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There is something universally bittersweet about knowing a perfect moment won't last forever. On "Golden," Julian Hunt embraces that feeling with open arms, transforming fleeting romance and fresh beginnings into a shimmering pop anthem that radiates optimism without ignoring life's inevitable changes. The Toronto-born, Vancouver-based independent artist continues building an impressive catalog of emotionally driven pop, and "Golden" feels like his most fully realized release to date. Blending polished synth textures, sparkling arpeggiators, electric guitars, and an irresistibly warm chorus, the production captures the feeling of summer in motion. It is the kind of song that belongs on long drives with the windows down, spontaneous beach trips, and nights that stretch well past sunset. What elevates "Golden" beyond its infectious production is Hunt's songwriting. Rather than presenting love as something permanent, he leans into its temporary beauty. The song acknowledges that every honeymoon phase eventually fades, but rather than mourning that reality, it celebrates the excitement, hope, and personal growth found in those fleeting moments. There is vulnerability woven into every verse, balanced by an empowering chorus that feels both reflective and liberating. Hunt's background in musical theatre, creative writing, and classical vocal training shines through in his attention to detail. Every lyric feels carefully considered, inviting listeners to return for repeat listens where new emotional layers continue to reveal themselves. It is thoughtful pop that never sacrifices accessibility. "Golden" also marks another important milestone ahead of Hunt's upcoming EP, 23, arriving this August. With a music video set to follow later this summer, the single serves as an exciting preview of an artist continuing to refine his voice while staying true to his storytelling instincts. Warm, heartfelt, and undeniably catchy, "Golden" captures the feeling of believing anything is possible. It is a celebration of possibility, romance, and the courage to embrace life's brightest moments, even when you know they cannot last forever.

As anticipation builds for his upcoming album Keep That Energy, Inglewood artist, songwriter, and producer Son Kuma is making one final statement before the full project arrives. His latest single, “=,” is an intimate alt-R&B ballad that trades flashy production for emotional honesty, exploring what it feels like to give everything to someone who seems impossible to replace. Built around warm, drum-less instrumentation, “=” creates space for Kuma's reflective songwriting to take center stage. Rather than chasing grand declarations of love, he leans into quieter moments, questioning whether a relationship can ever feel balanced when one person occupies such an overwhelming place in your life. It's a concept many artists attempt, but Kuma approaches it with restraint, allowing vulnerability to carry the weight instead of theatrics. His lyrics feel lived-in, especially during the song's closing moments, where dreams of forever become grounded in the simple act of appreciating the present. That perspective gives “=” its emotional pull. Instead of romanticizing an ideal future, Kuma reminds listeners that lasting relationships are built through the everyday memories happening right now. The song also serves as a thematic bridge into Keep That Energy, showcasing the introspective songwriting that has become a defining trait across Kuma's catalog. Since beginning his musical journey in 2017, he has consistently blurred the line between thoughtful lyricism and deeply personal storytelling, and “=” feels like one of his most refined offerings yet. The accompanying artwork reinforces the message, depicting Kuma reconciling with his own reflection, a visual metaphor for self-love before romantic love. It's a fitting image for a song that ultimately argues love isn't about perfect equality on paper, but about becoming whole enough to genuinely give yourself to someone else. With Keep That Energy arriving this August, “=” is a compelling final preview that leaves listeners with something increasingly rare: a love song that's less interested in fantasy than emotional growth. Your new single “=” explores the idea of imbalance in love. What inspired you to tell this story, and was there a specific moment that sparked the song? I think loving someone can become really complicated when they don’t love themselves. It can give your partner a kind of imposter syndrome because they may not feel as though they deserve your love. This song was really me trying desperately to convince the person I love that they are, in fact, worthy of it. Your music often balances emotional vulnerability with thoughtful songwriting. How do you know when you’ve found the right balance between telling your own story and creating something listeners can make their own? Honestly, I never really know. I just put my music out into the world and see who it resonates with. All of my music is created quite spontaneously. I rarely know what I’m going to write before I get on the mic and start freestyling. For this song, I knew most people have experienced falling in love, so I didn’t overthink whether listeners would relate. I believe that once an artist starts overly considering how an audience might perceive or connect with a song, the music can become less authentic. The best artists trust their pen, and the right listeners naturally gravitate toward what they create. “=” is the final single before Keep That Energy arrives. How does this release set the tone for the album, and what can fans expect from the project as a whole? This song is a vibe, and I think it follows naturally from the previous singles. Most of the singles have served as windows into a larger love story, so the album's tone has been established holistically across them. I intentionally saved some of the more story-driven songs for the full album. Fans can expect a lot of genre-blending. There are moments on this album that prompt listeners to reflect deeply on their roles in society and their purpose in life. There are moments that compel them to dance like nobody's watching, and there are moments that I hope will inspire them to go out and achieve the impossible. I’m incredibly proud of this body of work. The artwork features you reconciling with your reflection, symbolizing self-love before loving someone else. How has your own relationship with yourself evolved while creating this new era of music? For me personally, it has always been more about finding self-acceptance, and creating this new era of music has reinforced that. I was able to combine my seemingly distant passions for music, physics, and manga within this album. In doing so, I learned to embrace and accept every part of myself.

Independent alternative pop artist MAK MAR is back with a release that refuses to settle for surface-level storytelling. His latest single, "Cigarettes For Breakfast," arrives alongside a striking cinematic music video, offering a deeply symbolic examination of modern ambition, routine, and the quiet compromises people make in pursuit of stability. Rather than delivering a conventional pop anthem, MAK MAR uses the track as an invitation to reflect on the systems we willingly participate in and the dreams we often leave behind. Musically, "Cigarettes For Breakfast" balances moody alternative pop production with an understated emotional weight. The arrangement leaves room for its message to breathe, allowing MAK MAR's introspective songwriting to take center stage without sacrificing atmosphere. There's a cinematic quality throughout, unsurprising given Michael Kumar's background as a filmmaker, with each lyric feeling like another carefully framed scene in a larger narrative. The song's greatest strength lies in its layered symbolism. While the title immediately evokes addiction, MAK MAR expands the idea beyond cigarettes, using it as a metaphor for unhealthy routines, comfort, financial dependence, and the habits that slowly shape our lives without us noticing. Instead of pointing fingers at corporations or society, the song turns inward, encouraging listeners to consider the ways they may unknowingly contribute to the lives they've grown dissatisfied with. That same philosophy extends into the accompanying visual, where surreal imagery replaces literal storytelling, inviting multiple interpretations rather than prescribing a single message. It's a creative decision that rewards repeat viewings and reinforces MAK MAR's commitment to storytelling across multiple artistic mediums. With "Cigarettes For Breakfast," MAK MAR proves he's interested in creating more than memorable songs. He's building conversations. It's an ambitious release that demonstrates how independent artists can blend compelling visuals, thoughtful songwriting, and meaningful social commentary into a cohesive artistic statement that lingers long after the final frame fades. "Cigarettes For Breakfast" uses addiction as a metaphor for comfort, routine, and sacrificing our dreams. What personal experiences inspired you to explore that idea in this song? It wasn't inspired by one specific moment. It came from years of watching people around me, including myself at times, slowly trade pieces of themselves for comfort and security. Addiction can be routing, money, approval, or anything we become dependent on, even when it no longer serves us. I wanted to write about that because I think it's something almost everyone experiences, but we rarely stop to question it. As both a filmmaker and musician, how did your background in visual storytelling influence the way you wrote and developed the accompanying music video? As a filmmaker, I don't think visuals should explain the song; they should expand it. If the music video just mirrors the lyrics, I don't think it's adding anything new. I wanted the film to explore the same theme from a different perspective so that the song and the visuals could have a conversation with each other rather than saying the exact same thing. I like giving people room to interpret things for themselves. The song encourages listeners to reflect on the systems they willingly participate in rather than placing blame elsewhere. Why was it important for you to approach the message from that perspective? I don't think meaningful change starts by pointing fingers. It's easy to blame companies, society, or other people, but we also make choices every day that keep those systems alive. It's about recognizing that we have more control than we often believe. I wanted people to leave asking themselves uncomfortable questions instead of simply agreeing with me. Your work consistently aims to challenge perspectives instead of simply entertaining. How do you balance delivering a meaningful message without overshadowing the music itself? The message only works if people actually enjoy experiencing it. If the music isn't something you'd want to listen to on its own, then the message probably won't reach many people. I want someone to connect with the song first, then discover another perspective through the visuals. Looking beyond this release, what kinds of stories or themes are you most excited to explore through future music and film projects under the MAK MAR name? I'm interested in exploring everyday human behavior. The decisions we make, the lives we build, the things we normalize without realizing it, but explored in more surreal ways. Whether through a song, a music video, or eventually a feature film, I want every project to leave someone seeing the world a little differently than they did before. At the end of the day, I'm not attached to one medium. I'm attached to telling stories that stay with people.

Fresh off her national television debut on The Voice, 17-year-old South Dakota artist Bijou Belle is proving she's more than a breakout talent. Her latest single, "Blind Crush," is a bright, carefree indie-pop anthem that captures the exhilarating irrationality of falling for someone new, embracing every awkward, chaotic, and butterfly-filled emotion that comes with it. Rather than overcomplicating the experience, Bijou leans into its universal charm. "Blind Crush" isn't trying to dissect love or offer profound revelations; it simply celebrates the thrill of letting your guard down. That playful approach gives the song an infectious energy, inviting listeners to relive the excitement of their own first crushes without taking themselves too seriously. Sonically, the track blends polished alt-pop production with indie sensibilities, allowing Bijou's expressive vocals to effortlessly carry the melody. There's an undeniable confidence in her delivery, balancing youthful excitement with an artistically mature understanding of pacing and dynamics. It's the kind of feel-good single that naturally belongs on summer playlists, windows-down road trips, and repeat listens alike. While many first impressions of Bijou Belle came through her memorable run on The Voice, "Blind Crush" demonstrates that her artistry extends far beyond the television stage. Growing up performing with her family band, The RathCo, has clearly shaped her instincts as both a songwriter and performer, giving her the confidence to step into her own spotlight while maintaining an authentic voice. If her debut EP introduced listeners to her emotional depth, "Blind Crush" reveals another side of her artistry, one that's witty, lighthearted, and undeniably fun. It's an effortless reminder that not every great pop song needs to carry the weight of the world. Sometimes, all it needs is a catchy hook, a relatable feeling, and an artist confident enough to enjoy the ride. Blind Crush" is intentionally playful and fictional. What made you want to write about the excitement of a crush rather than the heartbreak that so often dominates pop music? I love the thrill! I think it’s so relatable to have a crush and be on the edge of your seat, not knowing what comes next! This song kind of touches on the place where harmless flirtation leads to consequences, which I think we need more stories about. It leaves us with suspense, which is always fun! You grew up performing with your family in The RathCo before stepping into your solo career. How has that experience shaped the artist you’re becoming today? It honestly shaped everything. I started touring when I was 13, so I grew up on stage. It taught me way more than just how to perform! It taught me how to connect with people, work with a team, and become comfortable being myself. I wouldn’t be the artist I am today without those Midwest tours and experiences. Competing on The Voice introduced your music to a national audience. What was the biggest lesson you took away from that experience? The biggest thing I learned is that the scariest opportunities usually end up being the ones that help you grow the most. Going on The Voice pushed me so far out of my comfort zone. I got to sing genres and styles I’d never really explored before, all on national TV, and it gave me so much confidence. It reminded me that if you don’t take the chance, you’ll never know what you’re capable of. I also gained friendships that felt like family rather than competitors. Your grandfather helped co-write the iconic “Rocky Mountain Way.” Has growing up in a musical family influenced your songwriting process or creative ambitions? For sure. My grandpa, Rocke Grace, has always been one of my biggest inspirations. He was a kid musician just like me. I have always felt kindred to him because of that. Music has played such a huge part in our family, so I honestly can’t remember a time when it wasn’t part of my life. Watching my family perform made me realize really young that this is what I wanted to do. Songwriting has become my favorite way to process life, and I think growing up around so many musicians naturally inspired that. You’re only at the beginning of your career, yet you’ve already released an EP, performed on national television, and continue building your own sound. What do you hope defines the next chapter of your journey? I just want to keep putting out music that’s real and connects with people. I write about my own experiences and made-up stuff from dreams! If someone listens to one of my songs and feels seen or understood, that’s the coolest feeling ever. I hope this next chapter is all about reaching more people, playing bigger shows, and just continuing to grow into the artist I hope to be.

Connecticut singer-songwriter Erik Rabasca has released his latest album, New Scrolls, an eight-song collection that blends Americana, country folk, and roots music into a thoughtful record about navigating life's highs, lows, and everything in between. As the founder of Highest Frequency Records, Rabasca continues to carve his own path, delivering an album that values honest songwriting and live musicianship over polished perfection. From the opening track, "Wise Up," it's clear that New Scrolls isn't interested in offering easy answers. Instead, Rabasca invites listeners to slow down, reflect, and pay closer attention to the world around them. His songwriting feels conversational, drawing from everyday experiences while touching on larger ideas about purpose, resilience, and human connection. The album's strongest moments come from its balance of personal reflection and universal themes. "Foolin' Yourself" explores the pressure of unrealistic expectations, while "First Time Before" reminds listeners that love is often what gives life's unpredictable journey meaning. "Better Than What You Gave" encourages self-reflection, and the standout "Rituals, Lies & Sin" challenges listeners to think about the values shaping modern society without becoming overly preachy. Musically, New Scrolls stays rooted in folk traditions while pulling inspiration from Americana, country, and classic singer-songwriter storytelling. Every performance feels natural, with live instrumentation giving the album warmth and personality. Rather than chasing modern production trends, Rabasca lets the songs breathe, allowing the lyrics and melodies to remain the focus. The closing stretch leaves a lasting impression. "Love Resounds" celebrates the strength found in lasting relationships before the live version of "Try A Little Kindness" ends the record on an uplifting note that feels especially fitting. New Scrolls is an album that rewards listeners willing to sit with its stories. Honest, grounded, and full of quiet wisdom, Erik Rabasca delivers a collection that reminds us some of the best songs aren't trying to impress; they're simply trying to tell the truth. The title New Scrolls suggests songs can become a record of how we live. What do you hope these "new scrolls" say about this chapter of your life years from now? A record indeed! Under both definitions! The ancient scrolls have always been mysterious to me. They carry study, intention, and a seriousness of their day for future discovery. And songs do that too. Some hit for only a moment; others we go back to time and time again. It's not just the literal word, rhythm and melody—the surface stuff. The mystery's in the energy and intention of a track and the feeling it invokes. Songs carry intention and documents of time, but what are artists saying, and how does that translate to those who want to get under the surface? Enter new song scrolls for those open to deeper listening and reflection. The songs on this album do contain some personal revelations, some clues on how life can be lived and seeing what's important and what's bullshit. But they're also living documents. The more I play them live, the more gets revealed. Paraphrasing Sun Ra... "music is a spiritual language. The state of the world is the state of its music." So I'm finding New Scrolls is more a reflection of the current existence than a personal chapter about me. There’s been way too much emphasis on “me” the last few decades. We need more “we” in hopefully finding a better way forward. That leads into our next question. Many of the songs wrestle with faith, self-reflection, and the state of the world, yet the album never loses its sense of hope. How do you strike that balance between acknowledging life's hardships and offering encouragement? Life is going to kick you in the ass… always and continually. Especially when you least expect it. What's in my control is how I respond. The bad moments will pass, but they teach us fortitude and give an opportunity for growth. And when we stop being willing to learn, that's going to cause suffering. So choosing to approach struggles with kindness and positivity, to ourselves as much as others, is vital for survival. Kindness is the ultimate strength. You describe New Scrolls as a "no-click" album, with live performances and perfectly imperfect takes. Why was it important for you to preserve that human element instead of chasing a more polished sound? Because life is imperfect. Emotions and energy are in constant motion. And how you express yourself when you hit record is all that matters. "Blue Sky" by the Allmans wouldn't give you that feeling of uplift as it speeds up throughout if they were playing to a click! They were playing together!! Today, most producers are too caught up in tech and use formulas that fit into a neat, marketable product. It's rare when warmth or spirit shine through the sameness of most popular songs, regardless of genre. All the "bad" human parts get polished to lifeless perfection in a nice, sanitized, perfect digital box of Hz, instrument balance, and loudness. It's created a lot of experts for content about how music "should" be. But for me, most, not all, but most of music today just sucks. Like AI music sucks and is soulless. I'll spare you the rest of my AI tirade on...but all of it is theft first and then novelty at best. Tracks like "Wise Up," "Rituals, Lies & Sin," and "Try A Little Kindness" encourage listeners to look inward as much as outward. Were you writing these songs for yourself first, or did you always have the audience in mind? My process has widened over the years. There can be intention, or I can just be open to the elements. These songs came through me, and I got out of the way to let them form. It was odd to me that they all fell mostly under the Americana umbrella. I had never written in this style before. I can only write for me and hope it connects. You've opened for Grammy-winning artists, led different musical projects, and now you're fully embracing your identity as a solo Americana artist. What does New Scrolls represent in your evolution, and how does it capture who Erik Rabasca is today? I think it captures growth, comfort, and maturity. I'm definitely older and more gray... (laughs). The album is mature, summarizing everything I've done before from writing to producing and recording. It feels like a book ending and starting a new one at the same time. I'm wide open from here. I'm finding that the better music I make is because I'm working at being a better person. Is that adulting? (laughs)

There are albums that aim to escape reality, and then there are albums that embrace it in all of its contradictions. On Backroom Blight, indie alt-pop rocker Jay Madera leans firmly into the latter, delivering a collection of songs that wrestle with uncertainty while never losing sight of hope. Built on the idea that beauty and hardship coexist, Backroom Blight explores the emotional terrain between grief, self-reflection, reinvention, and acceptance. Madera doesn’t present life as a series of easy answers. Instead, he acknowledges the weight of growing older, letting go of expectations, and learning to find peace in unexpected places. Lead single “Forty Winks” captures that philosophy perfectly. Rather than dwelling on loss, the track reflects the quiet relief that arrives after carrying emotional burdens for far too long. It’s a meditation on waking up to a different version of yourself, where forgiveness, acceptance, and possibility begin to replace fear. That emotional honesty gives the song an understated power that lingers well beyond its runtime. Musically, Backroom Blight balances driving indie rock energy with atmospheric guitars, thoughtful piano arrangements, and moments of folk-inspired intimacy. Co-produced alongside Alexandre Hirlinger, the album never feels confined to one style, allowing each song to find the sonic landscape that best serves its story. What makes Madera’s songwriting particularly compelling is its literary quality. His lyrics invite listeners to sit with uncomfortable questions rather than rush toward easy conclusions, creating an album that rewards repeated listens as new details continue to emerge. Released as his second record with Pop Cautious Records, Backroom Blight feels like another confident step forward for Jay Madera. It’s an album that recognizes the world can be both beautiful and broken at the same time, and reminds us there’s meaning to be found in both. Backroom Blight explores the tension between hope and hardship rather than choosing one over the other. What personal experiences shaped that perspective while writing this album? Getting older and realizing that life never gets easier. It only gets stranger. Everything piles onto each other. You meet new people, live in different places, wear new hats. But it’s all really the same. That ‘sameness in newness’ definitely shapes the mood of Backroom Blight. That sounds depressing, but honestly it’s sort of cathartic to just realize that and let it go. To be present and comforted by the sameness. "Forty Winks" feels like a turning point centered on acceptance and emotional release. Was there a specific moment in your life that inspired the song, or did it evolve from a broader reflection? I wrote the lyrics to Forty Winks while standing at a gas station in the early morning. I had just gotten a terrible night's sleep, like one to two hours max, and I was focused on just getting through the morning. Sometimes when your body isn’t quite functioning, you let everything in your brain go and just focus on the basics. I can’t stress about the daily anxieties when I’m worried about the mechanics of the day. Making my body work. You can feel your brain stem trying to figure out square one. What a relief. Your songwriting often leaves space for listeners to interpret the meaning instead of offering clear answers. Why is ambiguity important to you as a songwriter, and what do you hope people discover in those quieter moments? My songs are rarely about one moment in time, and it’s not so biographical. I try to poke fun at myself, my misfortunes, my good luck, and that’s sometimes hard to pin down. I write observationally, but I also write politically and philosophically. I like facts, I like actual examples, and I like tangible details. But still, I am writing about anything from horrible moments I can't get over to wonderful, funny circumstances I come across. Ambiguity isn’t just how i write, it’s how the world is. There isn’t one day where I’ve woken up and thought, “I’ve got it worked out.” My songs are like those word magnets you break up from the package and spread out all over the fridge. And I like it that way. The album moves fluidly between indie rock, atmospheric pop, folk, and piano-driven arrangements. How did you and Alexandre Hirlinger decide what each song needed sonically to best tell its story? Through the recording process, I explored far more with instrumentation and production than I did with my first album, Anxious Armada. I picked up random instruments in the studio, tried out a lot of things that didn't work, and generally felt unpressured by studio time. That's a huge credit to my co-producer for the album, Alex Hirlinger, who didn't rush me on anything and explored alongside me. We did crazy things like buy an upright piano on Facebook Marketplace for the studio that we wanted for one of the songs, and I learned how to play musical saw for one of the tracks. I took a crack at producing my own tracks too, which was new to me. All of that’s to say, I had no plan. Well, we had a ‘plan,’ but we didn’t have a script. We just dicked around, acted intuitively, and kept what felt right. Now that Backroom Blight is out in the world, what do you hope listeners carry with them after spending time with the album from beginning to end? Every second of our lives matters in tiny imperceptible ways, even when we are sitting around killing time. It’s dumb and also special at the same time: brushing our teeth, commuting to work, going out to dinner, watching a movie. Some moments are shinier than others, more complete or less. Realize their beauty and feel their power in the moment.

London-based singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Nicol River continues to carve out a distinctive space between contemporary folk and jazz with "Human Being," a deeply introspective composition that reflects years of artistic exploration. While the track has become one of River's defining works, it also marks the moment she believes she truly discovered her own musical voice, blending global influences with thoughtful songwriting to create something entirely her own. Rather than chasing convention, "Human Being" unfolds with patience and intention. A melodic bass line anchors the song as subtle touches of Indian classical music, including the rhythmic pulse of the tabla and expressive guitar phrasing inspired by the sitar, give the arrangement an organic sense of movement. The result is a composition that feels expansive without becoming overwhelming, allowing every musical choice to serve the song's emotional core. Lyrically, River reflects on identity, purpose, and spiritual awakening through a lens that feels philosophical without becoming inaccessible. Her warm contralto vocal carries the weight of each lyric with quiet confidence, inviting listeners into a space of reflection rather than offering easy answers. The gradual build toward the song's uplifting conclusion mirrors its central message: embracing uncertainty while remaining open to personal transformation. What makes "Human Being" especially compelling is its authenticity. River has shared that the song evolved over three years, emerging through intuition rather than strict musical theory. That organic creative process is evident throughout the recording, giving the track an honesty that resonates long after the final note. As both an accomplished educator and an artist committed to meaningful expression, Nicol River continues to prioritize substance over trends. "Human Being" is a beautifully crafted reminder that some of the most rewarding musical journeys begin not with certainty, but with curiosity, self-discovery, and a willingness to keep evolving.

Firerose continues her musical journey in the next chapter with "Love Knows How," a heartfelt pop ballad. Following the release of songs centered on resilience and self-discovery, her latest single shifts the focus toward what comes after survival, offering a message of healing, grace, and learning to trust again. Built around a simple yet powerful chorus, "Love Knows How" explores the slow process of putting a broken heart back together. Rather than promising quick fixes, Firerose acknowledges that healing takes time. The song speaks to anyone who has experienced loss, betrayal, or emotional pain, reminding listeners that even life's deepest wounds don't have to define the future. Vocally, Firerose delivers one of her most personal performances to date. Her voice carries a quiet strength that never feels forced, allowing the emotion behind every lyric to come through naturally. The production stays understated, giving the song space to breathe while creating an atmosphere that feels both intimate and uplifting. The accompanying music video adds another layer to the story. Directed by Firerose herself, it features her painting a shattered heart that is carefully restored with gold, inspired by the Japanese art of kintsugi. It's a fitting visual for a song built around the idea that our scars don't have to be hidden; they can become part of what makes us stronger. What makes "Love Knows How" stand out is its honesty. Firerose doesn't pretend healing is easy, nor does she ignore the pain that comes before it. Instead, she focuses on the hope that can grow from difficult experiences, creating a song that feels comforting without becoming overly sentimental. With "Love Knows How," Firerose continues to prove that some of the most meaningful pop songs aren't driven by spectacle but by truth. It's a moving reminder that while heartbreak may change us, love still has the power to rebuild what once felt beyond repair. “Love Knows How" explores what comes after surviving heartbreak. Was there a specific moment in your life when you realized healing had truly begun, and how did that shape this song? Healing from abuse is a specific and acute kind of heartbreak to heal from. You’re literally learning to trust yourself again, and you’re also learning to accept that your heart itself, was used as a weapon to hurt you by someone who intended to do so. That harsh reality takes time to process. I wrote Love Knows How about that long healing journey, and how although you can’t change what’s happened to you, you can choose not to let those scars define you. You can, in fact, use the wisdom that the deepest cuts gave you to help others survive what you did. The music video uses the image of a broken heart restored with gold, inspired by kintsugi. Why did that symbolism resonate so deeply with your own story, and what do you hope viewers take away from it? I always felt that kintsugi was one of the most beautiful artistic representations of beauty from ashes. I’m an artist to my core, and there’s nothing more powerful to me than being able to creatively alchemize something that was intended to destroy us, and turn it into something meaningful instead. That’s gold to me. It means the world to me when I hear from people that my music is inspiring them to get through the impossible. It was so fun to get to paint for the first time in one of my videos too! I’m honored that the imagery is resonating with others’ souls. Your recent releases have formed a powerful arc, from finding your own strength to choosing faith and now embracing healing. Was that progression intentional, or did these songs naturally reveal themselves in that order? I’d love to say it was intentional, but it’s really just the natural evolution of my artistic process. Ever since I can remember, I wrote songs to process life, always seeking a deeper understanding and the meaning behind the things we go through. My recent releases, Shining Armor, Do Not Be Afraid, and now Love Knows How, tell a very personal story that only the raw truth can. I’m always searching for some wisdom and the silver lining in anything, no matter how dark. That’s just my optimistic nature, so it’s very much reflected in my lyrics and melodies. I always create with the intention of uplifting others. You've started speaking more openly about your personal experiences and have built a community of people who relate to your story. How has hearing from other survivors influenced your songwriting and your purpose as an artist? I struggle to find words strong enough to express how truly much it means to me when I hear from so many survivors that my art is having a direct impact on their lives. Hearing that sharing my story is helping them find courage to leave their abusers, survive, and hope again is profound. With thousands of survivors relating, I feel a great responsibility because one of the common things about abuse is that your voice is purposefully taken from you. So by using my voice again to speak truth, write truth, and sing truth, to be a voice for the voiceless, it’s an honor that I take very seriously. Many artists write about heartbreak, but "Love Knows How" focuses on restoration instead of the pain itself. Why was it important for you to tell the story of what comes after the hardest chapter, rather than staying in it? I believe that our broken parts can either destroy us or become fuel to empower us. The excruciating things we never thought we’d survive, with a lot of hard work, faith, and resilience, can become our most relatable and transformative testimony. I’ve made it through some extremely hard seasons in my life, some that lasted years and at the time looked like they’d be the end of me. The fact that now I’m in a better place than ever, creating every day and only just getting started, is nothing short of a miracle. No matter how insanely dark it’s gotten, I never stopped reaching for the light. That’s what I want people to feel when they hear my music: the relentless pursuit of divine light.

In an era where music often competes for attention through volume and speed, Douyé takes the opposite approach. On Stay With Me, the internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist embraces the quiet power of timeless songwriting, delivering an album that feels both deeply personal and universally inviting. Built around themes of love, hope, vulnerability, and human connection, Stay With Me captures the essence of jazz as a living conversation rather than a museum piece. Douyé's expressive vocal delivery never overshadows the songs themselves. Instead, she allows every lyric to breathe, creating performances rooted in sincerity, warmth, and emotional nuance. What makes the album particularly compelling is its accessibility. While longtime jazz listeners will appreciate its respect for the genre's rich traditions, newcomers will find an inviting entry point through elegant arrangements and heartfelt storytelling. Rather than reinventing jazz, Douyé reminds listeners why its emotional honesty continues to resonate across generations. Her artistic vision is perhaps best summarized in her own words: "I hope people walk away reminded that great jazz never loses its ability to connect us." That philosophy echoes throughout every performance, making Stay With Me feel less like a collection of recordings and more like an intimate shared experience. With the album's release, Douyé continues to establish herself as one of contemporary jazz's most authentic voices. Fans will also have the opportunity to experience these songs live when she performs in Redondo Beach, California, on July 11, where the intimacy and emotional depth of Stay With Me are likely to resonate even more powerfully.

Toronto artist Keeymo is entering a defining chapter of his career with the release of "RAT50," a deeply personal new single that arrives as he continues building momentum following his distribution deal with Authentic Empire Global alongside industry executive Boomman. More than just another release, "RAT50" signals an artist leaning fully into vulnerability while refusing to let life's obstacles interrupt his creative momentum. Inspired by the collapse of a real-life friendship, "RAT50" transforms betrayal into an introspective record that examines loyalty, trust, and the emotional aftermath of discovering someone was never truly in your corner. The title itself references a former friend whose actions permanently shifted Keeymo's perspective, giving the record an authenticity that immediately cuts through. Produced by Andre Mina, the instrumental creates an uneasy atmosphere that mirrors the weight of the story without overwhelming it. Dark textures, restrained melodies, and hard-hitting percussion provide the perfect backdrop for Keeymo's reflective delivery, allowing every lyric to land with purpose. Rather than relying solely on aggression, he balances frustration with moments of self-awareness, making the record feel far more layered than a typical betrayal anthem. What makes "RAT50" resonate is its emotional honesty. Instead of glorifying conflict, Keeymo focuses on the difficult lessons that betrayal leaves behind. His performance carries the conviction of someone documenting lived experience rather than simply telling a story, giving the song a level of credibility that can't be manufactured. For an artist still carving out his place in hip-hop, "RAT50" feels like an important statement. It's raw without feeling reckless, introspective without losing its edge, and ultimately positions Keeymo as an artist whose strongest music comes from telling the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. "RAT50" is rooted in a real friendship that fell apart. At what point did you realize this experience needed to become a song rather than remain a personal chapter of your life? It became a song the second I saw everything for what it really was. Being on house arrest for 11 months, you ain’t got nothing but time to watch people move. That’s when the fake starts separating itself from the real. People who swore they were solid started switching up and going back on their own word. That told me everything I needed to know. I don’t really do the back-and-forth. I’d rather put it in the music and let the record speak. RAT50 is me getting that off my chest from my point of view. The message is simple: your homie ain’t always your homie. Loyalty gets talked about every day, but when pressure hits, that’s when you find out who’s really built like that.This record came from a real place. I lived it, I felt it, and I turned it into something people can hear every time they press play. Loyalty is one of the biggest themes throughout the record. How has your definition of loyalty changed since the events that inspired "Rat50," both personally and professionally? My definition of loyalty got a lot smaller. I used to think loyalty was what people said. Now I judge it by what they do when things get ugly. Anybody can be around when everything’s going right. It’s different when you’re on house arrest, when life slows down, and people don’t get nothing out of being around you. That’s when you see who’s really locked in. Personally, I move different now. My circle got smaller, but it’s real. Professionally, it’s the same. The production creates a dark, uneasy atmosphere that perfectly matches the lyrics. What was the creative process like working with Andre Mina to make sure the emotion of the story came through sonically? Working with Andre Mina was easy because he understood the energy I was trying to bring before I even had to overexplain it. I told him I didn’t want the beat to sound comfortable; I wanted it to feel like the situation. Dark, tense, and like something was always about to happen. The sound is underground, but it’s also something fresh. We weren’t chasing trends. We wanted people to feel the emotion before they even caught every word. That’s what makes RAT50 hit different. You're releasing new music during a particularly challenging period in your life. How has creating music helped you stay focused, and has this chapter changed the kind of artist you want to become? Music kept me locked in when everything else around me felt out of my control. Being on house arrest can either break you or make you sharper. For me, it became fuel; Instead of letting the situation define me, I put it into the music.This chapter definitely changed me as an artist. I’m not interested in making records just to make records anymore. I want every song to mean something. I want people to hear my music and know it’s coming from somebody who’s actually lived what he’s talking about. At the end of the day, RAT50 isn’t just about one situation; it’s about growth. It’s about seeing people for who they are, staying solid, and keeping your eyes on where you’re headed. That’s why one of my favorite lines is, “These dudes mess with cops, I’m messing with Nashville.” While everybody else is caught up in their own moves, I’m focused on taking my music to the next level. "RAT50" feels like more than just a song about betrayal. It's also about resilience and moving forward. If listeners take away one message after hearing it, what do you hope stays with them long after the music ends? I hope people walk away realizing that not every loss is really a loss. Sometimes people remove themselves from your life, and that’s a blessing in disguise. Everybody isn’t meant to go where you’re headed.