t get a word in with. Click here to listen to "On and On" With explosive guitar riffs, EDM-inspired backing with a hurdy-gurdy melody pulling the instrumental together this song is a rousing earworm. Rheum introduces interesting sounds into their music that you wouldn’t expect to hear on a modern track. These unique instruments make for an exciting listening experience. Sleigh bells ringing through an electrónica inspired heavy hitter like this is certainly a distinctive choice. The tones of the medieval hurdy-gurdy also add a layer of interest. The production sounds crusty and raw but at the same time professional. Rheum is setting themselves apart from the rest with these songs. Though “On and On” is their sophomore record, a polished maturity can already be heard throughout. Rheum is an indietronica duo made up of two brothers. Henrik and Lars. These two have been making music together their whole lives. Playing in many genres they put together a collection of songs made in their parents' garage years ago. Their upcoming album is called “Cassettes'' aptly named after the cassettes they mixed their music on. Written By Kaiana Lee FOLLOW RHEUM: