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- Review: "20 Seconds" - MICHAELA
It’s the final countdown with MICHAELA in “20 Seconds,” an electro-pop single about confronting a guy with playboy intentions. A classic tale about a noncommittal guy, friend zoning a committed girl he actually wants. Of course, she won’t give him the time of day unless he changes his ways and explains himself—in 20 seconds. Though he had a chance to win her over, the ending of the song shows he chose otherwise as she daringly sings, “I’m getting on my uber hit request//Too bad, so slow.” The guy may have not gotten the girl, but “20 Seconds” is nevertheless a synesthesia treat with its electrifying club-esque beats and night-hue synths. “You got 20 seconds til I walk away//So you better have something good to say//Or too bad, I’m gone//Too late, so long.” Bold lyrics for some artists, but not MICHAELA, who has a knack for telling things how it is, and rightfully so. Songwriting is a form of venting. Some people go on runs to let off steam, others bake to take their mind off of a situation, musicians vent through their music. Whether its composing or writing lyrics, great artists are those who are able to take their feelings and put them into condensed words. With similarities to English popstar Dua Lipa, “20 Seconds” is a depiction of the type of artists MICHAELA emulates; those who have the talent to take a story and translate it into musical art through riveting production and enticing hooks. Growing up in the small town of Hertfordshire, MICHAELA is a British Artist and Songwriter who has spent years developing her musical abilities. Over time, she has gained access to working with GRAMMY nominated producers and writers across Europe. Influenced by her favorite musical muses, Charlie Puth and The Weeknd, MICHAELA takes their soulful writing techniques and implements them into her own unique work. Currently, she is crafting a 6-track debut EP which is to be released holistically in 2022. Exciting things are coming her way, and hopefully to our ears soon. Written By Amanda Palacios FOLLOW MICHAELA:
- Review: "Lose Lose" - Alexa Cappelli
Fake friendships are like walking a tight rope. You are constantly struggling to keep everything aligned by appeasing their problems, only to tire out and lose your balance, making the friendship fall through. In the angsty pop-punk song “Lose Lose,” Alexa Cappelli expresses this exact scenario and the reasons behind why she decided to cut off ties with a close friend: “u say u love me but then criticize my every move”; “making me apologize for things you know that I never said.” There’s only so much one can take before realizing that someone you thought was a friend, is actually not the definition of one. Sometimes it takes years of forced apologies, unnecessary criticism and victimized narcissism before finally reaching the breaking point. If you’re in a lose lose situation, this may be the exact song you need to get you off that tight rope. Stellar rock guitars, firm resonate vocals and lively drums—what better way to express your true emotions than with honest instrumentation? Alexa Cappelli’s frustration with a calculating friend can be heard rooted into the melodies, as well as her voice, which is what separates her as a gifted songwriter. “Lose Lose” continues to prove her dedication and fearlessness to tell the raw versions of her stories. The chorus says it all, with its hearty punchline, “i can’t win, i can’t move, i just can’t—it’s a lose lose.” Alexa Cappelli makes it clear that she’s done being the pawn in her “friend’s” chess game, as the cover of her single illustrates. LA-based 23-year-old artist, Alexa Cappelli, is the true definition of a rising pop star. Surrounding herself with music her whole life, she took voice lessons and went on to pursue musical theater, televised singing shows, and eventually songwriting. In 2018, she decided to go on the famous scouted singing show, “The Voice,” where she grew her fanbase exponentially. Although she didn’t win, Alexa did not let this diminish her musical dreams. She went on to officially launch her career with her viral single, “Forbidden,” during the 2020 pandemic which has engrossed over 2.5 million Spotify streams to this date. Her penchant for authentic songwriting has established a solid trend for her rising popularity. With every new song she releases, Alexa Cappelli continues to live up to her MTV awarded name “Voice of a Generation.” Written By Amanda Palacios FOLLOW ALEXA CAPPELLI:
- Review: "Good For Me" - ROSIE
Understanding the complex dynamics of love can be a crippling challenge. Love is a choice between two people who want each other, choose each other, and fight for each other, but it’s not always that simple. Love after heartbreak is a different ballgame. You have to heal yourself and are still left with scars that sting. Your new person is essentially responsible for mending wounds they didn’t create. We can get in our own heads and be our own worst enemy. I choose him, but what if he changed his mind? He says he loves me, but so did he… and look how that turned out. At some point, you have to heal yourself. Self love can be the hardest thing to consciously decide to do everyday, but one day you’ll find someone worth fighting for; someone who deserves your love and not your fears from the past; someone who shows up everyday and thinks everything that has happened has made you the person they want to be with forever. One day you’ll look down at your scars and deep cuts, and you will smile because you no longer feel the pain, and you just see a beautiful, unique roadmap that lead you to the right person. It’s easy to look at the person we love, eyes lit up with admiration, and question how they can feel the same, but real, true love begins in the mirror. When we choose to stay, not let our head outrun our heart, and realize they choose to love us because they simply love us and we are deserving, is the moment you will feel free and the past will be nothing more than the past. ROSIE’s “Good For Me” is a gut-wrenching ballad of relatability. There’s not a person on this earth who hasn’t questioned if they are worthy, if someone’s feelings are true, or if they’re simply not good enough for the person they have chosen to give their heart too. Listening to “Good For Me” is like watching a comfort movie. The insecure protagonist doesn’t realize her enchantment and has to go through the stages to find her self-worth with trials and tribulations, but in the end she finds someone worth accepting her sparkle for because he loves her for her, fought for her, and allowed her to see her own beauty, but she had that love within her the entire time. She has no idea she’s the reason we keep coming back to this movie because we see ourselves in her and yearn for her moment of clarity. ROSIE says “One day, I’ll wake up. See that I’m enough,” and this is the success story we all hope for. Even acknowledging that one day you will get there, even if you’re far from it, is inspiring. Even when we don’t believe it… especially when we don’t believe it… we stand tall in the mirror, head held high, scars glistening, and we believe we are worthy of the love that has found us. As cliche as it may be, love starts from within and we accept the love we think we deserve. So let’s be kind to ourselves and acknowledge that we deserve the world. Our quirks, and habits, and flaws are seen by others as attractions, trophies, and magic, and even if we have to fake it til we make it, growth begins when we start accepting that we are who we are, and that’s what makes us worth all the love in the universe. ROSIE is an up and coming phenomenon who uses her songs to inspire her listeners. She rose to fame with her debut EP, 20mg of Happiness in 2021. She has been featured on songs like “ilym” with John K which has gained millions of Spotify streams, and she even cowrote on Joshua Bassett’s “Used To It” which has earned high praise and plays. At just 22 years old, she seems to have a lifetime of wisdom and an old soul that makes us want to listen and learn from her. ROSIE is an advocate for mental health awareness and it is seen through every song she writes. These are the messages that the world needs to hear and ROSIE lets everyone know that they are not alone. We can’t wait to follow her journey and see her fight to change the world through her passion of music and just being her authentic self. We will all be saying “Good For Me” that I got to be apart of her incredible journey… that’s only beginning. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW ROSIE:
- Review: "Autopilot" - Kelaska
If life is a highway, sometimes it can really feel like we missed the right exit. Kelaska fleshes out this idea in her latest single “Autopilot”, a pop-rock banger that talks about wanting to let someone else take the wheel. Though the lyrics talk about spending life running in circles, the track only proves that Kelaska’s songwriting is still getting better and better. “Autopilot” opens with Kelaska’s relatable lyrics, saying that she feels as if she “missed her exit when she turned 25”, watching all her friends who seem as if they have everything figured out. Complementing the somber words are Kelaska’s crisp vocals floating over an intimate combination of acoustic guitar and light percussion. The chorus changes up the mood with a sudden switch to a classic rock and roll sound, featuring gritty guitars, energetic drumming, and Kelaska singing about running in circles. A quick bridge reins the song back to its starting sound, but as soon as the final choruses hit the rock elements come back to power you through the rest of the track. The Connecticut songwriter has been on a roll with her releases in the past two years. Her discography includes a plethora of cover songs to listen to, as well as original singles that demonstrate her unique indie-pop sound. If you’re feeling a little down or just need a good pop-rock jam, Kelaska’s “Autopilot” is what you should be listening to. Written By Ari Schweitzer FOLLOW KELASKA:
- Review: "Hot N Bothered" - Melissa Divanna
Melissa Divanna's "Hot N Bothered" is a fun throwback to 2000s pop. This song is ridiculously catchy; by my second listen, I was already unconsciously singing along to the chorus. The mixing on this track might be my favorite part of it; I absolutely adore the nostalgia it gives me. This song needs to be added to your "Hot Girl" playlist. Come on, I know you've got one. We all do! The absolute confidence this song radiates is stunning and captivating, and the message is wonderful. Some of my first thoughts while listening to this piece were that it reminded me of Britney Spears, someone who I love and who lives in my Spotify Wrapped each year. The purpose of this song is wonderful, and the writing is very creative. This song is for people who are hot, and they know it and own it. They don't need to be told how hot they are either, especially by random men who end up just objectifying them. No matter what someone is wearing, it doesn't open up a line of commentary on their body. This song takes that message and puts it into a song. Melissa Divanna is a thirty-year-old up-and-coming pop star. She has released three singles on Spotify, and all of them have done well for themselves. Melissa cites that her main inspiration for making music was how much it helped her grow into herself, so she wants to give back. Melissa struggled with body dysmorphia for much of her life, and after she overcame her struggle, her mission became to help others do the same. She is a mental health advocate and talks very openly about her struggles. Written By Emma Kimberli FOLLOW MELISSA DIVANNA:
- "Too Good To Be You" - Skylar Lee
Skylar Lee expresses major attitude in her cheeky new single, “Too Good To Be You”. The track is about meeting someone that appears perfect on paper. They meet every criterion for the perfect romantic partner and it feels like the stars are aligning. But then, the rose-colored lenses start to fade and their true colors begin the peek through, revealing that they were always too good to be true. Lee takes this narrative and fashions it into an infectious song filled with sassy lyrics and a high energy production. She kicks off the track with lyrics that describe this person as a fictional character from a movie. One that checks all of her boxes and is everything she ever wanted—until he wasn’t. This version of him she thought she knew was all an illusion, and now she is telling him it was “too good to be you.” This energetic track is a clever spin on a common phrase by calling out the toxic traits of her partner. “Too Good To Be You” is another incredible release that demonstrates Lee’s witty songwriting and feisty personality. Lee has an impeccable ability to compose unforgettable melodies paired with equally memorable lyrics. “Too Good To Be You” is another addition to her outstanding songwriting. Lee’s angelic, yet powerful vocals kickstart the song, projecting the listener into the energetic track. Half a second later, the lively beat joins her, setting up the tone of the song. The production explodes in the chorus, using unique synth sounds that are reminiscent of 80s pop. Throughout the track, the production is explosive with incredible energy that showcases Lee’s insane talent to captivate audiences and lead them through her clever storytelling. “Too Good To Be You” is a track that is not easily forgotten, and deserves the number one spot on every chart. Skylar Lee is a pop singer-songwriter and producer based in Nashville. Since a young age, she knew music was her passion and when she turned 17, she moved from Pennsylvania to Nashville to pursue her dream. She wears her heart on her sleeve which translates into vulnerable lyrics and creative hooks. Her perfect-pitch ear produces a unique talent when it comes to songwriting. She has already made impressive waves in the music industry, including being featured in Rolling Stone for her 2022 hit, “Hotel in a Hurry”. Following down the path of her inspirations like Maisie Peters, Emily Weisband, and Dagny she is garnering more and more fans every day and is making a name for herself as an influential pop star. Written By Karlee Smith FOLLOW SKYLAR:
- Review: "Type" - Drew Now
“Type” by Drew Now is a cultivating love song dedicated to the singer’s boyfriend who suffers from diabetes. In her latest single, Now describes her lover in great detail – expressing with intention just how perfect they are to her. “Type” feels like a personal, heartfelt letter with a warm, affectionate tone similar to that of “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None The Richer. Drew Now is a young, talented singer-songwriter with the potential of wiping the industry clean of routine and revealing a refreshed pop sound. Click here to listen to "Type" ! It’s easy to imagine this song being performed in front of a small, intimate crowd at a local bar. Drew Now’s ability to evoke profound emotions by simply appreciating her lover is astonishing in and of itself. It’s hard to find artists nowadays with clever songwriting skills and strong attention to detailing. “Type” feels like a stroll along the park, a hammock perfectly out of view from the sun, or even a car ride with the windows rolled down. This relatively new artist can create a sense of nostalgia and serenity that forms a special connection with listeners. Now is a hidden gem that deserves to be seen and appreciated. We’re excited to see where Drew Now will find herself in the coming months or even years. Seeing how much potential she carries despite her young age, we know it’ll be far! Singer Drew Now was raised in Northern Ontario but currently resides in Nashville, TN. Now has spent years singing and writing about her personal experiences throughout her life. Currently, she has songs under her belt such as 'How it Ends’, ‘Cokeman', and ‘Jesus Weeps’; which can all be found under her Spotify. If you're interested in seeing more from Drew Now, consider following her social medias below ! Written By: Kasey D. FOLLOW DREW:
- Review: "I love U-sers" - Jules Brave
When an unassuming ‘friend’ unveils their true, two-sided nature, it can be a hard pill for many to swallow. In “I love U-sers”, singer Jules Brave recounts her unrequited friendship with someone self-centred and inconsiderate to her feelings. With bold lyrics, a beautiful melody, and passionate chords that play right into your heartstrings, “I love U-sers” does an incredible job hitting close to home with its honesty and intensity alone. Click here to listen to "I love U-sers" This song incorporates a cathartic sound that couples with Brave’s vocals magnetically. “I love U-sers” not only delves into the complexities of fake friends, but also conflicting emotions within oneself. In the lines: “ Cause' when you see a better option / You walk away when they walk in / I could've stayed at home”, Brave recalls a particular moment when her “friend” abandons her at a social gathering. The feeling of exclusion and loneliness in a setting littered with people is heart wrenching on its own. Despite all this however, Brave still struggles to let her friend go. An example of this can be found from the refrain:” But beggars can't be choosers / 'Cause I Love U-sers / I Love U-sers”. Confronting a fake friend is difficult as is, but moving past the hurt they inflicted on you can be a challenging endeavour. The realism found in Jules Brave’s “I love U-sers”, only solidifies the flawless songwriting and execution within the song. Jules Brave is a pop singer and songwriter from New York. The young singer has been writing since she was 8 and takes inspiration from artists such as Beyonce, John Mayer, Whitney Houston, and Ariana Grande. Brave’s biggest priority in music is being a positive and influential figure in her community and as an artist. Having worked vocally with vocal coach Natalie Weiss and garnering praise from musical writers in the industry, Jules Brave is on her way to success as she continues sharing her love for music with her audience. Please show your support by following Brave’s social medias below! Written By: Kasey D. FOLLOW JULES:
- Review: "And Then You Die!" - Paige Keiner x Spencer Jordan
An optimistic look at how confusing, crazy, and sometimes sad life can be. As we grow up we tend to look at our friends and think, “ I’m not doing as much as I should be.” Paige Keiner and Spencer Jordan are taking these sentiments and turning them into positive things. The song, “And then you die!” suggests that yes, your friends may be “ahead” of you in life but the reality is everyone goes at their own pace. Life doesn't have a manual and no one knows what life is all about. It's better to enjoy the ride than to try and understand it. The vocals in this song coming from both Paige and Spencer are a breath of fresh air from beginning to end. Their voices mesh beautifully together on this track and keep the instrumental alive. In the beginning of the song, we have a light plucking of the guitar accompanied by the gentle vocals of Paige Keiner. The lyrics speak of a quarter-life crisis where it seems everyone is either moving forward or falling behind. As we creep closer to the chorus the instrumentation picks up and a little more guitar is added, keeping the optimistic emotions in place. The music then cuts out and we are left with Paige declaring, “I’m not losing my mind// or shit I might be," One of many catchy lines in this song that stuck with me after the first listen. The music is then cut back in with a sweeping pop chorus that adds the upbeat fullness I was excitedly waiting for. In the second verse, the instrumentation is bouncier and more positive led by Spencer Jordans pleasant vocals. “And then you die!” is a cheery folk-pop song that gives us a hopeful outlook on how life can be confusing for everyone. Paige Keiner is a singer/songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee. She derives a lot of her inspiration from various artists of all genres. She refers to her music as “edgy pop.” She has existed in many music genres along with her current career. She made waves playing rhythm guitar for a punk band in Charlottesville, Virginia, while attending college. Paige credits artists such as Paramore, Lady Gaga, and Sia for their influences on her music at the beginning of her career. She is now a solo artist making strides and working with many influential musicians in the Music City. Written By Kaiana Lee FOLLOW PAIGE:
- Review: "High Maintenance" - ellakate
They say love should be easy, but where’s the fun in that. People like the chase; people like games; people are drawn to drama. Life is like a movie where you’re yelling at the screen that the protagonist is falling for the wrong person. The one at home with pure eyes and a good heart is left for the devil in a miniskirt, but that’s why we watch the movie on repeat. There are Meredith Blakes and there are Elizabeth James’ on and off the screen. They usually figure it out on the way to the airport, before a big move, or in a late night kiss where they finally find home, but sometimes in real life it’a little too late, and the good girl gets away. A toxic relationship is sometimes kismet. There’s no keeping two people apart, no matter how many red flags, road closed ahead signs, and heeds of warning from good friends and family. Some people know their power and use it for good, while some know their power and use it to trap an unworthy opponent. Love should be simple, but it isn’t so when you’re dealing with someone oh so complicated. It’s not always a happy couple with a white picket fence. It can be a monster and their prey, a villain and their captive, a demon and his worshiper all trapped in a candy-coated chamber of hell. People on the outside wouldn’t get it. You stick around because you’re too fearful of how much you’ll lose when they’re gone. The torture has to be worth something, so you stay put while you fall to your knees and pray for a better tomorrow. People yearn to be in love, but the love they are searching for can not be found until they know their own worth. We get swept up in grandiose ideals of world-wind romances and passion, but that passion can turn to toxicity at the drop of a hat. We stay because of the highest highs, as we bury our heads in the sand and pretend to ignore the lowest of lows. Basing your self worth on someone else’s treatment of you can quickly turn to self-loathing when you leave your heart in the hands of a manipulative magician, who can just as quickly pull a Houdini and make the pain disappear, but you’re never left without the scars. Ellakate’s “High Maintenance” is a striking Alt-pop single about the trials and tribulations that fall suit in a not so stable relationship. The song begins with high energy and you’re hooked from the jump, much like a toxic relationship when you lock eyes and know you’re in for a willd ride of ups and downs. Her melodies are captivating, and her lyrics are powerful. If you’ve ever been in an unhealthy relationship, you’re instantly transcended back in time, overlooking a past version of yourself you no longer recognize, begging yourself to see the light sooner. “High Maintenance” is a chilling story inspired by ellakate’s brother. He was in a toxic relationship and was left to pick up the pieces of desecration that someone else created. His mental health was left in the wake of turmoil he did not sign up for, and Ella wanted to express her anger for his ex and sadness for her brother’s confusion on what he deserves through her dynamic, bold, enchanting music. This song is a cautionary tale to those who do not see the magic within themselves, and it’s a mirror you can’t avoid to finally see your self-worth. Ellakate is an alternative pop singer and songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia. She is a powerhouse and a force to be reckoned with. She takes on real issues and challenges we face in life and turns them into catchy music that will get stuck in our heads and hopefully resonate change in the lives of her listeners. Ella’s passion for music began almost immediately following her parents who have a knack for the gift of music as well. She has written songs her entire life, and her music is like a roadmap to where she has been and where she is going. Her songs always correspond with where she is in her life and what she has learned, and she shares it with the world to people who can relate and people who need to learn. Her incredible, chilling voice has been compared to a “young Amy Winehouse”, and her raw honesty and haunting talent makes it abundantly clear why. Her lyrics carry so much weight, and her voice is alluring with a dash of innocence. She seems as if she’s lived a million lives while still trying to learn and grow which makes us want to listen and learn with her. Her well-earned success is just beginning, and we hope we aren’t too high maintenance when we ask to play her on repeat. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW ELLAKATE:
- Review: "What If" - Kilough
Have you ever found yourself looking back on a past relationship and playing scenarios in your head of how it might be now if you were still with them? Sometimes relationships don't work out, not because you weren't in love, but because life was taking you in different directions, whether it's for a career, education or family. "What If" by Kilough is a soft and raw love song about begging someone not to become the one that got away. Kilough describes a love that is like no other, but fear of losing them comes creeping in once she finds out he needs to move to another state. Kilough has an incredibly light and ear-pleasing voice. It's one of those voices you could never get tired of hearing. Her style gives a mixture of folk pop and country, with a soundscape that reminds me of early 2000's Taylor Swift. Her songwriting is honest and poetic, and can relate to just about anyone. With angelic harmonies and raw acoustic guitar, the song sets a dark but loving tone to the theme of being in love and afraid to lose it. She sings as if she telling a story and it's not one you want to miss. Kilough is an independent singer/songwriter currently based in Nashville, Tennessee. She's inspired by names like Kasey Musgraves and Noah Kahan. Her debut EP, 'Latitude', was released in 2019. She is no stranger to performing live and has been all around the east-coast of the US. 'What If' is the lead song off of her brand new second EP, 'States Between', which is now available on all your favorite streaming platforms. Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW KILOUGH:
- Review: "I Concede to Worrying" - Camens
“I Concede to Worrying” is an upbeat pop-rock song, suggesting that people concede to worrying and start living their lives. Though the band states that they’ve never been a political band nor a politically-aligned songwriter, this track touches upon politically charged subjects - specifically how this system we’ve allowed to seep and fester is affecting the people that we know and love. From the first hit of the drums, the track sets the atmosphere. Though there is a bit of melancholy in the lyrics and voice, the track is still relatively upbeat, setting a sense of urgency to sit down, let go, and concede to worrying. Everyone seems to live in perpetual worrying over the bills, working full-time for a salary that barely covers the bills, let alone enough for someone to thrive. There’s no time for people to grow, relax, or invest in themselves or their families, leading to people losing out on the best years of their lives to these struggles. Camens is a band from Stoke-On-Trent, England. From sneaking into festivals and performing pop-up gigs wherever they could, Camens have now re-emerged with a style of razor-sharp idiosyncratic indie and massive promise. Supporting artists like The Futureheads, The Feeling, King No One, and many many more, Camens’ songs have been awarded record of the week by their local BBC Introducing presenter on more than one occasion. As the year draws to a close, Camens gears up for a new release as they’ve begun to sprinkle gumdrops of songs for their fans to get excited about. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW CAMENS:


















