Q: This song is so fun and upbeat, I love it! Can you tell us what the meaning of the song is? Rilëë: It's a meeting in the mirror for myself, it's about finding yourself through your mistakes and overcoming them. Being honest with myself has always kept me grounded and focused. Being a "Baby Disaster" was doing substances, getting myself into situations, and hating myself for it. You know that voice in your head telling you that you are living wrong, well that was me every day. I decided that I would own up to my mistakes and work through them. Q: The video for this song is amazing! What was it like to film the music video for ‘Baby Disaster’? Rilëë: Thank you! The director Dmitry was soooo fun. He's this rockstar Russian who definitely loves making the most out of any situation. We shot the video during covid quarantine and only were able to have a very small team. Everyone came and did the most and I appreciate all of them for it. We were able to use really cool prisms and jewels to manipulate the shots you see. We had so many problems with the fog to make the "disaster" storm and seeing it on screen makes me so happy because it doesn't reflect. Even the flower dress that Rio (my stylist) pulled for me broke a little at the top revealing my womanhood, and when I tell you she used complete wizard work to bring it back for the shots you see now. Everything about the video shoot was fun and we made it work! Q: What first got you into music? Rilëë: I think I have always loved music ever since I was born to be honest. I was always the really strange over the top kid ya know. The one people liked from a distance, but couldn't fully understand. I wore my eccentric qualities with pride and didn't really care about building friendships because I always wanted to be this GRAND SUPERSTAR. I learned I loved music the most when I realized how living without it broke my heart. It would always just be me and the music, when I felt down, alone, scared, in my darkest hours all I had was Paramore, Britney, and my computer...lol Most of the time singing was the only thing that allowed me to be who I really was and not feel alone. Music is me and I am music. Q: What do you enjoy most about being an artist? Rilëë: Everything, I mean who doesn't love a good concert, a great concept, ART. I love being an artist because I get to express myself the way I really feel inside and no matter how ugly it may feel, I can make it beautiful with my voice, my words, my videos, I mean just everything. Q: Who is your biggest music inspiration? Rilëë: I can't say one, but my biggest inspirations growing up were Hayley Williams and Britney Spears. I mean do I need to explain......From Hayley having one of the best grudge, gritty, and powerful vocals of my generation to Britney Spears an Iconic legend who just hasn't gotten enough flowers to this day for her contribution to pop. Q: What are your future plans for your musical journey? Rilëë: I don't like to all the way plan things out, but I will say I want to create music that resonates well with people that may not be like me. I don't want to drop music for a specific group of people. I am now creating music that I feel is true to me and can help everyone in some kind of way. I want to create fun and unapologetic records that demand dominance. I want to perform for the Vmas and I know that's cliche, but when I get the call....you guys will not be sorry. I am also working on performing at festivals as well, so maybe I'll be at a stage near you soon Interviewed By Kendall Koval FOLLOW RILËË:

In today’s dating culture, it’s become common to have these unlabeled relationships. “thing” is about this in-between stage of not officially dating and dating. These types of situations often become confusing and hard to navigate and most people get stuck in a position they don’t want. Belz’s new single focuses on how sometimes we try to convince ourselves that were ok with being this “thing” even though you have stronger feelings toward the person. This emotionally charged song is a bouncy and relatable tune that is perfect for the going back to school season. Listen to "thing" here: https://open.spotify.com/track/2CV3H9etUI2Z5LZrYMfld7?si=8d239068afd0447c Starting with dreamy and airy vocals, “thing” can easily be mistaken for an Ariana Grande hit. This single has all the right elements that give off the same vibe as the well-known pop singer. Low-key bass lines and catchy snaps keep this track light and fun while also supplying good signs of pop writing. Belz is chill and very much giving “cool girl” vibes from her lax attitude about the situationship she is singing about. My favorite lyrics were, “But let’s not take it to serious/ because if I get hurt it’s gonna sting/ no one ever got hurt by a thing”. These lines perfectly summed up the thought process that goes into relationships. It seems simple, almost as if we think that if they is no label, then we can’t get hurt the same way. I liked the honesty of these lines that Belz was not afraid to share. Belz is a young Boston native who is currently studying at the prestigious NYU. The 19-year-old singer/songwriter has grown up being involved in music from a young age. She says that she has been studying voice, piano, and guitar since she was 10, and ever since she picked it up, she’s been playing live shows around New England. The new starlet hopes to share music that is relatable and makes people happy. Follow along with Belz as she grows further in the music industry! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW BELZ:

"No but Kinda" gave me the impression of the artist's take on what it feels like to be sad and lost in life. He sings about "dim days" and "forgetting how to swim" as he is trying to better his mindset. There is a part of the song when he mentions that "he's made the change" but then quickly questions: "is it meant to last?". Just because he's good again, does it necessarily mean that this period of light will not eventually fall into the comfortable darkness that he has grown so familiar with? It can be seen as cynical to go into a good era with the mindset of "this may end," but it's true. All good things end, and I really appreciated hearing his honest perspective about how feelings go through such extreme highs and lows, with no warning whatsoever. The main aspect to take note of when listening to this piece is the vocal range that Kahone is capable of. His vocals tend to stay on the lighter side of the vocal spectrum, but his voice possesses a great deal of strength. Keeping a lighter tone for most of the song and revealing his more powerful vocals in the chorus gives the song a good amount of vocal diversity. He knows how to keep his listeners captivated throughout the song. As for the melody, it matches Kahone's vocals very well and is as powerful as the concept of the piece. The concept concerns a bit of a darker topic, and deserves to be paired with a song that will do it justice. Kahone did just that and created this beautiful piece that perfectly portrays how he truly feels about the matter. Kahone Concept is a Pittsburgh-based pop artist/producer and a project started by Ben Orrvick, who taught himself how to play a variety of instruments throughout his childhood, but as he’d struggled to find people to start a band with, he took matters into his own hands. He began recording and producing tracks independently in high school and decided to legally change his name to Ben Kahone. Kahone's newest song "No but Kinda" continues the new era for the pop artist. I also suggest checking out our review of his song 'Amicably' which is another incredible song he released this year. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW KAHONE CONCEPT:

There's a liberating feeling that comes with being independent. While it's scary at first, the sense of having absolutely no inconveniences or not having to adapt plans to anyone other than yourself is freeing. The only person we ever have to keep happy is ourselves. ÊMIA releases her new single, "bubbly" to talk about being our own best friend, enjoying our own company, and doing things that we want to do. With this bubbly, classic pop track, we're brought into this scene of us being at the beach with the wind in our hair and happiness surrounding us as we learn how to be free by ourselves. The song "bubbly" is the epitome of the title. "bubbly" is self-love, self-confidence, and self-empowerment wrapped up in a delightful-sounding package. The song starts with ÊMIA talking to someone, a simple conversation, and delightfully bubbly laughter, which invites us in. A fizzy upbeat vibe imbues itself through the melody and lyrics, pairing refreshingly with ÊMIA's uniquely pretty vocals. But in addition to being happy and joyful, it's empowering. It tells us that we should know that we're the best person in our lives and be independent enough to know that we're the only person that we really need. We are the person our happiness should depend on, and ÊMIA works that well by singing, "What exactly could you do for me that I can't do?". ÊMIA, or Anh Le, is a singer, songwriter, and producer who holds a particular brand of pop music that's bright and light. She dove into the indie-pop genre with her debut single, "All I Do", written, produced, and independently released by her. The Vietnamese American singer has made moves into the music scene, growing fast (as seen by the millions of streams of her discography), and is sure to reach even more listeners' hearts with her upcoming album, "VIDEO CALL: AM" which is a collaborative project with producer Charlie Kurata. Written by Jane Katryn FOLLOW ÊMIA:

It feels great to love and be loved. You always have someone to laugh and cry with. You feel that you become a better person just by being together. Even so, there is a level of freedom in being single that goes away when getting into a relationship. Also, you can become so focused on pleasing the other person that you can lose yourself. In her song, “Someone’s Someone,” Ainsley Costello looks back on different points on her relationship timeline. Ultimately, she comes to the conclusion of “there’s more to life than being someone’s someone.” I enjoyed the instrumentation of this song. The electric guitar gave it an early 2000’s sound. It sounds as if it could be in a movie like Mean Girls . The instrumentation also added a bright and happy sound to a time a great reflection. The topic of the song is mostly negative. Costello is discovering that being in a relationship is not all it’s cracked up to be. With the music being so upbeat, I almost forgot that she’s supposed to be sad. Finally, the structure of the verses gave the track a storytelling quality. In the first verse, Costello sings about being in a relationship. In contrast, she sings about being single in the second verse. Even though Costello does not mention it, it is safe to say that there was an unfortunate breakup between the two verses. Ainsley Costello discovered her love for music at a young age. When she was only 14, she became one of Breedlove Guitars’ youngest endorsed musicians. Later, when Costello was 15, she released her debut album called You Know Who I Am . If you want to hear more of her, I recommend a song off of that album called “Self-Conscious.” It is about the all too relatable topic of embarrassing yourself in front of a crush. Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW AINSLEY COSTELLO:

You need not stand by a mistake simply because you spent a long time making it. New York native Emmrose drives that very point home in her new release "The Feeling's Mutual" where she pens the relatability of realizing your value and taking the courage to make yourself a priority in the face of a socially vampiric "friendship". The anthemic indie pop track swims through the shifting emotions of making such tough decisions, guiding us through the peaks and troughs of platonic love that we often think will last forever. Low, steady, and full, organ sounds fill the stripped-back space at the pop ballad's opening. The ambiance intertwines with understated vocals that crystalize the raw emotions just as well in the still of the intro as they do in the fervor of the chorus where the palpable crescendo establishes the crooned cathartic release. Bubbling bass, layered with simple percussion fosters infectious energy in the post-chorus, reminiscent of the powerful, stadium-swaying performances of Florence + The Machine. Tracing her musical beginnings back to a solitary, beckoning piano in the halls of Sunday School, Emmrose has spent almost a decade of her young life devoted to fine-tuning her captivating indie-pop signature that strikes a curious balance of whimsy and maturity. Seventeen-year-old Manhattan native Emmrose is currently signed to Secret Road music services, under which she has released a steady stream of singles, continuing to bolster her diverse international fanbase. Written By George McSherry FOLLOW EMMROSE:

The feeling that is caused by being left on read can make one's blood boil. You begin to feel flushed in the face which is soon accompanied by the color of red on your cheeks. You feel annoyed, frustrated, and overall angry that someone would ever inflict this kind of pain on you. This feeling is one many know all too well, and is one of the main topics of "RED," the new track from up-and-coming pop artist NJ. In the track, NJ expresses the different frustrations a former partner inflicts on her. The track is very synth-pop heavy. The instrumental features a smooth, even sexy synth line that progresses throughout the track. It swells and keeps the track moving, all while a ticking drum track keeps the beat together. NJ's voice feels smooth, and vividly croons over the instrumentation. The lyrics delve into the frustrations that NJ is experiencing from a former partner. For instance their relationship dynamics, "Do you want the bad, or the good news first? // Boy you, really have some nerve // You're feeling, all broken down // Until you, come back around." She describes the frustrations of having this broken dynamic, "Loss of love leads to a fight // Must be why I'm turning red." NJ describes other factors that have caused this rift, "Saying that we're good as friends // Then why am I in your bed?" In the end, NJ takes control and leaves her former partner on read, "Tossing, turning, in my bed // Always, end up, in my head // Changed up, everything you said // That's why you're left on read." NJ is an up-and-coming alt-pop artist based in Atlanta, Georgia. She has quickly created an impressive discography, with "RED" being the latest addition. NJ released her debut EP last year, 2021's Platinum. The EP featured the previously released track "MANGO." With a smooth and sleek voice, NJ is quick to become your next musical obsession. Written By Kyle Stiver FOLLOW NJ:

Q: This song has such a nostalgic feeling to it! What inspired the idea for this song? Pri: I feel like all of my songs have a nostalgic feeling to it because I tend to write about things that happened in the past more than current moments. Songwriting is my favorite way to reflect on situations and I think it’s the best way that I process everything that I experience. Q: What is your songwriting process like? Pri: My songwriting process is actually different each time! My favorite songs usually come to me when I’m in the bathroom to be honest. I’ll have to run out and grab my guitar and then it’ll just pour out of me. When it’s like that, it feels like I’m not even the one writing the song - it really feels like it has a life of its own. But I’ve also turned poetry into songs, made up a melody that I add lyrics to later, and had my producers send me tracks that I write lyrics for too. I want to master all of the different songwriting processes! Q: What would you say is your favorite song of your own? You can only pick one! Pri: Picking a favorite song of mine is so hard because they’re all so special to me. But the song that I always show people if I only have the opportunity to choose one is usually Auburn Lane. That was the first time I wrote a song and then was shocked with myself. It will always be special to me because I’m so proud of it. Q: Who has been your biggest musical inspiration? Pri: My biggest musical inspiration is so easy to answer. Taylor Swift. I’ve loved her since I was 8 years old and I am so in awe of everything she does. She has definitely influenced my music so much. Q: What is your current favorite song? Pri: My current favorite song is Yours by Conan Gray! Such a sad song haha Q: What drives you to continue making music? Pri: It’s what I love to do. Even when it feels like there’s nothing going right in my life or I feel like everything is falling apart, I can start singing, writing, or playing guitar and everything else melts away. I feel like it’s what I was always meant to do. Interviewed By Kendall Koval FOLLOW PRI:

It's a process to know what we need. We grow up being told what to do and expect, and most of the time, we might not even think it's right -- but what path do you go down if you don't know another way exists? Learning from our own experiences, aiming for self-improvement, and being empowered instead of being doubtful of our choices, "Better" by Gali Givon shows her realization of knowing that she's the one who knows best. The track is liberating, choosing to release a personal process through an alt-pop sound. Gali Givon takes this song and proves that she is strong and not afraid to show it. Bold, heavy, and raw -- all perfect ways to describe Gali Givon's newest single, "Better" an alt-pop track that screams vulnerability and empowerment about understanding that we're the only ones we should be listening to. Givon gets us feeling better with "Better" enrapturing our senses with a heavy guitar-driven track paired with her gorgeous vocals and bass. She sings, "I know better, better/Than I did before" showing her progress on her journey of self-improvement, knowing that we have to fall before we learn how to get up because she "learned her lesson when I let you in". She's bringing us along on her challenging path of self-improvement and lets this song act as inspiration for listeners who are walking right beside her. A rock'n'roll lover, a fiery singer/songwriter, and the first international artist signed to Universal Israel -- Gali Givon is captivating and someone to watch out for in the music scene. The Israeli artist takes inspiration from rock legends such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and so many more. She's been raised into rock music, starting with classic rock because of her parents but gravitating towards grunge and metal as she grew and dealt with what the world threw her way. She returned with her newest single, "Better" on July 28th. Still, even before then, the singer has shown her immense talent, challenging heavy percussion tracks with her single, "Scared" and other songs like "Lolita" and "Show Me Love" all of which are uniquely stunning--but you'll have to check it out for yourself. Written by Jane Katryn FOLLOW GALI GIVON:

Much like how many of us long for during a new romance , Agi voices her desire to occupy another's mind in her newest single “Dream About Me”. The song encompases the emotions that follow a budding crush or romance, giving hope that an individual will ultimately dream about the other for the connections to be formed. She perfectly showcases the emotions of being in love and desiring reciprocation from the other party. The upbeat nature of the song brings to life the emotions of hope and worry present in a budding crush or relationship. Click Here to Listen to "Dream About Me" While the song begins as a ballad, the beat quickly picks up, mimicking a heartbeat. The quicker beats allow for contrast to be seen between the chorus and the bridge. Meanwhile the repetitive nature and uplifting beats of the song allow for us, the listeners, to empathize with the lyrics. The quick beats move the song along, creating a sense of hopefulness within the melody and bridges. As the song progresses, the tone of voice and background music all mirror this hopeful nature that she has as an individual for what's to come. Based in Leeds, England Agi is an upcoming indie pop artist with over 2000 streams on Spotify. Being a younger artist, she voices many concerns and emotions that many people of younger generations have expressed. With her newest single “Dream About Me” she continues to perfectly put into words what it is like to have the uncertainties and hopes of a new love. Written By Gillian Mena FOLLOW ARTIST: Agi

Your new single “Home” is a beautiful representation about how we never lose the connection to where we came from. Can you share what inspired you to write this song about your home country, Lebanon? SS.HH.A.N.A: I guess I just felt very emotional at the moment, seeing day by day how my country was going downhill yet being here, surrounded by my family and friends and really feeling complete and knowing that I was about to leave a few weeks later to pursue my artistic career … really just made me wanna write about the situation and how I felt about all of it at the moment. What does your songwriting process look like? Do you plan sessions or get to writing when inspiration strikes? SS.HH.A.N.A: I do both. Sometimes I plan on writing every day for several hours or whenever the inspiration strikes I always have my notebook next to me to write whatever comes to mind. Who would you say are your biggest influences when it comes to your music and style? SS.HH.A.N.A: My biggest influences would be Alicia Keys, dua lipa, sade, Christina Aguilera, Amy Winehouse, Tina Turner, Billie Eillish and Ariana Grande. How was your residency at The Theater Dubai? That must have been an incredible experience! SS.HH.A.N.A: I spent an amazing time at the Theater Dubai ! I am so very grateful to have performed there , especially with Guy Manoukian. It was one of the best experiences and exposures I’ve had as an up-coming artist. I learned more than I thought I would when It comes to show-business and I’ve met people that are now like family to me. Didn’t feel like work, it was fun, it was challenging, it was tiring yet I only left with a positive mind. I know something you strive for in your life and in music is positivity. Do you have any advice for how to live a more “glass half-full” life? SS.HH.A.N.A: For me , my best advice would be to always look at the bright side, and that not matter what happens it happens for a reason , for the best . Sometimes it’s tougher than what it seems but I’m also a believer and my belief keeps me going and helps me a lot. What can we expect from your debut album coming out later this year? I can’t wait to give it a listen! SS.HH.A.N.A: What I want is for people to get to know the different sides of me just like I am throughout this whole process. You can expect self-discovery and autobiography. This album was a way for me to explore facets of my personality, my artistry and my life. While creating this album, I discovered layers of myself that I hadn’t uncovered yet and strived to share it with my listeners. This was both an opportunity for me and my audience. Interviewed By Sarah Curry Photo Credits: Francesca Matta @francescamatta_ FOLLOW SS.HH.A.N.A.:

There truly is nothing like exploring a city and being enchanting by its opulent lights and hypnotic brilliance from neon signs. An ode to getting lost in electrifying cityscapes and getting lost in your imagination, "Neon Paradise" is Ali Gilbert's exploration of a galvanizing paradise filled with "strange things" and "neon skies." If you find yourself roaming the striking streets of NYC or hypnotized by the grandeur of casinos in Las Vegas, this track is certainly the track for you! Click here to listen to "Neon Paradise"! Heavily inspired by the pop-folk chops of Ed Sheeran, "Neon Paradise" incorporates plucky acoustic guitar strings and light, soft electric guitar strumming. Gilbert's vocal delivery mirrors Sheeran's rustic voice with more buoyancy to his lines as he croons about wanting to "stay in touch, I wanna see more of these strange things." The pop-folk friendliness enhances the song and invites the listener to share the same mesmerizing feeling that Gilbert is experiencing. In essence, it is a tuneful track that transports the listener into the lush atmosphere of a neon paradise of night cityscapes and embraces the strangeness of its beauty. From singing competitions to writing and composing his own EP, Ali Gilbert has had a footing in the music industry since his early twenties. Originally from Tamworth, England, he has been performing locally at pubs and local gigs before writing his own material to perform in front of crowds. After receiving attention from local radio stations, he went on to perform at Open Mic UK and Soundwaves music competition. His first song "Days Go By" includes a pop-rap flair that permeates the rest of his debut EP "Truth Be Told" and he takes much inspiration from the likes of Ed Sheeran, The 1975 and Justin Timberlake. Written By Fatimah Bouri FOLLOW ALI GILBERT: