Music is a powerful tool, bringing people to feel certain emotions and talk about complex issues. When talking about music, there are also some songs that make you want to dance, some you'd hear in the best clubs, and ones that make you think of someone special. "Obsessed" by Maxyme just so happens to be all three of them. With a club beat and fun lyrics, this upbeat pop song makes for a vibe that is just welcoming someone to dance to it-- which, in my opinion, is one of the best types of songs to bring you right out of a funk. Now, one of my favorite parts of this song has to be the electric club sound. As someone who loves to dance as if no one is watching, this dance-y pop track is a perfect background for these moments. But "Obsessed" is versatile--while I can vividly imagine people in a club bopping to this intense beat with this visualizer (shown above), I can't help but want to travel to it. The lyrics, "Do you ever dream/about the night when we first danced/The party lights the scene/fire burning in our hands" makes me picture dancing on a beach, running around with the wind in my hair late at night around a campfire--the imagery coming from these words like no other. So, while I can imagine clubs, late-night parties, and traveling with this track on that soundtrack, I can't help but note that this song just makes me feel free. Maxyme is a 19-year-old Canadian singer who made her mark on The Voice, first in 2016 and then again in 2020 in France. Choosing to release music in both English and French, this bilingual star has released multiple singles and covers on her social media accounts. She has been singing for as long as she can remember--she started professional lessons in 2009 and has been performing since 2010. Currently working on her new project, "Antisocial Club", set to come out later this year, Maxyme collaborates with various songwriters and continues showing her fans her dedication and musical talent. Written By Jane Katryn FOLLOW MAXYME:

“Wrong Time” is a catchy and relatable pop track about dating in your twenties in 2022. In today’s society, social media has become what holds many relationships together. Dating apps are where people find connections and hookups and often, this is the norm and the only way you’ll meet anyone. However, is social media wrecking love? Zoe Clark sings about how nowadays, it’s impossible to have that deep emotional connection with someone. After the first few dates, wanting to hangout and be together turns into late night booty calls. This song is not only for those who dream of a romantic and true connection, but it’s also for those needing the courage to leave crap relationships. Zoe encourages the idea that this kind of hookup behavior is unacceptable, and we need to demand more from our partners. It’s the perfect feminist pop hit! Listen to "Wrong Time" here: https://open.spotify.com/track/5j88oRL8RW4boEXA2P28hK?si=87adefc7638b4e35 Beginning with a center of acoustic guitar, “Wrong Time” adds in different musical elements as the song builds. A cool snapping of the fingers follows the guitar entrance, eventually building all the way up to the chorus where the keyboard and bass make an appearance. Throughout the whole song, you can’t help but want to dance. When the chorus hits, it’s full of energy and really hypes you up. I think the best part about this song would have to be the lyrical storytelling within the lyrics. The story is relatable to so many people, having most likely gone through situations like this too. It’s brilliantly written to have this charismatic pull in the beginning only to explode into this irresistible dance chorus. This Nashville pop artist has found her way to fame and has continued to pave her way to stardom. Currently signed with FRTYFVE records, Zoe Clark is putting out music that’s raw, honest and relatable. Combining different style influences has created a sound for Zoe that is recognizable and loved. This talented vocalist and incredible songwriter works hard to bring her massive fanbase music that cuts close to the heart. With 10 million streams on Spotify, Zoe is growing more and more in popularity. We can’t to see what else is in store for this rising popstar! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW ZOE CLARK:

There's a type of love that we aspire to have—a picture-perfect, romantic movie type of love that seems virtually impossible. Mariah Counts' new song, "Everything I Need" describes this, a love that makes you feel like you want to scream it from the rooftops, show them off, and rearrange your life to make them happy in the best way possible; the type of love that everyone envies. With a bubbly melody and sweet-sounding lyrics, this track will make you think of the one you love and tell them you love them. Usually, when we think of true love, we think of a love destined for the big screen. We can associate it with feelings of speechlessness, confidence, and a dreamy "head-in-the-clouds" type of vibe. This track, "Everything I Need" details this beautiful love with the lyrics, "Cause I'm feeling/Like the world is on my side/I know she got me fiending/Got me tongue-tied". Paired wonderfully with the upbeat, simple melody, the descriptions of true love bring the sense of disbelief back to the ground with the beat-- making listeners and Mariah Counts herself understand that this is a love that can be had and it's not just one for the movies. California-born and based, Mariah Counts is a woman who wears a lot of hats-- being a singer/songwriter takes a lot of work, but she's also a CrossFit gym manager, personal trainer, and athlete. On her EP, "True Ugly Feelings" she shares her real stories and uses her music to release and face the emotions that aren't the easiest to talk about. In "Lost in the Sauce", her first album, she continues to express her vulnerability by talking about her feelings after the end of a 3-year relationship. With "Everything I Need" we can see her shift from a longing or ugly type of emotion to a wholesome, loving variety. Currently, on the second leg of her first tour, Mariah Counts aspires to reach people through her music and videos--she's managed over 5.9K subscribers on Youtube and over 17K monthly listeners on Spotify, proving that she's done just that. Written By Jane Katryn FOLLOW MARIAH COUNTS:

Congratulations on the release of your new single “Sidewalks”! What was the story and inspiration behind this new song? Shy Honey: Shy Honey's new single, "Sidewalks" is all about chasing that wild feeling of impulsivity – that desire to run away from the mundane and pent-up existence everyone felt during the lockdown the last couple years. Shy Honey admits she wrote this song because she was feeling the pain of being “isolated and alone”. It’s a song about the inner passion to feel alive again and sprint down the “sidewalks” without a care in the world. Where did the name Shy Honey come from? Shy Honey: Well, when I originally started this band, I was going by another name, but ended up ditching it after a couple months. It just wasn't vibing... So I went back to the drawing board. I am someone who has a softer voice -- and I have always been a little bit shy! :) Even though I love making dancy pop songs, it sometimes feels like a strange pairing of traits-- or maybe it was a good thing to be a little mysterious... haha! I wanted something that could capture the vibe of what I do... The 'honey' in Shy Honey came from an article that described my voice as being "honey dripped"... So I combined Shy and Honey... That name stuck and here we are. :) If you could be the opener for any artist, who would you pick and why? Shy Honey: I would love to open for Robyn or Imogen Heap. They are pop queens who have stood the test of time, and I am obsessed with every song they have ever put out. :) That would be a dream! Fitting with your sound, is there a move from the 80s or 90s you think “Sidewalks” would fit perfectly in? Maybe even a specific iconic scene? Shy Honey: Wow! This is a hard question, but I would have to say any movie where there is a road trip or travel montage involving the lead characters --- or a scene where the lead characters just need to run away from it all -- or they want to do something impulsive together. "Sidewalks" is all about chasing desire with a love interest, so I would say maybe a scene from "Can't Hardly Wait", "She's All That", "Cruel Intentions", "Goonies" or "Never Been Kissed" would be really fitting... So many great movies from the 80s and 90s. It's hard to choose one! :) What are a few items on your bucket list as a group you hope to achieve in your career? Shy Honey: We would love to open for a larger electro-pop artist in our hometown of Portland, OR. We would also love to go on tour and release a new single every couple of months. What can we expect next from you? I can’t wait to hear more, hopefully soon!! :) Shy Honey: We have another single coming out this summer! Stay tuned for that! :) Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW SHY HONEY:

Congratulations on the release of your new infectious single “Animals”! Would you mind sharing the story behind this track and your inspiration for writing it? Sanna: Thank you! Animals was created at a songwriting camp for Swedish and Danish songwriters and producers. We had a really good vibe in the session and we were talking about how we humans tend to overthink when we want to be with someone, but instead we should think like animals if we really have a connection with someone. Sometimes we don't even need words, we can just look at each other and we know what we want. How did you get your introduction into music? Do you remember the moment you fell in love with it and knew it was something you wanted to pursue? Sanna: I come from a musical family where my parents and my brother are in the music industry so it felt natural for me to do music as well. I stood in front of the mirror as a kid creating songs and performed while dreaming about performing for a huge audience with my own songs. I participated in my first competition when I was 5 and I knew that I wanted to do it for the rest of my life! How was your experience studying at Musikmakarna? Sanna: It was one of the best periods in my life actually. Musikmakarna is such a great school because you have contact with the music industry directly creating connections so you can work with other big songwriters and artists through the labels. The teachers are really passionate about what they teach us and you're spending time with like-minded classmates. I bring many nice memories from that school! Who would you say are your biggest inspirations when it comes to your music and songwriting style? Sanna: Nowadays one of my biggest inspirations is Ariana Grande. I've seen her live twice and she is such an amazing artist and performer. My jaw dropped when I saw her. I also love Julia Michaels and her great songwriting skills. I love that her lyrics are so honest and conversational. What moment in your career would you say you’re most proud of so far? And what’s your biggest goal when it comes to your music? Sanna: The most recent thing I experienced that I'm proud of is my participation in the Icelandic National Final of Eurovision. I had to sing in Icelandic in the pre-selection and I don't speak Icelandic. I practiced a lot for the performance and it was a lot to think about; singing in another language that I don't speak, dancing in high heels on a glass stage, hitting the notes on live tv, presenting the message of the song and looking into the cameras. I enjoyed every second of the performance and I'm proud of myself for being brave enough to do it. Any more releases or projects you can talk about that we can expect soon? I can’t wait to hear more from you!! Sanna: I'm releasing a new song at the end of the summer. Then I'm gonna release an EP before the end of this year that I've been working on a lot. I have some performances this summer also and I'm looking forward to performing and releasing more music for you! Thanks a lot Pop Passion Blog for having me <3 Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW SANNA:

Congratulations on the release of your new single “Distance”! What is the story behind this song and your inspiration for writing it? Marion: When I first listened to the song, I pictured a colorful party in slow motion with people wearing unusual outfits. I imagined the joy they could feel and how connected they could be. And since I like analogies, I imagined them dancing and moving like stars dance around the sun like a ballet. That’s how these lyrics came to me. Can you take us through your songwriting process? Do you find it’s similar or a completely different experience each time? Marion: I really try to capture the mood of the instrument and dive into its universe. I ask myself how I feel about the melody and that determines my approach to writing. Based on this, I choose to write by describing images or even story, it depends. For the case of 'Distance' I thought that atmospheres and images would work well. But every time I try to choose the right words to translate my idea with beauty. Who would you say are your biggest influences when it comes to your music and writing style? Marion: My biggest influence is my imagination and what I see everyday. But if I had to name one artist who certainly has a big influence on me, it would be Aurora. What do you think is the best song ever written? Besides one of your own of course haha! Marion: “Everything I wanted” from Billie Eilish is how to translate with beauty and simplicity something strong that goes straight to your heart. What is your biggest goal when it comes to your career in music? That moment where you'll sit back and be like, wow I can't believe I just did that. Marion: When I’ll touch people with my music. When I’ll release an album I’m proud of and that people listen to it over and over. That’d be simply amazing. What’s coming next for you? I can’t wait to follow this journey and see where it takes you! Marion: We’re gonna release more songs with Kai Ming, one is coming in September! And then soon, a great and diversified album full of us! Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW KAI MING:

Amanda McCarthy creates a tangible intimacy that'll have you feeling like you are spitting distance from the singer as she croons her raw and honest story of that moment when you find your self-worth and the strength to let someone go when you realize they don't deserve you. The anthemic track empowers through its lyricism delivered by powerful vocals, seemingly designed for the cathartic release of singing in the shower, though anywhere will work really. Subtle electronic production introduces the track alongside some simple but effective guitar before smooth vocals enter to establish the song in its country-adjacent Americana ballad vibe, anchored in the guitar twangs and power chords that feature throughout. The topic may be slightly somber in nature, but you would have to try pretty hard to feel anything other than uplifted by the infectious, upbeat musicality that aims to repackage the emotions attached to moving on in life. McCarthy is a Nashville-based artist with roots in New Hampshire and Massachusetts who blends pop, country, rock, and modern folk. She describes herself as being "sprinkled with millennial snark and the heart of an old soul", and this certainly comes across in her music (in the best possible way). Her versatility has found her success wherever she goes and she tours nationally, with experience across the United States. She has supported a myriad of established artists including Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, Imagine Dragons, Hall & Oates, and Jason Isbell to name just a few. Find more on Amanda below! Written By George McSherry FOLLOW AMANDA:

Head-bopping and toe-tapping, but make it French! 'Who Knew?' slips back and forth between French and English lyricism, which, when paired with the electropop production leaves you in a dreamlike, stripped-back bar where the concrete and rebar foundations are exposed, illuminated by colorful LED strips that pulse to the beat. The fictional bar that the song has created in my head seems like it would have expensive drinks, but I think I'd still have to get one just to stay and listen. The guitar chords that introduce 'Who Knew?' pay homage to 'Kiss Me' by Sixpence None The Richer, completed by the first words you hear: "embrasse-moi" (French for "kiss me"). The similarities pretty much end there though. The track is anchored in an infectious trance beat that employs layered synths and crisp, consistent, kick-stomp drum loops to craft the bouncy and ethereal sonic space. All this leaves just the right amount of room for the centerpiece vocals; airy, layered falsettos introduce the song setting up the juxtaposition of the verses' punchy, staccato delivery. An entrancing web of warbling bass and pitched-up synths lead you to the song's dreamy culmination. Moontower is an LA-based electropop trio that met at the University of Southern California, where their shared love for music would have them cross paths. Jacob Berger (guitar/vocals), Tom Carpenter (bass), and Devan Walsh (guitar/keyboard) initially set out to be a live act, placing heavy emphasis on the visual aspects of their live performances. We can be grateful that they abandoned the pipedream of being the first band to headline Coachella without officially releasing a song because now we can access their tunes at a moment's notice. Written By George McSherry FOLLOW MOONTOWER:

Love can drive us to do crazy things. You act in ways that you normally wouldn’t all for the attention of another person. In “Break My Heart Again,” Kristen Plati sings about longing to get heart broken by someone that she loves. I have to admit that this line of thinking was kind of confusing to me at first. I then decided that Plati is actually trying to say that she will have that person in her life at any capacity even if it means getting hurt. This is still a bad practice. However, it is interesting that she uses the song to call herself out. After all, a line in the chorus is,” you’ll never find love if you do it like that.” I really liked the first verse because Plati does a great job illustrating the effect that technology has had on relationships. I like the line about her text being left on read. Land lines aren’t as instant as cell phones. With that, there could be a good chance that someone does not receive a call or voicemail. If you do not receive a response, you couldn’t know for sure if you were being ignored. In the age of read receipts, you know good and well if you’re being ignored. Knowing that you’re blatantly being ignored can be very disheartening. This is how Plati is feeling, but she is holding on to hope that things will change. As for the song itself, I enjoyed the overall instrumentation. The music sounds very bright in spite of the sadness of the lyrics. Kristen Plati was born and raised in Perth, Australia. She is a singer/songwriter based in New York City. If you want to hear more of her, I recommend “Wanna Be.” This song is interesting when you compare it to “Break My Heart Again” because the songs have two completely different views on failed relationships. “Break My Heart Again” is about wanting the relationship to work, whereas “Wanna Be” is stressing the happiness of being independent. Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW KRISTEN PLATI:

Some fairy tales talk of a crystal ball that give you a glimpse of future. In reality, we don’t have this luxury and have to take each situation as it comes: for better or for worse. In her song, “Cringe,” Estella Dawn talks about when the memories of the bad situations come back and haunt us. More specifically, she talks about being unlucky in love. Dawn became so infatuated that she did not see the warning signs. When she thinks about the happiness she once felt, it makes her physically sick. Fortunately, Dawn uses her music to expel all the negative energy and move on with her life. I liked the guitar strum in the beginning of the song. It repeats in the second verse as well. It reminded me a lot of the guitar on Shawn Mendes’s song, “Treat You Better.” The similarity is kind of ironic because Mendes also sings about being unlucky in love. Another aspect of the song that I enjoyed was the inflection in Dawn’s voice. I am talking specifically about how Dawn says, “cringe,” on the chorus. As she sings that word, it sounds as if she is actually cringing which really does justice to the song’s title. Lastly, I think it is worth pointing out that the bridge acts as a transition piece to the song. In the bridge, Dawn sings, “I grew bigger, I burn brighter,” before circling back to the chorus. She is acknowledging how much better of a person she is for coming out of the bad situation. At the same time, she is also coming to terms with the fact that the memories of it may always be there. Estella Dawn was born and raised in New Zealand but currently lives in the U.S. Along with being a vocalist, Dawn is also a songwriter and producer. Even though the year 2020 was crazy for a lot of us, it was great to Estella Dawn because she burst onto the musical scene. If you want to hear more of her, I recommend “Pretty.” Compared to “Cringe,” this song is about a more positive side of love. Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW ESTELLA DAWN:

What I seemingly thought would be a breakup song, quickly turned into one of the most gut-wrenchingly beautiful ballads I’ve ever heard. “Something I Hate” is a song written about overcoming lifelong insecurities. ROSIE is brutally honest in her lyrics as she sings about her struggle with accepting the things she hates about herself. Not only is this single a gorgeous reminder about how we have issues with ourselves, but it also shares a tragically beautiful message about others loving you regardless. It’s so obvious how ROSIE portrays her confusion on not understanding how anyone could love the same things that she hates about herself. This idea by itself is such a powerful thought. The fact that it’s so easy for us to tear ourselves down, damage our bodies, and go through pain because we hate ourselves… and yet someone out there is thinking the exact opposite. They’re thinking that they love that one very specific part of us. I think this is an incredibly well executed concept and it brings so many emotions to the surface that some of us may not have expected. Along with the alluring meaning in the lyrics, the musical aspects of “Something I Hate” are to be praised equally. The track is made up of mainly acoustic guitar with some light percussive drum-like cracks in the mix. The simplicity of these lines makes the focus on ROSIE and her vocals. The sweet, light and pure sound that ROSIE sings with is no doubt one to admire and compliment. She sings not only with perfect rhythm, air support, tone and pitch, but also sings with passion. You can’t mistake her singing for anything else other than what it is– passionate. Her words are dripping with ambivalence. There is power in her lyrics, as well as power within her voice. Wanting to create a safe place online through her music, ROSIE found fame after her stripped breakup song, “Never the 1” reached over 15 million views on TikTok. The New York native has a knack for turning pain and loss into motivation and comfort. Along with the titles of mental health advocate, classical violinist, and guitarist, ROSIE now can add the titles of major label recording artist. This 21-year-old singer/songwriter is here to bring a transparent view into her life and emotions. No filter, makeup, or fake news. ROSIE has only just began on her journey to stardom, and you won’t want to miss a thing. Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW ROSIE:

In "I Wanna," Indonesian artist Alsa depicts a love story to the sweetest of measures. Alsa describes the feeling of being totally infatuated with someone who only wants the best for you. It is a feeling of pure happiness at its highest form that makes the song feel completely infectious to those listening. The sound evokes images of pastel colors and cute scenery. Alsa uses this to her advantage in the visual for the song below. The track feels light and bubbly with the sounds of synth pianos and acoustic guitar. The entrance into the chorus features the sound of chimes making it feel magical. The entrance into the second verse brings in new production elements including an almost trap-like drum pad and shakers. Alsa's vocals are bright and airy, they feel sweet with the sound of the production. The lyrics evoke this feeling of pure bliss, "Feel the sparks all the way // Never feelin' this way // Really brought the sun in my gloomy rainy day." To eventually the feeling that this person could truly be the one, "Feelin' like dreams come true // It's obvious we're meant to be together // I wanna feel you hands hold me tight // Wanna know how you would that me right // Wanna share my day my life my whole night // Spend all my time 'til suns shining bright." Alsa describes the song herself as, "The story of a woman who is falling in love. She feels she's found the right person and imagines how happy it would be to spend the days together." Alsa is an up-and-coming Indonesian artist. "I Wanna" is her second song of 2022, following "Kisah Terima Kasih" featuring fellow artist Jebung. "I Wanna" is her second single that is in all English following the viral hit "NA NA NA," which has racked up over 5 million streams on Spotify alone. With over 300k followers on Instagram and over 10 million followers on TikTok, Alsa has quickly skyrocketed into the hearts of many. Written By Kyle Stiver FOLLOW ALSA: