DEBBY FRIDAY is sharing the incredible official video directed by herself and Kevan Funk for ‘WHAT A MAN,’ a standout from GOOD LUCK, her full-length debut, available now worldwide on Sub Pop. In a statement for the video, DEBBY FRIDAY offers this: “The ‘WHAT A MAN’ music video is loosely based on the famous essay, Ways of Seeing, by English art critic John Berger as well as paintings by the Italian Baroque painter, Artemisia Gentileschi (in particular, her iconic work “Judith Slaying Holofernes”). In 1972, Berger released “Ways of Seeing” as both a television series via the BBC and a book. Both the series and the text function as image-based explorations of the depiction of women in Western art and culture. This work has been massively influential in cultural theory, as it introduced the concept of “the male gaze”. Gentileschi is distinctive for being one of the only female professional artists of her era. Her paintings draw from myths and Biblical stories and almost always feature women as protagonists and equals to men. Arguably her most famous work, Judith Slaying Holofernes, is thought to be a self-portrait that depicts her as Judith slaying a Holofernes who resembles Agostino Tassi, a man who raped her when she was 17. Both the essay and the paintings served as frameworks for the video. The same way that Gentileschi painted herself into images of other women is the same way I feel that every woman can see ourselves in much of Gentileschi’s story and her work. To be a woman and an artist in this world is to be, in a way, a shapeshifter. You take on the shape of whatever and whoever is looking at you – whether that be a camera, a phone, a lover, a thief, a killer. Always and all at once, you are a spectacle, a flower, a treasure, a ditch, a bitch, a miracle. When I look at Artemisia’s paintings, I feel myself transported and transformed into the emotional field of Judith, of Jael, of Susanna. Her hand is my hand, her sword is my sword, her pain is my pain. I have always identified with women who were wild and brazen – survivors, people who exist and persist despite. I have always looked up to women who were willing to be ‘bad’ in the name of living thoroughly.”

Multihyphenate creator Nicole Daddona, who performs as FRIDAY, has shared her new single and video ‘Dear God.’ Daddona reclaims her emotions in the grunged-out ballad that slowly builds before devolving into an all-out rocker. The accompanying video by Daddona’s production company Magic Society Pictures shows FRIDAY dressed up as a crying, cigarette-smoking clown as she takes over an empty indoor children’s entertainment facility. “‘Dear God’ is a grunge-pop song with deep emotions that delves into the themes of self-sabotage and sacrifice,” Daddona says. “It explores the concept of willingly setting oneself up for disaster, even if it causes pain, in order to protect yourself or someone else. The song acknowledges the difficulty of doing the right thing, which often requires walking away from someone or something you love and trusting the unknown. Sometimes, making a mess and looking like a fool is necessary to move forward. The lyrics read like a personal diary entry, expressing the sadness and emotional aftermath of a tough decision. My hope is that the song provides a cathartic outlet for those moments when you need to release some pent-up anger or sadness – ideally over In-N-Out Burger.” Through her whimsical and eclectic solo musical project, FRIDAY explores themes of love and loss with a touch of nostalgia and DIY aesthetics, all heard across a unique sound that she describes as “Harry Nilsson meets Nirvana.”

Tribe Friday has released the official music video for new single ‘Swimsuit’ off their upcoming sophomore album, Hemma. The 80’s styled iridescent track mastered by Stephen Marcussen (The Rolling Stones, Nirvana, Cher) touches upon bouts of survivor’s guilt and self reflection. Bolstered by a driving beat, the music video sets the stage for an explosive chorus that channels pent-up frustrations stemming from loss, built up anxieties and regret. Blurring the line between dream and reality, the evocative vocals paired with the fantastical visualization of losing a loved one creates for a heartfelt, cathartic release with their signature bubble-gum emo charm. Singer and guitarist Noah Deutschmann said: “This video expands on some of the themes in the song – survivor’s guilt, unhealthy relationships, addiction, that sort of thing. I love the way Benjamin, Klara and Carl interpreted these ideas and made them come to life. We’re usually hesitant to give away creative control to other people, but I don’t think we could’ve found a better fit this time around. Bonus points to actor Johanna for actually eating that shrimp+fizzy pop jello cake with a straight face. Watch the video and you’ll see – it’s quite impressive.”

One of the busiest bands at SXSW was Be Your Own Pet, the indie-sleaze-era garage-punk band who blasted out of Nashville as teenagers in the mid-aughts, released two wild albums in two years, and quickly broke up in 2008. The band played their first show in 14 years last spring, and after gigging relentlessly at this month’s Austin music marathon they’re back with their first song in 15. ‘Hand Grenade’ races directly back to that BYOP sweet spot of ragged, unhinged rock ‘n’ roll and danceable howl-along pop. Jemina Pearl’s chorus is mightily catchy without shifting out of riotous shouting mode: “I’m not your victim/ I’m my own person/ I’m not some casualty/ I set myself free!” Pearl’s comment on the track: “’Hand Grenade’ started out as a threat to the people who harmed me, that I will make them suffer as I have suffered. But the song grew like a mirror to my own grief process, through anger, denial, sorrow. In the end I gain my power back not through violence, but through self acceptance and rejection of the labels others might put on me. I define myself, no one else.” Below, watch the ‘Hand Grenade’ video, directed by BYOP drummer John Eatherly and shot on an iPhone in a basement. [via Stereogum]

Emerging rockstar Lina Maxine explores her softer side with the release of her new Power-Pop single, ‘EADGBE (Crying Guitar)’. ‘EADGBE (Crying Guitar)’ is the US-based artist’s most intimate song to date, and it’s woven together brilliantly by Lina Maxine’s husky vocals, poetic lyrics and haunting melodies. The song feels like a diary entry, and opens with cinematic chords before transitioning into a lush guitar part and syrupy backing vocals, leading up to a striking slap bass groove in the chorus. The result is a massive banger with Rock and Trap influences that more than lives up to its expectations. And with a neo-gothic music video, Lina delivers a dramatic visual experience to reflect the song’s sultry and vulnerable depths. With production credits to Lina and her musical partner Dean Aladay, the song was also mixed by the pair and recorded in New York in the summer of 2022. Speaking about her sound, Lina says, “I love riffs, I love soaring top lines, and I love the song to be more of a roller coaster than a train ride.” [via Music Crowns]

Global superstar and multi-award-winning songwriter Tones And I has shared a new standalone single titled ‘I Am Free.’ Commenting on the new song, Tones And I shared, “‘I Am Free’ is a song about relationships in my life, that have ended. It’s about self-reflecting on those relationships, acknowledging that I still carry parts of them with me and taking my share of responsibility for what happened. I wrote the song, composed it, co-produced it, and recorded it with my choir and an orchestra. I also wrote and co-directed the film clip and wanted it to be powerful, joyful and anthemic.” [via Broadway World]

Mango In Euphoria has shared the video for her single ‘Hollywood’. ‘Hollywood’ is a dark electronic piece that had its first lines written at the start of 2022 after the artist spent the night at a hotel with a producer from Los Angeles. LA was a city she was always attracted to, in a weird way, but low-key felt dangerous to her soul. The first time the artist visited the city of angels was in March 2019 and she can still remember seeing the selling glamour but also quite a few people lost in the streets. Although the song contains references that are personal and real, ‘Hollywood’ is written in an exaggerated way. It’s to target anyone who would want to make it so bad that they’re ready to be corrupted. She explains further: “For this track, I really wanted to do an electronic mix of the music I listen to the most and grew up with : my first reference sounds were in the tracklist of Tron Legacy’s 2010 soundtrack album produced by Daft Punk. I really wanted to include this « Arcade Game feeling ». Hollywood both sounded futuristic and goth in my head when I first wrote it, so I later decided that I wanted an electronic bass like Mystic Grizzly (an artist that I absolutely love that I discovered last summer) to make love to it.”

King Isis (they/she), the latest signing on Dirty Hit alongside independent label No Matter, has released their debut EP scales. The EP arrives with new focus track ‘i’m fine, thx 4 asking’, that builds upon the indie rock futurism laid down in previous singles ‘taste of u’, ‘in my ways’ and’ 4leaf clover’. King Isis’ debut EP is a stunning exploration into self-discovery and affirmation. Their expressive vocals transition from the acquiescent to symphonic across its 6-tracks and they naturally lean into elemental themes of nature and balance with an emotional depth that far surpasses their years. Speaking on the apathetic focus track ‘i’m fine, thx 4 asking’, King Isis explains: “‘I’m fine thx 4 asking’ comes from moments of self-doubt and self-destruction, traversing through a place of hopelessness to hopefulness. This slump is expressed through the verses, like a cloud of dissociation, but then you’re slapped in the face with a punchy chorus that represents a breakthrough moment of clarity and realization. So now you’re kinda like wait — I think I can get through this — I know it’s gonna take a lot of work but I swear I can do this. It is the moment of realizing that you have the agency to let go of your demons and work with your shadows, not against them.”

Five-time Grammy nominee Chlöe has released her debut album In Pieces via Parkwood/Columbia Records/RCA. Over three years in the making, the fan-demanded project showcases songs written, arranged and executive produced by Chlöe. The 14-track album features collaborations from Missy Elliott, Future and Chris Brown. Launching alongside the album is the official video for ‘Cheatback’ featuring Future and a cameo by Joey Bada$$. The visual finds Chlöe flipping the script on her cheating ex and instead of getting mad, she decides to get even, giving him a taste of his own medicine.

She’s the voice behind radio anthems ‘Stay The Night’ (with Sigala) and ‘Sweet Lies’ (with Nathan Dawes) but now Talia Mar is going it alone and has released self-worth anthem ‘Self-Portrait’. The video, directed by Kassandra Powell, sees Talia reflect on herself through a series of mirrors, glass, crystals and TV screens – acting as a metaphor for when a toxic relationship can make you not recognise who you’ve become and remembering you need to put yourself first and not lose sight of the bad bitch you really are. She said: “I really love it because of the sentiment. It’s an anthem but it has a heartfelt end to it, so you can get the feels. Self-love moments are the most important. That’s where I am right now mentally.”

In the midst of playing her first ever run of US headline shows, girli has announced her brand new highly-anticipated EP. why am i like this?? will arrive on May 12, and include previously released singles, ‘Imposter Syndrome’ and ‘I Really F**ked It Up,’ plus the unheard ‘Inner Child’. Continuing on her unapologetically pop-laden path, girli has also released her new single, ‘Cheap Love.’ The track culminates in a rapturous sing-along chorus, which is already going down a storm live. Written retrospectively by girli, the song explores the beautiful innocence of teen love and not being concerned about being materialistic. ‘Cheap Love’ is the third single to be taken from the forthcoming EP, and follows in the successful footsteps of the previously released singles. “I wrote ‘Cheap Love’ about my first ever relationship I was in, when I was still a teenager,” explains girli. “It’s about being in love on a budget; not having loads of money to take each other out for expensive dinners, or even having a car to pick them up in, but it doesn’t matter because being in love makes you feel richer than anyone else. It’s a love song to love; even if you do have the money to do those things, most of the time it’s not the cash being spent that makes it special, its actually just the time you get with that person that matters the most.” Teaming up once again with director Kassandra Powell, girli has revealed the high-octane video. The playful and sensual visuals see the London-based artist tearing around a warehouse on the back of a motorbike, driven by her love interest.

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Back in 2019, the twangy punk band Rodeo Boys released their debut album, Cherry, and they followed it up a year later with the stray single ‘Dog Leg.’ Now, the Lansing, Michigan group have announced a new album, Home Movies, their first for Don Giovanni Records. They’re sharing the gnarled, catchy lead single ‘Sugar,’ a chugging showcase for vocalist Tiff Hannay’s melodious growl. “How can I make it up to you?/ Could have been anyone else/ Well, it’s the least that I could do/ But I just can’t get through to myself,” Hannay sings. Watch a video below. [via Stereogum]

LA mystic-rock mainstay Death Valley Girls share their final empowering title-track ‘Islands in the Sky’ accompanied by a haunting visual directed by Dylan Greenberg. The band’s new LP Islands in the Sky is out now via Suicide Squeeze Records and the band are set to tour across the UK this February and March. About the track, lead-member Bonnie Bloomgarden offers: “We wrote ‘Islands in the Sky ‘for our future selves, hoping that if we can share the secrets we have learned from this life, and all our past lives, we wouldn’t have to suffer or feel alone again in our next carnations! You are not becoming the best version of yourself, you are and always have been, the highest and best you, eternally! You may have forgotten from societal programming, how you were raised, trauma, or ancestral circumstances, but as you grow, try to remember that the highest version of you, is cheering you on! Sending you messages to pay attention to your intuition and trust yourself. To love yourself. And to never forget… From director, Dylan Greenberg on the video: “When Bonnie approached me about making a video for this song, I was excited because the song connected with me immediately. The music and lyrics have a beautiful, melancholy optimism that called to mind a certain timelessness found in work by the Sherman Brothers and the late Burt Bacharach, with a rock/punk edge. The video was made remotely, so I wanted to put together an immersive digital environment for the band and the ghosts to be able to move in. My partner and I dressed in all black and wore ghost costumes they made and double exposed them into the video. It’s an effect that’s been done since the dawn of special effects by pioneers like George Melies, but with the benefit of digital effects allowing me to control them with a virtual camera. I wanted to make sure the movement, tone and visuals all matched the “spirit” (no pun intended) of the song and had a flowing, optimistic energy that I felt emanated from the music.”

Musician and singer-songwriter Lina Maxine releases her latest track ‘LET ME’, launching the next exciting phase of her career with an anthemic pop-rock song guaranteed to captivate listeners with its universal message and up-tempo, power punk musical heart. Lina explains, “Inspired by the great 007 anthems, ‘LET ME’ is about the power of human embrace in the face of adversity, with commanding lyrics conveying strength and drawing people closer together. I wanted to kick off 2023 with a passionate song that offers emotional support to listeners, eliciting hope and a real sense of connection to music, and to each other.” The track opens with a stripped-back, subdued intro, with warm piano chords supporting Lina’s husky, power ballad vocal. ‘LET ME’ then picks up the pace with steel-stringed guitar riffs, energetic bass, hi-octane drums and raw electric strums allowing Lina’s effortless, rockstar vocals to shine. The track intersects genres, gliding through nostalgia-tinged pop with elements of acoustic prog rock and punk expertly thrown into the mix. Written, produced, recorded and mixed in-house by Lina Maxine and Dean Aladay, ‘LET ME’ showcases Lina’s modern rockstar energy alongside an intelligence and musicality that transcends the stage. Mastering the spotlight in both live and recording studio environments, Lina continues to grow her international fanbase, building her close community of ‘Nerd-n-Roll’ addicts.

Multi-instrumentalist and producer Madison McFerrin announced her debut album, I Hope You Can Forgive Me, due out on May 12. Madison produced most of the album herself, and it includes a feature from her father, Bobby McFerrin. The first taste of the album comes from new single ‘(Please Don’t) Leave Me Now,’ an alluring R&B/pop track Madison wrote following a severe car accident. It was produced by Andrew Lappin and is accompanied by a music video directed by Kemp Baldwin. Madison explains: “Being able to walk away from a near-death experience without physical harm is one of the greatest blessings I’ve received in this life. It reaffirmed my purpose as an artist. Writing ‘(Please Don’t) Leave Me Now’ became an incredibly therapeutic and cathartic experience. Being able to express that kind of fear while still creating a fun environment was key to making this song. Death showed up in more ways than one in the process of making this video. In the weeks leading up to the shoot, multiple family members on the production side passed unexpectedly, bringing our plans to a halt. The fate of the video was in flux. Thanks to the tenacity of my team, we were able to regroup and move forward, albeit with a delay. For the video, we wanted to capture the feeling of not being prepared to die. I’m talking to myself both above and within the grave, grieving both who I was and who I could be. I didn’t expect being in a grave for multiple hours in a day would affect me, but it definitely contributed to my journey in processing a near-death experience. This song and video are a manifestation of my own personal growth as not only a musician, but as a human.” [via Brooklyn Vegan]

Prima Queen have announced their debut EP Not The Baby. Set for release on May 3 via Big Indie Records, the duo have described the EP as a reflection on their own feelings and the feelings of those closest to them. “We’ve both experienced a lot of change in the past few years and since we write all our songs together we’re usually drawn to write about our parallel experiences,” Louise Macphail and Kristin McFadden explain. “In this EP we explore different types of change – birth & death, leaving & returning – and how it can affect our relationships. It’s a reflection not only on our own feelings but also the feelings of our family, friends and lovers. We’re really excited to finally release a complete body of work, rather than stand alone singles. These songs are meant to be listened to together and we want people to experience the emotional journey that they create.” News of the EP is accompanied by the new single ‘Back Row’, with the duo revealing, “’Back Row’ is about the pain of hurting someone that was really important to you. The EP talks a lot about changes in relationships and this song brings to light how failed relationships can be beautiful in their own way and ultimately make you who you are.” [via Dork]

Creams has shared new single ‘Need To Talk’. The track is fuelled by an urgent sense of energy, yet its intensity is rendered in a hugely positive fashion. Confrontational in the best possible sense, it’s a hyper-stylised piece of left-field pop, experimental while daring to be open. The Tbilisi, Georgia creator leads from the front, cutting through the challenges in her way. The vocal is on-point, the driving passion of her delivery set against emphatic electronics. Creams comments… “Confronting challenges in life, whether it be in relationships or careers, can be interpreted in different ways. However, facing these challenges helps to build strength and resilience. Eyes that consume, a struggle that’s real, and a mind that won’t stop spinning.,This song is like a journey through my feelings and the chaos in my head. This is a raw and honest look at the fight against my inner demons. Are you here alone or with your support system?” Avi Musaifi directs the video, a hypnotic short film shot at Tskaltubo Sanatorium, an abandoned resort in Tskaltubo. [via Clash]

Glasgow dark-pop mistress Lucia & The Best Boys returns with new song ‘When You Dress Up’. The new single is her first piece of music since 2021’s The State Of Things EP, and finds the songwriter doubling down on her evil, twinkling charm. Mid-way between Lana del Rey and Jenny Hval, Lucia & The Best Boys seems to make pop songs for people who think Wednesday Addams is a little on the optimistic side. New single ‘When You Dress Up’ is shrouded in post-midnight glamour, and it represents something of a turning point for the Glasgow artist. She comments… “I’ve known since the first time we played ‘When You Dress Up’ in the studio that it was the first song I wanted people to hear for this turning point in my music. This song resonates deeply with my values as a woman with its unapologetic, empowering energy. For me, this is an evolution from themes I have sung about in the past which underline the weight of the male gaze, and learning not to suppress our own identity for the sake of another person’s version of who we should be.” [via Clash]

For the past few years, the Chicago poet and musician Kara Jackson has popped up as a collaborator on albums from the likes of Sen Morimoto and Lala Lala. After being named the National Youth Poet Laureate in 2019, she released her first collection of original music, the A Song For Every Chamber Of The Heart EP. In the last couple months, Jackson has shared some singles — ‘No Fun/Party,’ ‘Dickhead Blues,’ and ‘Brain’ — from her debut album, which is being officially announced alongside another new song, ‘Pawnshop.’ Why Does The Earth Give Us People To Love? is out in April, and it features production contributions from Nnamdi, Kaina, and Sen Morimoto, who are all part of the same Chicago scene. Jackson cites Nina Simone, Fiona Apple, and Joanna Newsom as influences, and you can hear all of them to varying degrees on ‘Pawnshop’. [via Stereogum]

While ideas of catharsis are explored on the latest single from Dama Scout’s Eva Liu under her moniker mui zyu, ‘Talk to Death’ is far from heavy, upbeat, or otherwise blood-pumping. Instead, she expresses release through a collected and calculated evaluation of a past “putrid” relationship, as she puts it, with the near-ambient and often-surreal instrumentation still recovering from the decayed romance before beginning the next chapter. “It’s about pawning moldy gifts for new beginnings and playing with ideas of the mundane vs. the extraordinary,” she explains. For a more literal reading of the track title, the video’s directors CLUMP Collective show Liu in an administrative setting literally becoming bored to death as a co-worker talks at her about office matters, landing her in hell where she receives a mani from Death himself. “We had loads of fun killing Eva off in mui zyu’s video!” the collective shares. “We sent her to have a chat with the least threatening Death imaginable; expect fabulous nails, chattering teeth, and the return of her beloved peachy pet.” [via Flood]

Lido Pimienta has shared the music video for ‘Te Quería,’ a track from her 2020 LP, Miss Colombia. The video—directed and edited by J. Gallardo Kattah—depicts Pimienta in a fantasy world as “Queen of the Clowns,” dancing with her clown court before being interrupted a sad clown who turns his gun on them. Of the new clip, Pimienta said in a statement: “The visual for ‘Te Quería’ has always been conceived as a story about transformation—about getting right back up, despite having our spirit shut down. ‘Te Quería’ is a song that exposes toxic relationships, power imbalances and the need for some people, particularly those who we love the most, to confuse our generosity for stupidity.” [via Pitchfork]

International pop sensation and Grammy nominee JAIN is unveiling her new single ‘The Fool’ alongside a music video. This marks the first taste of new music following her sophomore album Souldier and her debut album Zanaka. The song is the first off her much-anticipated new album coming this spring on Columbia/Sony Music France. A new chapter for the multi-cultural popstar both personally and artistically, this poetic body of work is inspired by self-empowerment, new chances and beginnings, and the need to overcome one’s fears. Although entirely composed by JAIN and produced by her long-time collaborator Maxim Nucci/Yodelice, she teamed up with some new creatives to elevate her work to a new era. This international pop and folk album chronicles all the stages one goes through when making a fresh start: fear, excitement, innocence, doubts, letting go and epiphany. While the new album draws on artistic influences such as Kate Bush and Stevie Nicks, much of JAIN’s music originally blended a myriad of genres such as Arabic percussion, African rhythms, electro, reggae, soul and hip hop. She relies heavily on Tarot de Marseilles, an art her mother passed on to her which gives her the strength to jump into the unknown through an instinctive perception of the world’s dangers and possibilities. The Fool is the holiest card in the deck. You can’t go on any kind of journey unless you’re willing to be foolish. Taking your first step, driving a car, falling in love. There’s always a risk you’ll lose your balance. At any moment. But in the end, the fool’s journey is the only journey. [via Broadway World]

Less than a year after the release of her debut album, The Paradise Club, Claudia Bouvette is back with ‘Highly Unrecommended,’ a brand new single that tackles the difficult subject of forbidden love. This bittersweet pop song, which could have been featured on the soundtrack of an early 2000’s rom-com, is an anthem for the hopeless romantics of this world. The inspiration for ‘Highly Unrecommended’ came from a time when Claudia fell in love with someone she shouldn’t have, in a context where it was unthinkable and unacceptable to feel that way. “He came into my life as fast as he left and that feeling stuck with me for a long time,” explains the singer. Originally written on the guitar, bold snares and vocal melodies were later added to give the track a nostalgic y2k feel. ‘Highly Unrecommended’ is accompanied by a music video directed by Vincent Gravel. With an intimate lighting and a distinctive visual identity, the artist captivates the viewer’s attention as she delivers her lyrics with tenderness in a way that evokes the sentimental nature of the song. [via Bonsound]

Powder Blue, the highly anticipated new album from Begonia—the solo project of alt-pop Canadian artist Alexa Dirks—is out now on Birthday Cake Records. In addition, Begonia unveils the music video for feature track ‘The Only One’, directed by Gwen Trutnau. Of ‘The Only One,’ Begonia recalls, “you know that feeling when you think everyone around you is having more fun in their lives than you, so you force yourself out of bed and into the world only to realize you just want to be at home back under the covers? That feeling of running up to the club doors like you are about to enter the best night of your life, but then you end up waiting at the back of the line freezing cold wishing you’d never gone out. I wrote this being like…‘I can’t be the only one, right?’” [via Total Entertainment]

Allison Ponthier returns with ‘Character Development,’ her first new music since her acclaimed 2022 EP Shaking Hands with Elvis. The track calls out an emotional villain who tries to spin past bad behavior as a “growth experience.” Ponthier penned the song with Grammy Award nominees K.Flay and Tommy English. English also produced and played on the track. “‘Character Development’ is about the people I’ve encountered who have treated me poorly, to then turn around and say that learning from that experience has made them a better person,” says Allison Ponthier. “No one should be made to feel like they have to be a casualty or compromise themselves for someone else’s growth. I wrote the track with K.Flay and Tommy English, and it’s been the most cathartic song to sing on tour.” Ponthier teamed up with Brooklyn-based visual artist and content creator Maris Jones–who, like her, is enamored with pop culture and retro style–to co-direct the official video for ‘Character Development.’ Playing into the title’s literary reference, Ponthier plays a best-selling romance novelist with writer’s block. After exploring a series of plotlines that just don’t click, she reimagines the dashing young protagonist and chances for a happily-ever-after ending soar. Maris Jones said, “I was so privileged to work with Allison whose creative vision aligned serendipitously with mine. Working with her was effortless, and the result reflects our shared passion for creating a vibrant visual journey to take viewers on a unique ride parallel to the music. I hope the video will capture the song’s essence but also connect with viewers, leaving a lasting impression that resonates with them long after the video has ended.” [via UDiscoverMusic]

Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Bella White has announced her new album Among Other Things, out on April 21 via Rounder Records. To mark the occasion White has released a new single, ‘Break My Heart’ and its companion music video. “Out of all of the songs I’ve written, ‘Break My Heart’ is probably the most explicitly about getting dumped. I wrote it with no intention of ever sharing it. I didn’t even feel any particular emotional attachment to it like I do with my other songs, because it was such an isolated experience, zooming in on one specific moment in time. That said, bringing it to life by turning a valley into a peak felt deeply cathartic. It’s a heartbreaker that I hope will at least get you moving.” [via UDiscoverMusic]

The Reneé Rapp hype train barrels forward and is picking up right where she left off a breakout 2022. The deluxe version of Everything to Everyone has arrived with an extended edition of the title track and a new single, ‘Bruises.’ “All my friends make sweet fun of me, I guess it’s funny but the truth’s I bruise easily,” Rapp croons on the ballad. “I’m down to be the joke, metaphorically though, you could flip me inside out and they would show black, purple and green.” The accompanying visuals show Rapp being attacked with knives by strangers and, perhaps cutting deeper, by friends on an ordinary day out. The music video was directed by Hannah Lux Davis, who’s best known for her work in pop with stars like Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, and more.“On the day [of the video shoot], I was incredibly annoyed. Not by anyone or thing, just, anxiety for me manifests in a lot of different ways,” Rapp tells Rolling Stone. “I don’t remember even acting throughout most of the video. It was just naturally there through the edginess of the day. Hannah created this entire world that cradled the song like a baby.” [via Rolling Stone]

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Spanning six tracks exploring themes such as self-worth, romance and revenge, the EP includes previously released singles ‘RUBIX’, ‘SHALL WE?’ and ‘MANGO’. The process of writing and recording MIND GAMES was a sort of cognitive intervention for Lina, as the world was falling apart. She hopes she can facilitate the important conversation about how music can be a tool for healing, and uniting people.

We had a chat with Lina all about MIND GAMES, her musical background, creative process and more. Read the Q&A below.

Hi Lina! How are you? What does a typical day look like for you at the moment?

“The day starts with a triple espresso ahah. Things are a little hectic between meetings and rehearsals. I try to fit at least half an hour of practice on bass everyday to keep the groove flowing and to give some rest to the mind. Every night there’s a heavy emphasis on skin care, a soothing face mask can do wonders.”

For the readers discovering you here for the first time, please tell us about you. How did you get into music? Who did you grow up being influenced by?

“As a millennial growing up, I worshiped my parents’ collection of late 90s-early 2000s rock CDs, with bands such as Linkin Park, Papa Roach, Evanescence helping me unleash the raspiness and edge in my voice. At the same time, performing covers of Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee amongst other greats, with my college jazz band at Brown University in the US, inspired a more tender approach though emotional storytelling in music. Production-wise, I look up to the current pop rock, progressive rock and metal artists, such as Imagine Dragons, Polyphia, Unprocessed Band, Tosin Abasi, Ichika Nito to name the few — who are so meticulous about their forward-thinking and structurally tight song arrangements. Billie Eilish, of course, is another big inspiration, especially her delicate emotional approach and original production. Like her, I continue to nurture my own uniquely recognisable sound.

“Funny enough, I began writing my album as I was finishing my master’s dissertation in neuroscience during the pandemic. Whenever I needed a break or got stuck, in a tab next to my draft, I started putting down some fun lyric ideas and humming some melodies into the voice recorder. Before I knew it, I had pages of rhymes and metaphors, which I arranged into melodies, that became MIND GAMES.”

Speaking of MIND GAMES, what’s the record about and what does it mean to you? What do you hope listeners take away from it?

“Releasing the EP is a significant turning point for me — working on it was a kind of cognitive therapy as the world was falling apart, and I hope it will be the same for my listeners: I believe that art and music are such a powerful resource. I want to be able to facilitate conversations about how music can be a tool for healing, bring people together and be a kind of messenger of emotion. It helped me in many ways, and through MIND GAMES, I would love to bring together a community of my own.”

Please take us through your songwriting/creative process for the EP.

“It starts with a bass line. I always try to make it catchy, quirky during choruses and incorporate the slap-bass technique. The and in verses to be uber structural and feisty like in Arctic Monkeys. Once I have the bass line – the rest kind of creates itself, not sure there are any specific guidelines other than staying tight on the arrangement and placing the vocals always at the forefront, as if it were a voice in your brain.”

Finally, what else is next for you? Any shows coming up?

“I’m going on tour in May!!”

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