It's never easy to have a relationship fall apart, let alone experience the feelings that come along in the repercussions of the break up. To feel a sense of longing for a person is painful, and even knowing they won't come back hurts more. It can feel hopeless, and a little numbing. The feeling is something that Joost Laméris captures perfectly in their new track "Never Feels Real." The track draws images to mind of hues of blue, which Laméris has used in the tracks artwork. The track is synth-pop based, and brings in an atmospheric vibe. The instrumentation makes use of guitars, synths, and the sound of shakers. Laméris utilizes his voice as an instrument to help divide the chorus with layers and layers of "oohs" that sound vivid in an almost angelic way. The lyrics delve into the topic of feeling lost after a relationship has fallen apart, "I am waiting // And waiting // And searching // For someone // So long." Laméris also describes trying to rediscover themself, "Inhaling who I've been." The chorus discusses the topic of feeling numb to reality, "It never feels real without your sound // I'm ready to loose our common ground // It never feels real till I have found // A road where I know you're not around." Laméris even describes the feeling of breaking apart because of the fear that it was you who caused the rift, "I am breaking, patiently // Going over every step // The sky won't open up // And I'm still closed off // Standing in nobody's land // The rain on my cheeks // Close the feelings // Of the tears I shed for you // Over and over again." Laméris finally comes to the realization at the end that maybe this was all for the best and that things will get better, "If I keep racing // Maybe I'll outrun my shade // And I'll forget how heavy it weighs // Cause I can't go back again // To take the chance I know that we have missed // It's like we needed this." Joost Laméris is an up-and-coming synth-pop artist based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Joost got his start by self-producing, and releasing three singles back in 2021. "Never Feels Real" is the first taste of his new music. It was recently featured on Spotify NL's "New Music Friday" playlist. Laméris is planning to drop his debut EP later this year, and is currently working on the visuals to go along with it. Laméris has a exciting year to look forward to! Written By Kyle Stiver FOLLOW JOOST LAMÉRIS:

In this raw and powerful ballad titled "In Madness", Constance pulls on our heartstrings and makes us bask in our emotions. Writing this song from her feelings about the war and invasion in Ukraine, she brings a song that ignites a little spark of hope. The song is sentimental, emotional, and intense, dragging us into her mindset as she sings this. "In Madness" lets listeners feel everything they're capable of simultaneously, leaving us to explore this new combination of vulnerability and sentiment we didn't know existed. Click here to listen to "In Madness"! Constance starts off the song with soft piano melodies then comes in with her gentle vocals and lets the music meld and swirl around our heads, imbuing its meaning into our hearts. She sings, "in love and in madness/in strength and in sadness/when all of the world feels like it's giving up on you". This delves into the strength that comes with being human--being able to go through hard times and still find the power in us to love and live. She emphasizes this hope with the words, "cause I see the dawn in you/the light is breaking through" telling listeners that it's essential never to lose hope. Constance, or Christina Ann O'Conner, is a Canadian singer/songwriter. She uses her music to express herself, powerfully releasing fiery feelings through her authenticity, lyricism, and melodies. She takes on the stage name Constance as a tribute to her late mother by the same name. The singer/songwriter explores topics such as heartbreak, love, and loss through her spectacular and unique sound, sure to gain hordes of fans who are attracted to the stories she has to tell. Written by Jane Katryn FOLLOW CONSTANCE:

Elle Baez releases new hit single, “Pretty Insecurities” as a reminder to forget about beauty standards and just have a good time. The culture of today’s society places a heavy emphasis on the way we look. Life becomes all about our bodies, clothes, and diet. With plastic surgery being so common and social media spreading lies about beauty, the pressure to look perfect is even more intense. Baez’s new song is an anthem for the “depressed, overstressed, and overstimulated” society we live in. Not only that, but it serves as a positive reminder that no one needs to change anything about themselves in order to receive praise or love. Embrace what makes you different, because that’s what makes you beautiful. “Pretty Insecurities” is a show that pop music doesn’t all have to sound the same. This hit track features a moderate, relaxed tempo as well as backup vocals. These elements create a vibe that’s almost on the retro R&B side, yet it’s style is undeniably pop. The track’s best writing comes in during the chorus, where Baez is singing in a high soprano range and then she does something unexpected in the next line. Instead of continuing upward, like most pop chord progressions advance, Baez goes down into a tenor range and drops octaves so suddenly. I heard this and I thought “Wow! I love that”. It wasn’t what I was expecting to happen, it really stuck out as a good written line. Following the release of her debut EP, “Bold Soul”, Elle Baez received praise from numerous powerhouse’s such as Euphoria’s Best Songs of 2021, Flaunt Magazine, The New Nine, and more. Since her rise to fame, Baez still focuses on bringing real, authentic, and relatable music to her fans. Her goal is simple: to empower and inspire others through her music. Her theme revolves around “be you, be sexy, and above all, be confident”. The Latina songwriter/singer mixes elements of pop, Latin, R&B, and jazz to create a style uniquely her own. Along with new music, Baez is also dropping an all-pink lingerie line with brand, “Adore Me” which will be out July 22. Make sure you keep up with anything Baez has to offer, you won’t want to miss out on this icon! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW ELLE BAEZ:

In your new single "Castle" you express personal struggles so well and with an openness surely appreciated by your audience. What's the story behind this song? Luiz: I always wanted to have a song about my weakness. I had this verse saying “feeling weaker with kryptonite” for years. In 2019, I wrote the first version of the lyric and Markus Urbanski helped me to finish the first part of the track, but I knew that something was missing, until early this year when I went through a hard breakup, and then everything made perfect sense. I sat down and I finished the lyrics in less than a week. I think it’s all about trying to get over someone, but not being able to do that, because you still see them in all those places. And you’re not proud of that. You want to feel great when you’re not. When did you realize you wanted to pursue music professionally? Have you always had music in your life? Luiz: My dad used to have a radio station in my hometown and my grandmother used to sing in the local choir. So I grew up surrounded by different music genres, and when I was 10 I decided that I wanted to be an artist, but I only started to write my own songs telling my stories when I was 12 years old. Who are some of your biggest influences? What drew you to the Pop genre? Luiz: I just love pop music. I think that it’s the most flexible genre to work with. You can do a lot of things and not be labeled, just getting to be inside the music. My biggest influences go from Taylor Swift to Paolo Nutini, Jack Savoretti, Bon Iver to Ed Sheeran, and back to OneRepublic. What is your songwriting process like? Luiz: I’m always around some notebook or even my notes app on my phone. So I’m always writing some verse. But when I sit down all alone, I get my personal notebook and always go through some pages to read and understand what I was going through and what I was feeling back then. So I can write and tell the story of that moment with an open mind and heart, with no “castles”. Have you faced any particular challenges or been surprised by anything as you've entered the professional music world? Luiz: All the time. These days are not easy for independent artists because the algorithm changes every single day and we have to understand how to reach more and more people with our music. That’s a true challenge. Not just being a musician, but being the best publicist for ourselves. What's in store for you in the near future? Any particular gigs you're looking forward to or songs you're working on? Luiz: I’m working on my first EP, which is coming out later this year, but before we have two singles for this specific project to be released and I’m so excited to share those with everyone. Right now, I have to say that the "Castle" music video is making me nervous because I want to make something very special for that song. So there’s a lot happening in the following months. Fingers crossed. Interviewed By Hannah Conkin FOLLOW LUIZ:

"Walkaway" showcases palpable emotions with sincerity and transports me to an intimate, private show in a low-lit lounge where the light seems to continue to dim but never leave altogether. Comfort is found in and amongst the verses that tell the all-too-relatable story of complex sorrow and imminent loss. The fresh single, rife with emotion, is tailor-made for the cathartic indulgence of the emotions less popular than their romanticized counterparts. Stripped-back production places the underpinning elements at center stage; powerful vocals croon poignant lyrics against the backdrop of classic piano balladry that holds steady, unwavering in shoring up the song's fine-tuned and wonderfully simple structure. Layered production featuring gentle waves and an encompassing vibration provides the track with an undeniable depth. A slow crescendo builds with the introduction of fervent bass and clean percussion loops that lead us to the bittersweet fading out of "Walkaway". Lizzie is a young artist from England's southwestern peninsula with an impressive resume that seems to be amassing grandeur as it snowballs down the hills of the music industry. At just 18, Lizzie has released several singles (often with acoustic versions) and EPs, "Reality" and "Silver Lining". She made smart use of her established discography to make her way through to the Grand Final of OpenMicUK 2021 and continues to dedicate herself to her songwriting craft. Written By George McSherry FOLLOW LIZZIE:

Hazy reminiscence somehow paints a melancholy picture rife with the most vibrant colors. The audio space created on Yulia Ehwaz's new release "Letter From Home", underpinned by the juxtaposition of uptempo musicality and an ethereally somber vocal performance, comforts and stirrs simultaneously, much like a sleepless night of profound rhuminations in the comfort of a soft, warm bed. A distorted hum filters the sharp, staccato piano chords and strummed guitar that pull you into the upbeat track. Soft, understated vocals lead you into the verses before the pronounced bassline bolsters, adding a layer that develops the depth and richness of "Letter From Home". The understated vocals layer and undulate across eachother, filling the song's knooks and crannies with crisp musicality. Yulia Ehwaz has roots deep-seated in the world of music, from her beginnings on the violin aged six to some nine years of choir experience to her budding career that we see today. From Minsk, Belarus, Yulia hopes to break through the difficulties of her local music scene to find success in the US and European markets with her refreshing blend of synthwave, R&B, alternative, and pop-punk. Written By George McSherry FOLLOW YULIA:

Technology has greatly reduced the need for human contact. We can communicate without being physically present. The pandemic only served to decrease human contact as it forced us to stay indoors. We were even able to go to work without ever leaving home. Don’t get me wrong. It’s great to be able to “commute” to work and school in pajamas, but human contact is important. Part of human contact entails human touch. This aspect holds valuable benefits for our health. In fact, touch stimulates the brain to release endorphins. Additionally, just one touch can reduce our blood pressure and heart rate. WREN would certainly agree with all the benefits of human touch. Her song, “Skin 2 Skin,” is a defiant track about how deprived we are of human contact. I have to admit that the overall sound in this song surprised me at first. I had never heard a song that sounded so angry. As I got deeper into the track, I concluded that the anger was good because it translated into a kind of fiery passion. I liked the part in the song where WREN sang about being physically but not mentally present. In the second verse, she sings about getting vaporized by a crowded city. I think the larger theme of the situation is very relatable. While we are not actually vaporized by the city, we have a tendency to go about our busy lives without making any real connections. WREN hails from the South Coast of England. I was surprised to learn that her work is classified as a “one woman DIY run project.” All the sound and passion sounded like the work of multiple people. Knowing that WREN does it all herself only makes her hard work more admirable. If you want to hear more of her, I recommend her other song, “Bad Decisions.” It is a song about making bad choices in romance. WREN reflects on being drawn to someone while ignoring the threat of getting hurt. Compared to “Skin 2 Skin,” the track is more raw with less electronic sound. Therefore, you really get to hear the strength in WREN’s voice. Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW WREN:

Love is a beautiful thing-- having that special someone to make you feel as if you're on top of the world when you hold their hand in yours. It's so hard to find someone to match with you on so many things, someone you want to spend all of your free time with, and someone to make everything a little more exciting. Bo Weber, a Minneapolis pop artist, and singer/songwriter Lissy, managed to defeat those small odds through a dating app and have collaborated on this new fun pop track titled "Falling For You" to talk about the lovely things that they've experienced through making this relationship happen. "Falling For You" is a song co-written by Bo Weber and Lissy. The couple wrote this song to talk about what diving headfirst into a new relationship feels like: the love, the uncertainties, and the desire to get close a little too fast. With this fun and upbeat track, they describe the small things that happen with falling in love, noticing the little things that remind them of each other, and seeing how they make each other want to be a better person. The song is backed with a flowy melody, paired with sweet lyrics like, "I think I'm fallin'/Falling for you" and the music video is no less lovely. The video is made up of short videos the couple has taken with each other throughout their relationship, showing an authentic example of the love they describe in the track. With this new feel-good pop track, Bo Weber returns to the music scene after three years. "Falling For You" features his girlfriend and fellow singer/songwriter Lissy. Weber started his solo music career in 2015 and since then has released singles such as "California Babe" and "Is It Wrong"; he also currently has one album called "Wendy" released in 2017 and dedicated to his late mother. "Falling For You" is Lissy's debut single, even though the talented singer has been writing songs since she was eight years old. She's expected to have a more personal stripped-down style with her upcoming releases, where we can see more of who Lissy is as a musical individual. Written by Jane Katryn FOLLOW BO WEBER: FOLLOW LISSY:

What seemingly appears to be a song about breakups and finding yourself becomes much deeper upon listening to Francisco Martin’s single, “hate you to love myself”. This latest single from Martin’s new EP “Manic” dives deep into his destructive past behaviors. He recalls how back in 2021, he was a “terrible person to be around” and it unfortunately wrecked former lover interests and other relationships. After healing, he found out it was too little, too late to make amends and this song reflects the journey Martin went on. Realizing his actions, this song puts into words Martin’s feelings of regret and apology. Using drums, bass and percussive support, “hate you to love myself” takes on a very rock vibe. Based on the instrumentation and rhythmic lines, the support of the vocals is upbeat and explosive. This single doesn’t rely on synths and calmer melodies, making it stand out from modern pop. Instead, it is authentic music with good potential for a live set. Martin has strong vocal talent and it’s showcased well throughout the song. Overall, Martin takes on the sound similar to pop boy band 5 Seconds of Summer. This song is a great track to listen to any time and its release is at the perfect time for summer. Francisco Martin rose to fame following appearing on American Idol season 18 in 2020, where he placed top 5. Quickly releasing new singles and embarking on tours following, Martin has also had the opportunity to make connections with artists such as John Mayer, Maggie Rogers, and Ed Sheeran. Before his big break, Martin was still seen in the spotlight. Born in raised in the Bay Area, Martin was surrounded by a musical family. At age 9 he could sing and play drums, guitar and piano. In high school, he released music on SoundCloud and become a popular local artist. Martin draws a lot of inspiration from his love of poetry and his upcoming EP, “Manic” will showcase this along with his vast array of musical styles. This album is said to be music about Martin’s true, authentic self and will be something you won’t want to miss! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW FRANCISCO MARTIN:

Crashed waves push a breeze through your linen shirt at sunset, and deep breaths pull your eyes closed. Memories you suppress spring to the surface but not to fester, but rather wither in the strength of the sunlight. Bittersweet balladry reminisces on the hardship of lost love. Here, pride for having overcome the hardship is the uplifting takeaway, rather than the sadness or guilt one might expect from the resurfacing of such memories. Listen to "Castle" here! The underpinning elements of the track, smooth vocals and simple piano chords, open before guitar and reverbed bass enter alongside understated, layered electronic production, adding a satisfying depth. “Castle” slows and softens, bass and vocals intertwine on center stage, before the crescendo into the cathartic chorus. The vocal layers swim among one another, slowly winding down to the song’s end. Having discovered an unbridled love for songwriting at age 12, Brazil native Luiz Faria has since developed his passion into the polished product we hear today, sourcing guidance and influence from some of pop music’s most established stars like Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift. He seeks to bear his most visceral and intimate emotions in his music, employing poignant lyricism and fine-tuned production to paint the bright yellows of joy to the deep blues of sorrow. In his young career, he has worked internationally, collaborating with producers from London to Los Angeles. Be sure to follow Luiz’s journey to watch his artistry continue to develop. Written By George McSherry FOLLOW LUIZ:

"WOW (See It)" is the newest single released by the talented Heberlein, a Swedish singer/songwriter. Signed to Ninetone Group, Heberlein has continued the impressive sound she achieved with her recent EP, "By You" in which she goes through the steps of healing from a relationship. With this new song, there's a beauty that exists with the simplicity of it, her vocals taking the stage with this track and guiding us to a melody that we're sure not to forget. Click here to listen to "WOW (See It)"! Heberlein has stunning vocals; her voice takes on a gentle and airy quality that can be described as hauntingly beautiful. Combining this with her lyrical prowess, we're sure to be captivated by her music. "WOW (See It)" enamored me from the first time I listened to it. The song starts gently with guitar, pairing beautifully with her vocals and making one feel as if there's an unduplicatable intimacy that lives between the music and the listener. My favorite part of this song has to be where Heberlein sings, "Down we go, down we go/Nobody's waiting home". Her lyricism, with her distinct sound, pulls at our heartstrings and exudes a subtle vulnerability in a fiery composition. Growing up, music has always been by Heberlein's side. The Swedish singer/songwriter has been making music since she was 12 years old. Getting her love for music from her mom, she grew up listening to mainly famous musical soundtracks. Because of this, the singer is heavily inspired by Hans Zimmer, and as a result, her music takes on the alternative pop sound with a melancholy vibe. She released her first written single, "Think About Us", in June of 2021, collaborating with the music producer JHN. This newest single, "WOW (See It)" was released on July 15th and is now available to listen to on Spotify. Written by Jane Katryn FOLLOW HEBERLEIN:

Alex Parker’s newest EDM-pop single, “Sticks and Stones” goes back to the summer of 2019. Parker is in LA and hits up a buddy, two weeks later they have a song. A few hours later, they had incredible vocals and BAM– a hit was made. “Sticks and Stones” is all about reliving these summer memories for Parker. With a loose message regarding relationships, this track is really all about the new progressive house elements as it takes on the night-life music scene. Electric, fun, uptempo and viral are a few words to describe “Sticks and Stones”. This track has majority synths and percussive beats to create a foundation for light, angelic vocals that give off an air of sexy and cool. When listening to this song for the first time, I hardly paid any attention to the lyrics, I was so focused on the way this made me feel. Music should always have the goal of reaching the audience in a way where they feel something, and this tune did that. I felt so free and lost in the need to dance. This hit is perfect for the club life and deserves lasers and lights supporting its unreachable energy. There are no other feelings, or way to describe this song, other than perfect for nightlife! This Romanian born songwriter/DJ has been involved in music since the age of 6 when he first took up piano. By 13, Parker was in local pubs and bars in Bucharest playing mixed genres of music, that all received praise. Moving away from rock, blues, and funk, Alex developed skills in sound design, production and audio which led him to begin his career in DJ-ing and mixing. He wrote, produced and mixed over 50 songs for Romania’s top Artists such as Atonia, Della and Morandi. His first international hit came out in 2016­– “Tropical Sun”. From there, Parker has released many singles that gained him a large following. Parker has performed at music festivals and made connections with many LA powerhouses. Later, Parker returned to Romania and co-founded Creator Records. Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW ALEX PARKER: