Raphaël Roberge’s “10” is a bright pop tune about the feeling of being in love. When you experience this feeling, the positive energy can’t help flowing out of you. This means that you have no choice but to share it with others. This is exactly what Roberge is doing in this song. The added musical aspect only serves to help better convey his feelings. Even if you can’t relate to the falling in love feeling, this song can be a great pick-me-up for anyone! The first thing I noticed about this song was the rhyming lyrics. The first line goes, “you could write the book on how to steal my breath with just one look.” I have not heard many songs that use rhyming as much as this one does. I like it because it gives the lyrics a poetic quality and makes the song catchy. I also enjoyed the progression of the song. During the first verse, it sounds calm, as if Roberge is trying to contain his happiness. Right when he sings, “you’re a 10, I’m gonna take you out…”, the music speeds up. All the contained happiness from the beginning erupts like a volcano. This transition was seamless and suited the song’s structure. Raphaël Roberge is from Quebec, Canada. He released his first single, Libre Comme L’air in 2015. Since then, he has acquired one Top 5 spot and two Top 15 spots on the iTunes French chart. This popularity has allowed him to accumulate more than 100,000 streams across Spotify and YouTube. As if that wasn’t enough success, Roberge is also an actor who has appeared in numerous Canadian media productions. Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW RAPHAËL ROBERGE

“Never felt this high, drowning in your tide.” This quote hit me like a wrecking ball. And no, I’m not just referring to one of Miley Cyrus’s biggest songs. I'm also alluding to the fact that ‘low;’ by Glooms and Baby AK slams you with sheer strength. It illustrates the raging tide of denial underneath the surface of someone who’s gone through a traumatic experience. This electronic trap-pop track is backed directly by powerful emotions; tapping right into the shadows of ourselves. We often think of the stages of grief as a linear progression, but they can also occur simultaneously. The overwhelming thoughts in our head that we try to ignore...it’s like a war zone of feelings. I have to say, Glooms and Baby AK struck gold with this concept! From the get-go, cleverly twisted synths and killer vocals designate Glooms' darkened heart as the soundscape. As booming bass lines alternate with EDM moments, every fiber of his mind is stretched to the limit. “What’s it like to feel alive? What’s the point to even try?” I'm amazed at the pure humanity in these lyrics! Glooms is on richly introspective quest to find the source of his affliction. He tries to seal away his emotions, but they all come rushing out. This conflict with his inner demons feels like an inescapable pitfall. That gut-wrenching sensation is so fricking relatable, that you’ll certainly find a line or two in here that explains your entire life! Seriously, WOW! You’re not ready for the brutally honest work of LA singer-songwriter Glooms. It’s quite the trip! After several releases in 2019, he’s back with an ingenious take on the troubles of the heart. His friend, drummer and producer Baby AK, really knows how to draw emotions out of people with his prowess in the studio environment. Showcasing ‘low;’ with the world was a great call! The artists’ manifestation of grief is vulnerable yet styled with precision. Glooms’ upcoming EP is going to be so worth it. I can already tell! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW GLOOMS: FOLLOW BABY AK:

“I Remember” is a gut-wrenching ballad about relationships. Every relationship has its up and downs, and sometimes, when you’re reminiscing and missing them, the only thing you can do is think about the good times. But oftentimes, the hurt outweighs the hurt. Baker reminds those of us who are missing someone to take a more critical look, take off those rose-colored glasses. Molly Baker’s smokey voice gradually works up until it explodes in the climax. Though the music remains hopeful, Baker’s mature and non-nonsense voice carries strength, even if there’s hurt inside there too. Though this song is melancholy, Baker’s bright and vibrant voice shines through especially well in the climax as she offers hope and strength to those who’re still struggling right now. Molly's strength heard in her voice reminds listeners to push forward and move on, remember the good, but also, remember the bad. Molly Baker is an up-and-coming artist that made her beginnings on YouTube, recording music videos and lyric videos for her original songs. Realizing her passion for singing by participating in open mic nights and musicals, Molly has turned that passion into launching her career as a musician. Always smiling with one hand on the guitar, Molly’s infectious joy for music is something so pure that it can’t help but make you smile. As she gains more and more experience, Baker’s youthful nature and voice are sure to make an impact in the industry. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW MOLLY:

Zach Hood releases new single, “lonely isn’t the word for this”, bringing refreshing truth and emotion to the pop scene. Hood’s latest song is about the feelings you have when you miss someone. The song goes into detail, showing that it’s not just that you’re sad and longing for them, but it’s so much more. It’s the extreme end of the loss you feel, that point where you’re depressed and hopeless. It’s more than all of that– it’s feeling numb and empty. The tune shows how badly these emotions are tied to a person, and how difficult it is to live like this. The beginning of the song jumps right in to creating a more somber tone for the song with the slow piano movement in the background of the lyrics. From here, the song picks up in adding in more instrumentation to the song. The bass lines add in intensity right along with the lyrics as it moves into the chorus. I really enjoyed the use of drums in this song, I felt like it was a unique feature to see in pop music like this, but thoroughly enjoyed it’s inclusion. I feel like additions like this, keeps pop music fresh and new, and I definitely felt that from this single. My favorite lyrics were, “I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, not even you”. To me, these words held such depth and emotion. It showed not only how closely tied this pain was to this other person, but it showed maturity in the way that this loss didn’t create anger, but only the feelings of nothingness. And to say that they don’t wish this on them, that just goes to show how much love they had for this person. I felt it was really beautiful and could relate to this a lot. Zach Hood is an Alabama born, Los Angeles based musician. Starting off early in his life with music, Hood taught himself to play piano through YouTube videos and threw himself into music following his parents' divorce. His break into the music industry began his junior year of high school when he began posting videos on TikTok. In 2021 he released his debut single, “Flashbacks” which was widely popular and garnered 4.8 million Spotify streams. Continuing to release singles and rack up millions of streams, Hood found himself landing a deal with Arista Records. This up-and-coming pop star has so much more to share with the world and you won’t want to miss a second of it! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW ZACH HOOD:

“Dust Storm Darlin’” is a gut-wrenching folk ballad about goodbyes. Inspired partly by the Mars Opportunity Rover’s last transmission sent to Earth, “My battery’s low, and it’s getting dark”, after getting caught in a planetary dust storm, this song is a sweet tribute to those who have passed on towards the other side. Mann uses clever wordplay, like passing on to life, to sprinkle mentions of the inspiration of the story throughout the song. Elijah Mann’s powerful and soul-wrenching voice paired with the gradual crescendo and swell of the instruments and song evokes a feeling of the last goodbye. In the grief, Mann reminds us of hope as others move on; the hope of being in a better place, the hope of seeing them again, and the hope of us being able to let go and move forward with our lives. Elijah Mann wrote this song after flying to Alabama to see his grandmother for the last time; this song of sensitivity and loss was created from that experience. As a Brooklyn-based electro-folk singer/songwriter, Elijah Mann is well known for his powerhouse vocals with poignant and poetic lyrics. Though originally from Connecticut, that hasn’t stopped him from making an impact in indie music scenes from LA to New England. Mann has featured at iconic venues like Rockwood Music Hall, Berlin, and The Bowery Electric, leaving those in the audience without a dry eye. Elijah Mann has a lot to offer and is eager to make a name for himself. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW ELIJAH:

“Don't Touch The Merchandise” is the ultimate confidence-boosting song that exudes the boss girl energy we need this summer. The song is about refusing to lower your standards for someone who is not worth it. Singer and songwriter Eden Gates incorporates clever lyrics with metaphors of price tags and discounts. She tells her lover, “you can't afford it, boy, you can't buy it,” claiming that if he can't commit to her—the merchandise—he shouldn't even think about touching. The song is a reminder to everyone to know their worth and remember that they don't need someone who doesn't reciprocate time and energy. The song’s upbeat nature and steady guitar progression make it fun and easy to sing along. On top of that, the “oooh’s” in the chorus really tie it all together, and the repetition of “you can't afford me” serves as a powerful reminder of self worth and leaves listeners feeling empowered. Gates wants everyone to know that they deserve a partner who sees their value and knows just how expensive they are. Eden Gates is a rising musician currently based in New York. Influenced by sounds from Katy Perry, Meghan Trainor, and Dua Lipa, Gates loves to create high-energy pop music that leaves people feeling empowered. Embracing her middle name Eden, Gates hopes that everyone can grow in her garden of love and joy that is music. Listen to her debut single now and follow along on her exciting musical journey! Written By Chelsea Luo FOLLOW EDEN GATES:

“Crying Room” channels the emotions of what it’s like growing up in this generation. As a whole, this generation tends to use partying and alcohol as a distraction from the reality of our daily lives. Ocean Tisdall’s latest single focuses in on how sometimes, we allow our emotions to control the outcome of our reality. We can be so involved in what we are feeling and how we’re reacting to our lives, that we miss out on a lot of important memories. This song paints a picture of being “that guy” at a party. So consumed by their emotions that they ignore others and want to escape into their own place of being a mess. Tisdall’s single reads in a very poetic and passionate combination of classic and alt song writing. Throughout the song, the synths and beats tend to take a place of support rather than being the main focus like you tend to see in more alternative music today. The focus is on the lyrics and the story and the rest of the song is there to just help move it along. It’s a very subtle and relaxed kind of feel at the beginning of the song and then moves into this nice groove of emotion during the chorus. I think the writing for the music is a show of very staple pop elements that make this song an attention grabber. The Irish singer has broken into the music industry recently in 2021 with his debut single, “Broke Up With My Best Friend”. Receiving strong support and DSP endorsement, Ocean Tisdall has risen to be a popular music icon. Tisdall continues to create music that will be relatable and passionate for his audience, his aspiration is to “make people feel something”. The strong connection with his Gen Z fans and his motivation to create beautiful music, truly makes Tisdall stand out. If you like artists like Conan Gray and Troye Sivan, you'll love Ocean Tisdall. You won’t want to miss any new tunes from Ocean Tisdall, keep an eye out for more new releases! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW OCEAN TISDALL:

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: