There is great humility (and opportunity for personal growth) in the realization that you’ve messed up.
Stefan Heuer investigates his side of the conflict on “I’ve Done Wrong,” a slick, gorgeous piece of modern pop featuring a verse from UMC UnderDogFoundation Mecca.
Produced by Fabian Balz and Porter Hall, “I’ve Done Wrong” is a contrite mid-tempo tune which calls to mind the sleepless nights we’ve all spent, ruminating on things unsaid and the ways we’ve fallen short. Heuer — with an assist from the Heal Hop architect — provides us all with an opportunity to reflect, while acknowledging that accountability, self-reflection, and forgiveness are all necessary stops on the road to reconciliation.
At press time, “I’ve Done Wrong” has already accumulated nearly 10,000 total in just four days after its release. Once you listen, we have a feeling you’ll want to run those numbers up even more!
A brand-new era of Yonna Jones’ artistry begins with the bright promise of a new day.
“SUNRISE” is an affirming anthem that encourages us toward seeing a life full of possibility. The new single is the first of a new batch of “movement music” from the Chicago native (and NEXT2RISE artist), who aims to motivate and inspire with messages of perseverance.
And, with empowering lyrics like these, it’s safe to say that Yonna has hit the intended target with this one:
“Everything that you need is right in front of you. I know you don’t want to lose. We chase the ‘W’. I was sitting, wondering what my life was coming to Until I chose to open up and let the light shine through.”
Sonically, “SUNRISE” spreads its golden light upon us with a blend of pop and hip hop, complete with clean, jangly guitars and shimmering melodies. Let it brighten up your day!
So many times in my life, I have sat on a New York City subway, off to a show or a restaurant. I’ve often sat back and wondered what it would be like to have a lived experience in New York, with all the love, joy, and heartbreak.
Haley Ganis is an artist who has lived and performed in New York City, and has experienced the city’s culture. Her single, “NNYC,” is the perfect kind of tasteful pop song that only someone who had a life in New York could write.
“Don’t wanna take the 6 train home Window reflections swear I see your ghost I can’t avoid our inside jokes Eight million people and I’m still alone.”
With those lyrics, Ganis perfectly sets the tone, illustrating all of those routines you develop with another person — the car and train rides, always going to the same destinations. In an instant, these memories can be tainted by a breakup. You can hear that pain in Ganis’ vocals, over the backdrop of synths and a strummed guitar before the band comes in.
On the song, Ganis says “The day I wrote this, I was really missing New York City, but was also reminded of a major breakup I went through while living there. During the writing process, I loved sorting through my feelings and having New York as the backdrop of it all. My co-writer and producer, Dylan Maloney, helped finish the song with me, and I hope listeners enjoy what we did.”
Music this good doesn’t just happen. Ganis is a skilled songwriter, and has such musical capacity that you can hear the years of work she has spent on her craft. This might best be exemplified when the song is just her and a piano, which I will let the listener experience for themselves.
“‘Cause you got to keep the good things East side, Goodnight Sonny Apartment and the grocery store But New York isn’t yours.”
(Perhaps, in another timeline, I too am walking around New York City post-breakup, dodging bright city lights while walking past bodegas, trying to find a path to my new home in a new side of town…)
Haley Ganis wrote a stellar piece of music with “NNYC,” and I will be playing it on repeat. The tune is a part of a number of singles she will release before dropping her album in October. Keep an eye out for it!
TONIGHT! We’re going live from 7-9 p.m. for the first-ever UnderDogs Across Borders benefit concert. Join us as we present a genre-diverse interstate lineup featuring independent artists from within the Underground Music Collective community.
By supporting UnderDogs Across Borders, you are empowering UMC to open the gateway to even greater collaboration. Your support bolsters UMC’s presence at major conferences and festivals in North America and Europe, while helping us build a stronger, more sustainable music industry that is ripe with fresh opportunities for our artists.
There are moments in life that call for us to push past our fears and limitations.
For these moments, we have “Anymore” — the smoldering new cinematic pop single from Bailey Cole. The contemplative new tune — described by Cole as “a declaration of self-worth and a reminder that growth means letting go of the fear that used to define you” — features Cole’s smoky vocals calling to us over a thoughtfully layered, atmospheric soundscape. The lyrics float through the ether with a palpable tension, not unlike the inner conflict that arises in us all before a major breakthrough.
“’Anymore’ is a personal reckoning—a song about the moment you realize you’re finally getting somewhere in life, and that quiet fear creeps in,” Cole said. “What if I lose it all again? It’s about refusing to let the past steal joy from your present.”
“Anymore” was produced by Adam Clark, mixed by Grammy-winner Mikaelin “Blue” Bluespruce (Solange, Nas), and mastered by Idania Valencia at Sterling Sound. It is the latest installment of Chapter 1, a series of singles that is set for a full project re-release later this year. Listen to it below, as you sttep away from your fears and into your power!
Brooke Martin confronts that question on “cross that line,” a groovy, upbeat new tune with melancholy undertones. Produced by GRAMMY-winning producer Chris Penny, the single’s shimmering pop soundscape juxtaposes adeptly with the sobering reality of a spark between two people that now struggles to ignite.
“To me, “cross that line” is such a fun, upbeat song—but the lyrics are quite sad when you really listen,” Martin said. “It’s about two people who love each other but are starting to realize they might not be right for each other anymore. There’s still hope—they’re trying to find their way back to the happiness they once had.”
“cross that line” was the first song written for Martin’s forthcoming EP, which is expected to drop later this September.
For now… go on. Cross that line. But once you do, there’s no turning back…
Of all the bangers you’ll find on the first-ever edition of our Poppin’ Off playlist — and there are plenty — we want to dig a little deeper into one that is definitely worth another listen.
Streamers The Band — the orchestral pop project founded by brothers Kie and Bee Kelly — hit streaming platforms back in August with “Don’t Look Back, Love.” A retro-inspired summer anthem, the refreshingly bright single stands out in any season, with shimmering keys and a spirited melody which capture the feeling of falling hard and fast, without a care in the world!
‘”Don’t Look Back, Love’ describes the feelings of first love, and how it separates someone you love from the crowd,” the band states.
The glistening tune is also the one that brought these Omaha, Nebraska natives to prominence. An original demo of the song has garnered more than 1.5 million Spotify streams to date, which let the Brothers Kelly know that they had an idea worth expanding upon.
“For our debut EP, we tracked an all-new version of the song, re-recorded with a 60-piece orchestra and full backing band,” they noted.
Don’t look back; new days are love and possibility are ahead. Let Streamers The Band show you the way!
What better way to head into the weekend, than with the playlist that promises — and delivers — big sounds and even bigger hooks!
The boundaries of pop music have once again become blurred. Independent pop artists from all over the world are innovating, combining catchy melodies and slick production with subtle nuances that will excite even the most seasoned listener. Our debut edition of Poppin’ Off! captures many such moments, leaving you with an hour’s worth of musical memories, sure to stick in your mind long past the weekend.
Track listing CMAGIC5 – Rock Paper Scissors Alis Vibe – Body as a Vessel Sid Seth – Wave Emma Driver – Try Hard znels – future now Daniel Arci – In My Dreams Allison Leah – Meet Me in the Garden Harris Hills – HATE Alew – Loophole Brooke Martin – bad guy Lawrence D. – Runaway (virtues) – U. The Silent Room – Veins Mary Jennings ft. Fame & Fiction – Take a Number Streamers The Band – Don’t Look Back, Love Lo Fi Ho Hum – Boundaries Charity Bliss – joy algorithm TEHYA – trap door JULEZ – Hey There Linn Holmes – Baby Blue
Welcome to 2024, where real life is never quite as perfect as the images we portray.
KJ Wild are here with a timely (and timeless) reminder to look behind the filter on “Red Hot Magazine Girl.” The alt-pop duo — comprised of powerhouse indie artists Kiki Halliday and Jon Worthy — wrote this song as a critique on the tendency of modern society and its influencers to post only about life’s good parts, painting an unrealistic picture of life, love, success, and happiness.
“We always see smiles, celebrations, amazing achievements, and pictures displaying a sense that nothing is ever wrong in a person’s life — but truly, that couldn’t be further from the truth,” Worthy said. “Nothing is as glamorous as it seems, and a lot of people in modern society feel the need to make everything seem perfect. So, this song is us calling out those people that live for the picture and not the moment; the people that always have to share that smiling picture in front of the beautiful sunset, even though minutes before, they were potentially scrolling on their phone, comparing themselves to their peers.”
“Red Hot Magazine Girl” was built on an acoustic foundation, and was written and produced entirely by the band. The song’s structure and infectious melody offer a nostalgic nod to rock and roll’s early days, while its hazy indie rock ambiance lends a modern, youthful energy to the final product.
If you’re in Nashville, come out to The 5 Spot on Sunday, November 3 to hear KJ Wild perform this one live (and while you wait, treat yourself to a preview…)
Raise your hand if you’ve ever ignored the red flags in a relationship.
If you put your hand up, Nashville-based pop artist Brooke Martin has something fresh for you. Her new single, “Bad Guy,” is a mellow cautionary tale about what it means to ignore the warning signs.
The project began when Australian-based producer Mark “New Haven” Benedicto (Imagine Dragons) reached out to Martin via TikTok. After they connected, Martin teamed up with co-writers Colleen Francis, Tom Pino, and John Frank to bring the idea to life.
“I’m very excited about this song,” Martin said. “It’s my first release with Mark, so when messaged me and wanted to work with me, I jumped at the chance. He’s an amazing producer. And his timing was perfect, because I had a song idea I thought would resonate with every girl who ignores the red flags in relationships.”
If you’re looking for more where this came from, you won’t have to wait long. Martin is working on a forthcoming EP Billboard-charting producer and artist Andrew Kirk and Grammy-winning producer Chris Penny, set for release in 2025.
