In her latest single 'Mr Breezy', Sahara Beck embraces a casual, careless attitude that can be torturous to be on the receiving end of. Sahara has described 'Mr Breezy' as the guy who brings about a sense of false comfort only to pull the rug out from under you, leaving you to wonder if you ever knew each other at all. Despite themes of hurt and confusion, the single is upbeat and cheery, alluding to Sahara flipping the script and letting her guard down. 'Mr Breezy' was stuck in my head after just one listen. Carefree and catchy, the single utilizes soothing production sounds and Sahara's gravelly, enchanting vocals to worm its way into your ears. The song was featured in a stage show collaboration with Briefs Factory International called 'Bite Club' which Sahara headlined. Relatable, plucky lyrics served with an animated musical line make 'Mr Breezy' a go-to for a good mood. Sahara Beck is a highly praised Australian artist commonly referred to as niceties such as a 'musical chameleon' or 'creative dynamo.' The 26-year-old pop star has reached impressive milestones in her career including winning multiple Queensland Music Awards, touring, and several album/EP releases. Sahara has an album set to release in 2023 of which 'Mr Breezy' is the lead single. Written By Zewdi Cass FOLLOW SAHARA BECK:

“Whisper In The Dark” is a delightfully wicked story about a manipulator that hides in blindsight. Some people are cunning and shrewd, constantly viewing others as tools to use as they gravitate towards goals that benefit themselves. Dorsten paints a beautiful narrative of a mask that hides the vile nature that can’t exist in the sun. Dorsten created horrific and haunting cover art with the song that puts the listener in the mood for something dark, gritty, and scary. Drawing inspiration from old horror and mystery novel covers, the barely hooded figure with malicious intentions watches casually as the heroine cautiously scans her surroundings. Dorsten’s ethereal voice pierces through the murky waters of melancholy. The glistening piano keys and beautiful voice combine to create a blissful sadness that creeps its way into your heart. There cannot be enough praise said for the piano keys, generating chills across the body as it subtly changes the direction of the track. Dorsten’s clever wordplay and descriptive lyrics draw the listener into a world of emotions and imaginings, something that’s only further enhanced by the outstanding production and arrangement of the track. Sophie Dorsten, a Phoenix-based artist, creates music alongside her brother, multi-instrumentalist Alex Dorsten. Performing around the Phoneix area since she was 9, she has been writing, recording, and releasing songs since she was 13. Due to the shut of live shows from the pandemic, Sophie and Alex combined forces to kill time and started creating songs together. Bouncing off of one another, their lyrics, creativity, music, and production were only heightened by each other’s presence. As restrictions lightened, the brother-sister duo were offered a chance to record at renowned studios like RAK Studios, Studio Two, or Abbey Road Studios in London. Just recently finishing their tour in the Pacific Northwest, Sophie and Alex are eager to show their fans the work and inspiration they’ve found on their travels. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW SOPHIE:

The moment this song begins, you’re transported to a kitchen with a big island. The morning light is peaking through the gloomy clouds; your partner has just made you a Nespresso as you mix the pancake batter. They kiss you and you can still taste last night’s whiskey. You’re both still a little drunk; everything is happy; everything feels safe. Sadly, you wake up from this fairytale and are back to reality. You wakeup on the wrong side of the bed, and can still smell them on your pillow, but you know they’re never coming back. The morning light is blinding and looks way harsher than you remember. Your favorite coffee machine is back at their place and all your left with is memories and some useless coffee pods. Although everything is different- the coffee is bitter, the pancakes are burnt, the bed seems way too big, the hangover has hit- everything is okay, and everything is still safe. Sometimes life has a funny way of working out. Two people can love each other beyond the depths of their souls and still not be right for each other. People break up; people move on, and we just hope they took a little piece of us with them and reminisce fondly while being treated better and treating their new person better with some tools they picked up along our journey. “In the Morning” by Jazelle is the soundtrack of a lot of relationships. It depicts the crushing reality when everything is over, and you know you’re partly to blame. You want to apologize, but you know some things are better left unsaid, and some people, you included, are better left in the past. “You’re probably angry that I never gave you closure/ But I swear it was for both of us to get over.” This line is raw honesty that so many people can unfortunately relate to. We want to wrap up the past with a little bow thinking it will erase the turmoil on both sides, but closure conversations could never be long enough to do so. People really don’t want closure; they want a rendezvous, or answers to try and comprehend why this happened, but those answers never seem to quench our wandering minds. The best closure is watching them move on, and one day you stop being sad. You stop crying in the shower; you stop thinking of them when you hear a sad song, and you know it’s really over when you see them with somebody else, and you smile and wish them the best, and you hope they’re happy enough to wish you the same. Life will never stop throwing curveballs, but it’s how we learn, grow, and swerve them that ultimately leads us to the person we’ve always wanted to become. Jazelle is a Filipino-American singer/songwriter. She is an up and coming artist from the Bay Area. Her music is art that mirrors her real life and her faith. She has an acoustic atmosphere sound that perfectly melds with her melodic pop production. She credits her instant affection for music to her parents who have surrounded her life with it even when she was in the womb. Aside from her ethereal voice and passion for songwriting, Jazelle plays a plethora of instruments. One day, she found herself in a church where she felt like God was pulling at her for a greater good, and she began leading the worship of her local church. Her mission is to create worshipful art that reflects her life experience and spiritual walk with God. Jazelle writes and produces her own music, and she hopes her songs will deeply connect with her listeners and leave them knowing they are loved. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW JAZELLE:

Being young means doing what you want and Sydne Strauss is doing just that in her single “Upstairs”. This sexy dance-pop jam exudes confidence. The hyper-pop influences in this song make it fit for the club. It creates an atmosphere that feels just like a packed party. Loud music is thumping and yet the only thing that matters is the person you just locked eyes with. The punching bass and technical production of this song make it danceable. Sydne is talented at production and incorporates distorted and overblown bass with clapping and warped plucking of guitar that mesh extremely well with her captivating vocals. Her voice is soft and pleasant yet sultry, keeping with the vibe of the song. Her lyric choices make “Upstairs” not only extremely catchy but danceable too. “Didn’t mean to stare// but I don’t fucking care// you can meet me later upstairs” is a lyric from the chorus that completely encapsulates the whole vibe into one catchy yet intense line. Sydne acknowledges the discomfort she places on her object of affection but also makes it abundantly clear this is the person she wants. The song comes to an end by fading out with very light instrumentation and Sydne’s muffled vocals from the bridge. Sydne Strauss is a Taiwanese-American singer/songwriter and producer. She has always been involved with music in one way or another her entire life. She spent many years training her voice classically while performing and writing music. Once she graduated, she immediately moved out of her small town to pursue her career in California. She has been on a roll ever since, dropping well crafted singles and putting herself out there. Sydne writes, performs, and produces her music, giving it this raw and heartfelt vibe that I love. Her bustling production and vocal choices keep people in the mood to dance and have fun. Written By Kaiana Lee FOLLOW SYDNE:

When you think of a one trick pony, you think of someone who is only ever good at one thing. They are stuck being known for only one specific moment in time; even if they try to be something else, no one ever notices. "One Trick Pony" by B.Miles is a vulnerable and relatable song about the fear of not being enough. The music industry is one of the toughest things to get into now-a-days, and for a while, one of B.Miles' biggest fears was being a one-hit wonder. After the incredible success she faced with her song 'Salt' in 2015 (gaining over 25 million streams on Spotify), B.Miles fell into a dark place where she didn't feel like she could top that moment in her career. "One Trick Pony" highlights those thoughts and feelings of being insecure about your success. You don't want to be a disappointment to your supporters or yourself. Though B.Miles had this phase in her life that brought her down, she turned it into a positive with what she does best, and made this incredible new song. Though she is often described as an Alternative / Indie artist, I find that her sound is completely unique and her own. B.Miles herself feels her style is "genreless". I love the mixture of inspirations within her soundscape. "One Trick Pony" features verses that give off a RnB feel, highlighting B.Miles incredibly angelic falsetto vocals. When the chorus comes in, it's almost like the style changes completely and becomes more of a pop/rock vibe. B.Miles sings in the chorus as if she's speaking to us, and we're completely ready to listen. B.Miles is a unique artist project created by Brenna Miles. Originally from Pasadena, California, B.Miles has taken her career to New York City for quite some years now. Singing ever since she was a little girl, she had written her first ever song in Kindergarten. Now she co-writes with her songwriting partner, Eric Nizgretsky, who worked with her in creating her first ever album, "In Order of Appearance", which features her incredible single, "Worst Enemy". Brenna stays humble and works a typical day job, but always finds herself performing or working on new music in the evenings. Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW B.MILES:

We all have that one person who is the bright-eyed, cheery, glass half-full friend. When you’re down, they pick you up; when you’re weak, they’re strong; when you need to talk, they listen. But what people don’t know about that person is that internally, they have their own troubles. It’s hard picking others up when you’re down. It’s arduous being the listener and not listened to. Stilla’s vulnerably gloomy song, “Fix Me,” is a testament to her own experience of being that helpful friend on the outside but struggling inward. Instead of opening up, she feels the need to fix herself. As brooding as the lyrics are, in a generation where anxiety, depression and isolation coexist, her tact for relatability is what makes this song a wave of security for those who are trapped in a mind-numbing current. Bottling up your emotions is never the answer to solving your problems. Eventually the bottle will break, and every pent-up feeling will come pouring out at once. There has to be a median for everyone to cling to. Even though Stilla may have not confessed her thoughts to someone directly, “Fix Me,” acts as a journal entry where she can comfortably express how she truly feels: with her tender pre-chorus, “ ‘Cause I tend to close myself off//From being vulnerable//So I’m surviving on my own” and her aching chorus, “Laugh it off with some friends//Pretend to them that I’m fine again//I gotta fix me.” The sentimental electric guitars paired with passionate drums that showcase halfway through the song, lay an exemplary track for the lyrics. Stilla’s ethereal voice also solemnly soars, picking up the lyrics and placing them straight into our hearts. Stilla is a Melbourne based pop-soul singer/songwriter who’s known for her distinctive writing style and luminous vocals. Her songs allow listeners to connect to her soulful spirit and journeys through life experiences. Stilla’s current discography includes an EP called “Motions,” and three intriguing singles, “Won’t Work Out,” “Ashes” and “Fix Me.” As a 21-year-old talented storyteller, Stilla’s music is evidence that this is just the beginning to a long and successful career. Written By Amanda Palacios FOLLOW STILLA:

Friends for Now’ is so relatable! What is the story behind the song? Matthew: So this song was written after I met a girl that I felt an instant connection, like we hung out for 4 hours and talked and watched the sunset but she wasn’t ready for a relationship. Friends For Now to sum up is a song full of hope and a message to take that chance tell the person who you like how you really feel. I saw that you played ‘Friends for Now’ for the person you wrote it about. What was that experience like? Matthew: So I want to be honest with you and my fans, that was actually an actress friend of mine playing the part of the girl I actually wrote it about. It was still a super fun experience, the girl I did write it about has heard the song and loved it and also was very supportive of me releasing the song. Congrats on the recent release of your deluxe album, ‘Emotions’! What is your personal favorite track from the album? Matthew: Thank you so much, Emotions is my first child, it has jumpstarted my career and to help me finally make music that I love. Breathe is my personal favorite track on the album, because it deals with a time of my life that I was not in a good headspace. I was dealing with a lot of anxiety and depression and my OCD diagnosis which was a lot to deal with but this song helped me get through these hard times. I noticed on your instagram that you are very passionate about your faith. How has your religion influenced your music? Matthew: My religion has given me the courage to talk about things that are a little harder to talk about and be vulnerable. I’m a pop singer, but I have a Christian heart which allows me to be positive in my music but allow my true self of pop music to still be there. If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why? Matthew: Im so glad you asked this question, the artist I would collaborate with is Charlie Puth. Charlie is a major reason why I love music the way I do, he Is so genuine and kind to other artists and wants to teach people what he knows about music and the music business. Me and Charlie could definitely make a bop. What are you most looking forward to in terms of your musical career? Are there any upcoming projects you can talk about? Matthew: I’m looking most forward to performing and recording more music with new people in the industry. My goal is to open for another pop artist in the next two years. I’m currently working on my next EP and after that I’m going to be working with a bunch of new producers and writers. I'm really excited about the future. Interviewed By Kendall Koval FOLLOW MATTHEW:

‘X In My Sensual’ is so upbeat and fun – I’m obsessed! What was the songwriting process like for this track? Asbjørn : I’m really happy you feel like that. The song is about the lack of consent in club culture, which is obviously not a lot of fun, but I wanted to make a song you could actually play in the club to change those structures. A song that made you dance and sing along to consent. Sexual acts without consent also continuously happen at gay clubs, that are supposed to be safe spaces, and I wrote the first version after an experience at Heaven in London. I used my frustration and anger from that incident into a song called “L to the Head” from my newest album Boyology. When I met DAYYANI we got to talking about these experiences and it turned out we had a lot of shared ones - that’s when I knew we had to re-write a new version together. ‘X In My Sensual’ is that. Your music is based around sex education, which is so amazing! What made you decide to include this topic in your songs? Asbjørn : It was never really a decision I made, more a reflection of the questions that are on my mind. I’m interested in how we, as super conscious human beings, become as free as we can. Sometimes that freedom can be found in movement, in dancing and singing. But sometimes you have to look at the heavier stuff too, like gender roles, sexuality and identity in general. Pop music should embrace and facilitate these questions, cos it has the power to actually change some of the cultural structures holding us back. If you had to choose, which would be your personal favorite track out of the ones you have released so far? You can only pick one! Asbjørn : Be Human has a huge relevance for the current gender-debate and is also a deeply personal song about my relation to that. How did growing up in Denmark influence your music? Asbjørn : Denmark has a lot of free music education and funding, because the state reinvests a lot of taxes into music culture and art. It’s a very unpoetic answer, but I do believe it has a massive impact on the creation of music, because it gives us the space to explore our creativity and take chances. Which artist would you love to collaborate with and why? Asbjørn : One day I will do something with Christine & The Queens. Please. What are you most excited about in terms of the future of your musical career? Are there any upcoming projects you could talk about? Asbjørn : I am currently making my next project, maybe it’s an album, maybe it’s something else - but I don’t know yet. At the same time I’m doing new versions and b-sides from my last album Boyology, and in general collaborating and releasing music in a more intuitive, less over-thought way than ever. I definitely have a tendency to put a lot of pressure and expectation on myself, but working with friends and getting out of my own head helps massively. Interviewed By Kendall Koval FOLLOW ASBJØRN:

I love the sound and vibe of ‘Juliet’! What did the song writing process look like for this track? Jem: This track was originally written with me laying down some chords on the piano that resonated with me emotionally in that moment. Juliet inspired the whole forbidden love idea for the EP. After writing the topline I met with my producer Tomi to make the arrangement, laying down keys, bass and drums - dotting these little ideas I had for motifs throughout the track. Tomi had a jazzy chord progression for a middle 8 so we created a new section. I recorded lead vocals at home then had time at Tomis stacking all the harmonies and liaising with Alex to add the funky guitar motifs. Later the lead vocals were re-recorded in a studio to push to that higher quality. Finally, we added the last bits of arrangement such as the synths you hear in the final chorus. If ‘Juliet’ had a music video, what do you think it would look like? Jem: Haha you’ll have to stay posted on this one. I’m not going to lie, coming up with video concepts definitely hasn’t been my strong point, it took a while for me to have some kind of idea for the Juliet video and still not sure if it's any good. Let’s just stay I wanted to steer away from what you might think the video would typically be and instead do something more authentically Jem. Congrats on your new EP that just came out in September! What is your favorite track from the EP, if you had to pick one? Jem: Gosh this isn’t an easy one as each track is special to me for its own qualities. But I’m going to have to say Juliet, particularly the pre-chorus and bridge as my favourite sections. Overall, I love all of the textures in the track and we had a lot of fun making the arrangement and all the little motifs you hear. It’s groovy, and funky with the awesome guitars recorded by Alex England. My producer Tom did bits on the bass like that riff you hear at the beginning. Being a drummer, I really wanted to throw in that half-time feel at the end to make the final chorus something that would be epic live. What inspired you to first start creating music? Jem: I couldn’t pin-point one specific moment. I have just loved music since I was a kind, listening to it, singing and dancing - until I discovered I couldn’t dance. I was pursuing a more musical theatre route in my early childhood but in secondary school I started taking up the drums and piano. Songwriting from the age of 11 ish but probably not writing anything decent until 18. In the last couple of years that I have been finding my sound as Pop with RnB/Soul and Jazz influences, working with my producer Tomi Balogh to envision this in my first EP Love Me or Lose Me and all the new projects to follow… What is one of your go-to karaoke songs? Jem: I don’t usually do karaoke (within the earshot of other people) often, but we went there with some friends for my 20th birthday and it was a lot of fun. Instead of trying to belt out the classics usually sung by people with insanely talented voices like Adele which is out of my range, I prefer to rap. One of my best party tricks is doing Eminem’s ‘Rap God’ sped up. Are there any upcoming projects you can talk about? Jem: So many projects. I’ve got my next EP in the works in which I steer away from love and relationships and write about the nature of living and challenges of breaking through as a young adult in this hyper-digitalized, overwhelming social media governed society. I’m doing this for my final project at uni and it's going to have live drums and bass. Then I’m working on a more commercial EP to drop after that and some singles in which my rapping is going to start coming out more. Also, my producer and I are making a portfolio of songs written in the style of other artists to explore a publishing route. Interviewed By Kendall Koval FOLLOW JEM:

“Daddy’s Girl” by Halo Kitsch is a certifiable pop rock anthem. You can feel the music pulsating through your body from the moment it begins. It gives off the same energy as throwing clothes in a trashcan from someone who wronged you in a dark alley, torching the sweatshirts and memories with gasoline, lighting a match, and walking away as the world behind you goes up in flames. Halo Kitsch tackles mental health, substance abuse, and pure honesty in a tactful, yet abundantly catchy, manner. “Who cares if people adore me when I’m in pain?” This is a chilling line of relatability from when you’re at your lowest and begin to stop what anyone else thinks. This song is about someone in a deep state of darkness. Halo Kitsch explains the depression and misdirections in an incredible way where you’re not just hearing the words, but you’re seeing a movie project through your eyes of a lost soul on a path to destruction. The sad protagonist has found she can only rely on herself, and even that is touch and go. We watch her rollercoaster ride of life that mirrors her peaks and valleys of her mind. It’s a cold, cold world for a daddy’s girl, but we’re on this journey with her, even though she can’t be stopped and denies help, we root for her recovery to happiness and a new life ahead. “Daddy’s girl” is just one of the powerful tracks on Halo Kitsch’s debut EP, ‘With You (In Mind)’ where she completely flips preconceived notions on their head and speaks so honestly about the struggles in life. This album pays homage to her best friend Jillian who passed away in January. She confronts real life issues head on. This song is authoritative yet intimate. You turn the volume up to 100 but don’t make a sound because you’re hooked on every word. She’s making a statement in this song that life is not always rainbows and butterflies, and it’s that raw realness mixed with her raw talent that makes us absolutely captivated. Halo Kitsch is an indie pop rock singer, songwriter, and musician who has a firm grasp on the reality of the real world. She’s in a lane of her own creating a clear path to honesty and making the members of the world not feel so alone. Some people don’t breach these deep subjects, but Halo Kitsch knows the importance of tackling them on a global scale. Her deliberate, clear words will have a great impact on fellow listeners who are struggling. She is a 24 year old from Los Angeles with an old soul and a compelling presence. She’s the type of artist you want to listen to because she seems to have lived a hundred lives. She turns the dark, taboo stigmas of the world into energetic bops that open our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds to know we are not alone. Halo Kitsch is a powerhouse artist who’s going to change the world with her vulnerability into the dark world and her sublime knack for music. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW HALO KITSCH:

Gabe James certainly didn’t leave anything up to chance when he wrote his latest single “Rolling Dice”. The song is an expertly crafted indie-pop masterpiece, from its breadth of lyrical themes to crisp instrumental mixing. James has been teasing the song’s release for a while now, and he certainly did not disappoint. “Rolling Dice” is the latest and greatest anthem for anyone who’s feeling slightly lost and very romantic. “Rolling Dice” immediately perks your ears by opening up with clean acoustic guitar strumming and James’ beautifully harmonized lyrics singing about being lost in his own head, something all too familiar to many of us. The chorus ramps up the energy beyond expectations, and James’ singing feels extra passionate alongside the satisfying electric bass line. Stomp-and-clap style percussion makes bobbing your head irresistible, and you’ll be singing along to the melody in no time. James even includes some surprises like rain ambience to match his line “but it just rains, and I’m in pain”, demonstrating his affinity for sonic creativity. The Colorado-born and LA-based songwriter Gabe James has been consistently releasing bangers for the last year, cooking up a storm of singles and EP’s in his discography. Collaborating with popular artists like Outerskies and working with the label TAG Music, James has certainly earned himself a well-deserved following that grows every day. If you haven’t already heard his music before, take a gamble and check out “Rolling Dice”. For indie-pop lovers, or anyone for that matter, keep an eye on Gabe James. Written By Ari Schweitzer FOLLOW GABE JAMES:

Jordi does not hold anything back in her debut single, “Hate You”. She enters the music industry with an emotionally charged ballad about heartache and longing. Jordi tells the sad conclusion to a previous relationship that she never wanted to end. Throughout the song, she uses vulnerable lyrics to describe the pain she endured within the relationship, and the hurt she is still feeling now that it is over. She reveals her former boyfriend’s dishonesty and betrayal while they were still together when she sings, “Hate how you lied and called it honest// I let you drive and now I’m car sick// Hate knowing that her eyes made you forget all about mine.” She continues to list off all the things she hates that her ex-boyfriend did, but wraps it all up in the hook when she sings, “Hate how I don’t hate you at all.” These candid lyrics reveal that despite the lying and infidelity, she cannot let go of the love she has. "Hate You" is a beautifully written track, showcasing Jordi's vulnerability and her natural talent to resonate with audiences. “Hate You” consumes listeners and makes them feel every emotion Jordi is feeling—from hurt and regret to love and longing. The heart wrenching ballad starts with an arpeggio that is played on the piano which sets the gloomy tone of the song. Once Jordi’s compelling vocals begin, a second piano is added, creating a mesmerizing effect. As the song continues, a synth beat is gradually added until the chorus where it takes off. The corresponding music video follows Jordi, her ex-boyfriend, and the girl he replaced her with. In the video, the scenes switch from Jordi to the new girl, representing how easily he moved on and forgot about her. A clever detail inserted was the imagery of the sweater Jordi was found wearing. In the pre-chorus, she sings, “I’m in the sweater you gave me// But it’s not as warm as it used to be// I don’t wanna cut you out like this but I think that I got to.” Throughout the video, it becomes unraveled, slowly falling apart into nothing. Then at the end of the video, Jordi is seen without the sweater, standing face to face with the new girl, who is now wearing the sweater. This beautiful imagery represents the feeling of him slowly drifting away into the arms of another woman. Jordi is a singer, songwriter, dancer, and content creator from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In 2018, she joined TikTok where she quickly went viral for her comedy videos. After gaining a significant fan base, Jordi began sharing music covers on YouTube and TikTok. She has also used livestreams to create a concert-like experience for her fans. She now has 12 million followers across all social media platforms and over 60,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, despite having only released one single. Her music style draws inspiration from artists such as Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo, drawing focus on the lyricism and emotional intensity. Written By Karlee Smith FOLLOW JORDI: