Simone Alysia walks between groups of people in the opposite direction in a flash of lights and shaking camera shots in “Can’t Wait 4 U” making her music video debut. Simone Alysia has the swagger of a 2000s pop star but her music is post-modern RnB glitch pop
The video’s editing creates a retro, cool colored atmosphere as she sings “fuck you piss me off” lightly in the background in a way that hooks you in. The video ends spectacularly – the quiet song builds into that shattering hyperpop delirium that drives the kids mad. In the video we hear a crashing noise as she sits in a car and her name cascades onto the screen.
Simone Alysia is slowly moving into the underground world of modern pop – and we can’t wait.
Ca$hrina’s album Trauma Queen is the perfect encapsulation of growing up and growing into yourself. It’s an angsty carefree experience of self-reflection. Following in the footsteps of pop punk icons from the empire state, Ca$hrina launches herself into the pop music scene unabridged and hungry for more.
Beginning with “DON’T GET MARRIED”, fast drums and moody guitars introduce Ca$hrina’s signature lyrical style as she sings “haters gonna hate but it’s okay at least you got one. Don’t let them dim your flame let them know how you have fun.” Hearing a woman artist take reign in a genre where their presence is usually diluted is noteworthy. And as the album starts, you know you’re in for something you will never forget.
Ca$hrina’s previously released song “Main Squeeze” sets up a familiar vibe and is a perfect complement to the album’s next track – “GIRLS!”. The beginning of GIRLS! Sounds like Mayday Parade’s “Jamie All Over” – a possible tribute to the artist’s east coast roots. She sings “We’re GIRLS! We make our own rules. Feet on the dashboard, breeze of the summer, we’re ready to let go”.
One of my personal favorites, “what r ur parents like?” is a reflection on deeply personal matters to the artist, she discusses difficult topics surrounding the idealization of a perfect family life. In the chorus, Ca$hrina sings “I wish my life was like a tv show. Perfect family. House with a porch and a dog. Dinner on the table looking like a catalogue. Everyone smiling head never in a fog. But you know its not realistic.” She sings “you were never there for me and I feel it.” Her ability to bring her feelings to life in a way that is relatable and still allows for you to scream the lyrics at the top of your lungs is special.
“Help me, there’s an ugly feeling again. I know I should be learning, but I like to pretend”. In “empath vs energy vampire” Ca$hrina embodies that tension of both wanting someone and wanting them to stay away from you, she sings “everybody needs me” and “please leave me alone”. This song discusses the battle of being a person that everybody goes to when they need help, but a person people usually ignore when they need someone. The end of this song is a classic pop punk breakdown which features a slowdown that builds previewed by echoes of people screaming “seeing your name pop up on my phone, really makes my mind blown”. It is the mark of nostalgia.
In a fun acoustic intermission, Ca$hrina sings “I wish they cared, but they don’t so I wont” in a way that feels very personal and fun as if you are sitting in the studio with her as she fleshes out the rest of this body of work.
“By YOUR side” is a stand out track. The start is a fun jolt of melody as she sings “my mom says don’t slam the door, sorry I’m on coffee, I can’t focus on anything. I try hard but I’m not me.” The chorus on this song is simple yet full of feeling and definitely one of the best choruses of the entire album. She sings “I can’t wait to be your side!”
The sound leads into another star track, “bedroom thoughts”. It is the song that the album has been building up to – the song that makes your stomach sink. She quietly sings “when I see you, I’m sorry my room is a mess, as long as I sleep on your chest, then you can pick the VHS” – a true marker of Ca$hrina’s personality and aesthetic as her visuals are always y2k/ 90’s based. She sings about wishing she was good enough for this person and being in her room reflecting on her relationship with this person. The chorus is one of those “this hurts so good” moments: “I try not to trip from what you said, but you were in my house inside my bed. Your new song stuck inside my head, when you drink soda I picture you dead.”
“Run and hide” gives Ashley Simpson vibes as Ca$hrina does some serious heart spilling singing “I need a place where I can run and hide – connect my body, soul and mind”. With a mellow guitar and cool kick drums she sings “I know I’m meant for more but I’m wounded pretty badly.”
A cool powerpuff girl-esque track is “deal with me”, with a swirly guitar Ca$hrina sings “something’s wrong with me, I’m gonna miss you when you leave, but if you do then it’s alright with me”. I imagine listening to this song as you walk into a Zumiez and instantly doing a little dance to the movement of the music. “We both know its hard to forget me.” The song fades perfectly into the last track “PROUD”.
As an album ender, “PROUD” could not have been a more perfect choice. She screams her name Ca$hrina! In a crazy punk and fucking cool way. It is the perfect encapsulation of who she is as she sings “11 year-old me is fucking proud”. It is an ode to herself and she sings “she stands up for things she believes in, she wears what she wants and doesn’t need a reason – she’s okay she’s gonna make it through the day”. It is the song of a person who knows they’re on the brink of bigger – standing on the edge of stardom. And guess what, it also has the coolest guitar solo.
Trauma Queen exceeds all expectations of artist Ca$hrina and feels like old fans’ biggest secret finally making its way into the world – watching with excitement. Ca$hrina carves out her signature sound with production from TNVR, brutally honest lyrics, and energy fueled reconciliations. These songs satisfy our sentiments of growing up, breaking up, and wanting the whole world to know our name.
The moon rose and spun as kids poured into the front lot of a house through metal gates. They greeted each other and laughed as pink and purple lights began to dance and the music began to play. It was a warm night and although held in the middle of the summer, this event would be the proper introduction of a burgeoning music scene in Los Angeles – one ruled by queer, hyper-pop artists.
The “It’s Still Pride” event presented by HYPERDOUCHEPOP featured ZAREAH, Alia, Vietta, girlonline, RYL0, neon liberalism and HYPERDOUCHEPOP. All the performers curated the evenings’ storyline – from acoustic covers to glitter vocals to pop ragers – the stars danced and so did we.
The crowd watched in awe as girlonline sang original songs that were fantasylike – with drums creating melodies that could take the place of a heartbeat for how close it wove into the audience. They performed multiple songs including their Soundcloud exclusive hyperpop cover of Olivia Rodrigo’s “Driver’s License” and their hit song “Obsessed”. Girlonline left the audience twinkling, eager to discover what the rest of the night had in store from the purple-pink lit pavement.
This night was the beginning of something else for popstar RYL0. It was her first real-life performance. She wore a white outfit, perfectly fitting for the dreamy atmosphere she was about to create. From the first note of one of RYL0’s songs, you get that feeling music lovers are constantly chasing – the feeling of discovering a song that sounds refreshingly novel. RYL0’s stage presence is completely natural. You know there is nowhere she belongs better than on a stage performing the work that depicts the epitomization of her talent – songs like “Rich and Famous” and “After Midnight”.
HYPERDOUCHEPOP ended the night of live performances with several bangers. The duo, composed of Arie and Stephen riled up the crowd into dance and into screaming unison over fun lyrics about Halloween and the country of Scotland. Their set was something you could only describe to a friend as “you haddd to be there.”
The night went on as DJ’s played songs and people walked between each other, passing where tattoo artist @icedwines memorialized the night for some in ink and others scribbled their names on a mirror. It was a smooth pink, sweltering fever of music and dance – the most memorable reminder that pride indeed goes on.
“Raspberry got your tongue, huh. Hope it doesn’t last too long, I’ll make this one out to you.” A sweet, melodious tension is created between the guitar loops, “blowing raspberry” noises, and water droplets in Fig’s “Raspberry Tongue”. It’s the perfect song for skateboarding or sitting on the edge of the ocean with your headphones. A summer tune to enjoy life to.
Serena Isioma’s “HUH?” starts with lazer sounds that visualize the colors of sunset and disco lights they sing “bring the beat in”.
This vibey track sounds like an outer space disco hit- fitting for the artist who calls themself “dreamer”. As the track jumps and the beat moves smoothly like blood in the veins of party animals – Isioma sings “you can’t play me like a fool cus I’m too cool with it. I’m too real for you fake motherfuck*rs.”
Their vocals are otherworldly – the sounds of a live audience muse back and forth into the divinely layered track. An atmosphere of fame allure is created in the sound. The listener imagines how the technicolor flashing disco lights complement the sweat, happiness, and vibrancy this track invites as it commands you to dance.
Serena Isioma’s talent is unperceivable – expanding past this realm.
Heav3n, LA’s golden child of the queer club scene, finally reopened its doors to full capacity at the 1720 warehouse where the club hosts monthly raves with the hottest DJ’s from across the country. More than ever before, June 18’s show conjured forth peak slayage from the thousand “angels” who were fortunate enough to snatch tickets. With sets from That Kid, Chester Lockhart, Belis, Alex Chapman, Slayyyter, and more – including a surprise performance by thee Rebecca Black, Heav3n absolutely tore the house down.
Some highlights from the night were That Kid’s high-energy charisma, Slayyyter’s new album played live, and Rebecca Black showing her newfound DJ skills. That Kid’s set was earth shaking – literally. The bass rocked the warehouse and the hundreds of people raving to “Skater Boy” as an electrifying prequel to Slayyyter’s unforgettable performance. Slayyyter, who just released her sophomore album, “Troubled Paradise,” breathed life into the crowd with each note. Watching her blast “Clouds,” the loneliest club anthem of the summer, to a warehouse full of newly-liberated queers is a moment none of us will forget. And lastly, Rebecca Black shocked the dancefloor with a nostalgic DJ set of all the best club bangers.
Heav3n was sincerely missed, and now we welcome them back with open arms, designer units, and a palette for hyperpop.
Like laying down in a lush green field, with your hands behind your head and ankles crossed over eachother – feeling serene in your encounter with reality, “Cloudy Shoes” by Skullcrusher creates an ambiance of peace.
With lyrics like “funny how we all can change if we just try to” and “one day we will be taller than the sky” Skullcrusher’s song transforms beyond being a wistful tune for the body – it eases the thoughts of the mind. The beauty of a song like this is that it can mean and feel a million different ways to its listeners. Ultimately, “Cloudy Shoes” is a lullaby for the soul.
Emma’s voice is captivating and rich. From the first notes of the song you can tell this is going to be one that sticks with you. “I don’t know when’s enough, like when I said that your best friend sucks. I risk it all to be left with nothing.” This pop song is so catchy, the chorus “reacting like you’re mine, why you do that? You wanna waste my time, why you do that? Fuck it you hit my line, I outgret it. Never mind it. Just stop trying with me”. This song will leave you wanting more, and although his is the only song on her soundcloud, her spotify is full of tracks.
“Your bestfriend sucks” is reminiscent in style sonically and lyrically to artist SZA and it stings in the way of SZA’s album did. Towards the ends of the song, Rena adds adlibs and harmonies that blend out the song into a blue daydream abyss – leaving the listener with an aching chest.
In the music video, Emma is seen singing the song where the cover for the song was taken. A room of blue, white, and grey fuzzy squares. She wears a white headband and a blue outfit. The video’s high exposed and grainy qualities lend to the visual aesthetic of new songs in this style. Emma’s singing directly to the song personalizes the song into a visual where you can more clearly see the emotions she outlined for this song. Here, the emotions come to life. She has three other music videos for “sidebar” and “armageddon”. The music video ends how it begins, with her laying down and the camera panning away.
Emma Rena is a fresh new find for your pop needs, her voice, style, and lyrics are sure to entice you and make you a superfan.
“Brooklyn bridge lullaby” envelops you in an atmosphere of cloudy nostalgia for listeners of artists like Lil Peep. Sick g*rl’s lyricism and artistic vision transports the listener into that feeling of being in your bedroom with the lights off – dreaming of kissing stars.
“It’s crazy how the sun don’t set till you go ahead and kiss my neck.” Sick g*rl makes the song sound like a lullaby itself with their soft manner of singing over trap drums and water droplets. Their words come in and out of hazy focus – adding to the effect as you hold onto some of their words and fill in the others.
“Brooklyn bridge lullaby” is a perfect addition to that sad, chill playlist you have. But, once you listen to the song as much as I have, it will quickly become one of your favorites.
Raissa is an up-and-coming musician who is currently based in London, but by the sound of her single “COLD FEET” from her new album HERO GIRL, you’d think she was from outer space. From the very first cosmically captivating notes, the listener blasts off into the galaxy of Raissa.
“COLD FEET” is all about disguising one’s true emotions in all things “bright and glitzy.” At first glance, it’s a highly danceable, pop & trap-infused jam, but when you listen to the lyrics, you get the full picture: it’s a personal confession about dissatisfaction and heartbreak in a toxic relationship. Raissa curates a symbolic duality in her music— it’s danceable, yet deep; it’s the profound prevailing over the pretend. If you’re “feeling lonely and lowly” or just want to hear some “music, party, baby”, this song is for you. With its trap beat, subtly 80’s synth instrumentals, laid back vocals, and catchy lyrics, Raissa’s HERO GIRL will save you with this single.
Velvet Noise 