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“k-town” is a dreamy dance track tinged with nostalgia and suppressed trauma. The thoughtful lyrics about suppressed memories and the overwhelming yearning for enlightenment add to Faerie’s distinction charm and personality pushing her sound to feel familiar yet still exciting. Faerie’s determination to dive into fantasy, beauty and chaos with stories that delve into hidden thoughts and feelings produces the conundrum of being both exaggerated yet also vulnerable. The hypnotic soundscape of “k-town” showcases her clever pop sensibilities combined with a little bit of retro and disco. Faerie, who makes music as a way of healing, shows how her clever narratives and storytelling creates a relatable path of scene and emotion that allow her listeners to connect with it. With her indie-pop wonderland of dreamy synths, groovy bass, and story-filled lyrics, Faerie proves her carefully crafted charm is a whole aesthetic. Faerie, or Christine Lam, is a fluttering indie-pop manifestation of daydreams and fantasies. Based in New York, Lam taught herself to play guitar, piano, and voice to express all those floating melodies in her mind. Inspired by artists like Harry Styles and AURORA, she’s determined to combine pop, jazz, and folk to bring her visions to life. Excited to submerge herself in the fantastical chaos of Faerie, “k-town” is only a taste of the creativity that’s bursting from her seams. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW FAERIE:

Gianna Mae’s “Forgot You Yesterday” is a striking piece about betrayal and manipulation in a toxic relationship. The impenitent tone can be heard from start to finish, creating for the ultimate break-up song. “Forgot You Yesterday” is showered in wordplay and literary expressions that best convey the anger, disappointment, and defiance found throughout the song. Gianna Mae has the potential to dominate the pop genre with not only her vocals, but her songwriting skills, as well. Mark our words, everyone will be talking about this young, talented singer in the near future. Mae’s voice is heavenly and ethereal. The beginning of the song could nearly be mistaken for a choir sung sweetly in an empty cathedral. Gianna Mae’s soprano vocal-range is similar to that of Ariana Grande or singer Soo-Hyang; which alone is impressive. Merely 30 seconds into the song, listeners are completely swept by a swift change in melody, and in the overall tone of the piece. From elegant to menacing, “Forgot You Yesterday” demands attention and passionately tells a story about losing trust in someone; turning your back on them completely, with absolutely no room for remorse or reconciliation. Singer Gianna Mae does a phenomenal job expressing what many of us think deep down inside. The bold exuberance found in “Forgot You Yesterday” is enough to send chills down your vertebrae. A clear example of this would be from the lines: And in a perfect world / My guard will be down and I wouldn't think twice / No one would stab me in the back and claim /I walked into their knife. Gianna Mae is an up-and-coming independent artist from Illinois. With an expressive, experimental, yet bubbly personality, this rising star was meant for the spotlight! Not only is Mae passionate in singing, but songwriting, as well. The singer has an interest in writing about her emotions and other relatable issues most teenagers go through. Gianna Mae is an artist for the new and current generation as she beautifully shares her stories with others alike. Best of luck to this talented artist! Follow her social medias below. Written By: Kasey D. FOLLOW GIANNA:

Picture yourself on a beach. You lay down towels and sneak a swig from the unmarked sunscreen bottle that has something stronger than SPF. Some guy is a couple feet away, sitting in the sand, leering into the water, strumming a guitar while singing some gut wrenching lyrics about the one that got away. That right there is the feeling that encapsulates you in the first few seconds of BOKN’S “WON’T BE LONG”. The sun sets over paradise, but you’re not quite ready to leave. You want the cool breeze bouncing off the ocean to graze your cheeks; you want the sand to turn cold as ice as you wrap yourself in a blanket; your mind can’t help but travel back in time to when you were here with your person; you’d give anything to have them back in your arms, and you realize, there is nothing stopping you from going and getting them back. It’s now or never, and you know it won’t be long now until the world turns upside down, colors seem brighter, songs sound better, and love is yours again. The song starts with a somber RNB tune that matches the heartbroken lyrics, as BOKN gets more hopeful for a reunion, the tune gradually changes to electro-pop, as if your heart is beating faster along with the hope that reconciliation is not only plausible, but inevitable. As the saying as old as time goes, you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone. This is the overwhelming message of the song. It’s that little voice you can’t get out of your head saying you could’ve tried harder; you could’ve done better; you shouldn’t have let them walk away so easy. Those words will haunt you if you let them, but BOKN turns that soul-stirring into action. If you want to try harder, try again. If you wish you did better, do better. If you shouldn’t have let them walk away, go search til the ends of the earth until you find them. You can certifiably feel the power in this song through the soulful melodies and escalating backing track. You are on a journey from the moment it begins, til much after it ends when you’re in your car hours later wondering if he got her back, and contemplating your own shortcomings in past relationships. This song innately gives you that ‘I won’t give up’ attitude that’s hard to come by. I will fight for myself, for what I want, and for what has always been meant to be mine. When BOKN says, “I hear you somewhere singing the same song,” you instantly know she’s been searching for him too. Too often in life, we are afraid to say what we really mean, or go after what we really want, due to fear of rejection, but you never know if you don’t try, and you could be rewarded with the highest level of everything you’ve ever dreamed of. It could all be your reality, you just have to jump, let yourself free fall, and hopefully someone’s there to catch you. BOKN is comprised of two former classmates, Anthony “Breakaway” White and Jodi Ray Tolomieri. They are a Pop/Hip-Hop duo who both have their own unique talents that make their collaboration so effective and their works so addicting. Anthony is a producer/ songwriter, and Jodi is a singer/songwriter. Their name, BOKN, pays tribute to the great Hoboken, New Jersey, a special place for the duo where all of their songs are written and recorded. BOKN started to rise to stardom after “WON’T BE LONG” was featured in the global phenomenon that is NBA 2K21. The duo was greatly influenced by pop legend Michael Jackson and notorious punk group Blink-182. You can feel the inspiration transcend through their captivating songs. Their melodies are sure to get stuck in your head, and they have the type of music you’d be remiss if you didn’t put on repeat. This duo has much in store for the future, and we are lucky bystanders to get to be a part of their journey, and watch them soar. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW BOKN:

Everyone has a breaking point. Including those who seem to love too much to give up on a person. But when that person constantly repeats their narcissistic cycle of making you feel inadequate, it’s only a matter of time before the protagonist has to break it off. Nikki Wishart, the protagonist in this story, poetically chimes about realizing her self-worth in her indie-pop anthem, “Spell it out to u”. Saturated in sass and engulfed with burn lines that insinuate the guy has childlike characteristics, Nikki Wishart perfectly exemplifies what it could sometimes take to get the message across. In this case, it took spelling out everything he did wrong: “Nothing’s even getting through//I’m so over being used//So let me spell it out to u”. Throughout the song, we can see her confidence build, especially when she flipped her mindset from “I thought I did it right,” to, “You thought you did it right”. Her valiant lyrics should be a testament to everyone, everywhere, that you have the power and right to leave someone who makes you feel unworthy. While listening to the song, there was one word that was gilded in bold letters at the front of my brain. Allow me to spell it out to you: E M P O W E R M E N T. From the beginning, the production itself holds an empowering sound, through its melodious guitar and buoyant drumbeats, giving the listener a reason to want to stay. The constant buildup of the instruments helps to create a coming of age tone, allowing the listener to feel as though they are the main character in the song’s story; making it an immersive experience. Just like the indie-pop/punk-rock band, Paramore, this track aspires to embolden the song’s angsty lyrics, proving that the storytelling doesn’t only lie within the words. Nikki Wishart’s proclivity for compelling and thoughtful storytelling allows her to delve into her deepest and darkest feelings to paint picturesque stories in her music. From antagonized heartbreak, to mystified love, Nikki is a certified poet who can easily put what one’s feeling into words. At a young age, she knew that music would be something she would do at some point in her life. Based off her collection of promising singles, there’s no doubt this has always been her calling. Based in sunny Melbourne, Australia, Nikki Wishart continues to write and record her songs, with near-future plans to play a few gigs in 2023. Written By Amanda Palacios FOLLOW NIKKI WISHART:

