Syd Taylor, a singer, songwriter, model, and producer, unveils her latest single, “Honey Comb.” The Detroit-raised artist began writing music at the age of six on guitar and piano and gained recognition as the lead singer of the twin duo Stereo Jane. With 17 years of performing and writing experience, she continues to carve her path as an independent artist.

In the summer of 2024, after parting ways with a label deal, Syd began creating music purely for herself. “Honey Comb” is a deeply personal track and a preview of her upcoming solo album, which she has written and produced entirely from her apartment in Los Angeles. Her sound, reminiscent of icons like Lana Del Rey, blends inspiration from The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, and Nina Simone to create a unique mix of analog and digital elements.

Spotify playlists: Sad Songs, Indie Pop, Rainy Day, Chilled Pop, Sad Bops, Soft Rock Classics

Emerging artist Carson Cruz introduces his debut track Anything At All, a mix of pop, bedroom pop, and indie pop. Drawing inspiration from Justin Bieber, Harry Styles, Justin Timberlake, Ed Sheeran, and Benson Boone, Cruz shares a personal message of resilience:

“When I was younger, I went through situations that hurt me deeply. Even during tough times, I knew I could overcome anything life threw at me. This song is for anyone struggling—at school, at home, or in a relationship. Don’t be afraid to stand tall, leave the past behind, and move forward. Life is full of challenges, but it’s also full of victories. Keep your head high.”

Anything At All could find a home on Spotify playlists like Fresh & Chill, Bedroom Pop, Indie Pop & Chill, Pop Right Now, and Young & Free.

Singer-songwriter Charlie Ryder, known as August for Dawn, has released the ethereal, folk-driven track Methanol. Offering up a hazy, textured version of the classic singer-songwriter sound, the song weaves introspective lyrics with atmospheric melodies.

Ryder shares, “I can barely navigate the hellish vortex between breakfast and dinner, let alone the labyrinth of the hockey field,” capturing the relatable chaos of modern life in his signature poetic style.

Methanol would be a perfect fit for Spotify playlists like Indie Folk Chillout, Morning Acoustic, Deep Dark Indie, and Atmospheric Calm. Fans of artists like Ben Howard, Iron & Wine, Gregory Alan Isakov, and Novo Amor will find a familiar yet distinct charm in Ryder’s latest work.

Watch out for Plastic Harpoons and their new track Struck Gold, a standout that could find a home on Spotify playlists like Indie Rock Roadtrip, Retro Rock Revival, Modern Americana, and Ultimate Indie.

Plastic Harpoons create a sound blending Tom Petty’s hooks and Queen’s solos. This Santa Barbara group combines dual guitars, keys, bass, and drums to bring back the energy of rock ‘n’ roll. Their music mixes Indie Rock, Classic Rock, Americana, and Pop, shaped by influences like Dr. Dog, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Queen, Mt. Joy, Lord Huron, Fruit Bats, and Houndmouth. Their debut album, “Modern World,” was recorded at Savannah Studios in Los Angeles and released by Lolipop Records. Now working on a second album, they aim to bring their music to audiences everywhere.

New emerging artist Faith Siwy debuts with her song Those Days. Influenced by Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo, the ballad focuses on struggles with friendships, featuring the lyric: “I try to be the one that makes it right between us, are you laughing about something, are you laughing about me?” Faith explains, “I wrote this song to share my experience in the hopes that others would relate, to show that just being kind can make somebody’s day better.” Those Days fits well on Spotify playlists like Sad Pop, Mellow Morning, and Indie Ballads.