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Some people have this innate need to make others feel okay. We stretch ourselves to their whim, make ourselves available, and agree to things even if we have to make personal sacrifices to make it happen. It's toxic to ourselves to put them before us, but it gets to be something ingrained in our responses-- always to say yes. Mykyl collaborates with Todd Trần and brings us a track for the people-pleasers. It's titled "Never Say No"-- a pop-punk track with a throwback feel about telling us that we're not alone in being afraid to tell someone no. "Never Say No" is catchy, filled with guitars, a catchy sound, and a modern production that somehow still makes us feel a little nostalgic with its melody. Mykyl and Todd Trần bring us the lyric, "Don't want to be a yes man/bored of bluffing, wanna/show my whole hand" which gives us the meaning of the song as a whole--that we're tired of always agreeing to other people's asks and that we want to be honest with ourselves and finally tell others no. They continue by saying, "The way I let you use me got me so mad" because we don't want to make anyone sad as people-pleasers. Still, when we constantly agree with everything, we get angry with ourselves for putting us in that situation in the first place. But as "Never Say No" aims to show that we're not the only one who thinks this way, maybe the common feeling will bring us a little motivation to stand for ourselves more. Mykyl is a singer/songwriter and producer who started music during the pandemic in 2020. For "Never Say No" Mykyl partnered with Todd Trần, a musician, composer, and producer who has worked with over 100 recording artists in their journey of cultivating their sound. The two produced this track together and captivated fans using its intriguing vibe and relatable lyrics. Mykyl has more stunning tracks, some of which can be seen on his most recent EP, "hopeisnowhere" and we can see more of Trần through his Spotify, where he has playlists of his own music and songs he's helped produce. Written by Jane Katryn FOLLOW MYKYL: FOLLOW TODD TRẨN:

Hailing from Chardon, Ohio, Cassidy King has made a name for herself through her outspoken social media and by having more than enough musical talent to back it up. King has spoken openly about how her conservative, religious upbringing in the midwest caused her to struggle to recognize and accept her sexuality. After dealing with her own internalized homophobia as well as that of her community, however, King has come out stronger on the other side. Now an open and proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, King is using her music and her internet presence to give her fans the sense of acceptance and community that she longed for in her childhood. Such was the case for 2020’s “Safe Spaces,” in which King mournfully endures the girl she loves treating her like a shameful secret, and such is the case for 2021’s “Under Covers.” Click here to listen to Under Covers! “Under Covers” presents itself very much like a pop song. The catchy melodies, the infectious hook and moving drums all work wonders to make the song an earworm. Underneath the surface however, the song draws upon much deeper pools of influence. The subtle guitar scratch and riffs paired with the chugging rhythm guitar evokes notes of both funk and rock. The driving four-on-the-floor kick drum paired with the wavy synths make parts of the song almost feel like techno. All considered, the melting-pot of various influences works incredibly well, giving the song a powerful sense of movement from one section to the next. King wrote “Under Covers” as a much needed message to her younger self: there is nothing wrong with being who you are, and that nothing but pain can come from hiding from your identity. She lambasts the external forces that kept her from feeling comfortable in her own skin, preaching love and yet disparaging her love as a sin. And yet, despite the pain that has undeniably inspired this song, King doesn’t speak from a place of anger, rather from one of hope for the future. Despite, or perhaps because of, her upbringing, King acknowledges that a lack of empathy and understanding is more to blame for these antiquated views than outright evil or hatred. “Why do they hate the way I look in your eyes? If they saw with mine They would say I’m sorry, because they were what was wrong with me They wouldn’t try to change who I am They would change the way they see us” King’s empathy here should not, however, be mistaken for her being passive or apologetic. She refuses to change or hide who she is because she knows that her identity isn’t, and never has been, the problem. This is the message she wishes she could relay to her younger self. Since that isn’t possible, Cassidy King is making it available to all those in need of guidance in accepting who they are. Written By Liam Dun FOLLOW CASSIDY:

I'm not too sure where I go when I hear this song but it's futuristically clean and I have a citrusy cocktail in hand... it kinda feels like the futuristic art deco landscape in Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange except colorful and enticing rather than grey and threatening. Asha Gold has added to her growing repertoire of infectious, electro-pop R&B with this new single "Up To Me" which details the complex series of thoughts and emotions we have to reconcile when we start to fall for someone. Staccato vocals intertwine with bolstered bass and bubbling electronic production to form the track's upbeat R&B framework around which Asha and her production collaborators have weaved silky-smooth melody and rhythm that both bounces and flows seamlessly. Stacks of layers provide the song with a palpable richness and depth, complimenting the sincerity and sensuality and piquing comparisons to the works of Jorja Smith; Asha floats her voice through the bars with ease, caressing and comforting against the backdrop of production curated to have toes tapping and heads bopping before the song ties itself off. Asha Gold, fresh off of her performance at Glastonbury is a London-based gem of an R&B artist who blends pop melodies into her craft. The end result is refreshing and intimate tracks that manage to be both approachable and captivating, with varied, maximalist production catchy enough to reel you in and rich enough to have you stay for more. In her young career, Asha Gold has received notable acclaim from Rolling Stone, BBC Radio 1, The Line of Best Fit, and Colors (to name a few), establishing her as one of the brightest budding stars in the R&B game right now. Written By George McSherry FOLLOW ASHA:

New indie-daydream fuel has breached the music world; "Shymode" is the fresh debut single by Lilla Shy that packs all of the angsty energy of a sepia-filtered coming-of-age movie into just over three minutes. The raw, cinematic piece, rife with relatable imagery of lacking confidence and self-esteem, ironically requires marked bravery to share with the world. The track features the whimsical pairing of a vibrant pop/rock framework and raw, confessional lyricism that oozes relatability. The juxtaposition of the lyricism's melancholic honesty and the upbeat instrumentals mirrors Lilla's efforts to reconcile her shy and awkward disposition with her love for an industry that rewards glamor and flair. Shymode's production is packed to the brim, combining acoustic and electronic instrumentation to pour rhythm and melody into every little nook and cranny. Oscillating stereo effects, layered vocals, and ambient sounds of an unsettling crowd make way at the song's end for Lilla to reiterate her somber message once more. Lilla Shy is an Italian-born, London-based musician who attributes her stage name to a blanket she had since birth that lent her comfort in times of social anxiety. A self-described "introverted attention seeker", Lilla yearns to share the melodic intimacies that shape her world with undulant crowds but is also unnerved by the idea of ordering food on the phone. Taking her primary inspiration from songwriter Amy Allen , Lilla hopes to continue to fine-tune her craft with a dream of performing to a sell-out crowd in her hometown of Rome. Written By George McSherry FOLLOW LILLA:

Connection is beautiful. We can see how hundreds of people contribute to making something whole every moment. Even in our rooms, we can see each piece of furniture or technology, print and poster, and how every flower bouquet or plant pot on our windowsill makes the space brighter. Every single thing is the work of someone who cares to bring a little more dynamic to our day. We can see this within "The Florist" by Abby Sage, as the track details how a florist brings beauty into people's lives with flowers through this soulful indie mood. This track, "The Florist" is soulful and indie--it's a flowy tune that makes you feel light with her intentionally impassive vocals and gentle melody. Sage sings, "Call the florist up to make something pretty of it". The lyric shows the narrative of a florist making the old and faded rooms into something of wonder with the addition of flowers. It's the idea of how we can always make something dull into something beautiful, kind of like how Sage views herself as someone who wants to fix things that are broken. "The Florist" is comforting, something that makes you want to cuddle into yourself as you listen to it. It's the perfect combination of dreamy and tender. Her vocals are uniquely stunning; she showcases her control with this track and meshes it together with the drumbeat and compassionate feel. Abby Sage taps into observation and turns it into art. This upcoming EP "The Florist", titled after this newest release, is inspired by her love of character sketches, with each song acting as a little narrative. We're witnesses as much as we are participants in this world, and this titular track, "The Florist" offers us that. With its intimacy, "The Florist" gives us a picture of what to expect as she takes on this new era of her artistic abilities. The LA-based singer provides her soft voice with a powerful introspection in her music, making her unlike any other artist and someone to look out for. Her upcoming EP is set to be released on October 21st. Written by Jane Katryn FOLLOW ABBY SAGE:

Congratulations on the release of your new incredible single “On And On”! Can you share what inspired this song and a bit about the writing process? Night Talks: Thank you! This song was inspired by the ways in which the various relationships we experience throughout life have a lot of the same ups and downs. It could be your friends, your parents, your romantic partner-- there will always be ups and downs. At the end of the day, if we feel it's worth it, we come back to the person we're having a hard time with and work things out. This was the first song we started working on for our album "Same Time Tomorrow," but I think one of the last ones we finished. The song has been through a lot of changes to get to where it is now. How did you all meet and start making music together? Night Talks: We all met when we were taking music lessons on weekends at the same place. Jacob, our guitarist, sought out me and Josh to form a band, and we've all been in it together ever since. If you could collaborate with any other artist, who would you pick and why? Night Talks: I think it would be really cool to collaborate with a film director and composer to work on music for a movie. The band Metric had a small role as a band in the Olivier Assayas film "Clean," and they later collaborated with Howard Shore to create the score to David Cronenberg's "Cosmopolis." I hope we can do both things! What is each of your favorite songs the band has ever made? Might be a tough one! Night Talks: Soraya's favorite of ours so far is "Watching Waiting," Jacob's is "Searching," and Josh's is "Dancing With My Eyes Closed." All three songs are on our new album "Same Time Tomorrow." Any advice for artists just starting out? Things you wish you could’ve told yourselves before you entered the scene? Night Talks: Learning to be patient is a really important lesson that I think all bands need to hear. Things take a long time and it's important to stick with it. Other than that, focus on the music and on playing live-- that's the best way to get good! Any upcoming projects you can share? I really can’t wait to hear more!!! Night Talks: Our sophomore album, "Same Time Tomorrow," just came out in late February. Other than that, we are working on lots of new songs! We're aiming to put two out in early 2023. Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW NIGHT TALKS:

Q: This song is so relatable! What is the story behind it? Lilla: Thank you! I’ve had lots of great feedback like this, and it’s truly the most important to me. I think the song comes across relatable because it’s about honesty and things that you wouldn’t normally admit easily to yourself or others. But I’ve spent so much time trying to look perfect to peoples’ eyes and to my own idea of myself that I got to the point where I needed to write an ‘admission of guilt’ kinda song. Q: I love all the colors and imagery used in the video! What was it like to shoot the music video for ‘Shymode’? Lilla: It was genuinely so much fun. The girl who shot the video is an old friend of mine, and we’ve worked together for a long time now so this makes the creative process very easy. Every time I come up with a concept she gets exactly what I have in mind within seconds. I also trust her intuitions so we let our creative visions intertwine and always end up with some great visuals together. Because it’s a very personal song, I wanted the video to look like an interrogation - but a glamorous one - in order to create a contrast between the concept of being shy but also wanting to be seen as beautiful and shiny all the time. I think we nailed it. Q: What was the songwriting process like for this song? Lilla: It was genuinely one of the quickest songs I’ve ever written. I always naturally start writing jamming melodies, until I find one that I love and then put lyrics to it. For this one it almost happened that music and words came together at the same time - it’s like they were within me and couldn’t wait any longer to be out in the world. It actually took me longer to produce, because the sound I ended up creating wasn’t quite the one I had in mind when I wrote the song. In my head it was supposed to be a bit slower and more melancholic but then I produced this upbeat track, and I think the juxtaposition with the lyrics actually works very well. Q: Who is one artist you would love to collaborate with? Lilla: My dream would be to work with Amy Allen. Her songwriting is stunning and I’d love to just sit in a room with her and learn. I can’t even imagine how inspiring it would be to see her in action. Q: What inspires you most to continue to create music? Lilla: I would say there are two factors. The first one is that I don’t really know anything else - I’ve been writing music for a long time and it’s what makes me the happiest. I’ve tried to take different directions, I’ve studied fashion, but I would always get back to music, so eventually decided that’s where I had to invest all my energy and time. The second factor is that it’s a hard path to undertake and sometimes (actually most of the time) it feels very hard to make a living out of it or to be successful, and every time I feel like giving up I think that I HAVE to keep going, because I owe it to myself. I owe it to the kid- me who’s been wanting to do this since always, to the kind of lifestyle I decided to take and so I have to honour my decisions if that makes sense. When it comes to inspiration, for now I want to talk about how I see things and my own experiences - I feel like this is the time where I expose things I’ve never talked about. Q: Where do you see your music journey going next? Lilla: My plan for now is to consistently release music and build my fanbase. I want to gig everywhere, starting from the UK and then across Europe. My biggest dream would be to sell out in Rome, my hometown. Singing in front of people has always been my favourite thing since I started with cover gigs in pubs - sharing my own stories is 1000 times better and really reminds me every time why I do this. Interviewed By Kendall Koval FOLLOW LILLA:

There's no productive quality to fighting. There's frustration and irritation that floods our senses in high emotive situations, and sometimes we should "chill the f*ck out". In "CTFO" by Sleeping Lion, we can see thoughts that rumble through our heads as we're arguing--the anger, the irrationality, and high stakes that make the lines blur and make us not feel as understanding as we usually are. The track sings about how everyone thinks in an argument and how we know that we should "chill out" but layered in a surprisingly upbeat and somewhat jazzy melody. The sense of being overwhelmed happens more often than we would like. "CTFO" is about wanting the reprieve of silence for just a moment to compose ourselves. The composition of "CTFO" is upbeat, the pop track taking on a witty and sassy quality with piano inclusions. It's fun and contrasts with the harsh idea of an argument with this tune that makes us want to sing along. It's an unexpected juxtaposition that makes this track so welcoming. The song states, "I know that I'm not helping things by tryna discuss it". We know that while fighting, we're not in our right minds--we need to calm down before sorting anything out because we'll go around in circles. Sleeping Lion is a stunning pop-adjacent duo. The two members, Nate Flaks and Noah Longworth McGuire, bring us this new single, "CTFO" from their upcoming EP. They had a unique start--meeting in Boston but then deciding to pursue the music scene after they moved, Nate to New York and Noah to Rome, forcing them to create their first few songs together over Skype. The two now live in Los Angeles and are growing speedily, working with countless writers, artists, and producers to create connections and cultivate their sound. In addition to writing stunning tracks, the two host a podcast titled "Talking Lion" in which they dive deeper into the writing and stories behind their songs with their artist friends. Written by Jane Katryn FOLLOW SLEEPING LION:

“Remind Me” is a tasteful and sophisticated song about the passing of a family member, and how those left behind slowly learn to move on. Grief is a horrific thing, brought on by golden-tinted memories that cycle repeatedly in your mind. It reminds you of the good days and how they will never ever happen again. It’s tough, understanding that and getting over that; learning to miss those who’ve passed but also understanding that they wouldn’t want you to be weighed down by their memory, only to be filled with joy with the memories but able to move on with your life. Written as a tribute to her brother’s passing, Boseman expertly weaves together her poignant lyricism and narratives with an emotive melody along with whimsical ambivalence. The song is sung over the finger-picked guitar and swelling cello, adding to the meditative ease and comfort of the atmosphere of the song. This kind of song is especially driven by the atmosphere and aural calmness, and Boseman’s ethereal voice with the minimalistic production creates an experience that’s tailor-made to the story of the song. Evi Boseman is a Rotterdam-based indie-folk artist whose music manages to be both poignant and comforting. She shows a remarkable aura of deftness and coolness, expertly pairing and utilizing her voice to the highest level on each track. Inspired by Phoebe Bridgers, Adrianne Lenker, and Alan Hampton, Boseman may seem like only one of the many artists within the indie-folk genre, but her narrative direction stands her out from amongst the crowd. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW EVI:

