‘Nothing Hurts Better’ by Lorelei Marcell isn’t about what you think it is. On the first listen, you might think this is about relationship drama. However, the more subtle surrounding soundscape tells a very different story. It paints a stunning picture of separation anxiety, which Marcell experienced following her move to Los Angeles. “Wasn’t the first one to fall...something always goes wrong; you know how I am on my own.” Being away from her family and friends was a huge change, undoubtedly tough. She fell in love with the city, but she often tried to downplay her insecurities intertwined with this massive life change. Even so, she was incredibly determined to figure it all out. Marcell’s resilience comes into sharp focus here! There are so many facets to this masterpiece of a song. First, Marcell’s sultry vocals feel so enlivening! She has this raw determination to succeed, and she’s unafraid to push through and embrace her anxiety. Second, I absolutely love the subtle build-ups in the background. Feel-good synths later become supercharged by rhythmic guitar and trap beats. Then, the stripped-back bridge is beautifully emotive and provides clarity on Marcell’s deep-seated emotions. Finally, the lyrics SLAP! “Nothing feels the same way anymore...never gonna stop this back-and-forth; nothing hurts better, loving you like that.” She doesn’t shy away from her discomfort. Rather, she reframes it as motivation to keep going despite the difficulties. Marcell gets so real with you and it's truly something special! If ‘Nothing Hurts Better’ has taught me anything, it’s that Lorelei Marcell is a powerful independent artist who’s not afraid to be her most authentic self. Stepping into a new chapter, her R&B-influenced indie pop sound is backed by a hefty dose of realness. She lets her emotions ground her; inspiring her and others to excellence. Since releasing her breakout hit ‘Losing Myself’ in 2019, Marcell has grown exponentially as an artist and as a person. I have a good feeling that she’s only going to go above and beyond from here! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW LORELEI:

There's a stressful insinuation that we have to have our lives together by our twenties, but it's a time where everything is unpredictable, and we're learning how to just go with it. So, in a song that makes you want to run out into the summer rain and scream-sing along, "Twenty Something (All or Nothing)" by Bre Kennedy tells the world that life in our twenties is a beautiful mess, but it's something she's thankful for. This single is about celebrating the good and the bad, the stressful and emotional parts of being in your twenties. I think it can be summed up well in the repeated lyric, "scared I'm running out of time" because of how fleeting the world makes it out to be. The song starts with the joys of young adulthood, doing reckless things yet never feeling fulfilled by them. We're built up with so much emotion and never told what to do with it, but as Bre Kennedy says, "It's all or nothing"-- all we can do is go full throttle and hope for the best. The song dives deep with instruments, strengthening the idea behind the lyrics with the building intensity of the drums and then dramatically dropping into silence at the last words to give the track a feeling of acceptance. The accompanying music video gives us insight into Kennedy's experiences with this-- showing locations from where she crashed her car to where she learned who she is. Coming back from a nearly sold-out tour with Joy Oladokun and a debut Bonnaroo performance, singer/songwriter Bre Kennedy releases her charming single "Twenty Something (All or Nothing)". The Nashville-based singer released the original acoustic version of the song back in January of 2020 and renewed the single to signify her start of releasing new music post-pandemic. Starting in the fall, Bre Kennedy will be releasing new music and accompanying Rag'N'Bone Man on tour beginning in Minneapolis. Jane Katryn FOLLOW BRE KENNEDY:

Sad summer vibes are here with Nick Kandler's new anthem, "Kill You Slowly." It's about the feeling of knowing you messed up in a relationship. The idea that maybe you're the reason you cannot be with this person that you desire. The different motives that can cause this rift, including self destructive behaviors, lies, and even your own personal demons. Kandler carefully crafts and describes this feeling vividly. The track is full of guitars in the instrumentation, and the sounds of synths and drums are layered carefully underneath. Kandler's voice smoothly croons over the production, with unique flow and melody. The drums come in heavy as the chorus comes in, and you feel it in your chest how hard hitting this track is. The lyrics discuss the topic of how Kandler feels he let this person down, "You said don't lie to you // I'm a one way road and how little do you know, and I // I wish I could've been good to you." Kandler also lets us know into what might've been the motive for this, "My demons come // You let him in // Over throw your inhibitions." In the end, the two fall apart and Kandler is trying to soften the blow of the pain he's caused, "Paint you a picture of me // So I don't leave you lonely // Like a bullet in your heart I can't stop // So close it off // Or it'll kill you slowly." Nick Kandler is a singer, songwriter, vocalist, producer, and sound designer based in Los Angeles, California. "Kill You Slowly" is his third single, and the second released in 2022. It comes shortly after "Stay" released back in February. Nick has been featured on songs with fellow artists Sembari and Blix. Kandler describes the feeling of his music as "euphoric." 2022 is shaping up to be a massive year for the artist. Written By Kyle Stiver FOLLOW NICK KANDLER:

Salvatore Manalo’s newest hit “Let You Go” is a soothing intimate hit. His voice soars and shines while accompanied by a simple guitar and a groovy rhythm section. This song’s style channels mid 90’s slower hits and is bringing me back to my childhood listening to Enrique Iglesias and the Backstreet Boys. His layered vocals and instrumental tracks are smoothly integrated, and the overall feel of this song is just smooth like caramel. The lyrics really hit home too. Don’t be fooled by the upbeat feel, this song will tug at your heartstrings like it did me. He says on his Facebook: “ Writing this was more difficult than I thought it’d be, but I’m not all that great with words and I had so much more to say to Kian before he left. We just wanted him to know he was loved by so many, so I wrote him a song .” Once you really listen to the lyrics, you’ll understand. This song is beautiful and heartbreaking as well. “Let You Go” is simple yet powerful. It’s clear the intent this song has was to dig into the lyrics. At first, the upbeat style may make you think it’s a love song but “Our baby dressed in blue” tells a different story. “ We placed your crib across the room to catch the morning sun.” His lyrics and songwriter capture the heartache he’s going through perfectly. I can’t imagine how hard it could have been to write this but hopefully this hit will help him heal. The backing instrumentals and layered vocals add to the texture perfectly and really draw the listener in. The most powerful part, however, is the ending. After all the grooves, catchy choruses and bridges, the last line and lick end just abruptly. This gave chills immediately on my first listen and I think it’s done beautifully. From Portland Oregon, Salvatore Manalo is a jack of all trades. A singer, songwriter, producer, and instrumentalist. While relatively new, he is drawing a pretty good following. “Let you go” has over 24k listens and his soulfully powerful cover of I Put A Spell On You has over 180K listens on Spotify. He is an artist to keep your ear out for. He owns his own label “And the Vibe is Records” and is actively taking clients as well! His songwriting and production quality are top notch! Written By Bryan Massey FOLLOW SALVATORE MANALO:

Your new song "Sunset" is a great blend of Pop and Rock! What was the inspiration behind it? Amanda: I quite literally wrote "Sunset" while watching the sunset in LA. The hook popped into my head right away, so I was kind of brainstorming and as I figured out who I was writing the song about... this same person texted me 5 minutes later after we hadn't talked in months. That was my sign that I was onto something! The production is a lot more pop than I usually do, but I wanted to really capture that real-life moment in the LA pop vibe and the 80s synth influences. Who are a few of your biggest influences? Amanda: My influences range all over pop, country, and rock music. A few key ones include: Taylor Swift, Green Day, Fall Out Boy, Aerosmith, Kelsea Ballerini, Demi Lovato, Kalie Shorr, Sasha Sloan, Mayday Parade, All Time Low, Martina McBride, and LeAnn Rimes. What inspired you to pursue music professionally? Amanda: I've always had a passion for writing songs, but no one ever told me that I could make music a full-time career without being famous. I learned this at 18 when my aunt mentioned that someone we knew was getting paid money to play cover songs at bars. That became my immediate mission: to establish financial stability playing music even if it wasn't my own at first. The real journey has been transitioning into making that same amount of money through my original music. I'm about half and half now. What was it like launching your career in New England? Amanda: I used to regret not moving to Nashville sooner, but in hindsight, I really appreciate that I had the chance to hone my skills, gain industry experience and build my resume with award recognition and opening for bigger headliners at home, before throwing myself into a music pool as large as Nashville's. I was never a "hometown hero"; I can't even get my hometown to publish a news article on me or book me for the summer concert series. But I received tremendous support from other cities in New Hampshire, Boston and Worcester, Massachusetts, and even New York City. It was that support that helped me build the confidence to take things even further. It also taught me the valuable lesson that artists have bigger fish to fry than their hometowns, and that it's far more valuable to be the small fish in a big pond than a big fish in a small pond. What's your experience been like in Nashville over the past 2 years? How has it differed from when you first got started? Amanda: I moved to Nashville in August 2020, mid-pandemic. I was lucky to find some opportunities right away to start cutting my teeth here. I will say, while I am genuinely inspired by country music, I felt like I had to hide the Pop/Rock parts of me at first and focus on just being country. In my first photo shoot here, I got all dolled up in boots and the cowgirl vibe and it just wasn't me at all. What makes me, me, is that I bring influence from all three of those genres. As time went on and I played more shows and met more people, I found the communities that also value Pop/Rock music and I have regained that confidence to showcase all of my influences equally and authentically. What has been your favorite live performance? Amanda: I have a few. One is that I just recently played a sold-out show at the iconic Listening Room Cafe in Nashville and heard this crowd sing my original music with me. I cried. I had a side-stage opening slot for Train at the Xfinity Center in Massachusetts a few years back where the crowd truly made me feel like a rockstar. My other all-time favorite performance was when I was playing a bar gig in New Hampshire, and Steven Tyler from Aerosmith walked into the bar. I performed an Aerosmith song for him, and it ended up gaining major traction regionally. I credit that moment for giving me the confidence to truly believe that I'll make it in Nashville, whether that includes large-scale success or not. Interviewed By Hannah Conkin FOLLOW AMANDA:

"Golden Age" is Rosie expressing her longing for a time in her life when she can feel truly alive. This song reveals just how much ambition Rosie holds and how she's aching to turn that ambition into something greater. She expresses how she feels through lines such as "I should probably stand for something but my feet can't reach the ground" and "This isn't living it's just taking up space." All thoughts that express just how much Rosie wishes to reach that point in her life that will make her feel something. This piece is extremely relatable to the youth of this time, as we are all striving to reach that point in our lives when we have all of those youthful experiences that we see in the movies. There are a lot of layers that make up the entirety of this piece and all are equally as intense as the other. The beat, melody, and Rosie's vocals all keep a light tone, but each has a little kick to it. Starting with her voice, Rosie has that sweet tone to her, but there's also that cord of strength buried in there that makes her voice powerful. The beat keeps the song pretty fast-paced, keeping the energy high to match the level of emotion that Rosie has put into this piece. The melody stays at a consistent speed that matches the beat, but then slows down a bit towards the end of the song to allow the guitar strums to be heard. This makes the lyrics more personable at this part since the melody softens for a moment. Overall, Rosie created a wonderful piece concerning the struggle to feel as if you're actually taking care of your youth or just letting it pass by. Rosie moved from the east coast to LA to begin networking in order to kickstart her musical career. After just two years full of hard work and determination, Rosie had built a powerful team of producers and songwriters. She debuted her first EP entitled Coping, a work about her emotional growth and how she was able to turn pain into beauty. This EP encapsulates Rosie's mindset of how she is able to continuously learn new things about herself and then share those lessons with the world through her music. Other works of Rosie's include her track "L.A." which she and producer OKO released entirely on their own, and amassed millions of streams on Spotify. Also, Rosie wrote "Never Be The Same" for the EDM duo Tritonal, which skyrocketed to number one on SiriusXM's BPM radio. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW ROSIE DARLING:

The path to where we want to be is always frightening; the fear of uncertain outcomes makes us doubt ourselves. "So New" by Girl Pow-R aims to motivate and tell listeners that they'll be alright no matter where they go. While their debut album talks about individuality, friendship, believing in teamwork and themselves; their newest song, "So New" speaks on the topic of taking the time to figure out what the next step is, wanting to branch out, and keeping that confidence every step of the way. This girl group brings another inspirational song to their repertoire with an electropop melody and uplifting lyrics. When we look into the lyrics of this upbeat pop song, we can see the girls speak about how their past was fun, but they know that "it's time to find out what's next in life" so they're not letting the joys of yesterday hold them back from the wonders of the future. While they're taking this next chapter in their life, they reassure listeners that if they do the same, they'll be alright. A lyric that stands out from this new single comes in the form of, "Thanks to those I've met/I won't forget your words" reminding us that in all of our decisions, we are granted a support system that helps guide us through each of these uncertainties; Girl Pow-R aims to be part of that group for their fans with their music. Girl Pow-R is an all-girl pop-rock group with superb vocals, energetic performances, and inspiring passion. The Toronto-based group is multitalented, showcasing their skills in singing, dancing, and playing instruments. Their JUNO-nominated album, "This Is Us" kicked off their debut, and with this new track, "So New", released on June 24, 2022, they introduce us to their third single off of their sophomore album. The girls' passion imbues itself within each song, preaching friendship, support, and acceptance, all the while each girl within the group represents an independently chosen social cause. Over the last year, Girl Pow-R has been sharing their admirable message to fans through over 65 shows across Ontario. Jane Katryn FOLLOW GIRL POW-R:

You have such an amazing way of storytelling in your music, especially in your newest single “Make Me Happy”. Can you share the story behind this song and what inspired you to write it? Erica: Thank you so much, that’s such a compliment to me. It definitely came from a point in time when I was looking to others to fulfill some sort of lost feeling within me, I was expecting them to go out of their way to make me happy. I very quickly came to terms with the fact that no one is able to, or has any responsibility fixing how I may feel. What made you first get into music? Erica: I’ve been singing my whole life, but I’d definitely say my biggest inspiration growing up was Taylor Swift. Anytime she toured in to Toronto, my sister, my friends, and I would always go. During the time my sister and I were taking guitar lessons, Taylor’s songs were always the ones we wanted to learn first. When I was 16 and was about to play my first show, I knew I had to start writing my own songs because Taylor always wrote her own songs. She’s without a doubt been the most impactful with guiding me into the artist I am today. If you could pick any artist to cover one of your songs, who would you pick? Erica: Maybe ‘Bahamas’, I’d love to hear his interpretation of ‘Make Me Happy’, I think it would definitely paint the song in a completely different light. I was checking out some of your covers on your Instagram and they were SO GOOD!! Which of them would you say are you most proud of to date? Erica: Wow thank you!!! I’m gonna say my most recent cover of ‘Tenenbaum’ by The Paper Kites because they commented on the post. I did upload a Lennon Stella cover to my story a couple years back and she messaged me saying how she thought it was beautiful, so that has to get an honourable mention as well because she’s unreal. Do you have a bucket list when it comes to your music career? Anything you really hope to achieve in the next few years and beyond? Erica: I’d love to play a sold out show in Toronto in the next year or so. I’ve yet to play a headlining show in Toronto, so that’s definitely gonna be on my list. As far as beyond the next couple years, I’d love to play a show at Massey Hall and do a North American tour. Can we expect more music or projects from you this year?! After this new track, I can’t wait to hear what you release next! Erica: Expect much more music - it’s coming very soon! I’m currently recording a ton of new songs, and they’re all going towards my biggest project to date, which I’m super excited for you to hear :) Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW ERICA:

"HOW TO LIVE" is a cry out to the world begging the question that is known to all: why is it so hard to live? Mykyl pleads this question throughout this piece as he goes through the thoughts that he struggles with on a daily basis. Lines such as "I take two steps forward and a thousand back" and "Is this what it feels like to grow up and not know how to do anything right?" express his feelings of how lost he is in the world. We all know the basics of what is expected of us when we turn into adults: go to college, get a degree, and get a job that pays well. Mykyl reveals how he feels that this simple statement is much harder than it sounds. This thought process is true though, it's a universal experience to feel as if we're fighting all odds just to make it to the end of each day. The question that Mykyl poses in this piece is "why?" Why must it be so hard to just live. Mykyl begins this piece by sharing little snippets of inner thoughts such as "think happy thoughts" and "I can't get out of my head," leading up to the first verse. The song immediately fades into a high-energy melody in order to introduce listeners to what's to come. The quick guitar strums and powerful beat form an energetic vibe to the song. The entirety of this song keeps a lively tone as Mykyl pours out his stream of thoughts on the matter. Through his lyricism, Mykyl is very open with his feelings and listeners are able to tell that he is very passionate about the matter. Since most artists write about love and relationships, I personally have rarely heard songs talking about how difficult life actually is. It's a matter that every single person feels and it's very enlightening to hear about this from an artist's perspective. Mykyl produced a truly personable track and really connects listeners to his music through his vulnerability. Mykyl has always wanted to be a pop star ever since he was a kid. When he dropped out of college in 2020, he was absolutely determined to make a career out of his passion. He decided to move to Las Vegas to pursue an internship with Imagine Dragons and The Killers, where he learned a lot about the music industry. Ever since that internship he has been writing and producing songs with a bunch of different artists. His songs have been featured on New Music Friday, Fresh Pop, and Chill Pop. He is very vulnerable with his music and with his determination is sure to go far. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW MYKYL:

“All My Love” is an upbeat pop jam about platonic love, the love between friends and between brothers and sisters. There are so many songs about romantic love, but Thehiz decided to explore a newer avenue, something that’s just as sacred as romantic love. Friends are the ones who light your path, push you to explore new trails, and allow you to reach your highest potential. When there isn’t a special someone in your life, the love that you have is passed onto your friends, people who will be there for you no matter what, where, when, or how. Thehiz puts an electronic spin on the song, a bold and driven sound of broad and glittering pop-rock textures. With a soaring chorus and dynamic voice layered amongst a pulsating atmosphere, the positive energy Thehiz bring electrocutes the song. “All My Love” is only another example of Thehiz’s uplifting and memorable style that’s an example of an adventurous and inventive direction. Thehiz is an Ethiopian-born songwriter and producer who’s not interested in fitting in. Whether it’s his innovative fashion sense, iconic afro, or unique music delivery, Thehiz looks forward to standing out from the crowd. His style is innovative yet reflects the influences of the past. Since first debuting his self-produced single SUBMARINE in Feb 2022, Thehiz has quickly become an emerging artist to keep an eye on as thousands connect and relate to this music from all around the world. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW THEHIZ:

'Night Stretches Through' curates a sonic vibe that occupies some curious space between 80s art pop a la Kate Bush and more modern acts like The 1975. The upbeat and catchy nature of the track lends it the versatility to be played on road trips or in the kitchen, but really any space where you can move to the music and release some tension singing the punchy and poignant pining lyrics, tailor-made for emotional catharsis. The syncopated drum and bassline foster the energy that carries the brightness on the song. The buoyant and powerful vocal performance shows off Roisin's effortless range, while the melancholic lyricism is juxtaposed with the uplifting musicality to paint emotional turmoil. That turmoil was inspired by Roisin running into an ex on a night out, leaving her with that pit in her stomach while everyone else had fun. I'd say she channeled her emotions effectively in releasing 'Night Stretches Through'. Roisin O is an Irish singer and musician who made an official entrance into the music scene with her 2012 album The Secret Life of Blue , followed quickly by an impressive support role on Lionel Ritchie's Irish tour. In spite of the gap between her 2012 release and her newly unveiled sophompore project, Courageous , Roisin O has certainly left fingerprints on the music industry, releasing a healthy collection of singles and EPs all while offering support to acts including singer Mary Black and rock-group the Coronas Written By George McSherry FOLLOW ROISIN:

Jodi Valentin has my heart in shambles with her song ‘Vanish’. It's a story of heartbreak in a failed relationship; where after it ends, the other person essentially “erases” you from their memory. “I can’t believe you would just vanish, like you were never really there...you never really cared. The nerve of that jerk! I fricking love the phrasing in this song. It’s rage-inducing in the best way possible towards whoever did this to Valentin, while also being intensely vulnerable. Come get your next sad hours anthem here! I should probably mention that this song will probably make you dance and cry at the same time LOL. Don’t say I didn’t warn you about its powerful appeal! If I were to describe the sound of ‘Vanish’ in one sentence, I would say it’s a liberating electro-pop tune with alluring synths and a sprinkle of sass. Valentin’s voice is so beautiful. She goes with the flow of the beat like she’s riding a wave that never crashes into the shore. When she sings, nothing stands in her way! This effortless display of emotion sweeps over you along with heartfelt lyrics. “Can’t shake you off my mind...I’m looking at your door, hoping you’ll come inside, and I’ll apologize.” DAMN! Hang on. If that doesn’t scream the people-pleaser mentality, I will riot. Based on this line, Valentin thinks she did something wrong, even though the other person is to blame for leaving her to pick up the pieces. It’s just like how sometimes we blame ourselves for things that others did. She’s truly dressed to impress with these bold moves! From her work on ‘Vanish’ alone, why isn’t Jodi Valentin more famous right now?! Seriously, this Brooklyn-born pop artist has a knack for storytelling that’s equal parts evocative and catchy. Before launching her career, she attended NYU Clive Davis alongside artists like Maggie Rogers, Del Water Gap and Fletcher. Her music has had numerous TV show placements like in The Young and the Restless and All American . Her greatest influence is Taylor Swift, and I will say that I’m definitely getting 1989 vibes from her repertoire! Valentin has recently put out her new single, ‘Electric’ and it’s undoubtedly worth checking out! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW JODI: