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:

Overthinking SUCKS. It comes in when you least expect it and then lingers for far too long in the back of your mind. Let's put a stop to it! ‘What If’ by Soran is about slamming the brakes on your racing mind and learning to live in the present moment. He asks questions like “What if I love you the same as I did yesterday?” and “What if I told you that you make me complete?” In doing so, he comforts himself and releases worry by reasoning on the why of his “what ifs." Even when he feels like drowning, Soran recognizes that no one is truly to blame for what he went through. Things just happened , but it's better to work through it and move on than to stay stuck. “We go to hell and back for nothing, days and nights on second-guessing again.” Soran’s poignant lyricism is so compelling, that you can instantly connect to his story. With his luscious and slightly raspy vocals, he’s easily able to express the strong emotions he felt while struggling with overthinking. Silky acoustic guitar strums and lo-fi synth beats collide to make your heart feel lighter. It’s like Soran draws the pain out of you so that you can process it with him. One of the coolest features in the song is the instrumental section and outro. It sounds like Soran is speaking underwater, which is a genius reference to the first verse where he says, “You and I are slowly drowning again.” Pretty neat, right? The Montreal-based artist Soran is best known for his unique brand of Lofi-pop that also includes elements of R&B and electronic music. Authentic, heart-driven lyrics are key to his songwriting. After competing on La Voix in Quebec, his self-titled debut EP helped him gain some serious traction in Canada’s music scene. In 2019, he built on that tremendous success with several hit collaborations. Now, his intimate EP ‘Space Boy,’ where ‘What If’ is the fourth track, has arrived! It pays homage to Soran’s late mother, whose memory continues to live on in his music. He’s truly a wonderful artist with so much heart! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW SORAN:

There's always that one point you get to after a bad relationship where you finally feel like you have officially moved on. Working on changing your mindset and separating yourself from who you used to be in that situation is such a freeing experience. Getting past that dark time and being with someone who treats you extremely better is worthy of being proud of. "Look At Me Now" by Lily Lane is a motivational anthem about recognizing how much better life is once that chapter of your life containing that toxic relationship has been closed for good. It really is empowering to look at how much better your life is when you decide to pick out the toxic weeds that halt your growth. All aspects of this song are so smooth, but still have that underlying strength to them. For the melody, the beat is very prominent as it accompanies the softer instrumentals. The same goes for Lily's vocals. Her voice has that velvety sound to it, but she's also able to belt out some very strong notes. Her voice reminds me a lot of Demi Lovato's, as they both are able to hit such strong notes with such graceful execution. For the lyrics, this piece is very motivational. The lyrics tell the story of moving on from a bad relationship and being very in tune with your well-being in the present. Again, another aspect of the song that expresses strength. With this song, Lily accomplished writing and producing the perfect "moving on" anthem. Lily Lane started her time in the music industry as Lily Halpern, before her reincarnation in the music industry in 2014. She moved to New York City in 2010 to pursue music and shortly released her EP “Not Gonna Cry.” In the following year, she shot some music videos, opened for Cody Simpson’s “Waiting4U” tour, released her full-length album “Colors,” and opened for the bands Big Time Rush and Hot Chelle Ray on their nationwide tours. She then decided to take a break from music and attend NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and came back to music with a mature sound. She then came back as “Lily Lane” She released her EP “Nothin’ But Trouble” which was featured numerous times in the popular drama “Pretty Little Liars.” Lily has accomplished so much throughout her time in music and continues to consistently release music and grow her career. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW ARTIST:

Is there such a thing as seeing too much of yourself in someone else? In ‘Narcissist’, Denis Coleman ponders this and details the ecstasy and uncertainties of a new relationship. First off, I think the title is absolutely genius. What’s interesting is that you often admire the things about others that you love about yourself. In that way, you become more infatuated with your own character. Second, that special “click” when you mesh well with someone is simply a rush of euphoria, which this song gorgeously embodies. You’ll lose yourself in the melody and experience an almost psychedelic vibe that you’ll never want to leave! This pop-rock tune starts off with a zestful electric guitar motif that works wonderfully with the hi-hats and drum kicks in the background. The use of reverb on the synths and vocal harmonies works wonders for the otherworldly feel that Coleman is going for. Not only that, but his classy lyrics take a breathtaking dive into how romance can distort your perception of reality. “When you're in my mind...I wanna swim in the projection, hyper surreal vision of heaven.” He’ll wow you even more with his chameleon-like lead vocal., especially in the bridge. Here, he swaps in trap influences to create a brand-new hook! Bonus points for the trippy music video. It’s just (*chef’s kiss*) magnificent! Denis Coleman is best known for his emotionally intuitive songwriting, where he creates entire new worlds for listeners to explore. From creating violin melodies at a young age to putting his education at Royal College of Music on pause to launch his pop artist career, he’s come such a long way! He's come so far in fact, that he’s been gaining extra buzz recently as a supporting act for Little Mix’s final arena tour. He’s previously opened for acts such as The Vamps, HRVY and New Hope Club. Now, he’ll be headlining his own tour hot on the heels of his incredible new single, ‘Narcissist’! He’s certainly got my follow! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW DENIS:

With sadness, melancholia, and a message that remains beautifully tragic, “‘Till I Die” becomes one of the best single releases of May 2022. Kings Elliot writes a masterpiece depicting her struggle with mental health and accepting who she is. While Elliot’s heartfelt and emotion driven track is a personal testimony, many listeners are bound to relate to the subject matter of depression, anxiety, and other disorders. The ongoing battle with mental health, that so many of us face, manifests in different ways for everyone. It’s often time hard to comfort or give advice to those in need, however, “‘Till I Die” has beautifully laid out what life with mental health problems is like in a way that everyone will be able to understand and hopefully help ease their struggles. “’Till I Die” is full of dramatics, emotion and piano, combining to create a sensational alt-pop hit. There is simply one word to describe Elliot’s voice– angelic. Elliot’s vocals are stunningly smooth, and passion filled. She ranges from a lower register at the beginning of the song to the higher register throughout all while maintaining the silky smoothness of her voice. The best part of this single, however, has got to be how it was arranged. I can’t help but marvel at the choral vocals and piano-driven lines, they’re simply beautiful and brilliantly written. When I listened to “’Till I Die” the drama of it all was just cinematic in a way. To me, this song belongs in a film. I am absolutely in love with every single aspect of this single. I couldn’t recommend this track enough. The London-via-Switzerland artist, Kings Elliot, has quickly made a name for herself in the music industry. Elliot has amassed millions of global streams, praise from Teen Vogue and Billboard, as well as social support from Reese Witherspoon and Lewis Capaldi. The rising star is signed with Universal Music and will be hitting the road with Imagine Dragons on their U.S. tour beginning in August. Elliot’s sound can be closely associated with that of Lorde and Billie Eilish, but with its own new brilliance. Elliot openly speaks about her battle with mental health and uses her music as a way to spread awareness and comfort to those going through similar situations. Kings Elliot will be releasing more new music and you won’t want to miss out on any of it! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW KINGS ELLIOT:

This fresh new anthem transports me back, back to hot summers by cold river water, or to tweaking my neck headbanging to Paramore, or to belting out post-country Taylor Swift lyrics. Though punchy and energizing, When You Were Mine also manages gritty emotion in its raw lyricism. I would prescribe this song as a remedy to any remnant, festering indignation toward that ex who demands far too much of your mental energy; whether it’s warm enough or not, roll the car windows down, let your hair down, and I would wager that it would be quite the challenge not to sing (or more likely shout) along. A hairbrush as a microphone will also do the trick if you don’t have access to a car or it really is too cold. Click here to listen to When You Were Mine ! Pop-punk guitars spark the song into action. Low, rhythmic power chords set the foundation for the pitched-up riffs to dance around the bars while the vocals gather power and strain gracefully on the way from verse to bridge, before culminating forcefully into the captivating chorus accented with bouncy, rolling drum fills. Everything calms down, just a little bit, while more context is provided and suspense is built back up with layered vocals and a final crescendo into the outpouring that punctuates the song’s ending. The Rising is the name of the vibrant production and songwriting duo based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Though based in Ireland, the group operates between there and Nashville, applying a multi-faceted approach that sturdily anchors their sound across several genres. As such, they draw tangible influences from all the nooks and crannies that lie between Pop, Rock, Country, and Punk. Chantelle McAteer is responsible for the dynamic vocals (as well as any harmonica you might hear), while Chris Logan takes charge of the stringed instruments (guitar, banjo, mandolin) that have proven so central to their identity. The Rising find effective support from Brian Mellors (bass guitar) and Ryan Hodges (drums). Acclaim for the established duo has come from all corners of the industry, including Guitarist Magazine, Country Music Magazine, and BBC Radio London. Written By George McSherry FOLLOW THE RISING: