Testing Melodies

“Etched In Love” by Maryann Connolly will instantly remind you of that special person. There is something very early 2000s-era about her sound that takes you back while still keeping a modern touch alive. Her voice carries a certain softness yet still maintains control, especially in moments where emotion could easily take over. The way she leans into themes like self-worth and emotional memory comes across naturally. “Maryann Connolly creates songs that feel like memories fi

If you want to groove to a song next time you feel like it, just hit play on Joshua Pearlstein’s “Wanna Dance.” Joshua is a 21-year-old pop artist and songwriter seeking to establish his unique identity. He loves creating music that is raw, gritty, and has some essence to it. Even at a young age, his music has already garnered over one million streams and received recognition from tastemakers like Earmilk. “Joshua Pearlstein builds his own vibe and pulls you into it before yo

Katie Belle has dropped her latest track, “People Pleaser.” Katie is an artist whose voice feels very close and personal, like she’s just letting you hear what’s been on her mind. I like how she keeps things polished without losing that raw, human touch. There’s softness in her vocals, but it never feels weak. She is an artist who balances vulnerability and confidence in a way that keeps you hooked. “Katie Belle carries the song so naturally, you don’t even realize when you

With “The Fans Applauded,” Exzenya brings out her most emotionally raw side yet, and it instantly sets the tone for what she stands for as an artist. What really hits is how unfiltered her vocals feel. Slightly jagged at points, a little rough around the edges, and that’s honestly becoming her signature sound. There’s no over-polishing in her music, as she likes to keep it real. The sound leans into a soft pop-rock space, but what really stands out is how the emotion drives e

Garbage Garden has released their latest track, “busy.being.Real.,” and this one hit hard. GG comes across like a collective that’s not afraid to sit inside discomfort and still find something beautiful in it. I really felt that idea of “light within the glitch” through the sound itself. Their production feels layered with a lot of thigs, but it never feels messy. The way they translate heavy themes into something listenable and immersive stood out instantly to me. “Garbage

50mething’s latest track, “Date Night Tonight” walks straight into the chaos of modern dating and lays it out with a sense of humor that instantly clicks. 50mething feels like an honest storyteller who puts things in his own witty way. There’s something refreshing about hearing a 58-year-old’s perspective on swipe culture and expectations. The DIY nature of the track makes it feel more personal, like it’s coming straight from his space to your ears. “50mething turns lived exp

Joseph Turner’s debut track, “A New Moon” is in collaboration with The Dudes of Hazard. Joseph is a singer-songwriter who keeps effective lyricism at the center of his tracks. His background in rock bands shows up in subtle ways, especially how the arrangement builds without feeling heavy. On the other hand, The Dudes of Hazard being a rotating group adds charm to the track. Both of them gel so well together that it doesn’t feel like a collaboration, but a team performing mus

Valkyrie’s Bard’s “MOVEMENT” will shake your conscience to the core and push you to rise in protest. I like how Valkyrie’s project isn’t just musical but also rooted in lived observation and real-world pain, especially around Gaza. There’s a strong balance between electro-pop textures and literary-style lyric writing that keeps it engaging. You can feel the classical piano background in how structures and layer the compositions are. “Valkyrie’s Bard feels like a project roote

Jordan Johnson in association with Bree has pulled out a poptastic track. While Jordan’s style feels easy to connect with real emotions wrapped in clean sound, Bree’s feature adds personality to the track with her lively vocals. I liked how both vocals play off each other, where each chorus feels like an actual conversation in rhythm. “Jordan Johnson is an artist who finds poetry in the ordinary and transforms it into something sonically memorable.” The lyrics are clean like

m0n0 Jay has released a very fun track that gets you to groove and feel joy at the same time. m0n0 is an artist whose music feels real and unfiltered. There’s no polished, perfect image here, it’s sweaty, glittery, and a little chaotic in the best way. Her sound blends pop hooks with industrial textures, but it never feels forced or overthought. What stands out is how she makes strength feel playful instead of intense or intimidating. “m0n0 Jay builds a space where strength

The master of emotions, Kancheong22 has released another track that a lot of you will relate to. Coming from Singapore with a mix of streaming and music in his world, Kancheong22 paints a simple yet real picture through his tunes. The collaboration with Pansillix in “please don't say we're through," adds a strong emotional weight to the track. “Kancheong22 is an artist who touches the soul and makes his music feel like your own story.” “please don't say we're through" revolve

The award-winning musician, Salatiel has released the remix version of one of his most loved tracks, “Weekend Amapiano.” Born in Tiko, Salatiel carries a strong sense of African identity in his music, and that cultural pride quietly runs through his entire catalogue. His sound naturally blends Afrobeat, Afropop, and Afrosoul. His journey from his breakthrough track “Anita” to collaborating with Beyoncé for his track “Water” has been nothing short of a musical rise. Salatiel “

Sage Vive has created another track that offers out a sensory experience. Listening to their work, it feels clear that being self-taught actually helped shape a very free, genre-bending style. The mix of alternative pop, hyper pop, and synth pop textures gives their sound a modern but atmospheric edge. What stood out to me immediately is how their vocals carry both softness and emotional weight at the same time. “Sage Vive makes music that feels like light finding its way thr

Ava Valianti’s “Sophomore Slump” is an honest reflection on the transition of youth.” Hailing from Massachusetts, USA, the young singer-songwriter is known for captivating audiences with her emotionally rich indie-pop sound. At the age of 16, she has already made her mark with over 300 radio spins, numerous theater and stage performances, and accolades including being a Top 3 Finalist in the American Songwriter's Road Ready Talent Contest, where she'll be performing live in t

Let’s uncover the Semi-Finalist song from the 2025 Unsigned Only Music Awards by Canadian singer-songwriter Henry Lees. “Smoke” is a funky track that turns an awkward bad date into a groovy, feel-good moment. Henry comes across as a musician who genuinely loves collaboration and community, which shows through the long list of artists he has worked with. Co-writing six songs for Chris Antonik’s Morningstar album, which topped the charts on the Roots Music Report, already says

I recently stumbled upon Liulf Lucifer’s album, “The Rhythm That Made The Beast Deluxe,” and it immediately felt refreshing. Liulf comes from Manchester, England, bringing a kind of honesty that feels deeply personal. There is a sense that the music exists first for the artist and only then for the audience, which actually makes it feel more genuine. What stands out immediately is the story behind the album. Lucifer openly admits that there was a time when support from people

There are very few stories that start even before the plot begins, and 50mething’s story is one. An ex-dancer, former garden builder, and now stepping fully into music at 58, how often do you come across such artists? There’s something interesting about someone sitting with 70 unreleased tracks and finally deciding, “Why not now?” 50mething shares some of his most personal and relatable stories through the medium of music and that really connects. It feels like someone who ha

This week’s Fresh Finds moves through shadowy trap landscapes, sharp-edged hip-hop, polished synth pop, festival-ready EDM, and experimental alternative expression. 4 releases, 4 distinct sonic identities, each pushing rhythm and mood in different directions.

Pop is a genre that never sits still; it's ever-changing. It reinvents itself through new voices, new cultures, and new emotional lenses, creating a sound that is evergreen. This week’s Fresh Finds Roundup brings together a total of four pop artists from around the globe: France, Russia, Norway, and the United States , each offering their own interpretation of melody, storytelling, and modern sound. From uplifting anthems to introspective reflections, here are four fresh pop

As a music enthusiast, I really love discovering artists who make music purely out of passion. Dr. Evangelos Viazis is an internationally recognized orthodontic expert who loves crafting music. His journey from pioneering Fastbraces® in Europe to composing emotionally driven tracks makes his artistic side even more intriguing. There’s a clear sense of passionate vision in his music, which makes it even more meaningful. He is a true example of where science meets art. Dr. Evan