Bad habits, we all have them. Whether we like them or not, we all go through the struggle of getting out of them. If you are like me and actively struggle with those temptations, this song is for you! Nicky MacKenzie gives a sultry yet confessional aspect to this issue in her new single, “I Should Go”. “I Should Go” is the first of the string of new releases leading up to her debut album. Her powerful voice tied with her raw lyricism creates a beautiful story within the song. MacKenzie speaks about the song, explaining that she “wrote the song about bad habits, dark and twisted nights, and the feeling you get when you know you’re supposed to say no, but you just can’t help saying yes”. The introduction starts with prominent drums, with a heavy telephone notch filter on vox. It continues opening with a groovy bass, keeping a funk vibe and articulation in the song. The lead vox is very forward, letting MacKenzie’s powerful voice sit well with the higher background tracks. The piano and other electro-pop components add beautiful texture to the background vocals. MacKenzie’s range within this bop is insanely good, hitting many grace notes in the second verse. The call and effect vocals toward the outro let the song fade beautifully. While the vocals are really the star of the song, the different elements like the continuous shakers and alternative drums that give a house feel bring so much energy to the song overall. Nicky MacKenzie is a rising pop artist from British Columbia, Canada. MacKenzie found music at a young age, with trying many different instruments until finding the one she clicked with: the guitar. She taught herself cords, wrote her first song, and was determined to be a big star within music. In her upcoming, she has won the Canadian Songwriting Challenge and stood out on CTV’s The Launch . She has earned over 2 million listeners on Spotify. Along with this, she has caught attention at major festivals such as Phillips Backyard and Rifflandia . With this release being only one of many before her debut album, be sure to keep up to date with the links down below! Written By Nevaeh Scott FOLLOW NICKY MACKENZIE: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Charlotte Sand’s latest single is an electrifying track that solidifies her place as alt-rock royalty.  The passionate song shares the story about realizing your partner is no longer committed and does not prioritize the relationship in the way they once did. The singer’s vulnerability throughout the track highlights her clever songwriting and her innate ability to resonate with listeners. She kicks off the song with the hook: “Why would you tell me that you’re neck deep when you’re really one foot out,” immediately propelling the listener into the brutally honest storyline. The song switches to the first verse as the rockstar announces to her subject that they make her want to drive her car into a ditch and set their house on fire. The damage they have caused has turned her into this person – someone who acts so neurotic just to see if they would care. Her anger and confusion are represented through these lyrics – she has put this person first and traded her self-respect, only to be let down and forgotten. She feels like she is difficult to want, and now she is dying inside.  She ingeniously encapsulates this feeling of diminished self-worth and desperation to be loved, making “neckdeep” a cathartic release for herself and for listeners who relate. “neckdeep” by Charlotte Sands contains a fiery soundscape and passionate vocals that capture the singer’s unmistakable talent. The song begins with a shimmery synth sound paired with the muffled hook, before breaking into the bright, electrifying production found in the chorus. This reels the listener in, hyping them up for the mesmerizing track. Then, the verse begins and switches to a heavily distorted soundscape that emulates the frustration and rage described in the lyrics. The switch between the verses and the choruses represents the push and pull Sands feels in this toxic relationship. Her emotions go from anger to desperation in an instant, bringing to life the song’s message. With the angsty soundscapes and her powerful vocals, “neckdeep” is a flawless alt-rock song that has something for everyone. Charlotte Sands is an alt-rock singer-songwriter from Los Angeles. At just nine years old, she began writing and performing her own songs. In 2018, she made her official debut and immediately rose to stardom – all while being a fully independent artist. She has charted in the U.S. Top 40 for over 15 weeks, won “Best Breakthrough Album” at the Heavy Music Awards, and has over 300 million global streams. She has also shared the stage with acts such as My Chemical Romance  and YUNGBLUD , and recently performed at Vans Warped Tour  in Long Beach, California. Currently, she is on the idobi Radio Summer School Tour , so check out dates here  to see if she is coming to a city near you. “neckdeep” is the second release of her new era, following her successful 2024 album, can we start over?  Follow her on social media to stay up to date with new releases and announcements! Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW CHARLOTTE: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube | Website

Photography: Maggie Friedman “Over Nostalgic” is the title track of Alexa Kate ’s new EP, a song about reminiscing on the past and not wanting to let it go, so much so it begins to take over your life, even though you don’t want it to. Nostalgia tricks the mind in ways that make you miss moments in life that you wish you could go back to and relive again. In Kate’s case, she sings about her childhood, supplemented by the line “I can’t bear to take the posters off the wall”. Now that she is older, she realizes how hard it is for her to not want to go back to her childhood. She knows that it’s important that she has to live in the moment, but she doesn’t want to let go of what she has always known. You’re first met with a dreamy, transcendent synth when you begin listening to “Over Nostalgic”, before the production smoothly transitions into pop rock - upbeat and heavy on the bass guitar. During the chorus, the synths and instrumentation intertwine, creating a fun, summery sound for the track, despite the lyrics being melancholy. However, the overall sound still emits a bittersweet vibe, because while it sounds like a summer anthem, everyone knows summer doesn't last forever, which adds to the theme of nostalgia. Kate also has an amazing singing voice, and has the perfect vocals for pop music, and they especially go with the production of this song. Alexa Kate is a music artist from and based in New York. After spending lots of time dedicated to learning all-things music, she began her music career in August 2016 with the release of her debut single “Why?”. In July 2024, she released her debut EP wishing you well . “Over Nostalgic” is located on her newest EP of the same name. With every song she releases, Kate never fails to show how talented and original she is. Her artistry is impeccable, and she is truly a virtuoso. Other amazing songs she has released include, but are not limited to, “Hopelessly”, “Just You and Me” (and its remix with Art Marshall), and “i hate the space”. Alexa Kate is an incredible artist! Written By Ashley Adams FOLLOW ALEXA KATE: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Serving as a single from their first full-length album, Go, Indigo , Wildflower Mind are bringing the heat in the alt-pop world with "Home Alone," following on the heels of their previous summer singles, "Patina" and "Secondhand Smoke." The fresh track embraces spontaneity and living life to the fullest, reflecting the rush of freedom on a thrilling night out. Narrating what many of us feel when meeting someone new, Wildflower Mind capture desire and longing in "Home Alone" as the lyrics explore the feeling of hope that there will be a spark and a connection that last longer than a single night. A compelling blend of synth-pop and alt-rock, Wildflower Mind's "Home Alone" is certainly a shimmering highlight from their recent album. The track showcases a rich instrumentation, featuring a mesmerizing mix of radiant synths, dreamy, textured guitar riffs, and driving bass lines. Pairing well with the song's masterful composition, Wildflower Mind's vocals steal the show as the band proves their chemistry in making music together through powerful solo lines and dynamic harmonies. Made for alt-pop enthusiasts, Wildflower Mind's "Home Alone" is perfect for fans of iconic acts like Inhaler , Spacey Jane , The 1975 , and Deaf Havana . Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, Wildflower Mind are an alternative pop band that pride themselves on blending atmospheric rock textures with emotive, hook-driven pop. They began their journey by building a loyal following through local charity concerts and are continuing to make waves across the Valley. Adding to their catalog and giving fans much to look forward to, Wildflower Mind have been releasing new music this summer, delivering their 2025 album, Go, Indigo , featuring recent singles "Call You Baby" and "Home Alone." Looking back on their previous tracks, some popular releases include "Moving Away (From Moving Forward)," "Breathe," "Toxins," and "New December." Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW WILDFLOWER MIND: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Website  | YouTube

Gard Read may have released the most raw and relatable song of the summer. "Human" is so clearly focused on how it feels to be drowning. No one notices, no one understands, and it's an all out fight to stay afloat. "Human" paints that in such a vivid way that there is no need to question what the song is about. One of my favorite lines says, "And there's a riot in my body, and there's chaos in my mind / I need a wonder / And all the walls are burning up in fire / When I'm going under." As someone who's experienced being overwhelmed to this extreme, I couldn't think of a better way to describe this feeling. Another strong line that further describes the point says, "It's killing me, can't sleep, thought it fill me / But I'm running on empty / But I'm only human / And what am I supposed to do / I'm stuck on this feeling / That pulls me down into the blue." We come to realize exactly what the artist is saying, and in our own way's we can relate to the season of life they're walking through. The overall vibe of the song is melancholic and weary. As the listener we can feel the defeat and the sadness that the artist is trying to communicate. This creates a very solemn tone and mood. In this case, I feel like the tone is introspective and bogged down. There's inner reflection coming from the person writing the song, setting the stage for the mood. We can gather that the mood is meant to be utterly heartbreaking and gloomy. Factoring in the lyrics helps build this case, having somber words and phrases like the excerpts listed above allows us to get from point A to point B in a matter of seconds. Instrumentation ties it all together, the pacing keeps things cool in a gloomy-winter-day kind of way. The mix of piano, deep drums, and electronic synths meld together creating an intricate and delicate song, chock full of emotion. Born in Norway with English roots, Gard Read was part of a very creative family. He was introduced to the music industry at a young age but eventually distanced himself from it after experiencing some back and forth. After coming back from his break he said, "I did not find my voice until recently, I have now released my debut single." Since then he's released his EP entitled "Human." He considers himself a man of few words but also states that, "Sometimes, it can be easier to talk about stuff through music." Gard Read has also said, "This is how I express myself. You're kinda having a one way conversation with me. Thank you for listening!" If you're on the hunt for a song to tug your heart strings this summer, check out "Human" by Gard Read. Written By Destiny Rundquist FOLLOW Gard Read: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok

Jemma Johnson's single "Come to the Dark Side" is born at the intersection between masterful music production and personal storytelling. Johnson utilizes her lyrical power in this song to explore the inner struggle against addiction that runs in her family. "Come to the Dark Side" is vulnerable and relatable to many. The song's heaviness translates into its production to create something sonically fresh and deep, allowing it to take up the space it deserves. Johnson has written this song from both the perspective of the individual struggling against addiction and from the addiction's point of view, switching from first person to relaying addiction's temptation: "When I’m with you I just rebound. We get so high we can’t come down...You laugh like the devil...then whisper why don't you come to the dark side?" Heavily synth and percussion-driven, "Come to the Dark Side" is influenced by 90s pop manifested in the edgy, full sound of the densely layered beats against Johnson's alluring vocal tracks. Her sound and lyrics emulate the seduction dance between addiction and an addict. The sonic textures are rich and deep, demanding the full attention of the listener. The strategic vocal stacking throughout the song adds dimension and gives agency to the voice of addiction echoing in someone's head. Johnson effectively delivers an alternative-pop song that does not sacrifice its lyrical intention for sound or vice versa. Jemma Johnson is from a city called Derby in the UK. She has amassed over twenty million Spotify streams and cultivated over 10,000 monthly listeners on the platform. She has worked to make music with talented musicians such as Mark Pusey, who drums for Ed Sheeran, and has played alongside artists like Charlie Simpson and Beth McCarthy while on tour. "Come to the Dark Side" is the most recent single of Johnson's dropped this year following "Good Guy" and "Obsessed." The singer has received praise from BBC Music Introducing's Dean Jackson as well as fellow UK popstar Maisie Peters. Jemma Johnson is a pop singer-songwriter to watch, making a name for herself through her refined and unapologetic sound. Written By Azalea Withrow FOLLOW JEMMA JOHNSON: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Dimitri Vegas, David Guetta, and Loreen's latest release "Pum Pum" as strong as a pounding heart. With electric rhythm, vibrating bass, and hypnotic lyrics, it pulses with urgency to save a relationship. The track captures the feeling of spiraling when love begins to fade. Holding on becomes survival, and your heartbeat feels louder with every passing second. It drums in your ears like a warning. In that panic, you reach for your partner, hoping their presence will ground you. You want to feel a heartbeat other than your own. You want to hear love instead of fear. "Pum Pum" becomes that comforting heartbeat. From the buzzing bass to Loreen's hypnotic voice, this song bleeds with the pain of heartbreak but the excitement of a festival atmosphere. You can hear the pain in her delivery—each lyric feels as isolating as stepping into a crowded club alone, surrounded yet unseen. The production mirrors this loneliness, with percussion that builds like the quiet panic of searching for someone in the dark. As the rhythm grows, there’s a shift—a harmony that emerges like the comfort of locking eyes with someone who truly sees you. The track’s BPM is undeniably built for the festival stage, delivering high energy without losing its emotional weight with Dimitri Vegas and David Guetta's production. Every beat is an adrenaline boost to keep you going. Dimitri Vegas is one half of the world-renowned DJ duo Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike and a key ambassador of the global festival phenomenon Tomorrowland. David Guetta, a two-time Grammy winner, is a pioneering figure in electronic music with over 40 billion global streams and hit collaborations with stars like Sia, Rihanna, and Bebe Rexha. Swedish artist Loreen is a multi-platinum singer-songwriter. With global hits like “Euphoria” and “Tattoo,” Loreen blends spirituality and human connection, most recently expanding her artistry through her collaborative project SAGES  with Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds. Written By Taylor Sheridan Lempke FOLLOW DIMTRI VEGAS: Instagram | Spotify  | X  | Facebook  | YouTube FOLLOW DAVID GUETTA: Instagram   | Spotify  | X  | Facebook  | YouTube   FOLLOW LOREEN: Instagram   | Spotify  | X  | Facebook  | YouTube

"with or without you" is the newest single from Dolly Doops , a song about the lingering feelings of a past relationship. Doops sings about how it left a lasting effect where she still feels very strongly about her ex, reminiscing on what they had and how they are no longer together, but whenever they meet up, however, they can’t help but feel as though they are falling back in love from how much chemistry they still have. But if they can’t be together, Doops would rather take this person out of their life than remain friends, because her feelings are still so strong that it would be impossible not to be in a relationship again. Just like the fervid feelings described in "with or without you", the song has intense and fast-paced production. This is presented by the drums and the quick beat. Amidst this are layers of dreamy synths and guitar chords. All of this together creates the atmosphere Doops is trying to portray, which is a busy setting in New York City, and you and everyone else are rushing down a street in pockets of a typical busy New York crowd. Doops also showcases her incredible vocals, which are in a high octave and pitch throughout the majority of the song. This only changes during the bridge, where her voice falls into a lower octave, showing she has impeccable range. Dolly Doops is a music artist based in the UK. She grew up loving music and began her music career in August 2023 with her debut single “Inside Your Mind”. She has also released other incredible songs in addition to her debut and “with or without you”, including but not limited to “VOICES”, “Temporary Thrill”, and “dance on my own”. She has performed live before, including in May 2025 at The Common Press Bookshop in Shoreditch, London and at Dingwalls in London in March 2025. Doops is a fantastic artist and puts lots of effort, creativity, and originality into all her work, including her music and music videos. Written By Ashley Adams FOLLOW DOLLY DOOPS: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Theresa Rex's new single, "Scream," explores themes of anxiety and overcoming those fears through expression.  She sings about medicating herself because her body feels like it’s working against her, showing a mix of anger, exhaustion, and desperation to break free. There’s a strong theme of frustration with relationships that failed and people who let her down. The anthem mimics her acts of breaking free from these constraints, allowing herself the grace to evade the pressures she feels. It really captures what it feels like to be overwhelmed and not seen for who you truly are. Theresa Rex's unique but undoubtedly talented vocals allow this narrative to speak beyond the constraints of a song and into the message she brings. The percussion is steady but powerful, adding to the feeling of tension building and releasing throughout the track. The breakdowns strip the sound down before building it back up, echoing the lyric “break it down to build it up.” Her voice is mixed front and center, raw and powerful, so the emotion doesn’t get lost behind the narrative. Overall, Theresa Rex outperforms expectations and is an artist who should be recognized for her talent. Hailing from Denmark, you may have already listened to Theresa Rex without putting her name to a voice. Though she never pictured herself as a pop star, she ended up singing lead on Martin Jensen’s 2016 hit “Solo Dance,” a track that racked up hundreds of millions of streams. In 2018, she decided to step into the spotlight on her own and released her debut single Wild Ones . The following year, she collaborated with Jonas Blue on What I Like About You , which climbed the charts internationally. Since then, Theresa has continued to pursue her long love for music. Written By Adalyn Reichenberger FOLLOW THERESA REX: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Liv Cartier’s latest single titled “Right Before the Fall” is a beautiful track about the struggles of mental health. When it comes to being open about any issue you may have it becomes really hard to talk about. A million thoughts race through your head about whether or not something is right or wrong. It leaves you in the end wondering what to do and where to go from here. Life is going to get extremely hard at points and when we go through changes, we tend to keep everything in. Remembering that you aren’t alone in anything you go through is such a blessing because it shows that others care for you.   “Right Before the Fall” opens with such a soothing and slow piano beat. I was immediately hooked from the first few seconds as instrumentals are so ear catching. I also really enjoyed the lyrics as they were so raw and gave off this sense of familiarity. Especially with lines like “Too truly feel alive is only a fetish” and “Just to feel calm for a couple of hours.” I could not get enough of them as they were super relatable. The mood of the entire track was also something I enjoyed as it was so poignant and real.   Liv Cartier is a singer/songwriter from Manchester, United Kingdom. She released her first single titled “Golden” on May 29, 2025. Her second single “Right Before the Fall” is a heartfelt track about the hard struggles of mental health. Her music falls under that of the alternative pop genre making each of her songs the perfect track to listen to. If you haven’t already given this talented artist a listen, I highly recommend you doing so as you will not be disappointed. Be sure to also follow her social medias down below and follow along on her musical journey. Written By Julissa Garcia FOLLOW Liv Cartier: Instagram   | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube   *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

*Sam Short Tour via OnRecordLA Sam Short is a multi-talented artist who instantly mesmerizes listeners with her clever hooks and stunning vocals. I had the pleasure of attending the opening night of her tour in Los Angeles. The show was at The Echo, a small venue that beautifully complemented Short’s intimate performance. From the very first note to the final send-off, the singer kept the audience engaged and awestruck, while hyping them up for the headlining act, Presley Regier. If you can see Short at any of the upcoming tour dates with Charlotte Lawerance or any future tours, get tickets immediately to ensure a night of entertainment and good music.   Setlist Masterpiece Forget to forget me Hooked Flatline Needle and Thread I wish Puppy Earthgirl   The set began with the room darkening and the strobe lights setting the moody scene. Short entered the stage and immediately kicked off with her soothing track, “Masterpiece.” The sensual track lulled the audience in and made them hang onto every word. This established the scene for her entire set. Short’s stage presence effortlessly intoxicates those watching and leaves them wanting more. Her crowd work comes naturally, from her humorous jokes between songs to having the audience finish the line in “Hooked.” At the show, Sam Short proved she is a pop star ready to shine. *Sam Short Tour via OnRecordLA // Photo Creds: Annmarie Medina Sam Short’s songwriting is what has continuously stood out to us at Pop Passion Blog. We have always found her music infectious and well-produced, but her clever lyricism is what really made us fans. The first song I have ever heard from Short is “Hooked,” a song about being addicted to depression. As someone who has been told that she is “addicted to cortisol,” this song deeply resonates with me. Hearing it live was a cathartic release, not only for me but also for so many people in the crowd. Short’s authenticity, like what she sings about in “Hooked,” is one of the many reasons fans adore her so fiercely. Aside from “Hooked,” she also sang devastating songs about heartbreak, introducing them with vulnerable stories about their background. From “flatline” to “i wish,” she showcased how she is a storyteller, as well as a musician. However, the most painful track is her latest single, “needle and thread.” Being at opening night, I had the honor of being a part of the first crowd to ever hear the track live. The song contains a lo-fi-influenced soundscape that relies on lyrics to guide the production, focusing on the message while the synth instrumentation in the background soothes the listener. The track is already psychedelic, but hearing it live is an out-of-body experience that words cannot describe. Sam Short Merch at The Echo in Los Angeles During her set, Short said it "feels like a sad girl summer,” and she really brought those words to life. If you are a fan of subtle yet synth-heavy productions and gut-wrenching lyrics, Sam Short will be your new favorite artist. She truly knows how to command a crowd, write relatable lyrics, and hit impressive notes. Her latest EP, earthgirl , is one of my favorite projects of the year, and I highly recommend giving it and her entire discography a listen. To learn more about Sam Short, follow her on all social media here .   Written By Karlee Skipper Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

Simona Shao’s new single, Waves, is an adult contemporary/alternative pop song about heartbreak. In the music video, she is dancing with friends in various locations including her apartment,  fields, and the beach. Her friends have to pick her up out of bed, drag her to the couch, and take her to all these places. The goal is to make her smile and cheer her up. If you’ve ever experienced heartbreak, you can relate to the video. You can see yourself in her shoes because you’ve been there before. It’s always going to be hard to get back on the horse, but if you have a good group of people surrounding you, those types of hardships become less challenging. Waves starts with an acoustic guitar strumming making you believe it’s going to be a slower song, but the beat kicks in as she begins to sing. It’s still mid tempo, but it has a very chill vibe to it. During the chorus, she sings “And the walls are shaking. My heart keeps breaking. The current rolls right off my skin. And the lies they told. They were getting old. Leave this world we’ve known.” I enjoy the lyricism and production, but her singing style takes the cake. Her polished vocals over the piano is soothing and calming. It makes me want to unwind and kick my feet back after a hard day at work. I would liken the song to getting a massage at a fancy spa. (Breathe in and out, then click play.) Simona Shao is a Chinese-American songwriter and musician born and raised in Los Angeles, California. The classically trained pianist started her music journey at the age of 4. Growing up, she went to different schools known for their art programs and participated in and won multiple international singing competitions. While she’s musically gifted, she is also multi-faceted. She graduated from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in 2019 and has worked in multiple industries. If you’re intrigued by this song, check out her brand new EP titled Waves . The tracklist is “Waves”, “Don’t Wait For Me”, and “A Love Song”. Written By Jazz FOLLOW Simona Shao: Instagram | Spotify  | Soundcloud  | YouTube