Rachel Grae’s latest single is a clever take on the warning signs that may be found in toxic relationships. “Colorblind” is about lacking the ability to differentiate between the red flags and the green ones. Grae analyzes her own approach to relationships, and questions the signs she sees. The sad ballad consists of vulnerable lyrics that accentuate the feeling of slowly losing your mind while wondering if this is real love, or a toxic flame that will burn out. Grae claims that she can always see the ending before it begins and that she is prone to self-sabotage. For her, it is hard to see the truth in a partner and she starts to doubt the relationship. In the chorus, Grae sings, “I’m just a little bit wary// When all the good is too good it scares me// All the signs are gray in my mind// Maybe I’m, maybe I’m just colorblind.” She confesses that it is hard to determine who the good ones are when the dating pool is filled with toxic people. The vulnerable song highlights the difficulties in trying to find love in the modern dating world. Grae effortlessly crafted a track that resonates with listeners and comforts them in their own heartache. “Colorblind” is a heart-wrenching ballad with a unique songwriting background—Grae wrote the track during a TikTok Live while her fans watched. They were able to witness the beginning stages of the song’s creation while being given an insight on Grae’s songwriting process. The song instantly became a fan favorite, which encouraged her to release it. The piano-led track guides the listener through the gloomy lyrics. The subtle synth beat adds a calming effect that produces an angelic ambiance. Towards the middle of the track, a faint violin is introduced, further boosting this heavenly atmosphere. Every detail in the production works together to create an enchanting track. In the accompanying music video, the audience sees Grae stuck in a toxic relationship. Throughout it, she is seen giving all her heart to this man, while he is barely giving her a second thought and getting angry at her for minor accidents. As the video continues, Grae begins to gain her vision back and see the man for the red flag he truly is. In the end, she leaves him and burns all of the items that remind her of him. The song and the corresponding music video both set a powerful reminder to audiences that they do not have to settle for relationships that are unhealthy. Rachel Grae is a singer-songwriter from the outskirts of New York City. In 2021, she made her debut with her single, “Bad Timing”. Since then, she has released several more singles that solidify her status as a rising star. She has nearly 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify and over 850,000 followers on TikTok. She uses the social media platform to connect with her fans and build a dedicated audience. Her music is filled with poetic lyrics and unforgettable melodies that showcases her incredible talent. With powerhouse vocals reminiscent of superstars Kelly Clarkson and Demi Lovato, Grae is on her way to complete stardom. Written By Karlee Smith FOLLOW RACHEL:

“Rut” is a beautiful reclamation of one’s power, of realizing that the chances you’ve given were squandered and that your effort was not met with the same energy. Sometimes it hurts more to hold on than it does to let go. Would you mind sharing the inspiration behind this song? Emily: I wrote this song a while ago about finding out after a relationship that had ended that there had been disloyalty. I wasn’t sad or angry as I had moved on, but instead took this narrative to create a moving song that perhaps someone could relate to and find comfort in When did you realize that you wanted to be an artist, and when did you first start dabbling in music? Emily: Ever since I was young, I have loved singing at home, performing in school shows, and making up tunes in my head. I properly started writing songs around the age of 12 and have never looked back since. Now, I’m finally ready to share them with the world. If you had to explain yourself to the world through another artist’s album, which would you choose and why? Emily: I would have to choose the album Flicker by Niall Horan as it reminds me of a time when I didn’t care what anybody thought, and I find that comforting. There’s a song called Flicker on the album, which is one of my all-time favourite songs. Do you currently play any musical instruments? If not, what would you want to learn that you feel would best suit your musical style? Emily: I play the piano which I mainly taught myself, and write all of my songs on. I have also played the violin since I was 9 years old and have been part of the orchestra for many years, so that is definitely my strongest instrument. Who are some of your biggest musical influences and inspirations? Emily: Taylor Swift continues to amaze me with her songwriting skills. Also, the likes of Mimi Webb, Lewis Capaldi, and Niall Horan. They all inspire me in different ways and influence my music definitely. It looks like you are a fresh face emerging into the musical scene. What can we expect from you, or what are your goals for the next year? Emily: Definitely, more music will be getting released next year. I hope to play more gigs too, and connect with as many people as possible, whether that be fellow singer/songwriters or a complete stranger who enjoys listening to my music on Spotify. Interviewed By Vanessa Siebrass FOLLOW EMILY:

Your new single “Knock On Wood” is so beautiful, I am genuinely so impressed! What is the story behind this new song, and can you share the creative process behind it? Lola: I always say Knock on Wood is a very self-reflective song, even though it may seem like I’m talking about someone else, it's definitely a song I wrote looking at myself and trying to convey some of the emotions I was going through with my self-image. My process is different every time, but with Knock on Wood, I remember I had the phrase knock on wood stuck in my head and I figured out a melody on piano first and basically just wrote what flowed and felt right to me. How did you get your start writing and making music? Lola: I really started writing music at around 11, I hadn’t actually tried to write before but I was a singer and I remember people telling me to start writing music while I was young, because that’s how you find your own sound, singing your own music rather than someone else’s. What song do you have on repeat right now? Lola: “Lover you should’ve come over” and “Grace” By Jeff Buckley What other musician would you say you admire or look up to the most and why? Lola: There's a lot of songwriters I consider role models and look up to, but I absolutely adore Fiona Apple. Her lyricism and melodies are some of the most interesting and beautiful I have heard. Where do you hope to see your career 10 years from now? You’re so young and just getting started, the sky's the limit!! Lola: Hopefully continuing making as much music as possible and performing! Live performing is really an amazing experience and I hope to perform at as many venues as possible. There is no doubt you have an insanely bright future ahead of you and I can’t wait to follow your journey! So, what can we expect next from you? Any upcoming projects you can talk about? :) Lola: Yes! I definitely have some exciting projects in the making now so be sure to keep an ear out :) Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW LOLA:

Indie pop has only grown by the numbers since the 90’s and mid 2000s. Singer Emmrose merges both the old and new in her latest single “Coffee and Commitment”; where she tells all about a relationship with someone noncommittal and evasive. This song not only feels nostalgic, but it reintroduces the classic alt/indie pop sound to younger listeners unfamiliar to such. In all honesty, It’s easy to imagine “Coffee and Commitment” becoming the latest love anthem for the current and upcoming new year. “Coffee and Commitment” is the epitome of a “situationship” song. Being let on by someone whose real intent is to use you for their benefit, is a hurtful testimony that singer Emmrose conveys stunningly. Emmrose also goes into depth with her inspiration and personal meaning behind the song on her Spotify page. According to the singer: “The song isn’t about giving up on love, it’s about moving on. There’s no point pining after someone who will never commit to something real.” The truth behind her statement can be felt lyrically as well as emotionally. Relationships take time, effort, and vulnerability to be uniquely crafted into something beautiful for each person. “Coffee and Commitment” speaks boldly about no longer tolerating the wishy-washy feelings that result in the singer being constantly let on. This song makes listeners feel empowered as they also discover the importance of standing up for yourself and your emotions. Emmrose is a NY based singer-songwriter with over 9k monthly Spotify listeners. Her most popular songs include “Tonight'', “It Takes Me Back”, and “Thorns”-- her music garnering well over 1m+ streams on the Spotify platform alone. Emmrose’s unique style and artistic abilities takes a refreshing and much-needed spin on the pop industry/genre. We hope to hear more beautiful music from this artist in the future! Follow her socials below to stay in touch. Written By: Kasey D. FOLLOW EMMROSE:

There’s something beautifully intimate about the guitar and piano, so it's no surprise that Jake Adler’s track “Without Me” is so moving. The song is about life’s troubles, from growing old to missing a lover who isn’t there with you. Vivid lyrics on the song heighten the emotional themes of Adler’s debut album 26 , which has many tracks demonstrating his songwriting prowess. A perfect choice of instrumentation and incredible vocals will have “Without Me” making you feel nostalgic in no time. Adler doesn’t shy away from keeping his song’s instrumentation to a minimum, a bold choice that really brings out the emotion behind his lyrics. Lines like “tell me how you live your whole damn life without me” soar over the strumming acoustic guitar, with added piano and background vocal harmonies coming in during the chorus and bridge to help build intensity. The final chorus is backed with echoing percussive elements to heighten the emotional energy of Adler’s last few lines, and will leave tears in your eyes as you hit the replay button. With the release of his album 26 , Jake Adler is wrapping up the year with a bang. Supporting his latest release are several singles from earlier this year, each made with his signature sound. He’s proven that all he needs is his voice and a guitar to make an absolute banger, so the rest of his work will not disappoint. If you’re looking for your next favorite indie pop artist, Jake Adler is your man. Written By Ari Schweitzer FOLLOW JAKE ADLER:

Athena Skye is a powerhouse artist. Her newest single, “WOMAN MADE”, is an inspiring song about feeling confident in yourself and proud of your womanhood. As woman, we face injustices and insecurities everyday, and majority of the time we focus on the negatives, but Athena says no more. Let’s celebrate our greatest gift of being women. We are created by women, and we can run the world if we just realize our powers within. There is no rulebook to being the “perfect woman”. The perfect woman is being exactly who you already are. Some os us are confident; some of us are shy. Some of us are put together; some of us are messy. Some of us are a combination of everything, but ALL of us are perfectly created. It can be hard to understand the magic we have within after being broken, beaten down, told we’re not enough, told we’re too much, but those trials and tribulations only magnify our powers. We are strong, even when we don’t believe it. We are resilient, even when we don’t know it. We are kind, even when we’ve been given every reason not to be. We are blessed with a built in sisterhood, and we need to spend everyday building each other up and never tearing each other down. We go through enough as woman that it’s time to stop tolerating anything less than what we deserve. It’s time to acknowledge our incredible attributes. It’s time to be who we are because we are more than enough. It’s time to stop giving a damn what anyone will say. We are women; hear us roar. Click here to listen to WOMAN MADE!! The moment this song begins, you know you’re in for a sonic experience. Athena’s catchy lyrics and captivating music are sure to leave you moving your body and screaming her empowering lyrics into a hairbrush. This is the song the girls will play on repeat as they sit on the floor, doing their makeup, sipping on tequila shots before going out on the town with a new attitude. Her lyrics are clever and sure to get stuck in your head. This is the type of bop you take the long way home to hear again with the windows down and a new found confidence gleaming through the sunroof. It’s moving to hear a woman sing such a powerful ballad designed to help woman understand their perfection from simply just being. This is the anthem we want to play for our daughters and hope they never forget the words. “WOMAN MADE” is a song by a woman, for women, and the girlies are going to be feeling enchanted and electric from just one listen. In Greek mythology, Athena is the goddess of wisdom, and Athena seems to be following in her namesake’s footsteps to empower and inspire women. Athena Skye Is a London based singer/songwriter. She is a true lyricist who wants to change the world. She claims songwriting is her therapy, and I guarantee listening to her music is therapeutic for all lucky enough to listen. She wants to highlight her vulnerabilities to show people that they are not alone. We all have insecurities, but Athena turns that into her greatest superpower with her dynamic lyrics and moody sonics. Athena’s music is inspired by her two hometowns, London and Atlanta. She has accumulated over 2 million views on TikTok, and fans are even comparing her to Ariana Grande. Athena wants to introduce the world to a refreshing new era of music, and we can’t wait to be a small part of her voyage to the stars. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW ARTIST:

It’s the final countdown with MICHAELA in “20 Seconds,” an electro-pop single about confronting a guy with playboy intentions. A classic tale about a noncommittal guy, friend zoning a committed girl he actually wants. Of course, she won’t give him the time of day unless he changes his ways and explains himself—in 20 seconds. Though he had a chance to win her over, the ending of the song shows he chose otherwise as she daringly sings, “I’m getting on my uber hit request//Too bad, so slow.” The guy may have not gotten the girl, but “20 Seconds” is nevertheless a synesthesia treat with its electrifying club-esque beats and night-hue synths. “You got 20 seconds til I walk away//So you better have something good to say//Or too bad, I’m gone//Too late, so long.” Bold lyrics for some artists, but not MICHAELA, who has a knack for telling things how it is, and rightfully so. Songwriting is a form of venting. Some people go on runs to let off steam, others bake to take their mind off of a situation, musicians vent through their music. Whether its composing or writing lyrics, great artists are those who are able to take their feelings and put them into condensed words. With similarities to English popstar Dua Lipa, “20 Seconds” is a depiction of the type of artists MICHAELA emulates; those who have the talent to take a story and translate it into musical art through riveting production and enticing hooks. Growing up in the small town of Hertfordshire, MICHAELA is a British Artist and Songwriter who has spent years developing her musical abilities. Over time, she has gained access to working with GRAMMY nominated producers and writers across Europe. Influenced by her favorite musical muses, Charlie Puth and The Weeknd, MICHAELA takes their soulful writing techniques and implements them into her own unique work. Currently, she is crafting a 6-track debut EP which is to be released holistically in 2022. Exciting things are coming her way, and hopefully to our ears soon. Written By Amanda Palacios FOLLOW MICHAELA:

Fake friendships are like walking a tight rope. You are constantly struggling to keep everything aligned by appeasing their problems, only to tire out and lose your balance, making the friendship fall through. In the angsty pop-punk song “Lose Lose,” Alexa Cappelli expresses this exact scenario and the reasons behind why she decided to cut off ties with a close friend: “u say u love me but then criticize my every move”; “making me apologize for things you know that I never said.” There’s only so much one can take before realizing that someone you thought was a friend, is actually not the definition of one. Sometimes it takes years of forced apologies, unnecessary criticism and victimized narcissism before finally reaching the breaking point. If you’re in a lose lose situation, this may be the exact song you need to get you off that tight rope. Stellar rock guitars, firm resonate vocals and lively drums—what better way to express your true emotions than with honest instrumentation? Alexa Cappelli’s frustration with a calculating friend can be heard rooted into the melodies, as well as her voice, which is what separates her as a gifted songwriter. “Lose Lose” continues to prove her dedication and fearlessness to tell the raw versions of her stories. The chorus says it all, with its hearty punchline, “i can’t win, i can’t move, i just can’t—it’s a lose lose.” Alexa Cappelli makes it clear that she’s done being the pawn in her “friend’s” chess game, as the cover of her single illustrates. LA-based 23-year-old artist, Alexa Cappelli, is the true definition of a rising pop star. Surrounding herself with music her whole life, she took voice lessons and went on to pursue musical theater, televised singing shows, and eventually songwriting. In 2018, she decided to go on the famous scouted singing show, “The Voice,” where she grew her fanbase exponentially. Although she didn’t win, Alexa did not let this diminish her musical dreams. She went on to officially launch her career with her viral single, “Forbidden,” during the 2020 pandemic which has engrossed over 2.5 million Spotify streams to this date. Her penchant for authentic songwriting has established a solid trend for her rising popularity. With every new song she releases, Alexa Cappelli continues to live up to her MTV awarded name “Voice of a Generation.” Written By Amanda Palacios FOLLOW ALEXA CAPPELLI:

Understanding the complex dynamics of love can be a crippling challenge. Love is a choice between two people who want each other, choose each other, and fight for each other, but it’s not always that simple. Love after heartbreak is a different ballgame. You have to heal yourself and are still left with scars that sting. Your new person is essentially responsible for mending wounds they didn’t create. We can get in our own heads and be our own worst enemy. I choose him, but what if he changed his mind? He says he loves me, but so did he… and look how that turned out. At some point, you have to heal yourself. Self love can be the hardest thing to consciously decide to do everyday, but one day you’ll find someone worth fighting for; someone who deserves your love and not your fears from the past; someone who shows up everyday and thinks everything that has happened has made you the person they want to be with forever. One day you’ll look down at your scars and deep cuts, and you will smile because you no longer feel the pain, and you just see a beautiful, unique roadmap that lead you to the right person. It’s easy to look at the person we love, eyes lit up with admiration, and question how they can feel the same, but real, true love begins in the mirror. When we choose to stay, not let our head outrun our heart, and realize they choose to love us because they simply love us and we are deserving, is the moment you will feel free and the past will be nothing more than the past. ROSIE’s “Good For Me” is a gut-wrenching ballad of relatability. There’s not a person on this earth who hasn’t questioned if they are worthy, if someone’s feelings are true, or if they’re simply not good enough for the person they have chosen to give their heart too. Listening to “Good For Me” is like watching a comfort movie. The insecure protagonist doesn’t realize her enchantment and has to go through the stages to find her self-worth with trials and tribulations, but in the end she finds someone worth accepting her sparkle for because he loves her for her, fought for her, and allowed her to see her own beauty, but she had that love within her the entire time. She has no idea she’s the reason we keep coming back to this movie because we see ourselves in her and yearn for her moment of clarity. ROSIE says “One day, I’ll wake up. See that I’m enough,” and this is the success story we all hope for. Even acknowledging that one day you will get there, even if you’re far from it, is inspiring. Even when we don’t believe it… especially when we don’t believe it… we stand tall in the mirror, head held high, scars glistening, and we believe we are worthy of the love that has found us. As cliche as it may be, love starts from within and we accept the love we think we deserve. So let’s be kind to ourselves and acknowledge that we deserve the world. Our quirks, and habits, and flaws are seen by others as attractions, trophies, and magic, and even if we have to fake it til we make it, growth begins when we start accepting that we are who we are, and that’s what makes us worth all the love in the universe. ROSIE is an up and coming phenomenon who uses her songs to inspire her listeners. She rose to fame with her debut EP, 20mg of Happiness in 2021. She has been featured on songs like “ilym” with John K which has gained millions of Spotify streams, and she even cowrote on Joshua Bassett’s “Used To It” which has earned high praise and plays. At just 22 years old, she seems to have a lifetime of wisdom and an old soul that makes us want to listen and learn from her. ROSIE is an advocate for mental health awareness and it is seen through every song she writes. These are the messages that the world needs to hear and ROSIE lets everyone know that they are not alone. We can’t wait to follow her journey and see her fight to change the world through her passion of music and just being her authentic self. We will all be saying “Good For Me” that I got to be apart of her incredible journey… that’s only beginning. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW ROSIE:

If life is a highway, sometimes it can really feel like we missed the right exit. Kelaska fleshes out this idea in her latest single “Autopilot”, a pop-rock banger that talks about wanting to let someone else take the wheel. Though the lyrics talk about spending life running in circles, the track only proves that Kelaska’s songwriting is still getting better and better. “Autopilot” opens with Kelaska’s relatable lyrics, saying that she feels as if she “missed her exit when she turned 25”, watching all her friends who seem as if they have everything figured out. Complementing the somber words are Kelaska’s crisp vocals floating over an intimate combination of acoustic guitar and light percussion. The chorus changes up the mood with a sudden switch to a classic rock and roll sound, featuring gritty guitars, energetic drumming, and Kelaska singing about running in circles. A quick bridge reins the song back to its starting sound, but as soon as the final choruses hit the rock elements come back to power you through the rest of the track. The Connecticut songwriter has been on a roll with her releases in the past two years. Her discography includes a plethora of cover songs to listen to, as well as original singles that demonstrate her unique indie-pop sound. If you’re feeling a little down or just need a good pop-rock jam, Kelaska’s “Autopilot” is what you should be listening to. Written By Ari Schweitzer FOLLOW KELASKA:

Melissa Divanna's "Hot N Bothered" is a fun throwback to 2000s pop. This song is ridiculously catchy; by my second listen, I was already unconsciously singing along to the chorus. The mixing on this track might be my favorite part of it; I absolutely adore the nostalgia it gives me. This song needs to be added to your "Hot Girl" playlist. Come on, I know you've got one. We all do! The absolute confidence this song radiates is stunning and captivating, and the message is wonderful. Some of my first thoughts while listening to this piece were that it reminded me of Britney Spears, someone who I love and who lives in my Spotify Wrapped each year. The purpose of this song is wonderful, and the writing is very creative. This song is for people who are hot, and they know it and own it. They don't need to be told how hot they are either, especially by random men who end up just objectifying them. No matter what someone is wearing, it doesn't open up a line of commentary on their body. This song takes that message and puts it into a song. Melissa Divanna is a thirty-year-old up-and-coming pop star. She has released three singles on Spotify, and all of them have done well for themselves. Melissa cites that her main inspiration for making music was how much it helped her grow into herself, so she wants to give back. Melissa struggled with body dysmorphia for much of her life, and after she overcame her struggle, her mission became to help others do the same. She is a mental health advocate and talks very openly about her struggles. Written By Emma Kimberli FOLLOW MELISSA DIVANNA:

Skylar Lee expresses major attitude in her cheeky new single, “Too Good To Be You”. The track is about meeting someone that appears perfect on paper. They meet every criterion for the perfect romantic partner and it feels like the stars are aligning. But then, the rose-colored lenses start to fade and their true colors begin the peek through, revealing that they were always too good to be true. Lee takes this narrative and fashions it into an infectious song filled with sassy lyrics and a high energy production. She kicks off the track with lyrics that describe this person as a fictional character from a movie. One that checks all of her boxes and is everything she ever wanted—until he wasn’t. This version of him she thought she knew was all an illusion, and now she is telling him it was “too good to be you.” This energetic track is a clever spin on a common phrase by calling out the toxic traits of her partner. “Too Good To Be You” is another incredible release that demonstrates Lee’s witty songwriting and feisty personality. Lee has an impeccable ability to compose unforgettable melodies paired with equally memorable lyrics. “Too Good To Be You” is another addition to her outstanding songwriting. Lee’s angelic, yet powerful vocals kickstart the song, projecting the listener into the energetic track. Half a second later, the lively beat joins her, setting up the tone of the song. The production explodes in the chorus, using unique synth sounds that are reminiscent of 80s pop. Throughout the track, the production is explosive with incredible energy that showcases Lee’s insane talent to captivate audiences and lead them through her clever storytelling. “Too Good To Be You” is a track that is not easily forgotten, and deserves the number one spot on every chart. Skylar Lee is a pop singer-songwriter and producer based in Nashville. Since a young age, she knew music was her passion and when she turned 17, she moved from Pennsylvania to Nashville to pursue her dream. She wears her heart on her sleeve which translates into vulnerable lyrics and creative hooks. Her perfect-pitch ear produces a unique talent when it comes to songwriting. She has already made impressive waves in the music industry, including being featured in Rolling Stone for her 2022 hit, “Hotel in a Hurry”. Following down the path of her inspirations like Maisie Peters, Emily Weisband, and Dagny she is garnering more and more fans every day and is making a name for herself as an influential pop star. Written By Karlee Smith FOLLOW SKYLAR: