If you need a new song to listen to and vibe with during the month of August, "August Skies (feat. Holly Brooke) by Fearn should definitely be added to your next shuffle. Accompanying the beautiful and petite lyrics and melodic passages were these amazing synths, electronic music and cinematic sounds that captivated the listener. If you were to close your eyes it truly feels like you are laying down on a hill staring at the beautiful 'August Skies!' "August Skies (feat. Holly Brooke) by Fearn, truly makes the listener picture the song in their mind. On top of the beautifully written lyrics, throughout the song it has these cinematic synths, electronic music and a few bird chirps that help create this movie-like-scene in the audience's mind, where they are watching the protagonist lay down on a hill staring at the 'August Skies,' specifically the sun, painting the sky with its golden stripes mixed with violet, pink and red. Fearn, also known as Will Taylor, is a Surrey, UK, based producer. His name 'Fearn,' is taken from the Gaelic word meaning: 'Alder tree,' and was chosen because of the association of this tree with its strength, compassion, and generosity. For his new song, "August Skies," he collaborated with a singer and songwriter from Cumbria, Holly Brooke. Exploring nature and the great outdoors is a huge part of their writing-process and if you are interested to hear more of their music and follow their journey be sure to follow both of their socials down below! Written By Troy Sica FOLLOW FEARN: FOLLOW HOLLY BROOKE:

Q: This song is so upbeat and fun! What is the meaning behind it? Faith: This song is about being in a relationship and that partner cheating. This is about the realization of this and saying I'll do better and they'll regret it. Q: What is the songwriting process like for you? Faith: The songwriting process I would usually go for is hearing the track, choosing a topic and writing lyrics. For this track, I had a few lyric and melody ideas saved in my notes for ages and thought it was time to give them a whirl ! I sent them off with a few song inspirations and then wrote the rest of the song to the incredible track that was created. Q: If you had to pick a favorite song, which one would it be? You can only pick one! Faith: I always say I never have a favorite song! And that is true I can't possibly pick just one. But at the moment I am loving Hurricane Ella Henderson, Ofenbach. Q: Who are some of your biggest musical influences? Faith: Some of my biggest musical inspirations currently are artists like Becky Hill, Talia Mar and Chung Ha. These ladies are true inspo for the style of music I love and want to create. Q: What do you like to do when you’re not writing music? Faith: When I'm not writing music, I'm probably sleeping, eating or finding the next k-drama to watch. I have also just gotten back into musical theatre, so you'll probably find me there too! Always finding my way back to a stage. Q: What inspires you to continue creating music? Faith: The fact that people enjoy listening to my music definitely inspires me to keep doing it. I also love how natural it feels and the feeling I get when I step into a studio. Interviewed By Kendall Koval FOLLOW FAITH:

Jet City Sports Club released their newest track titled "Green Thumb." This sunny melody is an excellent Indie Rock piece that combines cheerful guitar notes with warm vocals from Lilla Obradovic. This song is about when someone is moving away from you, almost as if your relationship with them is withering away. This song compares a withering relationship to gardening. Lines such as "I had a green thumb, maybe I should give it up" as well as "sorry that you're wilting why can't you tell me how you're feeling?" make this connection. This song creates a relationship between saving something that's dying, such as a beautiful garden, to saving a dying relationship. It's a really neat take on this topic and is a fresh angle on such an emotional topic. Despite the fact that this piece concerns the topic of a relationship coming to an end, it is a very bright and cheerful song. The strong guitar chords, as well as the prominent drum, beat animate this song. Another strong aspect of this song is Obradovic's voice. Her voice is warm as honey and has such a soothing sound to it. Her vocals mesh beautifully with the instruments of this piece. I also really enjoyed the story behind this piece. I feel like with love songs it's very difficult to write a track that will stand out from the rest, but Jet City Sports Club succeeded in creating a different take. I personally have never heard a song comparing the decay of a wonderful relationship to the withering of a beautiful garden. Then to compare the person salvaging the relationship to a gardener with a green thumb was such a wonderful idea. This song is truly enjoyable to listen to and embodies such lively vibes. Jet City Sports Club is an Indie rock band from the sunny city of Sydney. Their music is inspired by 90s guitar notes as well as Pop and Aussie Indie. This band got their start in the height of the 2020 quarantine and hopped in the studio the first chance they got to write their 5 track EP. In just under two years they have established themselves in the Aussie scene by heralding as Triple J's first 'Lunchtime Legends' of the 2021 Requestival week for their track 'Redfern Station' and with constant playlisting. Now with over 150k listens over multiple platforms Jet City Sports Club is prepared to continue their rise on the Indie music scene. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW JET CITY SPORTS CLUB:

In relationships, it’s important to have an equal balance of power and respect–but that’s not always the case. Madison Deaver’s new single “Denim” calls out the perpetrator in one such situation, brutally revealing his true nature and exposing him to be pathetic instead of powerful. Featuring strong, energetic guitar riffs, a compelling melody and amped-up vocals, the song deliciously demeans the ex-lover in question and places Deaver back on top. “Denim” opens with high energy garage-rock chords, immediately establishing itself as a striking rock anthem as it explicitly details one (ex) lover’s power trip and puts them in their place. In the lines “now he’s wearing me out does he think that I’m denim” and “he must think that he’s holy/tries to patch me up/with money like he owns me,” Deaver implies that he only saw her as an object that could be bought, essentially calling him out as “delicate.” This sentiment is fully vocalized later on in a thrillingly vengeful sequence including lines such as “pants down and he’s so embarrassed,” “baby we’re not in love/and you’re so full of shit,” and finally “you can go suck my dick.” The song is demeaning in the most satisfyingly possible way as Deaver vocalizes many sentiments that are often felt and more rarely stated. It’s cathartic in its controlled takedown of the man who thought he could buy love by the woman who proved he couldn’t. Madison Deaver has been passionately pursuing a career in music since a young age, and is no stranger to the industry. She works directly with producers to create and hone both the lyrics and the overall sound of her songs, resulting in a signature sound reminiscent of Ska, Indie Pop, and 80’s Garage Band. As represented in “Denim,” her lyrics are quirky and tongue-in-cheek as she unabashedly shares what she really thinks, refusing to pull any of her punches. Since the release of “Denim” she’s booked multiple gigs, further establishing herself as a rising voice in the music world that is here to stay. Written By Adelae Norwood FOLLOW MADISON DEAVER:

Congratulations on your new catchy single “Therapy”! Can you share the story behind this track? Love Fae: Why thank you so much 🧚‍♀️ First it was so fun to even name this track this because of how supportive I am for anyone seeking help for your brain. I adore writing storytelling music and with this track it truly captured the essence of what it is to feel euphoria, shame and acceptance all in one. With that being said, I take something that is truly deep like “heartbreak/grief” and make it into a bit more of a light hearted bop. When did your love for music begin? Was it something you always knew you wanted to pursue one day? Love Fae: The story began when my mother and father met at a concert…literally. So the moment I came into the world my whole musical family (Uncle and dad were in a band, brother played the drums, sister played the guitar, and my Grandad wrote and played country music) fed my ears with legends like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Yes, Bon Jovi, Queen, Peter Gabriel..and along the way I personally got really into Motown and 1950’s swing. My parents have always told me I had a good ear and pretty much sang anything I could from a young age. After doing some theatre and vocal lessons, I found myself auditioning for the Voice and X Factor at 18/19 and almost making it on both of the shows. It was really around that time I realized “Hey I just might have a knack for this” and kind of just went from there. Can you take us through what your songwriting process looks like? Love Fae: I use to have notebooks and a tumblr filled with poetry (soooo hipster 😎😝) Some of my first songs began with me taking little pieces of my poems and coming up with random melodies in my head. I didn’t have any fancy equipment or anyone at the time to produce any tracks for me. Now when I finally got in touch with the right people and got creative with my resources, things really started to bloom (I always said I was a flower in a past life hehe 🌼). I find it really fun to collaborate and work with like minded people. I’m not the best at playing instruments, but I have a lot of musical knowledge..and my good ear comes in handy when deciding/coming up with a particular sound for an instrumental part. I was looking through your Instagram and you have such amazing fashion sense!! What person or era of fashion would you say is your biggest inspiration? Love Fae: I adore this question! I’ve always thought outside the box with my taste in fashion ever since I dressed up as Godzilla in my preschool parade. In Highschool I really adapted the 1950’s rockabilly look and wore saddle shoes to school, tied my hair in victory rolls and got bangs. Since then I’ve kept my bangs for over a decade and really just love to sport bright colors and quirky pieces; there is no denying I find inspiration more so from the 60’s and 70’s though. As far as people…Melanie Martinez is someone I really look up to as far as fashion and music..she’s the bee’s knees 🐝 What do you enjoy doing when you’re not making music? Love Fae: Daydreaming ☁️☁️ Haha! I’m a true Pieces though..my brain is always in another place! But really I just enjoy any kind of creative thing..I do hair for a living and call all my clients my “canvases” and have much passion for the industry. Being outside, going to live shows and rollerblading are also some other things I really enjoy doing. What can we expect next from you?! More music or even an album, I hope!! :) Love Fae: Not to be cliche..but lots of singles! I just released another track called “Homewrecker” and plan on releasing about two more in the upcoming months. I’m a late bloomer (spoiler alert 🚨 ) and I have a lot of catching up to do ✨ Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW LOVE FAE:

“Marathon” is a pop gem about what it's like to be an artist in today's world. Slay, along with collaborator Clover Jamez, both entrance the audience with catchy melodies, clever hooks, and rising cloud-like production. Being a passionate artist can have a lot of highs and lows. You love doing what you do but at the same time, sometimes you have trouble knowing if it's worth the effort. Being in the music industry is like running a marathon. If you don't push yourself past your limits, how do you win? In this song, Alex speaks to his fellow artists, telling them not to give up. The race is long and hard, but don't forget the love and ambition that put you into this race in the first place. The song is full of cheerful horns and swinging rhythms. It’s upbeat and lowkey, full of soothing R&B vibes from the almost lo-fi-like guitar chords before transforming to Slay’s measured vocals and Jamez’s groovy verse. The silky smooth vocals pair perfectly with the laid-back guitar and drums, letting Slay and Jamez’s lyrics shine through. You can tell the message of this song is very important to them. The feeling that time just keeps going "on and on and on" but you don't seem to get anywhere is a feeling we've all experienced, but Alex and Clover remind us that we need to appreciate what we've got. Alex Slay is a nostalgically soulful, yet new age indie RnB artist and performer, blending rootsy and classic melodies with fresh, honest songs to match his free-spirited and laid-back deposition. Raised on legends like Stevie Wonder but inspired by modern superstars like Anderson Paak, Alex Slay has slowly introduced the world to his incredible raw talent that’s only enveloped by his precision and dedication to music. Slay has so much more to show, and it’ll be a wild ride watching this young talent take the train all the way up to the top. Clover Jamez (also known as Zee) and Alex Slay are currently based in Nashville. Zee has a diverse variety of influences from Biggie Smalls to Blink 182. He's recently worked on a few TV show's such as Hawaii Five-0 and The Empire. Both of these artists are worth keeping an eye out for! Written By Megan Cao and Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW ALEX: FOLLOW ZEE:

Jaimie Deraz and Bad Boyfriend produced "To The Bone," a song about heartbreak mixed with a fresh EDM beat. Deraz sings about a toxic relationship and how her significant other "broke her to the bone." Even though this song is a cheerful piece with EDM beats, it actually tells a heartbreaking story about a relationship turning completely sour. The other person is extremely toxic and keeps reassuring Deraz that they're going to change, just for them to fall into the same vicious cycle. Deraz sings about even though the other person is ruining her life, she just can't seem to leave. She talks about how she "gets drunk but nothing's helping" and how she knows that "all the words you say mean nothing now." It's the horrible pattern of her wanting to leave, her lover saying that they'll change, and then they continue to stay stuck in this harmful relationship. I really liked the contradiction between the EDM beats and the lyrics of the song. If one were to listen to just the melody, they would think that this song is extremely upbeat and is about a happy thing. Then if listeners were to listen to just the lyrics, they would discover that this song reveals absolute heartbreak over the toxicity of a broken relationship. It really is a cool idea to mix many different themes and emotions into the song, as it keeps the piece diverse and interesting. As for Deraz's vocals, she expresses a lot of emotion through her voice. You can really hear the pain of this experience she is enduring just by listening to her voice. Her voice matches the melody really well, as both of these factors are light and airy. They both have a lot of depth to them, as the song does. Both of these artists created a very catchy tune with this piece and created and EDM piece that sticks out from the others. Jaime Deraz is a singer/songwriter who crafts her lyrics based on real life experience, and raw emotion. She captures each moment through picturesque language and a sorrowful cadence. The Long Island native’s blissful nature paired with her melancholy vocal create a distinct emotional ambivalence, which is snapshotted in her writing. Jaime has released over 150 tracks since she first made her start in the music industry in 2019, amassing over 17 million total streams through her originals and collaborations. Her records have been featured on Spotify editorials such as Dance Rising,New Music Friday Deutschland, New Music Friday Switzerland, as well as a number of other New Music Friday playlists around the world. Additionally, Jaime has been added to editorials such as Dance Brandneu, Night Rider, Dance Paradise, Swiss Made, SLAP! Mint Brasil, and more. Having acted as a caretaker for her mom with a motor neuron disease that was undiagnosable to doctors for five years has granted Jaime with emotional pain which she copes with through her songwriting. Becoming an avid influencer in the music space, she hopes that one day her music will echo around the world, reaching all types of people as an outlet for those who have experienced any form of emotional trauma. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW BAD BOYFRIEND: FOLLOW JAIMIE DERAZ:

You should never have to change anything about yourself in order to receive love and acceptance from another person. You should surround yourself with people who allow you to be nothing less than your authentic self. Lou Emery’s song, “Wish,” is a jazzy and uplifting tune about finding yourself after trying to change for another person. You will definitely feel empowered after you listen to it. I know I did! I liked the instrumentation of the song. I think Emery did a great job of using the music to illustrate her feelings. You can hear rain in the beginning and the first verse sounds calm and mellow. At this point, Emery is singing about all that she went through in her toxic relationship. By the time the chorus comes around, she is freed from that situation and the music picks up considerably. Another aspect of the song that I enjoyed was Emery’s vocals. They were strong and added depth to the music. Some of her vocal runs sounded like those of Ariana Grande. Moreover, the jazzy elements reminded me of Corinne Bailey Rae. Lou Emery is a pop-rock singer-songwriter based out of Los Angeles, California. If you want to hear more of her, I recommend “Instinctual.” It is about a kind of love that’s tempting because you know it’s not good for you. Compared to “Wish,” “Instinctual” has a stronger dance beat. Even so, Emery still hits the ground running with strong vocals. Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW LOU EMERY:

Many times after a down week, many feel the need for a confidence booster through dressing up and going out. An immediate mood lifter, “Pretty Money” perfectly captures this late night out feeling of confidence through an upbeat pop song. Encapsulating the confidence and self security that comes with dressing up and going out "Pretty Money" brings together the idea of a perfect night out. Immediately starting off on a positive note, describing the beginning of a night out, the beat of the song quickly picks up, increasing the energy. The entire song carries a very positive and upbeat energy with it. This same energy, alongside the stop beats and catchy melodies, brings an infectious feeling to the song. While the lyrics describe a girl felling pretty and like a million bucks on a night out, the melodies and background music bring together the feelings of confidence within the song. A combination of vocals and the musicality of the background melodies, CONNR perfectly brings together the energy of a successful night out. Based in Alabama, the pop singer CONNR has always been closely intertwined with music. Since writing songs at the age of 14, she continued to follow this passion to the Berklee College of Music as well as Loyola University New Orleans. Once she interned at Fame Recording Studios however, she began to work on recording her debut ep “Who are you”, with “Pretty Money” as her first single. With this new album, she details the various high and low points of love as well as learning to let go. While this single is just the beginning, her debut ep shows enormous potential. Written By Gillian Mena FOLLOW CONNR:

A pop-house banger for the ages, "Favorite Mistake" is this brilliant work of The Domain, alongside collaborator Lousy. With the revitalization of house music in mainstream music, this timeless track was released at just the opportune time and serves as a tuneful addition to any party playlist. Click here to listen to "Favorite Mistake"! Inspired by 80s house trap, soothing synth-pop, and electrifying electronica, The Domain shapes this tune into his own glitzy yet supple showpiece. Lousy on vocals transforms the tune with her resonant lower register and saccharine higher register, giving the tune its very original ebb and flow. When she sings, "I don't need ya, but as soon as I see ya, you're my favorite mistakes," the instrumentation ascends and becomes this ethereal amalgamation that could attract anyone to the nearest dance floor. With inspiration from Calvin Harris, Diplo, Cheat Codes, and Clean Bandit, The Domain comes onto the scene as a skilled DJ and music producer, utilizing elements of pop, house, dance, and soul combined with vintage production and instrumentation from the 80s. His production can easily be described as "music for the vibes" with infectious hooks, sweeping vocals, and distinct details in his music. His first track "Want Your Love was released in 2021. Written By Fatimah Bouri FOLLOW THE DOMAIN:

Kadillac and Morris recently dropped this fresh summer beat titled "ITS ALL GOOD." This piece gives off the best vibes and has a very cheerful air about it. Every single aspect of this song expresses the concept of going with the flow and letting things happen the way that they should. Kadillac sings about meeting someone new, becoming interested in them, and just going along for the ride to see what happens between the two of you. There isn't any pressure on the outcome of what happens between the two of them, as he's just enjoying their company and spending his time with them. Lines such as "take your time" and "be what you wanna be" communicate those feelings of not wanting to rush anything. This song sounds just like sunshine and immediately boosts listeners' moods. This song wastes no time in working its way up to a powerful beat, as the melody and beat stay consistently cheerful throughout the entire song. The beat is dance-worthy and has that certain sound to it that makes the song super interesting to listen to. An aspect of the song that sticks out the most would have to be how well the melody and Kadillac's vocals work together. Both the melody and his vocals can be heard equally as well as the other and it doesn't sound like either of these factors steals the spotlight from the other. Another part of the song that sounded really cool was the group vocals during the chorus repeating the line "its all good." This addition to the song adds some diversity since it's bringing in some new and fresh voices to the sound. Morris and Kadillac perfectly executed the task of creating a bright, summery piece with this song and it made me very happy to listen to. Neon Dreams spent their first few years pushing boundaries and experimenting with different musical styles, with which they achieved tremendous success. The duo’s debut album, Sweet Dreams till Sunbeams, finds Kadillac and drummer Adrian Morris tweaking their sound to accommodate their newfound musical perspective. While their signature brand of energetic pop hasn’t dwindled, Kadillac’s lyrics have taken center stage across the LP’s eight songs. Featuring the singles “High School Dropout,” an uplifting EDM-pop anthem detailing Kadillac’s struggle through High School, and “About You,” a true song of the summer candidate, the album embarks on a journey to deliver a set that heals, empowers and motivates the listener. “I’m hoping that my personal stories can give our fans the happiness they deserve if they are missing it,” says Kadillac. Written By Meina Darlas FOLLOW NEON DREAMS:

Easy, breezy... honest? I mean yeah the song is beautiful, but the honesty stands out as Alexa Merrill tussles with a faded love that was once pumped with vigor by a heart now atrophied. Despite the somber nature of the story that Alexa tells, "IDLYA" is a versatile track with fresh, bright production that would make it a welcome addition to any upbeat playlist you've got for the beach or car rides with windows down. Alexa's attempt to induce some serious toe-tapping has been successful once again. We are introduced gently to the song with an understated piano that plays as a backdrop to the effortless vocals that float through the 80s-inspired framework rife with airy drum fills. The melancholic lyricism juxtaposed with infectiously upbeat instrumentation, reminiscent of some tracks by The 1975 , subverts the somber nature expected from a breakup track titled I Don't Love You Anymore and instead unapologetically promotes radical self-love. Alexa allows the verses to serve as moments of context as she keeps them soft in register before crescendos into the bubblegum chorus that doesn't lose its texture or flavor. Based out of Los Angeles, California, Alexa Merrill is an independent artist and musician who does literally everything in-house; from the production of her intricate singles to the directing and editing of her own music videos, Lex truly does it all. Her dedication has brought her widespread acclaim. She has opened for a wide variety of acts and has had work featured on MTV, Bravo, and BET. For more of Lex and her fine-tuned sound, follow her using the links below! Written By George McSherry FOLLOW ALEXA: