Brooke Daye is back again with a new single, “Jeffery Dahmer”. While the title alludes to the story of the song being about the infamous serial killer, Jeffery Dahmer, Daye instead uses his name to make a comparison between the pain he caused and the pain of a heartbreak. Daye says that the song was inspired by an ex that she couldn’t get over for a long time. The thought of them would kill her over and over­– hence the comparison to the killings of Dahmer. She says that “Sometimes love feels like death!!” Daye’s new song relies heavily on typical pop elements like snyths and percussive instrumentation. Her vocals are sweet sounding with an airy quality to her tone. The quick tempo keeps the song having an energetic vibe despite the heavy content material being sung about. Musically, the second verse was the best constructed part of the song. With fast moving lyrics that up the mood of the song, it’s the most enjoyable section. I think while the overall idea of the message is good for people to understand, some lyrics and comparisons can be a sensitive topic considering who is being sung about and would suggest listeners keep this in mind. I would recommend this song for older listeners who have a better understanding of Dahmer and a better understanding of breakups. Daye has been releasing music since 2019 and currently has 48,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Her continued success has led to her release of a full album and more singles following. “Jeffery Dahmer” is a sneak peek at her newest project, another EP, which has yet to have a release date. Keep an eye out for more Alternative-pop surprises by Daye. Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW BROOKE DAYE:

You’re lying if you say you haven’t thought about how fun it might be to date Harry Styles. You would fly on private jets and wear designer dresses on A-List red carpet events. He might even bring you up on stage to serenade you making you the envy of all your friends. Dating a celebrity sounds like a dream. Unfortunately for Ataia, this supposed dream felt more like a nightmare. Consequently, Ataia doesn’t f**k with boys in boy bands anymore. I liked the overall sound of “Boy Bands.” The grungy electric guitar was a great musical representation of Ataia’s anger towards the unnamed boy band member. The song also has an electronic sound which gives off a great dance beat. It comes out a little bit on the chorus, but it really shines through on Kellz’s rap verse. I also liked this verse because the listener gets to experience the song from two points of view. Kellz plays the boy band member who is upset with himself for hurting Ataia. Even though Kellz pours his heart out, Ataia sticks to her guns and knows that she deserves better. Ataia has been singing and songwriting for as long as she could remember. She was raised in New York and Maryland, but she moved to Nashville at 16 years old. If you want to hear more of her, you should check out “Fine.” The sound is more acoustic than “Boy Bands.” It is a song about having hope in unfortunate situations. In other words, making lemonade out of overly sour lemons. Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW ATAIA

“Ego” is a soulful pop ballad about the repercussions of unhealthy relationships on mental health. Being able to recognize a toxic relationship is already difficult enough, and the scars that these types of relationships leave afterward are hard to see and heal from. Oftentimes, closure is never found, and it’s tough to pick up the pieces and soldier on. The beautiful imagery that Jade immerses us in only paints a more harrowing picture of all the complex emotions she’s struggling with. Jade’s velvet-lined voice is mature as she conveys her raw emotions into the song. A mixture of indie-pop with cloud-lined production, Jade’s throaty voice shines especially in the climax. The narrative that she crafted finds a refreshing way of untangling complex feelings in a simple line. The atmosphere of this song hangs over every lyric, setting the loaded and tension-filled mood of the piece. But Jade’s voice clearly cuts through the fog, projecting into our minds, hearts, and souls. Kaeley Jade is an Edmonton-based Métis singer/songwriter with a voice that’s as lush as velvet. She’s especially known for weaving together rich imagery with catchy hooks to craft music that’s both reflective and lively. Drawing on influences from Maggie Rogers and the Lumineers, Jade looks to explore and craft narratives around relationships within the indie-pop genre. Jade is no stranger to the spotlight, performing on stages like the Edmonton’s Indigenous Peoples Festival, the Big Valley Jamboree, and Tkaronto Music Festival. Already marking her place in the limelight, Kaeley Jade is sure to continue to impress. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW KAELEY:

From a young age, we are told: “don’t judge a book by its cover. As we grow up, even if we don’t admit to it, we misjudge people all the time. When you discount a person by an outward quality, you could be missing out on a valuable relationship. Similarly, when you get misjudged yourself, it can be a huge hit to your self-esteem. It is easier said than done, but you should embrace what makes you, you! Olivia Penalva writes a light, happy pop tune about doing just this! The instrumentation in “Judge Away” was simple but well-done. The guitar hook and finger snaps make for a toe-tapping melody. Penalva also has a really strong voice. I liked how the inflection in her vocals flows with the music. Additionally, I also liked the rhyming in the lyrics. During the chorus, Penalva sings, “Judge away, judge away, judge away. Because I know in the end, it doesn’t matter what they say.” The rhyming words at the ends of these lines are catchy. It will be the part of the song that gets stuck in the listener’s head. Rather than be a nuisance, it will give the listener a mantra and make them want to listen to the song over and over! Olivia Penalva is originally from British Columbia, Canada. If you want to hear more of her, you should check out “Love Me.” The single, released in October 2020, has acquired over 38 million TikTok views and 7 million views on YouTube. Her fans have covered her songs on highly acclaimed shows such as American Idol. In addition to singing and songwriting, Penalva is the owner of Isabelle Music Group. Hopefully, she can help other artists achieve big dreams!! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW OLIVIA PENALVA

The past is a funny thing. There’s no going back, but we can also get stuck there. People leave, but then suddenly, they return, and you’ve both changed so there’s no longer a reason to reconnect with them. 'I Don’t Wanna Know' by PAENDA sends the past out the front door when it tries to make its grand reentrance. “It’s weird cause I just realize, looking at you doesn’t feel the same.” She recounts a former relationship, realizing how their perceptions of what happened are worlds apart from hers. Despite feeling hurt by how they acted, PAENDA keeps them in the past. By doing so, she moves forward with renewed ambition. PAENDA sings with an unfathomable level of confidence, and that supercharges this electro-pop dance party! But first, she confronts her past directly. “You talk about old memories, revel in these reveries; but I don’t wanna know how you have been.” With such authentic lyricism, PAENDA reconciles with the fact that they’re strangers now. Guitar-laced synths and powerful choral harmonies drive the chorus to a perfectly placed beat drop. At that moment, PAENDA takes you back to the present with an unapologetic attitude. It’s a dopamine booster of a song! PAENDA thrives on self-determination, and it’s ever-present in her music. The blue-haired Viennese pop artist produces her own music with a standout “Self-Do, Self-Have, Self-Made” attitude. In 2017, she forged her lane in electro-pop music production and just the next year, she opened for Jessie J. Since gaining international recognition in 2019’s Eurovision contest, she’s amassed more than 100K Spotify monthly listeners and has continued to bring authenticity to her sound. Her newest single ‘I Don’t Wanna Know’ leads up to her new EP ‘POV’ which comes out next month! If you’re a fan of Selena Gomez, Halsey or Rita Ora, I'd definitely consider adding PAENDA to your playlist! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW PAENDA:

“When I was younger I thought it was fun/ To keep shifting my shape like a chameleon”. SKIA’s latest single deconstructs the problems so many people face in today’s society. With harsh standards for how we should act, dress and look like, it’s hard to be true to yourself. “Cool Girl” is about feeling like you have to change everything about yourself in order to fit in and be cool. SKIA masterfully addresses this problem by leaving commentary on how impactful these social standards can be in someone’s life. Ultimately this hit is about reminding listeners that they should love themselves and stay true to who they are. “Cool Girl” follows common pop trends by using synths and pulsing beats to create a bass line. I think what makes this single stand out is the fact that SKIA jumps around in her vocal range quite a bit. One second, she’s in the high register and then the very next word and note she sings are the opposite. Not only as SKIA proven her expertise in her singing abilities, but she has also created relatable lyrics with meaning to her song, which is more than some other pop artists have to say for themselves. My favorite lyrics were, “I’ve tried so damn hard to fit in/ Copied all the right moves…”. I think many fans can understand the pain SKIA describes here. So many people spend countless hours overthinking what they should say and do in order to be accepted by others in society. In truth, it’s exhausting. SKIA shows the relatability of trying so hard only to feel hopeless and frustrated by not being accepted. She goes even deeper by showing how in the end, this anxiety and these fears don’t matter in life. Even if you’re going in the direction that no one else is headed, trust your gut feeling and keep on doing you. SKIA is a Liverpool-based up-and-coming-artist who has been releasing music since 2019. One thing you can always count on SKIA to do, is tell the truth about what she’s feeling and going through. Her music reflects the issues that she faces and in turn makes her songs relatable for a wide range of fans. With contemporary production and mixing vocal layering, SKIA produces her own unique pop sound. If you like a mix of artists like Billie Eilish, Paramore and Beyonce, you’ll fit right in as a listener of SKIA. Keep a look out for more great hits! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW SKIA:

I think one thing we don’t realize until we get older is just how much our parents have our backs. During our “rebellious” teens, we disregard their rules and start forging our own path. However, as adults, we realize that they’re an invaluable lifeline that we can always turn to for support. 'Mother Always Knows' by Elena Erin explores this topic through the relationship she has with her mother. Mental health, smaller social circles, and the end of your youth. School doesn’t have a handbook for that. Erin’s story is introspective and highlights how, in many ways, she still relies on her mom as an adult. In the process, she realizes why her mom raised her to “save herself.” Erin’s use of call-and-response in the chorus is so beautifully done. “Hey mom.” “My love, are you staying alive? It hurts just to watch you survive.” Her heartfelt vocals are a cry for help to her mom. Then, Erin takes on her mom’s perspective, calmingly assuring her “I promise you’re gonna be fine.” What a precious relationship that Erin has with her mom! Piano synths and soft snares pack an emotional punch, not to mention the ethereal vocal harmonies later in the song. The storytelling is by far my favorite part of this. Adulting is HARD. Erin tells you that it’s okay to not be okay and that you don’t have to do this alone. Her empathy is so validating, and you can feel it instantly! Canadian singer-songwriter Elena Erin is a masterful storyteller. She brings such a refreshing take on music with conversational melodies that will take your breath away. Like Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish, her honesty and vulnerability are crystal clear. Her national radio hit “Build a Ship” catapulted her to prominence in 2021. She’s been featured on major Spotify playlists and reached #2 on CBC Radio. She went from being homeschooled on a farm to now taking the pop scene by storm. How cool is that?! Go stream ‘Mother Always Knows’ and follow Erin for more introspective pop hits! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW ELENA:

It’s so satisfying to turn someone’s toxic words against them. In Sophia Gripari’s new single ‘Brunette With Baggage’, she does just that. It’s based off a comment that her ex made after she broke up with him, guessing that “he had a type, emotionally unavailable brunettes with baggage.” Gripari transformed the hurt she felt into an unapologetic anthem where she both takes ownership of her baggage and calls out her ex for contributing to it. It’s a massive encouragement for you to take your worth back from those who were only in it for themselves. It's time to let them know how broken they made you feel! Gripari’s heart-on-the-sleeve lyrics are evident from the first verse alone. “I know I wasn’t perfect, but you said broken was just your type; til you couldn’t take the pieces and make them fit how you like.” They pack a serious punch! Driven by electric guitar, Gripari’s stellar voice is beautifully soft-spoken in the verses. She quickly gains strength in the chorus, with synths and drums helping to amplify her energy. What I love most about this song is how Gripari flips back and forth between the thoughts in her head and the actions of her ex. She’s not afraid to reveal her deepest wounds, and she also uses an irresistible, pop-rock feel to help her heal from them. Using your pain to your advantage. That’s a commanding statement! Born in London and now based in LA, independent pop artist Sophia Gripari has organically earned more than 1.5 million streams on Spotify in 2020 alone. She grew up playing various instruments and later developed a passion for electronic music. Both of those elements are ever-present in her work today. Now being featured on MTV and Jam in the Van, she’s demonstrated professionalism and authenticity from the very start. Her singles like ‘Brunette With Baggage’ showcase this incredibly well. Her most popular song ‘Hate You but I Don’t’ is another excellent example of her powerful lyricism. Go give her a follow and check it out! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW SOPHIA:

GAYLE’S “sleeping with my friends” is an upbeat pop tune about what can happen when the dynamic between close friends jumps from being platonic to romantic. Dating between close friends can be a good thing. You already know each other’s quirks, dreams, and secrets. Best of all, there’s no awkward first date and “getting to know each other” phase. Even so, these new feelings can change the relationship forever, and it’s hard to go back. The first thing I noticed about the song was the acoustic guitar. There is a hook on the verses that repeats. When it gets to the chorus, it’s changes to a guitar melody that sounds tight as if it is building up. I liked how this instrumentation was used and how it flows with the music. As for GAYLE’S vocals, she has a very bluesy and smooth voice. I liked the scream on the chorus because it she is releasing all her anger over the messed-up friendship. Originally from Dallas, GAYLE moved to “Music City,” Nashville to pursue singing and songwriting. Once there, she hit the ground running. She used her free time for songwriting. She averaged 3-5 performances per week on top of schoolwork. Luckily, all the hard work paid off. She got a big break when she was literally picked out of a hat to sing for pop songwriter, Kara DioGaurdi. If you want to hear more of GAYLE, check out her EP, a study of the human experience volume one! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW GAYLE

If there is one thing the world can agree on, it’s that the last few years have put us all through the ringer. Global issues have made personal problems ten times more intense. Sometimes it gets to be too much, and in his new song ‘Nobody Listens to Me!’, Francisco Martin is letting his true feelings be heard. He’s feeling underappreciated, useless, and wishes to leave his life behind. As much as Martin wants to leave, he knows the important role he plays in the lives of others around him, so he stays. His words capture the complex feelings one can have when wanting to leave a situation but can’t. Martin’s honesty and emotional lyrics create something that pulls the listeners in and demands an emotional response. When something is described as ‘angsty’ it’s often associated with the complex emotions of teenagers. While ‘Nobody Listens to Me!’ would have been my absolute jam when I was fourteen, it’s also found a place on my rotation at twenty-two. I feel like Martin taps into the uncertainty many face during transitional phases of their life. “Maybe I should just leave/ but there is no team without me”. These lyrics really resonated with me as I balance where I want my life to go post-grad. Do I go home, or do I go to a completely unfamiliar place and leave the life I know behind? I’m speaking on my own experience, but I feel many soon-to-be grads are dealing with the same dilemma. This time of great change is filled with adult angst and is only amplified by thoughts and feelings surrounding the pandemic. It’s easy to feel isolated during these times change. Luckily, we have artists like Francisco Martin who bring us music that shows others feel the same. ‘Nobody Listens To Me!’ is a pop-rock earworm I didn’t know I needed, but am so happy to have found. You might recognize the name Francisco Martin. He was featured on the eighteenth season of American Idol and placed in the top five. After his time on the show, Martin released a few singles and embarked on a nationwide tour. Martin has amassed millions of streams across streaming platforms with over nine million streams on Spotify alone. Music has always been a passion of Martin’s. He started to sing and learn instruments at the age of nine. Since then, he’s worked his way up to a singer-songwriter-producer. ‘Nobody Listens To Me!’ is Martin’s latest release but be on the lookout. His EP ‘Manic’ is set to be released in July. If you liked what you heard from Martin and want to check out his other work, check out his Spotify, linked below! Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW FRANCISCO:

Letting go can be the hardest part of breaking up. Saying goodbye is one thing, but the reality of that goodbye is much different. The memory of what was good in the relationship can have you second guessing your decision. ‘Need Me’ by Lorelei Marcell encapsulates this mess of feelings. When Marcell’s ex calls her up, she can’t help but thinking of all the good times they had together. When her ex says that they need her, she gets excited, so excited that she negates the fact that the call is not emotionally charged in the way she hopes. As time goes on Marcell finds herself becoming jealous when she sees her ex flirting with other people. This web of emotions leaves Marcell missing her ex, and wishing for the time back when they were happy. There’s something vulnerably honest about ‘Need Me’. A lot of the time, songs about an ex have the person moving on by the end. It may not always be a happy ending but it’s an ending. While we do eventually move on, there can be a long ‘in between’ period. During this ‘in between’ one ex may not be ready to fully give up on the relationship. By ending the song with the lyrics, “Takes me back to your room, when I still had you”, you see that the person in the song hasn’t moved on yet. They’re still holding onto a hope that they could get back together. This realistic portrayal of a breakup brings something unique to a heavily saturated market of breakup songs. Moving on doesn’t happen overnight and ‘Need Me’ is the perfect song to describe the complicated ‘in between’. Lorelei Marcell is a singer-songwriter with over one million streams across streaming platforms. Her music has been picked by Spotify curators to be placed on their playlists, including: New Pop Picks, Fresh Finds, and New Pop Rising. Her first EP, ‘Lorelei Marcell’, was releases in 2021 and featured songs written in collaboration with JHart, a songwriter who has written for artists such as Justin Bieber and Usher. Marcell is currently on tour with Transviolet and have several shows between now and mid-May. To stream ‘Need Me’ and find out more information about her live shows, check out her Spotify linked below! Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW LORELEI:

“Home” is a heartwarming slow jam pop song about the comfort of your own home. Home is not just a place or the place you grew up in; your home is whatever makes you feel safe. Whatever gives you the most comfort. This could be a person, a pet, an action, or a memory. It brings you happiness, hope, and support in times of need or stress. No matter how much time might have passed, your home will always be your home. Nostalgia-tinged memories through rose-tinted glasses are the best comfort for a rough set of nights, and 22 Oceans’ nostalgia-inducing song reminds us of the safety and comfort in our homes. 22 Oceans uses ambient atmospheres and sweet vocals to comfort us. The synth-pop record brings ethereal vocals harmonizing amongst the minimalist production. The voices of twin sisters Carys & Keeley perfectly complement the layered and lush sounds of the backdrop. Their song creates an atmosphere, a tone that immediately sets the mood of the song. 22 Oceans’ careful dance between the wispy voices to the pulsating production sounds their maturity in both material and application. 22 Oceans, made up of producer Mike Guy and vocalists Carys & Keeley Hughes, looks to merge their ethereal harmonies with a minimalistic electronic background. Drawing on influences from ‘80s synth-pop, 22 Oceans look to create soundscapes for their fans to immerse themselves in. For their new EP Home, 22 Oceans teamed up with the British charity Stonepillow to donate all proceeds from Bandcamp to aid the homeless and needy. 22 Oceans, a trio looking to use the influence they have to make a difference in the world. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW 22 OCEANS: