San Diego songwriter and producer Estella Dawn is making a mark with her unique fusion of genres and she won’t let you down with her latest single, “Just Me,” that showcases her sharp bars and reflective realness. The track starts strong with a memorable hook that combines melancholy and a catchy tune, and builds in intensity with switches in flow, pace, volume, and emotion. “Just Me” is a relentless and diary-style presentation of the ache of a broken relationship, with equal parts anecdote and relatability. With each single release, Estella keeps it unpredictable, creating original and unmistakable music. “Just Me” adds the appeal of snappy verse bars, immersive production, and mighty vocals to her soulful and intimate sound. Estella was a semi-finalist on New Zealand’s Got Talent and has over 25,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.

Madeline Megery released her debut single Vertigo. Fans of Taylor Swift will love. Madeline Megery is an artist who blends indie folk and electronic music to craft her songs. Her inspirations are drawn from the natural world and its soundscapes, as well as the lessons she learns during her exploration of the great outdoors. Madeline is often found hiking, surfing, and camping while also writing music that encapsulates the feelings, wisdom, and beauty that come from these experiences, as well as the broader human experience. In 2022, she signed with Nettwerk Records, and on April 14, 2023, she released her debut single, Vertigo. This track explores the mental labyrinth that one can find themselves stuck in, and how acknowledging that they are the creators of their maze empowers them to escape it.

Color Palette, an indie dream pop band based in Washington D.C., released their latest EP, “Pacing Like a Lion,” on April 14. The three-song collection takes the listener on a journey of being lost and found, ultimately leading to a sense of presence. Fans of M83, Bloc Party, and the Killers will love the EP. The tracks could easily fit on Spotify’s playlist Indie & Alternative Mix. Mind you, this is my favorite EP I’ve listen to this year released by an alternative rock act.

The EP’s first track, “Pacing Like a Lion,” (my personal favorite) explores the physical and emotional effects of life on the road for musicians. The rhythm-driven song features the pulse of bass guitar and drums, atmospheric synths, and a solo break that signifies the loss of control over predictable circumstances.

The EP’s second track, “Lightbulb,” has a spacey vibe, suggesting that simplicity exists within complexity if pursued, while The EP’s closing track, “Home,” that sounds very Snow Patrol, incorporates industrial sounds accompanied by a muddy chorus, but still memorable. Although the EP ends with questions rather than answers, the idea of home expands beyond a physical location to the people committed to the journey ahead. Color Palette’s collaboration with Enroute Records allowed them to experiment with new sounds that align with their signature electronic sound. With its timely themes and catchy earworms, “Pacing Like a Lion” is worth listening to.

Max Bennett Kelly, the Seattle-born/LA-based artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, has recently released his new single “Superinlove (Roll Credits),” along with a music video. The song is a preview of Max’s forthcoming EP, “Junk Male,” set to be released this summer. In “Superinlove,” Max reflects on his relationship with a fellow artist in LA and the effect it had on his music career. The song features Max’s signature catchy hooks, unpredictable soundscapes, and cleverly candid storytelling.

Max has already made a name for himself with his previous releases, earning tens of millions of streams and attracting a global fanbase. He gained further attention when a snippet of his song “Happy, Healthy, Well-Adjusted” went viral on TikTok, receiving millions of views and even getting noticed by Netflix. The success of his music allowed him to focus on his music full-time, after going through unconventional means to get by, including participating in clinical trials. CONTINUE READING

There is a lot of talk about Capitol Records’ decision not to renew their contract with Halsey, despite their previous success together. The label had renegotiated Halsey’s deal when she was at the peak of her popularity, but her latest album, If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power, produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, did not perform as well as expected, leading to an unrecouped position of over $25 million. This, along with a lack of strong streaming numbers, ultimately led to the label ending their collaboration with Halsey.

Halsey’s departure from Capitol, along with Anitta and Miranda Lambert’s free agency, indicates a shift towards major labels parting ways with artists when the relationship becomes untenable. However, it may be difficult for Halsey to secure a new deal with a major label or publishing company.

While Anitta has not achieved enormous success in the U.S., her global success and strong live draw make her a desirable artist. Lambert, on the other hand, has seen decreasing numbers with each release, with her latest album, Palomino, only amassing just over 350k in activity. CONTINUE READING