Search Results

“Marathon” is a pop gem about what it's like to be an artist in today's world. Slay, along with collaborator Clover Jamez, both entrance the audience with catchy melodies, clever hooks, and rising cloud-like production. Being a passionate artist can have a lot of highs and lows. You love doing what you do but at the same time, sometimes you have trouble knowing if it's worth the effort. Being in the music industry is like running a marathon. If you don't push yourself past your limits, how do you win? In this song, Alex speaks to his fellow artists, telling them not to give up. The race is long and hard, but don't forget the love and ambition that put you into this race in the first place. The song is full of cheerful horns and swinging rhythms. It’s upbeat and lowkey, full of soothing R&B vibes from the almost lo-fi-like guitar chords before transforming to Slay’s measured vocals and Jamez’s groovy verse. The silky smooth vocals pair perfectly with the laid-back guitar and drums, letting Slay and Jamez’s lyrics shine through. You can tell the message of this song is very important to them. The feeling that time just keeps going "on and on and on" but you don't seem to get anywhere is a feeling we've all experienced, but Alex and Clover remind us that we need to appreciate what we've got. Alex Slay is a nostalgically soulful, yet new age indie RnB artist and performer, blending rootsy and classic melodies with fresh, honest songs to match his free-spirited and laid-back deposition. Raised on legends like Stevie Wonder but inspired by modern superstars like Anderson Paak, Alex Slay has slowly introduced the world to his incredible raw talent that’s only enveloped by his precision and dedication to music. Slay has so much more to show, and it’ll be a wild ride watching this young talent take the train all the way up to the top. Clover Jamez (also known as Zee) and Alex Slay are currently based in Nashville. Zee has a diverse variety of influences from Biggie Smalls to Blink 182. He's recently worked on a few TV show's such as Hawaii Five-0 and The Empire. Both of these artists are worth keeping an eye out for! Written By Megan Cao and Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW ALEX: FOLLOW ZEE:

Jaimie Deraz and Bad Boyfriend produced "To The Bone," a song about heartbreak mixed with a fresh EDM beat. Deraz sings about a toxic relationship and how her significant other "broke her to the bone." Even though this song is a cheerful piece with EDM beats, it actually tells a heartbreaking story about a relationship turning completely sour. The other person is extremely toxic and keeps reassuring Deraz that they're going to change, just for them to fall into the same vicious cycle. Deraz sings about even though the other person is ruining her life, she just can't seem to leave. She talks about how she "gets drunk but nothing's helping" and how she knows that "all the words you say mean nothing now." It's the horrible pattern of her wanting to leave, her lover saying that they'll change, and then they continue to stay stuck in this harmful relationship. I really liked the contradiction between the EDM beats and the lyrics of the song. If one were to listen to just the melody, they would think that this song is extremely upbeat and is about a happy thing. Then if listeners were to listen to just the lyrics, they would discover that this song reveals absolute heartbreak over the toxicity of a broken relationship. It really is a cool idea to mix many different themes and emotions into the song, as it keeps the piece diverse and interesting. As for Deraz's vocals, she expresses a lot of emotion through her voice. You can really hear the pain of this experience she is enduring just by listening to her voice. Her voice matches the melody really well, as both of these factors are light and airy. They both have a lot of depth to them, as the song does. Both of these artists created a very catchy tune with this piece and created and EDM piece that sticks out from the others. Jaime Deraz is a singer/songwriter who crafts her lyrics based on real life experience, and raw emotion. She captures each moment through picturesque language and a sorrowful cadence. The Long Island native’s blissful nature paired with her melancholy vocal create a distinct emotional ambivalence, which is snapshotted in her writing. Jaime has released over 150 tracks since she first made her start in the music industry in 2019, amassing over 17 million total streams through her originals and collaborations. Her records have been featured on Spotify editorials such as Dance Rising,New Music Friday Deutschland, New Music Friday Switzerland, as well as a number of other New Music Friday playlists around the world. Additionally, Jaime has been added to editorials such as Dance Brandneu, Night Rider, Dance Paradise, Swiss Made, SLAP! Mint Brasil, and more. Having acted as a caretaker for her mom with a motor neuron disease that was undiagnosable to doctors for five years has granted Jaime with emotional pain which she copes with through her songwriting. Becoming an avid influencer in the music space, she hopes that one day her music will echo around the world, reaching all types of people as an outlet for those who have experienced any form of emotional trauma. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW BAD BOYFRIEND: FOLLOW JAIMIE DERAZ:

You should never have to change anything about yourself in order to receive love and acceptance from another person. You should surround yourself with people who allow you to be nothing less than your authentic self. Lou Emery’s song, “Wish,” is a jazzy and uplifting tune about finding yourself after trying to change for another person. You will definitely feel empowered after you listen to it. I know I did! I liked the instrumentation of the song. I think Emery did a great job of using the music to illustrate her feelings. You can hear rain in the beginning and the first verse sounds calm and mellow. At this point, Emery is singing about all that she went through in her toxic relationship. By the time the chorus comes around, she is freed from that situation and the music picks up considerably. Another aspect of the song that I enjoyed was Emery’s vocals. They were strong and added depth to the music. Some of her vocal runs sounded like those of Ariana Grande. Moreover, the jazzy elements reminded me of Corinne Bailey Rae. Lou Emery is a pop-rock singer-songwriter based out of Los Angeles, California. If you want to hear more of her, I recommend “Instinctual.” It is about a kind of love that’s tempting because you know it’s not good for you. Compared to “Wish,” “Instinctual” has a stronger dance beat. Even so, Emery still hits the ground running with strong vocals. Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW LOU EMERY:

Many times after a down week, many feel the need for a confidence booster through dressing up and going out. An immediate mood lifter, “Pretty Money” perfectly captures this late night out feeling of confidence through an upbeat pop song. Encapsulating the confidence and self security that comes with dressing up and going out "Pretty Money" brings together the idea of a perfect night out. Immediately starting off on a positive note, describing the beginning of a night out, the beat of the song quickly picks up, increasing the energy. The entire song carries a very positive and upbeat energy with it. This same energy, alongside the stop beats and catchy melodies, brings an infectious feeling to the song. While the lyrics describe a girl felling pretty and like a million bucks on a night out, the melodies and background music bring together the feelings of confidence within the song. A combination of vocals and the musicality of the background melodies, CONNR perfectly brings together the energy of a successful night out. Based in Alabama, the pop singer CONNR has always been closely intertwined with music. Since writing songs at the age of 14, she continued to follow this passion to the Berklee College of Music as well as Loyola University New Orleans. Once she interned at Fame Recording Studios however, she began to work on recording her debut ep “Who are you”, with “Pretty Money” as her first single. With this new album, she details the various high and low points of love as well as learning to let go. While this single is just the beginning, her debut ep shows enormous potential. Written By Gillian Mena FOLLOW CONNR:

A pop-house banger for the ages, "Favorite Mistake" is this brilliant work of The Domain, alongside collaborator Lousy. With the revitalization of house music in mainstream music, this timeless track was released at just the opportune time and serves as a tuneful addition to any party playlist. Click here to listen to "Favorite Mistake"! Inspired by 80s house trap, soothing synth-pop, and electrifying electronica, The Domain shapes this tune into his own glitzy yet supple showpiece. Lousy on vocals transforms the tune with her resonant lower register and saccharine higher register, giving the tune its very original ebb and flow. When she sings, "I don't need ya, but as soon as I see ya, you're my favorite mistakes," the instrumentation ascends and becomes this ethereal amalgamation that could attract anyone to the nearest dance floor. With inspiration from Calvin Harris, Diplo, Cheat Codes, and Clean Bandit, The Domain comes onto the scene as a skilled DJ and music producer, utilizing elements of pop, house, dance, and soul combined with vintage production and instrumentation from the 80s. His production can easily be described as "music for the vibes" with infectious hooks, sweeping vocals, and distinct details in his music. His first track "Want Your Love was released in 2021. Written By Fatimah Bouri FOLLOW THE DOMAIN:

Kadillac and Morris recently dropped this fresh summer beat titled "ITS ALL GOOD." This piece gives off the best vibes and has a very cheerful air about it. Every single aspect of this song expresses the concept of going with the flow and letting things happen the way that they should. Kadillac sings about meeting someone new, becoming interested in them, and just going along for the ride to see what happens between the two of you. There isn't any pressure on the outcome of what happens between the two of them, as he's just enjoying their company and spending his time with them. Lines such as "take your time" and "be what you wanna be" communicate those feelings of not wanting to rush anything. This song sounds just like sunshine and immediately boosts listeners' moods. This song wastes no time in working its way up to a powerful beat, as the melody and beat stay consistently cheerful throughout the entire song. The beat is dance-worthy and has that certain sound to it that makes the song super interesting to listen to. An aspect of the song that sticks out the most would have to be how well the melody and Kadillac's vocals work together. Both the melody and his vocals can be heard equally as well as the other and it doesn't sound like either of these factors steals the spotlight from the other. Another part of the song that sounded really cool was the group vocals during the chorus repeating the line "its all good." This addition to the song adds some diversity since it's bringing in some new and fresh voices to the sound. Morris and Kadillac perfectly executed the task of creating a bright, summery piece with this song and it made me very happy to listen to. Neon Dreams spent their first few years pushing boundaries and experimenting with different musical styles, with which they achieved tremendous success. The duo’s debut album, Sweet Dreams till Sunbeams, finds Kadillac and drummer Adrian Morris tweaking their sound to accommodate their newfound musical perspective. While their signature brand of energetic pop hasn’t dwindled, Kadillac’s lyrics have taken center stage across the LP’s eight songs. Featuring the singles “High School Dropout,” an uplifting EDM-pop anthem detailing Kadillac’s struggle through High School, and “About You,” a true song of the summer candidate, the album embarks on a journey to deliver a set that heals, empowers and motivates the listener. “I’m hoping that my personal stories can give our fans the happiness they deserve if they are missing it,” says Kadillac. Written By Meina Darlas FOLLOW NEON DREAMS:

Easy, breezy... honest? I mean yeah the song is beautiful, but the honesty stands out as Alexa Merrill tussles with a faded love that was once pumped with vigor by a heart now atrophied. Despite the somber nature of the story that Alexa tells, "IDLYA" is a versatile track with fresh, bright production that would make it a welcome addition to any upbeat playlist you've got for the beach or car rides with windows down. Alexa's attempt to induce some serious toe-tapping has been successful once again. We are introduced gently to the song with an understated piano that plays as a backdrop to the effortless vocals that float through the 80s-inspired framework rife with airy drum fills. The melancholic lyricism juxtaposed with infectiously upbeat instrumentation, reminiscent of some tracks by The 1975 , subverts the somber nature expected from a breakup track titled I Don't Love You Anymore and instead unapologetically promotes radical self-love. Alexa allows the verses to serve as moments of context as she keeps them soft in register before crescendos into the bubblegum chorus that doesn't lose its texture or flavor. Based out of Los Angeles, California, Alexa Merrill is an independent artist and musician who does literally everything in-house; from the production of her intricate singles to the directing and editing of her own music videos, Lex truly does it all. Her dedication has brought her widespread acclaim. She has opened for a wide variety of acts and has had work featured on MTV, Bravo, and BET. For more of Lex and her fine-tuned sound, follow her using the links below! Written By George McSherry FOLLOW ALEXA:

Faith Louise's fresh new track "Promise" sets the scene amongst the flashing colored lights in a converted warehouse club amongst the dinner-plate-pupils of angsty, sweat-drenched youth. The crowd, a collective hellbent on exercising emotional demons, pulses on the beat's command. It's too loud to talk to your neighbor but a wry smile is all the language necessary in the short lull before the dance anthem crashes back into the crowd, transporting you back inside the beat. Deep, distorted vocals pull you into the song's opening alongside the underpinning synth-heavy bassline that forms the track's club-banger framework. Faith wastes no time introducing direct, poignant lyricism which she delivers equally well in the song's subtle troughs as she does in the visceral peaks. Clean-cut percussion loops both balance and frame the thick, treacle-textured bass, allowing it to proudly assume center stage in this fervor-packed performance. Based in the UK, Faith Louise is a young musician making waves in the industry with her fresh blend of pop and club music that has seen her garner attention and acclaim from BBC Introducing, MSN Entertainment, and BBC Radio Essex as she has gained a sturdy following across YouTube and streaming platforms and most recently, Faith headlined the Camden Assembly. Reportedly fuelled almost exclusively by junk food and tea, Faith can get her calories from wherever as long as she keeps producing tracks like this one. Written By George McSherry FOLLOW FAITH:

“Labels” is a soulful ballad about letting things exist as they are; sometimes, defining feelings only seems to cheapen the passion and emotion behind it. You don’t always need a label to define every stage in a relationship; the most important thing to know in a relationship is that you like them, and they like you. A relationship is all about being in the moment, and endlessly trying to put words to feelings takes away from the time you could be spending present with them. Megzz’s soft and melancholic voice adds to the tastefulness of the track, imploring you to listen and think about the labels you’ve plastered on in your life; are these labels really needed? Do they add anything, do they change anything, are they hindering you? The minimalistic melody suddenly transfers into a pop-rock medley to close out the song, adding much more texture and depth to the structure of the track. Megzz is an independent artist from the UK whose work centers around R&B, pop, and Neo-soul. A believer of music acting as therapy not only for herself but also for her audience, Megzz’s songs touch on topics that empower others, promote self-love, and speak out against mental health. Releasing a handful of singles through the last couple of years, Megzz’s next project is sure to be a climax of her quiet but strong support behind her music. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW MEGZZ:

The action of cutting someone negative out of your life feels freeing, its like the weight of the world has be taken off your shoulders. Sure, sometimes doing this is painful on both ends, but in Betty Reed's new track "Without You," Reed feels liberated by the feeling. Reed is breaking free from someone who tried to make her hate herself, and now she is leaving them in the past. She is letting down her hair, and letting her wild side free. The track instantly needs to be blasted out your speakers, while you are flying down the road. The track features an instrumental that is very heavily influenced by pop-punk. Instruments like guitars, and drums push the track. Riffs, and pickups are used to make the track have some texture that sounds fuzzy. Reed's vocals are a beautiful alto, with an almost raspy quality that makes it stand out against the heavy beat. The lyrics delve into the topic of liberation from letting someone toxic go. It starts off with the negative individual telling Reed she'll never go far without them, "You said I'd never make it on my own." Reed doesn't let this person drag her down with their other negative comments, "Booked my one way ticket to my dream // You said I'd always be obsolete." Reed roars into the chorus that feels like flying down the freeway. She has no cares, she loves herself, and is leaving this person in the rearview, "Without you // My heart won't break from the shame you put me through // Without you // Got a smile on my face, got away with better days // Without you // I embrace my flaws, love me, you can't take that away // Without you // I'm fine, I'm great, I'm good // Baby without you." Betty Reed is a multi-genre bending artist based in Nashville, Tennessee. "Without You," is her first single release of 2022. It follows her debut EP, Mistakes Made, Lessons Learned which dropped last year featuring the breakout track "Drunk on You." Reed is a force to be reckoned with. Her music spans genres including country, EDM, to most recently pop-punk. Reed is an artist that is a master at her craft, and she has proved she can take on any genre she wants. The world is her oyster, and we can't wait to see what she does next! Written By Kyle Stiver FOLLOW BETTY REED:

If you needed a new song to listen to at 3 AM, while you reminisce over past or current relationships, "143," by Seiichi should definitely be added to that playlist. Seiichi tugs at the strings of the listeners' heart with his beautiful guitar acoustic, along with his well balanced melodies and vocals. Seiichi's new song, "143," is well balanced with a calm and rich guitar, accompanying his beautiful voice and lyrics. The phrase "143" is used as cheesy abbreviation for "I Love You," giving the listener the idea, that this song is about some sort of love interest towards a significant other, a family member, or maybe a friend. The soft and slow verse-work displays a somber tone, capturing all the past memories that was shared with that love interest but when the listener reaches the chorus it provides a contrast where Seiichi speeds up the tempo and sings more emotionally towards that special person. Seiichi is a multi-faceted Japanese-American, singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer hailing from Seattle. Beginning his music career in just 2020, Seiichi became well known and respected for his poignant lyricism and soundscapes. Seiichi has performed at many of Seattle's top venues and is slated to perform at the city's premier music festival, Capital Hill Block Party, in Summer 2022, so be sure to follow his socials down below to keep updated on his journey! Written By Troy Sica FOLLOW SEIICHI:

There's an ease in our childhoods--when we're affronted with movies and media, seeing the beautiful things that are possible and not having to worry about the responsibilities that life throws at us as we grow up. Life isn't taken seriously in childhood--it's not supposed to be. We sometimes go back to those moments in adulthood when we finally get a little break. We like to live with our heads in the clouds and stars in our eyes. In those effortless moments, we feel free, like the wind is sweeping us off our feet without the worries on our shoulders. With "eternal sunshine" by your favorite plant, we can see how she details these joyous moments of peace and turns them into a pop melody that we can't help but get stuck inside our heads. If you're looking for a pop song with that 00's nostalgia, you've come to the right place. "eternal sunshine" by your favorite plant gives exactly that vibe with this warm and welcoming melody and lighthearted lyrics. She sings the words, "I still want you" repeatedly, leaving this intensity between the meaning, making us crave the times when life was a little more fun. The track starts with this guitar riff that surprises you, followed by her lovely voice that gently glides through your ears letting you fall deeper into the melody. The song pairs her vocals with this floaty feeling and leaves listeners swaying from side to side as they hear it. It's the perfect combination of comfort and nostalgia, all wrapped up in a sweet pop package-- what more could you want? your favorite plant, otherwise known as Nashville-based Rachel Swanson, is a singer/songwriter who explores the ideas of anxiety, nostalgia, and loneliness with her gentle vocals and pop melodies with a garage rock influence. She aims to remove the shame that lives around us, taking secrets out of the shadows with a vulnerable message and finding people to share these experiences with. She's self-made, making her melodies, lyrics, and even graphics for her releases. She has a special small-town vibe (probably because of her small-town hometown background) and shows her place as a comfort artist with this newest track, "eternal sunshine". I highly recommend checking her content on TikTok and her music on Spotify because I think you'll find her pretty neat. Written by Jane Katryn FOLLOW YOUR FAVORITE PLANT: