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Conner Cherland offers a gentle reminder to open your heart to new beginnings in his latest release, “Good News.” Even as he keeps his head up, it’s easy to trip over the past. Painful memories stick out like tree roots emerging from the ground. Naturally, we might stumble off the comfortable path. Cherland sings, “Even when you’re sad and quiet/ Could you wait to hear the answer/ That would love you through the silence.” Discovering another path delights us with a new direction. I can recall times when silence feels lonely, but then, there are the peaceful moments when a deer finds safety in the shared stillness. When life looks unfamiliar, take on the moment as a good beginning. Bad moments might lead to something better. “Good News” feels like sunshine reaching through the leaves after rainfall. The acoustic guitar grounds listeners in organic happiness, evoking a sense of serenity reminiscent of a trickling stream or birds chirping. The organ synth adds to the clean, calm soundscape. It’s tender and reminds us how sacred the present is. The world frightens us with loss and rejection. However, each failure offers a new beginning, just as nature presents a space of solitude. Cherland has a voice like Hozier, pouring raw emotion into each soundwave. Breathe in and breathe out. There’s a fresh start around the corner. Cherland engraves vulnerability in each song, delicately crafted to touch listeners’ hearts. In 2023, he released LAKE, his first full-length album that explored themes of grief and love. The Blasting Company , best known for the   Over the Garden Wall soundtrack, mentored Cherland. His 2024 EP Two Years Time continued that emotional journey, pairing each track with a hand-carved wooden figure. He began writing music at USCB and self-released a series of EPs, from 2016’s Wanting Man  to Call in 2022. His inspirations are Sufjan Stevens , City and Colour , and Ed Sheeran . “Good News” offers guidance that there is hope even when we stumble. Written By Taylor Sheridan Lempke FOLLOW CONNER CHERLAND: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

“Good Guy” is a sweltering call-out track that criticizes the stubborn, sly, and untrustworthy. Jemma Johnson sings “ you act like the good guy, I thought you were real nice/ play into the crowd with every line ” explaining the attributes of the “good” guy’s custom trap. This criticism is delivered by biting lyrics like “ if both our hands were tied/ we were strapped to dynamite/ oh you would never compromise ,” detailing the extreme nature of this guy’s gruesome character. She asserts that even in a dangerous situation, this guy would be selfish and deceiving. This demonstrates the insensitivity of the guys she's describing as she stands against their conniving actions. As if in a conversation with him throughout the song, Johnson finally says  “goodbye” to the false promise the "good guy" stereotype offers. This provides Johnson, and her eager listeners, with an empowering closure that encourages freedom from illusion.  A rugged base riff opens the stirring soundscape, converting into a cool line that introduces Johnson’s surreal vocals. The enthralling beat carries an undeniable synchronicity between vocals, strings, and percussion. Seductive sound effects contribute to the cohesiveness of the track and establish balance for a well-rounded listen. Johnson’s vocals occasionally perform a jazz-like slide and fulfill a partial count to add a swinging rhythm. This is responsible for the sumptuous feel of the track that constructs an abstract vibe. Johnson’s vocal sound is nonchalant as she keeps composure despite a fiery topic. She sways through notes with an apathetic elegance that represents the coolness of her unavailability for those awful “good guys”. Jemma Johnson is a singer/songwriter from Derby, UK that has a unique pop sound with racked up choruses about toxicity. She performed her debut album at Y Not Festiva l, noting her tour dates are on the rise. Johnson has over 20 million streams on Spotify alone, with one of her most popular songs being “Pretty in the Dark”. Her latest release, “Good Guy” is paired with May single “Obsessed” and is turning heads. With over 64K followers on YouTube, and her reach on Spotify, Johnson is moving forward in the industry. I can’t wait to  see what Johnson does next! To learn more about Jemma Johnson, her music, events, and information, visit her socials linked below. Written By Hanna Hathaway FOLLOW JEMMA JOHNSON: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Blending theatrics and emotional honesty is Meg Smith’s “Girls Just Wanna Be Famous”. This glittery single will have all you 2000s pop-lovers drooling over its hooky chorus and addictive soundscape. But it’s more than just a pop song– it’s a generational anthem about legacy, and wanting to leave your mark on the world. Daring to dream, daring to aim for the stars, this track is decorated in disco-glam while keeping the vibes going for you to tackle your goals of stardom. “Girls Just Wanna Be Famous” is one of those songs that will have you listening deeply to its spectacular production and singing along to its musical-like sound. The only thing I have to say is: this song is so, so good. I’m not exaggerating when I say this is the song to have on repeat– it’s perfectly cyclical, especially if you have the song on a 5-second fade-out like I do. I’m already a fan of the maximalist style and 2000s pop, so “Girls Just Wanna Be Famous” is like it was made for me. Punchy, energetic, and ultra-glittery, this track is everything I dream of when I think of shimmery indie-pop. There’s a lot of love about this song, but there’s a very specific part of the track where a guitar is being absolutely shredded on. From 1:47 to 1:54, this guitar is going absolutely crazy, and that is honestly the best way to sell me on a song. It just brings the whole “disco opera” sound of Meg’s to new heights, and I am a big fan of it. The song’s message is also great, which is: girls just wanna be famous! Chasing stardom– chasing your dreams– is what this track is all about, although the lyrics do keep it real about the reality of being famous. Either way, I love this celebration of ambition that keeps that realistic edge. Hailing from Los Angeles, Meg Smith is a New York City-based artist whose range reaches anthemic pop songs to guitar-driven musings on relationships. With honest and sharp lyricism, her candy-coated pop tracks dazzle both fans and newcomers alike. Some of her notable singles include “Cross My Heart I Hope U Die”, which dropped in 2021 and currently has over 21 million streams solely on Spotify; as well as her recent 2024 single “jesus christ in a miniskirt” which has made waves as it rotated in BBC 1’s “Future Pop” programming, now well past the 2 million streams mark. “Girls Just Wanna Be Famous” is Meg Smith’s first single of 2025– if you loved her glittery pop, then you should definitely be checking out the rest of her discography! Written By Alexa Leung FOLLOW MEG SMITH: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube | Website

“Jesus and John Wayne” by googly eyes, Joy Oladokun, and Allison Ponthier is a poignant track that is brutally honest about the dystopian Christian nationalism plaguing our country. As someone who is a Jesus-loving liberal with religious trauma, the track was a relatable ballad that exposes the sinister beliefs of our current administration. Inspired by the NYT Bestselling novel by Kristin Kobes Du Mez , googly eyes wrote the track as a reimagination of spirituality “as a source of healing, belonging, and radical love, especially for those the church has pushed aside.” In further elaboration on the meaning, googly eyes has expressed: “There’s so much love, grief, gratitude, and deep ache wrapped into my religious journey - especially as an American who’s watched people and politics essentially hijack the faith I grew up in. Anyone who’s gone through deconstruction knows how devastating and lonely it can feel.” These words eloquently describe my own struggle with believing in the teachings of Jesus Christ but turning my back on organized religion.  Throughout the song, the lyrics cut deep as the artists hold nothing back regarding the hypocrisy and bigotry of the modern church. This is apparent from the very first lyric: “I liked the teaching of Jesus so much that I followed him right out the door // When steeples kept preaching with hate on their tongues, and distaste for the meek, mild, and poor.” They continue with ingenious lines containing Biblical references and the devastation many Christians have felt after seeing the political climate of the past decade turn Jesus’s love into a vicious crusade against anyone who is not rich, straight, cisgender, white, or male. The song ends with perhaps my favorite bridge of all time, with the artists stating they cannot, for the life of them, remember the times Jesus said things like “Blessed are the war makers… Blessed skin like porcelain… Blessed is America, but only for Americans.” And I agree with them. The Jesus I was brought up learning about “wouldn’t really fit with everything [they’re] trying to do with him.”  “Jesus and John Wayne” was released amid widespread civil unrest, sparked by the injustices occurring throughout the nation and abroad. We needed a song like this now more than ever. The social justice continues beyond the lyrics, with 100% of proceeds going towards Jack Antonoff ’s LGBTQ+ organization, The Ally Coalition. Learn more about the organization here: The Ally Coalition | Taking Action For LGBTQ Equality . “Jesus and John Wayne” contains a whimsical folk-pop and Americana-influenced soundscape that sets the authentic, emotionally driven atmosphere. The stunning instrumentation beautifully complements the harmonies of all three singers. With Americana and country music often being tied to the exact people these lyrics are about, it is a bold and calculated decision. The artists ingeniously incorporated the genre for two reasons (in my mind anyway): 1) to lure the song's muse in, only to rip them to shreds, and 2) to reframe the genre, giving fans of the style a safe song and safe artists to listen to. As someone who also grew up listening to and loving country music, it has pained me to see some of my childhood favorites speak out against the causes I hold near and dear to my heart. With “Jesus and John Wayne,” googly eyes, Joy Oladakun, and Allisom Ponthier have given me back this genre that once defined my taste.  About googly eyes googly eyes is an indie-pop singer, songwriter, and producer. She made her debut in 2022 with her single, “Don’t Forget To Breathe.” Since then, she has released a handful of full-length albums and EPs and is signed to Neon Gold , a NYC-based boutique independent record label. About Joy Oladakun Joy Oladakun is an American singer-songwriter based in Nashville. Her style is a blend of several genres, including folk, R&B, rock, and pop. Her music is heavily influenced by her identity as a queer person of color. She made her debut in 2016 with her album, Carry.  Since then, she has released four additional albums. She is currently on tour! Get your tickets today here: Tour — Joy Oladokun . About Allison Ponthier Allison Ponthier is an indie folk singer-songwriter from Texas, now based in New York City. She approaches songwriting like a diary, sharing with audiences glimpses into her life. She has received critical acclaim from Billboard and performed on The Tonight Show  in 2022. She has released several EPs and is set to release her debut full-length album later this year. She has toured with big names, such as Bleachers (Jack Antonoff’s band), The Japanese House , Hayley Kiyoko , and more. I had the honor of being introduced to her in 2023 when she opened for Holly Humberstone in Los Angeles. Follow her on all socials to stay up to date with new releases and announcements. And come back to Pop Passion Blog soon after her album release for my review! Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW GOOGLY EYES : Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | SubStack  | YouTube FOLLOW JOY : Instagram   | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube FOLLOW ALLISON: Instagram   | Spotify  | TikTok   | Facebook  | YouTube

Have you ever had a connection with someone so deeply that not being with them doesn’t feel right but being with them feels wrong? Chilled Savage released his brand-new song “Bakersfield” which is about losing someone you loved so deeply. Each of us are at a different point in our lives with many dreams and goals. While there may be people in your life who aren’t in the same place as you or understand why you are doing these things it can become really challenging. There are constant thoughts of regret from one side and sometimes even both. But staying somewhere you know you don’t belong or don’t want to be is never the answer. Going out and living your life is always the main priority but remembering those you left behind is never far from your mind.   “Bakersfield” is such an amazing song I seriously could not stop listening to it. There are so many great elements to this song from the beats, instrumentals, to the lyrics and the feelings you get from listening to it. I for one thought the soft shakers and guitar throughout made this song feel so homey and emotional. Pairing with the instrumentals were the lyrics and his vocals which made you think about those in your life who are far and every emotion that comes with it. Especially with lyrics like “Your skins the shape of home” and “I miss the shape of home.” This song was extremely relatable in every possible way.   Eugene Savage better known as Chilled Savage is a singer/songwriter from Pennsylvania. In January he released his very first single titled “Five Five.” After his first single he went on to release five other tracks in the same year. While he is a fairly new artist, he is no stranger to the music industry as he was a ghostwriter for many artists in the music city. In all his music you can find elements of pop and outstanding sounds. “Bakersfield” is such a great song, and I highly recommend you listen to it as it has a great mix of pop and country elements. Don’t forget to follow his social medias down below and see what’s next for this talented artist. Written By Julissa Garcia FOLLOW Chilled Savage: Instagram   | Spotify   *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Jake Cornell’s “If You Have to Lie” is a lyrical anthem that dives into emotional insecurity and longing. Sounding like a late-night confession, the honesty and unspoken fears come to life through his tone. Cornell explores the mental spiral that can come from past heartbreaks, especially whe n trust has already been broken before. Speaking on his real pain, Jake notes, "After having almost every ex in my life cheat on me, I wrote this from a place of not wanting that to happen again." With an introspection into his own experiences, this song mimics that relatable feeling of love and blindness. The combination of Jake's voice with the stunning production allows for this ballad to dive deeply, hitting where it hurts. The soft build-up to the chorus and shifting tone of hurt can be easily interpreted for its worth.   The reverb on his vocals or a subtle swell in the background gives the song emotional depth without distracting from the story. The raw and real narrative Jake emphasizes not only creates an intimate third space, but also transports you through the message. The overall product of this song enhances any pain into art. Originally from Houston, Jake Cornell began his musical journey in 2018 when he taught himself to play the guitar, ukulele, and piano. Over time, Jake has created a fan base, garnering his 147 million streams across all platforms.  His first single, “tmrw,” dropped in 2021 and introduced fans to his honest and emotional songwriting. Since then, songs like “Strangers” and his hit “forgive and forget” (with nearly 7.3 million Spotify streams) have only grown his fanbase. Now, Jake has over 4 million followers across social media and 272,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Written By Adalyn Reichenberger FOLLOW JAKE: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube

Some of my favorite songs are when you turn them on and you're able to hear every little detail that went into it. Even more than that, it's incredible when you hear those details as they tie into other moments of the song to string everything together. You can hear the passion behind the lyrics and every guitar pick strumming on the acoustic guitar. "solar power" by Eveline captures those important details from the very beginning of the song. With a catchy chorus and a groovy beat, this song brings so many elements of musicality that show off the talents Eveline brings to the table. The songs starts off with the sounds of an acoustic guitar and pretty simple drum track that vibe so well together that it feels incomplete when one of them stop playing. The rhythms in this song are so uniquie giving it a jazzy/bossa nova energy. The chorus then comes in bringing us back to modern pop/alt music. The lyrics are so beautifully written to capture the essence of love from one point of view. It seems that most love songs can have some negative connotation underling them, but this one feels very gentle and sweet. Eveline's talents with writing really come through with lines like, "I will light the Eiffel Tower" and a play on words with, "call for your sun, call for your mother." Eveline is a singer and songwriter from Germany who has been caving her own path in the music industry. Taking inspiration from Billie Eillish and Låpsley , Eveline's music rides the same dark-pop, vulnerable vibe as these artists. Eveline's upbringing was nothing short of normal as she grew up in a suburban town where she ended up performing in local pubs before committing to a career in music. Now, living in Berlin and starting to gain quite the momentum with over 11,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, Eveline's new music is only showing that commitment is getting stronger and better with each single and "solar power" is evident of that. Written By Breanna M. FOLLOW EVELINE Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Picture From Atlanta Black Star Today is a special day in American history. A day known as Juneteenth. Because I’m silly, I call it National Black Folks’ Day. But I couldn’t talk about Juneteenth without acknowledging what month we are currently in. Pride Month? Yes. Very important. But, for today’s article, I’m actually referring to Black Music Month. Being a massive foodie, I’ve dedicated a whole section to soul food because you can’t talk about black culture without talking about food. Before I dive into any of those things, I’d like to give a brief summary on black liberation as it pertains to Black Music Month and Juneteenth. Black Liberation Black liberation is a theology aimed to promote the freedom of black Americans from historical and ongoing oppression. It counters white supremacy and demands better quality of life for all black Americans. The theology has fueled numerous movements throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Two prominent ones being the Black Panther Party and Black Lives Matter. The Black Panther Party was a notable black liberation movement created by Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton in 1966. They promoted armed self-defense in the wake of increasing violence from police. Black Lives Matter is a current worldwide movement that started as a hashtag on social media in 2013. It was created by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi to protest police brutality and systemic racism. One of the good things that has come from black liberation is the celebration of black music. Origin of Black Music Month It all started in 1979 when President Jimmy Carter declared June as Black Music Month to recognize and celebrate the contributions of African Americans to music in the United States. However, the absence of a presidential proclamation pushed the official declaration of Black Music Month to the year 2000. President Obama renamed it to African American Music Appreciation Month in 2009. This month is meant to highlight the various genres of music that black people created and/or influenced. These genres include, but are not limited to, gospel, blues, R&B, rock and roll, hip hop, and rap. Picture From Arkansas Influence Heard Around The World Black people’s impact on modern music is astronomic. Blues is the foundation of rock and roll, modern rock, and subsequent sub-genres including punk, alternative, grunge, and heavy metal. Rock music peaked in popularity in the 70s and 80s, but fell out of mainstream appeal by the early 2000s. Traditional country music has diverse roots including folk, blues, gospel, R&B, and jazz. Modern country music incorporates pop, R&B, rock, and hip hop. Traditional country music was extremely popular in the 50s and 60s. Today, modern country music has taken over and defined the 2020s so far. House and techno, electronic dance music genres, were birthed primarily by the black queer community in Chicago and Detroit, respectively. EDM was popular in Europe starting in the 90s, but it really took off worldwide in the 2010s. You can see black people’s influence very early on with world renowned artists like Elvis Presley , The Beatles , The Rolling Stones , Bruce Springsteen , so on and so forth. Outside of American and British singers, the influence is spread far and wide. One notable genre influenced by black culture is Latin trap became popular in the mid-2010s with artists like Bad Bunny and Ozuna leading the pack. Another notable genre that became popular around the same time is K-pop. BTS and Blackpink are two of the most successful groups to come out of Korea. From the music to the dancing to the fashion, black culture has become ingrained in other cultures. Highlighting Major Achievements For Black Musicians While I can’t highlight every single black artist or achievement by a black artist, I can choose some siginifcant moments that have broken barriers and helped pave the way for black musicians. 1890 - George W. Johnson, former slave and NYC street singer, was the first black person to make commercial recordings 1921 - Black Swan Records was the first black owned and operated record label 1921 - J. Mayo “Ink” Williams was the first black producer at a major record label 1955 - Chuck Berry was the first black artist to gain national success with his music specifically “ Maybelliene ” and “ Johnny B. Goode ” 1958 - Tommy Edwards became the first black artist to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with “ It’s All In The Game ” 1959 - Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie became the first black woman and man, respectively, to win a Grammy 1967 - Charley Pride became the first black singer to perform at the Grand Ole Opry 1972 - Ella Fitzgerald was the first black person to perform at the Super Bowl 1974 - Stevie Wonder became the first black artist to win the Album of the Year award at the Grammys 1983 - Michael Jackson ’s “ Billie Jean ” became the first music video by a black artist to appear on MTV 1987 - Aretha Franklin becomes the first woman inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 1999 - Lauryn Hill ’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill became the first hip hop album to win the Grammy for Album of the Year 2016 - Beyonce became the first female to headline an all-stadium tour 2018 - Kendrick Lamar became the first pop musician to win the Pulitzer Prize for his album, DAMN 2019 - Childish Gambino ’s “ This Is America ” became the first rap song to win Song and Record of the Year at the Grammys 2020 - Whitney Houston is the first black artist to receive three RIAA diamond-certified albums. This was achieved posthumously. 2023 - Tracy Chapman became the first black woman to score a number one on Country Airplay and the first black woman and black songwriter to win a Country Music Award for Luke Combs’ cover of her 1988 hit song, “ Fast Car ” 2024 - Mariah Carey is the first black female artist to surpass 100 million monthly listeners on Spotify 2025 - Beyonce is the first black woman to win Best Country Album for “ Cowboy Carter ” at the Grammys Picture From The Medieval Times Origin of Juneteenth The arrival of the first African slaves in Jamestown, Virginia occurred in 1619. Over the year, more and more Africans were taken and forced into slavery. Slaves suffered the worst kinds of torture and punishment imaginable for centuries. It wasn’t until 1861 when the American Civil War was successfully fought to abolish slavery. Union vs Confederacy. North vs South. The South as we know it today is the confederacy from this time period. 11 states. Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. The Emancipation Proclamation, a document that freed all enslaved people in Confederate States, was issued by President Abraham Lincoln and made effective on January 1, 1863. Union troops moved South to ensure that slaves were being freed with Texas being the very last state to abide by the new law. Texas kept slaves in the dark until June 19, 1865. On this day, union troops arrived in Galveston and over 250,000 enslaved black people in Texas were finally free. Short for “June Nineteenth”. Longest running African American holiday. Declared a federal holiday by President Biden in 2021. Celebrated every year to honor the end of slavery. Juneteenth. Picture From Society For Public Health Education 40 Acres And A Mule Special Field Order No. 15. After the Civil War, the Reconstruction Era started. This was a brief period of social, political, and economic change to help formerly enslaved African Americans integrate into society and rebuild the South. One of the ways to help formerly enslaved African Americans was to give out reparations. In 1865, Union General William T. Sherman  met with black leaders and made a plan to give land along the Atlantic coast to former slaves. President Lincoln approved and land (specifically South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida) was quickly redistributed. A few months later, President Lincoln was assassinated and Andrew Johnson took over as president. He was a sympathizer of the South so he reversed the order and returned the land to the slave owners. (Fun fact: Slave owners were given $300 for each person freed in 1862 as reparations for what they had lost.) There have been numerous other initiatives to give black people land and/or money since 1865, but none of them have come into fruition. How It Is Celebrated Celebrations started in Texas, but spread to other states as black people went to live in other places. Historically, celebrations included religious services, storytelling, singing and dancing, discarding old garments into the river, and putting on nice clothes. Today, Juneteenth has a wide variety of festivities including cookouts, picnics, concerts, carnivals, and fashion shows. Volunteering opportunities are available for everyone to learn more about the history of Juneteenth or to advocate for reparations. Eating red and white foods is also to common and meant to symbolize bloodshed enslaved people endured. Just like the holiday, these traditions symbolize resilience, freedom, prosperity, and the like. There is also a staple cuisine eaten on this day. Picture From City of Chandler Soul Food Soul food (originally known as low-class food) originated in the South by enslaved people who were trying to preserve their African culture. They were only given the cheapest cuts of meats and ingredients so they had to make to do. During the Transatlantic Slave Trade, they brought foreign rations to America. These rations included rice, okra, black eyed peas and other legumes, sorghum, watermelon, yams, and peppers like red cayenne. They combined European and Native American ingredients with their own to create what we know as southern food. Soul food consists of biscuits, cornbread, fried chicken, Mac and cheese, greens, grits, barbecue, banana pudding, peach cobbler, sweet potato pie, pecan pie, and dozens of other dishes. There used to be a distinction between soul food and southern food, but they are used interchangeably now. Also, Cajun and Creole cuisine is a subset of Southern food. Some notable dishes from this cuisine are gumbo, shrimp/crawfish étouffée, boudin, rice and gravy, jambalaya, dirty rice, and red beans. In addition to that, each southern state has their own unique take on these foods so it truly is a never ending cuisine. Without the cooking traditions and techniques brought forth by African Americans, Southern food, a fundamental aspect of American cuisine, would not be what it is today. Picture From Black Foodie I know I could’ve written more, but I wanted it to be around a 10 minute read. If you want to learn more, I encourage you to do research as there is no shortage of articles and videos about black culture. As with everything, be careful of misinformation and whitewashing. I also encourage non-black folk to celebrate Juneteenth and the black people in your life today. To all my black brothers and sisters: Happy Juneteenth and Happy Black Music Month. Eat as much soul food as you can stomach and continue the fight to end oppression! Written By Jazz Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

Ha Vay’s “Blush” is an interaction between reciprocation and infatuation that flutters with admiration. She sings “ come closer to me (rush, rush) ” which conveys the exhilaration of love and romance through flushed cheeks. “Blush” is about falling for someone secretly, intensely, and inconveniently. Ha Vay uses this thrill to physically connect with her lover “ before they see the way that we breathe ”, which is incredibly intimate. She caresses the soundscape with a floating voice that is light enough to tread on the subject of situationships and infatuation. She sings “ you are so obsessed with love/ and I’m stubborn with my freedom ,” translating into the unavailability of Ha Vay in a real relationship. This is influenced by a sensual chorus that entrances both members with physicality and excitement. “Blush” is a visceral reaction to chemical, human connection.  The track begins with delicate self-talk that is indiscernible but effective in setting an enchanting tone. This directs the soundscape through celestial coos accompanied by precisely placed sound effects that make all the difference. Hushed sensory bliss paired with existential thundering sounds celebrate an exclamatory chorus with repetitive sound patterns for a satisfying listen. The tenacity of the backup vocals ring through the careful track, adding to the collective harmony of the piece. The entire track facilitates respiration through enthralling tension in the lungs of both the vocalist and the listener. Most say you can’t describe how love or infatuation feels, but this song works to accomplish just that.  Ha Vay’s sound is alluring with lyrics that communicate the height of emotion. She just announced her July performance schedule, “The Spellbound Tour”, with a place at San Francisco's Stern Grove Festival . This will be her first North American tour. Her first EP release was in 2023 with “Avalanches and Unfamiliar Ways to Die”. Her most popular release of Spotify  is “Moon Girl”, with over 5 million streams. She has more than 280K monthly listeners on Spotify, and her 2024 album “Baby I’m the Wolf” gained her astronomical recognition. Her magical sound is incomparable, and I can’t wait to see what she does next! Take a look at her socials linked below for more information. Written By Hanna Hathaway FOLLOW HA VAY: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube

Jessica Woodlee’s new song, Exit Interview, is an indie/synth pop breakup song. Let’s break down the term: exit interview. In professional terms, an exit interview is a final interview with an employee separating from an organization. It is designed for the employee to provide feedback to the company on areas they can improve in. In romantic terms, an exit interview is a sit down where the two people in the relationship can discuss what went wrong and, hopefully, leave on good terms. In the song, Jessica is begging her former partner to tell her the reason why the relationship isn’t going to work out. It's painful to be dumped without knowing if you did something wrong. She needs a real explanation to determine how she can be a better person/romantic partner which will help her grow for her next relationship. Exit Interview immediately starts with the first verse and acoustic guitar in the background making you think you’re about to enjoy a beautiful ballad. But, the pace picks up in the second verse with the acoustic sidelined and the drum pronounced. This momentum continues into the bridge, then it shifts for the first part of the last chorus before it picks back up again. The pain I was speaking of earlier is reflected in lyrics like “I know that it’s coming. You just haven’t told me. I hear it in the silence when you don’t call me back” and “Give me a heads up, give me a warning. Tell me you’re leaving, tell me I’m boring.” The production is crisp and her voice fits the song perfectly. It’s giving song of the summer vibes. Jessica Woodlee is a alt-indie pop singer-songwriter well known in the underground college scene in the Northeast. She has appeared on college radio stations, opened for Christopher and Annie Omally, and performed at local coffee shops. She is inspired by artists like Taylor Swift , Maggie Rogers , and Maisie Peters and grew up listening to Jimi Hendrix , Carole King , Eric Clapton , and Ella Fitzgerald . Her influences are evident in her style of music which combines pop, rock, synth, and blues. If you want to see her live, she will be performing on June 20th at the free Berkeley Summer In The City event in Boston. Written By Jazz FOLLOW Jessica Woodlee: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube | Twitter | Soundcloud | Website

Telling the person, you enjoy being around and having their company, any sort of feelings is hard. You go back and forth in your head on whether or not you should do it. A hundred thoughts go through your head like will they feel the same and will this mess up a friendship? Until finally you’ve had enough of fighting with yourself about it and act upon it. maniia released her latest single “one track mind” on June 13, 2025. A song that has these same messages but reminds us to stop imagining moments and instead do it.   “one track mind” opens with such an infectious beat that just makes you want to dance. Her vocals were so vibrant, and emotion filled at every possible second. The track was extremely upbeat and confessional which was amazing. Especially with lines like “The love she needs / Keep giving more / She’s wanting more.” Everything about this song was so powerfully charged with emotion and vulnerability. I immediately added this song to my vibey playlist as it brings about so many emotions in the best way possible.   The brilliant artist that is maniia is a singer/songwriter from Prague, the Czech Republic. In 2023 she released her first single titled “4am” and has released regularly since. In all the music she creates it is done with so much passion and emotion. Each of her songs tells a beautiful story about life’s most difficult challenges. Her music is so resonating as it blends elements of dance pop and pop. I highly recommend listening to her brand-new song as well as following her social medias down below. Written By Julissa Garcia FOLLOW maniia: Instagram   | Spotify  | TikTok  | Website  | YouTube   *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Fia Silena released her latest single “Ghoul” on May 30, 2025. This song is about all the ups and downs in a friendship which ultimately ends terribly. Friends will always come and go throughout your entire lifetime. No one in your life is permanent until you decide they are, and the best way to figure that out is if you don’t see a competition. Finding a true friend these days is something so hard because there is always something the other wants that they can’t have. Whether it's a boyfriend, clothes or even your style there is always something on a person’s agenda.   “Ghoul” begins with Fia Silena’s captivating voice and sounds that bring so much energy to the song. The lyrics were brutally honest in the most joyful tone which was my absolute favorite part. I also liked the rhythm and beat of this entire track; it was so powerful and relatable. While the track is about losing a friend that only wanted to hurt you, the mood of the song was so upbeat. The steady drum beat throughout was extremely catchy. It was such an anthemic track and I for one simply could not enough.   The talented Fia Silena is a singer/songwriter from Weimar, Germany. In 2022 she released her first single titled “Kill the Butterflies” which was nominated for the German Songwriting Award that year. While she only has a few songs out she is loved by many and creating quite the name for herself. Her music falls under that of the pop genre with elements of raw storytelling and amazing sounds. I highly recommend giving this outstanding song a listen as I’m sure many can find familiarity in. Be sure to also follow her social medias below and never miss out on another great release. Written By Julissa Garcia FOLLOW Fia Silena: Instagram   | Spotify  | TikTok  | Website  | YouTube   *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator