MORE Indie Invaders / POSTED BY: KINGSOFAR

After helping define a generation of global dance-pop, Brando is stepping into a new creative chapter—one centered on songwriting, emotion, and restraint.

Released on December 5, 2025, “When You Stay” is a nostalgic, upbeat pop single that captures the feeling of late-night conversations, summer memories, and the quiet hope that someone chooses to linger. There’s an ease to the record—dancing under the stars energy—built around longing rather than spectacle.

Best known as the voice and co-writer behind Body with Loud Luxury, a global hit that has surpassed two billion streams, Brando has already experienced pop at its loudest. “When You Stay” moves in the opposite direction. The production is simple and cinematic, letting euphoric melodies and emotional clarity lead, and marking a clear shift toward a more authentic, personal sound than his earlier dance-pop releases.

Following the success of “Body,” Brando launched his solo career with Armada Music, blending pop, R&B, and electronic influences while sharpening his identity as a songwriter. That evolution paid off with “Look Into My Eyes,” which spent ten weeks at #1 on Australian pop radio and helped solidify his global reach.

With “When You Stay,” Brando leans fully into timeless pop writing—emotionally grounded, melodically driven, and built to last beyond trend cycles. The track sits naturally alongside modern crossover pop and melodic, feel-good records, making it a strong fit for Spotify playlists like Today’s Top Hits, Pop Rising, New Music Friday, Chill Pop, Pop Chillout, Summer Pop, Soft Pop Hits, and late-night or night-drive themed algorithmic playlists. Previous editorial support including Spotify Top 50 Global, Today’s Top Hits, and Apple Music Today’s Hits signals that this new chapter isn’t a reset—it’s a refinement.

After a billion-stream global dance-pop record, Brando isn’t chasing volume. “When You Stay” shows an artist confident enough to slow down, trust the song, and let connection do the work.

Check out more artists and highlights on Kings of A&R

      MORE Indie Invaders / POSTED BY: KINGSOFAR

Alyssa Caroline creates music that feels honest and deeply personal. She writes from the heart and sings with a vulnerability that instantly resonates. Her songs connect with listeners across ages and cultures because they feel real, lived in, and emotionally grounded.

There is a natural storytelling instinct in Alyssa’s writing that brings to mind the emotional clarity of Taylor Swift’s early work, but Alyssa never feels like a comparison act. She has her own lane, built on sincerity, strong melodies, and a quiet confidence that allows the songs to speak for themselves.

As a songwriter, musician, and vocalist, Alyssa is steadily carving out her place in the pop scene. Her tracks blend infectious melodies with relatable lyrics that invite listeners to see their own experiences reflected back at them. She does not overexplain emotions. She lets them unfold naturally, which is where her strength lies.

Her latest single, “Maybe She’s Right,” tells the story of painful love and emotional aftermath. It captures what it feels like to be left behind, to question your worth, and to sit with the discomfort of loss. But beneath the sadness is clarity. Sometimes losing someone is the moment that forces you to rediscover yourself. That realization gives the song its quiet power.

The response has been immediate. “Maybe She’s Right” garnered over 10,000 streams in just a few days and has quickly become a playlist favorite. That momentum has helped Alyssa reach more than 30,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, signaling genuine audience growth and strong listener retention.

From a playlist perspective, Alyssa Caroline fits seamlessly into emotionally driven pop and modern singer songwriter spaces. Her music aligns naturally with playlists like Pop Rising, Fresh Finds Pop, Sad Songs, Indie Pop Chill, Teen Beats, and late night introspective pop playlists. She also performs well in breakup and healing themed playlists, as well as listener curated collections focused on storytelling and vulnerability. Sonically and lyrically, she connects with fans of artists such as Taylor Swift’s early era, Gracie Abrams, Olivia Rodrigo’s softer catalog, and Maisie Peters.

Alyssa Caroline is not chasing moments. She is building trust with listeners through honest songwriting and emotional consistency. With strong early streaming numbers, growing playlist traction, and a clear artistic identity, she is positioning herself as an artist with staying power rather than a passing trend.

      MORE Indie Invaders / POSTED BY: KINGSOFAR

N.A.N.A steps into a dark, cinematic space with her track “Love Letter,” a deeply personal song centered on self-realization. Rather than writing about an external relationship, N.A.N.A turns inward, using the song as a reflection on how she has confronted negative patterns, obsessions, and the obstacles she placed in her own way.

The production leans into dark pop, alt-pop, and electropop, creating a moody and sensual atmosphere that feels both intimate and slightly unsettling. Her vocal delivery is controlled and deliberate, letting the emotion build without forcing it. The song unfolds more like a quiet confrontation than a traditional pop moment, giving it a narrative quality that pulls the listener deeper as it progresses. As N.A.N.A describes it herself, “This is what facing yourself sounds like,” a line that perfectly captures the tone and intent of the record.

From a Spotify perspective, “Love Letter” fits naturally alongside playlists such as Dark Pop, Alt Pop Rising, Night Pop, New Music Friday Pop, Electropop, and Mood Ring, where atmospheric production and introspective storytelling resonate strongly. The track feels designed for late-night listening and repeat plays, aligning well with fans drawn to modern pop that favors mood and honesty over excess.

With “Love Letter,” N.A.N.A presents herself as an artist willing to sit in uncomfortable emotions and translate them into sound. It’s a confident and immersive release that highlights her ability to blend dark pop aesthetics with meaningful self-reflection.

Check out more artists at Kings of A&R:
https://kingsofar.com/about-kings-of-ar/

      MORE Indie Invaders / POSTED BY: KINGSOFAR

Matt Hansen continues his rapid rise with “COMPASS,” an up-tempo pop track built for wide appeal. With over a billion streams and millions of monthly listeners already behind him, this release sounds like the work of an artist fully stepping into a global lane.

“COMPASS” leans into strong pop sensibilities while keeping emotion front and center. Matt’s vocal delivery is powerful and direct, carrying the song with confidence and clarity. There’s a clear resemblance to the style of Lewis Capaldi, especially in the way the melody lifts and the chorus hits with feeling, but Matt keeps the sound current and his own. The production is clean, energetic, and polished in a way that feels ready for mass streaming.

From a Spotify standpoint, “COMPASS” fits naturally alongside playlists like New Music Friday Pop, Pop Rising, Sad Songs, Teen Beats, Heartbreak Pop, and Fresh Finds Pop, where emotional pop records with strong vocals tend to perform well. The song has the pacing, hook, and vocal presence that translate easily across platforms and international audiences.

“COMPASS” feels like a momentum record, reinforcing Matt Hansen’s place as an artist who can balance emotion with accessibility while continuing to grow at a global scale.

To discover more emerging and rising artists, visit Kings of A&R at
https://kingsofar.com/about-kings-of-ar/

      MORE Indie Invaders / POSTED BY: KINGSOFAR

Alexa Kate keeps things honest and direct on her single “Forever.” The song leans into a classic folk feel while still sounding current. It moves at a comfortable pace and gives the listener room to sit with the song.

Her vocal is the clear centerpiece. It carries both strength and softness without feeling forced. The acoustic guitar stays simple and steady, letting the vocal lead. As the song continues, light background textures are added in a subtle way that builds the mood without taking attention away from the core of the track.

“Forever” focuses on change and reflection in a way that feels natural and easy to relate to. The song is memorable without trying too hard, and the final vocal moment leaves a calm, lasting impression that makes it easy to return to.

On Spotify, “Forever” fits naturally alongside playlists like New Music Friday Acoustic, Folk Pop, Indie Folk Central, Coffeehouse Folk, Fresh Finds Folk, and Roots Rising, where stripped-back songwriting and mood-based listening are front and center.

For live opportunities, Alexa Kate would pair well touring with artists such as Phoebe Bridgers, Lizzy McAlpine, Maggie Rogers, Aimee Mann, or Laura Marling.

“Forever” shows Alexa Kate as an artist who understands restraint and emotion, delivering a song that feels genuine and lasting.

Check out more artists at
https://kingsofar.com/about-kings-of-ar/

For submissions, features, or inquiries, contact Kings of A&R.

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