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"WHEN MY BREATHING SLOWS," the fiery collaboration between LA artists Riley Lynch and Ron Geffen, brings feeling to the forefront and allows its brutal heat speak for itself. The rolling drums blast through with booming clarity in every moment, casting the dread and panic in stark shadow. Underneath the explosive percussion and sharp lyricism, bass sizzles like a lit fuse. Guitars crack open the chorus, releasing every once of pain and passion in a fast and catchy hook. The two artists perfectly mesh in this glorious pop-rock display, pulling from grunge and punk of the 2000's and early 2010's. It's stadium-sized sound perfectly serves as an anthem for those who feel like they have nothing more to give. In a way, it's an exorcism: hope burns, bodies fly, and the feelings we fight to keep inside are purged. Recent memory has approached mental health from a more reflective route, but what it's missing is what makes "WHEN MY BREATHING SLOWS" so impactful. What if you aren't okay right now? Lynch and Geffen's collaboration is notable not only for its incredible songwriting, performance, and production, but also as a sort of return to form for the genre: a present tense. The first verse sets the scene. "The second my alarm goes off, my chest begins to tighten," reads the opening line, but its the delivery that makes the verse so notable. Each line chains together, a seemingly insurmountable gauntlet of grievances. "I'm terrified that I won't find my stride until the day I die," perfectly encapsulates the acute dread of never feeling truly better. "WHEN MY BREATHING STOPS" is chock-full of these striking expressions condensed into punchy one-liners ("Feel like I can't form one coherent sentence when I go up to the counter to pick up my new prescription," reads the song's most vivid scene). Exhaustion finally catches up with them in the bridge, where the song's title is repeated to remark on how these present feelings will appear upon reflection. If this pain is a part of our story, how will we feel when the book closes? "WHEN MY BREATHING STOPS" is not the first collaboration between Riley Lynch and Ron Geffen. Back in September of 2022, the two released the single "ICARUS." Riley Lynch's discography holds many punk gems with catchy hooks and booming production. Many songs, like "I WISH," dissolve the borders of genre as they incorporate a variety of flavors, such as electronic and acoustic. Ron Geffen has made a name for many pop-rock collaborations recently. Both artists, based in LA, prove that the underground scene of music is as talented, inspired, and valuable as ever. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW RILEY: FOLLOW RON:

There's nothing better than a song that you can't help but dance to. "Dancing With The Dogs" by Connor Kirk features abstract, poetically written lyrics about single nightlife. Referring to boys as 'dogs' in this scenario, the storyline of this song is of a lonely woman who just wants to have a night out and enjoy herself. But the night ends how it usually does - a stranger in your bed and a morning full of regrets. Although there's a darkness to the meaning of this song, it still brings an upbeat and energetic energy, making it impossible to sit still when you listen to it. Haunting chords and harmonies ring in the air of 'Dancing With The Dogs', giving it the theme that Connor describes as 'dystopian'. Fuzzy vocal effects give the song it's classic feel. Though the progression gives spooky vibes, it's still incredibly catchy in nature and is reminiscent of nostalgic 80's pop and rock. It's giving hints of Michael Jackson, but with the modern dance punk twist of early Panic! at the Disco and the darkness and distortion of Gorillaz. 'Dancing With The Dogs' is what I would describe as the perfect concert song. It's catchy, easy to sing along with and it will get you moving. Connor Kirk is versatile art pop artist based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He's a unique songwriter and is an incredible live performer, having opened for acts such as Ceramic Animal and Young the Giant. If you like this style of 'Dancing with the Dogs', you may also like his song 'Hunger City' which has similar vibes. We also did an Interview with Connor back in January 2022 where we discussed his song, 'Party Down', which you can read here. Make sure to give Connor a follow below! His next single, 'Strangers on a Train' comes out January 20th! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW CONNOR:

I love "Pressure", the lyrics are so heartfelt and relatable. What did it feel like to express your thoughts and feelings through this song? Ellie: Writing songs is like therapy for me! When I write a song I have to be truthful for the lyrics to really stand out and make an impact. Especially with ‘PRESSURE’ I made sure to just be honest with myself and talk about the invisible pressure that everyone feels. The song is designed to talk about the mental struggles in everyday life and explore feeling not good enough or having expectations set for yourself, by yourself. I wrote the song so quickly and easily so I think tapping into that other side of me was really helpful and helped me learn a little bit more about my feelings. You're only 14, you have so much talent at such a young age! What is your earliest memory of music? Ellie: Music has been such a major part of my life for so long that there isn’t one memory I can think of, although singing myself to sleep when I was a baby might’ve been my earliest start!! You were recently on an exchange program in Spain, how do you feel your time there impacted you? Ellie: It was such an amazing experience for me as it just set boundaries for my life. I realised that I’m literally functioning in another country and speaking in another language on my own and if I can do that then I can do so much more!! The exchange also taught me that the world is so much bigger than just my house and my school and that I should never care what other people think because there is so much more out there that is more important than someone's opinion. You've gotten some attention from talent scouts for the West End. What has that experience been like and do you see yourself pursuing theatre in the future? Ellie: Although I don’t see myself pursuing theatre, it’s always an option - when I was younger I trained in a theatre company so I do have some of the skills it takes BUT I can’t dance!! Jokes aside, it was crazy to open my emails and see that the West End Musical Theatre company wanted to me audition, there was a few processes that I needed to go through first but, in the end I decided that performing my own music was what I really wanted to do. When you're not working on music, what do you like to do? Ellie: I’m either sleeping because I love my sleep or I’m doing school work as I have quite a lot at the moment - it’s not great. What things are you looking forward to in 2023? Ellie: I’m just so excited to record new music. 2023 has already been going so well. I’ve been on BBC Radio Solent again with my new song ‘PRESSURE’ and in a few weeks I’ve got a very exciting meeting with a management company so we’ll see how that goes!! I just want my music to evolve this year, now that I know what I’m doing - maybe play some more gigs and gain a bit more exposure. Interviewed By Tessa Brainard FOLLOW ELLIE:

I love the sound of ‘Mess With My Man’ and your voice is incredible. Do you mind sharing the story behind the tune? Presley: Thank you so much! When I first heard “Mess With My Man” I was instantly hooked. I feel like every girl has gone through the feeling of another woman trying to take her man. It can be so frustrating when it happens, but ultimately you gotta put your foot down and stand your ground! You were on The Voice at just sixteen years old! What was that experience like for you? Presley: The Voice was one of the most incredible experiences. I was surrounded by so many incredible musicians, got to work with the house band who I swear are magicians, as well work with my idol Kelly Clarkson. Every little bit of the process was like a dream come true. I went into “The Voice” with an open mind and wanted to take everything in, so I did just that! You’ve shared the stage with some phenomenally popular artists in the industry, including the likes of Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, Tim McGraw, and more. What have you learned from some of these seasoned industry veterans? Presley: It’s so insane knowing that I’ve gotten to share the stage with so many incredible artists. It doesn’t seem real so I’ve learned to seriously take it all in and live in the moment. I appreciate and fully support your love and interest in supporting animal organizations. Can you tell us how Riffs & Rescues was born? Presley: I am a very passionate lover of animals and feel so strongly about them. It breaks my heart to see our furry friends in shelters and rescues when they deserve a loving home. These animals are our best friends and we need to be the voice that advocates for them! Who are some of your biggest musical influences and inspirations? Presley: I grew up listening to so many different artists of all different genres but I definitely gravitate more towards powerhouse vocalists like Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, and Chris Stapleton to name a few. What would you say was your best live performance and what was it like? Presley: My best or most memorable performance was probably getting to sing with Kelly Clarkson at her show in Las Vegas. She’s part of the reason I started singing…She was my first concert ever, I sang her song “Because Of You” at every little singing competition around my hometown and she was my coach on The Voice. It was also my 17th birthday so she sang me happy birthday and brought out a cake after we sang “Because Of You”! Interviewed By Vanessa Siebrass FOLLOW PRESLEY:

"I Wanna Be With You" is a catchy bedroom pop banger. The vocalist details being drawn to a friend romantically, singing about wanting to further their relationship even if it risks their friendship. Chris James describes the beauty in falling in love and the anxiety that comes with confessing feelings. It's scary when you want someone who may just only see you as a friend, but sometimes you just can't help yourself. Although the singer discusses a personal matter, he does it in a fun and relatable way. Overall, this track has a playful and cheeky feel to it. Chris has such a smooth voice that compliments the dreamy instrumental and allows the song to shine. A highlight of the single is the "cool interlude" as the artist states in the lyrics video. This moment enhances the lyrics that follow and has listeners appreciating the bedroom pop instrumental. The chorus is another standout "I Wanna Be With You". In the hook, the musician layers harmonized vocals that are incredible and a delight for audiences. Chris James is a singer songwriter and producer based in Berlin, Germany. He's played guitar since a young age and started showing off his talents on YouTube, since then gaining a large following. He has over 900,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and has over 800 million total streams. On social media, James has risen to popularity and has gone viral for his snippet of songs and his incredible talent. The musician released his first single in March 2018 titled, "I Know You Can Dance", another playful song that has an upbeat melody. Chris is also known for co-writing the RIAA Gold-certified Billboard Hot 100 #1 (and Global 200 #1) song, “Life Goes On” by BTS. Make sure to keep track of Chris and his continuously growing career by following him below! Written By Stephanie Berning FOLLOW CHRIS JAMES:

Unrequited love burns. It’s a special kind of hurt when someone you love and care about doesn’t reciprocate those feelings. You’re constantly putting in effort and vying for the attention of someone who will never appreciate and return that energy. Hila captures these feelings in her new single, “Sorry?” with melancholy, longing lyrics. Featuring lyrics like “But all I wanted was your touch/Was I asking for too much/Am I not good enough for you,” this song expresses those inner thoughts many of us have struggled with when trying to figure out where a relationship went wrong. Using a wonderful combination of twangy guitar strums and infectious pop beats, Hila creates a catchy anthem about heartbreak and yearning for someone you can’t make love you. Her sultry vocals and beautiful melodies deliver aching lyrics, ranging from feeling invisible to a former lover to wanting to make them sorry. Hila expresses the pain that comes with the vicious cycle of knowing someone doesn’t care for you the way you care for them, but still wanting them anyway. The song’s bridge is a perfect example of this, featuring the lyrics: “I can't change you/We both know that/I can't leave you I would go back/Block your number/Showed up at my door/Left you standing in the cold/I'll make you jealous/And you won't care/I don't know why I even try.” The song ends with a softer version of the chorus, adding reverb to Hila’s vocals and scaling the instrumentation back. The quieter delivery of the chorus and the addition of the reverb leaves us listeners on a sadder, more haunting note—a brilliant variation to drive home those melancholy feelings. Hila is an up-and-coming Seattle-based artist. Her love for music began at an early age, writing her first song at age 9. An avid social media user, Hila has garnered the attention of many fans and uses the platforms to share her music. Her first single, “Easy to Lose Control,” has been a hit sensation, gaining over 200,000 streams within its first months. With the help of her producer, Brett Koolik, Hila writes and records all of her music in her bedroom. Together, Hila and Koolik experiment to push the boundaries of sound and have created songs like “Thoughts Out Loud” and “Bored of Myself.” Hila reaches newer and older generations through her songwriting, focusing on topics of heartbreak, mental health, and love. Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW HILA:

Today’s relationship culture is hard. People are wanting to move as fast through a relationship as scrolling on social media; which makes dating a mystifying game. One day you’re laughing on the front porch watching the sunset, the next, you’re crying on the seat they were just sitting in left to watch the sunset alone and heartbroken. This is the exact reason why Sylvi Diamond’s heartfelt chorus in her newest soft-rock single, “Easily”, truthfully writes, “Easily, it’s usually me who calls it quits, leaves in a split/ Before my heart can break.” Sometimes it’s easier to be the one who cuts ties, so you don’t become attached. Unfortunately, Sylvi decided to tether her feelings to the guy this time, with him being the one to leave. Though she had to go through a heartbreak to write “Easily,” the song is the perfect track to sulk in; whether that’s in your bedroom staring up at the ceiling, in your car driving by the coast while looking out the window, or on the beach walking your heartbreak off. “And all that I can do is wish that you could stay the way you leave so easily,” Sylvi’s powerful and crisp vocals earnestly sing about longing for the person she once had. Even though the lyrics are gloomy, the track is sunny with its lo-fi beats and relaxed guitar strums, relaying the song’s sad message with a catchy tune. The beachfront sound is a wave of comfort, helping to mask her defeat. Not to mention, Sylvi’s voice is a drip of honey that adds a hint of sweetness to the song’s lyrical bitterness. Originally from upstate New York, and now a Clearwater Florida resident, Sylvi Diamond is a well-versed singer/songwriter. Dabbling in genres like country and indie/folk, Sylvi is on the rise within the classic pop and lo-fi pop region with her two singles, “Easily” and “Runaway Love.” Just as her last name suggests, Sylvi Diamond is a gem in the sea of musical artists shining through. Written By Amanda Palacios FOLLOW SYLVI DIAMOND:

While the wide-open road is no stranger to dwellers who have a mind full of thoughts and a heart full of sorrow, Karly Driftwood’s latest single “Trucker” describes the echoing feelings of loneliness that can drive one’s journey into the solo trip. While explaining her desire to become a trucker so she could “drive away forever,” Karly details the little moments of life that can lead to the temptation to live a life of seclusion. Though not blatantly stated, the single alludes to the bittersweet freedom of abandoning your life indefinitely. Listen to "Trucker" here! Gentle guitar strums open the single, leading into softly-whispered lyrics of longing for a different life. The same instrumentals carry the song through its verses and chorus, matching the lingering reflective mood. It's not until the bridge that the artist raises the tempo and strengthens the emotion felt through her lyrics. Virginia-born and Nashville-living singer-songwriter Karly Driftwood embodies a unique sound that meshes several genres into something fundamentally authentic. Lyrics with a dark, rebellious flair combined with soothing pop-country sounds provide a rare feeling that’s hard to come by in today’s music scene. She’s often found around various cafés/bars in Nashville performing her original work. With 2022 being her debut streaming year, there’s certainly much to come in the future for Karly. Written By Zewdi Cass FOLLOW KARLY DRIFTWOOD:

“For Hours” is a captivating bop and infectious listen that will literally be stuck in your head for hours. This soft pop embodies a smooth jazz style, dripping with sultry hooks and alluring production. Burke says goodbye to a lover who’s scorned her for the last time - she’s had enough of waiting for someone who doesn’t even give her the time of day. Burke’s catchy hooks follow you long after the song ends, embedding her own personal style and pizazz into a soundscape. Burke’s stellar voice work shines brightly here, lighting up the track with her range and depth. Her playful vocals alongside the clever lyricism and catchy one-liners create a sound atmosphere instead of just a song. Burke’s clever wink at the 1980s style of disco and synthwave pair beautifully with her artistic vision, hypnotizing the listener to play it again and again. The effortless way Buke carries herself suggests years of performance experience and connecting with countless fans. Megan Burke has built up an impressive online following on Facebook, Tiktok, and Instagram, stacking hundreds of thousands of views for her authentic covers and originals. With racking up over 4.5 million views, she’s performed on various radio and TV shows, such as The Late Late Show and the 6’o Clock Show, among others. Besides her beautiful vocal timbre, the way she crafts her wild personality creates an intriguing aura and prompts ordinary listeners to become fans. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW MEGAN:

Aryia’s latest release is an angsty single consisting of a high-energy production and anger-fueled lyrics. “Losers” explores the mindset of feeling lost and yearning for more out of life. Ariya wrote this song during a dark time in his own life, when he was still living in Massachusetts and dreamt of getting out. The track immediately kicks-off with the brutally honest lyrics found in the chorus as Aryia sings, “This shitty state is full of losers// And I pretended to ever fucking like you// I swear to God I’m gonna get out of here someday// Cause if I can’t, I’ll just fuckin’ end it.” These lyrics do not hold anything back, exposing the anger and frustration Aryia feels. As the song continues, additional lyrics reveal Aryia’s personal struggles with never truly fitting in and his desperation to leave. The track is less of a condemnation of his hometown, and more of a cathartic release for Aryia’s complex emotions. With “Losers”, Aryia hopes it provides the same release for listeners experiencing the same feelings. Aryia instantly dives into the infectious track by kicking off “Losers” with the chorus. From the very beginning, the fast rhythm of the high hat, counting the beat of the song, sets the stage of a fiery punk rock anthem. The high hat continues as a muted drum sound that pulls emphasis on the lyrics. Simultaneously, the guitarist uses palm muting to enhance the muted sound at the beginning. The combination of these two instruments work together to lead the listener through the intense track. Then, when the first chorus ends, the bass and the drums pick up, creating an explosive transition between the chorus to the first verse. For the remaining of the track, all of the verses continue to be muted while each chorus brings back the intensity from the first transition. “Losers” is an impressive addition to Aryia’s discography, highlighting his candid songwriting and his natural aptitude for the punk rock genre. Aryia is a pop-punk singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles. His hard work and dedication as an independent artist caught the attention of Velocity Records, resulting in Aryia signing with the company. He is set to release his first project under the label— a 5 track EP entitled Viral. He has garnered massive success through TikTok, earning him a dedicated fan base. In August 2021, he released his hit single, “She Don’t Like Boys”, which has over 10 million streams on Spotify and has been used in over 25,000 videos on TikTok. He continues to release music that resonates with listeners and pumps them up with the explosive beats. Written By Karlee Smith FOLLOW ARYIA:

“If you love something, set it free. If it comes back to you, then it’s yours. This is a saying about lost love that we’ve all heard. Stephen Sanchez and Em Beihold sing about having this experience in “Until I Found You.” Together, the two artists sing about love being the desperately needed shining light in their lives. This song is very dreamy and is sure to be a pleasure to your ears. Already taking the world by storm on TikTok with the solo version of this song, Em Beihold adds the perfect amount of loving harmonies that give the song an extra emotional feel. The guitar is in a dreamy haze of reverb that you can't help but close your eyes and sway to. I could see this song being in a fifties themed romantic comedy. If they ever remake Grease , Danny and Sandy need to slow dance to the song at the sock hop. The overall musicality of this song reminds me of "The Night We Met" by Lord Huron. Stephen has a really strong and smooth voice that fit into the vibe very well. Adding Em Beihold's gorgeous voice into a new version of this song gave listeners a whole new perspective of the meaning of "Until I Found You". Eighteen-year-old Stephen Sanchez is a singer-songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee. If you liked “Until I Found You,” Sanchez other song, “Lady by the Sea,” has the same dreamy guitar with a more contemporary sound. It is no surprise that the song has acquired over 4 million streams on Spotify. He also has an EP called “What Was, Not Now! As if it couldn’t get any better, all the tracks are 100% written by Sanchez himself! Em Beihold is an singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles, California. She is also an All-American Fencing champion! She has been a lover of music since the young age of six years old and has been an artist for a very long time, but her career took off big time in 2020 when her song "City Of Angels" went viral on TikTok. Written By Kelli Dixon and Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW STEPHEN SANCHEZ: FOLLOW EM BEIHOLD:

While there’s no doubt that pop music has its fair share of heartbreaking songs, Mike Posner has taken the scene to the next level with his latest release “I’m Not Dead Yet”. This time the heartbreak isn't about love, but the pain that comes with being an artist. The song’s incredibly written lyrics provide heartfelt insight into Posner’s perspective of his musical career at large, a kind of personal dialogue that is rare to come by and can’t be done by just anybody. “I’m Not Dead Yet” is a masterclass in expressive songwriting and unique commentary. The music industry puts a lot of pressure on artists to come out with the next "hit song", especially when you've already had a song that everyone knows by heart. There's an internal struggle that tells you you'll never beat what you've already done. This is exactly what Mike Posner has done with "I'm Not Dead Yet". The song starts with a catchy snap-a-long rhythm and Posner’s melodic exposition describing a depressive mood. The music makes you want to dance and sing along, but then you release what the lyrics are saying which creates a perfect juxtaposition. The lines “I get paid for my pain as long as I can make it rhyme / but sometimes I can’t tell if it’s even mine” are the bread and butter of the song’s meta commentary. Posner beautifully sings about the exploitation of his suffering through his music, and how what he really wants to say gets twisted beyond recognition just to make another hit song. As the synth pad and drum machine are abruptly cut off, Poser switches to a classic acoustic guitar singing “this is what a sad song sounds like”, then ramps up the energy with the percussion and synths to repeat that phrase between lines describing his emotional turmoil. Mike Posner has already left his mark on the 21st century’s music scene with songs like “I Took A Pill In Ibiza” and “Cooler Than Me”, and continues to release his music to critical acclaim. “I’m Not Dead Yet” is one of the most genuine songs the industry has seen in years from an artist who never disappoints, and listening to it is an absolute must for any long-time Posner fans and everyone looking to dive into his amazing discography. Although "I'm Not Dead Yet" is about struggling to write good music, Mike Posner never fails to blow me away with his incredible talents. Written By Ari Schweitzer and Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW MIKE POSNER: