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Written to reminisce about the late summer, Madddie Ettruch’s new song “Hold Me Like a High '' brings together melodies about love. Specifically an out of blue type of life that makes one take a step back and reminisce about how lucky life can be sometimes. Listen to "Hold Me Like a High" Here Beginning with an upbeat pop background, the song starts with an upbeat sound that is very reminiscent of a disco type song at first. As the lyrics start however this is released by a strong beat and rhythmic lyrics that bring the song together. For the melody the rhythm changes some, with a different rhythm making it seem to be higher tempo. This serves as a build up for a small drop after the chorus that is highly reminiscent of edm music. This repeats again after the next chorus, bringing in an upbeat and happy feeling to the song. This song in its entirety brings together a happy feeling that makes the listeners want to be dance. Maddie's second single “Hold Me Like a High '' is proof of her solidifying her space within the music industry as a new and upcoming artist. Based out of Nashville, TN but being born in Canada, this indie-pop singer and songwriter released her first song in July this year. “Hold Me Like a High'' is the second song in a series that is to be released named ``Before the Party Gets Crashed''. If “Hold Me like a High” is any indicator this series is sure to be a hit. Written By Gillian Mena FOLLOW MADDIE:

Like something out of an Indie dreamland, "not my fault" by duo saturn 17 describes the whirlwind mixture of emotions that comes with having feelings for someone who's in a relationship. While the artist states that they won't "wreck love," lyrics like "You whisper close that you know it's not my fault" allude to shared feelings between the two, fueling a never-ending cycle of hope for this person to confess mutual adoration, and disappointment from the realization that things may never change. The unfixed shift in tempo and spirit of the song perfectly compliment the poignant ebb and flow that the lyrics represent. Proceeding a distinct drum line intro, the self-written and produced single "not my fault" begins with vocal focused heart-bearing lyrics focusing on the confusion faced by the artist. Instrumentals slowly creep into the verse, increasing intensity both in sound and lyrically, as the song builds towards its melancholic-yet-hopeful chorus, where the distinct moody vibe of the intro continues in an upbeat fashion. The outro concludes the emotional single with an echo of the title lyrics accompanied by a singular, wistful guitar. Staying true to saturn 17's indie roots, "not my fault" provides honest and relatable storytelling against an emotion-provoking melody. California natives Nika Fazeli and Halsey Bousquet began writing music together in 7th grade before calling themselves 'saturn 17' when both artists were 17 years old. Though their first attempts weren't what they hoped for, the duo continued to work on finding their sound for years before eventually finding their unique artistic style. They released their first EP "could this be love?" in 2019 which included the titular single, as well as singles "jazz club" and now "not my fault" in 2022. Though young in age, saturn 17 pulls inspiration from real-life experiences, wins and losses included, to produce compelling anthems. By working together as a singer/songwriter duo, the artists have been able to create a dreamlike indie/bedroom pop identity that showcases their individual and combined talents. Written By Zewdi Cass FOLLOW saturn 17:

“Control” is an easy-going and soulful song about feeling in control of your feelings and emotions. Sometimes, you might try to look or feel put-together, but everything just constantly feels like everything is just breaking all around you. It’s hard to put on a mask and feel like you yourself, are in control rather than your emotions are mindlessly driving you. Maybe it’s after a breakup, or you failed a test, or your life just doesn’t feel like it’s going right at all. But sometimes, it’s hard to be under control, and Elizabeth reminds us to slow down and take a rest, take all the time we need for ourselves. Emma Elizabeth’s beautiful and iridescent voice lights up the song, pairing perfectly with the vibe and toned-down quality of the track. Though it’s clear that her voice has experience and volume, she aims for a more wispy feel to fit the overall track atmosphere. While her song is upbeat, perfect for a lazy afternoon, it’s also something for you to contemplate, a little bit more depth than usually bright and happy songs. Emma Elizabeth is a British singer-songwriter who’s determined to give her audience something to take away from the songs she sings. Though maybe her songs will leave you feeling vulnerable, that's ok, because there’s silent reassurance, from her, from her fans, from the people around you, that all is not lost. In despair, there is hope, and Elizabeth reminds us to always keep that in mind, especially when dealing with the lonely or uncertain topics her songs tackle. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW EMMA:

Life is unexpected; one minute you’re in control and then BOOM, you need help. In these moments, it’s everyone's hope there would be someone to call, someone to count on, someone to be “by your side”. Lissy Taylor wrote the song, “healer” as a tribute to these astounding human beings who always show unconditional love. This ineffable song represents power and vulnerability which is perfectly conveyed through the raw emotion of Taylor's piercing and distinct, rockstar vocals. Taylor surrenders herself and takes us on a magical journey that's sure to make you think about the bigger picture in life. UK singer Lissy Taylor tells a compelling story of the people you can trust in the world. The track starts out with lyrics, “you know I'll do anything, leave it all behind, I’ll drop everything if you needed me anytime” Most songs nowadays tell a story about romantic love, but this song dives into the profound concept of unconditional love; the type of intimacy that only comes from a select few. The track itself starts with a rigid guitar and drum, symbolizing strength through hardships, and crescendos into a celebration of those who help in times of need. Her high vibrato reminds me a lot of bohemian, soul singer Tash Sultana which works perfectly with the instrumental. Her melodic style and feracious energy make this track one to remember. Originally from the UK, Lissy Taylor moved to the United States to hone her songwriting skills. She moved back to the UK in 2017 where she studied in Manchester. 2020 was an eventful year for Taylor as she graduated from the British and Irish Modern Music Institute with a degree in Songwriting in released her debut EP, “Wildflowers”. Taylor completed her first UK headline tour soon after along with the release of her second EP, “Undercurrent” in 2021. “Healer” is one of four singles planned to release this year. Written By: Mia Mangione FOLLOW LISSY TAYLOR:

You may know that they aren't for you or even good for you at all. That doesn't always mean your body feels the same way about that one person who makes you feel alive. That tingling sensation that moves up your spine and makes you swallow as your pupils dilate tends not to fall subject to the rules of logic and often throws a wrench in the gears of social expectations. "Serotonin", the fresh new single from Fior , details the complex hold that chemicals have on us and our emotions at the most fundamental levels of our core. Have a listen to "Serotonin" here! We are greeted at the track's opening with the infectious melody that underpins the vibrant structure before the combination of understated percussion, muted bass, and easy-going guitar enters to provide a welcome depth. "Serotonin" steadily crescendos alongside lush, layered vocals that detail the intimate intricacies of separating logic from chemicals when it comes to how that person makes you feel. The volatility of modern love is reflected in the song's emotional peaks and troughs that range from instilling, energetic choruses to melancholic yet reassuring, low hums in the verses. Sourcing inspiration indiscriminately from a range of artists (from Stevie Nicks to Michael Jackson ), multi-talented Fior produces enchanting pop melodies rife with influence from R&B, rock, and soul music. With a sound that has been described as modern and atmospheric, Fior employs trap adjacent production alongside more classic elements seamlessly, providing a textured depth to her soundscapes. Based in Los Angeles, Zoe Fioravanti started her musical journey in the depths of the pandemic, wasting no time making waves in the industry with tracks produced by the likes of Scott Storch. Fioravanti extends her talents to the spheres of modeling and has graced covers of Playboy Australia and Marie Claire. Follow her journey using the links below and keep an eye out for her upcoming self-titled album. Written By George McSherry FOLLOW FIOR:

Think about a time in your life where you felt like the world was open just for you. That something huge was going to happen, and that it was going to be epic. Sometimes these feelings come once in a lifetime, so acting on them needs to happen as sudden as you get them. It's this feeling that drives the phenomenal new track from indie artist Paul Vinson. The track is vivid in its lyrics, depicting an epic love story for the ages. The track features a unique indie, almost country like groove. The track starts with a pick slide, but it’s autotuned and cuts off kind of like turning off a VHS tape. The instrumentation features guitars, and drums at the forefront. The guitars have almost a country twang, and they help push Vinson's vocals to the front. Vinson's voice has a nice level of grit, that you can even hear when he goes into his falsetto. There is even a guitar solo around the three minute mark of the track, creating an all around epic atmosphere. All of the sonics together help make the listener get lost in the song, which happened to me as I listened to the track. The lyrics are vivid, and tell a love story of greater proportions. They seem to allude to the idea that the person Vinson is in love with is in another relationship, "We kissed in front of strangers, on the cheek, but never too hard." But the two have no care for what others say, they know they're made for better things, "So let's give 'em a show, give em a run for their money // Let's give them a night that they won't forget." In which the final line brings to life a dramatic ending to their 'final show,' "Carry me home, tonight." Paul Vinson is an indie artist based in Nashville, Tennessee. "Final Show," is the third single from Vinson's upcoming debut album slated for fall release entitled Tunnel Vision. It is preceded by two other phenomenal singles, "Keep Up" and "Drama Queen." Vinson released his debut EP in 2021 entitled "God Get Me Out of Here." Vinson's music creates a trance inducing atmosphere unlike anything you've heard. Vinson is sure set for stardom, and deserves to be in your immediate rotation. Written By Kyle Stiver FOLLOW PAUL VINSON:

More in Luv is still very early in their career, but they seem to have already perfectly discovered their niche. The band from Liverpool has hit on a sound that feels both recent and retro, reminiscent of the pop rock scene of the late 2000s and early 2010s. Their music feels familiar, but refreshing, teeming with nostalgic melodies and catchy lyrics. The group’s latest release “23” epitomizes their sound. The mid-level tempo rides the line between upbeat and laid-back, perfectly suiting the approachable, danceable energy of the track. The chugging bass and guitar have an infectious liveliness that can get anybody dancing. The melody is an earworm, paired with screamable lyrics that almost force you to sing along. Click here to listen to 23! “23” begins with a captivating guitar riff, immediately grabbing focus before unfolding into the first verse. The song is heavily influenced by rock, with a standard instrumentation including drums, bass, and guitar, and the addition of a floating synth pattern that rounds out the high frequencies of the lineup. When the song crashes into the chorus, with a long buildup that drags the listener along, there is a palpable release of tension. The chorus is a wistful tribute to an unrequited love, someone you always thought could end up with. The song’s emotional theme contrasts against its upbeat feel, almost celebratorily sending us into a new stage of our lives. Letting go of someone we can’t have, and moving on for the better. More in Luv began releasing music during the UKs covid lockdowns, and in the past two years have been consistently building their resume, making up for time lost during the pandemic. In addition to the release of five singles and their debut EP “Local Celebrities,” the quartet have spent the past two yeas playing shows and festivals across England. Written By Liam Dun FOLLOW MORE IN LUV:

Q: ‘Sparks’ is so upbeat and fun! What inspired you to write the song? Saige: I’d been listening to Olivia Rodrigo’s album Sour, which covers her feelings on teenage heartbreak. It kind of dragged me back to how that felt and how high emotions were - for me it really felt like my world was ending. Inspired, I wrote Sparks about my own experience. He had essentially said I had rose-tinted glasses on about love, and I said to him I’d rather love love than become cynical. Sparks depicts those final conversations and moments and how I try to keep loving love. Q: What does the songwriting process look like for you? Saige: It's a bit strange, I will admit! I write the lyrics first, and build the music around the story. I know typically it's the other way around. I could go weeks without writing, and then I'll randomly get a burst of lyric ideas - I wrote this song on my phone, on a walk home from work, and recorded a rough demo as soon as I got in the door. I'll put a basic melody together, and send it to the band and we'll flesh it out from there, and add production elements once we've recorded. I like to keep live instrumentation where I can, crossed with synth soundscapes. Q: How has living in Ireland influenced your music? Saige: I'm from the countryside (Co. Wexford), so I probably had a bit more time with my thoughts and to get creative to keep myself entertained. I spent a lot of time listening to 80s synthpop/rock, and began writing from a young age, so I'd say this was a factor. I studied in BIMM Dublin and this definitely helped me hone my craft. Q: Who would you say has inspired you the most? Saige: Any independent artist here in Ireland trying to break into the industry. It's tough, and seeing them succeed really does keep me going. Seeing others continuing to push themselves and believe in their music has been an inspiration for me to do the same. Q: Which song that you have written is your favorite? You can only pick one! Saige: Probably Soothe Me. It's the first song I released, so it will always have a soft spot. It was influenced by Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill", and it was nice to see it get a 2nd lease of life recently when people realized the link. Q: What should we expect next from you in terms of your music career? Saige: More music, more shows. I have a headline show in The Workman's Cellar in Dublin on November 25th, tickets available now on Ticketmaster. I'll have more music out soon, and I've an EP coming early next year. It's exciting - I've been busy! Interviewed By Kendall Koval FOLLOW SAIGE:

Joey Sandak’s latest release “Drugs in the Kitchen” makes a strong case for the most unique song I’ve had the opportunity to review. It transcends genre, a melting pot of influences so eclectic it's hard to label definitively. The song has a driving rhythm section, punctuated by a thumping bass and punchy breakbeat. The rhythm guitar is reduced to a very low-key scratchy riff, run through a thick wah-wah pedal. This prioritization of rhythm over melody is reminiscent of funk, however the use of pads, vocal harmonies, and synth leads all distinctly point towards pop music. Along with this, Sandak’s vocal delivery is fast paced, rhythmic, and doesn’t cover a wide range of pitch. This feels inspired by the contemporary r&b scene, combining hip hop deliveries with soulful vocals. Despite pulling from so many different corners of the music world, Sandak’s wide range of inspirations prove to be this song’s greatest strength. It has a new, refreshing sound that pushes the boundaries of pop music. “Drugs in the Kitchen” starts from ambient sounds of a party with a light guitar riff, until a voice emerges from the crowd, kicking the song off with a four beat count in. The first verse is heavily reliant on the drums, providing a steady, spacious backbone within which the chords and bass can fill in. The pre-chorus sees the entry of the wah-wah guitar, giving an otherwise repetitive riff an element of change as the shifting envelope opens and closes the guitar's tone. The chorus, by far my favorite section of the song, features a massive drop off. The first beat is completely silent from the band, only to reenter on beat two, a perfect delay of gratification after the build of the pre-chorus. The chorus itself doesn't feel like much of a release of tension. It's actually the most sparse section of the song, containing only drums, bass and vocals. But what makes this work is the fact that these are the core elements of the song. By whittling the track down to its skeleton, Sandak makes the eventual re-emergence of the rest of the band that much more satisfying. The guitar, pads, and synths all feel like icing on the cake once we come to realize the song would be as infectious with just the bare essentials. Joey Sandak comes by her music eclecticism honestly. With a love of music at an early age, Joey moved from genre to genre, picking up influences and inspirations from musical theater, rock, jazz, and hip hop. She has channeled this free expression into her releases, refusing to sacrifice her artistic vision in order to fit into a box. Though “Drugs in the Kitchen” is perhaps her most avant garde piece, it is definitely not her first time straying away from pop standards. Her debut single, 2020’s “Chanel & Smoke,” is heavily influenced by jazz, featuring an upright bass and piano riffs over 90s boom bap drums. With notes of Esperanza Spalding or Robert Glasper, “Chanel and Smoke” fits firmly into the new age jazz scene, another interesting niche not often hit by artists still trying to make a name for themselves. Just like “Drugs in the Kitchen,” Sandak’s wide base of influences is her greatest strength. She has all the tools from a wide variety of genres through which she can continue to create freely, and is by far one of the most exciting young artists on the rise today. Written By Liam Dun FOLLOW JOEY SANDAK:

With the common saying "Boys Will Be Boys" taking its place as the title, Maryon King says stop excusing boys for their actions, puts womanizing men into the track's spotlight, and gives them the middle finger. She calls out all of the womanizers and ignites the feminist spirit with this catchy song, both powerful in melody and meaning. The song builds and gives us insight into the toxic part of modern situationships. With "Boys Will Be Boys" we can confidently say it's 2022; we hold boys responsible for their actions, and Maryon King does just that with an empowering track. "Boys Will Be Boys" is a playful and empowering pop track, establishing itself with Maryon King's soulful vocals and irresistible dance melody. The song talks about certain boys taking advantage of girls, telling them they want more than just something physical and then finding out that it was all a lie. King is overcoming the pain of going through these types of relationships, growing more confident and saying, "it's not my fault". They "turn you to toys and play with your emotions" and she writes this song to say, hey, it's never going to be different with them; they'll never change. "Boys Will Be Boys" is the first single from her upcoming debut EP, "Back to Strangers" which aims to give us a collection of King's life, rising from a time of heartbreak with a new confident aura. Maryon King is determined and powerful. Her musical journey is unique; switching from pursuing a traditional career path of studying languages to studying music; she has always worked hard to make her way into the music scene. She's been in love with music since she was young, and now as she immerses herself in the field, she only grows more powerful and iconic. She has heartfelt lyricism, captivating melodies, and a voice like no other-- no wonder she's garnering fans like bees to honey. Her skill and natural musical talent are truly an act to watch. Written by Jane Katryn FOLLOW MARYON KING:

There's a tension that resides between two people who have an unspoken connection. When this connection delves into the range of obsession-- it gets fiery, intense, burning brighter than a wildfire. With the situation, we can see how two people can crave each other, looking at each other from across the room with a heat that can't be matched. So, in a song that talks about this type of interest, Isabel LaRosa brings us a dark club-influenced piece that drives us deeper into the romanticized feeling of young infatuation. Isabel LaRosa's newest track, "HEARTBEAT" is sure to spark a desire in your mind and pull you deeper into the feeling. With a dark beat and growing intensity, Isabel LaRosa pushes the idea of young obsession through this newest track, "HEARTBEAT". She talks about how when two people connect, their pulses race, and emotions are high. LaRosa sings, "We don't talk about it, but we know that you're mine", wonderfully describing the passion between two people and the song. Her voice only stands to amplify the song--breathy and sultry, invigorating with the addition of the pulsing beat. Indeed, a song that makes us feel the hot and heady heartbeat between the two lovers--one that can't be overlooked. The song is fascinating and a good representation of LaRosa's unique electric and alt-pop sound. Isabel LaRosa is made of music--stemming from her jazz musician father and guitar-playing brother. Because of them and her music-loving mother, she's always been surrounded by music of all types. When she was younger, she formed a duo with her sibling called "LaRosa" before they started to release their music as individuals during quarantine. Born in Annapolis, MD, LaRosa still writes her music with her brother--going viral on TikTok with their song "Haunted". The singer has since then released more songs, her newest being "HEARTBEAT" which is growing fast in streams on both Spotify and YouTube. Written by Jane Katryn FOLLOW ISABEL LAROSA:

“Ghost”- a new hit single from Cry Pretty- has listeners hooked to her new fresh pop-punk sound. Immediately taking listeners through her experiences and troubles in the past, she becomes up close and personal. “Am I a ghost, or is that you?”– breaking hearts and allowing listeners to empathize with her as she takes them through this rollercoaster of emotions. The song takes listeners through the journey of a past relationship- one that might’ve never been truly there. There’s frustration, both at herself and her partner. There’s anger, sorrow, and most importantly, there is that feeling that everyone that’s been ghosted can relate to; loss. Through the lyricism, it really emphasizes the memories that are left behind when someone leaves suddenly, and Cry Pretty plays into that beautifully. With her lyrics and production, it all ties together to create this seamless pop song with some rock inspiration tied in. It’s the perfect song for listeners feeling the whole mix of emotions. Cry Pretty is a new and upcoming artist from Utah, having just released her first single this past August. She's relatable, witty, and comfortable sharing her emotions with the listeners in such a bright and beautiful way. She shows great talent, her first single being such a hit– and teasing more music on the way! With more to come soon, Cry Pretty has promise to grow into something extraordinary. Written By Alyssa Gallardo FOLLOW CRY PRETTY: