Shaking up the heartbreak pop scene is certainly not an easy feat. While breakups might bring us to our lowest point, they can also unleash passionate self expression through our creative outlets. Mikaela Stenmo is one such example, with her latest single “Heart Attack” bursting onto streaming platforms with its exciting deep house sound and pop vocals. “Heart Attack” starts minimal but builds up quickly with ambient synths and Stenmo’s solemn lyrics about wanting another chance, and the rough edges of recovering from a heartbreak. By the time the chorus hits you’ll already be nodding your head as to steady percussion, which provides the ground for the EDM synths to run on and Stenmo’s vocals to soar over. She talks about the feelings of attachment and angst that wash over anyone fresh into a heartbreak, wanting to know where her past partner is and desperately trying to get over them. Hailing from Sweden and raised in Belgium, Mikaela Stenmo has assembled an impressive catalog of pop and deep house music that would make anyone start to cry at the club. Her ever growing fan base patiently awaits her upcoming EP, New York, You’re Breaking My Heart . “Heart Attack” is the perfect track for anyone who needs to dance (or cry) their heart out. Written By Ari Schweitzer FOLLOW MIKAELA STENMO:

In her latest single, Amy Jaime both stresses and reminisces over a complicated series of interactions and emotions shared between two people. "Secret" exudes confusing, off-and-on, situationship energy that we've all grown to relate to. Whether you love or hate the game of cat and mouse, you've likely experienced the same feelings the artist expresses throughout the song. Whether it's waiting on a text, hiding your business, or feeling sour where you once felt sweet, Amy Jaime has been there and is ready to talk about it in her new single. After a couple of listens through this song, it was stuck in my head all day. Not only does the artist have a lovely register comparable with today's women of R&B, but her use of unique instrumentals pairs dreamily with her tone and the mood of the song. Clever lyrical one-liners of a back-and-forth dynamic string the verses into the chorus, where the artist continues to contemplate against an upbeat rhythm. Catchy musical melodies and harmonious vocals by Amy Jaime mixed together to produce a single that I can envision a group of friends bopping along to together. Las Vegas based artist Amy Jaime is new to the scene, though her passion for music began in her early childhood. While she worked on several other projects in her lifespan, she knew music was where her heart lie. The Pop/R&B artist plans to continue to release plenty of upcoming content, so make sure to follow all of her socials linked below! Written By Zewdi Cass FOLLOW AMY JAIME:

This title track off Maria Shockey's first album will pull at your heartstrings and make you stare up at your ceiling, questioning yourself... in the best way possible, of course. "Composure" by Maria Shockey is a song for people who struggle with letting themselves be vulnerable. Now, aside from the message, I still love this song. The production is well done very clean, and neat sounding. Maria has a voice perfect for this genre of music; it pulls you in and lulls you into a state where you can only sit and listen. Sonically, this track reminds me of Halsey, specifically her second studio album "Hopeless Foutain Kingdom". The meaning of this song resonates hard; it's about being terrified of letting someone see all of you. You are asking yourself, is prying your heart open for someone worth it? You want nothing more than to let your walls down, and the other person wants to be able to see you for you. Your closed-off brain is causing a strain on the person you love, so you are trying your absolute best to trust them. It's a beautiful and gentle song, with a lovely meaning. Maria Shockey is an up-and-coming pop artist. She just released her first album, titled "Composure". She has played several live gigs, absolutely stealing the show at each one. She shows her relatable sense of humor on her TikTok, drawing more people in a genius way. She has amassed an impressive following. She is really doing amazingly for herself and has been releasing music on Spotify since 2019. Written By Emma Kimberli FOLLOW MARIA SHOCKEY:

This electropop single by Connr, titled "Dangerous," should be added to everyone's playlist. It is incredibly catchy, and the production is to die for. The harmonizations sound so dreamy and bring me back to the early to mid-2010s. A fond nostalgia washes over me when I listen to the production of this track. My favorite part has got to be the bridge. I love the breakdown and the spelling out of the word "dangerous." At its core, this piece is a classic pop song, in the most complimentary way possible. Within seconds of listening, my brain immediately got reminded of Troye Sivan's first single, "Happy Little Pill." This track has the same electronic pop sound to it. I absolutely love it. "Dangerous" sings of feelings towards someone, identifying yourself as dangerous because of it. You are so infatuated with this person that even though maybe you should stay clear, you can't tear your gaze away from them. They, however, might be a little more hesitant to speak to you despite feeling the same exact way. This song is trying to convince them to be dangerous with you instead of denying themselves the luxury. Connr is an Alabama-based rising artist. She has loved music since before she could utter a word, and began songwriting at the ripe age of 14. She studied at Loyola University New Orleans. She plays local gigs and absolutely rocks them, her vocal talents and stage presence shining through. Dangerous is the second single she has released to date, teasing it on her Instagram before its release. Written By Emma Kimberli FOLLOW CONNR:

‘Fallout Shelter’ has such a chill vibe to it – I am obsessed! Can you tell us what the songwriting process looked like for this track? 102 Mangos: We don't really ever sit down and write anything ever. The words just kinda get chiseled out of the melody after a couple takes. What is the story behind your band name? How did you come up with ‘102 Mangos’? 102 Mangos: 102 Mango Dr is actually the address of our first house together, and where we made a bunch of our first songs. If your song could be in any movie or TV show, which one would you want it to be featured in? 102 Mangos: It would be cool to be the soundtrack of an Indie skate move like Mid-90's or a Pete Davidson coming of age movie, ie Big Time Adolescence. A lot of people think it should be the opening song in a Disney Channel movie...never sure if that's a compliment or not. Who would you say have been some of your biggest inspirations? 102 Mangos: Yeek, Weezer, and Kid Cudi is definitely a big one. What is a venue or city that you would love to perform at? 102 Mangos: The Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta would be really cool. That's just a seriously dope venue. It would be sick to perform in Frankfurt Germany too, just cuz we have a big following over there for whatever reason. Are there any upcoming projects you could talk about? 102 Mangos: We do have a demo tape coming out eventually. We can't say too much about it, but it's gonna be really eclectic. Every song on there is super vibrant and different from the last. Interviewed By Kendall Koval FOLLOW 102 MANGOS:

This song is reminiscent of the moment when you’re driving through a storm, rain pounding so hard it drowns out your deepest thoughts, then you go through a tunnel, and for a moment, it’s silent, so you take a deep breath and prepare for the water to hit any second. That lapse in chaos while waiting for the other shoe to drop is the somber felt in Chloe Copoloff’s “Here Again”. We’ve all had a period in our life where we are impatiently waiting for the water to hit again, just to feel something, even if that is pain. Chloe says, “I still got the box of cigarettes. The one that you said would be your last,” This is a harrowing line of relatability. When you so desperately hope and demand your partner will give up their bad habits, only to realize, you must’ve been one of them. People come and people go. It’s as simple as that, but we as simple creatures, can’t understand that. We ask ourselves “Why do some people come into our lives only to leave it?” after altering it completely, nevertheless, and “Why do some people leave a lasting impression, as if they’ve tattooed their name into our heart?” and yet we convince ourselves they never think of us at all. That self doubt and false hope can turn as bitter as the black coffee you bought just for him, but Chloe’s longing for just a taste of the sweetness she once called home. We all have letters we wish we could say, whether on physical paper or in the file cabinets of our mind, and more often than not, we never say it and never send them. Some words, and some people, are better left in the past, and we know this to be true, but can’t get our heart to align with our head, so we are left wishing, wanting, and hoping. We can wish that fight didn’t happen; we can want him to call; we can hope he’ll forget everything and walk through that door, but it is not up to us to convince him to come home, it is up to us to become comfortable in the uncomfortable and find little ways to be okay on our own, and what’s meant to be will be, even if that love you’ve been yearning for has just been self love all along. “Here Again” starts with a couple notes from the piano that break the subdued silence, and then just as your ears perk up, you’re hit with this dark, rich sound that is carried out through the remainder of the song. Chloe’s voice is so powerful and unique, and you can feel every emotion she has through the speaker. Her tone, range, and intensity is evocative to artist Chelsea Cutler. This song will be playing as you scream in the shower; this song will be the one you stay in the car to finish even though you got home 3 minutes ago; this song will make you not feel alone when you crave someone and pray for their return. Chloe understands the complex mind of a woman, and it is riveting and requisite to have her say what every heartbroken woman is feeling. Chloe Copoloff is a singer/songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. She is 24 years old, but when you listen to her music, you can tell she has an old-soul with a lot of life experiences. She believes that speaking her truth and sharing her stories is crucial because you never know who can relate and how many people you can help. She wants her success to come from her courage and honesty with the world. She has been writing songs for as long as she can remember. She used to write lyrics in her diary, and taught herself how to play guitar at the ripe age of 12, and now we are lucky she chooses to share her gifts with the world. She has overcome true struggles in her past, but no matter what changes in life, music is her one constant that has gotten her through it all. She took every opportunity as a kid to be on stage and perform, and now she has turned her dream into her reality. Her music contains important messages, relatable thoughts, and cautionary tales of romance, breakups, and this little thing called life. Chloe is just getting started, and with her open heart, deep soul, and raw talent, there is no stopping her. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW CHLOE COPOLOFF:

Ravenous lunacy, malicious intent, psychopathic tendencies, that’s what one usually thinks of when hearing the word “maniac”. But in Shawn Desman’s song, “Maniac,” the word takes on a more endearing and positive connotation. In fact, it goes as far as being considered an attractive quality. With the lyrics in the first verse stating, “She’s so venomous//Wraps around you takes just what she needs//And then she leaves” and lyrics from the second verse, “You’ve never met a girl like her before//And you want more” the song implies that he’s completely entranced by her personality. Quite possibly to the point that it’s blinding. In my opinion, with the hypnotic instrumentation and memorable lyrics, the song itself may be even more enchanting than the girl. What goes around, comes around, especially musical trends. There’s no doubt this song was inspired from different musical eras with its 70’s groovy trumpets, the 80’s striking electric guitar and nostalgic beats, as well as the smooth lo-fi R&B rhythms of the 90’s. These references pay ode to some of music’s best production qualities—making the song extremely catchy. Shawn Desman’s voice is just as charming as the music he’s singing to, creating an addictive dynamic and forcing you to have no choice but to dance. Shawn Fernandes, better known as his stage name, Shawn Desman, is a signed Canadian pop artist and songwriter at Universal Music Canada. His career endeavors also include acting, dancing and humanitarian work. Shawn Desman has been successful within the artist realm since 2002, as his self-titled album featured three top ten singles on the Canadian charts: “Shook”, “Get Ready” and “Spread My Wings”. He has also garnered 2 gold singles, 1 platinum single and Video of the Year which was received at the Much Music Video Awards to his name. After seven years, Shawn Desman has picked up from where he left off, releasing his newest hit single “Maniac,” proving that it’s never too late to get back into the game. Written By Amanda Palacios FOLLOW SHAWN DESMAN:

Congratulations on your new single “Imma Head Out”!!! What inspired you to write this iconic “loner girl anthem”? Rilëë: :Thank you!I think everyone's had that moment where they ready to go but don't want to explain why. This song was me being fed up with men always thinking I owed them my time for buying me a drink or even saying I'm pretty. Like I know that already and you can't hold me hostage at the club for it. My biggest pet peeve is unsolicited compliments. Don't come up to me unless Im eye fucking you, seriously. Otherwise my mood will just be bitchy and well u know the rest….Imma head out! When did your love for music begin? Rilëë: It really started when I was about 8, I always would sing Brandy, Britney, and Beyonce well Destiny's Child. They were such icons and all I wanted to do was be just like them. If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why? Could be a specific venue or just a place you want to visit! Rilëë: I've always wanted to perform in London! They have the best culture and nightlife. I love their fashion and all around quality of life. Mostly because their accents are the sexiest thing, but performing there would just take my energy UPPPP. All the Halloween costumes you’ve been posting on your IG are AMAZING!! What is your most favorite costume you’ve ever done? Rilëë: My favorite costume by far has go be Goldilocks. The costume lit up and everything :). I like cutesy sexy costumes that I can really pull myself into character. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would you pick and why? Rilëë: Donna Summers, she was the definition of an unapologetic black pop star. Just to have 5 minutes with her would change the way I make music. Any upcoming projects you can talk about?! After this new release, I’m sure I’m not the only one excited to hear more! Rilëë: Yes! My third single will be dropping next month! Lets just say it's for my high maintenance. Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW RILËË:

“k-town” is a dreamy dance track tinged with nostalgia and suppressed trauma. The thoughtful lyrics about suppressed memories and the overwhelming yearning for enlightenment add to Faerie’s distinction charm and personality pushing her sound to feel familiar yet still exciting. Faerie’s determination to dive into fantasy, beauty and chaos with stories that delve into hidden thoughts and feelings produces the conundrum of being both exaggerated yet also vulnerable. The hypnotic soundscape of “k-town” showcases her clever pop sensibilities combined with a little bit of retro and disco. Faerie, who makes music as a way of healing, shows how her clever narratives and storytelling creates a relatable path of scene and emotion that allow her listeners to connect with it. With her indie-pop wonderland of dreamy synths, groovy bass, and story-filled lyrics, Faerie proves her carefully crafted charm is a whole aesthetic. Faerie, or Christine Lam, is a fluttering indie-pop manifestation of daydreams and fantasies. Based in New York, Lam taught herself to play guitar, piano, and voice to express all those floating melodies in her mind. Inspired by artists like Harry Styles and AURORA, she’s determined to combine pop, jazz, and folk to bring her visions to life. Excited to submerge herself in the fantastical chaos of Faerie, “k-town” is only a taste of the creativity that’s bursting from her seams. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW FAERIE:

Gianna Mae’s “Forgot You Yesterday” is a striking piece about betrayal and manipulation in a toxic relationship. The impenitent tone can be heard from start to finish, creating for the ultimate break-up song. “Forgot You Yesterday” is showered in wordplay and literary expressions that best convey the anger, disappointment, and defiance found throughout the song. Gianna Mae has the potential to dominate the pop genre with not only her vocals, but her songwriting skills, as well. Mark our words, everyone will be talking about this young, talented singer in the near future. Mae’s voice is heavenly and ethereal. The beginning of the song could nearly be mistaken for a choir sung sweetly in an empty cathedral. Gianna Mae’s soprano vocal-range is similar to that of Ariana Grande or singer Soo-Hyang; which alone is impressive. Merely 30 seconds into the song, listeners are completely swept by a swift change in melody, and in the overall tone of the piece. From elegant to menacing, “Forgot You Yesterday” demands attention and passionately tells a story about losing trust in someone; turning your back on them completely, with absolutely no room for remorse or reconciliation. Singer Gianna Mae does a phenomenal job expressing what many of us think deep down inside. The bold exuberance found in “Forgot You Yesterday” is enough to send chills down your vertebrae. A clear example of this would be from the lines: And in a perfect world / My guard will be down and I wouldn't think twice / No one would stab me in the back and claim /I walked into their knife. Gianna Mae is an up-and-coming independent artist from Illinois. With an expressive, experimental, yet bubbly personality, this rising star was meant for the spotlight! Not only is Mae passionate in singing, but songwriting, as well. The singer has an interest in writing about her emotions and other relatable issues most teenagers go through. Gianna Mae is an artist for the new and current generation as she beautifully shares her stories with others alike. Best of luck to this talented artist! Follow her social medias below. Written By: Kasey D. FOLLOW GIANNA:

Picture yourself on a beach. You lay down towels and sneak a swig from the unmarked sunscreen bottle that has something stronger than SPF. Some guy is a couple feet away, sitting in the sand, leering into the water, strumming a guitar while singing some gut wrenching lyrics about the one that got away. That right there is the feeling that encapsulates you in the first few seconds of BOKN’S “WON’T BE LONG”. The sun sets over paradise, but you’re not quite ready to leave. You want the cool breeze bouncing off the ocean to graze your cheeks; you want the sand to turn cold as ice as you wrap yourself in a blanket; your mind can’t help but travel back in time to when you were here with your person; you’d give anything to have them back in your arms, and you realize, there is nothing stopping you from going and getting them back. It’s now or never, and you know it won’t be long now until the world turns upside down, colors seem brighter, songs sound better, and love is yours again. The song starts with a somber RNB tune that matches the heartbroken lyrics, as BOKN gets more hopeful for a reunion, the tune gradually changes to electro-pop, as if your heart is beating faster along with the hope that reconciliation is not only plausible, but inevitable. As the saying as old as time goes, you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone. This is the overwhelming message of the song. It’s that little voice you can’t get out of your head saying you could’ve tried harder; you could’ve done better; you shouldn’t have let them walk away so easy. Those words will haunt you if you let them, but BOKN turns that soul-stirring into action. If you want to try harder, try again. If you wish you did better, do better. If you shouldn’t have let them walk away, go search til the ends of the earth until you find them. You can certifiably feel the power in this song through the soulful melodies and escalating backing track. You are on a journey from the moment it begins, til much after it ends when you’re in your car hours later wondering if he got her back, and contemplating your own shortcomings in past relationships. This song innately gives you that ‘I won’t give up’ attitude that’s hard to come by. I will fight for myself, for what I want, and for what has always been meant to be mine. When BOKN says, “I hear you somewhere singing the same song,” you instantly know she’s been searching for him too. Too often in life, we are afraid to say what we really mean, or go after what we really want, due to fear of rejection, but you never know if you don’t try, and you could be rewarded with the highest level of everything you’ve ever dreamed of. It could all be your reality, you just have to jump, let yourself free fall, and hopefully someone’s there to catch you. BOKN is comprised of two former classmates, Anthony “Breakaway” White and Jodi Ray Tolomieri. They are a Pop/Hip-Hop duo who both have their own unique talents that make their collaboration so effective and their works so addicting. Anthony is a producer/ songwriter, and Jodi is a singer/songwriter. Their name, BOKN, pays tribute to the great Hoboken, New Jersey, a special place for the duo where all of their songs are written and recorded. BOKN started to rise to stardom after “WON’T BE LONG” was featured in the global phenomenon that is NBA 2K21. The duo was greatly influenced by pop legend Michael Jackson and notorious punk group Blink-182. You can feel the inspiration transcend through their captivating songs. Their melodies are sure to get stuck in your head, and they have the type of music you’d be remiss if you didn’t put on repeat. This duo has much in store for the future, and we are lucky bystanders to get to be a part of their journey, and watch them soar. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW BOKN:

Everyone has a breaking point. Including those who seem to love too much to give up on a person. But when that person constantly repeats their narcissistic cycle of making you feel inadequate, it’s only a matter of time before the protagonist has to break it off. Nikki Wishart, the protagonist in this story, poetically chimes about realizing her self-worth in her indie-pop anthem, “Spell it out to u”. Saturated in sass and engulfed with burn lines that insinuate the guy has childlike characteristics, Nikki Wishart perfectly exemplifies what it could sometimes take to get the message across. In this case, it took spelling out everything he did wrong: “Nothing’s even getting through//I’m so over being used//So let me spell it out to u”. Throughout the song, we can see her confidence build, especially when she flipped her mindset from “I thought I did it right,” to, “You thought you did it right”. Her valiant lyrics should be a testament to everyone, everywhere, that you have the power and right to leave someone who makes you feel unworthy. While listening to the song, there was one word that was gilded in bold letters at the front of my brain. Allow me to spell it out to you: E M P O W E R M E N T. From the beginning, the production itself holds an empowering sound, through its melodious guitar and buoyant drumbeats, giving the listener a reason to want to stay. The constant buildup of the instruments helps to create a coming of age tone, allowing the listener to feel as though they are the main character in the song’s story; making it an immersive experience. Just like the indie-pop/punk-rock band, Paramore, this track aspires to embolden the song’s angsty lyrics, proving that the storytelling doesn’t only lie within the words. Nikki Wishart’s proclivity for compelling and thoughtful storytelling allows her to delve into her deepest and darkest feelings to paint picturesque stories in her music. From antagonized heartbreak, to mystified love, Nikki is a certified poet who can easily put what one’s feeling into words. At a young age, she knew that music would be something she would do at some point in her life. Based off her collection of promising singles, there’s no doubt this has always been her calling. Based in sunny Melbourne, Australia, Nikki Wishart continues to write and record her songs, with near-future plans to play a few gigs in 2023. Written By Amanda Palacios FOLLOW NIKKI WISHART: