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Los Angeles producer, composer, and all-around sonic architect Yash Kapoor  just dropped his newest single “ Secrets In Your Eyes ,” and honestly, it’s giving a midnight psychological thriller you definitely shouldn’t be listening to alone. This isn’t some copy-paste pop release thrown together in a bedroom laptop session. Yash built this world with over 150 production layers, sculpting every synth, breath, and shadow into a sound that feels less like a song and more like a chase scene through your own subconscious. If you’ve followed his behind-the-scenes grind, you already know Yash isn’t new to high-level creative ecosystems. A Berklee grad with credits connected to XO, years assisting major producer DaHeala, and time spent inside the creative circles of Belly and NAV, he’s trained in precision. But what makes this track snap is the emotion underneath the engineering. His music lives in that perfect tension between cinematic darkness and vulnerable confession, as if the Thriller era collided with the minimalist tension of The Weeknd’s newer albums. “Secrets In Your Eyes” sits right in that pocket, unraveling the story of someone losing themselves in a relationship that feels both magnetic and dangerous. Yash drags us into a fever dream where obsession, control, and identity blur. The chorus hits as a warning whispered in the dark, “I’m not alone… I don’t recognize myself,” turning the hook into a mirror you might not want to look into for too long. The production flex is unreal. Haunted ambient synths, distorted textures, cinematic drum hits, and a sonic universe that keeps tightening around the listener until you feel the psychological claustrophobia of the narrative. It plays like you’re sprinting through fog, chasing someone, or maybe being chased by your own reflection. This release isn’t just a single. It’s Yash stepping fully into his solo-artist era, building a world where pop songwriting merges with film-score tension and psychological sound design. And yes, this is only the beginning. He’s currently prepping his debut album, dropping next year, plus a run of major EP collaborations with rising indie artists across LA.

Cherie Lily is turning the holiday season into something warmer, sexier, and far more intimate with the release of “Turn The Heat Up” (DJ Gomi x Cherie Lily Sultry Holiday Mix), a slow-burning, R&B-infused holiday track featuring iconic vocals from Amanda Lepore and production from dance-music mastermind DJ Gomi . Designed for late-night glow, playful seduction, and cozy winter moments, the single arrives as a bold reimagining of what a holiday song can be. For Cherie, the inspiration came from a lifetime of seeking warmth, literal and emotional. “I’ve never been a fan of the freezing cold, and growing up in the Chicagoland area, there have been many times where I’ve had to get creative to stay warm,” she shares. What she remembers most about the holidays has nothing to do with snow or sleigh bells. “For me, the best part of the holiday season, when you’re nowhere near a mountain to snowboard, is cozying up with someone you love. There’s something magical about that shared body heat and being fully present with someone you feel connected to.” With that vision in mind, Cherie leaned into crafting a fireside fantasy—seductive, intimate, and designed to heat up even the coldest winter nights. “This remix is an even more sexy invitation to turn the heat up together,” she says, describing the track as an evolution of the warm-and-spicy original she debuted in 2024. A huge part of the magic comes from Cherie’s longtime collaborator and nightlife legend Amanda Lepore, whose airy, sensual voice helps shape the song’s flirtatious tone. Cherie beams when talking about their creative chemistry: “Amanda Lepore truly is iconic on every level, and her voice, just like her image and brand, is instantly recognizable. It’s soothing, sexy, and effortlessly inviting.” Their collaboration is rooted in trust, friendship, and mutual admiration. “Supporting Amanda brings me great joy; she’s a beautiful human inside and out, and a global inspiration to so many, including me.” On the production side, DJ Gomi brings a depth and sophistication that elevates the track into something cinematic and deeply felt. Cherie first witnessed his musical prowess while working together on Kevin Aviance’s album HIPPOPOTAMUS! and immediately recognized him as a rare kind of artist. “Gomi is prolific on every instrument and a true master of production,” she says. “We collaborate incredibly well, we’re both deeply passionate about music and have an ear for every detail. He absolutely delivered with this mix.” Their partnership has since expanded into multiple projects under her Chervana Music umbrella, with more collaborations already underway. As for the vibe, Cherie makes the intention clear: this is not your grandma’s holiday tune. “This one is 100% sexy and empowered,” she says. It’s a soundtrack for date nights, glittering parties, or “when things heat up on the couch with someone you love.” At the center of the song’s seduction is a single, playful question whispered by Amanda: “Will you be my gift tonight?” With the release of “Turn The Heat Up,” Cherie steps into the season with confidence, clarity, and a deep commitment to growth, both personal and professional. “On my wish list this year, personally and professionally, is to keep investing in myself and my dreams through better time management, continuous learning, meaningful collaborations, and consistent creating,” she says. She hopes her music continues to resonate widely, allowing her to keep building Chervana Music and supporting her roster of artists. But most importantly, she wants to remain present in the process: “The ultimate goal is to truly enjoy every step of the journey. ”Seductive, smooth, and glowing with urban-winter romance, “Turn The Heat Up” (DJ Gomi x Cherie Lily Sultry Holiday Mix) is the bold holiday anthem you’ll want on repeat, whether you’re lighting up the night or winding down somewhere warm with someone special. The single is available now on all streaming platforms.  https://orcd.co/kg7570r

Sam Shi doesn’t create music from the surface; she creates it from the fault lines. The LA-based alternative electronic artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist has spent the last year rebuilding her artistic identity from the inside out, emerging with a sound that feels like a collision of shadow and illumination. Equal parts raw and ethereal, Sam’s music lives in the liminal spaces: the moments between clarity and chaos, destruction and rebirth, truth and the versions of ourselves we outgrow. Born into a culturally fluid upbringing, Swedish, Indonesian-Chinese, London, Sweden, Kuwait, Shanghai, New York, Sam is an artist shaped by landscapes, displacement, and the never-ending search for “home.” That restless, nomadic imprint shows up in every layer of her sound: the haunted vocal textures, the visceral electronic worlds, the rock-leaning grit beneath the surface. Her work gravitates toward people who live in transition, who are reinventing themselves, who exist on the edge of courage. 2025 was a transformative year, not because she perfected something, but because she stopped trying to. Her chosen Best Of release, Perfectionism , marks the moment Sam finally confronted the internal force that had been driving her life: the relentless pressure to be better, achieve more, shrink less, and prove her worth to an invisible audience she never actually named. The song isn’t a critique, it’s an exhale. A detangling. A release. A reclaiming of her humanity. What makes Perfectionism  powerful isn’t just the sound; it’s the truth behind it. Sam wrote it while confronting exhaustion, emotional numbness, and the realization that polishing yourself into something acceptable is a form of self-erasure. The track captures the quiet violence of perfectionism, the way it silences intuition, disconnects you from your own voice, and buries the parts of you that are most alive. But the song also cracks open light. It reminds listeners that they are allowed to be in progress, unfinished, messy, evolving. The world doesn’t need perfection; it needs honesty. Beyond the studio, Sam’s year was defined by evolution. She premiered a 30-minute Joshua Tree Live Set, grew her YouTube from 360 to over 17,000 subscribers, joined the Recording Academy, launched the SURRENDER CIRCLE community, and built a new touring band. She navigated a difficult breakup, confronted emotional patterns, rediscovered self-worth, and refused to abandon herself ever again. Heading into 2026, Sam is stepping into a new era with intention: yoga teacher training, vocal-movement fusion, workshops, deeper community-building, and her forthcoming sequel album WILD WOMAN, an exploration of instinct, truth, embodiment, and unapologetic femininity. Her advice to artists is the same philosophy that grounds her own rebirth: stop waiting to feel ready. Clarity comes from doing. Truth comes from risking something. And evolution comes from allowing yourself to be seen, not perfect, but real. Perfectionism is the release you chose for BUZZMUSIC’s Best of 2025, and you’ve described it as the most honest song you’ve ever written. What moment or realization triggered the start of that song, and what did writing it force you to confront about yourself? I was sitting on the floor of my living room — tired, confused, and asking myself a question I had avoided for years: Why am I always chasing something? Why can’t I just be still?  It hit me that I had spent most of my life running from discomfort, from stillness, from the truth. Not in a dramatic way, but in a subtle, constant state of escapism. I’ve always believed I was self-aware. But writing this song pulled back the curtain and showed me how good I am at lying to myself when the truth feels too heavy. I never wanted to ask why I was always performing or who I was trying to impress, because it meant looking back at childhood patterns. I had a beautiful childhood, but I also learned to adapt, to fit in, to stay in motion. Moving around the world taught me how to blend in—but not how to slow down and ask myself: What do you want? How do you feel? Whose voice are you listening to? Writing “Perfectionism” forced me to confront the reality of my internal state.For the first time, I had to face the questions I’d avoided: What’s wrong? Why are you numb? Why aren’t you giving yourself permission to live the way you want? The song wasn’t just a release — it was a reckoning. Your upbringing across multiple countries and cultures has shaped your identity and your sound. How did that sense of belonging everywhere and nowhere influence the emotional themes behind Perfectionism? Growing up across so many countries made me adaptable, open-minded, and curious — but it also made me hyper-attuned to my surroundings. I learned how to read a room quickly, how to shape-shift, and how to fit in. When you’re constantly starting over, you become very good at adjusting yourself to what you think people want. That chameleon effect became the foundation of my perfectionism. “Perfectionism” came from that emotional landscape — the internal pressure to be likable, impressive, put-together, and unshakeable in every environment. When you belong everywhere and nowhere, you chase identity instead of inhabit it. You chase validation instead of truth. You chase achievement instead of presence.  This song was me stepping out of that pattern and finally asking: If no one was watching, who would you be? That question is still changing me. You’ve said the song exposes the “quiet violence” of perfectionism. What does that violence look like in your everyday life, and how did you reclaim your voice from it creatively? The violence of perfectionism is subtle. It doesn’t scream — it whispers. It tells you you’re not ready. It tells you you’re not enough. It tells you to shrink, to wait, to polish, to prove. For me, it looked like: Overthinking every decision Making myself small to avoid judgment and being too much Constantly moving so I wouldn’t have to feel too deeply  Working endlessly and still feeling behind Editing my emotions before anyone else could see or feel the real depth of them Feeling numb even when life looked “good” It’s a war no one else sees. Creatively, reclaiming my voice meant choosing honesty over aesthetics. Letting things be raw. Letting lyrics be imperfect. Letting my vocal take hold of emotion instead of flawlessness. Showing the cracks instead of covering them.  “Perfectionism” was the moment I stopped performing and started telling the truth. In 2025, you rebuilt your artistic identity, launched a new live band, produced a cinematic Joshua Tree performance, and joined the Recording Academy. How did these milestones shape your confidence as both an artist and a woman evolving out of a difficult chapter? Each milestone was a reminder that I’m not pretending or chasing or squeezing myself into the industry — I belong here. Rebuilding my artistic identity, forming a new band, releasing the Joshua Tree film, joining the Recording Academy… all of it affirmed that being fully myself is not only allowed, it’s respected. These wins helped me trust that I am not “aiming to be” an artist. I am one.  And I don’t need to contort myself to earn that place. The SURRENDER CIRCLE and your retreats merge movement, community, and creativity. How does physical embodiment, yoga, breath, and presence influence the emotional honesty in your songwriting? In 2023, when I began experiencing chronic illness, my body was speaking long before my mind was willing to listen. I tried everything — moving apartments, medication, supplements, dietary resets. Some things helped temporarily, but the symptoms always returned. My body was still communicating: something wasn’t right. Through meditation, yoga, and consistent embodiment practices, I realized I had been carrying years of unprocessed pain, resentment, and trauma. My mind refused to acknowledge it, but my body never stopped telling the truth. And the moment I began releasing that emotional weight, my chronic illness started to dissolve — and stay gone. I could eat normally again, live normally again. That experience changed me. It taught me that the body always knows before the mind is ready to understand. Movement, meditation, and journaling slowed me down enough to feel what’s actually happening beneath the surface. Movement reveals the emotions I’ve been suppressing; stillness reveals the ones I’ve been avoiding. Presence brings clarity. This is why the mission behind the SURRENDER CIRCLE means so much to me — it’s not just a community, it’s a practice of returning people to their bodies. When I’m physically connected to myself, my songwriting becomes clearer, simpler, more truthful. I stop performing. I stop pretending. I stop pushing for the “perfect” line. And what comes through is real. You ended a four-year relationship this year and described it as a moment of confronting demons and reclaiming your self-worth. How has that personal transformation impacted the kind of music you’re ready to make next? What mattered most about ending that relationship wasn’t the betrayal — it was recognizing the pattern I had been participating in. I entered that partnership from a lower frequency, as a version of myself who was disconnected, people-pleasing, and afraid to take up space. I felt myself evolving out of that identity, and I realized I couldn’t complete that transformation inside the relationship. I needed to meet myself again — fully, honestly, and on my own. That shift has completely changed my creative voice. I’m writing from honesty, autonomy, and a reclaimed sense of self-worth, not from the wounded patterns that shaped my earlier work. I’m no longer afraid to be bold. I’m no longer softening my truth or creating from fear of judgment. I’m letting myself sound exactly like me — not like an aesthetic, not like a vibe, not like someone I’m supposed to emulate. In many ways, I had to sound like something else first in order to understand what “me” actually sounds like. And now, the music I’m making reflects who I really am, not the woman I was surviving as. Heading into 2026 with your sequel album WILD WOMAN on the horizon, what new emotional territory or creative expression are you stepping into that didn’t exist in your earlier work? WILD WOMAN is me stepping into parts of myself I used to hide — the sensual parts, the chaotic parts, the intuitive parts, the untamed parts. It’s a return to instinct, desire, and unapologetic self-expression. Unlike my earlier work, which often processed pain, confusion, or longing, this next era holds: confidence instead of self-doubt embodiment instead of numbness boldness instead of carefulness self-acceptance instead of shame trust instead of fear  It’s more experimental sonically — louder guitars, heavier drums, darker synths, more primal textures — but it’s also more emotionally liberated. WILD WOMAN isn’t about who I’ve been surviving as — it’s about who I truly am. A woman who is done apologizing. A woman who listens to her instinct. A wild woman.

Jamie Alimorad did not come to play nice with the North Pole this year. And honestly? Respect. Every December, we’re force-fed the same Hallmark-core jingles telling us Christmas is perfect, magical, and full of joy if you just believe hard enough. Meanwhile, the rest of us are sitting there remembering that one year Santa ghosted us harder than a situationship. Alimorad finally said the quiet part out loud and turned it into a pop-rock banger. “Santa Sucks” is the holiday song for everyone who played by the rules, stayed on the Nice List, and still woke up to absolute crumbs. It’s sarcastic, it’s theatrical, it’s a little petty in the best way, but Jamie wraps it all in the same polished, radio-ready vocals that’ve carried him from Boston campus hero to viral sensation to Carnegie Hall performer. Dude knows how to sing, even when he’s dragging Santa through the snow. The track leans into cheeky storytelling and nostalgia, that sweet spot where humor meets heartbreak. You can feel the childhood wonder Jamie’s family built around Christmas Eve — and the tiny emotional bruise left behind when the holiday stopped hitting the same. Instead of pretending everything’s fine, he channels it into a song that’s basically a group therapy session for anyone who’s ever unwrapped socks. The real kicker? Over 50 friends, family members, and loved ones hopped on the chorus. It turns the hook into a full-blown rally cry, less jingle bells, more “we’ve been wronged, and we ride at dawn.” It’s the kind of communal chaos that makes the track feel like a cult classic in the making. And honestly, Jamie’s earned the right to have fun. His résumé is stacked: viral ballads, award-winning singles, chart placements, hit collaborations with the Vannellis, and a Carnegie Hall debut. He’s proven he can do the serious, soulful, award-bait tracks. So, his dropping a goofy, catchy, family-powered Christmas song? That’s an artist who’s secure enough in his craft not to take himself too seriously. “Santa Sucks” isn’t just a holiday release; it’s a reminder that Christmas nostalgia hits different when you’re grown, jaded, and still waiting on that one gift you swore the universe owed you. And instead of sulking about it, Jamie Alimorad turned it into something we can all scream-sing with pride. You’ve written emotional ballads, rock anthems, and award-winning singles . W hat unlocked the chaos gremlin inside you that led to “Santa Sucks”? There's a little chaos gremlin inside all of us! It's funny you phrase it like that, because as we were recording it (producer) Jordan (Sherman) was saying how in some strange way this is the most personal song I've ever written. And I knew what he meant. I love love songs, and I've mainly written from an autobiographical place, whether that be about relationships, places, or moments in time. There have been a few moments with songs like "Crawling Back to Me" and "Lucky Me" where I've shown my humor, but this one takes it to another level. The song started as a joke between my friend and me. We were discussing writing a song together, and he brought up the idea of doing a Christmas song, and that it should almost be an anti-Christmas song, like a kid not getting anything for Christmas. I thought it was brilliant! We got together on several occasions with the intention of writing it, or at least I did, but then we wound up going onto different projects. I made the commitment at the outset of the year that I would finally record a Christmas song, and I decided to just give it a go myself. What came out is very Jamie. If you hang out with me for an afternoon, you'll see this is my sense of humor. You said over 50 loved ones appear on this track. What was that recording session like, and were there any hilarious moments you almost kept in the final cut? Getting all those voices was really fun! Everyone did it remotely. I asked people to sing into their phones and send me the voice memos. A few of my music students have dialogue in the track. I did those with them, but again, it's just spoken into my phone. It would've been awesome to have everyone all together in one room, but they're literally from all over the country! I included everything that was sent to me, so nothing is on the cutting room floor. Holiday music is notoriously predictable. What was the biggest rule or cliché you wanted to break when making this song? I always loved Christmas music! That is, until I got a seasonal job at Bloomingdale's. I worked these eight-hour shifts, and I heard the same five songs over and over and over. I couldn't stand it! How many versions of "White Christmas," or "Have A Holly Jolly Christmas," or "The Christmas Song" do we need? Then whatever pop ones that were played were always the same thing - I miss my lover. Santa, please bring them back to me! I was really surprised that a lot of the songs I grew up listening to, which were all hits, weren't in rotation. I always thought I'd follow in the footsteps of those favorite artists' Christmas singles and albums: 98°, Backstreet Boys, Richard Marx, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Wham! But I thought it would become just another Christmas song. I always want to go against the grain, so I thought more "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" than "All I Want For Christmas Is You." You’ve been racking up awards all year ,  Carnegie Hall debut, chart placements, and Amazon and iTunes wins. How does it feel to follow all that with a comedic Christmas track, and did that contrast feel refreshing? It's been a tremendous year in many ways! It's felt fantastic to get back to my pop/rock sound and to see the new material be so well received. For "Santa Sucks" to be the capstone is rather fitting. I think when we get to this time of year, it's a time for reflection, and it's always nice to have a smile come to your face upon doing so. I went so overboard with this track in the studio. I told Jordan to put everything in it. Church bells? Yes! Sleigh bells? Need 'em! Easter eggs of classic Christmas songs sprinkled in the arrangement? Gotta have it! Dozens of people shouting, "Santa sucks!" at the top of their lungs? Duh! I've never had more fun working on a track because at times it was utterly ridiculous!  “Santa Sucks” pokes fun at disappointment and nostalgia. What’s one real-life holiday letdown of yours that didn’t make the song but totally could have? I gotta say, Santa was always good to me! I can't really think of any time that there was something I really wanted and didn't get. That being said, I've had birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions where I was extremely disappointed. There was one time an ex got me concert tickets for Def Leppard. She insisted on planning the whole day, and that I wouldn't have to lift a finger. She didn't even tell me the date or location of the show because she wanted it to be a full night of surprises. Well, she got the date wrong, and we missed the show. So thanks for that, babe. But at the end of the day, I think a lot of those stories, at least mine, are ones I can look back on and laugh at. I don't know if eating my veggies helped get me on the Nice List, but I wasn't about to see if it wouldn't!

'Little Gems' by The Star Prairie Project might be Nolen Chew's universe, but one of the brightest forces shaping its atmosphere is the soft-spoken, genre-shifting vocalist and producer Ive Marie, who helped give the album its emotional backbone. Her presence threads through the record like sunlight through stained glass, subtle, intentional, and quietly transformative. From early 2000s nostalgia to dreamlike soundscapes, she brings a warmth that turns Nolen’s stories into full-blown worlds you can actually step into. In this conversation, she breaks down how she found her place inside the album’s ever-shifting genres, why “Sunshine Skies” needed to feel like a blissed-out daydream, the effortless synergy behind her collaborations, and how The Star Prairie Project ended up giving her the confidence to step deeper into production than ever before. Your presence on Little Gems brings so much softness and cinematic depth. When you first heard the early demos, what pulled you into the world Nolen was building? I think the simple, yet authentic vibe his writing gives. I've always loved early 2000s music. I feel like the artist wrote more straight from the heart. Even if it was a serious subject, somehow the music still felt good and oddly carefree. When you listen now, you feel a sense of nostalgia; that's what his songs make me feel and how they pull me in. Plus, they give me a chance to mix older and modern sounds.  The album jumps genres constantly, but your vocals somehow glue everything together. How did you approach keeping your identity intact while moving through so many styles? I've always loved most genres. So, singing different genres and different vocal styles is quite normal for me. However, to keep my identity intact, I always make sure to add in my "signature sounds"; simply in the way I sing my soft vocals or how I do my ad-libs. For the production side, I typically like to use unique sounds for the percussion that people don't typically add. Also, a big thing is probably how I like to warp my vocals, even if it's just in a small part of the song. That way, it feels like my own vibe.  “Sunshine Skies” feels especially airy and emotional. Can you walk us through the headspace you stepped into while recording that track? When you first read the lyrics, you automatically picture the whole scene that Nolen describes. He talks about birds singing, the sun shining, smelling the sea, seeing that special person, and being with them. It feels like bliss. When producing the beat, I wanted it to feel like a dream with that sense of happiness, like you never want to leave or wake up.  You and Rudiger share some really beautiful chemistry on the acoustic version of “When I Look At The World.” What was that collaborative dynamic like behind the scenes? Rudiger has a beautiful voice, and he's very easy to follow and get along with. He typically sends me the project we're going to work on together with his vocals, and I work off of that. I feel like our voices just automatically mesh well together. That's what makes it fun!  The Star Prairie Project has such a distinct visual and emotional universe. What do you feel this album says about who you are as an artist right now, and how has it shaped what you want to do next? I think it shows that I stay true to myself by always incorporating a part of myself into each song. I love and treat it as if it's my own, and am able to give any genre my unique sound. As far as shaping what I did next, Nolen was the first person to allow me to produce for him. He didn't look at me and assume I was a young woman who didn't know what I was doing (as a lot of people used to do). He took a chance on me, and it helped give me the confidence I needed to offer more of my production services to other people. I knew I had it in me, but sometimes you need someone else to believe in you. So, I'm forever grateful to him for that!

Holiday music is usually unbearable. Too sweet, too sanitized, too "everything is perfect." But Sydney Gordon clearly didn't get the memo, because "Naughty List" pulls up like the holiday record for people who roll their eyes at matching pajamas and forced cheer. It's pop, but with teeth. A warm winter glow with a shot of tequila in it. Gordon taps into the side of December nobody wants to admit out loud. The messy decisions. The flirty chaos. The nights you definitely shouldn't be out, but you go anyway. Her vocals are crisp and deliberate, cutting through dreamy synths with that signature New York bite she never hides. She doesn't sing like she's trying to be cute. She sings like she's telling on herself and daring you to relate. The production leans into glossy holiday pop, but the attitude underneath is what sells it. The track sparkles, sure, but not in a Hallmark-movie way. More like walking into a party you absolutely weren't invited to, but somehow become the main character. The groove is subtle but addictive, and the hook sticks to your brain like peppermint lip gloss. What makes "Naughty List" work is how grounded it feels. Holiday releases usually play pretend. Gordon refuses to. She captures the real December energy: wanting joy, craving connection, making questionable choices, and not apologizing for any of it. Her quote seals the deal. This isn't about rebellion for shock value. It's about owning the gap between how you're "supposed to act" and who you actually are. For fans of her earlier releases like "Bad Habit" and "Good On Me," this is Gordon leveling up that emotional precision she's known for, but with a playful twist. She keeps the honesty and vocal polish but swaps the vulnerability for charisma and mischief. The result is a holiday track that feels alive rather than manufactured. If you're tired of Christmas songs that sound like scented candle commercials, "Naughty List" is the antidote. It's cheeky, confident, relatable, and way too replayable for a song about being festive in all the wrong ways. Sydney Gordon just gave December its villain era, and honestly, we needed it. When you were writing “Naughty List,” what was the exact moment you realized this song wasn’t going to be another cookie-cutter holiday track? The second we hit that pre-chorus. The song snapped into this little fantasy world of wanting everything oversized and over-the-top, and it stopped feeling like “a Christmas song” and started feeling like my Christmas song.  You’ve carved out a reputation for emotional precision in your past work. What emotional truth were you trying to protect in this song, even while keeping it fun and chaotic? I wanted to keep that feeling of craving connection without making it heavy. Like underneath all the sparkle and the jokes, the song is really about wanting someone who feels like your safe place during the wildest time of the year.  Holiday music usually plays it painfully safe. What was the riskiest creative decision you made on this track, and why did you double down on it? Probably the attitude. We let the vocal be a little sly, a little wink-wink, and we didn’t soften it. There’s this instinct in holiday music to round all the edges so it feels family-friendly but we did the exact opposite.  If your fans could hear the first demo version of “Naughty List,” what would surprise them the most about how it sounded before it became this polished troublemaker? Actually, the demo had a totally different chorus, lyrics, and melody. And the post hook was the outro. We recorded the final vocals, and something just did not feel right. The concept was there, but the attitude wasn’t fully cooked yet. You’d hear it and be like, “Oh, she’s cute… but she needs a personality.” You grew up in New York, a city that basically turns into both a snow globe and a survival test every December. How did NYC energy shape the attitude or aura of this track? New York is who I am. So I think every song I write has that grit to it. New York is a Christmas wonderland, and I wanted a track that you imagine playing as you’re walking down 5th Avenue as it’s snowing. It’s glossy and magical, but there’s a little bite to it… like a Christmas song that learned how to survive midtown at rush hour.

Emerging Las Vegas artist Rhaina Yasmin steps into a powerful new chapter with Magician , a five-track release that blends indie rock, folk subtlety, and a deeply introspective singer-songwriter sensibility. It’s a project that invites listeners into an inner world shaped by nostalgia, grief, and the quiet, persistent search for meaning, all delivered through Rhaina Yasmin's gentle, luminous vocal style. Across the EP, Rhaina Yasmin explores the emotional weight of memory and the fragile beauty found in its aftermath. Magician doesn’t chase grandeur; instead, it thrives in restraint, leaning into soft tones, atmospheric arrangements, and lyrics that read like pages from a journal. What emerges is a body of work that feels both intimate and universal, grounded in the emotional honesty of someone who isn’t afraid to sit with difficult feelings. Opening track “Your Daughter” acts as a tender entry point, setting the project’s reflective tone. From there, Rhaina drifts into “Little Moon,” a song that glows with innocence and longing, capturing the bittersweet warmth of childhood wonder. “Patchouli” takes a deeper, earthier turn, pulling listeners into memories marked by loss and the sensory imprints that linger long after. “Dagger” sharpens the emotional arc with subtle intensity, before the EP culminates in the title track, “Magician,” where Rhaina Yasmin repeats the mantra “I’ll get by with the sleight of my hand.” It’s a simple phrase that becomes the emotional anchor of the project, a quiet promise of survival and resilience. What makes Magician compelling is the way it transforms heaviness into softness. Rhaina Yasmin doesn’t mask her grief or her longing for the magic she once believed in; she transforms those emotions into something delicate and deeply human. The EP feels like a sanctuary for listeners working through their own unspoken feelings, a safe, hushed space where vulnerability becomes strength. Reflecting on the project, Rhaina Yasmin shares, “I hope people find this release and feel comfort in expressing their deepest emotions. I want those who listen to connect and see parts of themselves intertwined.” It’s a mission the EP fulfills with clarity and grace. With Magician , Rhaina Yasmin establishes herself as an artist with a strong emotional viewpoint and a rare ability to translate introspection into sound. Thoughtful, immersive, and quietly powerful, the EP marks a significant step forward in her artistic evolution and positions her as a voice to watch in the indie landscape. Your songs carry this beautiful balance of innocence and ache. When you were writing Magician , what memories or moments were the hardest to revisit, and why? I visited my childhood home in New York in October of 2024, which clung to me all year and largely inspired the underlying theme of Magician. There was a particular ache that came from being there and leaving, letting go of the past, while simultaneously yearning for what could have been. I’m a deeply sensitive person, in that it feels like my experiences with grief and nostalgia are always present, but in writing them down, I find release.  “Your Daughter” and “Dagger” were both written in a stream of emotion, as I'd also been coping with my mother’s health this past year. These songs are some of my most honest and a genuine plea for hope. I was lighting candles and writing pieces of music every night throughout the spring.  There’s a quiet but powerful sense of grief woven through the EP. How did you navigate turning something so heavy into something so gentle and luminous? Grief often shows up in flashes of memory, a scent, or anticipation, and the process of sitting in that isolation resulted in something gentle, yet raw and explosive. I think softness has always felt organic to me and naturally flourishes in the way that I write. As I worked through building in energy, the luminosity shimmers underneath, as there is a prevalent longing to heal. Each track feels like a different fragment of the same spell. How did “Your Daughter,” “Little Moon,” “Patchouli,” “Dagger,” and “Magician” reveal themselves as belonging to the same emotional world? They’re all different incantations circling the same wound. A lingering ache of nostalgia, a desire, or fear of the uncertain– it finds its way into each track because those emotions are always with me.  You close the EP with the line “I’ll get by with the sleight of my hand.” What does that phrase mean to you now, after finishing the project? The line “I’ll get by with the sleight of my hand” is a repetitive mantra, an echo from the powerful women in my life who guide me to be strong. Now, when I play it, it feels like an affirmation to myself, a reminder that I can create my own path and not let my fears or anxieties stop me from living in the moment. As someone who writes from such an internal, vulnerable space, what do you hope listeners understand about you , or about themselves , when they sit with this EP in a quiet moment? When someone sits with these songs in a quiet moment, I hope they feel inspired to be honest and sensitive. Each song was written with a cathartic intention of expressing the emotions that weigh so heavily on me. If they recognize themselves intertwined– their fears, longing, and even a possibility for healing– then I hope they also recognize that they’re not navigating those feelings alone.

For many independent and emerging bands, building a visual identity can feel just as important as shaping their sound. One of the easiest ways artists have been doing this is through simple, collectible merch — especially custom enamel pins. Custom merch suppliers like   vivipins  make it easy for artists to turn simple artwork or a band logo into a high-quality pin fans can wear and collect, helping musicians strengthen their connection with their audience from day one. What Makes Enamel Pins Such a Popular Merch Item? Custom enamel pins have become one of the easiest and most affordable merch options for new and independent bands. They’re small, easy to carry on tour, simple to sell at shows, and fans love collecting them. For many artists, enamel pins work almost like a mini version of a band’s identity. Bands often turn their sound or story into simple visuals that work well as pin designs, making each piece feel connected to their music. Fans can attach them to jackets, backpacks, guitar straps, or tote bags, keeping the band’s image visible in everyday life. For anyone new to merch design, enamel pins are very beginner-friendly. They don’t require complicated artwork, and even simple shapes and colors can be turned into a strong visual symbol. A basic understanding of how enamel pins work is enough to get started — they’re created by filling recessed metal areas with colored enamel, a process you can read more about on the Enamel pin page. How Pins Help Bands Express Their Visual Identity Every band has a sound, but most also have a visual style. Custom enamel pins give artists a way to turn that visual identity into something fans can touch and wear. Bands often choose designs based on: A logo or band symbol A favorite lyric or album theme A tour mascot or inside joke Artwork that represents their music style Even new bands without a big brand identity can start with a simple design. A clean shape or a bold line drawing can communicate a lot, especially when fans associate it with the experience of hearing the music live. Why Fans Love Collectible Pins Fans enjoy collecting custom enamel pins for the same reasons they collect vinyl, posters, or tour shirts — they’re small pieces of a moment, a show, or a connection to a band. For emerging artists, this can be especially powerful. When a fan buys a pin at a show, they’re not just buying merch — they’re showing support, carrying the band's symbol, and helping spread its identity to others. Pins also work well for fans who don’t want to spend much money but still want something meaningful. As a low-cost merch item, they make it easier for more fans to take home a piece of the show. How Bands Use Pins to Build Community Custom enamel pins often become conversation starters. When fans wear a band’s pin on a jacket or bag, other fans recognize it instantly. This helps build a sense of community around the music, both online and offline. Bands also use pins in creative ways, such as: Limited-edition drops for special shows Pins tied to album launches Tour-only collectible series Collaboration pins with visual artists Fan-club exclusive designs These small ideas help fans feel included and give them a reason to keep engaging with the band over time. Easy Tips for Bands Starting Their First Pin Design Independent musicians don’t need a large budget or design experience to create their first enamel pin. Many artists start with: A simple black-and-white logo Minimal color designs Shapes inspired by song titles Album cover details Hand-drawn sketches turned into clean outlines Even simple, low-detail artwork can become a strong and recognizable symbol when turned into a pin. Final Thoughts Across the independent music scene, custom enamel pins remain popular because they feel personal, affordable, and collectible. They carry the spirit of DIY culture and let fans express their connection to a band in a simple and meaningful way. For new and underground artists, they offer a low-risk, high-impact way to share identity, connect with fans, and grow a stronger community around the music.

LinoXren is not playing nice this time. The French-American artist who built his early following on sleek hybrid pop and hip-hop has stepped into something darker, sharper, and way more personal with his new album “Plastic Made.” This is not vibe music. This is a cultural slap disguised as a playlist. LinoXren takes everything we pretend we are not affected by social media validation, OnlyFans culture, fake intimacy, curated identities, and rips it open like a plastic wrapper. What hits first is the energy. The production moves between trap, hip hop, rock, and glossy pop textures, but nothing feels recycled. It all feels intentional. He is building a world where the beats feel synthetic on purpose, like the soundtrack to an era where everyone is performing, and no one is connecting. His influences show up in flashes, Travis Scott swagger, XXXTentacion's emotional weight, and Twenty One Pilots' scale, but never in a way that overshadows his own voice. Vocally, LinoXren sounds like someone who has lived on both sides of the problem. He knows the highs of digital attention and the emptiness that follows. He switches between rap cadences and melodic hooks with a confidence that makes the entire record feel like one long confession. You feel the tension in his tone when he talks about losing himself or trusting the wrong people. This is where the album hits hardest. Not in the commentary, but in the admission that he got caught in the same traps he is calling out. “Plastic Made” matters because it is not just observational. It is self-incriminating. LinoXren is not preaching from a pedestal. He is standing in the mess with everyone else and saying the part nobody wants to say out loud. This era has warped us. We chase illusions. We mistake attention for love. We perform until we forget who the hell we are. He leaves listeners with a final intention. If this album makes someone pause, reflect, or feel human again, then he considers that a win. And honestly, in a generation drowning in fake perfection, an album this honest is a victory on its own.

Miami Beach’s VIP scene showed up in full force last night as Rhonda’s Kiss hosted its annual Fall “Art of Hope” charity event during Art Basel , this year set against the backdrop of a stunning private waterfront estate. The evening, benefiting the Cleveland Clinic of Florida’s Cancer Patient Care Program , was hosted by filmmaker Danny A. Abeckaser, Rhonda’s Kiss Executive Director and producer Kyle Stefanski, and Chairman Marc Stefanski, with partners Haykoff Gallery, Haute Jets, and Haute Living  elevating the night’s experience. Danny A. Abeckaser at Rhonda's Kiss 2025 The event delivered the kind of Basel energy money can’t manufacture. Grammy-nominated artist Robin Thicke shocked the room with an intimate, unannounced performance of his hit single “Magic,” fittingly aligned with the night’s mission of hope and healing. DJ Yissel kept the momentum going poolside, while actor Harry Goodwins, best known for his standout role in Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen on Netflix, was among the notable guests in attendance. Harry Goodwins at Rhonda's Kiss 2025 In collaboration with Haykoff Gallery, guests were treated to artworks by Dr. Simon Ourian, presented by renowned art dealer Bella Haykoff, adding a distinctive fine-art edge to the philanthropic celebration. Just 100 curated VIP attendees were welcomed into the estate, where culinary stations showcased an impressive lineup: Sushi Yasu Takana (aka The Sushi Legend), an Italian spread by Eataly, caviar by Dear Caviar, and espresso offerings from La Vela. Italian spread by Eataly The night’s beverage partners, El Cristiano Tequila, Stateside Vodka, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, plus select wines and champagne, kept the evening flowing as guests participated in both silent and live auctions. Featured items included original artworks from actor Emile Hirsch and Rebellium Wines’ Blake Barrios, along with two charter flights offered by Haute Jets and Slate Private Jets, marking their newly announced partnership. Funds raised support Rhonda’s Kiss, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing vital non-medical assistance to cancer patients, including childcare, transportation, rent and mortgage support, wigs, groceries, utilities, therapy, and other overlooked necessities that directly impact quality of life. Rhonda’s Kiss continues to partner with leading institutions across the U.S., including City of Hope, Cedars-Sinai, Brooklyn Maimonides, and Cleveland Clinic (Florida & Ohio). Those wishing to contribute to the Cancer Patient Care Program can donate at: https://www.rhondaskiss.org/donatenow