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.
The ghost in your attic. The whirring of an old projector. The breeze on a moonlit night.
Winter Abel’s “Babel” captures all of that — a moody, cinematic masterpiece that lingers like a spirit long after it ends. With an otherworldly falsetto and deeply evocative lyricism, Abel draws listeners into a space where beauty and melancholy coexist. His voice drifts between the ethereal ache of Thom Yorke and the emotional urgency of Bon Iver, Hozier, and Lizzy McAlpine — fragile, yet powerful enough to break open the heart.
Built around haunting guitars, ghostly harmonies, and cinematic soundscapes, “Babel” unfolds like a fever dream — one that flickers between longing, loss, and the quiet glow of acceptance. Each note feels like an echo from another realm, pulling us deeper into Abel’s poetic world of shadows and light.
“Babel” would fit seamlessly on Spotify’s “Cinematic Indie,” “Haunting Voices,” “Ethereal & Atmospheric,” “Sad Indie,” and “Indie Chillout” playlists — the kinds of spaces where songs aren’t just heard, but felt. It’s music for late-night drives, sleepless thoughts, and souls that live between worlds.
With “Babel,” Winter Abel doesn’t just sing — he haunts. And in doing so, he establishes himself as one of the most captivating new voices in cinematic indie music.
Independent pop artist Estella Dawn continues to prove herself as one of the most exciting voices in the rising pop landscape with her new single, “Reckless.” The track blends bold pop energy with a raw vulnerability that perfectly captures the messy emotions of heartbreak.
“Reckless” explores the pain, betrayal, and emotional chaos that comes when love falls apart. Estella reflects on late-night fights, broken trust, and the difficult realization that someone who once felt essential can suddenly feel like a stranger. With hard-hitting lyrics like “And I just couldn’t look you in the face / without feeling betrayed…” she translates universal post-breakup feelings into sharp, unforgettable pop songwriting.
What makes Estella stand out is her ability to pair attitude-driven pop production with heartfelt lyricism. The result is a track that feels both empowering and vulnerable, a balance that few artists pull off.
With its unapologetic edge, “Reckless” deserves placement on playlists like Pop Rising, Fresh Finds Pop, Sad Bops, It’s a Bop, and New Music Friday. The song has the emotional weight to connect with fans of breakup anthems, while also carrying the kind of hook that works in any pop-heavy mix.
Estella Dawn has built a reputation for crafting powerful singles that resonate long after the first listen, and “Reckless” is no exception. It’s another reminder that she’s an independent artist with major-league potential.
When the NFL announced that Bad Bunny would headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show, it should have been a celebratory moment — a recognition of one of the biggest global stars of the decade. Instead, the decision has become a flashpoint for outrage, culture wars, and political spin.
The backlash feels less about music and more about what Bad Bunny represents. He’s Puerto Rican, he sings primarily in Spanish, and he’s been outspoken about politics. For some critics, this combination was enough to frame his selection as “un-American” — ignoring the fact that Puerto Rico is part of the United States and that the Super Bowl, by design, has always been about showcasing the culture of the moment.
We’ve seen this before. Beyoncé’s 2016 halftime performance drew criticism for its Black Panther-inspired imagery. Shakira and Jennifer Lopez were accused of being “too provocative” in 2020. Even artists like Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, and Lady Gaga faced skepticism before ultimately winning audiences over. Every time the NFL chooses an act that reflects America’s cultural diversity, the loudest voices call it a betrayal of tradition. CONTINUE READING
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