The cinematic track, "auburn lane", casts a hazy polaroid-filter hue over memories of crisp autumnal days when you held hands and heard the crunch of fallen leaves under foot, a couple of weeks before you start to see your breath. The sweet sadness that you continue to nourish has become a part of you and the stirring track details the bittersweet nature of holding on to those splintered memories that we should pull from under our nails but we've learned to live with. Intricate, understated plucking of acoustic guitar establishes the track's indie-pop framework, bolstered by the airy, layered vocals that pine emotional lyrics detailing the complexities of love's thorny, somber side. The chorus sees the subtle introduction of ambient percussion: syncopated claps and an eventual combination of kick drums, cymbals, and drum rolls that match the energetic crescendo before the song slows to a peaceful, fading stop. Pri Abrol is the moniker used by multitalented Priya Swendson, a college student from Cypress, California whose talents extend beyond the realm of music and into drama, creative writing, and cosmetology. Though Priya seems to excel at whatever she takes on, she is dedicated to her true passion: music. Awestruck by Taylor Swift, Priya does her idol plenty of justice in taking inspiration and creating fresh and substantive music with an endearing melancholic positivity. Written By George McSherry FOLLOW PRIYA:

A dreamy pop song that was written after a bad breakup, “Red X” reflects what many feel after a breakup. The soothing background music allows for the heartfelt and personal lyrics within the song to stand out, giving them a larger platform. While the song is more relaxed overall, there is still an upbeat feel to the song, creating a catchy feel to it. Listen to "Red X" here Starting with soothing melodies in the background with strong vocals, Victoria begins the song with heartfelt lyrics. Proclaiming that “your the best, I'm the worst, I'm the enemy” at the beginning of the song, she follows with “your words have taken all the space, I'm hiding in the corner in a room of shame”. While the background music of the song is relatively subdued, these strong lyrics are able to pop, allowing listeners to focus on the meaning and heartfelt pain behind them. Creating a stage that many are familiar with after a breakup, Victoria continues to progress the song with a similar lyrical pattern as well as with the subdued melodies. During the chorus and bridges of the song however, the beat picks up closer mimicking the flow of the lyrics to follow patterns of a heartbeat. A combination of their soothing beginning of the song, in conjunction to the upbeat ending, Victoria creates a catchy and relatable song for many listeners. A new pop artist, Victoria is based in New York City. Originally from Louisville, the artist has released multiple singles with “Red X” being her latest. With her debut song “Pink Carpet” only being released in 2021, Victoria has continued to release a couple songs within the year all showcasing her range of talents. Although just beginning, her musical career is sure to flourish. Written By Gillian Mena FOLLOW VICTORIA:

There is a special heartbreak that comes from losing a person you thought was permanent. When things are good, it can be easy to lose yourself in a relationship, relinquishing your single self in favor of the new, happier person that came from the love and support of a significant other. In his latest single “2 People,” Rowan Drake grieves two losses: his better half and the better version of himself he found in the relationship. Drake perfectly encapsulates the loss of someone you depend on. The emptiness of not knowing what to do with yourself or who to talk to when the one person with whom you feel safe talking about your pain is the one causing it. The song’s refrain- “when I lost you, I lost two people at once”- captures the desolation of not only losing your partner, but your support system, your identity. “2 People'' is not a song about regrouping after a breakup, or learning how to love yourself without external validation. Instead, it describes the crushing pain that directly precedes recovery, the darkness that has to be endured before a new light can be found. The song’s instrumental accentuates the feelings of emptiness Drake describes in his lyrics. The song is very sparse, almost solely carried by a piano and backing vocals, with a sparing use of synth pads in the chorus to add a supporting texture. There are many moments that feel as though they are building towards a climax, perhaps an entrance of drums or bass that would add a sense of movement, but this never comes, mimicking the aimlessness Drake is experiencing. When you lose someone who is an integral part of your identity, moving forward without them feels impossible. The repeated swelling of the song before inevitably returning to its starting point with no satisfying release reflects the feeling of going through the motions, and grief’s destruction of any motivation to find solace. 18 year old singer, songwriter, and producer Rowan Drake began dedicating himself to music after an injury ended his chances at a career in competitive snowboarding. After getting his start performing small shows in his hometown of Ithaca, NY, Drake relocated to Los Angeles with the hopes of building on his music career’s early promise. He has lobbied his talent into 15 thousand monthly Spotify listeners, and by posting snippets of his music has amassed over 75 thousand followers on Tiktok. Rowan’s 2020 single “Closure” can also be found on all music streaming platforms. Written By Liam Dun FOLLOW ROWAN: