đ Hello, Saturday! Itâs Libra season, and there was a lot to celebrate this week, including my birthday, new music from MĂ„neskin, the release of AJ Mitchellâs debut album, and, finally, the impending return of Adele! Iâm so ready! (And thank you for the birthday wishes.)
đ Iâm debuting an Artist of the Week spotlight in the newsletter this week to highlight an emerging artist that I think is special and worth checking out. Generally, the Artist of the Week segment will include an interview to make it a personal introduction. I hope youâll enjoy this new addition to the newsletter.
đ€ Live shows are back! I went to Writerâs Block at Hotel Cafe in Hollywood this week to see a great lineup of songwriters and artists perform, including Leezy, Mia Nicolai, and Noah Davis. Both Leezy and Noah Davis played their first show ever. Leezy is enchanting, reminiscent of early Lana Del Rey. Davis demonstrated poise, confidence, and larger-than-life vocals that make him one to watch.
đż Iâm excited about the release of AJ Mitchellâs Skyview this week. People that have worked with me know Iâve been rooting for Mitchell for a very long time. Executive produced by Mike Dean, this is an album that has been long in the making, but boy, itâs been worth the wait. Itâs chockful of gems that spotlight Mitchellâs pitch-perfect, angelic vocals. The LP is an accomplished mix of ballads and uptempo tracks that hold a steady middle between pop and R&B. Iâm particularly a big fan of âStop,â âHeavenâs Gate,â and the breezy âHi Lo.â This is dynamite stuff. Give it a listen and spread the word.
đż Noah Davis has been stirring a steady amount of buzz with the release of his debut album, F**k Flowers. Along with his sensational vocals, Davis stirs his brand of pop with raw emotion and a dose of fun and playfulness that make for a unique combination. I love how Davis has been developing his craft, and this album is an excellent tastemaker. Make sure to check out the very good title track.
đ„ Also worth checking out this week: MĂ„neskin âMammamiaâ (bold and loud in all the right ways, I love these Italians so much), Justin Bieber âRed Eyeâ (his consistency and volume of content are impressive), bbno$ and Rebecca Black âYogaâ (fun, mild disco banger), Fletcher âGirls, Girls, Girlsâ (worthy Katy Perry throwback), Dillon Francis âReal Loveâ (a proper dance-pop stomper), Matt Hansen âWithout You With Meâ (gorgeous, what a voice), and Jesse McCartney âLemonadeâ (heâs still going strong).
The state of Pop is strongâlots of great music out this week. Letâs dig in!
Artist of the Week: Killboy
đŹ Killboy is one of those rare, refreshing talents who storm onto the scene with a sound, aesthetic, and point of view thatâs instantly compelling. Making her way from Texas to Los Angeles via Nashville, this purple-loving, mullet-bearing, and self-proclaimed music nerd whips up mighty pop smashers entirely at her own terms.
Case in point is Killboyâs new single, titled âI F**k Everything Up,â that she unveiled this week. The track is a perfect introduction to Killboyâs raw and transparent style of making music thatâs an immediate reflection of her life.
â[The new single] is really just a theme song of my whole life,â Killboy tells me while riding her bike out in Van Nuys. âThe lyrics are like âalright, I just start over,â and that happened so many times in my life. With school, friends, and music.â
But regardless of the many twists and turns she had to face in the past, Killboy is now entirely committed to making her new music project work. âI used to have this urge to say, âitâs just not working, Iâve done too much, Iâve screwed up too much, but Iâm not going to do it this time, Iâm really committed. This is my one thing with Killboy Iâm not going to give up on.â
Killboyâs music is an invigorating blend of pop that crosses styles and doesnât fit any particular label. Her songs are incredibly catchy, plus itâs produced to perfection. âI always wanted to play live shows and be a performer,â Killboy explains. âProducing just came from not knowing any producers who wanted to produce for free, and I was poor, so I had to learn how to produce my music if I wanted to do music.â
The emerging pop star also worked in a proper Britney âOops, I Did It Againâ Spears reference into the new single as a homage. âThe two artists that I listened to when I grew up were Britney and NSYNC. I can do really good Britney impressions and everything,â she laughs. â[The timing of it] has nothing to do with whatâs going on [with her] right now. I wrote the song a year ago. Itâs just a coincidence.â
Listen to Killboy âI F**k Everything Upâ on Apple Music. If you want to dig deeper into some of her music, I also highly recommend listening to âU + Meâ thatâs one of my favorite Killboy tracks.
Office Hours Playlist Updates
đ Office Hours is a new passion project of mine to support and nurture new artists. Periodically, I will open up my Twitter DMs for official office hours to meet new artists, listen to pitches, and provide instant feedback. Itâs been a gratifying experience to help out and lend an ear.
Every week, I add a selection of pitched songs to my Office Hours playlist on Apple Music. This playlist also includes tracks that I feel are extraordinarily great and fit the spirit of the Office Hours playlist: new, next, noteworthy, and very pop.
Thanks for all your pitches and suggestions for the Office Hours playlist.
đ„ My quick takes on some of the tracks I added this week:
âYou Donât Love Meâ by Josh Golden. Gorgeous, heartfelt balladry by the artist formerly known as GOLDN. (link)
âHurt Uâ by Devin Kennedy. The emerging pop singer wears his heart on his sleeve on this peppy ballad. Kennedy demonstrates his knack for melody. Very good. (link)
âFame Killsâ by Gia Woods. The young pop star aims for the stars while noting the trappings of fame on this track from her new EP, Heartbreak Country, Vol. 1. Co-written with Jesse Saint John, this is one of the best tracks she has released to date. (link)
âLove Backâ by Why Donât We. Jonah Marais noted on Twitter that the groupâs new single feels like their âbiggest songâ to date. Heâs not wrong. Itâs a deliciously catchy mega bop that reminds me of early Loote, which should come as no surprise as the great Jackson Foote produced. (link)
âStay Goldenâ by Chance Perez. The In Real Life alumn and current star of Nickelodeonâs Power Rangers keeps the vibe fun and hopeful on his new single. (link)
âMiddle Fingersâ by ASTON. The Australian pop singer serves up a heavy dose of girl power, and Iâm here for it. The track is taken from her new self-titled EP. (link)
âThey Will Hear Usâ by Cael Dadian. Timeless and groovy bop dominated by Dadianâs soulful vocals. (link)
âRollerbladesâ by Blake Rose. Lush, dreamy pop perfect for the season. Lyrically, the tone is more serious, addressing the pitfalls of social media, âa prison we found online.â This track is taken from the Aussieâs new EP, A World Gone By. (link)
âBlind Spotâ by Maddie Zahm. Goosebumps from start to finish. Drenched with honesty. (link)
âThe Legend of Jenniferâ by Tramp Stamps. My favorite new girl band put out something sturdy and fun just in time for Halloween. (link)
The state of Pop is strong.
Thank you for tuning in to my newsletter this week. I appreciate all the artists for sharing their music and ideas during my Office Hours on Twitter this week. That was fun! You inspire me every day. Look for a fresh new edition of this newsletter every Saturday. Subscribe, share, and spread the love đ
And remember, always, the state of Pop is strong đ„
(All words in this newsletter are my own.)