Words by: Angelina Singer
Evergreen by New Constellations
This one caught my eye, not only for the dreamy pop vibe, but also for the way it was inspired by the new whimsical animated movie “Wildwood”. It’s got a fun ambience to it that you can sink into, with plenty of nature-inspired lyrics that feel fresh and brand-new. Comparing birds to colors that change with your mood, “under a Harvest moon”, there’s so much to sink your teeth into in this fun new track. Listen to this one anytime you need a little time to reflect and recharge. Bonus points if you watch the movie too, it looks very fun!
Looking for a dramatic piano ballad? This track is just the thing, and it’s written all about the struggle of letting your emotional armor down enough to fall in love again — but ideally, without getting hurt in the process. It’s also about being your own superhero after you’ve already been everyone else’s. I loved the light string section and the way the backing vocals ebb and flow, giving this song an ethereal quality that feels like a lullaby mixed with wedding vows. It’s super sweet while still being super honest and emotionally raw. Bonus points for the rapping later in the song that actually works really well in it (despite the fact that I don’t typically enjoy rap music).
This angsty-yet-delectable pop tune has a lot of heart. It’s all about trying not to lose yourself in the process of dating and trying to find the “right” person. There’s a sultry element to it, but at the end of the day, it’s an awesome girl power anthem that will remind you that the most important person in your life is actually yourself. Ideal for fans of Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter, there’s something for everyone in this track and I know it’s going to end up on your next pump-up playlist for the gym, or even just for life.
Catie Turner
This glittering track is all about what it’s like to want to party even though life is hard and money is tight. There’s so much you’ll relate to in this one, and I love the larger-than-life production style even though this speaker is far from having it all together. In fact, the struggle is glamorized in a way that’s relatable but also perhaps a cautionary tale wrapped in a catchy beat. The lyrics are especially clever “I’ll pull the plug and wash this bath water down / when you’re out of my mind, but for now…” before the speaker mentions all her bad habits, but in a confident, cool way that’s accessible without being too much of a bummer.
I always enjoy seeing what American Idol Alum Catie Turner has been coming up with! While this song has been out for a bit now, it’s part of her new album Blue Alchemy. From what I’ve heard from it, there’s a lot of catchy tunes that you’ll bob your head to while you realize how much you relate to what she’s saying. This song, for example, is all about being a fake version of yourself to please other people (which is both a bad habit and not ideal longterm). The spoken part of this song is super relatable, and even makes one shocking yet super artistic metaphor that you’ll have to hear to believe. Sonically, her sparkling voice takes center stage, but some light rhythm guitar creates the perfect canvas for the art to take shape.
Honky-tonk country meets glittering indie folk in this unique blend of banjos and believing in yourself. I really enjoyed the creativity in this one: “My heart’s an anvil and it keeps me in bed / reliving mistakes I made in my head”. It’s hopeful, without feeling unrealistic — and I liked the warm, bright, vocal style as well. There’s so much to learn about loving yourself, and I think this song really taps into that cruddy habit we have of thinking we’re all the problem. Instead, listen to this one when you need a reminder that some tough things that happen in life are just out of your control — and that’s totally okay.
This song is so bright and fun, and starts off pretty minimally, with just a light acoustic guitar and smooth vocals. Soon, light palm-muting ups the ante, and suddenly, there’s so much more to lose — but there’s also so much more to look forward to. By the time the chorus rolls around, the song has become an anthem about being brave enough to chase the unknown, because there’s so much more out there than what you’d be leaving behind. Listen to this one anytime you need a little nudge to take that leap and change your life for the better.