"Strangers" is about that phase some relationships come to right before a breakup. It's about when the other person is pulling away, talking to other people, and then giving you false reassurance that everything is fine. In this song especially, Mercer goes into detail about what it's like even living with this person and how painful it is to be living in the same home as someone who is responsible for the entire relationship crumbling. She describes how the other person is making petty accusations, and how she's in the dark about what could have gone wrong. With her vocals and lyricism, Mercer elegantly tells the story of what it feels like to be the one in pain in a situation like this. As this is a heart-wrenching, emotional piece, Mercer did an amazing job at encapsulating the pain of what it's like to go through this sort of breakup. From the melody to the vocals, this song is chock-full of emotion. The melody is dramatic and elegant as the beat is very strong and prominent. The other instruments and sounds keep a light sound to contrast the strength of the beat, giving the melody some good diversity. Mercer's voice is absolutely stunning and is nothing short of delicate and powerful. Her lyrics were very beautifully written, especially with the line "but now we're just two strangers in the same apartment." Her lyrics describe the proximity of just how close these two people were, just for it to all come crashing down. Overall, this piece is truly heartbreaking but is so graceful and full of emotion. Mercer is a singer-songwriter who grew up in San Francisco. Before music, Mercer became the founder of apps including FriendIts and Adiots, and a designer for a clothing line at Target. She began receiving major attention for her music when in 2017 her music video for "Could've Picked Me" earned hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube. She is also known for original songs like " Girl Talk " as well as her covers of songs like Ed Sheeran 's "I See Fire." Today, she is attending the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music in New York. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW MERCER:

If you ever felt as if you were 'Walking on a tightrope,' or if you were ever in a difficult position, Amber T.'s new song, "Tightrope" should definitely be blasting through your car speakers. Amber T wants us to feel the same sorrow, remorse, and anger towards whatever situation at hand but wants us to know that we are not alone through her lyrics and amazing accompaniment. Amber T's "Tightrope," emotionally showcased feelings of sorrow, remorse, and anger that were molded into a song with very catchy lyrics and energetic instruments. This is a song that has a very condensed and reminiscent beginning that then explodes into this powerful chorus making anyone listening, want to belt the lyrics. The song would feel right at home on a Taylor Swift or 'Hannah Montana' (Miley Cyrus) release. Amber T is an eighteen year old singer/songwriter who bursted into the mainstream music scene at the age of 15, catching the eyes of the BBC Radio1, BBC TV, as well as very successful and popular singer, Sir Elton John. "Amber is building a very strong following and has lots planned for the rest of 2022," so why keep up to date with Amber T by following her socials down below! Written By Troy Sica FOLLOW AMBER T:

There's a terrifying aspect about love because it makes you want to do anything for them, and with Haiden's newest single, "Wasted" we can see what happens when it goes too far. Being in a relationship makes you want to be vulnerable with them, trusting that when they tell you not to do something, spend more time with them, or change anything, it isn't going to hurt; your first instinct is to trust that they have your best interests at heart, but sadly that's not the case with this song. "Wasted" emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries with your significant other, ensuring they're a part of your life, not controlling it. Haiden bravely displays his vulnerability through the catchy melody and brutally honest experience. A hypnotic feeling comes along with listening to "Wasted", and with the fire behind the meaning and empowering sound--it's a song you can't help but listen to on repeat. With a deep booming bass in the background, we're drawn into the words, feeling the intensity behind Haiden's writing. He juxtaposes the bass-backed chorus by adding a light, airy vibe into the two lines right before each one-- gripping our attention and introducing an exciting dynamic to the already stunning song. With intense lyrics like "All I have are regrets/Cause according to you/They don't love me like you do" Haiden touches on topics of toxic manipulation and isolation. Another topic we can see him speak about is regret-- the regret of letting himself stay in this relationship for as long as he did and the regret of letting them cut off the people most important to him. This powerful track shows his contempt for his ex and brings out a level of vulnerability with its haunting lyrics, melody, and bass. Haiden is a 22-year-old singer/songwriter, and with his anti-love hit "Wasted" he releases his third single from his upcoming debut EP, "Good Grief!" said to come out later this summer. Establishing himself as someone with powerful guitar lines, harmonies, and thrilling lyricism, we can easily see Haiden connecting people of his generation with his music. With "Wasted", his other recent single, "Sorry to Your Next Ex", and other tracks, we can find Haiden making waves throughout the media and labeling him as a star to look out for. Written by Jane Katryn FOLLOW HAIDEN:

“Own Worst Enemy” is a smooth pop jam about the lack of self-control, and how oftentimes, your biggest enemy is yourself. You know yourself best, and you know every moment when you decide to “drink in the day while meeting your ex” or when you’re “reminiscing about the past even though you hate it”. Self-policing is difficult, but your own mind is the best thing to push you forward while also the worst thing that’s keeping you back. Arin uses a unique blend of indie-pop and sparse soundscapes to delve into the melancholy tone of this song. He writes specific and catchy narratives that are guilty things we’ve all found ourselves doing from time to time, highlighting them in hopes of getting himself to break this cycle. The concept of this song is clever and isn’t something that others highlight much in their songs. The toned-down production lets his husky and wispy voice shine as he emulates the vibe of the track. Arin, an up-and-comer, is a London-based artist who’s bringing a refreshing, unrepeatable twist to the face of electronic music with mellow synths, energetic drums, and intimate lyrics. With his playful take on heart-throbbing pop, Arin’s first skill of note is how he’s able to create realistic and relatable narratives and interesting concepts. Just coming off of a successful EP, Anything, Arin is definitely an artist to take notes from as he continues to venture out into his soundscape. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW ARIN:

It's odd that those good memories, the ones you want to preserve in amber like a museum would have an ancient insect, can frustrate so efficiently. This punchy pop anthem drives that little machine in you that makes your head bop while you work through the pining reminiscence and balladry in the deft lyricism. As the album artwork might suggest, the song is well suited to a sunglass-clad drive along a coastline (convertible optional, but preferred). Layered vocals play amongst themselves as they are backed by driven synths, crunchy percussion loops, and fervent bassline. These work together to create the track's upbeat framework and infectious sound likely to induce at least one or two taps of any and all toes. The curation of electronic production manages to be smooth with bounce and underpins the single. The emotion-rife chorus is delivered with zesty, staccato vocals that almost make you forget the somber nature of the lyricism. Mentum is the moniker for the duo of Norwegian pop artists Tim and Finn. The pair met in 2014 and started working together, blending their eclectic music tastes into their fresh-faced production, mixing elements of rock, pop, and blues with structures more familiar to fans of house and electronica. They released their debut single in 2016, and their enchanting discography has continued to grow since. In the same time frame, they have collaborated with many artists including Mike Perry and Sam Feldt. Written By George McSherry FOLLOW MENTUM:

A breakup can happen in stages. When it happens, you have this initial rush of anger and sadness. It makes you rip apart all your pictures and eat endless gallons of chocolate ice cream. After a while, you become tired of being sad. You cheer up and embrace a newfound freedom. This is great feeling. However, it may not take much for the initial sadness to come rushing back. Modernlove’s song, “Familiar,” is a song about what happens when the sadness returns. I like how the whole song seems to be someone’s inner thoughts. The first verse is about seeing an ex-lover across the bar after a long time apart. Our protagonist wants to talk to her, but she is oceans away with another date. Therefore, he has no choice but to appease his sadness with memories. I also liked the progression of the song. That is, how the music starts of slow and then speeds up. For a music video, I am imagining a guy sitting at a bar with the slow intro to the song. When he sees his ex in the crowd of people, the music speeds up. Modernlove is an Irish boy band. “Familiar” is the title track off of their most recent EP. If you want to hear more of them, I recommend “Follow You”, which is another song on the EP. It is more a little more upbeat than “Familiar” and has a great summertime sound. It makes me want to drive down the road and into the sunset. Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW MODERNLOVE:

When I first listened to "Clovers" my mind naturally painted a picture of what it would be like to run through a field on a summer day with the people I love and cherish. Just feeling that sensation of absolute bliss and as if every little thing is right in the world. Emma created this amazing song that brings back a bit of nostalgia for what it feels like to be young and alive and just letting feelings take over. Similar to their other pieces, Emma creates a lively melody with a little kick with some guitar to create this wonderful piece. This song truly captures the same warm feeling that summer has and gives listeners a little taste of what a pleasant summer day feels like. The melody is light and highlights some stronger aspects such as the drum beat and guitar. The melody is what really stands out in the song, as it is very audibly pleasing to listen to. As for their vocals, Emma's voice reminds me a lot of Taylor Swift's. Emma has such a sweet voice, one that makes you feel very comfortable. Their voice perfectly encapsulates the warm feeling that the rest of the song radiates. Overall, "Clovers" is one of those feel-good songs that automatically puts listeners in a better mood. Emma Beckett is an alternative indie-pop artist based in Toronto, Canada. Their music has been described as "wonderfully nostalgic" (The GATE), drawing inspiration from Harry Styles, Valley, and Maggie Rogers. The successful releases of singles such as "Little Ways" and "LSD" in early 2020, landed them coveted spots on Spotify's New Music Friday Canada playlist. Building on that momentum, in February 2021 they released their anticipated full-length album Cool With It , with the track "Bad Bones" being selected for Spotify's Fresh Finds: Pop. The release of "Clovers" will mark an exciting new direction in her sound, thanks to the collaboration with acclaimed pop producer Andrew Feels. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW EMMA BECKETT:

'Fool's Gold' sits curiously at the intersection of uplifting and melancholic. The track will have you brooding, but with a smile on your face as it pulls some slick, sharpened memories to the forefront of your mind, only to dull their blades through the relatability that proves you are not alone in your hardships, romantic or otherwise. Though perfectly suited for contemplative listening through headphones with eyes closed, the song's versatility is undeniable. It would find a place to squeeze into for just about any vibe. Smooth electronic production underpins the track allowing the fine-tuned elements of R&B and bedroom pop to shine through. Pitched-up croons that detail the frustration of wasted love reverberate above the boom-bap drum loops and waves of bass that bolster the energetic chorus. Steel drums filter in to provide a tropical feel post-chorus, closing out the catharsis of the song in tangible positivity. Having previously released music under the moniker Lucq, Luc as Rich is the mental health project of Amsterdam-based producer and singer where he aims to prove that his search for wealth is immaterial, finding true value in his music and the experiences that come along with his artistic journey. He seeks to replicate the degree of charm and emotion ascribed to fairy tales, placing heavy emphasis on visuals to compliment the music and better connect with his audience during live performances. Written By George McSherry FOLLOW LUC AS RICH:

WARNING: THIS ARTICLE MAY CONTAIN SENSITIVE SUBJECTS FOR SOME Mackenzie Day describes her frustrations on how ignorant the world can be on the topic of mental health in her new song "Code: Red (7 Years)." Day depicts the struggle of someone close to her in the pop-punk tinged track. The topic of mental health has been seen as taboo, which people turn away from. Day wants people to realize that this is an ongoing issue that we can not ignore. It is an illness that plagues many people, including the situation and loved one she describes in the track. The track features a pop-punk instrumental with guitars, drums, and Day's vocals at the forefront of the track. Again, before we delve into the lyricism of the track, some subject matter may be triggering to some. As the track opens, Day sets up the message of the song with the lyric "There's too much going on // All at once // She's losing touch // With everyone // Finally the adults are paying attention // Only took a darker depression." Day is describing the struggles that the person is having internally, and how it has taken so long for people to listen to their calls for help. We move into the pre-chorus of the song in which you can hear the frustration grow in Day's vocals about how long this has been building up, "Now everyone is calling, calling it code: red // They finally saw some blood, now they turn their slow heads // Why did it take cutting it deep to say she needs help seriously? // It's been seven years, in the making." In the chorus, Day lets us know she's been there the entire time for this person, "Oh, I've been here." In the second verse of the song, Day tells us how family, relatives, and even the people around her have been calling trying to figure out the story now that they aren't being ignorant to it, "I'm getting calls and voice mails from Mom, my relatives // They all have questions, not to mention, its a bit invasive." Day brings awareness through telling the tragedy, that we cannot be ignorant to these issues that plague our society. Mackenzie Day is an up-and-coming alt/pop artist. She has quickly released an impressive discography. "Code: Red (7 Years)" is her third single this year, and it comes soon after "My Psychic Said" and "Stuck In The Wrong Movie." Day released her debut EP in 2020 called "Bitter End" which featured the viral track "Breathe Out" with Lizzy McAlpine. Day is planning on releasing her new album this year, and we are so excited to see what comes next! Written By Kyle Stiver FOLLOW MACKENZIE DAY:

We live in a reality taken over by social media, and it's more complicated than ever to tell what's fake from what's real-- but this isn't just online; it's everywhere. It isn't easy to share who you are and what you feel because it's tempting to spare others' feelings and tell them what they want to hear. This isolates us from our authentic selves, especially in the eyes of people we care about. Romano knows that this isn't just her, and with her debut single, "okay, not okay" she dives headfirst into this idea, telling listeners that "I'm alone like you/in a crowded room/been to every party, lie and say they're okay too". "okay, not okay" is truly a song to get lost in. With a muffled electronic sound and melodic beat, this track transports you to a room where it's just you and your thoughts, the song filling in the gaps and vibrating through your mind. While it is effortlessly catchy, Romano talks about things that are hard to hear and even harder to share. The world prioritizes authenticity nowadays, as seen through her words, "I just wish someone would be honest with me/honestly, it all seems fake" but to let all of your walls down and let go of what you're feeling is more complicated than one would think. Currently based in Los Angeles, California, Liv Romano makes her start by giving us "okay, not okay". But even before releasing her first single, Romano has been ahead of the game--sharing her songwriting and release journey through her social media. Her debut single, "okay, not okay" was released on June 30th, and with it, the Florida-born singer/songwriter garners fans that are already patiently awaiting more stunning tracks. Written By Jane Katryn FOLLOW LIV ROMANO:

A specific mood lives in the late-night hours of the day alone in one's bedroom, and this new release, "GIRL" by Georgia Hoareau, brings the vulnerability in those hours to the surface. Delving into the topic of moving on from a past relationship, Hoareau details how we can't help but think back on the moments that made us love being with them and find that tiny spark of wanting it back even if we know it's for the best. Hoareau brings a new definition to feeling your emotions with uplifting drums, dynamic guitar, and bass. With "GIRL" we can see the start of the soundtrack of wanting to get everything off your chest in the fieriest of ways. With a passionate, hard-hitting melody and powerful vocals, Georgia Hoareau's new song, "GIRL" resonates deep within the human psyche. Even knowing that we should move on from the things that will live only in our past, there's always going to be that little bit of hope that manifests in the form of reminiscing. This reflective single opens with the line, "I'll be honest, it still hurts" and shows just that-- that it's over, we know it, and we don't want it to start again; however, we can't help but think about the happiness it gave us over the hurt. With the echoing background vocals, Hoareau effectively makes this new single reverberate through our bodies, emphasizing the emotions she put into the lyrics and making this track tear-rendering in the best way possible. Georgia Hoareau is an 18-year-old singer/songwriter from Gold Coast, Queensland. "GIRL" is Hoareau's third single, showcasing her soulful voice with a bedroom pop track. Working with her fantastic band, consisting of her brother and guitarist, Will Hoareau, bassist Harry J Hart, and drummer Jay Wolfe, we are granted a combination to give stunning and energetic performances that are sure not to disappoint. Working on her first EP set to come out later this year, we can see what to expect by listening to her three already released singles, "17", "Therapy", and this new release, "GIRL". Hoareau's music juxtaposes light, airy melodies with heartfelt lyrics, a unique combination making her stand out from the rest of today's emerging artists. Written By Jane Katryn FOLLOW GEORGIA HOAREAU:

"on your sleeve" is all about when you instantly click with someone and immediately fall for them. It's evident that you both are really into each other, and you can't stay away from one another. Even though you can sense that they feel the same way, you want to be able to get confirmation from them that the feelings are mutual. It's important that you both confirm your feelings for one another, so you both are able to move forward in life together. Nightly crafted this wonderful piece that gives listeners all the feelings of new love along with a cool melody to chill out to. Even though this song gives off some calmer vibes, there is still such a strong sense of passion that the band gives off through their lyricism and vocals. The melody in "on your sleeve" has a powerful rhythm mixed with some celestial tones. The beat stays consistently strong throughout the piece, and the melody switches up a couple of times throughout the song. In the intro most of the melody is already introduced, then it lightens up during the pre-chorus, and then all that power comes back for the chorus itself. This makes the most important parts of the song more impactful and perfectly highlights the vocals and lyrics. There's a part right before the final chorus that allows for a bit of a guitar solo which electrifies the song. As for the vocals and lyrics, both sound full of emotion and blend beautifully with the melody that they crafted. Their lyrics roll off your tongue so nicely and are crafted in such a way that they just get stuck in your head. I personally love the line" so say what you wanna say what you wanna say to me" because like a lot of other lines in the song, it's just fun to sing. This song overall has such a lively air to it and energizes listeners. Nightly consists of artists Jonathan Capeci, Joey Beretta, and Nicholas Sainato. Jonathan and Joey are cousins who grew up near Philadelphia and spent their youth playing in bands. Once they became young adults, they decided to move to Nashville to pursue a career in music. Jonathan and Nicholas teamed up with Nicholas, signed with Interscope Records, and began working on their debut EP as Nightly. Their debut was a hit, with their famous song "XO" reaching two million streams over the course of a few weeks. They began touring, opening for artists including Ke$ha, The All-American Rejects, and Zella Day. In the following years, Nightly embarked on their first headline tour, signed a record deal with BMG, and released their debut album night, love you. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW NIGHTLY: