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We’ve all experienced this scenario. You’re looking through your beach vacation photos and seem to have found one to showcase on Instagram. You’re having a great hair day and your outfit is on point. You zoom in and discover that a big red zit had taken up residence on your forehead. What do you do? You proceed to apply your favorite photo filter to blur out the blemish. This is why we all love filters on photos. They make us look better with little to no effort. Even so, when we use these seemingly magical tools, we don’t embrace our natural beauty. Nieri’s upbeat dance tune, “Face,” is about how good it can feel to come out from behind the filter and show the world who you really are. The bass line of this song was the first thing that really stood out to me. It is really strong and sounds great behind the lyrics. Additionally, its rhythm makes the song very danceable. I also liked how the occasional harmonies add variations onto the beat. Nieri’s voice sounds firm and unwavering. The listener can really tell that Nieri believes in the lyrics he is singing. With that, I enjoyed how relatable the theme was. My favorite lyrics were: “I’m feeling like a cheater with the covers and the filters.” When we use filters, we show people an inaccurate version of who we are. What we should do is embrace our flaws, how ever big or small they may be. Nieri was raised in Milan and currently lives in L.A. If you need more songs for your at-home dance party, check out Nieri’s other song, “Beautiful Music.” He sings about a longing to be freed from the tiring work week. Once the chains are lifted, he’ll head straight to the club and release his energy through dance. Even if you’re not one to frequent the club, you should still get up and dance every once in a while! You’d be surprised at how freeing it is! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW NIERI

“While You’re Young” is an indie pop rock anthem about enjoying every moment of your life, no matter how old you get. This uplifting tune is a good reminder that sometimes life can pass you by if you don’t stop and look around every now and then. There are so many aspects of life to appreciate, Shayla tells us not to take anything for granted. “It’s not too early/ It’s not too late”, these lyrics perfectly capture the idea that there is no right or wrong time to start living. Shayla McDaniel sings with the upmost sweetly sounding vocals in her latest single. Her unique voice can be recognized immediately for its smooth sounding quality and honeyed like flow. The instrumental beats follow right along to match the chill tone quality, creating a relaxed and vibey song. My favorite lyrics were when Shayla said, “We all have a job we hate”. I felt like this depicted how people live so well. We go through life rushing to get to the finish– to get to the job and paying bills. Yet we do so only to look back and realize that we rushed through the best parts of life, that we missed out on so much. Not only this, but these lyrics are a reminder that we’re in life together, we all can relate to this rushed feeling. So take a step back, be friendly, and enjoy life. Shayla is a lifelong musician having grown up playing music at home, school and church. She is proficient in multiple instruments including the bass, guitar and keyboard. After playing her first show in 2017, Shayla began her professional career whereas of today, she writes, sings, produces and plays music. In a short time, Shayla has found much success. The singer has performed at numerous music festivals as well as have had her music played life on-air for a number of radio stations. Shayla can only go up from here as she continues to write music. We can’t wait to see what’s in store or this indie rock icon. Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW SHAYLA MCDANIEL:

"Romance is my religion; but your love got me off my knees" is what we all envision as the perfectionist type of relationship where there is so much optimism and everyone is living in cloud-nine-style. Jet Vesper's brand new single "Rhythm In Your Pocket" really accentuates this concept in terms of the production, vocals & most importantly: the lyrics! The premise is that Jet is clinging onto this person tightly and wants to try his best to maintain their relationship even though that it seems good. Jet needs full validation here while still experiencing crazy amounts of euphoria! This song's got rhythm in it's pocket! I think that Jet's high-pitched vocals shows off a lot of range here especially in the second chorus of the song where the pitch gets even higher. The structure and lyrics of this song all are cohesive as well as meaningful with what the song is trying to get across. The instrumentation definitely is made up of a drum machine which includes the rhythmic snaps as well as a funky "wah" guitar that rides throughout the bridge and chorus of the song. The spacey synthesizers that echo in the background really makes this song have a psychedelic vibe to it that matches the cover perfectly. I really appreciate those background vocals from Jet as well! Jet definitely plays music in the pocket! Jet Vesper is an Australian-American songwriter based out of Los Angeles who has started getting serious about music since last year with his funky debut single "Clockwise" which is pretty damn smooth. Jet also has his own YouTube channel where he has made multiple remixes of his singles and other music-related content. Jet plans on releasing his debut EP at some point this year. Go give him a shot! Written By Miles Tutor FOLLOW JET:

Self-discovery is an infinitive process. We are constantly finding out new things about ourselves while sometimes forgetting what we already knew. Some days you feel as though you know exactly who you are. Other days, it can be terrifying to look in the mirror, scared of who may look back at you. In her new song, ‘the glass’, little luna is re-discovering who she is. She’s gotten a bit distracted with life and lost herself in the process. In ‘the glass’, she’s taking the time and look within herself. What she thought would be scary and intimidating is not as bad as she once thought, and she realizes that it’s okay to be introspective with oneself. In her social media bios, luna has written ‘I write songs about re-discovering your truest self’. ‘the glass’ fits this description well. luna’s sincere and earnest vocals, accompanied by a dreamy alt-pop beat, gently encourage listeners to try and look within themselves. Each chorus begins with the lyrics, “I’ve been facing the sight, of myself in the glass tonight/ and I realized, that it’s okay that I look inside”. The repetition throughout the song reminds the listener that self-reflection isn’t as scary as we think, and that it’s okay to learn about yourself. While the song expresses the importance of self-reflection, it also acknowledges that sometimes we get sidetracked by the opinions of others. Every day, whether through social media or in person, there are people telling us the ways we ‘should’ and 'shouldn’t’ be living. “It’s weird I’ve never seen it, I only needed my own help”, these lyrics are luna’s reminder that the only person who can make decisions for you is yourself. ‘the glass’ makes you think about who you are, but thanks to luna, the topic doesn’t seem so scary. On her own path of rediscovery, little luna creates music that broaches the topics of self-discovery and introspection. She creates music for the moments in her life hopes that her journey can support others in their own. Much of luna’s work draws inspiration from the culture of the early 1970’s, especially in her music and fashion. For the last seven years, luna has taught yoga and meditation, finding the practices to be one of the best ways to get in touch with yourself. luna recently announced that she will be opening for 5 Seconds of Summer on their 'Take My Hand' tour. She will be opening for them on June 16th and 17th at the Hollywood Pallidum in Los Angeles, CA. To stream ‘the glass’ and find out more information on tickets, check out little luna’s Spotify, linked below! Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW LUNA:

“Don’t act like I’m not on your mind, like you’re on mine; cuz when it’s last call, I wanna be your first call.” Jamie Miller wrote ‘Last Call’ to capture the thrill of a relationship; one in which the lovers are completely devoted to each other. He’s quick to share the same feel-good energy that he receives from this person with you, and it’s just gorgeous. It’s such a sweet sentiment about Miller’s character in real life! That special feeling of being chosen is like fireworks going off in your mind. Miller makes sure you hear them loud and clear, even if you’ve never been in love before! Miller’s range is INSANE! Passionately sweet low notes are met by soaring highs as the song builds. His lyrics are just as compelling as his voice. “Someone’s raising toasts to someone they say they can’t live without, and then I hope the bar kicks everybody out.” Miller speaks on a scene at the bar and how even when the bar closes, the good times won’t end. His chuckle at the end there is a very cool touch, like he's hoping for a chance to bring more excitement to the relationship. Small details like this make the song that much brighter. All of this is wrapped up in a nostalgic, piano-driven melody that’s simply enrapturing! You won’t just LOVE this song...you’ll FEEL the love within you! Raised in Cardiff, Wales, Jamie Miller grew up surrounded by classic soul, gospel and R&B music. Now based in LA, he’s become more attuned to pop powerhouses like Bruno Mars and Sam Smith. His insane vocal talent has gained him a massive following, as well as recognition from renowned pop idols like Kelly Clarkson and P!nk. This guy is the real deal! Check out his breakout ballad ‘Here’s Your Perfect’, which blew up on TikTok last year and stood atop the Billboard Global Ex-US Chart for 13 weeks! Also, get ready because his debut EP 'Broken Memories' arrives later this month! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW JAMIE:

Congratulations on the release of “Day Off”! What did the songwriting process look like for this amazing track? LiYON: I wanted to capture the mood of a Saturday morning where I don’t have any plans. I went in the studio on a day like that, and came up with Day Off. When did you develop your passion for music? Was it at a young age or not until later in life? LiYON: I loved music since forever. I started out messing with hip hop in the 90’s and evolved from there to pure pop through punk rock. What inspired you to take the leap from the behind the scenes of the industry to becoming an artist yourself? LiYON: I just needed to create something without any brief of goal in mind. Your Planetarium show was awesome! How did this opportunity come up to play in such a unique venue? And do you have a favorite moment from the show? LiYON: Yeah, the setup was amazing, thanks. It was such a weird vibe but I was prepared for it. People couldn’t dance because of covid and so they would just sit there in silence. Some danced sitting down. Weird for me who is used to playing in loud venues or bars. I liked getting back up on stage though, it had been a while. What are you most proud of in your career thus far? LiYON: I think maybe winning a Gemini award. Having a 10 year career of full time music under my belt, I worked so hard for it, still am. Making a few people a little happier with my music. What do you hope to one day achieve as an artist? We're so excited to follow your career and see where it takes you! LiYON: I’d like to write a few hits. I’d like to make more people feel something positive with my music. Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW LIYON:

Self-confidence is important. It is unfortunate that it gets damaged too often. We let other people’s opinions cloud our judgement and affect what we think about ourselves. We also hurt our self-esteem when we compare ourselves to the Barbie Doll thin beauty standards in the media. While it is normal for self confidence to drop, we need to build it back up! Camilla North is doing this as she sings her song, “In Love with Me.” When I initially saw the title, I thought “In Love with Me” was going to be a song about a romantic relationship. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I was wrong, and it is actually about loving yourself. I liked the build up of the song. The music is slow on the verses and speeds up on the chorus as Camilla sings powerful lyrics such as “no more waking up in tears, I’m ready to face my fears.” The electronic sound of the song makes it highly danceable. It is very fitting too because one way to build up your confidence is to dance like nobody’s watching! This song is the perfect soundtrack for that! Camilla North is a singer/songwriter from Norway. If you want more songs for your self-confidence playlist, you should check out her other song, “Still Alive.” She sings about driving down a road and leaving the past in her rearview mirror. This song may seem less upbeat than “In Love with Me.” However, the chorus packs a punch with an upbeat bass line, perfect for Friday nights at the club! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW CAMILLA NORTH

“So This is Love” is such a catchy song that really culminates dating in the modern age! What is the story behind this song? Lexi: The song idea for “So This Is Love” came to me when I was talking to a friend who wanted to get back in the dating scene and I suggested she try a dating app. The problem is we both agreed dating apps can be super unimpressive, especially when comparing dating in the modern age to the Cinderella love story we have dreamt of since we were little. It seems the minute you match with someone on a dating app it's just a gamble whether you’ll even make it to date number 1. Then I dug even deeper and began to list off all the phases of what I think makes up dating in the modern age. First, you match on a dating app and you typically facetime to make sure they’re not a serial killer, second you go out somewhere casual for drinks cause no one wants to pay for dinner, third you get stood up, and fourth more often than not you get ghosted. I realize not all love stories that come from the dating app end up this way, but it seems it's always a series of plot twists. I am a huge Disney fan, so I love that you included an excerpt from Cinderella! What inspired you to feature part of it and name your song after it? Lexi: I wanted to write an introductory melody similar to Illene Woods “So This Is Love” to catch people’s attention right from the beginning of the song. However, I wanted the whole concept to have a twist. The idea was to create my own rendition of “So This Is Love” from Cinderella but make it a bash on modern day dating. Too many people struggle with finding someone on a dating app and I wanted to bring the story of dating in the 20th century to life. What does your songwriting process look like? It’s crazy how you can write such a great song from your LA apartment! Lexi: Truly my songwriting process continues to change. I find myself constantly growing and becoming a better writer from the people I get the chance to write with. This song was written by two of my favorite and extremely talented songwriters, Nadia Vaeh & Henry Ingraham. I came into the session with the idea of writing a rendition on Cinderella’s “So This Is Love” and they both loved the idea. We wrote this song in about an hour. From there, Henry Ingraham produced it and did an amazon job captivating such a unique, edgy, and 80’s synth vibe into the overall sound of the song. Is there any artist you hope to see perform live one day? Maybe even collaborate with? Lexi: YES! That would for sure hands down be Josie Dunne. She has been a huge role model to me since I moved to Nashville in 2019 and I continue to listen to her music all the time! I have gotten to see her perform live once in Nashville and her energy, stage presence, and humbleness has continued to have such an influence on me. If I ever got the chance to be Josie’s opener it would be a dream!! What was it like playing your first headlining show in Colorado earlier this year? I’m sure it was AMAZING! Lexi: Performing my first headlining show at Larimer Lounge back in January was an incredible experience and awesome turn out. It was the biggest show I have ever performed and it was super cool to see so many of my friends and family come out to see me! I have always felt so supported by my hometown Littleton, Co. and can’t wait to perform there again at an even bigger venue! It was so sweet of you to send a cute letter and photo to your two fans who you were at your show in Denver! What do your fans mean to you and do you have anything you’d like to say to them? Lexi: Oh my gosh I couldn’t do it without my little fans. They are the most inspirational part about getting to be an artist. They simply fill my heart and make everything I do as an artist worth it. I will always support and appreciate my fans because I want to write music that people can relate to. Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW LEXI:

I’ve been to several weddings in my life. One of my favorite parts is the first dance at the reception. The moment is beautiful - the couple getting to revel in the fact that they’re now married. Something I’m not too fond of is the same songs being played for these first dances. The rotation is so repetitive it can be easily guessed what the couple will dance to. Here to solve this problem is Patrik Jean with his new song, ‘For You’. This sweet ballad has Jean baring his soul to his partner. He speaks of his undying love for them and how nothing could break the relationship the couple share. Anyone looking for a first dance song should be considering, ‘For You’. This song evokes the beauty that is love and is the perfect soundtrack for an everlasting relationship. Until the pre-chorus, Jean’s vocals are only accompanied by piano. The first verse has the lyrics, “I never thought that I would find/ A love like the one that’s in your eyes/ It feels like I waited all my life/ For someone like you”. This quiet beginning introduces Jean’s emotion while also setting up his love story. As the song progresses, Jean explains that he didn’t think he’d be able to love someone in the way he loves his partner. Not only do the lyrics tell a love story, but they are also a reminder that a great romance can come to anyone, even if you don’t expect it. As the song builds to the chorus, a string section joins the piano. These new elements boost the songs overall romanticism. With the added instrumentation, Jean’s vocals are given an extra layer of emotion. He holds nothing back as he put his whole heart into this declaration of love. A song that expresses a love so deep is one that should be shared to couples everywhere, especially ones committing the rest of their lives to one another. Starting out as a songwriter, Patrik Jean has already amassed several platinum awards. He’s worked with artists such as James Arthur and Callum Scott and had his music featured on shows such as ‘American Idol’. While his work with others is notable, Jean himself has been releasing music independently since 2018. He currently has over 60 million streams and that number is constantly increasing. In 2018, Jean released his first EP, ‘L Is For’. The EP’s first track, ‘Lean On Me’, currently sits at over 15 million streams on Spotify. Jean is currently working to expand his international career, with plans on commuting between Stockholm, London, and LA as the world starts to open back up. Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW PATRIK:

Love is a powerful feeling. It can add a new sense of happiness into your life to care for another person. At the same time, this happiness can also come with harsh consequences. When the two parties become invested in one another, it can create tunnel vision. As the relationship progresses at lighting speed, the people involved stop paying attention to what’s going on around them, and they don’t notice until it’s too late. Your Best Friend’s Favorite Band sings about this phenomenon in his song titled (very fittingly) “Crash and Burn.” I liked the strumming guitar melody that the song starts out with. I also like how the music builds throughout the song. It starts off with the guitar strumming and gets loud by the end. It’s as if the music is illustrating the crash that Your Best Friend’s Favorite Band is singing about. Additionally, I liked the lyrics at the end of the chorus where he sings, “Crash, crash, crash and burn.” These lyrics are a catchier take on the song’s title. It sounds like a line out of a hit boy band song. Even though it seems overly simple, it’s the part of the song that gets stuck in your head and makes you want to listen to it again. I expected Your Best Friend’s Favorite Band to consist of more than one person. It’s still a super cool name. If you want to hear more of him, check out his other song called “Time of Your Life.” It’s very optimistic sounding, something to lift your spirits. The melody makes me think of running barefoot on a sandy beach. It’s too bad that I wasn’t anywhere warm for spring break! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW YOUR BEST FRIEND'S FAVORITE BAND

There are hundreds of cliche sayings about love. Love is blind. You’ll find love where you least expect it. Love can make you stupid. These phrases are overused to the point where they often go in one ear and out the other. You don’t think of them as factual. Then one day, a person comes into your life, and those cliched sayings suddenly make a lot of sense. In their new song, ‘Stupid.’, Ni/Co teams up with Jonathan & Friends to admit that the love they have for their partners is making them act like fools. I’m sure all of us have said ‘I’d never do x, y, z in a relationship. Only simps do that’. In this song, the artists are so head over heels for their partners, they find themselves acting like the lovesick fools we all say we’d never be. This song got me excited for warmer weather. The upbeat tempo and fun lyrics make a perfect track for summer days. Whether you’re lying on a warm beach or relaxing in your backyard, this song creates a joyous atmosphere wherever it’s played. Dani and Colton, the duo who make up Ni/Co, have distinct voices that work together to create an energetic experience. While I was listening, I felt like the two vocalists were having a conversation. They’re each acting stupid over someone they like and were sharing the self-awareness they have of their situations. I particularly liked the lyrics, “How you got me doing such dumb, dumb/ Shit I swore I’d always run from/I’m chasing, I’m chasing”. To me, those lyrics encapsulate the essence of the song. The artists are admitting they’re acting foolish but they’re still going to chase after the one they love. In 2019, the pop duo Ni/Co started to gain popularity on YouTube. The duo, composed of Dani Brillhart and Colton Jones, currently have over 40 million YouTube views. Before Ni/Co formed, Brillhart and Jones performed together in a show at the University of Alabama. Not long after, the duo was formed. Ni/Co recently were chosen to represent the state of Alabama in the competition show ‘American Song Contest’. Jonathan & Friends put their first single up on Spotify in 2020. Since then, they’ve amassed hundreds of thousands of streams on the platform. Often partnering with artist Julia Wolf, this is their first song partnering with Ni/Co. ‘Stupid.’ Is available to stream now! Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW NI/CO: FOLLOW JONATHAN & FRIENDS:

Without a doubt, music is such an integral part of our lives. I mean, what better way is there to feel your emotions so deeply or boost your mood in an instant? ‘Love At First Song’ by AJA is about this beautiful relationship she has with music and the passion she has for it. Now that’s something we can all relate to! “I love the way you get me speechless; you keep me from the deep end.” Music holds such a special place in our hearts, and AJA wants us to celebrate that. So get on the dance floor and let this song move you! This catchy 2010s style party anthem will have you mesmerized. AJA’s passionate and powerful vocals evoke a euphoria reminiscent of Kesha and Katy Perry. “You’re the drug when I feel the heartache, knew the second that the record started; falling hard every time I sing along.” Such heartwarming lyrics are made even more memorable by the energetic percussion in the background. I'm most inspired by the way that AJA’s emotions express themselves so freely. It truly brings out the best in her...and in YOU! If your day doesn’t get 100 times better after listening to this song, you’re lying! Props to AJA for sharing this incredible piece of her heart with us! The 17-year-old Toronto pop artist relates to her listeners with standout vocals and evocative lyrics. Her first two singles ‘NERVE’ and ‘Who’s Gonna Love You?’ have already pushed her over a million streams. With high acclaim from Billboard and iHeartRadio, AJA encourages you to pursue your passions and be honest with yourself. If you’re like me and can't get enough of AJA’s energy, check out her Top 5 Canadian radio hit ‘Red Button’! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW AJA: