Alyssa Caroline steps into new creative territory with “Fire To Ash,” a striking blend of shadowy late-night pop, textured synths, and honest storytelling. The track marks a bold evolution from her earlier sound, channeling the emotional depth of Taylor Swift, the sleek confidence of Dua Lipa, and the experimental edge of Imogen Heap.
It’s a raw yet empowering exploration of toxic patterns and self-reclamation, a sound that belongs on playlists like Pop Rising, Fresh Finds Pop, and Indie Pop Chillout.
We caught up with Alyssa to talk about her new single, creative growth, and what comes next.
“When I was writing music for the first time with a producer post-COVID, I was in a place in my life where I wanted to try a new vibe, and I’ve always been drawn to darker, moodier sounds. Fire to Ash let me really lean into that and it felt like the right time to experiment and explore that kind of sound. I have a few unreleased songs that are in that same vein, and I’m so excited to release them.”
Estella Dawn bares her soul on her newest single, “Drunk & Messy” — a slow-burning, emotional confession that feels like a midnight phone call you shouldn’t make but can’t resist.
The track finds Dawn tangled in longing for a love she knows is toxic but unforgettable. With vulnerable, biting lyrics and powerhouse vocals, she paints the portrait of someone torn between self-awareness and desire — knowing better, but still wanting one more night. It’s the kind of late-night heartbreak anthem that would feel right at home on playlists like Sad Girl Starter Pack, Pop Rising, Chill Pop, and Heartbreak Pop.
Her voice shifts between softness and intensity, echoing the duality of the relationship she describes — intoxicating yet damaging, tender yet bruised. “Drunk & Messy” captures the messy aftermath of love’s withdrawal: that space between letting go and wanting to fall again.
At one point, Dawn delivers one of the song’s most vulnerable lines, confessing that she wants to “lose [herself] in [her ex-partner] / until [she forgets herself].” It’s a lyric that perfectly encapsulates the song’s emotional tug-of-war — surrendering to the very thing you know will hurt you.
Originally from New Zealand and now based in San Diego, Estella Dawn is more than a singer-songwriter — she’s also a producer and multi-instrumentalist, shaping every layer of her sound with precision and heart. Blending elements of pop, rock, and soul, she’s crafted a growing discography that includes standout tracks like “514 Denim,” “Julian,” and stunning covers of The 1975’s “Somebody Else” and Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black.”
With “Drunk & Messy,” Estella Dawn cements herself as one of pop’s most emotionally honest new voices — the kind of artist who turns heartbreak into something cinematic and timeless.
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Avalon dives deep into memory and heartbreak on her latest single, “Sydney” — a moody, haunting bedroom pop track that feels both cinematic and painfully intimate.
The song captures the ache of mourning someone who’s still alive, built around steady piano chords that unfold into soft layers of strings, harmonies, and delicate percussion. It’s vulnerable yet composed, cinematic yet deeply personal — the kind of track that belongs on Spotify playlists like Sad Girl Starter Pack, Bedroom Pop, Indie Melancholy, and Late Night Vibes.
Avalon explained how the song was born from real emotion and guilt after growing apart from her childhood best friend, Sydney:
“I began to mourn her. Mourning someone who is still alive is incredibly difficult (especially if they live so close haha). That being said, when I needed her, I would simply drive past her house. On multiple occasions, pathetic to admit, I would be sobbing and talking to nothing saying ‘I am sorry’. I felt very ashamed of myself. To get rid of that guilt, I sat down at my piano and sang it — ‘I drove past your house, crying,’ and that is when verse 1 was born.”
It’s a moment of pure honesty, and that authenticity carries through every lyric. The production rises like waves — reflective and emotional — mirroring the grief that inspired the song.
True to its name, “Sydney” isn’t just a metaphor. Avalon confirmed her childhood friend’s name really is Sydney, making the track an even more tender farewell. She describes it as “an overdue, proper goodbye to someone I will love for the rest of my life.”
For fans of introspective, cinematic pop and artists like Billie Eilish, Gracie Abrams, or Holly Humberstone, “Sydney”fits perfectly into the world of late-night reflection and emotional honesty.
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LOVA returns with “Leave It Beautiful,” a track that perfectly captures the sweet spot between self-reflection and celebration. Fun, playful, and effortlessly catchy, the song embodies the bright, clever bedroom pop sound that has made her one of Sweden’s most exciting exports.
Over lush, polished production and a glittering beat, LOVA sings, “So let’s just leave it beautiful, ’cause we were so damn beautiful.” It’s a line that feels both nostalgic and empowering — a graceful goodbye wrapped in irresistible melody. The track radiates confidence and self-awareness, turning heartbreak into a moment of lightness and clarity.
Since her breakout in 2018, LOVA has stood out for pairing big pop hooks with a strong message. Her debut EP Scripted Reality earned praise from The Guardian, Refinery29, GQ, Idolator, and Earmilk, while her hit “You Me and The Silence”became P3’s most-played Swedish song of the year and led to a Best New Artist nomination at the P3 Guld Awards. Named a YouTube Music Artist to Watch, LOVA continues to push boundaries — creating pop that’s not only catchy but purposeful.
With “Leave It Beautiful,” she shows that closure doesn’t have to be sad — it can sparkle.
Nate Amor’s musical journey is a testament to resilience, passion, and purpose. Over the past 25 years, the Minnesota-born singer/songwriter has built a career rooted in heartfelt storytelling and an unwavering commitment to authenticity. His latest release, a moving cover of Marc Cohn’s “Walking in Memphis” (out September 19th), is a shining example of that devotion — and a stunning reminder of how timeless songs can find new life in the hands of a true artist.
“The first time I heard ‘Walking in Memphis,’ my mom played it while we were sitting around our campfire at our cabin in northern Minnesota,” Nate shares. “We were nowhere near Memphis, but something in the emotion of that song gripped me. Every time I’ve heard it since, I feel grounded and connected. That feeling never left me, and releasing my version is my way of honoring that connection.”
It’s that emotional honesty that makes Nate’s rendition so powerful. With warm, resonant vocals and organic production, he transforms “Walking in Memphis” into something deeply personal — a story not just retold, but relived.
From discovering his family’s karaoke machine at age twelve to performing five nights a week across the Twin Cities, Nate’s journey has always been about connection. His soulful voice, honed through decades of live shows and collaborations with acts like the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, radiates both experience and gratitude. His live “Tunes at Noon” series, streamed weekly across social platforms, has also built a loyal fanbase drawn to his mix of vulnerability and sincerity.
Nate Amor’s “Walking in Memphis” is more than a cover — it’s a love letter to the music that shaped him, a reflection on where he’s been, and a promise of where he’s going.
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