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Indie-rock trio Goldpark returned on September 9th with this stunning new single titled “Summer In My Head”, a track to remind us how our expectations aren't always reality. It’s a feel-good track, talking about what it means to be young and looking back at all our memories so far. But if you’re looking for a summer-loving, fun song, you both can and can’t find it here. When you first dive into the song, you’ll be immersed in a summery feeling, the reminiscent sparkling feeling of being in the sun on a beach. But, as you listen deeply into the lyrics, you’ll realize that’s not what the track is actually about. Goldpark removes the idealist lens on the summer season to bring us “Summer In My Head” to tell us that we imagine it all—the reality is kicking in, and it’s probably not going to meet our expectations. With a classic summery feel, Goldpark brings us an anti-summer song. The irony brings a fun and refreshing tune with lush production, vocals, and piano chords—a track that surpasses the definition of stunning. The entire song is fantastic, with Hunter singing, “Summer’s always better in my head” to bring us back to earth from the dreamy feeling. The track talks about how we’re looking at our memories through rose-colored glasses, questioning, “is the summer really that nice?” Goldpark touches on the idea that we don’t have the time to have the time of our lives anymore; the liberating summer feeling only existed in our childhoods, and maybe it’s time to let that go. It has a stunning melody that drags us in, capturing us with its meaning to remind us perhaps the best moments in life aren't only in summer. “Summer In My Head” is the last pre-release single Goldpark is releasing from their new EP “Goldpark Two” which is set to come out October 21st. Before this, the group released “Guess It’s Never Enough”, a track that deals with declaring your freedom from others’ opinions of you, tackling it with a soaring production that leaves you refreshed and hyped. The trio consists of Wes Hunter (Lead Vocals), Andrew Smith (Lead Guitar), and Kyle Neblett (Drums)—the three musically talented artists creating traction from their base in Nashville. Andrew and Wes first connected in 2019 but started working on their first EP in early 2020 when the trio was completed as Kyle joined the group-- finally giving us the phenomenal band we now know as Goldpark. Written by Jane Katryn FOLLOW GOLDPARK:

Beyond the Sun does not fail to impress with music that will tug at your heartstrings and take you back into the comfort of what you call home. With this new single, released August 31st, Beyond the Sun took a step in a new direction with this song, choosing to connect more emotionally with fans than they’ve ever done before. It’s raw and emotionally charged, and the band shares a new part of them and reveals something about themselves that is so important to share. This song is about struggles with mental health and persevering through it. It's such a strong message that can resonate with many people in this day and age. The chorus is strong and the vocals help bring through the message: “Only I can get myself out”. The production of the song is amazing, and really accentuates all aspects of the song— the lyrics, the structure, the vocals, the drums. Through this song, Beyond the Sun is able to connect with their fans in a way that they haven’t before, and it’s real and exceptionally done. Beyond the Sun is a band consisting of three brothers, Colin, Phil, and Dalton, who come from Toronto to bless us with this Alternative/Rock sound. They currently reside in Nashville after moving away from their hometown. It’s exciting to see them go through these changes and book shows, as they are only going to grow more and more. They are talented individuals and even more talented working together. It’s going to be rewarding to see them release more and more music, and to grow bigger and bigger. Written By Alyssa Gallardo FOLLOW BEYOND THE SUN:

Q: This song is so catchy! What is the story behind it? CHELSEA: Thank you so much! Basically, this song is about being in this almost purgatory stage of a relationship. It's about the frustration in waiting, the past trauma mixing with the present day growth, as well as not knowing where you stand with someone. I write a lot about many situations blended into one song, and that's what this song became. Q: You have a brand new album that just came out, which is very exciting! What was your favorite part of the process to create your debut album? SALEEN: My favorite part is always the initial release and then come the performances. A lot goes into the process of preparing and I think the chaos is also a little exciting because you know something amazing is coming. I do enjoy the serenity and calmness of writing the songs as well though, its always the first step of what's to come. CHELSEA: My favorite part is the songwriting, when the song first comes to life and the vision is so clear. I find the faster you record the song after writing, the more true it will feel to the initial feeling you had writing the song. Click here to listen to 'Feeling'! Q: What is your favorite song off of your new album? SALEEN: Desire is my favorite song off this EP. I'm most passionate about the meaning behind it. It can feel like a trap when you are in a cycle that just repeats itself constantly.. this song is a small glimpse of hope for me because it reminds me that I do still have that hope that I can escape the loop, because sometimes even I get too comfortable with what I hate because its the normal for me. Chelsea and I wrote this together and for me it was a really calming experience to write it and it brings me back to that peace for just a few minutes. CHELSEA: I am always a big DESIRE fan due to the ending, the overall meaning, and the fun time Saleen and I had writing it on the lakefront of Oshawa. It is definitely the most inspiring to me because it is all about pursuing what you want in life and letting go of what is unfulfilling- definitely a song for the creatives out there. Q: What is it like to work beside your sibling as a musician? SALEEN: It is a wild experience really, because yeah, we do bicker, but I can't write with anyone else like how I do with Chelsea. I can be annoying to write with but I'm really grateful that we do get to have those moments together. CHELSEA: It can always be a bit tough because we bicker like any other sibling. But we will get over fights immediately and go to a drive thru minutes later so it's kind of perfect. Q: What has been one of your favorite moments while performing live? SALEEN: Probably when we played the Rivoli, when we performed Desire. It's always awesome to play this song but the energy was just different at this show. Just like how it was writing the song, it's just as good performing it, it feels rewarding. It's also just got that really cool time change after the bridge that hypes you up. CHELSEA: One of many is the first time we had a huge crowd interaction. We were performing for an event in Brooklyn and we asked the crowd to sing along to our song. The crowd was so loud, singing our lyrics at an outdoor venue in the middle of the night. This was one of the first moments I had realized we really had a shot at this whole music thing. Q: What are you most looking forward to in terms of your future as a duo? SALEEN: I'm definitely looking forward to us collaborating with other artists, and playing more live shows. The most exciting part about music is trying new things and breaking the molds you always form to. Live shows are always the most rewarding part, too. It's like the celebration after you've finished creating your project, and beginning to share it with everyone. I'd also love to make this our full time thing. It's always the goal to make it our livelihood, and it's just something we're both so passionate about. CHELSEA: Paying my bills with just music haha. Besides the essentials, playing live shows, getting to meet our inspirations, and constantly growing as artists to create something we are super proud of. Interviewed By Kendall Koval FOLLOW EQUAL:

Sometimes we get so overwhelmed by the things happening to and around us that we can’t help but feel like we’re not up to standards. Occasionally we’re pushed down, our self-esteems taking a dive into the deep end and our minds not doing anything to push us back up. It’s a terrifying feeling to imagine you’re not good enough, that your worth is somehow less than your peers. In these moments, we find comfort in dangerous things, little bits of desperation peeking out from ourselves to try and find some way to ignore these thoughts. Tadhg Daly writes about this feeling in his new song, “Novocaine”. In a track that brings a renewed sense of vulnerability, he takes us on the journey of not feeling good enough, desperately clutching onto whatever we can before giving up and falling victim to all the bad thoughts. It’s a progressive pop production, Daly’s captivating vocals melding well with them to make a stunning performance with this new track. “Novocaine” is a darker track in meaning—Daly takes from his experience of being bullied in his childhood, molding it so it can be seen through many situations. He starts with his own emotions, then succumbs to the drugs to numb his feelings, singing, “I’ll never be enough for you/Tell me I’m just a fool”. With an electro-pop feeling, Daly brings an emotional club beat and this stunning meaning. He establishes a sense of vulnerability with this track, bringing his struggles to light, making them a fantastic track, and sharing his passion with his listeners. Tadhg Daly is a Jersey-born Irish singer/songwriter with music in his blood. He’s been surrounded by the musical talent in his family, growing creatively in his youth and pursuing his passion for music after a sports injury that left him with little to do. He’s shared bits of his recovery and personal growth through his music, garnering an audience enamored by his honest songwriting. “Novocaine” is part of his upcoming EP titled “Getting It All Wrong” which is set to come out on October 14th. He’s set to perform a couple of shows in October, ready to show a stunning performance to all who attend. Written By Jane Katryn FOLLOW TADHG DALY:

Sometimes realizations aren’t slow. Occasionally, we find ourselves perfectly happy one moment, and the next, reality comes out of the blue and hits us in the face. Not everyone or everything is destined to stay in our lives; at some point, we realize that we have to face the facts and take a step forward without them. But it’s not always bad. The startling realization of knowing you’ve outgrown your present comes with the pleasant acceptance of knowing that maybe it won't hurt so bad—that the good will come sooner than you believe. In “Don’t Miss You At All” by Yael Danon, she talks about knowing that you’re done with what’s happening but not being afraid to move forward because you can’t find the reasons to stay. It's immersed in a hypnotic feeling, passionately coming at us with a seductive and confident vibe to tell us she’s better off without that part of her past. She sings, “All I think of when I look back on/Those days is how my life was so much/Easier, but it wasn’t what I wanted”. This lyric talks about how we find ourselves content with our surroundings and the peace of staying within our comfort zone. Danon brings up the idea that maybe our comfort zone isn’t where we should be staying—perhaps the life we want to lead is somewhere we can’t see from our current position. We need to have the courage to move forward, knowing that one day we’ll look back and say, “Oh, I don’t miss it at all”. Yael Danon is an Israeli-Panamanian pop singer making waves with her music. She recently shared “Don’t Miss You At All”, an upbeat and energetic track telling people she’s growing and realizing her worth. It’s inspirational to her listeners, giving them the confidence to reevaluate their standings and relationships—to say to them that it’s okay to want more, that it’s okay to go for something better, to put themselves first. She has an impressive history, winning Israel’s Got Talent in 2019 at the age of 13 before deciding to start telling her own stories through music. Written by Jane Katryn FOLLOW YAEL DANON:

You ever just sit in the house, daydreaming about moving away and starting a new life? Traveling wherever your heart desires and experiencing it to the fullest? “I’m So Bored” by Tali Flynt takes us on a sonic journey, reminiscing on her indelible three-month trip to South America. The mellow to energetic transitions perfectly captures the ebb and flow of stepping out of your comfort zone and conquering new fears. This feel good song will surely inspire you to halt your everyday routine to plan a trip and take a leap of faith. The everyday cycle of life can feel so mundane that in order to feel alive, you need to venture out of the ordinary. Even though there are a million things around, you still feel unfulfilled, “I feel it all, but I'm not satisfied”. Tali does a great job of getting personal with the lyrics and telling her story through a musical lens. The instrumental is led with a soft melody, followed by a powerful drum, a carefree chorus, and transcending harmonies. It's a perfect song to listen to in the car with the windows down. Tali imbues listeners with her lyrics through a sense of exploration to escape the trivial things in life that would otherwise be ignored when submerged in a different lifestyle. it's a humbling yet hopeful song that will surely enhance your mood. Born in Israel, Tali Flynt is an alternative/indie artist that first started streaming her music in 2020 when she released her first EP, "All I Ever Did". She has released multiple singles and performed live on multiple occasions. Her songs can be heard on radio stations in Israel as well as several streaming platforms. Watch out for Tali Flynt; she is an incredible talent with new songs on the way! Written By: Mia Mangione FOLLOW TALI:

Congratulations on the release of your new incredible single “I Think I’m Ready For Love”!!! How did you use the experiences in your own love life to create this amazing new song? Andrew: Thank you, I really appreciate that!! The tune came to me one day when I was driving. The first words that came out were “I think I’m ready for love!”. I thought to myself, “wow, why did those words come to me?!?” I started to reflect on my recent past and my fancy free, single guy, bachelor commitment-phobe lifestyle and it hit me! I think I’m ready for love. I know you are a self-taught musician and songwriter, which is so unbelievably impressive by the way! Can you take us through that journey, such as how you started and what you learned first? Andrew: I grew-up with a player piano, and I would hear a song I liked, go up to the piano, and just start poking at keys until it sounded like that song. When I was 5 years old, I realized that singing was something I might be good at when my choir teacher chose me to sing a solo in our school's annual concert. In middle school I got a keyboard for Christmas, and I started creating my own tunes, and writing my own lyrics. I was in love with pop music, and I wanted to give to the world what my favorite pop artists were giving to me. I need to know more about the EP you recorded that was never released! Can you share what happened? Andrew: Hahaha! Ohhhh the EP with no name. I made it when I was 20 years old, I had just moved to LA, I had no idea what my identity was, and neither did the songs I created, so I experimented hardcore with sound, and recorded two songs with hip-hop beats, a song that leaned towards bubblegum pop, a song with a 60’s surfer guitar, and one very touching, but slightly cheesy, ballad. What makes it even better is imagining me as I was then, all skin-and-bones, with a goatee, wearing skin tight jeans, and singing these songs. It’s was quite a sight to behold. I could not wipe the smile off my face while watching your music video for your new single!! You were for sure giving Britney hahahah!! What was your experience like making this video and where did the idea come from? Andrew: And now I can’t wipe the smile off my face! “You were for sure giving Britney” will be what is written on my tombstone. Shooting the video was a lot of fun, but it was a hot summer day, and the room we were in was sweltering because there was no air-conditioning or fans, so between takes we had to dry ourselves off from all the sweat. Creating music videos is a lot of fun and it gives me an opportunity to express a different part of my creativity. I was trying to come up with a concept that was simple, creative, and something that could easily be recognized. After throwing around a few ideas, the image of me dancing with a heart just appeared in my head, and that image wouldn’t go away. I thought, if I can’t shake this idea, then it must be the right one. So I found myself a heart costume, a nice blue suit, a choreographer, and voila! I am a Walt Disney World Cast Member myself who also frequents Disneyland, so I have to know… what’s your favorite Disneyland or DCA snack?! Andrew: Oh really! That’s fantastic, I always wanted to part of the Disney team. Maybe one day! Disneyland is my happy place. It’s impossible for me to pick one snack at Disneyland but the three that I have each time I’m there without fail are; the corndog, the churro, and the Nestle Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bar. I usually make room for two Nestle Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bars…or three. What else can we expect from your upcoming EP “Pep Talk”?! After this new song, I cannot WAIT to give it a listen!! Andrew: My EP “Pep Talk” will have more upbeat, 80s inspired pop songs that are just meant to put a smile on your face and a beat in your step. My next single from the EP is set for release later this year, and the music video has already been shot. I’m sure that everyone will be pleased to see that the Love Heart makes another appearance! I’m really excited for everyone to hear this song. I’d also like to say a big thank you to Pop Passion Blog. It’s a great resource for artists, and I’m so grateful for you and all your subscribers. Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW ANDREW:

Electronic pop artist PAENDA released her latest track "Second Summer" to make the hot season last just a little bit longer. With summer coming to its unfortunate end, PAENDA reminds listeners of hot summer nights and tropical weather. Having created this piece on the island of Mauritius, PAENDA uses the inspiration that is all around her in the tropical landscape to create this song. This single is also a step into a new direction that she wishes to take her music in. PAENDA revealed that she has really decided to take her time, and write about topics that truly inspire her. She is a wonderful example of a powerful woman who motivates her listeners to speak their minds and do whatever it is they desire to do. This tune is nothing short of the perfect summer anthem and is a wonderful send-off for this summer season. As always, PAENDA brings her catchy beats and euphoric sounds with this piece. The song starts out with warm guitar strums and PAENDA'S beautiful voice and begins to pick up in tempo and sound as the song nears the beat drop. This piece has a lot of emphasis on the beats, making the song have a powerful kick to it. This piece takes listeners on a ride as the song switches up the tempo throughout the piece to keep things interesting. Overall, PAENDA succeeded once again in bringing a fresh beat for her listeners to enjoy. Since 2016, Viennese producer, musician, and singer PAENDA has been constantly working on her own sound, which in recent years has moved more and more from underground indie to mainstream electronic pop. PAENDA started out in late 2017 and caught the attention of music lovers with her debut single "Waves". After that, things started to take off: In 2018, the Austrian Artist got to be the opening act for Pop-icon Jessie J and also performed at various music festivals, such as the Donauinselfestival. When in 2019 PAENDA competed for Austria in the ESC in Tel Aviv, she became internationally known. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW PAENDA:

"Kaleidoscope" brings out many feelings for many queer listeners of Randy Beth. Taking a fresh take on a date, this song reflects on romance and new experiences. The way this track has been produced and sung through is incredible and so pleasing to hear. The lyrics as well, really connect with the listener and carry you through this experience alongside Randy Beth. Randy Beth’s vocals are a focal point on this track, really taking the lyrics and feeling them through- especially connecting with the listeners. This is a feel good song and the beat and vocals tie everything together. It’s warm and bright, and Randy Beth finds a way to channel all the emotions that come along with romance into one track. The chorus is smooth and utterly delightful, reminiscent of the feeling of being on a first date. It’s exciting and genuine, and bubbled up within the synths and drums is the rush of laughing together with a date and enjoying yourself on an adventure you didn’t expect to be on. This song is soulful and real and genuinely an amazing show of Randy Beth’s talent. Randy Beth is a lesbian R&B artist that resides in New York. She’s been releasing music since 2021, her first release being “Make A Home”. She’s been working on her sound, and it shows through her music. There’s been incredible growth in Randy Beth and she can only get better and better. It’s exciting to listen to Randy Beth and know that she’s going to make it one day. Written By Alyssa Gallardo FOLLOW RANDY BETH:

With a lush arrangement and genre-bending production, Miles Arnell’s new single “You Had Me at Goodbye” is as infectiously upbeat as it is melodically catchy. One of the most astounding features of this song was the way it synthesizes artistic elements from an array of time periods, creating its own unique sound. The drums give notes of 80s pop: a thumping kick and punchy snare that cut through the rest of the track. The bass line could have been ripped right out of the 70s: an overwhelmingly powerful piece of slap technique with a reliance on octave jumps and stepwise motion. Arnell’s own vocal performance is reminiscent of the mid 2000s: rhythmically inclined and staccato delivery with an emphasis on wide range and memorable melody. The pure adrenaline that reverberates between the drums, bass, and vocals makes “You Had Me at Goodbye'' an earworm, easily dancable, and the perfect way to ramp up the energy in any room. The song begins abruptly, with the drums bursting into the foreground immediately. Arnell’s intent of making a groove-centered track is clear, as the drums remain the most prominent feature within the verse, even after the entrance of bass and vocals. As Arnell builds towards the chorus, subtle synth pads enter, highlighting the piece’s harmonic texture, and adding a new side to the rhythm-driven nature of the track. Arnell plays with the idea of negative space in the chorus, opting to lower the instrumental density of the piece rather than raise it. The feel of the piece switches as the drum beat drops out in favor of claps that hang in the track's background. There is an infusion of harmonic content as piano and background vocals move to the forefront of the instrumental. By replacing substantive percussive elements with these fundamentally melodic instruments, the chorus is able to maintain the energy of the verse despite a calmer tone and less driven pulse. The return to the almost frenetic pace in the verse is then even more rewarding because of the space left in the chorus, within which the song can then build. Raised in a musical household, Miles Arnell gravitated towards the popular music of different eras at a young age, citing Elvis, The Beatles, and Hall & Oates as some of his favorites as a child. Prior to the pandemic, Miles spent long stretches of time touring, opening for artists such as Nelly and Logan Henderson of Big Time Rush, and performing his originals at festivals across the country. During the lockdown, Miles still found ways to get his name out there, lending his voice to DJs, and finding impressive success in Europe, reaching number 27 on the German charts. Miles’ eclectic style and dedication to his career make his career very intriguing to follow, making him an artist we should all definitely keep tabs on. Written By Liam Dun FOLLOW MILES ARNELL:

May Payne’s newest single “Lazy Sunday” perfectly captures the wistful, happy feeling of being newly infatuated with the idea of someone you don’t know very well yet. It’s clean, light, and carefree, transporting the listener back to dreamlike summer days of grassy fields, sunshine, and the opening notes of a new crush. It’s refreshing both in the composition and in the lyrics as it showcases the daydream stage of a crush you know probably won’t work out, choosing to bask in its potential instead of focusing on the possible negatives–even if only for a few moments. The song opens with upbeat and carefree guitar chords, soon making way for the inclusion of light drums and trumpets. Payne’s high, airy, and well-controlled vocals carry the number perfectly, further eliciting feelings of hopefulness and warmth. The lyrics capture the earliest stages of enrapturement with someone in lines such as “I've been fooled a lot before/But sometimes, somedays/You seem to want me more,” showing the dreamlike wish that maybe love is a possibility. Payne also shows her lack of naivete in the line “I know I’m not all that you got,” but moves forward to show the nature of a light crush by continuing with “Let’s skip to the part/Where you tell me I’m perfect/Nothing’s changing/But something’s feeling new.” Overall, “Lazy Sunday” is a fresh-faced take on a love song, aptly portraying a very specific (and common) brand of crush that isn’t often addressed in music. May Payne is a 20-year-old singer-songwriter based in Manchester. She’s had a passion for music her whole life and grew up on the works of Bob Dylan and Van Morrison, who inspired her love of a warm and clean ensemble. Within her songwriting she focuses on intelligent vulnerability as well as nostalgia, which are brought to fruition by a talented group of fellow musicians. May Payne may be newer to the music scene with 3 singles, but her vision and talent is unique and refreshing, and she’s here to stay. Written By Adelae Norwood FOLLOW MAY PAYNE:

Justin Ripassa recently dropped his latest pop-rock piece, "Front Row Ticket." This song concerns the topic of alcohol and drug abuse, and what it's like to watch someone you love fall victim to these vices. He sees this girl falling deeper and deeper into the pit of no return as she is trying to run away from her problems, and knows that there is nothing he can do to help her unless she wants to help herself. He reassures her that he will always have the number one spot in his heart and that he will always be right by her side once again to help her. This gentle soft rock piece includes many different instruments being played in lighter chords creating a very comforting and emotional sound. Ripassa's voice is very warm and beautifully captures the raw emotion which is tied to the piece. There was a heavy emphasis on the electric guitar, and it added a bit of energy to the piece. He even devoted about a third of the song to a guitar solo. Another cool aspect of this song is how he related her drug and alcohol problem to drowning. Lines such as "I've got my hand underwater trying to reach" and "the water keeps on rising above your lips" both elude the idea that this issue makes her feel like she's drowning. Overall, Ripassa did a wonderful job of creating a heartwrenching, yet uplifting piece about supporting the girl he loves through any and all of her struggles. Justin Ripassa is a singer/songwriter/actor/model from the Netherlands. On his debut EP Lost Generation, he uses four different genres ranging from Indie pop and Pop rock to Soft rock and Americana. Justin aspires to spread awareness of world issues by using his music as a voice for his generation. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW JUSTIN RIPASSA: