Grace Luv’s newest release “Misery Luvs Company” is a mid-tempo pop track that blends emotional honesty with a polished, modern edge. The verses carry a pulse reminiscent of the darker tension found in Youngblood, but Grace quickly moves into her own lane with expressive vocals, sharp storytelling, and a standout guitar solo that gives the track its own identity.

The song centers on reclaiming strength after being underestimated, ignored, or silenced. Grace brings that story to life with cutting, vivid lines that land with weight and clarity:

“I know it was misleading all the words that I once said
Just because you buried me doesn’t mean that I was dead
Oh I was still shining I’m the sun behind a cloud
I let the truth stay quiet even though your lies were loud
I sang about my pain don’t hold it against me
Misery luvs company”

Her delivery moves from wounded reflection to a confident rise, turning heartbreak into empowerment. The production is sleek and modern, giving her space to shine while the guitar solo adds an unexpected burst of energy that elevates the entire track.

With its blend of emotion, melody, and pop precision, “Misery Luvs Company” is a strong fit for several editorial and mood-focused playlists on Spotify, especially Pop Rising, Fresh & Chill, Young & Free, Alt Pop, Mood Booster, sad hour, Pop Sauce, and Indie Pop & Chill. It has the replay value, narrative punch, and sonic texture that playlist listeners gravitate toward.

Grace Luv continues to build a sound that feels both personal and accessible — the kind of storytelling pop that hits the heart but stays stuck in your head. “Misery Luvs Company” is more than a breakup track; it’s a small rebellion set to melody and proof that Grace is carving out her own place in the pop landscape.

Check out more emerging artists on Kings of A&R.

Just in time for the season, Ava Della Pietra delivers a fresh, intimate cover of Last Christmas that feels tailor made for December mornings and late night winter drives. Rather than recreating the original, Ava strips it back and rebuilds it in her own voice with warm vocals, gentle emotion, and a quietly modern touch.

Her version leans into soft piano textures and understated production, letting the melody breathe while bringing out the song’s bittersweet heart. It is the kind of holiday track that works in the background of a café as well as on repeat at home. Comforting without being overplayed, familiar without feeling predictable.

Perfect fits include cozy holiday playlists on Spotify such as Coffeehouse Christmas, Indie Christmas, Chill Holiday, Acoustic Christmas, and Holiday Pop Chill. These are the playlists people put on while working, journaling, relaxing, or escaping the busy noise of the season.

Already known for her thoughtful songwriting and musical versatility, Ava continues to show her ability to make familiar material feel personal and current. Her take on “Last Christmas” does not try to outshine the original. It invites listeners in, warms the room, and lingers like a good cup of coffee on a cold day.

If you are building out Christmas playlists this year and want something cozy, modern, and quietly emotive, Ava Della Pietra’s “Last Christmas” is an easy add.

Check out more emerging artists on Kings of A&R.

Indie pop standout Natalie Shay returns with “Four Leaf Clover,” an electropop release that captures the fleeting magic of love discovered while touring. Out November 14, 2025, the track leans into themes of chance, timing, and those rare moments when connection feels both accidental and inevitable.

Written between cities and shaped by life on the road, “Four Leaf Clover” reflects on a romance that formed away from home and lingered long after the lights went down. Bright, melodic production pairs with an undercurrent of longing, giving the song an emotional pull that feels intimate and relatable without losing its pop appeal.

Hailing from North London, Natalie Shay has steadily built her reputation through dynamic live performances, classical training, and a refined pop sensibility developed during her time at the BRIT School. Her music balances undeniable hooks with a level of emotional depth that has drawn comparisons to artists like Taylor Swift, HAIM, and Fickle Friends. Earlier releases, including her Milk EP, explored personal reflection and growth, while “Four Leaf Clover” expands that narrative outward—less introspective diary, more tour-bus confession.

The track is well positioned for discovery on major Spotify playlists such as New Music Friday, Indie Pop Club, Pop Rising, ALT POP, and Feel-Good Indie Pop. Its uplifting energy and polished production make it equally suited for late-night listening, road-trip soundtracks, and new-artist discovery playlists.

As a live performer, Shay naturally fits alongside contemporary pop and indie acts including HAIM, Griff, Maisie Peters, L Devine, MUNA, and The Aces. Her strong stage presence and crossover appeal make her an ideal match for tours that blend polished pop with indie credibility.

With “Four Leaf Clover,” Natalie Shay continues to show growth not just as a songwriter, but as a storyteller capable of turning fleeting moments into lasting pop records. The song suggests an artist in motion—still grounded, but increasingly confident in capturing life as it unfolds, one lucky encounter at a time.

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Toronto’s indie pop scene has a compelling new voice in Echo The Screen, who steps forward with a debut single that feels both nostalgic and emotionally revealing. Frankenstein captures the exhausting push and pull of an on again off again relationship, where red flags become routine and the cycle never truly ends. The track’s breezy, melodic delivery creates a striking contrast with its emotional weight, making it a perfect fit for Spotify playlists such as Fresh Finds Pop, Indie Pop, Pollen, sad girl starter pack, and Chill Vibes.

Frankenstein explores the loop many listeners will immediately recognize. Someone disappears, returns with apologies, pulls you close, stirs up feelings, then slips away again. You swear you are done, but when they crawl back, the cycle restarts. Echo The Screen captures this emotional merry go round with sharp storytelling and a tone that is both vulnerable and relatable. Lines like Love me when you need me but you throw it all behind underline the blindness that happens when you want something to work even though you know it never will.

What makes the single stand out is the tonal contrast. The production feels light and summery, carried by dreamy textures and warm guitar tones that give the illusion of sweetness. If you ignore the lyrics, it feels like a perfect day at the beach with gentle waves and a calm breeze. But when you lean in, the emotional fatigue becomes clear. This contrast reveals an artist with strong instincts, blending melancholic honesty with a bright indie pop aesthetic.

Echo The Screen’s background adds depth to the project. As a solo artist and student in the Professional Music Program at Toronto Metropolitan University, he draws from influences like Beach House and Dick Dale, weaving soft dream pop energy with surf inspired guitar work. Music serves as his outlet for ADHD, anxiety, and self doubt, becoming a place to process identity and emotion. His work leans into vulnerability, introspection, and nostalgia, creating a space where listeners feel understood.

Frankenstein is an impressive first chapter for an artist who is not only creating songs but building a vision. Echo The Screen aims to bring creativity from behind the screen into the real world, turning personal feelings into stories that resonate. His sound is dreamy yet grounded, melancholic yet hopeful, and deeply human.

Check out more rising artists at www.kingsofar.com

written by Dean Cramer

Lou Emery continues her rise in the alt pop scene with House of Cards, a dramatic and shape shifting single that blends rock energy with glossy synth pop production. Driven by fierce vocals, jittery guitars, and an off kilter rhythmic pulse, the track showcases Emery’s ability to build tension and beauty within the same breath. It is the kind of dynamic alt pop that would slide naturally into Spotify playlists such as Fresh Finds Pop, Pollen, Indie Rock Road Trip, sad girl starter pack, and Just Good Music.

House of Cards captures the volatility of a relationship that is inches from collapse. Emery leans into instability as both a lyrical theme and a sonic foundation, describing an entanglement that is toxic, addictive, and emotionally uneven. Her line about tossing aces away cuts with precision, hinting at her frustration and the dual meaning behind the cards she plays. Those aces could be new people she could choose instead or the inner strength she uses to battle her own storms. The guitar lines weave through her words with a breezy punch as she challenges her partner with the sharp question Who needs love when you are around. CONTINUE READING