"Borrowed Time" by Red Shakes is an attention-grabbing indie-pop track. The short and sweet track wastes no time starting, immediately sounding off. The vocal delivery is certainly my favorite part of this song. Something about his voice just scratches parts of my brain that other voices cannot seem to reach. Sometimes you can hear the northern British accent peak through, and I enjoy it. I absolutely adore the retro twist this track has. It's something you don't hear done well often, but Red Shakes does it flawlessly. This 60's inspired pop track reminds me a lot of The Beach Boys. The light and carefree vibes of this song make it a fantastic listen. Red Shakes has a remarkably unique voice that you just want to listen to on repeat. Something about this track also gives off the same vibes as the indie band Roar. This song is about accidentally taking someone you care about dearly for granted, and then you realize you have run out of time and it is too late. The lyrics and instrumental clash in an ironic way, the song being very bright and peppy but the lyrics being melancholy. Red Shakes is an England-based artist, and despite sounding like a band, he is a solo artist. Sam Da Silva is the man behind the music, and he released his first EP in 2021. Red Shakes cites some of his influences as The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Libertines, and The Kooks. As the talented performer he is, Sam has been touring throughout 2022. His songs have even been played by the world-renowned British news station Radio BBC. Written By Emma Kimberli FOLLOW RED SHAKES:

In true singer-songwriter fashion, Liv Charette's music thrives as she produces art from emotional introspection. While I wouldn't call it a sad song, "Space From You" surely pinpoints a specific feeling that's only described best through music. Through her lyrics, production, and melodies, the artist put together a song both relatable and easy to listen to. "Space From You" utilizes ethereal vocals and distinct, sharp rhythms to express the artists feelings of comfort and yearning towards another. In the upbeat, dance-pop single, Liv Charette describes the desire to end nights out early in favor of an evening in with her significant other. A catchy chorus of angelic vocals repeats the lyric, 'I need space/but I don't need space from you,' perfectly capturing the ambivert mood of the single. Though her voice is soft in comparison to previous singles, Liv Charette's gentle tone brings indescribable emotion to the music that fabricates the meaning of the song. While she spent several years chasing after a lucrative career as an Olympic figure skater, Liv Charette realized her true passion lay with music after her first live performance. After becoming a viral hit on TikTok, the Nashville based artist now has a podcast where she hosts several influential figures, from makeup artists to music industry executives. In October of 2021, Liv was invited to perform at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame during the celebration of Tina Turner's induction. Despite her busy schedule, Liv continues to self-release her music with "Space From You" being her third single of the year. Written By Zewdi Cass FOLLOW LIV CHARETTE:

“Treading Water” by DALE is a curiously hopeful song about hopelessness and dejection at the reality of growing up and realizing that your life isn’t what you thought it would be, and maybe never will, and navigating that uncertainty in your young adult years. DALE confronts resentment, anger, and despondency regarding his circumstances, expressing frustration that he can’t even see where he should be because it’s difficult to stay afloat when you feel like you’re drowning. It’s very relatable, and eventually changes its trajectory to become hopeful, encouraging the listener to just keep their head up and that you are the only one really in your way. The production of “Treading Water” only adds to the intensity of the emotions expressed in the lyrics, featuring a full alt-rock band bordering on indie punk. This, accompanied by DALE’s vocal range and strength lends a necessary punchiness to the number that puts it over the top. In the song DALE expresses much frustration and dejection regarding what he thought his potential was and what it’s turned out to be so far, reaching his lowest point in the line “And I don't know why I've been kidding myself/As if I'd amount to anything else/Than some deadbeat pothead cutting the weeds with a smoke/That's fine but it isn't me.” This line is an important inclusion because it’s extremely real and tangible, expressing a thought that many people have had but don’t always like to express. After this, however, DALE goes on to wish that everyone could see that he isn’t the man depicted above, eventually showing that he is his own worst critic–as is true for many people–and just needs to move forward regardless. “Treading Water” paints a picture of hope within extreme hopelessness, showing that you can’t fall far enough to warrant not getting up again. As a songwriter and producer, Will Dailey has amassed over 20 million streams on Spotify on songs with rising stars such as NOTD, kenzie, Mothica and Heather Sommer. His own solo project, DALE, has received fanfare from music critics such as gems & secrets and received airplay on college radio. After graduating from NYU’s Clive Davis Institute in 2019, DALE won Songathon: a prestigious 24-hour songwriting competition sponsored in the New York City Mayor’s Office. He moved to Los Angeles in 2020 and began releasing music influenced by alternative acts such as The Cure, Tame Impala, Jon Bellion, and Weezer. His upcoming track “Treading Water” is the first in a line of singles that will culminate in a much-anticipated debut EP next year. But the journey hasn’t always been smooth. As DALE puts it, “‘Treading Water’ is ultimately about struggling to find your way in your early-to-mid twenties; about the uncertainty that entails, the self-doubt, and the struggle to not only stay afloat at times, but also know which way to swim.” Written By Adelae Norwood FOLLOW DALE:

The sweet intersection of guitars and pop production is where New Friends shines the brightest. Their latest single “Waste My Time” is one of many examples demonstrating the dynamic group’s songwriting ability. Each member of the group brought their expertise to the table to once again craft a tune that will put an extra spring in your step. “Waste My Time” hits the ground running with echoing vocals and strumming acoustic guitar before launching into a funky bass line that gets your head bobbing. The song’s lyrics talk about that infatuating but toxic kind of love where you just can’t get enough -- to the point where you’d even be happy if they wasted your time. The irony of lyrics describing desperately clinging to such a love is juxtaposed with how freely the vocals glide across the base and percussion, creating the special something that makes a song an instant hit. Jumping between acoustic and synthetic production techniques perfectly balances the group’s emotional harmonies with their pop dance rhythms. New Friends have been honing their musical teamwork since they first started off in London back in 2018. Their first big hit “Purple Candy” gained the attention that their music deserves, and the group now releases consistently catchy work to their ever growing fan base. “Waste My Time” should be next in the queue for any pop fan. Written By Ari Schweitzer FOLLOW NEW FRIENDS:

Witches, witchcraft, and covens, oh my. It is officially Spooky Season, and Rachel Philipp’s “Spell on U” is the perfect soundtrack for it. This song is the next anthem for women everywhere. As women, we have a few secret superpowers. We captivate men; we cause controversy; we can tell when you’re lying; we have intuition that leaves men caught before they even make a mistake. Some would insist those powers make us magic. Some would even say we are witches… but we are women, and that makes us the most powerful beings on this green earth. People are always talking, and a lot of time it’s nonsense. Philipp parallels the treacherous cycle women go through for just being women, and in the reflection we are taken right back to Salem, 1962. The tenebrous, yet fascinating, time in history when a woman was burned at the stake, or hung for her sins. Men thought pure juvenile delinquency meant undefinable power stemmed from the devil himself. If a woman acted strange they came for her throat. As a woman, life can feel like a witch-hunt. We are supposed to be strong, independent, but God forbid we get too powerful. We are supposed to be beautiful, flirty, but God forbid we express our sexuality for the world to see, or even multiple men at a time. It is a trying time to be everything society wants and yet be shamed for the same things we were forced to become. In the trials, women confessed to wicked behaviors just to shut the men up, and give them the answers they tortured out of them which resulted in mass murder. Does that say anything about how men handle a woman with power? Rachel Philipp perfectly mirrored modern day society to our worn out history books that condemn women and celebrate men for the same actions. This is the song you want blasting in the car, windows down, as you drive anywhere on a crisp, eerie Autumn day. This is the song you and your girls will play on repeat as you get ready together, dancing in front of the mirror and drinking a spiked apple cider. Our power is our power, and no man, no matter how hard they try, can take that away from us, and that is our greatest magic of all. The tempo of “Spell on U” is pure captivation. It is reminiscent of an early 2000’s Halloween movie about a teenager who turns 16 and wakes up with brand new powers, and she hops on the broom found in the laundry room, puts on her favorite black dress, and is ready to takeover the world. Her lyrics are dynamic and compelling. This is the type of song you want playing every second of fall. This is the type of song that hypes you up on the way to an interview, or a breakup to make you feel the power from within. “Spell on U” is the essential message that women need to hear everyday to be reminded that the superpowers we crave, have been inside of us all along, and it is up to us to not dim our light for a man. If they can’t handle us, in all our glory, they don’t deserve our magic in the first place. Rachel Phillip is a creative, influential singer and songwriter from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She has an ample music background, which is conveyed through all of her commanding work. She is not only the vocalist, but the composer and producer of all her work. She is a truly powerful woman more so than just the magic captivated in “Spell on U”. She embarked on her musical journey at 14 years old, when she picked up a guitar and taught herself how to play and write songs that she began to perform at open mic nights in high school. She earned her degree in the arts with a Music and Voice Performance degree. Now, she writes hits for not only herself, but hundreds of other artists. Her mesmerizing voice and innovative writing skills are a true gift that is lucky to be shared with the masses. Regardless if it is a broom, a guitar, or just herself, Rachel Philipp is pure magic, ready to compel the world, and her voyage is only beginning. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW RACHEL PHILIPP:

If you ever felt like you can't speak your mind and everything or anything you say or do is wrong or disrespectful then, "Burden to Bear," by Sam Marke is the perfect song for you. With the combination of the beautiful, heart-tugging melodic lyrics with the somber, enticing piano and electronic accompaniment it truly makes this song an anthem to those who have autism or anyone who feels nervous/scared to say/do something with the thought of being judged based on their own uniqueness. Click here to listen to "Burden to Bear" ! "Burden to Bear" by Sam Marke is song that highlights the struggles that come with being autistic including being shy or nervous to talk to another person, due to the fear and reasoning that whatever they say/do is inconsiderate and wrong based on physical or mental attributes or disabilities. The beautiful cathartic vocals combined with the satisfying chord progressions from the piano and other instrumental accompaniments truly makes the listeners feel connected and able to relate to the emotions portrayed and given to by the artist. Sam Marke is a singer/songwriter who writes honest or sad music on experiences that happened or are happening in his life. His debut single, "Burden to Bear," is a song that touches on his own personal experience with the struggle of having autism and how it feels like a burden to others. If you are interested in following Sam Marke's musical journey be sure to follow his socials down below! Written By Troy Sica FOLLOW SAM MARKE:

This soothing piece from Ella Ruby's debut EP pulls the lock mechanism on the passenger door and intimately ushers you in to find a warm, curated comfort, providing shelter from the percussive October showers that tap on the steamed windows and silver chassis. That vanilla-tinged aroma of old books nestles amongst the tussled blankets that caress the mattress atop the hand-fashioned, pine support frame. Pieced together to rival the intimacy of the forts of pillows and sheets from your childhood, the soundscape of In My Car begs for the crackle of a thick-wicked candle and just might be worth the fire hazard. Listen to "In My Car" Here The initial stripped-back production brings you close to each pluck of Ella's six-string that lifts the soft, indie vocals while the instrumental bolsters depth. The languid trip through the Pacific Northwest sews in bass, strings, and percussion as sunbeams break pillars of rain to expose a diverse, shifting landscape along the highway, before arriving at a vista fit for postcards. The track features poignant lyricism that pacifies, tilling the fertile soil before planting seeds to unsettle, making ominous use of negative space to form that lump in your throat - " in my car my body is mine, but, as it turns out, not all of the time". Seattle-based singer-songwriter Ella Ruby provides warm, cinematic imagery of the Northwest United States through indie/folk melodies that present themselves much like 35mm film. Featuring production that grounds you like walking barefoot through the morning dew, Ella's work avoids pandering with a raw lyricism that stirs, balancing the settling comfort provided by the rich, fine-tuned instrumentation. For more of her ethereal sound, inspired by the likes of Brandi Carlile and Billie Marten, follow the links to find her new EP, "Baby Blue". Written By George McSherry FOLLOW ELLA:

In her latest release "Swimming with Sharks", iconically pink-haired Kitty Rae aims to metaphorically empower listeners to face their fears. Using allusions of self-advocacy in comparison with taking a deep-sea dive produces unique messages that are both relatable and encouraging. Cover art portraying the artist jumping into a pool of sharks contrasted against a cotton candy, lightning-filled sky invites listeners to take the plunge with her. Captivating listeners with deep messages of strength through a unique alt-pop sound is a specialty of rising musician Kitty Rae. While "Swim with Sharks" utilizes a collaboration of deep synths and chilling layered vocals to embody an ominous mood, lyrically the song encourages bravery to show others you are confident in your capabilities. Promoting independence while maintaining an edgy vibe, Kitty Rae's latest single puts a twist on the modern-day confidence anthem. Kitty Rae is an Australian-born dark electropop singer-songwriter akin to the likes of Billie Eilish or Halsey. The independent artist has achieved several accomplishments in the short time she's been active, such as being featured on various Spotify playlists, supporting several various acts on tours, being named a 2021 Featured Artist at the Indie Music Summit, and impressively selling out her own slew of shows in Melbourne. By emitting radiant, confident energy through her image and art, Kitty Rae will continue earnestly entertaining her evolving fan base. Written By Zewdi Cass FOLLOW Kitty Rae: