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

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

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

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

Isn't it "funny" that when we finally aren't busy and we have time to relax, we spend that entire time overthinking and not actually getting any rest? You often wonder what you're even doing with your life anymore. It's not that you're really struggling, but something just seems to be missing; something that would make you feel more fulfilled in your life. Whether it be just a little more money, a comfier place to live, or a job that you would enjoy more - you can't put your finger on exactly what, but you have this gut feeling that you're just not quite where you should be. "Something More" by Jack Kane describes this dreadful feeling we all experience at some point in our lives. Nostalgic Pop, Soft Rock vibes, and hints of folk fill the soundscape. The bass and beat immediately grasp you into wanting to dance. Jack's incredible range and raspy tone are the star of the show and you can't help but fall in love with this song. The lyrics are probably some of the most relatable lyrics I've ever heard and their guaranteed to give your heart a squeeze, my favorite lyrics being the entirety of the second verse. "Well I spoke to my dad, he didn't have any answers / he said there's only one life, you don't get any second chances / no one's gonna come and save you or tidy your mess son, it's only who's in control of your head". I don't know about you but those words hit hard when you're having trouble with the reality of how hard life can really be. Jack Kane is a singer-songwriter based in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. His sound is inspired by incredible legends such as Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell and Miley Cyrus. Only beginning his official discography in 2021 with his single "Ache", Jack has already taken the hearts of many music lovers with almost 30,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. His current most streamed song was only his second single, "Gold" which has 659,000+ streams at this time. If you loved "Something More", be sure to check out the rest of his discography including his EP "Under Your Spell" and his other recent single, "Underdog". Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW JACK:

Kayleigh Wilson’s “See You Again Sometime” is the perfect ballad of regret and reminiscing. It’s the clarity after a breakup when you realize you may have been the villain in this once considered fairytale. Sometimes people simply aren’t right for each other. We wish on every shooting star that we’ll finally meet the person who treats us right, gives us their whole heart, and we pray they won’t hurt us… but sometimes we get all that and we feel more alone than when we were actually alone. It doesn’t matter how perfect someone is if they’re not perfect for you. So we break hearts that only want to love us; we throw away what many would consider treasure; we leave without a trace because we’ve been lost this whole time and finally found a path out. Sometimes we hurt good people. Hurt people usually do. Then we move on, since we weren’t fully in, and we forget there’s another person who didn’t see it coming. We’ve been both sides of the coin, and neither are fun. The heartbreaker or the heartbroken, which is easier? We can’t get them out of our minds because we hope they’re okay, and we pray they find someone more deserving of their love. We hear from friends of friends that they’re not doing so well, and we are culpable for the destruction, but it’s not fair to anyone to stay in a relationship that’s not working, even if the other person thinks it’s perfect. We feel regret when we have someone’s heart in our hand and shatter it, but the heart that we must protect the most is our own. All you can do is hope they’re well, hope they understand, and hope they give us at least a little smile when they see you again sometime. This song perfectly embodies what it’s like to be stuck as the world whips around you like a carousel. You wonder if they’re still wondering about you too. Did I hurt them so bad that they can’t move on? Do they hate me? Did I hurt them so bad that I’m afraid to do it to someone else? Am I ready for the love I think I want? Are we both stranded in our past, afraid of our future, and not enjoying the present? It’s easy to speculate on what would’ve been, could’ve been, should’ve been… but when it’s not working, it’s not right, and as much as it hurts you and will inevitably hurt them, nothing is more hurtful than staying somewhere you don’t want to be. “You open up your heart to me, but I threw you to the ground.” We’ve all been here, whether we were the one breaking the heart or having our heart be broken, and it’s safe to say a relationship ending is rarely just one person’s fault. Sometimes two souls just aren’t destined to be with one another, and when you’re in a relationship with a great person who loves you, it can be hard to leave, but there is nothing worse than staying with someone just because they’re a good person. A good person does not always equate to great love. We crave that can’t sleep, can’t eat, can’t breathe without it love, and we should not blame ourselves for removing ourselves from a person or relationship that gives us anything less. Kayleigh Wilson is a singer/songwriter from North Lincolnshire. She is a shy girl with a lot of wisdom, and she shares her words and experiences through her music. She’s been making music for a long time, and she’s finally ready to let the world hear what she has to say. “See You Again Sometime” hits the nail on the head of the flip side of heartbreak. When you’re the one doing the heartbreaking it can be easy to feel guilty or regretful, but life is not about going backwards. You loved; you lost, and now all you can do is try your best to learn from your mistakes and never settle for less than you deserve, and all you can hope for them is that they look back on your time together fondly and realize you weren’t right for them either, and you hope they never lose their big heart and find someone really soon who’s out there searching for them too. Kayleigh’s spirit and experiences reside proudly in her lyrics. She had an ethereal, captivating voice that lets you know you should listen to her every word. Kayleigh is just beginning, and we hope we see her again sometime.. really soon. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW KAYLEIGH WILSON:

Though there exists an endless list of pains suffered through an unstable relationship, the feeling of being taken for granted burns deep once you realize you deserve better. In her latest single "I'll Be Gone", Milena Galasso details the one-sided nature of an unfair relationship. While she uses heartfelt metaphors to describe her agony, the overarching theme of the song marks a stride of independence once she claims she's had enough. In classic singer-songwriter style, the song opens with a simple guitar complimenting vocals from Milena. As the single progresses, the production and range of her voice become much more delightfully complex. The emotion felt in the lyrics is clearly visible through the increase of passion in her vocals, bittersweetly accompanied by the instrumentals. "I'll Be Gone" ends with repeated lyrics of closure harmoniously followed by various vocal runs. Milena Galasso brings a fresh, timeless energy to the highly sought-after pop-music scene. The London-based singer-songwriter found her passion for music through self-expression during childhood. Upon finding solace in her musical talent, she attended BIMM London where she earned her master's in Popular Music Practice. She began to release singles just this year but has multiple collaborations in the works that will be available to stream soon. Written By Zewdi Cass FOLLOW MILENA:

Chris James has teamed up with gnash to create an unforgettable track with relatable lyrics. “I Wanna Feel Good” is about trying your best and wanting to be comfortable with who you are. The track is meant to inspire listeners to feel better about themselves and to lift their spirits. The song was influenced by a conversation between the two artists where they confessed their own personal struggles. From there, the track bloomed from a vulnerable heart-to-heart discussion between two friends into an honest track about wanting a break from life’s hardships. In the chorus, they sing, “I swear I try, I do the best that I can// To keep together when I know that I can’t now// I’ve been afraid to make it clear when I should but// I wanna feel good, I wanna feel good.” Meanwhile, the verses contrast this positive outlook, as the singers disclose their personal struggles. But, this juxtaposition only further emphasizes the importance of the chorus—that despite these inner demons, we can all still try our best and feel good about it. “I Wanna Feel Good” launches straight into the chorus, instantly kickstarting the positive lyrics and the feel-good energy of the song. The listener is immediately engulfed by the track with the energetic strum pattern of the guitar. The light and airy production creates a positive atmosphere that compels them to sway along with the melody. Gnash’s vocals lead the track into the first verse, complimented by a muted production that pulls focus into the lyrics. The song uniquely transitions into the second verse before returning to the chorus. James’s vocals lead this verse, while the production brings back the sounds found at the beginning of the song. Throughout the track, the two artists use vocal harmonies to blend their individual talents together, adding a beautiful element to the song. “I Wanna Feel Good” will leave listeners wanting more collaborations between the two artists. Chris James is a German-American singer, songwriter, and producer based in Berlin. James not only writes for himself, but for other artists as well. He is credited as a co-writer for the track, “Life Goes On” by BTS. The song is now RIAA Gold-Certified and reached the #1 spot on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Global 200 charts. James has nearly 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify, with over 70 million streams for his own music. Gnash is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, DJ, and record producer. His hit single, “i hate u, i love you” featuring Olivia O’Brien, peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the track has over 1 Billion streams on Spotify. He has over 5 million monthly listeners on the platform and continues to grow his dedicated fanbase. Written By Karlee Smith FOLLOW CHRIS: FOLLOW GNASH:

I love how unique ‘High Maintenance’ sounds! What is the story behind the song? ellakate: My brother had just gotten out of a relationship with a girl he had been for a while, and it was honestly so hard to watch. He was so sweet and giving to her and it seemed like she never showed him the same love he gave to her. The song pokes fun at the situation, because it was no secret to anyone what was going on. My brother was infatuated and in love, and he couldn’t see how he was being mistreated. It’s essentially calling her out for being High Maintenance and him out for failing to see it. If ‘High Maintenance’ could be featured in any movie or TV show, which one do you think it would fit best in? ellakate: I know the show is over, but I think it would be super cool in Inventing Anna. How has growing up in Atlanta influenced your music? ellakate: I think the biggest thing about being in Atlanta is the amount of artists and talented musicians who play here. I have gotten to see some of my favorite big artists, like Billie Eilish, but also I get to see awesome smaller musicians just playing in restaurants or markets. Having the opportunity to experience these live shows and gigs brings so much inspiration that just doesn’t travel over the internet. What is your favorite part about being able to perform your songs live? ellakate: Performing live lets me connect with the audience. All the way back in elementary school, my chorus teacher taught me that performance is in the eyes, and that is how you convey emotion. Being face to face with an audience provides that opportunity. I want to be able to share a feeling with anyone listening, whether it be fun and sassy or deeper, heavier emotions and experiences. What do you like to do when you aren’t creating music? ellakate: I am actually a competitive saber fencer and love to work on that. I also love to bake. Baking cookies specifically, because who doesn’t love cookies? What are you most looking forward to in terms of your musical career? Any upcoming projects you could talk about? ellakate: I am looking forward to performing more and just learning more about music as a craft. I have another single release in January, so keep a lookout on my socials for that! The next song I’m releasing is a real contrast to ‘High Maintenance’ and ‘If You Want Me Too’. It tells the story about when I expressed to a friend when we first met that I wasn’t interested in anything romantic. A few months later, he confessed his feelings for me and was hurt that I didn’t want to date him. This song is my response to him and I think you guys are gonna love it! Other than that, I'm back in the studio recording more stuff in December. Interviewed By Kendall Koval FOLLOW ELLAKATE:

"mixed signals" by Taylor H is a peppy country-pop song that will absolutely get stuck in your head. Taylor's soft and smooth vocals make this song; they are amazing to listen to and experience. The songwriting is smart and not too complicated, which makes this song fun and easy to listen to. This is the perfect song to add to a car ride playlist; your passengers will love it. The production is excellent and smooth, making this song even more enjoyable to listen to. This song knows exactly what it is trying to be, and it does it well. The first thing I thought while listening was that this reminds me of the Fearless era of Taylor Swift, which is a very big compliment as it's one of my favorites. "mixed signals" tells a relatable story of someone not communicating clearly with you. One minute they are all over you, and the next they act like they don't care. The other person just can't seem to decide if they want you or don't. You are becoming infuriated, so you give them an ultimatum: figure it out, or else you are gone, for real this time. Taylor H is an 18-year-old Australian-based artist. She has been creating and writing music since she was twelve years old, releasing her debut single in late November. She has done several live performances, and she kills it each and every time. She is a natural on the guitar, having gotten her own when she was just fifteen. The teen has always had a great love for music, eventually deciding to make her own for others to love and enjoy. Written By Emma Kimberli FOLLOW TAYLOR H:

Your new single “Bored” is such an iconic pop punk anthem, I love it!!!! Can you share the story behind this track and what inspired you to write it? Madison: To be honest ‘Bored’ came out of literally being bored. I was going into a write session and was tired of that mundane feeling of going around and around in circles and nothing ever changing. It almost felt like a Groundhog Day moment where I just kept coming up with an idea, going into a session and then nothing happening with the song. It totally took away my inspiration to create and put me in a weird lull. I was actually dreading the write because I had just totally worked myself up into not having any ideas. Moments before the session, the chorus ‘I’m so effing bored’ came to me. I wrote the verse chorus in just a few minutes before meeting up with Tonal Graffiti. I had played it for them and the rest just sort of happened. I feel like this song is an anthem for anybody else going through that feeling of being caught up in the scrolling machine and losing yourself. Can you take us through your journey of falling in love with music and deciding to pursue it professionally? Madison: Falling in love with music was super easy. Both my parents have always been very musical, in fact my dad studied jazz and opera professionally, so I had a lot of support to try things creatively right from the beginning. I was 12/13 when I wrote my first song and then 16 when I really started to care about music and start playing for little venues and on the streets of my hometown. I was always very inspired to perform and be creative. To be honest the harder part has been staying in love. I like to explain my relationship with the music industry as a toxic one. I love it so much and it hates everybody lol. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would you pick and why? Madison: If I could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive I’d pick George Michael. I wish I could say it was for inspirational reasons or to ask him everything he knows about the industry but truthfully, I just have the biggest crush on him, and besides him being dead I know it’d never work, But I’d still love an obligatory date with him haha. If you weren’t pursuing music right now, what do you think you’d be doing? Madison: To be honest I’m not sure what I’d do other than music. For a while I’d thought about veterinary medicine, but I don’t think I was designed for structured education, hence me being a musician! I’d probably settle into a creative job helping people design their homes or event coordinate. It’d be a lot more stable than music, but would also scratch that artistic itch haha. But also, who are we kidding.. I’ll never quit. You’ve had some incredible experiences in your career, which would you say you're most proud of thus far? And what is #1 on the bucket list you hope to achieve? Madison: I feel like I’m constantly ragging on myself for not accomplishing enough but lately I’ve been trying to encourage myself to celebrate all the incredible things that have happened. Right now a few things I’m most proud of would be charting at Canadian radio at #21 on Billboard, only because everyone says radio is the hardest, and probably managing to keep going. I know that probably sounds silly, but I feel like things have shifted drastically in the industry and with all these platforms, it’s become almost harder to push through all the social hate and harassment. I’m pretty proud to still be doing what I love. And my #1 bucket list item would be to collab with maybe like Ed Sheeran or Julia Michaels. I feel like they have managed to stay authentic to themselves throughout the years and that’s super inspiring to me. What do we have to look forward to next from you?! Any new releases or projects coming the remainder of the year you can discuss?! :) Madison: I’ve actually got a few holiday tunes coming out this year that I’m super excited about! I’m a huge sucker for Christmas and I feel like a lot of artists avoid holiday music because it feels like a sell out move ….but not me haha. I’m actually hoping this will be a little teaser for a bigger and tinsel-ier album next year (that’s a word now by the way, I just decided ;)). Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW MADISON:

What a better way to celebrate your birthday than releasing your new single, “With the Light”!! Can you share the story behind this new track and its relation to your short film “At Ease”? Edie: In the Short film At Ease my role is Jade - a young girl who is trying to break free from an asphyxiating household. My character is searching for tools and strategies to find peace in an acutely controlling environment. The track was inspired by Jade’s story and struggle. Who would you say is your biggest inspiration when it comes to your music? Could be someone in your life, someone in the industry, or even both! Edie: Our close family friend Joy Huerta is a huge inspiration as a singer, songwriter, and performer. She has such a beauty and grace on stage, she's captivating to watch. You can’t take your eyes off of her. Florence is a giant inspiration as well - her voice, personna, storytelling, and performativity. Can you take us through your creative process when it comes to writing your music? Edie: I write a lot of lyrics down in journals all over my room, I pound out music on my keyboard or sitting at the piano, and I play around in songwriting class and edit. During Covid, I had a lot of time to write and reflect. What was your first ever concert? And is there an artist you hope to see live one day? Edie: I went to John Fogarty and Florence at the Hollywood Bowl and my best friend August took me to Taylor Swift when we were little for her birthday. It was almost Prince at the Forum but I was so little my mom was worried it would be too loud. Ah! What are a few items on your bucket list for your career? Edie: I’m writing a series about physical differences called Stained. I recently wrote a song of the same name that is super personal. I hope to shine a light on inclusivity and self love through art and activism over the course of my life. What’s coming up next for you?! Any upcoming projects you can talk about? You’re so young and extremely talented, I can’t imagine where this journey will take you! Edie: Thank you so much! You are so generous and kind. Slowly releasing new music, the next single Eyes of Lies is going to be released on New Years day. Writing a lot of music right now. Along with a pilot about mean girls and a song to accompany it. Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW EDIE: