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Have you ever fell so hard for someone that deep down you knew they'd never feel the same? We try and try to get them to want us in the same way we want them. We dress how they like, we do favors for them and we give them all our attention. 'Overnight' by Kaiyra expresses the thoughts of someone who finally got a chance with the one they've wanted for a long time, but come to the realization that this probably won't last forever considering this person clearly doesn't have romantic feelings towards you. "I know I've tried to be how you want me to, it'll just never be enough for you; I want it to be for a billion times but I know that you'll go overnight." This song has a strong electro-pop beat that makes you want to get up and dance. Meanwhile, the lyrics portray heartbreak making this song a perfect example of lyrical dissonance. In a way, the happy music is a poetic hint that Kaiyra is hiding her true sadness from the person she's in love with. Kaiyra's powerful, raw and emotional vocals make you want to listen to what she has to say all while giving you the perfect beat to jam to. I suggest giving the music video a watch! Kaiyra is a singer and producer born in Italy who is now based in London, United Kingdom. 'Overnight' is her debut single in which she self-produced along with the collaboration of Dan MacKenzie as well as Danny Y and Maryn Knevitt. Kaiyra is for sure one to watch. Check out her socials below and give her a follow! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW KAIYRA:

We all have our ‘tomorrows’. Tomorrow I’ll do this, in a few years I’ll do that. These aspirations give us something to work towards. While it’s good to have goals, it’s easy to get sidetracked. In his newest single ‘Fooling Myself’, Callen is having to be brutally honest about his ‘tomorrows’. He isn’t content with his present and is always saying “one day I’ll move into a better place”. He knows that one day things will get better. So, what’s the problem? Callen’s unhappiness with his present is preventing him from working towards his better place. ‘Fooling Myself’ is Callen’s reality check to himself. He’s recognizing that, to reach his dreams, he must change his mindset. If I had to put ‘Fooling Myself’ into a genre, I’d place it in indie pop-rock. The track draws from both pop and rock influences, with Callen adding his own indie flair to pull everything together. The song opens with the drummer counting down and clicking his drumsticks. After the countdown, the rest of the band joins in. A distinct bassline combined with clapping beats help create an indie-pop sound. This steady indie-pop feel continues through the first verse and pre-chorus. During the chorus is where the rock influences take center stage. The guitar becomes more distinct, and the drums increase their intensity. Callen’s vocals, which are calm and steady throughout the verse and pre-chorus, also up their intensity. The song goes back and forth between an intense chorus and calmer verses until the last chorus, where Callen lets the rock influences fully take over until the last notes fade. This back and forth helps give a look inside Callen’s head. The steadiness of the verses reflects the complacent place he’s locked himself into. The intensity of the choruses represents Callen being brutally honest with himself. By ending with the chorus, the listener is left with the impression that Callen is going to try and change his ways in the future, repeating that he needs to stop fooling himself. This unique look at introspection makes ‘Feeling Myself’ a standout for Callen and the indie pop-rock genre. A love for music has always been present in Callen’s life. At a young age the Nashville based artist would replicate his favorite songs in Ableton. Over the years he’s refined his skills and now produces his own music. Callen draws a lot of his inspiration from the alt-pop scene of the early 2000’s. His music is featured on numerous Spotify curated playlists, and he currently has over fifteen-thousand monthly listeners on the platform. ‘Fooling Myself’ is one of the tracks off his debut album ‘Ghost Reflections’. Stream ‘Fooling Myself’ and the rest of the album now! Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW CALLEN:

Most people seem to think that you need to go to outer space to experience weightlessness. Turns out, all you have to do is be in love. During the so-called “honeymoon phase,” the affection between two lovers is at an all-time high because everything is fresh and exciting. If any hardship is set fall on the relationship, it is miles away. You have control, but you let go at the same time. Steffi Jeraldo sings about this zero-gravity love feeling in her song, “Shotgun.” The first thing I noticed about the song was the music itself. The lyrics are accompanied by a soft acoustic guitar. This instrumentation is paired with Jeraldo’s rich vocals. Both of these elements contribute to the musical representation of weightlessness. Another detail I liked was the way Jeraldo sang the words, “Head, head and “red, red on the chorus. When these words were sung, it kind of sounded like an alarm. The lyrics tell us that Jeraldo is definitely not heeding these warning signs. Steffi Jeraldo was born and raised in Sweden. After winning a Swedish music competition, Jeraldo decided to move to the United States to pursue a degree in Songwriting at Berklee College of Music. In 2016, she made another move to Nashville, TN. While being in “Music City,” she has had the opportunity to collaborate with many artists. Jeraldo is currently working on an album to be titled, My Head and my Heart. If this single is any indication of it, I can’t wait to see what else she has in store! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW STEFFI JERALDO

You are such an incredibly talented songwriter, and your new single “familiar stranger” is further proof of that. What happened in your life that inspired you to write this song? Lexie: Thank you!! Ooh this song wasn’t one where I drew from my own experiences but it’s a story that I’ve definitely seen play out a lot- where people end up having to cross paths and be around an ex again and it always seems so awkward so i thought it would be fun to write about. There are definitely a lot of bits of me in there though like my inability to say things I don’t mean and “play cool”. What inspired you to start writing your own music when you were younger? And congrats on being all your success in the Song Academy Songwriter Competition these last few years! Lexie: It’s so strange because I can never pinpoint when I started writing and why but I’ve just always been writing bits of songs for as long as I can remember. I think what really got me into it properly though was Ed Sheeran because I just loved the way his lyrics all flowed together and were so satisfying to sing. I love the music video for your new single. The use of the balloon is absolutely genius. What was one of your favorite memories from shooting this video? Lexie: Ahh the whole day was so fun, I did it with Ruby Ballantyne who’s such a great person with the coolest video ideas. It was quite funny because it was really windy when we filmed it and there's one shot near the beginning where the balloon blew and wacked me in the face but it worked so well because it looks like we bumped into each other and adds to the weird awkward first date-ness. Also I got to go on a load of fairground rides and won a dinosaur ! I can’t wait to listen to your new EP ‘when the sun came up’ on April 22! What song are you most proud of and can’t wait for your fans to hear? Lexie: definitely the last single, the sky looked nice today- the song is so special to me and it’s a very happy song about finding strength again. How was your show at MAP Studio Café last week? It probably felt great to perform your work live in front of an audience! Lexie: It was so fun !!!! To be honest though it was such a blur, I was so overwhelmed by all of the kind people there, my face felt so weird for days after from smiling so much haha. I can’t wait to do another one. You are so extremely talented and I’m so excited to hear your new EP! What do you hope people take away from your music? Lexie: I’d really like my music to be comforting in some way, I’ve always found so much safety and warmth from certain songs so it would be wonderful if I can contribute to that feeling for people. Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW LEXIE:

“Nothing ever went wrong/ We just died out.” Love doesn’t always end in drama and tears, sometimes it simply fades away. Estella Dawn’s latest single explores the idea that it’s possible for a relationship to do just that– fizzle out. This pop hit keeps an upbeat vibe when talking about what usually is an extremely heartbreaking and emotional ordeal. However, Estella reminds us that it’s okay for love to fade away and be left with happy memories and good times. Just because it didn’t work doesn’t mean it was a waste of time. “Easy to Fall” starts off with simply melodic lines that rely heavily on synths and a shaker to create the bass. Estella takes on a slightly new vocal sound as she sings with more of a country-pop voice. This pairs well with her calm beats at the beginning of her song and make for a perfect combination once the chorus hits. Strong guitar lines and drum set enter the scene as the chorus approaches and the song picks up. Overall, this single combines powerful vocals with a calmer bass line that creates the perfect tune to let loose and dance to. Estella Dawn returns with “Easy to Fall” following her success with her single “Buzzcut”, which was released recently this past March. Estella continues to sing passionately about topics related to love and heartbreak and does so in a way that is always empowering to her listeners. She continues to live a fun life and her songs encourages others to do so too. She is currently working on a full-length album that is set to be released in 2022. We can’t wait to hear Estella Dawn’s upcoming project. Make sure to keep an eye out for more great hits! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW ESTELLA DAWN:

The way we deserve to be treated should never be a compromise. Our self-worth isn’t negotiable. Unfortunately, some relationships can make us feel as though we should be bending our standards to make things work. It can be frustrating when you know you deserve better but aren’t sure how to change things. Greta Isaac’s new song, ‘PAYRI$E’, is the push you need to stand up for yourself. Isaac is taking charge, being unapologetic about her demands. She knows her worth and is done settling for less. This pop anthem gives you courage to lace up your boots and demand to be treated the way you deserve. Isaac does a phenomenal job at creating a catchy track for everyone’s empowerment playlist. The song opens with a bang; explosive pop beats instantly drawing your attention. By the time Isaac’s vocals come in, the listener is already hooked. Her opening lyrics, ‘I don’t think I like you anymore’, had me excited for what was to come. I was intrigued by the relationship we were being introduced to. This isn’t a breakup song, nor is it a storybook romance. Instead, Isaac brings us a relationship that started out great but has since turned into something she isn’t happy with. While there is heartache, the relationship isn’t over. ‘I think that you’re worth it/ but so am I’. These lyrics exemplify Isaac’s stance. She doesn’t want to give up, but if this relationship is to continue, things will have to change. I liked this spin on a romance story and the fact that it didn’t fall into a cliché. The relationship is rocky, but Isaac is being honest with her partner and expressing her changing needs. By telling this story, ‘PAYRI$E’ avoids typical romance tropes and adds something unique to the pop genre. The UK has brought us countless pop powerhouses and Greta Isaac is another example. Mixing relatable stories and ear-worm melodies, Isaac is carving her own place in the pop music scene. Her explosive and powerful music is quickly garnering a worldwide fanbase. She currently has over three million streams on Spotify and a hundred thousand monthly listeners. Already gaining praise from notable sources such as Wonderland and BBC Radio 1, it seems that we’re just seeing the beginning for Greta Isaac. The music video for ‘PAYRI$E’ is out TODAY! Click the link in the article to watch now. Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW GRETA:

Have you ever met someone and had an instant connection? As soon as you met, you felt something deep with a stranger. It’s odd, considering you knew nothing about the person. Who knew what the connection could mean or where it could lead, but it sat in your head and your heart, begging to be explored. Victoria Anthony knows a thing or two about these feelings in her new song, “Kinda Into You”. It’s been a week since she’s met someone, but she feels herself falling for them. She’s aware that they hardly know each other – she knows that things might not even work out - but she has to follow her heart. This person has taken over her thoughts and she needs to see what this connection could be. For those of us who believe in fate, this song is sure to get you excited by the possibility of love. As warmer weather quickly approaches, I’m on the hunt for fun songs that fit my summer playlist. “Kinda Into You” is definitely making the cut. An upbeat rhythm and catchy lyrics make you want to get up and dance along. Whether you’re in a relationship, single, or somewhere in between, this song can bring a smile to your face. The song is exciting, with Anthony fantasizing over what a connection could be, but her mature vocals keep the song from becoming too fantastical. With lyrics such as, “yeah I don’t really know you and I don’t really care” and, “Doesn’t have to be love/ might not even be right”, the song creates a young and carefree feeling. It made me think back to high school where couples fell hard and fast. Most of those relationships were chaotic, but people were willing to dive headfirst into connections, regardless of what the potential outcomes could be. If you’re looking for something exciting and romantic to jam out to in the car, “Kinda Into You” is the perfect addition to your song rotation. At just sixteen years old, Victoria Anthony is building a name for herself. The Vancouver based singer-songwriter has over two million of streams on Spotify and that number keeps growing. In 2020, Anthony released her first album ‘Real Life’. In the following years she’s released a series of singles and acoustic recordings. In December 2020, Anthony was contacted by The Recording Academy to be a part of the GRAMMY “Press Play at Home” series. She’s also performed at New York Fashion Week and has been featured in various media outlets including J-14 and MTV. If you liked what you heard from Anthony and want to see her live, you’re in luck! She’s opening for Hey Violet at some of their upcoming west coast dates. Check out her Spotify to stream “Kinda Into You” and get more information on her live shows. Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW VICTORIA:

Imagine that after many failed Tinder dates, you seem to have finally found your princess or prince charming. You have the same quirks, you listen to the same bands, and you hate the same foods. You almost feel as though you could finish each other’s sentences. This seems to be an ideal situation for everyone. Is it really a good thing? Can two people be too similar to the point where they’re not right for each other? The answer is unfortunately yes. Natalie Shay writes about it in her song, “Two Sparks.” When I initially saw the title for this song, I thought it was going to view love in a positive light. After I listened to the song, I found that it was actually viewing love from a negative standpoint. With that, the analogy of “two sparks can’t make a flame” described a relationship perfectly. Two sparks can’t make a flame because they need a match to keep the fire going. Similarly, people who are too much alike do not have any contrast to balance out the relationship. As for the structure of the song, I liked the inflection in Shay’s voice of she sings. I thought that it was well-fitted with the instrumentation. Twenty-one-year-old Natalie Shay was born and raised in North London. In 2019, she sold out two headline shows. Her growing popularity has landed her in notable publications such as Billboard . Additionally, her other single, “Yesterday,” has been on the Spotify New Music Friday playlist in nine countries. If you want to hear even more of Natalie Shay, her new EP, Naked, was released on April 17th! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW NATALIE SHAY

After listening to “HEY YOU” by Anna Starlight, I was just about ready to grab some friends, a booming speaker, and go dancing all night long. Energetic and full of vibe, “HEY YOU” feels like a mix between modern pop and a dive back into 80s electronic music. Anna tells a tale of “the wildest divas in this club” who are “the stars of the night” on the dance floor. Their mission is plain and simple: “we just want to have fun” so let’s dance. This song does a wonderful job at showing the chaotic and crazy nature that is clubbing while maintaining a driving beat and great melody. While closer to the genre of EDM than pop, “HEY YOU” still features some important elements that give it that unique twist. For starters, the amazing and vibrant voice that is Anna carries through the whole song which is complemented by the vocals doublings echoed on the right and left pan. An array of synths in the background give it the vibing 80’s feel that adds to the craziness. About half way through, a soulful electric guitar cuts right through the entire mix, displaying the crazy amount of musical juice flowing through this song. Honestly, how frisky can it get?! Hailing from London, singer/songwriter Anna Starlight is a fresh taste in the pop genre. Her energetic music gets you up on your feet and makes you want to dance all night long (making me wish it were a Friday). Currently only featuring her single “HEY YOU” Anna has plenty of room to grow as an artist and show her capabilities. She's a talented artist with a bright future ahead of her, I can't wait to hear more! You can find her music on Spotify, Youtube, or Apple Music. You can also visit her Instagram for updates on new music and more! Written By Aaron Soltis FOLLOW ANNA:

You have such an amazing way of storytelling through your music! What was the inspiration for your new single, “One More Time”? Joost: Thank you so much! I wrote “One More Time” last year when I went through some changes in my professional and personal life. I realised that I was constantly living towards future goals or romanticising past experiences, rather than appreciating the present. When writing this song, I applied this concept to a night that I kept looking back on which kept me from living in the moment. As bad as it can be for my mental health to romanticise past moments, it can also bring a lot of happiness and nostalgia. In the song I tell myself that I’ll think about it “just one more time”, sort of as an excuse to keep on repeating this behaviour. Who would you say are your biggest inspirations when it comes to your songwriting and vibe of your music? Joost: I get inspired by a lot of artists from different genres for various reasons. One big inspiration is LÉON. I love how her songs carry a lot of emotion and that her songwriting paints a picture that is very accessible. Other than that, I get a lot of inspiration from artists such as Oklou, BANKS and Gracie Abrams. I love all the covers on your YouTube channel! Which one would you say are you most proud of? Joost: Thank you! Probably “I miss you, I’m sorry” by Gracie Abrams. I first posted a small cover on my instagram story and someone asked whether there was a full version somewhere. So I took out my iPad and recorded the cover that’s now on my YouTube. I just love how it wasn’t really thought-through and there’s no “proper” microphone used. Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled so far? I loved looking at all your travel pics on your Instagram :) Joost: I have luckily seen a lot of the world! What really left a mark was when I travelled to Japan with my family a while ago. The country has such a different culture compared to the Dutch culture and I absolutely fell in love with it. I am actually planning to go back with a friend this year! What would you say is your favorite album of all time? One that has no skips at all! Joost: For sure LÉON’s self-titled album. It was released when I had just moved to Amsterdam from London and was discovering the city in springtime. Every time I listen to this album it brings me back to those days! Other than that I love the 80s vibe it holds. Can you tell us a bit about this new chapter of your music you’re entering? I can’t wait to hear what else you have planned this year! Joost: I am so excited about the projects that will come out this year. I have two more singles coming out soon and after I will start releasing songs of my debut EP. To release a couple of my songs as an EP has always been a dream of mine. It’s also a very personal project as I did a lot of the writing and production on this EP by myself. It is a mix of contemporary indie-/electro-pop songs with some dreamy ballads and I think it really captures my sound as an artist. I’m also working on some music videos to accompany some releases which will emphasise the meaning of my music. I have found it so much fun to find ways to symbolically express the lyrics. Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW JOOST:

"I know I'm much better sober; but I'm under the influence of you instead" are the words of toxicity in a relationship on ear candy's hot new single titled "take my dreams away" which touches on the struggles of bonded love with no benefits or fairness between the two. Learning to be the bigger person in the relationship doesn't apply every single time you date someone and it just shows that no matter what someone will do for love, the person they found might be a control freak trying to control your every move. Just like the festival chick you met at a rave in the summer! THE SKY TURNED FROM BLUE TO PURPLE REAL QUICK! THIS SONG IS A TOTAL SUMMER STARTER! The influences of alternative rock, indie rock and punk flare up so much on this song but is utilized in a way where the whole song sounds like a lofi pop jam. The muddy drums that still bang throughout and the shredding going on with the guitar really brings those qualities of the song together. The climax of the chorus is phenomenal with all of the instrumentation working together while Jamie ups the ante on his vocal abilities and range. The energy here is unreal! Jamie Jordan is a singer-songwriter and producer from the UK whose mission with music is to create indie pop and alternative pop tunes that turn up a conscious message while still being fun hits to listen to sonically. He dropped another single this year titled "over you" and is planning on doing some major things for 2022 including touring with his band and dropping new singles. Keep your loved ones close. Go give him a shot! Written By Miles Tutor FOLLOW JAMIE:

This catchy dance-pop single offers perspective on complicated relationships and emotional unavailability. Zhuli sings, “I don’t want to be the one” showing that the situationship she was a part of was never meant to turn into something serious. In the modern era of dating and hook-up culture, it’s common for this problem that Zhuli sings about to happen. Often times, having a casual partner leads to complicated feelings that end up in one person wanting a serious relationship and the other not reciprocating. “The One” perfectly captures these messy feelings that so many of us can relate to. Zhuli’s newest single relies heavily on electo-beats and synths to create an upbeat bass that supports her strong vocals and lyrics. My favorite lyrics were, “I told you from the start that I was just another lover.” I think this sums up the whole message that Zhuli is trying to get across in this song. A serious relationship was clearly never on the table in this situation and Zhuli reiterates that she doesn’t want to be “the one” for her partner. I think this is a powerful concept that is talked about here, especially since these words are coming from a woman. So many times, society paints the female in the relationship as the one who will want commitment, but here, the stereotype breaks. I think this song is a good example for women, showing that it’s okay to want to just have fun and be casual and not be pressured into something serious if you don’t want it. While “The One” is a great dance-pop hit, it also gives the power to the women. Zhuli is an electro-pop singer based in Sydney, Australia. Following the release of her first single, “IKEA”, Zhuli returns to bring her fans another great pop hit. Zhuli draws inspiration from popstars Charli XCX and Ariana Grande while adding her own special experimental elements that makes her music undeniably hers. While new to the music scene, Zhuli has found success in creating songs that can be relatable to most everyone. You won’t want to miss out on a single thing from this dance-pop icon! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW ZHULI: