Sometimes, the hardest enemy to overcome is yourself. Insecurities and self-deprication can be woven incredibly deeply into your very bones, and can be even harder to deal with than someone outside your own head bringing you down. Kat Velasco’s latest single “Breaking My Own Heart” puts this feeling into words, as she describes her own battles with trying to break out of her mind. Co-written by Claire Douglas, Hannah Ellis, and Jason Massey, the lyrics are extremely honest and raw, and Velasco’s voice is the perfect mix of both saddened and strong; while she is sick of feeling like this, it is nothing new to her. e soundscape of this track is simplistic and melancholic, with Velasco’s emotions being the main take away. The first verse paints a picture of what the world is like outside of her mind, how it is sunny and full of silver linings. She contrasts this with the chorus, when she sings, “Do I have it out for me / A self fulfilling prophecy / If its holding up / Sure enough I can find a way to make it fall apart” and “Happy shouldn't be this hard / Why do I keep breaking my own heart”. In the bridge, Velasco compares her mind to typical doomsday references, like Armegeddian and the sky falling, after which she repeats the chorus with a newfound energy. You can hear her kicking herself for her negativity, wishing that she didn’t feel like this. Forlorn and melancholic, she reserves herself to always being her worst enemy, and the song trails off as she repeats “breaking my own heart”. Originally hailing from South Carolina, Kat Velasco has since moved to Nashville, TN to become a Western pop artist. She found her love of music at an early age through performing in music theater groups, and has grown into a singer-songwriter, beginning to release her own music in 2021. Her third single “Leave Me Wild” found its way onto popular Spotify playlists, gaining her listeners and allowing her music to be heard. Since then, she has headlined her first Nashville show and opened for various country artists. She has multiple festival performances coming up, with headliners like Megan Moroney, Jon Pardi, and Chase Rice. Make sure to follow the social medias below to stay tuned for more music from Kat Velasco. Written By Tessa Maddaloni FOLLOW KAT VELASCO: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Photographer: dillonmatthewc.com/prints Back breaking our heart again already, Conan Gray has release his fourth studio album, "Wishbone". TRACKLIST Actor This Song Vodka Cranberry Romeo My World Class Clown Nauseous Caramel Connell Sunset Tower Eleven Eleven Care If you don't know who Conan Gray is, you should. He's a brilliant songwriter with a voice from the heavens. His infectious personality and relatability makes you an instant fan before you even get a chance to hear his music - but the music makes it all the better. From a small town in Texas, Conan started posting videos on YouTube as a child and became an internet sensation. This led to him getting a record deal at Republic Records , where he officially debuted with his 2018 EP release, "Sunset Season". Conan is known for writing heartbreaking, vulnerable lyrics paired with infectious melodies. If you pay enough attention, a lot of his songs seem to lead back to one tragic story, which we finally see unfold in visual form within the music videos for his fourth studio album, "Wishbone". Let's dive into these tracks!! Actor We kick off the album with the heartbreaking, cinematic, tear-jerking introduction, "Actor". This song builds and builds until you just can't hold anything back anymore. Starting with beautiful acoustic guitar, and then bursting into marching drums and a full blown orchestra, "Actor" is about a secret love affair with someone that can't face who they really are. They hide themselves in the world with anger, and they take it out on the only person they truly loved. Conan sings of how they have to spend their lives pretending they never even knew each other, but this other person is a much better actor than him. Although, it sounds like the ex is falling apart just as much, and just covers it all up with drinking. This Song "This Song" was the first single and the first music video we got to experience within the "Wishbone" universe, and it was when we were introduced to the main characters of this chaotic love story, Wilson and Brando. "This Song" is where it all begins - two best friends who want to be more, but one is more afraid than the other to be themselves out in the open. The music video was a monumental moment, not only for Conan but for his fans as well, as he openly kissed someone for the very first time. The soundscape of this song sounds like a fairytale with acoustic guitar and orchestral strings. It's a cinematic experience with tension, leading up to a release once you realize that the feelings are mutual between both characters. However, an anxiety inducing lightning strike occurs right before the video ends, foreshadowing what is to come. Vodka Cranberry Continuing the story from "This Song", we have the second single release, "Vodka Cranberry" which has been stuck in my head since it came out and just might be the song of the year for me. "Vodka Cranberry" is about that type of relationship that turns sour. You still love the person, but it's very clear that they don't love you anymore. However, they absolutely refuse to leave you because they are a coward. The pain that comes from a scenario like this hardly mendable, which is perfectly executed through the music video where we see Brando full of unnecessary resentment towards Wilson, leading up to him abandoning Wilson in a roadside motel. "Vodka Cranberry" has an ear-worm chorus and a bridge with a high-note that'll bring you to your knees. When you hear the fade-out ending, tears will be streaming down your face. Romeo "Romeo" is the state of anger within the grieving process after a breakup. Conan is letting it all out with honest sass and rage. The song begins with medieval horns, but turns into an alternative 90's / early 2000's groove with a conversational tone coming out of Conan's mouth. He goes on to realize just how crappy his ex really is as a person, and says, "you're no Romeo" and is mad about how much time he wasted on him. I'm proud to hear him finally call someone out on their crap; it's time they get what they deserve! My World Next, we have "My World", which is like the ultimate letting go song and feels like being able to breathe again. I've never been happier for Conan than in this moment after listening to this song, as I feel like he's finally able to be himself and be happy without any strings attached. "My World" is perfectly upbeat with drums and synths, and not only says goodbye to that toxic relationship he had been holding onto, but says hello to the new control that he has on his life and his happiness. He sings, "It's my world and it's my life". It feels like closure and pure catharsis. Class Clown If you know anything about Conan Gray, you know that he didn't have an easy childhood. This is one of the reasons his fanbase has such a great connection to his music. If you're one of those people, you know that growing up with humor was one way to cover up the trauma you were going through. When you'd go to school, you'd crack jokes and make a fool of yourself to hide the true pain that you were going through. You didn't want anyone to know what was really going on at home, so you pretended to be happy. This is what "Class Clown" is about, but it's also about how even as an adult now, that feeling still always comes back sometimes. No matter how hard you try, that trauma still follows you and triggers when you least expect. The soundscape of this song is stomach churning, but it's meant to be that way. It's eerily beautiful; haunting. Nauseous "Nauseous" is sweetly slow, with a soulful tone and a classic groove of acoustic guitar, raw piano, drums and bass. It's about being scared to fall in love again or even trust anyone after having gone through so much hurt and betrayal in the past. It's even scarier when the person is someone you know is good, and that everyone else likes - but you just can't bring yourself to completely give in to them. It literally makes you nauseous. It's hard to let people in when you've been let down not only once, but several times before in your life. Caramel And the saga continues.... "Caramel" is part 3 of the Wilson and Brando journey. Sounding like a nostalgic pop/rock song straight out of a 90's teen romance movie, "Caramel" highlights the endless cycle of a toxic relationship that turns from love, to hatred, to lust. As bad as they hurt you, you can't shake how good they used to be and the old memories you had. You just wish it could be like that again, but it never will. So you keep letting them come back into your life, and break your heart over and over again, just for a little taste of that old life - even if it's not the same. Connell We're dropping names now with "Connell". Conan once said he was dumped mid-flight to London, and this song is about that. The song starts with a beautiful acoustic picking pattern and a stunning melody as Conan tears himself down, telling us just how crappy this "Connell" tragically made him feel in that moment. Then as we reach the end, Conan sings his name over and over as it turns into a rock ballad, but in an absolute apocalyptic, terrifying type of way. We hear the sound effects of a plane at the end, really just adding to the emotional impact of this personal story. Sunset Tower "Sunset Tower" references Tower Hotel in London, a place that Conan and the toxic main character of this album spent a lot of time together at. The song is about them both being in town, and not wanting to hear about all the affairs that his ex is having. Even if you are over something, it's understandable to not want to hear about your past lover anymore. The soundscape is full of reverb, guitars and synths, continuing that lovely 90's vibe we've been hearing throughout the album. Eleven Eleven Even if we don't believe in it, whenever we see the numbers "11:11" on the clock, the first thing we think of is to make a wish. In the case of the song "Eleven Eleven", Conan sings of all the superstitions such as wishbones, four leaf clovers, and horoscopes in hopes to get back the person he loved, even though deep down he knows it's not meant to be. This song has one of the most beautiful, addicting melodies off of the entire album. Conan does vocal flips and shows off his stunning falsetto that we all know and love. It's a love ballad of yearning that I can't wait see live. Care Last, but absolutely not least, we have the banger of a closer, "Care". The whole song is an ear-worm with a twangy riff and a nostalgic, energetic rhythm that makes you want to get up and dance around your room. Conan sings with celtic influence that is so different from anything he's ever done before, and it just WORKS so well with his heavenly voice. The song is about how even though someone from your past has hurt you, it's hard not to care about them still. Especially when you were friends before you were lovers, there's always going to be a part of you that wonders how they are, even if it stings every time you think about them. With everything that Conan Gray puts out, he manages to create this whole new universe and experience that is mind-blowingly fresh and new. His last album, "Found Heaven" was straight out of the 80's, and I feel like with "Wishbone" we moved onto the next generation of sound within the 90's and more raw instrumentals. His storytelling and lyricism are underrated and award worthy. The emotion, vulnerability and relatability that goes into every single line is something hard to find in mainstream pop music nowadays. Even the "happy" songs bring tears to your eyes because you can feel Conan's heart and soul being put into every word and note he sings. I think "Wishbone" is the most honest and beautiful album that he's put out so far, and I'm so proud to have gotten to witness it. Stay tuned in September for my concert review of his tour! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

No one wants to accept when a relationship is over, but when you can't ignore the signs anymore there's a choice that has to be made. There's a moment that feels like you're on the edge of a cliff, out of options as to how to save whatever is left between two people. "Forever Ends Right Now" by Rob Eberle studies the abyss of understanding that the love between two people is gone and there's nothing left in the relationship, and yet, both parties are scared to leave. There's an odd dynamic where the song's instrumentals are very bright in a classic indie rock style, but the story itself remains emotionally transparent as it uncovers the conflicting feelings of finding yourself in this situation. Rob Eberle captures the reality that not every breakup is sudden and big, sometimes it's slow and painful as you reach the realization that this relationship can't move forward. "Forever Ends Right Now" comes across as a very cheery anthem at first that it catches you by surprise when the lyrics kick in. There's almost a catchy swing to it that makes you want to get up and dance, and eventually fall to the ground and cry when you start to pay attention to the story. The production is very clean and put together, and towards the end there's a nice touch with experimenting with the song's style. The use of a "phone call" from the other person is also a nice addition that makes the song feel more substantial. There's certainly some drama in the ambiance of "Forever Ends Right Now" that gives the track a cinematic edge. You can see the movie playing out in your head as you listen and that's always the sign of a great song. There's something oddly familiar about Rob Eberle's voice, he's very vulnerable in his singing which makes the song feel more authentic in its story. What really works for this song is it sells itself as a nontraditional breakup song, because this story isn't presented as much as other breakups are. It's unique and stands out, and overall "Forever Ends Right Now" both fires you with energy and also tugs at your heartstrings, creating a haunting presentation. Rob Eberle is an artist originally from Long Island that is now based in Los Angeles. He has been credited for his diverse style and captivating song writing ability. He takes inspiration from artists like FINNEAS, Billie Eilish, and Jeremy Zucker. Eberle has been releasing music since 2021. His debut EP "Collateral Damage" was released in 2024 and has gained 400k streams overall. His previous releases have been recognized by platforms like Spotify and Tidal, and his recent release "goodbye (to someone you love)" did well and made it to Top 40 radio. He's also had a range of performances, including SXSW and Great South Bay Music Festival. Rob Eberle is definitely making a name for himself as his audience continues to grow, and it's an audience he deserves as his music burrows itself into your head, leaving you excited for more Written By Chantal Charles FOLLOW ROB EBERLE: Instagram   | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube   *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

When you listen to Charlotte June's song "Pomegranate", you experience the blissful feeling of connection that comes with a loving relationship. Taking on the succulent sweetness of fruit, the lyrics explore the zesty, intimate, and assured nature of the speaker's relationship. The song begins by explaining the way that a day with your lover doing inconsequential things like watching "some Breaking Bad on a tiny screen" can be so much more meaningful than even the perfect beach day. Moving through the truths of distracting daydreams about your partner and the way you learn and understand how to work with one another's flaws, this track embodies the all-consuming nature of romantic vulnerability. Ambient chords accompany a simple, hazy keyboard pattern to open the song. Gentle percussion and Charlotte's soft vocals join in the verse before the percussion gains in power and the singing takes on a rounded, louder voicing. Vocalizing, layers of singing, and a combination of breathy highs and near speak-singing give this track an intimate texture that adds an innate humanness to the tune and reflects the vulnerability of the lyrics. The chorus has a matter-of-fact sound with its heavenly highs and confident aura. This track hits the ear in a way that envelops the feelings of looking longingly at your lover. This song is SZA meets Lord Huron with its seductively sweet sound. Charlotte June is an Australian dream-pop musician with an entrancing style. She has released an EP, several singles, and collaborated with other artists like Lucky Yu , Scrawny , and tylerwrldwide . Charlotte's alternative style blends personal lyricism with ambient instrumentals and high, mesmerizing vocals. She creates music that truly draws listeners into the world of her storytelling songwriting. Artists like FKA Twigs influence her musical style. She has opened for artists like Alta Falls and performed at venues including Adelaide's Grace Emily Hotel . Check out the links below to keep up to date with her music. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW CHARLOTTE: Instagram   | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube   *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Kings Elliot delivers an introspective fourth single, "What If This World," off her upcoming debut album, Born Blue. Fitting easily into the vulnerable, soul-searching style she's known for, the song still stands out in its production and melancholic feel. The album's title is a clever nod to the artist's trademark blue hair as well as a reflection of Elliot's experience with mental health struggles since childhood. "What If This World" carries the weight of feeling undesired, like you don't matter and don't care to. Elliot sings, achingly, in the song, "I know that it hurts, but it's worse dying young. It's hard watching it turn. What if this world isn't for us?" Exploring themes of heartbreak beyond the romantic sense, Elliot has honed in on her heartfelt balladry to reveal the fragility of our human connections, relying on emotion and candor. The alt-pop song begins with a soft piano intro that quickly bleeds into understated, rhythmic percussion before adding the piano back into the stack of instrumentals. After the first verse, there is an uptick in prominent use of reverb throughout the rest of the song. Here, the reverb is drawing the sounds of percussion and piano swells further back into the track's soundscape so that Elliot's haunting vocals come forward. The repetition of melodies in the single also leads listeners to focus intently on Elliot's thoughtful lyricism rather than an overcomplicated melodic pattern. As a result, the sound is an emotion-driven dark alternative pop song, reminiscent of early Halsey's similar angsty pop, it borrows bits from many music scenes to create something unique. Kings Elliot was born in a small town in Switzerland, where she grew up under the care of her English mother. Elliot's transparency about her mental health struggles has been at the forefront of her music career. Turning to music early on for consolation, Elliot has stuck with a musical style inspired by her struggles. Her fans, affectionately known as the "sick puppies," have been drawn to the singer's fresh authenticity. As a result of boldly demonstrating this individuality, Elliot has toured with a number of internationally acclaimed musicians such as Imagine Dragons, Stephen Sanchez, and Lana Del Rey. Her long-awaited debut album, Born Blue , will be available September 26th, marking a new chapter in the artist's career. Written By Azalea Withrow FOLLOW KINGS ELLIOT: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Gatlin’s new single, Happy, is a pop country song that tackles the hard subject of depression. If you’ve ever experienced depression before, this song is most likely going to make you cry. It hits just that heavy and sucks you back in to those bottomless days. It describes the loneliness that one feels when they’re constantly sad. Even when you’re doing something you love, it can be hard to hold your head up. So the question will always be: Will it ever get better? I have the answer. Yes. It will get better. I would recommend anyone reading this to seek therapy. If that’s not an option or not something you're interested in, I hope you at least have someone in your life you can discuss your feelings with. Happy begins with an acoustic guitar that builds into the first hard hitting verse. The lyrics that hit me the hardest are “You couldn’t get off the phone fast enough, didn’t know talking to me was so boring” and “I tried everything that worked before. I’m telling you something is off cause nothing makes me happy”. The lyrics fully capture the feeling of being alone and feeling like there is no one to be there for you when you’re suffering. The production adds a bittersweet touch and it’s very relatable. Outside of the mini PSA I gave, I genuinely believe this is a good song that speaks to many people’s experiences and think you will resonate with it. Gatilin is a singer-songwriter raised in Florida and currently based in Los Angeles, California. She is influenced by a plethora of musicians including HAIM , Harry Styles , and Queen . Her music is personal having spoken about her experiences growing up religious and realizing she was gay. She has released multiple EPs and songs dating back to 2019. This year alone, she has released Pipe Dream , Jesus Christ and Country Clubs , and If She Was A Boy . Her debut album, Eldest Daughter, is coming out on October 3 so be sure to check out! Written By Jazz FOLLOW Gatlin: Instagram | Spotify  | Facebook  | YouTube | Website

Have you ever found yourself caught in a one-sided relationship, where your heart was aching for your partner to care for you the same as you did for them? You always give them your all, but whenever you need them, they put you and your feelings aside like you're last on their list of priorities. It almost feels like you hardly even know each other at this point. This is what "No Matter" by Philip La Rosa is about and is the second release of a four part series in collaboration with poet Joshua Britiffe . Drawn from Joshua's upcoming poetry collection, Love and Other Death Sentences , these songs written together explore love, heartbreak and healing. "No Matter" takes an art-pop approach to a soulful, RnB groove. Philip sings with smooth, heartfelt emotion overtop a synth-filled, atmospheric soundscape with a catchy rhythm and beat produced by Nic Rollo . Philip and Joshua come together to create poetic and gut-punching lyrics that flow perfectly with the hauntingly heartbreaking melodic structure. All the components uniquely come together, creating a one-of-a-kind track that perfectly captures the emotion of loneliness and abandonment within a one sided relationship. Philip La Rosa was a natural born talent and had loved music from a very young age. He would learn dances from music videos and perform for his family, which eventually turned into a passion for songwriting. He attended a performance arts school until the age of 15 where he had been bullied and was discouraged from pursuing his art. However, that didn't last forever, and at the age of 19 he began releasing music and openly advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. His 2016 debut single, "Pride" became an anthem for self-expression. For the next several years, he would continue to release music with award-winning producers, but for the past 3 years, he has been on a hiatus. Now returning with a new experimental sound, Philip La Rosa has been releasing a new song every month; "No Matter" being his sixth so far since his return. There's still plenty of new music to come, so make sure to follow him below to see what's next! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW PHILIP: Instagram   | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | Website *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Friend breakups can hurt just as much, if not more than a relationship breakup. All the groundwork laid out just crumbles and you question if it was ever really worth it at all. As sad as it is, sometimes people truly aren’t meant to be in our lives forever. We can’t pause our growth mourning the ones meant to stay in the past, we have to move forward. EMME’s new song “No Really, I’m Good” is all about realizing you’ve moved on and are much better off without the friends who tear you down. It’s an indie pop anthem full of bright acoustic guitars, a chugging rhythm and lyrics that explore the power of healing. It was made to remind us that sure, this might suck now but it’s exactly what needs to happen for you to find joy. If you’ve ever outgrown someone in your life, this is the song for you. “No Really, I’m Good” is the breath of fresh air you need after unloading the weight you should’ve never had to carry on your shoulders. “I’m feeling light as a feather so much better since I got you out.” She took inspiration from artists like HAIM and Maggie Rogers, but added her own unique style that leaves this track feeling like a breath of fresh air. It’s upbeat and carefree, leaving you wondering why the loss ever affected you at all. I love that instead of dwelling, EMME explored the positive spin on losing a friend and turned it into a bop! The hook is so catchy it will have you moving on before the song’s over. “Honey I’m, honey I’m good. Now that you’re gone, I’ve been sleeping like a baby.” EMME is an incredibly talented indie pop singer-songwriter. She was born and raised in Los Angeles spending her years surrounded by music. She’s always had a knack for writing lyrics and spent the beginning of her career writing for other artists. She’s landed herself credits including Grace VanderWaal’s “Hideaway,” Triton’s “Out of Dark,” Le Youth’s “About Us,” JORDY’s “things I never said” and “Better By Myself.” After finding that love for writing, EMME decided to kickstart her solo artist project with her debut single “Valley Girl” released in 2022. Her music has always explored her perspective of identity, love and belonging. EMME has been growing her discography so check out the links below to experience her artistry. Written By Emylee Herring FOLLOW EMME: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube

Ear-catching, vibe-instigating, and cheeky, LOVA’s latest single titled “It’s Alright” uses someone else’s deception to showcase her artistic talent and ability to turn a negative situation into a benefit for her. Instantly off the bat, LOVA plays into a relationship with listeners that can be felt through this track. At my first, instinctual listen and read of its lyrics, I believed “It’s Alright” would be a ballad, showcasing deception from a loved one and coming from a melancholier angle. LOVA takes these instinctual thoughts and instead uses them to her advantage, surprising listeners with a song that puts a spotlight on how she wants to connect with listeners and uses it to the best, most positive of her ability. “It’s Alright” is a song that explodes in sound, utilizing the best of pop, electronic, and alternative music all in one. On top of her ability to layer genres throughout this track, “It’s Alright” is a gentle reminder that bright things are on the horizon and to trust that your emotions will lead to something positive & beneficial. While being wronged and navigating life are common themes throughout pop music, LOVA puts a unique, personal spin on a story as such by reading into what’s to come for her after this, rather than purely focusing on the fact that events are currently bringing on frustrations & concerns. “It’s Alright”, much like the cover art, appears to be more of a love letter to listeners than a tale of reflection. LOVA speaks directly to her listeners, using her creativity and liveliness of the track to bring recognition to important struggles as well as craft an enjoyable time for audiences. The message and feeling behind the track are supportive, bright, and playful while recognizing that life is typically not a breeze – but she is a friend to help you along the way. Lyrics such as “Aren’t you getting tired of your disguise?” and “Your eyes can talk, they tell it all”, show LOVA’s ability to connect with audiences and understand exactly how they’re feeling, specific things they may have and/or are currently going through, and the complexities behind her songwriting. While “It’s Alright” reminds me in sound of a cross between artists like Still Woozy and Remi with its energetic and fun-loving qualities, LOVA still showcases that she can intermix serious topics with fun pop music. Even through the cover art for “It’s Alright”, LOVA acknowledges through a section of text that no matter how “open” you think you are, that you “can’t keep out what lives inside”. Small details like this should and cannot go unnoticed, as they play directly into the story behind the track and LOVA’s overall message to listeners – you are not alone, you have support, and to know that it’s more than okay to talk about your struggles. LOVA is a singer-songwriter and artist from Sweden. The release of her debut EP in 2018, Scripted Reality, quickly brought her praise from sources such as The Guardian, GQ, Spindle , and more. That year, she additionally had the single “You Me and the Silence” named as the “most played song of the year by a Swedish artist” by Sweden’s biggest radio station. This breakout single garnered over 20 million streams – and counting. At the P3 Guld Awards, the equivalent of the Brit Awards in Sweden, she was nominated and recognized in the category of “Best New Artist”. In the following years, she has been nominated under “Best Pop” at the same awards show as well as for “Lyricist of the Year” at the Swedish MPA Awards in 2021. With her thought-provoking lyrics and complex, impressive melodies, LOVA is an artist to keep an ear out for. Written By Madison Spies FOLLOW LOVA: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Photo From David Archuleta Shop Queer ex-Mormon pop artist, David Archuleta, has released his first project in five years. The brand new EP, Earthly Delights, explores romance, vulnerability, liberation, and sexual freedom that felt forbidden in his past. Tracklist Give You The World Crème Brulée Can I Call You Lucky Home Dulce Amor David Archuleta is a pop singer-songwriter who was born in Miami, Florida, and grew up in Utah in a Spanish household and of the Mormon faith. He appeared as an American Idol contestant and finished as a runner up on Season 7 in 2008. Shortly after, he released his debut single, “Crush”, and eponymous debut studio album. He continued to release albums consistently up until 2020 when he ultimately decided to take a five year break from those types of music projects. During this time, he discovered himself, came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and he and his mom left the LDS Church. He has since discussed his personal mental health struggles and how the church and his sexuality contributed to his mental decline. After a five year break, he’s back with his new EP, Earthly Delights, and seems to be in a good place. Let’s check out the progress he’s made! Give You The World Give You The World is the perfect opener to this project. It’s an honest ballad where he admits to his inability to be open with previous lovers. Vulnerable lyrics like “No, staying in love isn't one of my strengths” and “I don't try to hurt them, I swear” give us more insight into who he is in a relationship. He’s taking accountability for his past mistakes and you can hear the pain and regret in his voice. From a lover’s perspective, it can be really hard to hear those words, but from a listener’s perspective, it’s authentic and relatable. Crème Brulée Crème Brûlée shows David in his new skin. He’s oozing with sexual freedom and liberation. He bounces back and forth between English and the romance language of Spanish as he tells his audience how men just fall all over themselves to spend one night with him. I love the way he references food in both the song title and the lyrics such as “Yeah like he's never had sugar before. Don't care bout a main course” and “Oh I'm just your type, sugary and caramelized”. It’s upbeat with a nice flow that makes you want to contort your body in ways you physically can’t. It’s expressive and fun. What’s not to love? Can I Call You Can I Call You evokes the feeling of falling in love and wanting to spend every second with that person. A sensual song led by a groovy bass and smooth vocals will make you fall in love with it. He expresses his love for this other person with lyrics like  “You can listen to my heart. Boy you're the sweetest like peaches, even if it's just you breathing, that'll do.” It’s the perfect emotional midtempo song that fits his vocal style. It’s very reminiscent of 2000s R&B. From a technical standpoint, this and Crème Brûlée have the best production on the project. Lucky Lucky is yet another song that captures my single heart. It’s a ballad driven by sultry vocals and soft, rhythmic drums. He confesses to his lover how grateful he is that he gets to be in his bed. “I feel so lucky to be in this moment ‘cause we waited for it. No, we can't ignore it.” He doesn’t understand how he’s even in this position to begin with. “And my mind, it goes blank every time you say my name ‘cause it's so surreal that you know it.” The atmosphere makes me want to take a late night bath with a glass of red wine and just relax. I feel so lucky to have listened to this song! Home Home is a stripped back ballad where he once again shows just how strong his voice has become. He sings the powerful and emotional lyrics: “And these rooms that I grew up in. Never felt like I belonged” and “I found a place I could stay for the very first time when I looked in your eyes cause loving you is like coming home”. Given what he’s said about his sexuality and Mormon faith, I can only assume this is what he’s referencing. Too many queer kids feel shame surrounding their sexuality because of what they’ve been taught in their religion. It’s brave of him to share something so personal that millions of young people have a hard time coming to terms with. Dulce Amor Dulce Amor is Spanish for sweet love. If you’re in love, songs like this increase your serotonin and make you blush. My favorite lyric from this song is “I just want more of you every night, that good sugar high. Give me that dulce amor. I just want more.” It’s a beautifully sung ballad where David shows off his strong vocals, great technique, and impressive range. It has the same relaxing atmposhpere I talked about earlier with Lucky. Before this year, I had only listened to “Crush” so I hadn’t realized how much David had matured over the years. He chose the perfect singles to usher in the new era. Overall, the EP leans into R&B which really suits his voice. I hope he makes more R&B music and releases an album in the near future. Outside of Crème Brûlée and Can I Call You, the slower songs use minimal production causing them to be more chill and easy on the ears. My favorite of the bunch is still Crème Brûlée. I'm not really a ballad person. I love upbeat, fun music, but each song is very good with its own identity and purpose. Davids nails this project and I’m proud to see how far he has come in his personal journey. I wish him continued success. He’s going on tour this fall so I recommend streaming this EP and supporting him on his upcoming tour! Written By Jazz Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

Poster from Nadia's Instagram When I heard the first beat of "i think i think too much" by Nadia Vaeh, I was hooked. The melody starts off in a slow and acoustic style, drawing listeners closer to their speakers to hear the lyrics. The lyrics begin by describing how the singer is struggling with her mental health and is having trouble dealing with the fact that medication isn't helping. The concept is highly relatable to the youth of this generation as we face complications in our heads. Nadia's voice and lyrics do a fantastic job of conveying her mood. This song was like a clearing in a cloudy sky. As the song sinks into the chorus, we are greeted with an uplifting beat met with lyrics that are less than sunny. The  chorus  starts with, "I overanalyze, get stuck between the lines of what's a truth and what's a lie." These powerful lyrics make listeners forget all about the slow start, and they're ready to get up and dance. Even if the lyrics aren't about happiness, their honesty allows people to relate and release the stress in their minds. Having this song as my first impression of Nadia Vaeh as an artist, I am thrilled that I took the time to listen to it. I love the way the words play with the instrumental in such a beautiful way. This, being Nadia's most recent single, has listeners begging for more. If you're a fan of a good beat with heartfelt lyrics to accompany it, check out "i i think i think too much" wherever you stream your music! It's the first single release off of her upcoming EP, "Nerve Endings", so make sure to stay tuned for more new music to come. Written By Deanna Moody FOLLOW NADIA: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube

Fear can make life feel fragile, but Riese refuses to let the “what ifs” dictate her future in “9th Life.” Inspired by her battle with stage IV cancer at just 22, she reflects on how illness, trauma, and disaster can keep us confined to our rooms, doubting whether joy still exists beyond the four walls. Even when we walk through a new door, it can come with a “Cinderella” mindset, wondering how long the happiness will last before midnight strikes. Riese flips this perspective, as if she’s packed her fears into a suitcase and thrown them into the ocean. She embraces the freedom found in a time limit, singing, “Dancing like I’m never gonna forget that I’m on my 9th life.” Kick off the glass slippers and dance freely. The floor is yours. “9th Life” shimmers and twinkles with all the right sounds to make you dance. You don’t quite shield yourself from your problems, but you charge forward with your sword—hope. Her voice is powerful, like she’s casting a protection spell or summoning armour for her fans. The beat races like a running wild horse as you learn to take the reins. The synth flows like a night breeze that sparks a rush of adrenaline and holds a promise of freedom. “9th Life” truly feels like a dance song with the arpeggio–you can expect a disco ball in this new Cinderella story. Based in Brooklyn, Riese has been writing music since the age of seventeen and began releasing songs in 2022 with her debut single “ hero complex .”  Her songs include melancholic melodies with heartfelt lyricism, reflective of Riese's experiences, pouring emotion into every word. She has performed across New York at venues like JBL Soho and BMI’s Acoustic Lounge, steadily building her presence. Following the release of singles “ 9th Life ”  and “ Aftermath ,”  Riese is preparing to share her debut EP in mid-October 2025, produced by acclaimed producer Rich Tuorto. Written By Taylor Sheridan Lempke FOLLOW RIESE: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Apple Music  | YouTube