I’ve always been a sucker for the little things. Seeing cherry blossoms on the trees, receiving hugs from my friends, heck, even someone calling out to me by name is comforting to me. The point is, ‘Marigold’ by XY&O is all about the small gestures in showing affection. They can easily make the difference between receiving a yes or a no. “Beg your belief, baby I’ve got soul...I’ve lost hope on a steady hold, but I brought you a marigold.” Especially if you’re anxious or fearful of what the other person will say, a simple gift given with intention is a strong first move. It’s really the thought that counts! This soothing beachy/indie pop tune shimmers in a sunset glow. The warmth in the guitar and drum parts emphasize a natural, relaxed feel. Add tender male vocals and it’s saying, “No need to worry! You don’t have to rush into love.” On the contrary, you’re also presented with a person who’s got a case of nerves in the gaze of their crush. “I want you, trying to tell you but I get tied into mumble and stumble; the more I look at you, the deeper I freeze.” These lyrics are thirst-quenching! They’re totally validating for those who tense up easily, especially while trying to ask someone out. It’s a heartwarming thought that’s beautifully brought to fruition! If you’re looking for a mysterious, yet captivating band, look no further than XY&O! This renowned UK-based outfit is led by Skip Curtis, a brilliant singer-songwriter from Wales. Their sound is considered “haze-pop,” which includes a hazy electro-soul ambiance that often covers themes of longing or sadness. Since the band’s breakout debut single ‘Low Tide’ in 2015, their music has been featured in several Netflix productions and, believe it or not, The Sims gaming franchise. 2022 is a year of great anticipation for XY&O. After three years of being outside the public eye, their debut album is dropping soon! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW XY&O:

I can’t get enough of your new single “BUBBLEGUM”!! You have such an incredible sound. Can you share the story behind this song and your songwriting process? LOU: With every song I write I’ve usually had the idea bubbling away (no pun intended) for a while. This song I wrote the chorus for a while back but scrapped the song off completely due to the song as a whole not being great. Then a month or so after out of nowhere I just could not get the chorus out of my head. So I call my producer MEZZ and said “this song needs to happen, I’m re writing the verses” and next time I saw him the song was born. A lot of my songs I write are quite deep and personal to me but it’s nice sometimes to write these little tongue in cheek, not super serious songs and just have a laugh with it whilst also really reaching out to real scenarios and situations people are in every single day. What made you want to pursue music? Has it always played a large part in your life? LOU: I actually went to a performing arts school and HATED music lessons. Looking back now I wish I had of listened but it just wasn’t a passion of mine at all. I’ve always loved listening to music but my passions lay in acting and dancing. I did those up until college where I took up film and then I went on to do that at Uni. During uni I unfortunately my best friend died and it threw my whole life off course and just sent me into a bit of a spiral of drinking etc.. then I had a friend who left a bright pink ukulele at my house once by accident. Then one night I picked up the ukulele and searched “chords on a ukulele” or something of the sorts, into my search bar and learned “House of Gold” by Twenty one pilots. This quickly became my favourite band and next thing you know I’m practicing every single day. This led me to start experimenting with writing lyrics and as cheesy as it’s gonna sound it became therapy. I’ve always been bad at using my words to portray my emotions but when it came to writing songs it felt like the just flooded out. I was writing the most sad songs you could ever imagine it was years before I wrote a happy one but I needed it, I needed to write those songs. It’s now only been about 2 and a half years since I wrote my first song and it’s fair to say I’ve found it, I’ve found the thing I’m supposed to do. I loved checking out your covers on your IG! What is your favorite one you’ve done so far? LOU: My favourite cover by far is the Taylor Swift - Love story cover I used to be obsessed with Taylor swift which you probably wouldn’t think from the music I make now! What are you most looking forward to on your upcoming tour?! LOU: As I’m writing this I just finished the first leg of my tour and honestly these nights are the best nights of my life so far. There is something so pure about writing a song about a moment in you life, whether that good or bad. And having 100’s of people sing those words back to you with such passion. A song about such a personal experience that has somehow, in some way connected with every person in that room. That moment when everyone in that room is singing the chorus of a song your wrote in your pants in your bedroom is a moment that will never get old. Also a girl made me bath bombs, that’s pretty sick too. If you could collab with any artist, who would you pick and why? LOU: At the moment I’m really enjoying just perfecting my craft with what I’m doing as I’m so new to it so I’d wanna make sure I was really ready before I went a did any big collaborations but I think I’m pretty close. Dream ones for me would be Yungblud or State champs. But also I’ve become friends recently with an artist called Noah Fince and I think he’s incredible and would love to work with him in the future. What can we expect next from you?! I can’t wait to hear more!! :) LOU: More songs. more shows. And world domination…. Near future though I have a single out on the 1st of July called IF THERE'S A HELL which I hope everyone enjoys as much as I do! Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW LOU:

People often make mistakes within relationships. These mistakes could include hurting the other person by mistreating them whether it’s due to outside forces or within. When this happens, it causes a rift between both parties and creates awkward tension. This could leave the other person in the dark and wondering if you two will move past this dark time or if this could be the end. It takes communication to reassure the one who got hurt that this isn’t the end all be all. As long as they take responsibility for their actions and prove to the one they love that they will still stand by them, the relationship can be repaired. BBY LIZA expresses her apologies for the one that she hurt in her piece “Don’t Be Distressed.” This ballad is an apology to the person she loves for the pain and stress she caused them during a dark period in time. This piece is truly a heartfelt ballad about the reassurance that she wishes to give her love after a period of hurting them. The whole vibe of the song is melancholic as well as ethereal. The melody is more instrumental-based and keeps a slower pace to match the theme of the song. The melody matches very well with her vocals, as they both have very gentle and ethereal aspects to both. BBY LIZA’S voice has a velvet sound to it and her emotions are clearly shown through her vocals. Just by her voice alone, you can tell how passionate she is about the situation presented in this song. As for her lyrics, she crafted very personable lines regarding her sorrows. She is completely transparent about how she views herself and the situation with lines such as “regretting not keeping it honest with you but I was too scared to tell you the truth” and the chorus as a whole. Quite a few lines in the chorus begin with “I’m sorry,” which reiterates how sorry she feels about the situation. This whole piece is very emotional and keeps a consistent air of grace and raw feeling. BBY LIZA, also known as Agnes Frisk, is based in Helsingborg, Sweden, and has kept music as the only common thing throughout her life. Her life's purpose is to perform and entertain, and she desires to do nothing other than being an artist. She participated in Sweden's got Talent in 2020 where she showcased her ability to dance, sing, and rap. After participating in that and other talent shows throughout her life, she moved on to getting more serious gigs. She has been seen sharing the stage with artists such as Icona Pop, Anis Don Demina, and Molly Hammar. Agnes has already accomplished so much in the music industry and as a 16 year old, she's just getting started. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW BBY LIZA:

Isla Noon recently released her newest single “I Need to Go Home;” a dance-pop piece about when you hit that one point in the night at the club when you want nothing more than to just leave. Yes, going out can be really fun as you dance around with your friends, loosening up to the music blasting all around you, all while you have a drink in your hand. It all sounds like the perfect way to have a good time for a night, but you can’t do this forever. You’ll sober up eventually and all that fun will slowly start to come to an end. In this mindset, everything around you turns from the glittering greatness that it used to be into a sour environment. You start to notice how crowded it is, how loud the music and people are, and how blinding the lights are. Isla mixes lyrics explaining this plateau with an electric melody. Just like Isla’s other pieces, she chose to give this song a very upbeat and electric melody. There are a lot of sounds that go into this song, which makes this piece very elaborate and exciting for her listeners. The melody also stays very light, just like Isla’s vocals. Isla has a very soft and light voice which matches perfectly the genre she selects to write and produce under. Songs in this kind of genre of pop music tend to keep happier melodies and lighter vocals, which is exactly what Isla accomplished. Isla tends to stand out from the rest due to the diversity of sound in her melody and the fact that the lyrics are about a melancholy event, contrasting the upbeat vibe of the song. She talks about how she’s listening to “a bad imitation of a love song” while “the girl dancing behind me is starting to cry into her drink.” Isla does an amazing job at being descriptive of the scene around her in order to transport her listeners to the scene that she’s writing about. Between the depth that she shows in her lyrics and sound, Isla created a very intricate and interesting piece with this single. Isla Noon has been involved with music ever since she was a child. Growing up, she was writing songs and learning guitar which lead her to enroll in the University of Auckland to earn her Bachelor of Music. In this environment, she was able to work in a more professional environment and network with others within the music industry in order to establish herself as an artist. She signed with Bigpop Records in 2017 and has stuck with them ever since. As for her creative process, Isla says that her pieces are based on visuals about the ideas she has. She then moves into free writing for her lyrics once the vibe of the song is set. Isla is very modern with her music and writes songs that stay in tune with the direction the pop music genre is heading. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW ISLA NOON:

Natali Noor’s song, “Policeman,” is an upbeat dance track about an insatiable desire. She is willing to do just about anything to catch the attention of a crush. The feeling is so strong that it feels criminal. No one wants to break the law, but there is a Pinterest quote that reads, “if my love for you is a crime, I want to be the most wanted criminal.” This quote expertly describes the feelings that Noor is reflecting on through her music. The song starts out with talking on a police radio which really does justice to the title. The listener is than introduced to a hook which consists of a horn. I got the impression that it was meant to sound like a siren. If this is the case, then the detail is a nice touch. An actual siren would have been out of place and disrupted the flow of the song. Another aspect of the track that I liked was Noor’s vocals. They are strong, and she sings with a lot of emotion. Additionally, the bass line and electronic sound give it a really good dance beat. The song is perfect for a Saturday night at the club. Natali Noor wears many musical hats. She is an artist, producer, songwriter and composer. At a young age, she discovered her love of music and began creating songs in Garageband. In 2016, she received her big break when her song, “Moon,” was chosen as the anthem of that year’s Summerburst music festival. Noor also produces film music. In 2021, she worked alongside her mother on a documentary called Be My Voice . In terms of future projects, Noor plans to release an EP. If this single is any indication of it, I can’t wait to hear what else she has in store! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW NATALI NOOR:

ORI's new track called upon my facemask's secondary function of hiding my facial expressions from unsuspecting members of the public who would have at least been curious about what was playing through my headphones. The looseness of the lyricism is refreshing, especially for something produced to this high standard. It feels odd to not be pregaming with tequila shots when this song plays, and yet I get weird looks when I pour Jose Cuervo in my Cheerios in lieu of milk. What? It's not my fault that ORI gets me feeling a certain way. Let the link to this fine balance of ethereal prurience show you what I mean. The track runs just shy of two minutes, but SLUMT packs plenty of punches. Trancelike, warped vocals against the backdrop of warbling synths and clean drum loops extend to you an invitation to the unique scene of an intimate yet lawlessly lewd house party. The rotating vocal distortion paints the varying emotions and degrees of sobriety that you cycle through alongside ORI's hypnotic pop-flow. Much like it would during an intoxicant-driven evening, the party that the song creates seems to flash by in a blur, winding down with a lullaby of 808s that usher you toward the door. ORI finds the unexpectedly natural intersection of a curated, smooth vibe and a vibrant, tongue-in-cheek, lascivious playfulness and she wields this unique sound seamlessly. The Queens-based artist makes imaginative use of an array of production techniques, pulling from a variety of genres to foster her sexy, synth-driven alt-pop sound which champions liberated sexuality while poking fun at the unwavering dominance of the male gaze in the music industry. Written By George McSherry FOLLOW ORI:

“Game Over” is a gritty pop-infused song about a good-bye, good riddance breakup. Filled with clever video game references and sounds, Charette treats a relationship like a video game; sometimes the protagonist might jump over the blocks and save the princess, but other times, you just can’t beat a level, and it’s game over. Charette smartly compares parts of a relationship to cheat codes, trying to act like you’re putting in the effort but not truly. Charette’s strong and powerful voice permeates the entire song, her mature and full sound never wavering and delivering a catchy and bold chorus. “Game Over” delivers such an immersive performance with the video game sound effects and allusions. Filled with a retro and almost a pop-punk vibe, the song works to paint a picture of a failed relationship and having the strength to say good riddance and move on. At some point after a relationship has ended, everyone realizes how much better off they feel being independent, making their own choices without compromising for anyone else. Liv Charette, often described as a “powerhouse vocalist”, spent 11 years as a figure skater before trading in her skates for a microphone. Having her first taste of success with her TikTok series Tiny Mic, Charette was hungry for more. She ended up being featured in New York Magazine’s The Strategist and started her own weekly podcast. As she quickly picks up traction with her catchy and melodic singles, Charette is showing a lot of promise for whatever she’ll be releasing next. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW LIV:

Your new song, "Lovers Don't Say (Goodbyes)", is so dynamic! What's the story behind it? Ashley: I t’s about a toxic relationship between two lovers who manipulate one another to stay in the relationship, claiming lovers simply don’t say goodbye and they don’t ever cross the lines of wanting to leave. And while either one of them could walk away from the relationship, there’s no denying the grip they both have on each other. In the end, it’s okay because while they’re bad for each other, their love for one another overpowers all the negative energy and feelings. Who would you say are your biggest influences? Ashley: I’m very heavily influenced by Dua Lipa. I’ve always been someone who’s listened to her music but didn’t quite get into her until future nostalgia. Her sound is so so unique compared to any other pop artist in my eyes, and it reminds me of early 2010s pop, which is the genre of pop I love. I’ve always been someone who’s wanted to make pop music that will keep the people on their feet. If my music is the reason someone is sitting down I didn’t do my job right. So, listening to Dua Lipa, and studying her sound, it’s made me realize that this is the type of music I want to make. She’s inspired me to want to grow as an artist simply because I loved to watch her grow as an artist herself. She went from being bullied for the iconic One Kiss dance to performing major dance numbers and that very same One Kiss dance every night on her Future Nostalgia tour as a clap back to everyone who ever doubted her, it’s all truly inspiring. What has your experience been like breaking into the music industry? Any particularly challenging or inspiring moments? Ashley: What was challenging for me was trying to discover my sound, and which genre I felt best suited me and I enjoyed. For example, I sang jazz for a little while, and tried writing a jazz tune and it just wasn’t working for me. I didn’t feel as if jazz was a genre I’d want to sing compared to listening to the music. I then moved on to pop-punk, wrote song really depressing songs, and then I came across a pop disco beat, and I always said I’d get into my disco era but I needed to finish my pop-punk EP first. However, that statement lasted a good two weeks before I found the beat I used for Lovers Don't Say (Goodbyes) and my whole perspective changed. That's when I was like yeah, this is the music I want to make for the rest of my life. What led you to play and perform pop songs? Were you always interested in the pop genre? Ashley: I grew up with pop music, it was always what I listened to on the radio. I remember when the first CD I ever owned was Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream and it was the CD I had on repeat for years. I also always watched Hannah Montana growing up. I honestly can say I was Hannah’s biggest fan--I didn’t own five wigs for nothing! I always said to my mom before she passed that I was going to be just like Katy and Hannah, singing and dancing to these upbeat numbers. However, when I started to really get into the industry, I was starting to doubt my ability to pursue pop music because everybody seemed to want me to do something different. My family assumed I would stick with Broadway and perform in musicals, others assumed I would do jazz because I sang the songs for my school jazz band, and some even thought I’d stick with pop-punk because I went through a time where I was making a pop-punk EP which was mainly to help cope with the bad things I was going through. While I enjoy each of these genres a lot, they’re just not pop. Pop is the genre where I can take some of the saddest lyrics, put upbeat instrumentation behind them, and get a hit that so many others can relate to and scream at the top of their lungs. If I can be one of those people that are the reason for people to be singing and dancing along all day, 24/7, then I wouldn’t need anything else to satisfy me. When you're not working on a new project, what do you like to do? Ashley: I’m just like any average teenage girl. I attend school, The Jay Z founded Roc Nation School of Music, Sports, and Entertainment, I also work a job here at one of the small convenience stores at home, and I also love to hang out with my friends. However, I’m very dedicated to my music and I’m always trying to incorporate music into my everyday life whether that be by practicing guitar, writing some random lyrics, to even taking the aux cord in the car! What's next for you after releasing this great single? Ashley: Well, I’m currently in the process of starting my pop EP! I’ve been in contact with my songwriter Geah Sho and a couple of producers to hook me up with some pop beats. I’ve got a mixing and mastering engineer on hand, so it’s all slowly coming together. I’m ready to take my career to the next level, and this pop sensation is about to dominate the pop star realm, ready for whatever decides to come her way. Interviewed By Hannah Conkin FOLLOW ASHLEY BARKSDALE:

Spilling the latest gossip can seem irresistible, but it's also misleading. You likely don’t have all the facts. Plus, spreading rumors typically does more harm than good. ‘Talking Over Tea’ by LXIX puts priority on taking care of yourself instead of getting distracted by the drama. “Jealousy ain’t on trend, so stop playing pretend, I see through it.” It's important to recognize that the people who make the tea are also projecting their insecurities onto others. Actions speak louder than words, so why join them? Instead, you can take that time and energy and make moves toward your ambitions and goals. You can even pursue them in silence so no one can hold you back! The free-flowing, unapologetic energy in the song is beautifully rejuvenating! Sparkling synths and guitar riffs back a nostalgic pop-rock feel. Then come hi-hats and captivating lead vocals, which transform the space into a blissful sunny afternoon on the beach. In stunning fashion, the conversational lyrics blend seriousness with the wonderful feeling of getting a weight off your shoulders. “What you want is not what I want, we are different minds; and if you want to have what I’ve got, don’t worry ‘bout mine.” Why are they all up in your business to begin with? LXIX kicks priers to the curb with one fell swoop! Overall, the song feels incredible; encouraging you to dance to your own rhythm! Please join me in officially welcoming Nashville duo LXIX to the music scene! Their beautiful debut single ‘Talking Over Tea’ is a great introduction to their magnetic pop sound. Prior to the duo’s inception, Chloey Wilson pursued a solo project as an artist and DJ making “moody pop” music. Her best friend Adamm Mitchell played guitar as part of the band Richlove. After both of them hit stalling points in their musical endeavors, they decided to write this song together and the rest is history! For more heartfelt, feel-good music, go follow LXIX because they’re just getting warmed up! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW LXIX:

When they walk into the room, your heart flutters. Your palms begin to sweat. Your eyes dart constantly to and from theirs, until you both make eye contact. The tension and electricity you feel when you’re around them is overwhelming. An addictive feeling we all know too well, the thrill of liking someone is portrayed in Holly Wild’s newest single “Thrill Of It.” The song describes these feelings as a form of self punishment, especially when you know it's someone you can never be with, but the pain hurts so good that you can’t resist. Not many songs can capture this feeling, but Holly Wild does so with intense passion and beautiful vocals. A sense of longing and intense desire can be felt throughout the song. The pre-chorus buildup represents the singer’s initial resistance of her feelings, but she eventually caves and acknowledges her love of doing things for the “thrill of it.” Whether it’s sending a risky text or making a flirty comment, the adrenaline rush from interacting with your crush is a feeling like no other. Holly Wild’s smooth and mesmerizing voice captures this incredible human experience perfectly. Holly Wild is a rising Australian singer and songwriter who makes indie pop music. Her songs are optimistic and passionate, and her love for adventure and exploration is reflected in her music. She views songwriting as a tool for storytelling and conveying universal experiences to facilitate powerful emotional connections with others that can only be made through music. Her songs are very personal and shed light on her life, from sprinkles of her summers in Australia to influences from her childhood folk heroes or favorite rock bands. These influences intertwine to create a distinct sound and style that is uniquely hers. Written By Chelsea Luo FOLLOW HOLLY WILD:

Your new release, "Waiting", artfully tells the story of anticipating a love that may never come. How did you come up with the concept for this new song? Harry: I t’s something that I think everyone has felt after a break-up, especially one that isn’t your decision. You feel like you found the person for you, but it gets ripped away from you, and you feel like there’s no one else out there. But there is! When did you know you wanted to pursue music professionally? Who are some of your biggest influences? Harry: I’d say my biggest influence growing up was my dad. He has been a professional singer all of his life so I’ve kind of followed in his footsteps and I’ve always known that I wanted to be a singer or a performer in some capacity. Some of my biggest musical influences are Michael Jackson, D’Angelo, Justin Timberlake, and Usher. What's your experience been like on the London music scene? Harry T o be honest I’m still trying to figure it out. I’ve been here for less than a year and I’ve only started to go to open mic nights and promote my music as much as possible around the city in the past two or three months. But I have a lot of musician friends and it’s been great going to gigs with them and really working out the best path to choose when it comes to developing my artistry. The music scene is great down here. Previously you've worked for an entertainment agency, singing covers of songs. During that time how did you balance your individual songwriting and career pursuits with singing covers? Harry: As a job, I work as a guest entertainer for cruise ships which gives me the freedom to travel, perform and also not have to work a 9-5 survival job in the city. This gives me a lot of time to write and record which I do the majority of on the ships. I recorded most of my EP in my various cabin as I take my studio with me. Also, being at sea and visiting these beautiful places all over the world gives me a lot of creative motivation and things to write about, so it really helps me. What is your songwriting process like? Harry: I t varies. Sometimes I write a song on the guitar and develop it from there, sometimes I’ll work with producers and they’ll send me a beat that I’ll write over, or sometimes a lyrical idea or phrase just comes into my head and sticks, and I develop the song from the rhythm of the lyric or the melodic phrase. I usually start with a chorus and work backward, that seems to work for me. Once I have the chorus down, I’ll figure out a good verse, and try and figure out a second verse that varies, and then I’m starting to see the picture of the song. I’ve really enjoyed working on middle 8s recently as I’ve been trying to go in different directions than my previous music. Once I have a basic structure, I’ll let it settle in my mind and in my body for a while, record a demo, listen to it on repeat and make adjustments when needed over the next few weeks or months. In the near future, where do you hope you'll be in your career as a musician? Harry: I want to be respected within the industry. I want people to love my music and be the first thing they want to listen to when they decide to put the headphones on. I want to work with the best songwriters and producers in the world and make some bangers. I want to make music that people dance to, I want to make music that people cry to. I wanna create as much emotion in my fans as possible…and making some money along the way would be wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world! Interviewed By Hannah Conkin FOLLOW HARRY:

Your new single "DLM" is a dynamic pop/R&B mix! It's a vibrant song with great energy. What was your process like creating this song? Rora: T hank you! My friends Bill & John sent over this R&B pop track and I instantly started writing lyrics about this deep desire for someone I couldn't stop thinking of. I sent back a voice note of me singing the song and they were like, "we gotta cut this now!!". Lots of my subject matter before has been about heartbreak or cutting people off but in this song, I'm kinda over being so tough all the time. On your website, you mention growing up loving music. Who were some of your biggest influences at a young age? Rora: H onestly Judy Garland and the Spice Girls. You mention you've explored quite a few different genres of music. What was your experience like finding your sound? Do you intend to continue dabbling in multiple genres? Rora: It was so necessary for me to go through all of that sonic exploration. I truly don't think I'll ever stop exploring my sound and trying new things, I might do a country record one day because I still really love it so much. For a long time, I thought I made alt-pop music. My friend and I went to an alt-pop show recently and she looked at me and said "You don't make alt-pop music, literally stop saying that". What has your transition from Austin, Texas to Los Angeles been like? How are the music scenes different and/or similar? Rora: S o different. Lots of my time in Austin was facilitating the atmosphere at a bar-centered music venue and one of my first shows in LA was a full-blown listening room with 75 people who sat in complete silence for all 3 acts billed. So wild. You had a residency at the Historic Scoot Inn in Austin, Texas in 2019. What was this experience like for you? Would you ever do another residency? Rora: I miss it all the time. Playing that baby grand piano at that charming saloon on East 4th was my favorite thing about being alive at the time. I would fill 3 hours of the show with my songs, jazz renditions of hip hop bangers like Mo Bamba, and my friend Cinco Barnes (the best singer in the whole world) would play a set while I took a breather and lots of Jameson. With lemon. I would love to do another residency and go on tour soon! What live performance has been your favorite and why? Rora: D efinitely my next show. I and my new five-piece band play Hunnypot Live @ The Mint on May 30th at 10 PM. You should come! Interviewed By Hannah Conkin FOLLOW RORA WILDE: