Ariana Fig is on a relationship merry-go-round in her new song, ‘Maroon’. She and her partner are going round and round with no real change. Their problems are always the same and festering just beneath the surface. Fig is holding back her words, hoping that her partner will realize that some of the things they do and say hurt her. While Figs’ partner does notice her restraint, they think it means she isn’t in love with them anymore. They are constantly assuming that their relationship, once bright red with passion, is fading into a darker maroon. Fig is at her wits end with this constant spiral that leads nowhere. Yet, every time she thinks about leaving, her partner shows a different side to themselves. She sees the side she fell in love with, and the merry-go-round continues spinning. Click here to listen to 'Maroon'! The song opens with the lyrics, ‘I fall in love almost every night/ It’s not that hard for you to play nice/ there’s so many versions to you’. From this opening I was hooked immediately. These lyrics allude to something being not quite right with Figs’ relationship. A gentle pop beat accentuates the vocals of Fig, allowing her emotion to feature prominently. The strain this relationship is inflicting upon the young woman can be felt through the way she sings. At certain points it sounds like Fig is getting choked up while speaking of her relationship. Around the three-minute mark a beat is introduced that emulates a heartbeat. What I found to be powerful is when Figs’ vocals are accompanied only by this heartbeat as she sings, ‘you know I hear them all the time’. This lyric is in response to her partner’s constant excuses and lies. While this song is telling a complicated love story, this moment reminds you a real human heart is caught in the middle. This heart always finds something to love, no matter the hurt that it constantly endures. Ariana Fig has a wide range of musical talents. The young artist can write, produce, and perform. Fig first got her start playing violin in a symphony orchestra. By the age of 13, Fig had started to write her own songs. In the years since, Fig has released numerous singles and an EP. With some of her earlier inspiration coming from legendary artists such as Fleetwood Mac and The Beatles, Fig has worked hard to create her own unique sound. ‘Maroon’ is available to stream now on Spotify! Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW ARIANA:

Unrequited feelings are a pain. When you like someone, you want to know if that other person feels the same. The frustration of the situation can get worse if the other person is looking for someone who has several of your qualities. It almost makes you want to stand in their face and yell “I’M RIGHT HERE! NOTICE ME”. In ‘Digging For Diamonds’, Matilde G is standing her ground. She likes someone and wants to possibly create a relationship with this person. Unfortunately, this person keeps overlooking Matilde. They refuse to open up or define their relationship like Matilde wants. As Matilde thinks over her situation, she decides she doesn’t want something without labels. She wants to commit to someone, and if this person can’t see her as the diamond she is, then she isn’t willing to stay anymore. As I was writing this review, I played ‘Digging For Diamonds’ on repeat. This song is one that I can, and did, listen to over and over. With catchy lyrics and a pleasing melody, it was easy on the ears and even easier to hit the repeat button. Matilde shows off her strong vocal ability throughout the song. Not only does she hold out some impressive belts, but she also brings great emotion to her lyrics. You hear Matilde finding her inner strength throughout the song, moving from being okay with ‘undefined’ to ‘No more undefined’. By the end of the song her powerful vocals make it clear she isn’t willing to settle. She wants to be seen for the wonderful value she has and is done with being overlooked. This anthem is one I can’t wait to play in the car with my friends. Matilde G is ready to become the next female pop icon. Inspired by artists such as Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga, Matilde is prepared to carve her own name into pop history. She fell in love with music at a young age and started writing her own music by 13. Matilde has received accreditations from the Trinity College of London where she worked to perfect her musical craft. The Italian singer-songwriter is currently based in Singapore where she has been featured on the singing competitions ‘Singapore’s Got Talent’ and ‘KWC Singapore’. Recently, Matilde was signed to Swedish label and production company, The Kennel AB. ‘Digging For Diamonds’ is available to stream now on Spotify! Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW MATILDE:

WasteLand collaborates with BOI to create the ultimate dance-pop jam just in time for summer. “Rich Friends” is about a girl who decides to be herself and be free in the world where everything is controlled by the rich. She continues to say how she “never really minded being trust fund free” because in the end she knows it will turn out okay. “Rich Friends” reminds us that sometimes the best things in life are free and it’s not all about the money and objects you have. All that really matters is that you just do you and have a good time! With relatable lyrics and a catchy beat, you can’t help but want to party to this dance track. “Rich Friends” includes a lot of horn instrumentation along with guitar to create a high-energy base to the song. Whether you’re at work or on vacation, this songs’ good vibe is contagious. It’s the perfect tune to add to your summer pop playlist. You can’t help but be happy and smile when you hear the melodic beat of this song. My favorite lyrics were “I know where I stand/ I know who I am/ they don’t know me like I know myself”. To me, this was a good reflection of the song and how at the end of the day we know ourselves better than anyone and we shouldn’t let other things or people get in the way of us living our lives. WasteLand is an established DJ and producer from Australia. His music has broken through the EDM world of music to be performed on stages all over the world, including Tomorrowland and EDC in Las Vegas. Recently, he has focused on more of a pop sound. He has definitely created a following, having a combined Spotify count of over 3 million plays. If you like artists like Zedd and Flume, you’ll love WasteLand. Anna Buckingham, also known as BOI, is an experienced artist having been a featured vocalist with numerous groups including LDRU. She has also performed alongside artists such as Alice Ivy, The Chainsmokers, and Xavier Dunn. She released her first single, “Imaginary Boys” in 2019 and received much praise and love for it. If you like artist like SIA and Charlie XCX, keep an eye out for more great hits from BOI. Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW WASTELAND: FOLLOW BOI:

The Assist reminds me of the oldies from Coldplay: classic sounding songs with strong vocals, great lyrics, and a rocking beat that will drive you right back into the early 2000s. Their latest song “Daydream” does a perfect job at grabbing your attention with a simple but powerful message. The line “no matter how long those days seem, let’s daydream” describes the bittersweet notion that despite the troubles that life may bring, you should never let your dreams fall away from you. I feel like this is a very relatable message, since it’s pretty common to wonder what the future may hold and what it would ideally be. The use of electric guitars, vocals, a drum set, and synths offers a very effective sound that is hard to beat. An important part of the song is the recurring motif of the electric guitar (panned to the left) which compliments the lead vocals throughout the verses and chorus. The lead singer then provides a soothing but passionate melody that is quite memorable, keeping the listener engaged. Arguably one of the most important aspects to songwriting is the blend between instruments, which was done phenomenally well in this song. No instruments or sounds sticks out unnecessarily, every instrument works together well to create a general ambiance, and even the countermelodies are consistent and do not clash with the lead vocals. The Assist also provides a top notch production quality, rivaling that of some of the most popular mainstream artists to date. The Assist is a new indie pop/rock group hailing from the UK. Their recent appearance in the music world is already shaking listeners by storm and their growing presence has even received glowing reviews from BBC Introducing, Clash Magazine, and more. Their debut album “Council Pop” releases on August 4, 2022 and looks to be a promising addition to the pop/rock genre. You can find The Assist on platforms like Spotify, Instagram, and Facebook. You can also visit their website for the latest information on new music, tours, and even great merch! Written By Aaron Soltis FOLLOW THE ASSIST:

When I first heard “Staring At The Sky” by Thomas Lavine, I had a moment of quiet reflection. The complicated yet delicate feeling of looking up at the sky and wondering about your place in the world, all the while letting your worries dissipate, is an essence that Thomas Lavine captures perfectly. During the verse, there is a particular line that has a lot of weight to it: “the trail that I've walked so long covers my feet in dust.” This beautiful line symbolizes the lasting effects of past experiences and what it can do to a person. The title of the song “Staring At The Sky” offers the idea of looking beyond the ground and into the future, which is later complemented by the line “I feel like I'm in heaven” where after letting go, all that’s left is a peaceful bliss. Thomas Lavine uses a specific set of instruments that really brings home the message of his song. A soft acoustic guitar (doubled on both sides), a drifting piano, and an expert use of atmospheric synths leads to a unique but beautiful opening that is instantly memorable. As the song progresses on, a steady rhythmic section is introduced, providing momentum towards the end. A subtle but powerful detail is the doubling of the melody in the piano, which (when panned to the right) provides a beautiful echo effect. However, this song wouldn’t be the way it is without the beautiful voice that is Thomas Lavine. His soulful performance in this song will grasp you by the ears and bring you into an incredible story. Thomas Lavine is a folk singer/songwriter from Blacksburg, South Carolina. Featuring 2 separate albums and multiple singles, this heartfelt artist mastered his craft and is now showing us the results. You can find out more about his music, merch, and upcoming shows on his website, Instagram, and his Facebook. That being said, if you're feeling a summer night looking-at-the-stars kind of vibe, head on over to Spotify and give this amazing artist a listen! Written By Aaron Soltis FOLLOW THOMAS:

Physical attraction is an important starting point in a relationship. Imagine that you see someone who is as hot as Ryan Gosling in The Notebook . When you work up the nerve to talk to him, you discover that his personality doesn’t match his good looks. After the encounter, you never want to see him again. A healthy relationship can not be established on a movie star appearance alone. As the age old saying goes, “it’s what’s on the inside that counts." In “How Do I Do with You,” Restless Modern sings about meeting a beautiful girl and seeing her true colors, while also reflecting on how he let his emotions get the better of him. The song surprised me (in a good way) right off the bat. During the first few notes, I was expecting the song to have a calmer ballad-like mood. When the electric guitar started, the song’s mood changed, and I knew it was going to be more upbeat. The melody and harmonies gave me nostalgic 90’s boy band vibes. Even though he made the song upbeat, the reflective quality is still there. That is, he feels ashamed of letting his emotions overtake him. These lyrics perfectly sum up this point: “Fight the urge to need forgiveness when temptations rise.” If you want to hear more of Restless Modern, you should also listen to “I Hate That I’m Addicted to the Internet.” As the title states, Restless Modern sings about the hold that the digital world has on him. I think it is very relatable because of how much we rely on the Internet post-pandemic. Companies initially told their employees to work at home for social distancing purposes. Even though the pandemic is mostly under control now, companies are still letting employees work from home because it saves them money on office space. This sounds like a good arrangement…until the Wi-Fi cuts out! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW RESTLESS MODERN

“Get In The Way” describes a situation most of us know all too well– not being able to move on from a relationship and your ex. “Just when I think I’m moving on, then I see your face.” Ellie D perfectly captures this post-breakup stage in her newest single. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to get over them, you can’t get your ex out of your head. It doesn’t matter who you’ve met or how great they could be, you simply can’t move on yet. Click here to Listen to "Get In The Way"! Chill and relaxed, yet heartbreakingly sad. “Get In The Way” combines these feelings to give the perfect tune to listen to when you’re thinking of past memories. The mix of calm beats, piano, and Ellie’s smooth voice create a song that you want to keep listening to over and over again. The vibes of this track are unparalleled to any other post-breakup song. The relatable lyrics make it easy to be in your feels, yet you can still sway your head to the beat and enjoy a good song. The way that groovy beats are combined with breakup lyrics makes this song memorable and unique. Ellie D found her way to the spotlight after her chill pop collaboration with Rando of “Passionfruit” by Drake. Since then, she has continued to work hard to create catchy and reflective songs for her audience. Ellie is not afraid to be vulnerable in her music, which makes her songs relatable to everyone. She does not have any projects coming up that we know of, but we can expect more great content in the future! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW ELLIE D:

Your new single “Grace Like Fire” is so fresh and exactly what music needs right now! What was the story behind this song? Cydney: Wow! Thank you so much!The song is about the cyclical nature of life; how one burns things down to create space for something new.This lesson was most obvious for me during the pandemic.It was such a tumultuous time for everyone, and in my case it was a massive catalyst of change.I left a job, moved from my home, left a relationship, and had to figure out how to quarantine without losing my mind haha. But I knew I needed to cut out the things that weren't working for me in order to create space for something that would. I know a big reason you got into music was because you’d sing in the car with your parents growing up, so I must know…what is your guilty pleasure song to belt when you’re in the car now? Cydney: Oh jeez- it’s a bit of an oldie now but River by Bishop Briggs!That chorus hits hard! Do you have a favorite memory from studying Voice at Berklee College of Music? Cydney: Definitely! My favorite class was a Motown ensemble with Lawrence Watson!What a fantastic teacher- so filled with musicianship and joy!It was a 9am class and he’d be clapping and dancing around- his class woke me up better than my morning coffee!He definitely taught how to perform and embody a song. I love the music video for your new single! The use of the paint and effects are incredible and so visually impressive! What was the inspiration behind it? Cydney: Thank you! Brian Michael Suggs directed, shot, and edited the video and we had so much fun making it! There are a lot of visual references in the song lyrically and we definitely played with that i.e. the use of fire and incorporating light bright references.The whole concept of the song is a phoenix rising from the ashes so we went with a stripped down almost naked look and juxtaposed that with a blacked out room and glow in the dark paint.We really tried to play with visual opposites in this one.Fun fact half of the video was shot in Brian’s bathtub! Tell us a bit about your company, The MoveShop! Cydney: Oh wow! You guys really did your research!Unfortunately, TheMoveShop disbanded a few years ago but it was a dance theater company that I was lucky enough to be a founding company member of.The group started in college and it was a theatrical experience that told stories through the use of dance, theater, and live music.It was one of my favorite things that I’ve ever been a part of and it’s still my favorite way to tell a story. What can we expect next from you? We can’t wait to see where this journey takes you! Cydney: I’m happy to say that I have a bunch of music waiting to be released this year!I’m excited to share more sides of myself & my sound in my next few releases!I really think it will surprise listeners.Also, Brian and I are currently dreaming up the next video!So stay tuned! Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW CYDNEY:

Romance movies are whimsical but often unrealistic. The type of love shared between the two characters is something most of us dream of, yet never experience. That’s not to say it’s impossible. Some of us find a love so grand, no film could ever compare. ‘Community College’ is Emma Bieniewicz’s tale of an epic romance. At the start of her first year of college, Bieniewicz has never had her given her heart to someone else. She walks in bright eyed and bushy tailed like all freshman do. Then she sees the person who will later become the love of her life. It doesn’t take long for the two to fall for each other. Through their next four years, their love grows to soaring heights. It’s a quiet sort of love, one that fits so perfectly, it makes the movies seem lackluster in comparison. Lately, I’ve been watching period drama romances. The courting, the dancing; this ambience has locked in my attention. When listening to ‘Community College’, I was enraptured by the orchestral solo before the last repetition of the chorus. Violins are present throughout the song, but this solo is where the beautiful instrument takes the spotlight. This solo, specifically, I can imagine being played at a 19th century ball. I picture couples dancing to the music and falling in love with each step. This song makes you feel all the warm fuzzies of a whirlwind romance. Furthermore, I find this song to resonate equally in a modern context. Whether you’re currently a college student or not, most of us wish to be swept up in a romance like Bieniewicz describes. Some of her lyrics that particularly stood out to me were, “Just like a movie/ But better cause we skipped all the fighting/ And jumped headfirst into the lake”. These lyrics are what I imagine it’s like to be in a relationship that seems almost too good to be true. The movies can’t even compare to that type of love. Any romantic at heart can find themselves listening to this song and dreaming that one day they too can find a love like this. Growing up, Emma Bieniewicz was surrounded by music, with both of her parents being musicians. Based in Grand Rapids, MI, Bieniewicz released her debut album ‘Bloated’ in February of last year. Her album was several years in the making and showcased her impressive vocal range and other musical talents. Since releasing her album, she’s released two singles, ‘Community College’ and ‘My Bad’. Her album and singles can all be streamed on Spotify! Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW EMMA:

“Broken Morning” is a personal pop track that goes deep into Gabi DeMartino’s emotional breakdown one morning. Everyone has had those moments where you feel like you can’t go on. You’re so overwhelmed with people, things to do, and stress that you can’t focus on your feelings. Before you know it, you’re at the end of your rope and breaking down entirely. Gabi’s new single is reminder that in the end, it’s just a bad morning, not a bad life. Sometimes you just need to feel your feelings and know you’ll be okay. Gabi’s latest single uses pop elements and beats without being too overwhelming. Overall, there is a chill-pop vibe that reflects the mood of the lyrics well. “I know life can be good, it’s just a broken morning.” Gabi has masterfully created lyrics to show the hopeful side of a breakdown– that it’s only this moment that’s bad, not my whole life. The lyrics are extremely emotional and relatable as Gabi sings about being scatterbrained, feeling confused, and persevering through it all. It is the lyrics that are crafted so carefully that really make this song have strong feeling. Gabi DeMartino has found much success starting back in 2012 when she built a name for herself on YouTube with her joint channel with her twin sister. The channel, Niki & Gabi, was widely popular and had over 9.5 million subscribers. The girls also released a single together in 2017 which charted in the Top Pop 100 on iTunes. Gabi came into her solo career in 2020 releasing her song “Not Today”. Gabi also recently released another single, “Immaculate”, which will be featured on her upcoming album Paintings of Me– which is set to come out early May. We can’t wait to hear more tunes from Gabi DeMartino! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW GABI DEMARTINO:

Here’s an invigorating tune to help you appreciate the finer things in life! ‘Timeless’ by HOLLISS is a beautiful representation of a slow and steady love that never fades. With the rise of Tinder and ghosting, that kind of consistency is harder to find these days. So when you find lifelong partners and forever friends, the memories you make are priceless! Your future looks brighter with them in the picture. Treasure that happy-go-lucky sort of love with a song that’s equally as “timeless”! Nostalgia knocks on your doorstep as the feel-good vibes of this song take you to your happy place. “It just feels right staying up til sunrise, sipping on a fine wine; mid-September, Earth, Wind & Fire." The lyrics celebrate beautiful moments in life that last! HOLLISS has an elegant voice that glistens with the beautiful string and synth accompaniment. You become enamored as she fills you with hope for the future and thankfulness for what you have now. Forget stress and fear! I want this irresistible energy to drive my mornings! HOLLISS really knows how to elevate your mood! Like Dua Lipa and Shawn Mendes, she thrives on taking classic sounds and incorporating them into modern pop masterpieces. Her blends include anywhere from cinema soundtracks to timeless 70s grooves. She’ll make you feel like the main character with refreshing messages and relatable stories. ‘Timeless’ is a testament to her radiant energy and superstar potential. I can’t wait to see what she gives us next! Go check her out! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW HOLLISS:

“Little Sister” is a bright and mellow song about living in someone’s shadow, the struggles of being the little sister. Costello’s voice is defiant; it’s clear she knows the struggle of constantly being compared. To struggle between loving big sister and role model, but also knowing you want to make your own mistakes, experiment with your own ideas, and become your own person. Costello’s wavering yet determined voice only serves to prove the intimate and personal nature of this song. Though this song is influenced by rock, it’s clear that Costello is bringing her country-pop style into her foray into a new genre. Costello expertly glides through her range, meticulously crafting her nuances and inflections to create a relatable story that’s realistic and reflective. From the background beat of the drums to the melodic harmonies of the guitars, “Little Sister” slowly inches its way into an explosive chorus, one that also makes the audience “scream from the top/of my lungs”. Costello does a phenomenal job writing and crafting her narrative to be relatable; even if we aren’t a little sister, we’re a big sister or have someone who we think of as a role model. And as much everyone loves their role models, they don’t necessarily wish to become them. From the young age of 7, Ainsley Costello has performed in a variety of school talent shows and musical theater productions, studying piano, guitar, vocal performance, and songwriting. Graduating from high school at 16, she was accepted at Berklee College of Music, studying in their Business Degree program. At seventeen years old, Ainsley has performed over 130 shows in 10 different states. Costello doesn’t want to just be a one-hit-wonder; she’s striving to create meaningful works, something that people can connect to and be inspired by. As she shifts over towards more pop-alternative music, Ainsley Costello is definitely one to watch out for as she continues to step foot and make waves in the industry. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW AINSLEY: