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"Runaway" by Phoebe Hall is a fun bedroom-pop song. Not only is this track ridiculously catchy, but it is also incredibly good on the ears. Phoebe’s lower-register voice sounds rich and addictive, and the writing is witty. Hall’s style is unique and refreshing, which makes this song a very easy and repeatable listen. "Runaway" doesn’t waste any time; it beats along and knows exactly what it wants to be. This song needs to be immediately added to your break-up playlists; it’s a must-have. I was immediately reminded of The 1975 and girl in red. This song reminds me of the mid-2010s in the most complimentary way possible. "Runaway" tells a tale of unsuccessful love. You are getting tired of the person you are involved with keeping you a secret, and you just want to break free from the relationship. You realize you don’t deserve to be a victim of their shame, and they are the reason your relationship seems to be unsuccessful, not you. You decide to take back your love and time and "run away" from the relationship. Hall is a twenty-two-year-old rising pop artist. Phoebe describes their music as queer bedroom-pop, that has emotions but is also fun and lighthearted. She has performed several live shows, absolutely stealing the show each time. The artist has been releasing music on Spotify since 2021 and released their Freshmen EP in November 2022. She has amassed an impressive 4,000+ monthly listeners, becoming a rising indie-pop star quickly. Written By Emma Kimberli FOLLOW PHOEBE HALL:

“Gets Better” by Benzvi is a classic electronic pop track. This song catches your attention right away and pulls you in. The vocal delivery of Benzvi reminds me of the early 2000s pop-punk vocal style mixed with a little bit of a country twang. What I’m trying to say is that his vocals are very unique and interesting. The writing is relatable and concise, making this song a perfect track to blast while driving. I was reminded of The Fray mixed with Chase Atlantic when I listened to this song, which is a comparison I never thought I would make. But this track does it well; it’s respectable. The story this song tells exists in many people’s lives. Your relationship is struggling and it is confusing you. Your partner claims they want space, but that is the exact opposite of what you need. Maybe this relationship isn’t for you? But then you remember, you promised the one you love to always be available for support. Everyone is telling you things will get easier, but you are having a hard time believing that. Dallas-based pop artist Benzvi has been making and releasing music for fifteen years now. He claims his motivation for making music is to spread positivity and bring others together with his rhythms and lyrics. He's played live gigs, his claimed genre being motivational pop, and he is one of the pioneers. He is also a self-made entrepreneur, trying his best to motivate others to be the best versions of themselves. Written By Emma Kimberli FOLLOW BENZVI:

From first listen, “Level Up” by Natty Paynter seems like a cheeky song about a gamer unable to beat a level, but it’s actually a metaphor for life. Whether you’re in an arcade, an unfulfilling relationship, a job you hate, or a person you don’t even recognize in the mirror anymore, we all feel stuck; unable to pass the level of life we are on. We look around at our friends, families, and enemies, and see them doing better, and all we want is a cheat code to win. Every person is not only on a different level, but we are all playing different games, and the big catch… we are not only the main players in our game, hero and villain, but we are also the creator. We can do exactly what someone else does, and while they ear all the coins and get the girl, we lose everything and are back to level one in factory setting outfits with a mountain to climb ahead. As frustrating as this can seem, there’s no one way to “win” at life. We all must play our own games, make our own mistakes, learn from them, and try to do better when we inevitably lose and start from zero. As cliche as it may be, life is not about winning the game. Life is about getting the chance to play, and there’s no one who can play your game better than you. “Level Up” is a compelling pop song that perfectly depicts the fear of getting left behind when everyone around you seems to be soaring. Natty Paynter’s lyrics mirror the deepest fears inside us all. The funny thing about idolizing someone else’s life and success is that they still have those exact same fears inside themself about everyone else around them. Even if you “have it all”, you still envy those around you. The billionaire man who is the CEO of a Fortune 500 company envies the middle class man who gets to come home at 5 pm and eat dinner with his family every night. The woman who just got engaged in Paris to the love of her life envies her single friends who get to go out every night, get free drinks from men, and dance until the sun comes up. The valedictorian envies the girl who got C’s but got to experience college tailgates and pub crawls. There is not one person in this world who has it all, and the sooner we accept that and appreciate the life we’ve created for ourself, the sooner we really begin to live. There will always be ups and downs, people ahead of you, people far behind you, and in order to level up, you just have to be you; be unafraid to fail, and be unafraid to try again over and over until you get it right. Natty Paynter is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist and vocalist born and raised in Cardiff. Artists such as Ed Sheeran and Alec Benjamin are some of her biggest influences in music. Her music is created from her personal experiences and emotions, and she is in a league of her own with her gutsy, bold indie-pop style. She is not afraid to to show raw honesty and vulnerability through her music. While going through her own journey of self-discovery, Natty Paynter came out as LGBTQ+ on social media. She is an inspiration for her fans, and her music is a safe space for people where she freely dissects the darker parts of life. No one feels alone or left behind when listening to Natty’s music. Her sheer talent mixed with her dynamic lyrics and captivating spirit has made Natty Paynter an instant legend amongst her fans, and as we ride along this journey with her, we can’t wait to watch her “Level Up”. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW NATTY PAYNTER:

Some songs can’t help but evoke a bouncy and freeing feeling among listeners. The kind of unique, airy sound that makes people want to dance around and bop their heads. Second Thought’s new single, “how would you know” brings audiences to their feet by illustrating a state of bliss despite facing constant uncertainty. The single creates a narrative that is reminiscent of the often-conflicting emotions met in young-adulthood. While the song’s melodic instrumentation and ethereal vocals create beautiful sound, the lyrics paint a story of self-discovery, confusion, doubt and euphoria. For instance, the verse “I found a clover, you picked it to the bone, feeling low, does it show?”, speaks to our generation's common tendency to dwell on what others think of us. The stress of contemplating how people perceive you can feel like your every mistake is being dissected. “how would you know” represents the struggle of balancing self-image with the desire to live in the moment and enjoy being carefree while you can. Intricate and lively guitar strumming, paired with energetic percussion characterizes the opening of “how would you know”. Soft, masculine vocals and a fast-paced beat give the single an indie-alternative vibe. High-pitched, soprano harmonies add a unique and haunting touch to the breezy bop. The song’s catchy chorus is undeniably groovy and dance provoking. Second Thoughts created an official music video for “how would you know” which is featured on their YouTube channel. The video showcases a vintage-indie aesthetic with the inclusion of yellow-tinted videography, unique camera angles and fun shots in the woods, surrounded by greenery and autumn leaves. Based in Hertfordshire, Second Thoughts is an indie-pop band consisting of four members, Clara Freeman-Taylor (bassist and vocalist), Jude McCreath (rhythm guitarist and vocalist), Ben Campbell (lead guitarist and vocalist) and David Addison (drummer). The group first formed in 2018 and began drawing inspiration from the bedroom pop genre. As the members have continued their musical journey, their inspiration has ventured more into 90’s alternative rock. Second Thought’s sound is often compared to that of The 1975, The Strokes, early Artic Monkeys and Wallows. The band runs a successful TikTok account with an impressive total of 1.7 million likes and over 134k followers. Their content ranges from humorous to whimsical, and of course they use the platform to promote their music. According to their 2022 Spotify Wrapped analytics, they earned over 4.6 million total streams this year alone and reached audiences from 168 different countries. Success is nothing new to Second Thoughts, with some of their biggest hits being “nicotine stains”, “another guy” and “parachute” which amassed over 3.3 million streams on Spotify. Thankfully for fans, “how would you know” is just the first single released from Second Thought’s up and coming EP, “FLUKE”. Written By Julia Hooper FOLLOW SECOND THOUGHTS:

In "Senses" by Jeanika, Jeanika is confident in her personal development since being broken by a past relationship. Ultimately, Jeanika's unfortunate circumstances worked in her favor, allowing her to find a new perspective on her value as a woman and what that means for her love life moving forward. Her past lover, however, seems delusional about Jeanika's growth and believes she'll come running back despite what changes occurred during their separation. But Jeanika is aware that her self-improvement doesn't reflect anyone else's. More so, she wants to be clear she's better off alone than back in the arms of someone who wounded her. After all, it is the energy from her journey that Jeanika channels in "Senses," which is a testament to the work she impresses listeners with when she's self-reliant. Within three minutes and sixteen seconds, "Senses" by Jeanika emphasizes the performer's vocal prowess. Credit for that can be given to the track's sparse production, solely consisting of guitar, bass, piano, and live percussion. With a slow tempo and subtle movement from the instrumentation, "Senses" is an empty canvas for Jeanika to tell her story, which she reflects on in the beginning lyrics, "Where do I start?/Since you broke my heart." But Jeanika is straightforward in expressing herself, stating the song's premise in the lines "Since you've been gone/I've come to my senses," while comparing her growth to her heartbreaker in the lyrics, "Am I the only one that's grown away?" It's in this simple nature of her writing and her complex vocal abilities that, by the end of the song, will convince any listener she's a "brand new woman." Jeanika is a singer-songwriter from Ontario, Canada. Her musical education began at age three and continued over the years, eventually allowing her to study at the Royal Conservatory and Berklee College of Music. Through schooling, Jeanika's development as a musician encouraged pursuing music professionally, which she decided to tackle as an R&B artist. In 2022, the first year of her career, Jeanika released four singles on streaming services while amassing 4,826 monthly listeners on Spotify. With her latest song, "Senses," Jeanika remains determined to reshape the R&B genre while furthering her popularity internationally. And with her strong vocal abilities, songwriting talent, and extensive musical background, what Jeanika could accomplish going forward is limitless. Written By Jeffrey Ade FOLLOW JEANIKA:

‘Gets Better’ is so chill – I love it! What is the story behind the song? Benzvi: The story behind “Gets Better” is that in the midst of the pandemic my mental health was seriously affected and lost my secure job and switched careers. I had to remind myself that with hard work, consistency and self belief, your life will change in a positive way. Good things take time and I wanted to give people hope that with time things will get better. What does the songwriting process usually look like for you? Benzvi: My process usually starts with making a beat from scratch and collaborate with my producer @popriff and I come up with melodies to write to based off of what we created. I love to write music about experiences that I’m going through currently in life and write those personal lyrics but make them relatable to people. My goal is to connect with people and have my lyrics make them feel a positive experience. You’ve already released a few singles thus far. If you had to choose, which one would be your favorite? Benzvi: My favorite would have to be “Gets Better.” People will connect with me and let me know that the song has helped them with their struggles. The way it makes you feel and the melody is so catchy and it’s always fun to perform. Your spotify ‘About’ section says that you have been singing for 15+ years. What inspires you to continue creating music? Benzvi: What inspires me is that music has helped me get through some of the toughest challenges in life and I see how much it brings people together. There is a saying “When words fail, music speaks.” My family, fiancé and friends are also an inspiration and I know my music inspires them to be the best version of themselves. When you aren’t creating music, what do you like to do? Benzvi: When I’m not creating music I love to cook and grill out, go out to restaurants, watch and play sports, hang out with my family, fiancé and friends. What can we look forward to next in terms of your musical career? Any upcoming projects you can talk about? Benzvi: As 2022 comes to a close I am reflecting on the achievements I’ve had and enjoying the holidays with my family. I am currently working on a new single with my producer @popriff and other content for the single and potentially some merch. It is expected to come out February of 2023. Working on creating content for tiktok and performing and preparing for shows in 2023. Expect more amazing music, interviews, shows and positivity. Interviewed By Kendall Koval FOLLOW BENZVI:

Sometimes undying anger, rage and passion can fuse into an overpowering mix of emotions. AJ Smith perfectly captures this electrifying feeling in his new single, “Drama”. This fast-paced ballad has already received over 51k streams on Spotify alone. It is AJ's genius lyricism that makes this single truly stand out. Lyrics such as, "Next thing you know, you're screaming at the top of your lungs, how you're sick and tired bleeding for their love" really demonstrate AJ's ability to communicate emotions through song writing. He is able to beautifully craft a picture for audiences that allows them to imagine and relate to the song's narrative of losing yourself in anger after facing betrayal. Toxic relationships, whether romantic or not, are often full of false promises and wrongful manipulation. "Drama" is not only a fantastic song in terms of musical quality, but it also provides a story that will resonate with listeners and reassure them that their anger and rage, however difficult, are justified. "Drama" is introduced with melodic instrumentation. The inclusion of beautiful guitar string noise nicely accompanies AJ's raspy voice. Likewise, the single features deep vocal distortions which add to the song's haunting sound. The addition of voice layering, helps display AJ's wide vocal range. He provides listeners with high-pitched, angelic vocal runs, contrasted by his low, rich belts. The song's catchy chorus makes audiences want to scream the passionate lyrics at the top of their lungs. AJ's powerful voice paired booming percussion bring an undeniable energy to the single. Recently relocated from New York City to Nashville, AJ Smith is a pop artist with notes of rock and folk inspiration. He has stayed very busy this year, with the release of nine new songs, such as, “Grammy”, “Nobody” and “Better”. His biggest hit released this year, “We’re All Gonna Die” has amassed over 1.4 million streams on Spotify and its official music video has received 75k views on YouTube. In fact, AJ has earned over 139k monthly listeners on Spotify and his music has been featured on a few of the streaming service’s editorial playlists such as, “Retro Pop” and “Ready for the Day”. AJ performed on The Kelly Clarkson Show in April of this year and appeared on a cover feature as Performer Magazine’s Artist of the Month. He has gained much traction posting musical content on his TikTok, where he has 43.2k followers. Most recently, AJ has released three new Christmas songs in a collection titled, “Unorthodox Christmas”. The tracks include, “Rock the Night Away”, a punk-rock rendition of the classic “Jingle Bell Rock”, “Last Christmas” and “Naughty” which he describes as a steamy holiday single. AJ Smith’s beautiful vocals and talent for meaningful lyricism establish him as a rising star in the pop music scene. Written By Julia Hooper FOLLOW AJ SMITH:

In Marcus McCoan’s newest single, “Try Me,” The Weeknd meets The 1975 with an electronic twist; a piece of ear candy oozing out seductive vocals, lyrical romance and illuminating production. Marcus McCoan pines for a love with someone who is wary of trusting, belting out desirous lyrics in the song’s hook, “I’m only here to give you all of my love / So why don’t you try me.” Throughout the song, one can taste the yearning for a reciprocated love from its irresistible lyrics and scintillating instrumentation, giving you a rush of unexpected euphoric synaesthesia. Showcasing his talent in producing, Marcus McCoan is an unstoppable force in “Try Me.” His single is a testament to his praise with its heavy production filled with waves of lilting electric guitars, a weighted blanket of electronica, neon beamed synths and mouth-watering vocals. Elevating the track’s lyrical content of affectionate desire, the vivacious music is a heart-throbbing treat in and of itself, leaving you with an insatiable appetite for more. Marcus McCoan is a multi-platinum and renowned musician from Cornwall, UK. He has recently toured with global star Natalie Imbruglia on her 25th anniversary tour and has written songs for the mega K-pop band, BTS—helping to carry his foot through the solo artist door. Taking flight within the industry, he is a brilliant new artist, now fixating on his own career by making music and planning upcoming gigs for his projects. With his newest single, “Try Me,” and many other songs to his name, Marcus McCoan is a songwriting treasure within the electronica chest. Written By Amanda Palacios FOLLOW MARCUS MCCOAN:

"bare minimum" by Wendy Lucas needs to be added to your playlists. This R&B pop song immediately catches your attention and pulls you in. Wendy's vocal delivery is satisfying, and her cadence is addictive. Her deeper-registered voice is smooth and soothing to listen to. The songwriting is intelligent and concise; this song knows precisely what it wants to be. Production is another thing that needs to be mentioned; this sleek, masterful production adds another layer to the song and its story. I immediately thought of popular singer-songwriter Blackbear when this track first started playing. The expert production and writing remind me of the famous artist. The meaning of this song is unfortunately relatable to many listeners. "bare minimum" tells a tale of someone who just cannot seem to give you anything, not even the bare minimum. You cannot fathom the words that come out of their mouth, and you are running out of excuses for them in your head. You decide that this relationship will not continue unless they can shape up. Wendy Lucas is a young Portuguese-American artist based in Boston. The artist began singing at the ripe age of only eight, cementing her love for it already. Lucas cites some of her musical inspirations as being H.E.R., Daniel Ceaser, and Alicia Keys. The young artist is completely self-taught, mastering singing, songwriting, and production all by herself. She has an impressive following on TikTok and Instagram, having amassed over 24k followers combined. Written By Emma Kimberli FOLLOW WENDY LUCAS:

I am so obsessed with ‘Drama’ – I have had it on repeat ever since hearing it! What was the creative process like for this song? AJ: That's awesome! I'm so glad you love it! The lyric and melody just poured out pretty quickly. Then I started creating the track for it. I just knew I wanted the song to be as dramatic as possible, so I designed it to have a time signature shift at the chorus. My friend Lily Lane (she's an awesome artist too!) came over to help me track vocals and it was the most fun I've ever had tracking vocals. Honestly, I usually track by myself in my room, so it was awesome having someone I trust help vocal produce me. You have released quite a few songs in the past couple of years. Which one would you say is your favorite? You can only pick one! AJ: Why are you making me pick from my babies?! I think "We're All Gonna Die" because it was brutally honest. "Drama" is a close second :) What is one of your favorite memories from performing? Or a favorite venue you have played at? AJ: I once had the opportunity to open for Lindsey Stirling at Tyson's Center in Virginia. One of the largest crowds I've played to, with 2,000 people there, including my family and neighbors! But there was a moment during our last song when the whole crowd sang along during the last chorus. And keep in mind, 1,994 people there had probably never heard my music before. But they joined in and sang along and it was so magical. That memory has sustained me through many years of tough shows! I read that you recently moved to Nashville. What was that like? How has living in Nashville influenced your music? AJ: I love it here. There's such an incredibly supportive music community here that is unlike anywhere else I've traveled. And there's such a great work ethic here that I absolutely love and helps to keep me inspired. Who have been some of your biggest influences? AJ: Too many to name! So I'll just highlight one - Glenn Frey, who was one of my mentors before he passed. He taught me so much about songwriting. And I will always cherish our time in the studio together that completely changed how I thought about my songwriting. What can we expect next in terms of your career? I cannot wait to hear more music from you! AJ: More, more, more! You may have noticed I didn't release a ton of ballads this past year. It wasn't necessarily on purpose. But I've got some really powerful songs that I'm excited to release next year. Interviewed By Kendall Koval FOLLOW AJ:

In "MEDICINE" by HCK9, frontman James Brown is through with risking his well-being in trying to help those too dependent on him. However, Brown is fair and willing to blame himself for feeding into toxic behaviors. While he finds it difficult to turn his back on those suffering by him, Brown understands the change begins internally. Unfortunately, letting go of his burdens means accepting the fate of those continuing to self-destruct. But Brown finds peace knowing he's given the utmost effort to be supportive. And in "MEDICINE," he is ready to make himself more of the priority. "MEDICINE" by HCK9 is a quick listen, lasting two minutes and seven seconds. The song is fast-paced and follows a simple Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus format. Aside from the percussion and possible synth work, the production almost entirely consists of bass and electric guitars manipulated to serve as different parts in the arrangement. While the presence of guitar and percussion is strong, Brown's vocals remain a priority, as he effortlessly transitions between his higher and lower register throughout the track. Although, together, the elements provide a sense of urgency, which Brown reflects through lyrics like, "I'm not going to waste/My time/Waiting around/Just for you to pull me down/When I've been trying to cure you." But in the group's transparency and expressiveness, "MEDICINE" can make any listener revisit their burdens. HCK9, also known as Half Cut K9, is a band from London that blends Alt-Rock, Electronic, and Hip-Hop music styles. The band consists of vocalist James Brown, guitarist Harrison Blackamore, bassist Doug Beckwith, and drummer Bradley Ratcliffe. HCK9 began releasing music on streaming services in 2020 with their singles "BREATHE" and "RED RUM." Since then, they've added seven music releases to their discography, their latest "MEDICINE" in 2022. Within three years, the band has gained popularity and featured on platforms including BBC Radio 1, BBC Strictly, Loud 'n' Lush, and more. And as consistent as they've been, HCK9's sound is only improving, with no sign of the band slowing down. Written By Jeffrey Ade FOLLOW HCK9:

Congratulations on the release of States Between! What served as the inspiration for this EP? Kilough: Thank you so much! States Between was the culmination of my past few years, which took place across a handful of states through a few moves. Each track was inspired by moments, stories, and journeys from that time, and I'm so thrilled to share this piece of my life with you. What song from States Between is your favorite or holds the most meaning for you? Kilough: Each song holds a lot of meaning for different reasons, but I would say a current favorite is "Follow Me." When I listen to it, I'm taken back to my move to Nashville, which was such an exciting point in my life. I also love hearing all of the different parts come together - from the electric guitar to the percussion and trumpet. The song has such a full sound, and it always reminds me of the hard work that went into the EP, as well as all of the incredible musicians I was lucky to work with. How did you learn to play the guitar, and how long have you been playing? Kilough: I first picked up the guitar around the age of 13 and took a few lessons with a family friend. Since then, I've been learning through practicing on my own, playing with other musicians, writing, and performing live. How would you describe your musical evolution between Latitude and States Between? Kilough: I would say my sound has grown with me from Latitude to States Between. Over the past couple of years, I've spent more time writing, living in new places, and discovering new inspirations, which all contributed to the sound of this EP. States Between is a very authentic representation of who I am at this point as an artist, and I'm so excited to see what's next! Of your live performances, which experience was your favorite? Kilough: That's a tough one! Each show is so special for its own reasons. So far, though, I would say one of my favorites was my recent performance at Carma Vinyl & Vibes in Ball Ground, Georgia. I've been a huge fan of the store for a few years, so it was such a treat to play a set on their outdoor stage. What should fans keep an eye out for, and what is coming next on your musical journey? Kilough: There's definitely more to come in the future! More shows and music are on the way soon, so be sure to keep an eye out for the latest updates @KiloughOfficial on all social media platforms. Interviewed By Vanessa Siebrass FOLLOW KILOUGH: