During a serious romantic relationship, you form a strong bond with the other person. You discover above-the-surface information such as what their favorite food is and what kind of music they love/hate. With that, you also get to know that person on a deeper level. You make many memories together, and it seems as though you can’t see yourself with anybody else. If the initially strong bond has the misfortune of being broken, it can be hard to find someone who makes you as happy as that special person once did. NOA writes about going through this experience in her song, “Spaces.” My initial thoughts about this song were that it was very smooth and relaxing. The lyrics are supported by a simple, repetitive guitar strum which allows the story of the words to come through. Additionally, NOA’s voice sounds as smooth as the music itself, if not more so. Her occasional harmonies add depth onto the song. Overall, I thought she wrote on a very relatable topic. It can be hard for an artist to share pain publicly through music. However, it can be worth it if the song helps someone in the audience cope with a similar situation. NOA was born in Toronto, Canada. She was featured on Season 2 of CTV’s show, “The Launch.” During her time there, she worked with One Republic band member, Ryan Tedder. She has found continued success with sold out shows at The Drake Hotel in Toronto and Hotel Café in Los Angeles. NOA has been featured in notable publications such as Buzzfeed and Rolling Stone. Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW NOA

Imagine taking a piece of paper and crumbling it up. You can uncrumple the paper, but it will never be as smooth as it once was. This is how it can feel when trying to repair a relationship after conflict. You can make amends and slap on a metaphorical Band-Aid. Even so, the past conflict still looms over the relationship like a dark rain cloud. Plant Case’s song, “All Our Sins,” reflects on what happens when the rain cloud of conflict gets too heavy and ultimately bursts. I thought the piano in the song was well done. It was calm, simple, and really flowed well with the lyrics. I also liked the guitar hook on the chorus. It added depth to the music while keeping the story of the lyrics undisturbed. This story is talking about an actual relationship in the artist’s life. It is not surprising because you can hear the pain and hurt come out in his voice. Music is one very healthy way to release negative emotions. Planet Case is a Finland-based band. They have released 3 EP’s with songs that have gotten played on radio channels in many countries including the United States. It is no surprise that the band has racked up more than 500,000 streams. Their first big break was going on tour with another Finland-based rock band called Sunrise Avenue. Since then, Planet Case has had the privilege of appearing on some of Finland’s biggest stages. Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW PLANET CASE

Regret is one of the worst emotions. You spent your precious time chasing after something or someone that did you wrong. On the bright side, you now know that you deserve better. Therefore, rather than take pity on yourself, you see your sadness as the starting point to a happier chapter in your book of life. In her defiant pop tune, “sorry for myself,” Allison Leah reflects on her time in a toxic romantic relationship. Rather than being slow and ballad-like, this breakup song is wonderfully gritty and upbeat. The first thing I noticed about the song was the group of harmonies at the beginning. It was very satisfying to listen to and helped to ease the listener into the song. The music then becomes louder as the song progresses. The first verse was another aspect that stood out to me. It is the only point in the song where Leah brings up positive memories of her ex-lover. The rest of the song portrays them negatively. Finally, I liked how the bridge pulled the whole song together. At the end of the bridge, Leah sings “played me like a fool until I finally snapped, why would I apologize for that?” These lyrics imply that she is taking the blame off herself, and that is crucial for properly healing and moving on. Allison Leah is a singer/songwriter based in Nashville, TN. She got an early start in the entertainment industry by singing on commercial jingles. As for her current musical career, she describes herself as a folk-pop artist. I definitely hear the pop side on “sorry for myself.” It would be cool to hear more her music that brings out the folk genre. Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW ALLISON LEAH

Combining pop-rock guitar lines with relatable heartbreak lyrics, “blood” becomes the ultimate breakup anthem. LEEPA’s latest single is about being in a toxic relationship and not being able to cut the person off even though you know they’re bad for you. This pop hit goes into the feelings of being defeated and not knowing what to do because this person is such a significant part of your life, but they keep hurting you. “Why am I not enough? / Why could I not call your bluff?” We begin to doubt ourselves and our self-worth when we’re left in situations like this. LEEPA reminds us that no matter how hard it is, we have to let that person go. “blood” relies heavily on strong guitar and drum set lines to create a bass for the song. Along with this, many of the synthetics used follow alternative rock patterns similar to the 90s music style. LEEPA creates an almost nostalgic feeling through her sound– you may find yourself remembering artists like Avril Lavigne when giving this tune a listen. My favorite lyrics were “I don’t know how to be loved/ Because of you, I don’t know how to trust.” These lines perfectly sum up how when you’re in a co-dependent relationship, you lose a lot of yourself– specifically the ability to be alone and know what it’s like to be cared for. These lyrics are a reminder that this is not okay to experience, and you need to heal on your own away from the toxic environment. LEEPA is a rising singer and songwriter from Germany where she found much success after her first viral hit. This sent her straight to performing on big stages like Climate Live and Fridays for Future. Following her single “I’m sorry, are you”, she was nominated for the “New Music Award”, where she won 2nd place. If you like artists like Madison Beer and Millie Turner, you’ll love LEEPA. Be sure not to miss anything from this up-and-coming superstar! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW LEEPA:

Everyone has been in a position where they wished life had a manual. A step-by-step instruction to figuring out life’s complex hurdles would be great. In her new song, ‘How To Be Happy’, RUNN longs for some type of instruction. She’s emotionally lost, not sure why she can’t find happiness anymore. She tries again and again, searching for something, anything , to help her feel. As the last notes ring out, RUNN is left with her questions, still on the search for a way to be happy once again. RUNN layers emotionally driven lyrics over an infectious pop beat in ‘How To Be Happy’, Listeners are immediately captivated by her honest and vulnerable tone. She’s baring her intimate emotions to the audience, expressing the uncertainty she feels with life. With such heavy emotion written into the lyrics, this song could be a story of hopelessness. Instead, an easy-going pop beat helps create a feeling of hope and builds movement into the song. During the verses the beat is calm. It’s as though RUNN is walking, searching for a way to find happiness. Then at the chorus, the beat intensifies, creating the image of RUNN running to find answers. This movement reflects RUNN’s frustration and exhaustion with trying to find her happiness. The search is hard, but she continues to persevere. By the end of the song, RUNN hasn’t found her answers. Her last lyric, ‘Can somebody help me’, gives the listener hope that even after the song concludes, RUNN is not going to stop her search. Coming from the world of EDM, RUNN is creating her own voice as a solo artist. RUNN has established herself in the electronic music scene, working with influential artists such as Seven Lions. Now, as a singer-songwriter, RUNN is bringing a new sense of intimacy to her work. Her music feels personal, almost like she’s giving you a glimpse into her mind. RUNN’s previous works, along with ‘How To Be Happy’, are available to stream now on Spotify. Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW RUNN:

Being yourself can be hard. The media says ‘be like this’, people in our lives say ‘be like that’. There’s always someone trying to tell you the way to live. Max Rae is here to empower you with her new song ‘March’. She is over listening to others and living an unauthentic life. Instead, she uses her own self confidence to start living the life she wants. People will gossip and say what they want, but Rae doesn’t care. She’s ready to live her life on her own terms and is encouraging everyone to do the same. Find your own marching beat with this new pop anthem. Click here to listen to 'March' ‘March’ starts off quiet with Rae speaking about how the expectations of others can be a burden. She quickly establishes her independence with the lyrics, ‘I refuse to live my life in fear/ so you can say what you want, what you want about me’. Each verse ends with this reminder to unapologetically be yourself. That being said, Rae also understands the struggle in being confident. There’s a back and forth throughout the song as Rae is met with the criticisms of others, causing her moments of self-doubt, but reminds herself to stay strong. The music reflects these ups and down, starting off with a low and heavy beat that continually builds to become strong and fun in the choruses. These ups and downs reflect the path many face when living their lives unabashed. The song ends on a high with Rae repeating the word ‘march’, leaving listeners with a lasting reminder to keep your head up and be true to yourself. Max Rae wants to perform for the world. With a background in dance, Rae is dedicated to making the best shows possible for her fans. Inspired by artists like Whitney Houston, she hopes to leave a lasting impact on audiences. ‘March’, is available to stream now on Spotify. Keep an eye out for the music video, premiering April 22nd! Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW MAX:

"Cause you're a killjoy; you're a cowboy; run for the hills or anywhere else" is the wise words of the chorus on Callaghan Belle's new single "Killjoy." As the title states, a killjoy is someone who is a major buzzkill and causes tons of problems to others. Callaghan describes a relationship with this killjoy of a man whose intentions are not only bad but nightmare-inducing. She is just trying to be miss independent and get rid of the negative waves of energy that projects off this guy. The cryptic mood of the song fits the killjoy theme perfectly since there are no sunshine and rainbows with having to deal with a mope. Callaghan has beautiful vocals with great range that brings some bright elements to the song which is not shown much in the instrumentation itself. The background vocals that Callaghan blends in to the main track is damn good and the pitched-down soundscapes used really complements the mellow delivery of the overall song. The electric piano has a somber reflection to it as well as the 1-2-3-4-etc rhythm that is going on with the kickdrum. Both of these elements are the cherry on top! Callaghan practices simplicity in a emotional and ear-catching way. Callaghan Belle is a singer-songwriter based out of Los Angeles who has been active in the music scene for the last couple years dropping singles like "can't hang" and "Run Into You" in 2020 as well as the mini LP titled "Sovereign" in 2019. Callaghan also has a deep passion for acting and has made herself a name in the acting world as well with movies like "Twisted Sisters" in 2016 and "Extinction" in 2018 in which she had a hand in both the acting and soundtrack work. Don't be a killjoy! Go give her a shot! Written By Miles Tutor FOLLOW CALLAGHAN:

When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. MAXINE did exactly this when her summer fling didn’t work out. Looking past the disappointment, she turned it into ‘Only Us’, a summer pop anthem that sends you to love central! It’s an appreciation of those who you could spend every single day with, and time simply stops when you’re around them. “You keep me sane, you make me laugh, and I don't understand how I got you.” This reminds me of when I met one of my best friends in the entire world. There are no awkward silences, and they’re one of the greatest cheerleaders I have. That invigorating sensation is just what MAXINE delivers on! I love the melody because it’s refreshingly optimistic and really shows how much MAXINE cares about the people in her life. “You see everything that I don’t see, love the least favorite parts of me; you make me smile when my world fades to blue.” Those are the best types of people! With her lyrics, MAXINE creates her own summer fling for you to live it up and freely express all the love you’ve got. Her vibrant vocals are dance-worthy, and they’re empowered by an uplifting, synth-filled ambiance. MAXINE, you’re fabulous! Not only for putting us in a jubilant mood, but also for making us feel right at home in your corner of the world! Multi-talented Dutch artist MAXINE aspires to be like Zara Larsson: a trailblazer in pop music. In fact, during her time at Musikmakarna, Sweden’s grand music school for songwriters, she met Larsson, as well as famed producer and songwriter Max Martin. She used experiences like these to fuel her music career, and now she’s blossoming! What really makes MAXINE stand out is her ability to create songs that are not only relatable, but also filled to the brim with passion. ‘Only Us’ is a great example of that. She is 100% worth the follow! For more music, I recommend her debut EP ‘Minor felt Major’, which is a notable chapter in her story! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW MAXINE:

“Buried Alive” beautifully conveys the feeling of not wanting to let go of something– whether that be a physical object, memory or emotion. Sophia Alexa describes how when people attach to things, it’s more than being just them being materialistic. In truth, it’s about wanting to have some sort of permanence in their lives. She sings, “Holding my past until I fall” showing that sometimes we would rather be hurt by holding onto our past than just letting go of it. Ultimately, we are just trying to fill some void or emotion with objects or memories, but we have to learn to let go of it and live our life. Sophia sings with very impressive vocals, showing off her skill by singing in a higher range of notes all the while keeping an airy, light, and delicate tone. Combined with the support of piano, “Buried Alive” becomes a masterful indie-pop ballad. The best part of this song is the expertly created bridge. The bass and piano cut out leaving exposed vocals to create a pause in the musical flow. It gives a chance for listeners to really hear and understand the new lyrics that are being sung. “What if time just passes by and/ What if life’s not what I want it”, the lyrics in the bridge go into the real fear that people have– that life won’t go the way they want, so it’s better to hold onto the past where they know it’s safe. These lyrics introduce the deeper meaning of “Buried Alive”, showing that it’s our fear we are hoarding in these material objects, and we have to let go of both. Sophia Alexa grew up writing poetry, playing guitar and songwriting. Her inspiration came from a lot of classic singers like Stevie Nicks and Neil Young, and they helped influence her style to be a mix of folk, pop, and soulful elements. Sophia recently released an EP, titled Groundwork, where “Buried Alive” is a featured song. Her EP represents herself as an artist and the journey she has made to get to where she is now. Her vulnerable, honest and meaningful lyrics makes her music relatable for everyone to listen to. This rising indie-pop star is not one to forget, make sure to keep an eye out for more great hits by Sophia Alexa! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW SOPHIA ALEXA:

James Walker questions his perceptions of a partner in his new single ‘Expectations’. He talks about the unrealistic expectations we put on others and how they’re going to miraculously fix all our problems. He identifies the feeling of dependency towards this person and asks himself, “Am I in love with you, or my expectations?” It's tough to make this distinction, especially since society pressures us to conform to others rather than complement them. But Walker’s got a beautiful way of deciphering his heart, and that’s one of the most captivating pieces of this song. “I want you to love me like I need you if we’re ever gonna last.” Walker constructs his story through rose-colored glasses; romanticizing his expectations with a reverberant electro-pop sound. When Walker’s silky and resonant vocals come in, it’s a sensational battle of emotions versus the mind. Illusory vocal harmonies and electronic instruments appear distant, as if telling you to look beyond the surface to determine how you really feel about them. That’s an attractive melody! This is a great song for when you’re in your feels and want to give your mind some clarity! As a singer/songwriter, James Walker gets inspiration from experiences that shaped him. From consistently being on the move to having two open heart-surgeries by age 21, he’s got an incredibly unique background. From his debut album ‘English Bones’, his evocative lyrics and mesmerizing stories have been highly praised by a global audience. He’s written about everything from introspection to codependency. Walker’s distinctive musical footprint is truly inspiring, and ‘Expectations’ is just a snippet of that. Be on the lookout for more singles from his upcoming 3rd album! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW JAMES:

Too many of us have discovered the effects of COVID-19 over the past few years. Many opportunities, events, and memories have been taken from us and now as we struggle to achieve a new normal, we find ourselves feeling lost in the world. “FAMOUS” embodies these feelings we can all relate to as Robyn Harris talks about the post COVID-19 world. She expertly describes how most of us feel like our hopes and dreams for future are dying. This has left us questioning our self-worth and wondering what the point of all of this is. The best thing about “FAMOUS” is the message in the lyrics that Robyn sings. “I’m just a regular person with regular thoughts”. A common idea that I’m sure has circulated about everyone’s mind over these quarantine years is the idea that really, we’re just regular people with nothing that special about us. But, we shouldn’t let our achievements determine our self-worth. Robyn sings these lyrics showing that it’s okay to feel a little lost right now as you try to grow into yourself and figure out who you are. This message is really about just being you and living life how you want, regardless of how successful you are. You don’t have to be famous to be happy and special. Robyn Harris is an Indie-pop artist from Nashville, TN. Her music combines synths and acoustic elements to create her own unique sound that is recognizable anywhere. The up-and-coming artist was recently named one of Turned Up Music’s “46 Nashville Artists to watch in 2020”. Along with this, Robyn has been featured in prestigious showcases like Musician’s Corner and Women on Fire. Robyn is making her mark on the music industry, and you won’t want to miss out on a second of her success! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW ROBYN HARRIS:

Edwina Maben’s song “go tell yesterday” is the perfect mix between pop and Disney. Featuring a beautiful voice, a driving beat, and an awesome guitar, Maben creates a sense of hope and power in the world; something we could all use a little more of. The line “that if yesterday hurt me, tomorrow is gonna heal me” provides an idea of strength and courage in the face of tragedy as it fiddles with the concept that time can heal the wounds of the past. I think this message is absolutely beautiful and provides a foundation for people who are suffering throughout the world’s crises. What a great song! While I could talk all day about the stunning voice that is Edwina Maben, I think it’s important to describe what else makes this song magical. A classic mix of guitar, keyboard, bass, and strings, this song has a strong foundation that just screams motivation. I love the use of a classic drum set (which is often absent in modern pop music) as it provides a very human-esq feeling compared to some 808s. The overdubs and harmonies on the vocal creates the idea that a group is singing instead of one person, giving the melody more weight and meaning. The professionalism of the mix is also top-notch! From Denver, Colorado, singer/songwriter Edwina Maben is an emerging talent in the music industry. After being selected as a top 5 finalist in Guitar Center’s 2017 national songwriting contest, Edwina went on to attend the University of Colorado with a degree in recording arts and computer science. She’s performed for notable spaces such as: The Troubadour (LA), Colorado & Company (9NEWS), and TEDxMileHigh and has made a large impact in the community with Youth on Record's FEMpowered program and Music Minds Matter. You can check out her music on Spotify, Pandora, and Youtube or go visit her social media links to find the latest information on new songs, news, and more! Written By Aaron Soltis FOLLOW EDWINA: