It's a testament to its strength that the irresistible catchiness of Anaté's latest single, "I Want You," isn't even my favorite part. My first listen of every song for a review is typically experienced lying on the floor. However, forty seconds into this song, as the pre-chorus rumbled with anticipation, I paused. The intricate production felt like a shark's fin in the vast ocean, circling its prey. I had to get up from my spot before the razor-sharp chorus struck, lighting my room into a fluorescent club. "I want you / I want your wicked self," singer/songwriter Ana sings over the contagiously danceable production from Andrea. The most charming part of this remarkable, dance-pop ode to bad romance, is that you're aware from the very start how hard it's going to go. "Has my patience been misunderstood?" Ana questions as synths bubble up, like miniature geysers. So simple, yet telling, it's a prime example of the type of knotty lyricism that makes "I Want You" so gripping. Perhaps she's waited for the subject to make the first move, only to be neglected. Was it patience or indifference that they saw? Reading each line alongside Ana's voice and Andrea's production, the story unfurls, stretching far beyond the limits of its three-minute runtime. The cover displays Ana's coy expression as she glances at the camera behind her back. This mirrors the themes of the song perfectly. At face value, it appears merely flirtatious, but the real heart of the song is her offering of vulnerability to someone she's aware will hurt her. "I have jumped by myself into your web," she admits. To see the shark's smile with your own eyes, and knowingly dive into the water in spite of the danger. That is intoxicating force at the center of "I Want You." Anaté is the collaborative project of Berlin-based singer/songwriter Ana and Milan-based producer Andrea. After meeting in Bruxelles in 2019, the duo began creating their downtempo, genre-bending music. Referencing bands such as Hooverphonic, Massive Attack, and Morcheeba in the polished production, Anaté brings a fresh harmony to the equally referential and iconic vocal melodies. Last year, the duo released their exceptional debut, Confessions, which featured ten tracks recorded largely remotely. "I Want You" is the third single of 2022. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW Anaté:

Hopelessness, escape and rage are just a few of the words that emulate the narrative communicated in Kiara Mali’s new single, “Undone”. The heart-wrenching alternative-rock anthem conveys a story of fear and feeling trapped in a constant state of unfamiliarity. Kiara’s strong lyricism and storytelling abilities bring deep meaning to each verse. For instance, the line, “When I wield the gavel to break my own law,” can be derived as a metaphor for regaining one’s own power and escaping a toxic situation. “Undone” contains all the qualities of a rock-n-roll hit while maintaining a moving story that accounts for anger and sadness. The song's strong sense of emotion and escapism truly make it stand out as a unique piece of art. An ominous tone introduces “Undone”, with the use of soft synths and a low, dramatic piano melody. Kiara’s rich voice offers the single a hint of edge and perfectly matches the song’s dark theme. The single’s chorus embodies pure electricity with the inclusion of booming percussion and powerful vocals. “Undone” showcases Kiara’s wide vocal range, from her deep, rockstar belts to the contrasting, high-pitched, soprano notes. “Undone” is Kiara’s biggest hit to date, with over 8.2k streams on Spotify alone. Likewise, the singles’ success enabled her to conduct her first professional video shoot which resulted in the production of her first official music video. The “Undone” music video became even more successful than the song itself, garnering over 40k views on YouTube. The video offers a cinematic viewing experience with the artistic use of water as artificial rain and dramatic lighting that conveys emotion. Based in Mannheim, Germany, Kiara Mali is a talented singer-songwriter, who draws inspiration from the alternative and pop genres. She made her musical debut in April of 2022, with the release of “Something In The Weather” which has gained 1.6k streams on Spotify. A live studio session of “Something In The Weather” was filmed and uploaded to the singers YouTube channel, where it has amassed over 27k views and features stunning cinematography and coloring. Kiara released her third single from her EP, “Undone”, in November which is titled, “Be Alive”. This new song also has an accompanying music video, which has reeled in over 1.4k views on YouTube and showcases electric editing and aesthetically pleasing sets, including shots where Kiara is dramatically immersed in water. Kiara has a knack for metaphorical lyricism, which may spawn from her love for poetry which she displays on her Instagram account. Kiara Mali’s haunting vocals, beautiful songwriting skills and immense creativity set her apart as an alternative artist with star potential. Written By Julia Hooper FOLLOW KIARA MALI:

Virginia To Vegas’s latest single is a high-energy track composed of cheeky lyrics and a catchy melody. After a late-night out on Broadway in Nashville, Virginia To Vegas met with Jeffery Jordan from Band Camino and singer-songwriter, Seth Ennis, at the studio and “break up with that guy.” was born. The track is meant to be a “fun song that doesn’t take itself too seriously.” It tells the narrative of being in love with someone who is already taken. With lyrics such as “You’re so perfect, he’s so full of shit” and “He don’t appreciate you, and that’s what kills me the most,” Virginia To Vegas exposes the other man as someone who does not treat his partner right. Throughout the track, he pleads with the one he loves to “break up with that guy” because they deserve to be treated better. These bold lyrics bring a lighthearted energy to a vulnerable message about love and longing. “break up with that guy.” completely engulfs the listener with its infectious melody and memorable lyrics. The track begins with a muffled synth intro that slowly builds until it reaches the full production, met with Virginia to Vegas’s vocals. The verse has a steady beat that is paired with the synth production, effortlessly guiding the listener through the track. Then at the chorus, the production takes a unique turn. The music contains a millisecond of muted sound, generating a creative effect. Virginia To Vegas is known for his unique production and electronic sounds, and “break up with that guy.” is another great example of his exceptional talent. Derik Baker, better known as Virginia to Vegas, is an American-born Canadian singer, songwriter, and producer. In 2014, he released his first single, “We Are Stars”, which was later included in his debut EP, Vol. I. He has over 700 million streams globally, as well as nearly 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone. He has 4x Platinum singles and six Top 10 Radio Singles. Additionally, he has earned several awards and nominations, including four SOCAN awards, a Canadian Radio Music Award, and a Juno Award Nomination. Written By Karlee Smith FOLLOW VIRGINIA TO VEGAS:

Do you believe in the zodiac signs? Each sign has a different symbol and a unique personality assigned to it. The Gemini zodiac sign has the symbol of twins; and if you've ever dated a Gemini before, you'd understand why. Gemini's are hard to read; you literally never have a clue what they are thinking because they are constantly changing their minds. They will tell you one thing, and then do another. "Gemini" by Eneli is a pop bop about what it could be like to date a Gemini and how it feels like they're always messing with your mind. Although Gemini's don't always realize that their indecisive ways are hurting their relationships, Eneli doesn't think it's worth wasting her time on. Let me start by saying that Eneli is an absolute super-star. This song was perfectly crafted to be stuck in your head for months. The bass line opens the song and stays consistent and you can't help but vibe to it the entire time. Eneli's voice is stunning and rich, but in the chorus you get a spoken melody that you're going to find yourself joining in with. The haunting and dissonant harmonies are going to give you chills down your spine. If you needed an example of the perfect dance pop song, it's Eneli's "Gemini". Eneli has build her own musical empire as a very successful independent artist. Eneli is no stranger to music, as she has been singing since she was 4 years old and participated in her church choir. Her love for music skyrocketed at the age of 13 when she began taking music lessons, performing live in her hometown and uploading covers to YouTube. Originally from Romania, Eneli moved to London, UK after University to pursue a Master's Degree in Songwriting and further her music career. Eneli has collaborated with DJs worldwide and has found international success through her songs. Examples include appearing on the US Billboard Dance Chart, going platinum in Russia, and getting a nomination for an MTV Europe Music Award. Eneli is now dabbling in the world of production, and preparing for her first ever album as well as more singles within the next year! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW ENELI:

"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: