In the summertime, the sun rays beat down on you as you tan by the pool. You use sunscreen to keep from getting burned. The warmer weather can bring on a time for romance. Summer love is exciting, but its duration can be short-lived. Unfortunately, you can’t protect yourself from a broken heart in the way that you protect yourself from a sunburn. In “End Like This,” Matt Taylor reflects on the ending of a summer love. “End Like This” definitely qualifies as a summertime jam. The electric drum makes for a great dance beat from the get-go. I liked the progression of the song and how the verse kind of explodes into the chorus. In the first verse, Taylor sings about canceling the date and the music seems slow and calm. The music picks up considerably on the words, “how did it end like this?” It is as if he is using this change to express anger and sadness. It added depth to the song, and I enjoyed how seamless it was. Matt Taylor is originally from Dublin, Ireland. Some of his musical inspirations include Taylor Swift and Lorde. If you enjoyed “End Like This,” you should check out Taylor’s other song, “April 13th.” It is similar to “End Like This” in that it centers around lost love. It still contains the electronic sound, but the song is slower and more reflective rather than upbeat. Whatever the style, Taylor uses his powerful gift of storytelling through music! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW MATT TAYLOR:

We look in the glossy pages of a magazine and obsess over how good looking the movie stars are. We declare that we would give anything to date Ryan Gosling or Zac Efron. In reality, being good looking on the outside doesn’t necessarily equate to being good looking on the inside. With that, looks can be very deceiving. In her song, “Thief,” Rena Jones sings about discovering this tough truth the hard way. She learned her lesson by having her heart “stolen.” The primary instrumentation used is a guitar. The main melody consists of a repeating guitar strum. I enjoyed the way it flowed with the lyrics on the verses and then blended into the background on the chorus. Another aspect of the song that I enjoyed was the harmonies. They made the track catchy and fun. Moreover, some of them had an alarm-like quality. Hopefully, the thief heeds the warning. Rena Jones was born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida. Jones’ mother was one of the first people to recognize her raw talent. With a lot of hard work and dedication, Jones went from singing “The National Anthem” at charity events to having 9.9 million views on TikTok. I can't believe that "Thief" is only her first single! When listening to this song alone, I can definitely hear the star power in her voice! I am glad that she chose to share her gift with the world! I can't wait to hear what else she has in store! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW RENA JONES:

In a society where dating apps have become the norm, it’s never surprising when you hear about people meeting through Hinge or Tinder. Estella Dawn’s newest hit, “Orange” focuses in on this virtual dating world and depicts a story of an experience with a Tinder match. “Orange” is about a rare instance where an online match actually results in instant chemistry and connection. So often, it’s hard to have good experiences when finding love online, but Dawn’s latest single is about the possibility of finding everything you were looking for and more. The love song sings a tale of modern dating life and the excitement of a new love– what could be better? This feel-good tune relies heavily on keyboard and percussive instruments to form the melodic base of the song. “Orange” is laid-back and chill, simply just telling a story through song. In a way, I feel the structure of “Orange” is very poetic, sensual, and romantic. It truly feels like a love ballad, it’s just here to tell a story about people connecting and falling in love. I think that this song is very relatable for listeners as most people have gone through dating apps and experienced similar stories. I think there’s also a good underlying message to this tune– take a chance and put yourself out there, you’ll never know the great things you may find. I think “Orange” shows the beauty in taking a chance on someone new. Estella Dawn has kept busy releasing new singles back-to-back. With “Buzz Cut” in early March, “Easy to Fall” in early April, Dawn keeps it coming with her release of “Orange”. The pop artist continues to put out music we love, focusing on topics of empowerment, confidence, and the world of love. Dawn has curated a rapidly growing audience and has not once disappointed with her steady stream of music. Dawn continues to make it a goal to encourage everyone to live their best life through her music. Don’t close your eyes, or ears, for a second, you won’t want to miss any of Estella’s upcoming projects. Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW ESTELLA DAWN:

Being apart from the one you love feels like never-ending pain. When there are thousands of miles between you both, the sun doesn’t shine as bright and the skies aren’t as colorful. Your whole world seems to be turned upside down. “Catch A Flight” examines the struggles of long-distance relationships—the heartache of being able to smell their scent on your clothes and having to say goodnight to them over the phone. Midnight Village manages to capture these universal feelings of longing and sorrow in a feel-good, catchy pop song. The introduction alone feels nostalgic and like a breath of fresh air at the same time. The entire song feels like a movie scene where the main character is driving down a highway with the windows down, blasting music and wishing their loved one could be next to them. “I’m here, you’re there” perfectly describes the pain of missing someone. Although the mood of the song is sorrowful, its captivating guitar and synth sounds make it the perfect heartache tune to play when you’re in your feelings. The melodic guitar riff during the bridge of the song is one of my favorite parts. Midnight Village also offers detailed lyrics of long-distance situations that many can relate to. The artist’s intention for the lyrics is very straight-to-the-point, basically pleading with their significant other to “catch a flight” and be present. Their style of incorporating catchy synth and guitar sounds with lyrics of heartache remind me of sounds from bands like Valley and Nightly. Midnight Village is an LA-based musical duo comprised of vocalist Sean Kolar and multi-instrumentalist and producer Tyler Lyons. The alt-pop band creates music that inspires feelings of nostalgia with influences including The 1975, LANY, and Blink-182. The pair met in Los Angeles while working on individual projects and soon began collaborating. Sean has worked with several Pop and EDM artists and Tyler has toured as a guitarist for multiple bands. Midnight Village has captured live audiences by headlining venues such as The Viper Room, The Mint & El Cid in Los Angeles, and Alley Taps and Cabana Taps in Nashville. Written By Chelsea Luo FOLLOW MIDNIGHT VILLAGE:

Tishmal releases her newest single, “You Got So High”, with the purpose of talking about the past and creating a very nostalgic mood for the listeners. While the single deals with some heavier subject matter like drugs and the influence of those around you, the deeper meaning of the song is about the grief of losing someone close to you, friend of ex, and how those feelings stay with you forever. Even when time has passed, feelings that we had for someone often still remain. The impact that that loss has on our life still remains when its years in the future and usually leaves us with many questions about what went wrong. Tishmal asks her question for why it went wrong in this newest single. The overall mood of “You Got So High” is very dreamy and fluid. The tempo is very moderate and this makes it to be very relaxed. The lyrics almost just float along with the melodies, there’s no rush or urgency. I think these elements of the song reflect the message well, like there is no rush to get over grief, you take it at your own pace and often it’s a slow one that’s thought out and methodical. I really enjoyed Tishmal’s vocals throughout the song. She has a very airy, light, and flowy sound that reminds me of artists like Maggie Rodgers and AURORA. My favorite part of the song was the second verse in full. It talks about actually running into that person you lost and those feelings that resurface. I felt like I could relate so strongly to what she was describing here, and I was thinking of all my own memories and feelings. It was really relatable, and I felt like that is a sign of strong songwriting. Tishmal is a rising pop artists who has found success following her debut solo project. Since then, Tishmal has opened for artists such as CHVRCHES, Zara Larsson, and XYLØ. Tishmal has a unique brand of music that focuses on brooding, poetic pop, similar to that of Lorde and Tove Lo. The Native American singer has many upcoming projects for 2022 including releasing original music in collaboration with producers Christian Medice and Daniel Pashman. You won’t want to miss these upcoming hits! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW TISHMAL:

In ‘breakup song’, Laura Marano puts a compelling twist on the classic breakup anthem. She delves into the conflicting emotions she felt surrounding a relationship that she didn’t want to end. “Everybody saying I should be working through the pain...but I, I’d rather have you than write a breakup song about you.” Ironically, she's doing everything in her power not to put her pen on the paper. Turns out the inspiration that hit was too enticing for Marano to pass up, and I wholeheartedly agree! By finally allowing herself to write the song, she finds this beautiful catharsis that mends her crushed spirit. Grab some tissues because you’re about to experience the healing journey firsthand! Marano kicks things off with a lighthearted piano ballad accompanied by hi-hats, synths and the sound of falling water droplets. With a quick maneuver, the room is emotionally charged and ready to move you. Then Marano slams you with cleverly crafted lyrics that double down on her unrelenting desire to keep the relationship alive. “I feel myself closing off to the thought of getting closure for us...wish I had writer’s block about you.” It’s clear that this breakup was an excruciating weight on her heart. Evoking such deep sorrow, Marano’s vocals effortlessly flow out of her and nail a happy medium between intimacy and power. With a soft moment of acceptance at the end, she leaves you mesmerized and longing for more! If you watched the Disney Channel in the early 2010s, you'll likely recognize Laura Marano as Ally from the hit series Austin & Ally . As a singer/songwriter both on and off the screen, Marano’s lively, heart-on-the-sleeve penmanship is her way of creating catharsis for herself and her audience. Featured in Netflix originals like The Perfect Date and The Royal Treatment , her acting career continues to prosper alongside her music career. Her new single ‘breakup song’ is a wonderful addition to the 2 EPs and 100+ songs she’s written over the years. From watching Marano as a kid to now rediscovering her music as an adult, I’m thrilled to see what's next for her! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW LAURA:

Even though being in a relationship seems so blissful and something that adds joy to your life, it could potentially be very draining. Some relationships can be judgmental, hostile, and unhealthy for both parties. Relationships are supposed to be in your life to add something special, to build you up, and to make you feel loved by another person. When this isn’t the case then it’s time to walk away. Walking away from a relationship that you have put an immense amount of time, love, and energy into has to be one of the most challenging things to do, but your well-being is much more important. Bonny Lauren relates to this situation in her new single “Enough” where she expresses her pain of not feeling like she lives up to her partner’s expectations. She knows her self-worth and knows that she deserves so much better than what she is getting out of this relationship. Due to this, she decides to leave it all behind and move on to the healing process. “Enough” is a piece about healing from a broken relationship paired with Bonny’s smooth vocals and electric melody. With her experience in dance-pop, Bonny transfers some of that energy into this song. Adding this aspect to the song makes the piece very energetic, and pairs really well with Bonny’s vocals. Her voice is light, yet strong, and because of that strength, the vocals pair perfectly with the melody she selected for this song. As for her lyricism, she is very straightforward with her thoughts. Bonny reveals that she feels she can never be enough for her partner and has decided to walk away. Lines such as “Don’t tell me what I shouldn’t do” and “I think that we should call it quits” express her strength to leave a situation that makes her feel less than what she is worth. Lyrics such as these empower her listeners to take a stand just as Bonny has, and persuades her audience to take control of their situation just as she did. Bonny Lauren is an independent singer/songwriter based in Berlin, Germany. She has released many dance-pop collaborations along with writing toplines for other artists as well. She has released music under labels such as Universal Music, Mentalo, Warner Music, Spinnin’ Record,s and Kontor Records. Apart from her career in the dance-pop genre, her solo pieces fall under the indie pop category. Bonny releases music about personal experiences concerning love, heartbreak, friendships, etc. She hopes for her listeners to connect with her stories as a part of healing from whatever her listeners have endured. From the start of her career, Bonny has proven to reach standing in charts such as ITunes POP, ITunes ‘All Genre,’ and German TikTok. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW BONNY LAUREN:

Being your true self to the world is absolutely terrifying due to the fear of not feeling accepted and loved by those around you. The truth is, there are some people in the world who will shun those for expressing what they truly feel. It can be isolating, scary, and enough to make one feel that they don’t belong. The reality is that there are so many others out there who experience the same situation. You would never know that they were there unless you stay true to yourself in order to connect to those around you. Another truth is that life truly isn’t worth living unless you are living as your authentic self. Maggie Szabo speaks truth to this message in her single “Don’t Give Up” as she encourages her listeners to be who they really are despite what others may say. All aspects of Maggie’s song are very empowering. The lyrics themselves speak messages such as “There is someone just like you who feels the same way too” and “Why would you surrender? Don’t give up on love.” These are truths that deep down we all know is true, and it definitely helps to have such empowering lines in this song as a reminder to never give up. Towards the end of the song, Maggie brings in some chorus vocals from another party. This automatically gives an ethereal feel to any song and adds another level of spice to the piece. Maggie’s vocals and the melody together are absolutely electric and give off the same uplifting vibes as she tends to provide in her other pieces. The song as a whole is a powerful anthem to uplift those who just need to hear the reminder that they are worthy of being who they really are. Maggie is originally from a small town near Ontario, Canada but took a leap of faith and moved to Los Angeles to begin her music career. Since moving to LA she has released singles, EP’s, and remixes that have put her on known Spotify playlists such as New Music Friday Canada, Fresh Dance Pop, Cardio, and Gym Workout Motivation. She is a sought-after songwriter/vocalist for DJ’s and many tv networks. Maggie is also passionate about working with organizations including the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles. Songs such as “Don’t Give Up” and “Rebuild” were written for the purpose of empowering LGBTQIA+ youth and raising proceeds for a donation to help homeless LGBTQIA+ youth. Maggie is truly an inspiration and uses her platform in powerful ways that make her a well-rounded artist. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW MAGGIE SZABO:

“Drama Queen” is a biting rock-pop single about a love that you know that’s wrong. Though the person in question is a drama queen and mean, Vinson can’t help his feelings, hoping that no matter what is taken from him, love will be returned. He’s sure that this drama queen persona is simply a persona, and if he keeps trying to peel back the veil, true feelings will eventually be revealed. Paul Vinson’s crooning melody traipses into the audience’s ears, catchy and self-reflecting. Throughout the song, the bouncy melody of the guitar accompanied by the ever-present beat of the drums drives the energy of the song, keeping it in pace with Vinson’s lilting words. As he puzzles about where it could have all gone wrong and hopes to stitch the relationship back together, the instruments accompany him tirelessly as he repeats “Never, never, never, never”, emphasizing the futileness of his actions. Hailing from a small town in Florida, Paul Vinson is now a Nashville-based artist, leaning back on his classic rock roots while incorporating his current inspirations and sounds of the industry. Vinson’s crisp delivery accompanied by the grit of the electric guitar creates a sharp sound, perfect for the biting truths and vulnerabilities he shares. His song “Drama Queen” looks at the joys and sorrows our idiosyncrasies bring and how it forces us to recognize that some of our greatest strengths are also the ones that tear us down. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW PAUL:

“This Party is A War Zone” is an upbeat twirl-around-your-living-room pop-rock song about enjoying fleeting moments in the present. Written in mid-2021 as music venues were beginning to open up again, Gloomy June speaks about the air of desperation at these shows, a feeling of celebratory and chaotic. This subsequent song is about partying like your life depends on it, but also with an underlying understanding that partying can’t last forever, but, enjoy it while you can. Lead singer Alexi Belchere’s infectious energy that she brings to the hook really draws in the audience right from the get-go. Gloomy June balances between letting her voice and guitarist Devin Nelson in the spotlight. Though this song is high-energy, it also turns melancholy for a moment, giving a range of emotion and sound to showcase. This song is an ode to the joy of venues coming back, but also a reminder that any concert venue could shut down for a number of reasons, so enjoy this night out while you can. Beginning out as The Y Axis, the band finally decided to change their name to Gloomy June, named after the cold fog that grips San Francisco during the early summer known as “June Gloom”. Like the fog, Gloomy June’s music is perfect for a night out but with a tinge of tragedy. Their upcoming EP Popsick is their first release under Gloomy June, and it’ll explore social woes with almost a nostalgic tone. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW GLOOMY JUNE:

There’s a quote that says, “mistakes have the power to turn you into something better than you were before.” My mom is a frequent painter. When she starts a painting, she is nervous about how it will turn out. In the end, she is satisfied with her work. The same logic can be applied to our mistakes. They may seem daunting in the moment. However, when you look back on them later, all you will be able to see is the lessons you learned and how they’ve helped shape you as a person. Cooper Phillip writes about creating a “masterpiece” from the setbacks in her life. I loved the jazzy guitar in this song. This instrumentation gives off a chill vibe. At the same time, it makes you want to get up and dance, especially on the chorus. Moreover, Phillip’s velvety voice fit the sound perfectly. Her harmonies on the chorus definitely made the song memorable. I also enjoyed her numerous Ariana Grande style runs. My favorite lyrics were, “my true colors will never fade.” Even if you make mistakes, do not lose yourself in the process. Get right back up and keep on going. If you liked “Masterpiece,” you should check out Phillip’s equally as empowering song called “Perfectly Original.” The only instrumentation used is the piano and Phillip’s vocals. This means that you get to hear even more of the depth in her voice. My favorite lyrics in this song were, “If you doubt you’re good enough, know that you’re a diamond in the rough.” Embrace your true self! Don’t let anyone tell you different! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW COOPER PHILLIP:

The third time’s a charm. Right? After you’ve tried and tried, you’d think the next time would be better—that maybe something would change—but it never does. In her latest single “Third Time’s A Charm,” Charlotte Waltz depicts the feeling of going “down a long road of the same patterns” and feeling as if you’ve given the wrong people too many chances. Her lyrics suggest that it’s time for you to move on from any toxic energy in your life and focus it elsewhere. The song begins with a suspenseful “here comes the dark,” gradually transitioning into heavy percussion sounds coupled with airy vocals and carefully-orchestrated pauses. Power and emotion drive the flow and rhythm of the song, leaving listeners with feelings of empowerment. Waltz demonstrates her amazing vocal range by varying between high and low pitches, bringing listeners on a rollercoaster of emotions. A rising musician from North Carolina, Charlotte Waltz discovered her love for music and singing at a young age through choir. After graduating high school in 2019, she pursued singing independently and began growing as an artist. Her main goal is to resonate with people through music and the stories she shares as a talented lyricist. As a young adult experiencing the ups and downs of youth, Charlotte Waltz draws upon themes of relationships and loneliness, releasing music that is not only catchy, but also relatable. Written By Chelsea Luo FOLLOW CHARLOTTE WALTZ: