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Tag: New Album

  • Post Animal’s Album IRON: A Collaborative Masterpiece

    On July 25th, Post Animal unveiled their anticipated album Iron. This release is significant for many reasons, primarily because it marks the first time in nearly a decade that all original band members have collaborated on an album. Joe Keery rejoined the group for this creative process, deepening both their musical progression and friendship. After Keery attended one of their New York shows about a year ago, the idea to craft new music together emerged. The band wrote and produced Iron collectively during several weeks secluded in the woods of Indiana.

    “This record felt like a revitalization of our friendships and our band,” Hirshland says. “We always work collaboratively, but it’s amazing how reintroducing Joe into the mix brought back that dynamic from 2017.”

    “We all felt it’d be great to do something like that again, to go somewhere and be isolated and work on music together. It was a labor of love.” Keery says.

    We have eagerly anticipated this release, and we are thrilled with the album we’ve received. It’s a stunning testament to the band’s deep connection and shared passion.

    Let’s dive in and discuss what we love about the tracks on Iron!

    Iron album cover
    Photography by Sam Dole, Courtesy of Grandstand Media

    ‘Malcoms Cooking’

    A delightful and whimsical instrumental opens the album, highlighting the band’s versatility and varied instrumentation. This track pays homage to their friend Malcom Brown, whose Indiana home hosted the band and who also served them chef-quality meals during their stay.

    ‘Last Goodbye’

    As the lead single from the album, we were introduced to the new sound of this era. ‘Last Goodbye’ addresses the obstacles each band member confronted over the past decade; a reminder that all things inevitably end. 

    Now I’m racing for what to do
    All roads lead my right back to you
    I know my life’s been changing
    But I’ll be pacing back on the road again

    ‘Maybe You Have To’

    The theme of loss continues as this track starts with voicemails from Toledo’s late grandmother. It deals with grief openly and serves as a heartfelt tribute for anyone who has gone through it. “The song is about coming to terms with death, with the absence of someone you love,” Toledo says. “She was a warrior.”

    I know that life, it doesn’t work like that
    Somebody goes, you can’t bring them right back
    Another life, it doesn’t work like that

    ‘Setting Sun’

    The band tried out this song during their tour with Djo, and it quickly became a fan favorite. The strong rock sound makes it easy to see why. Its energy is just right for shouting along in the mosh pit or up at the barricade. The lyrics also make it a catchy, feel-good rock song.

    Hit the gas, speed it up
    It’s time to make up for the years spent idlin’
    Donе givin’ in
    And tryna be somebody I nevеr knew

    ‘Pie In The Sky’

    The second single from the album captures all the wonder and whimsy fans have come to expect from the band. Friends, their instruments, voices, and shared love for music blend to create a fun and lively track.

    The sun hits me when I’m back in my home
    Day sleeper, sleeping alone
    Black magic, keep me alive
    Just wake me when she’s in the sky

    ‘What’s A Good Life’

    What IS a good life? It’s a question we all think about. The final single from the album explores this idea and suggests that the key is to accept yourself, flaws and all, before time runs out.

    For the first time in my life
    It’s fine that I’m not perfect
    Nobody’s fool
    Nobody’s cool
    It’s who you are

    ‘Main Menu’

    Like something out of a video game, this second instrumental track gives a good split to the album. As the music progresses, random voicemails are played on top of each other, and it mixes into a twinkly-sounding instrumental. 

    ‘Dorien Kregg’

    By far the most unique song on the album. We are introduced to this character of ‘Dorien Kregg’ by surreal lyrics and a psychedelic tune, and it ends with an angry voicemail that Williams actually received. This is the type of music that really reflects the band’s creativity and imagination as a whole, and they always exceed our expectations. 

    No, I don’t recognize any of this
    What’s that sound coming through the abyss?
    Do, do things really change on a dime?
    I feel so sure that that life isn’t mine, oh!

    ‘Common Denominator’

    The album starts to wind down with this track, an acoustic guitar in the forefront and soft vocals from the band. It feels like the wind running through your hair as the sun beams down on your face. The lyrics question if they are the common denominator, and how it feels to navigate that situation.

    Who would you see, if I could be
    A fraction of the one I dream about?
    A million ways I could’ve been
    Infinitely lost in time

    ‘Iron’

    Coming in with the piano keys and hazy-sounding vocals, Iron ends the album with its reflective lyrics about life & friendships, and the power of acceptance. It’s a healing track to end an album that tackles so many vulnerable topics.

    You said, “Iron sharpens iron
    But a blade is still a blade”
    Were we real or just unbridled?
    Guess I thought they were the same

    Photography by CJ Harvey
    Courtesy of Grandstand Media

    Praise For Iron

    Fans and critics alike have greeted this album with a wave of excitement. Iron marks a bold leap forward from their previous work, Love Gibberish (2020), with many calling it their finest release since their breakout debut, When I Think Of You In A Castle (2018). The return of Keery marks an important moment in their career, and fans have been waiting for this for a long time. Iron reveals a more personal side of the band and hints at exciting possibilities ahead.

    Make sure to listen to Iron on all platforms, and catch Post Animal on tour this fall! Let us know over on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram what you like most about the album!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT POST ANIMAL: 
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE

    Eva B.

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  • The Life of a Showgirl As We Know It

    Podcast WAG, Taylor Swift.
    Photo: Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott

    She’s reclaiming the color orange. Just 12 weeks after Taylor Swift bought back her masters, she’s already planning her next album. In the words of Jason Kelce “ARGHHHH!!!!!” On August 13, Jason and Travis Kelce had a very special guest on a very special off-season episode of their podcast, New Heights, where Swift revealed The Life of a Showgirl will be out on October 3.

    Below, what we know about The Life of a Showgirl so far, including the album cover, alternates, track list, collaborators like Sabrina Carpenter, and whatever this shiny bug is about. Sounds fabulous.

    October 3, 2025. You know, 10 + 3 = 13. As for how she’s going to have this many vinyls ready in two months, she’s a multihyphenate, don’t you remember? She’s not just a showgirl but also a magician, making an album appear out of thin air.

    Swift is posed dramatically in a pool of green water, just barely staying above water to preserve her smokey makeup look. The photo is shattered and collaged around her like broken glass with the album title italicized in orange glitter. And because she’s her, there’s four other sparkly variations available for purchase on vinyl. That’s show business.

    The Eras Tour dancers are showgirls, too, after all! Following a second countdown on August 21, another alternate vinyl cover dropped for preorder. Dancers Taylor Banks, Sydney Moss, Tori Evans, and Audrey Douglass pose next to their showboss, Swift. Technically, it’s Swift’s first album cover with other people on it. What’s a showgirl without her girls?

    On August 18, Swift dropped two limited edition vinyl pressings for Showgirl called “The Shiny Bug” edition, one in Wintergreen & Onyx Marbled vinyl and the other in Violet Shimmer Marbled vinyl. But why is she talking about shiny bugs? Because Swift loves symbolism, we have to look at one of the shiniest bugs out there, a jewel beetle, specifically the Scarab beetles, which represent the cycle of life, death, and rebirth in Ancient Egypt — similar to how Swift is trying to seperate her past work from this new album, she wants a rebirth post-Eras tour. One of Swift’s muses, Elizabeth Taylor, wore shiny bug jewelry as Cleopatra in her 1963 film and even had a golden scarab art piece in her home — maybe this is an homage to Swift and Taylor’s similar relationship to media regarding their personal life.

    Wood. And a bunch of other showbiz-adjacent titles hinting at themes of public and personal pressure.

    1. The Fate of Ophelia
    2. Elizabeth Taylor
    3. Opalite
    4. Father Figure
    5. Eldest Daughter
    6. Ruin The Friendship
    7. Actually Romantic
    8. Wi$h Li$t
    9. Wood
    10. CANCELLED!
    11. Honey
    12. The Life of a Showgirl (ft. Sabrina Carpenter)

    Wait, are Swifties beating the “delusional” allegations? Sabrina Carpenter, who opened for much of the Eras Tour while promoting her own hit album, Short ‘n’ Sweet, will feature on the titular Track 12, “The Life of a Showgirl.” Couldn’t be more fitting.

    Max Martin and Shellback produced the entirety of Showgirl with Swift herself. Along with the album announcement, Swift dropped a Spotify playlist titled “And, baby, that’s show business for you,” featuring only her songs produced by the duo. That includes the Reputation era bangers “End Game” and “Delicate” as well as 1989 classics “Bad Blood” and “Blank Space.” Travis Kelce will be streaming.

    Alejandra Gularte

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  • Caution: BoA’s 11th Album Might Leave You Crazier Too

    Even after 25 years in the game, BoA still finds new ways to surprise us. A true legend, a GOT the Beat member, and an artist who refuses to slow down, she’s back with her 11th full album, Crazier — and it’s got bite. From rebellious clapbacks to emotional dives, this release doesn’t just prove BoA’s relevance in the industry. It underlines her status as one of K-Pop’s most versatile and enduring icons. With BoA’s 11th album, we’re reminded what artistry looks like when it evolves with time.

    These are the track names in the album: 

    1. ‘Crazier’
    2. ‘Healing Generation’
    3. ‘It Takes Two’
    4. ‘Don’t Mind Me’
    5. ‘How Could’
    6. ‘What She Wants’
    7. ‘Up And Down’
    8. ‘Love Like This’
    9. ‘Like I Like’
    10. ‘Hit You Up’
    11. ‘Clockwise’

    The World is Crazy, but BoA’s ‘Crazier’

    ‘Crazier’ kicks off with a warning: “You should never come for me.” And she so means it. The track is bold, energetic, and carries the kind of confidence that only comes from experience. When she sings, “It’s a crazy world, I’ve seen it all but I’m crazier,” it feels like a power move. It’s a reminder that BoA’s not just keeping up, she’s the one who’s setting the pace. The beat drives the message home, and the MV pulls no punches with sharp visuals and fierce styling. The lead single sets the tone for BoA’s 11th album, and what follows doesn’t let up.

    The Many Voices of One Artist

    The rest of BoA’s eleventh album keeps the momentum going in ways that feel both unexpected and entirely BoA.

    ‘Healing Generation’ offers a warm, reassuring message without tipping into cliché, touching on collective struggles while sounding like a soft anthem for anyone still trying. ‘It Takes Two’ slows things down into late-night territory, all smooth longing and restrained emotion. Then there’s ‘Don’t Mind Me’, which is pure sass — playful in tone but sharp in delivery, like BoA just brushed off the noise and kept walking.

    ‘How Could’ strips things back even further, letting her voice carry the ache of goodbye in a way that feels almost too intimate to listen to. ‘What She Wants’ brings us back to cool confidence with R&B textures and a no-nonsense attitude, while ‘Up And Down’ plays with tempo and mood, riding emotional highs and lows on an addictive, subtle groove. ‘Love Like This’ sparkles with brightness but hides a bittersweet core, the kind of track that feels uplifting until you catch what she’s really saying — one of many emotional pivots that make BoA’s 11th album such a compelling listen.

    ‘Like I Like’ is carefree and cheeky, giving you a flirty bounce that feels made for smiling alone in your room. ‘Hit You Up’ takes a nostalgic turn with retro-pop influences that call back to earlier BoA eras, polished with a fresh coat of shine. And finally, ‘Clockwise’ brings the curtain down slowly — mellow, reflective, and tender, like the quiet moment at the end of a show when the lights dim and you’re left feeling everything all at once. It’s a fitting close to BoA’s latest release, proving once again that she knows exactly how to leave a lasting impression.

    BoA Did It Again

    She doesn’t need to prove anything at this point, but BoA’s 11th album Crazier is still a reminder of why she’s in her own lane. From bold statements to soft confessions, this album balances edge with elegance. It’s not about reinventing the wheel; it’s about driving it exactly where she wants. And once again, we’re just lucky to be along for the ride.

    Which track from BoA’s 11th album is your new obsession? Whether you’re blasting ‘Crazier’ with the windows down or reflecting with ‘Clockwise’ on repeat, we want to hear your thoughts. Join the chaos on X @thehoneypop, and don’t forget to catch us on Instagram and Facebook for even more iconic content. Let’s get a little crazier together.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BOA:
    FACEBOOK | OFFICIAL INSTAGRAM | PERSONAL INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    Want to find more K-Pop news and other articles? Check out our category The Honey(K)Pop!

    Neža V.

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  • Taylor Swift’s New Album Pissed Off Both Britney Spears AND Pamela Anderson: REPORT – Perez Hilton

    It turns out there were a few who were not excited when Taylor Swift announced her new album, The Life of a Showgirl, last week! Two celebrities are apparently extremely upset over the project now!

    According to Radar Online on Monday, a source claimed the 35-year-old singer ticked off pop princess Britney Spears. Uh oh. The insider alleged the Hold It Against Me artist accused Taylor of copying her “iconic” stage wardrobe without any acknowledgement. She feels there are elements of her costume from her 2001 Dream Within a Dream tour that Tay “ripped off” — such as the rhinestone bra, fringed arm bands, and bejeweled nude thong that the musician wears on the cover for The Life of a Showgirl. Take a look (below):

    Related: Scooter Braun Responds To Taylor’s Emotional Retelling Of Buying Back Her Masters

    During the Dream Within a Dream tour, Britney performed in a showgirl-style costume designed by Bob Mackie and inspired by the 1981 Las Vegas production Jubilee! See (below):

    @popflopculture

    the girls just arent doing it like this anymore | follow for all things pop culture! ????✨ #britneyspears #popculture #popflopculture #fy #fypシ #foryou #fpyシ #foryoupage #fyp #trending #viral #xybca

    ♬ …Baby One More Time – Britney Spears

    Due to the similarities, the source said Britney feels “ripped off” and thinks she deserves some recognition:

    “She even feels she should have a credit in the liner notes of the album.”

    And Britney is not the only A-Lister that Taylor supposedly pissed off! Pamela Anderson also had an issue with the aesthetics of the upcoming album, the outlet reported. Sources claimed the actress believes the new era is very similar to the whole vibe of her 2024 movie, The Last Showgirl. Ch-ch-check out Pamela in the film (below):

    (c) The Last Showgirl/Utopia

    Fans even noticed the nearly identical aesthetics of Taylor’s album and Pamela’s movie, pointing out the same use of bright orange and pink hues. And that is enough for Pamela to reportedly want credit just like Britney! An insider alleged that ultimately “both Britney and Pammy feel they have not been properly acknowledged.” A friend of the pop icon added:

    “Britney isn’t saying Taylor can’t be inspired by her — but when you lift something so specific, you give credit. Britney worked with Bob Mackie on that look, and it’s a piece of pop history. To see it repackaged without so much as a nod feels wrong.”

    Another source close to Pamela noted she “isn’t angry” at Taylor for being inspired by her, but is upset over not getting at least a shout-out:

    “Pamela put her heart into The Last Showgirl. The color palette, the vintage Vegas aesthetic, it’s all over Taylor’s new visuals. Pam isn’t angry at the inspiration, but she believes recognition is deserved. Credits in the liner notes for her and Brit would be the classy thing to do.”

    But will Taylor do it? Perhaps she will feature the two women in a music video if we’re getting one for this era to acknowledge them? We’ll see…

    An industry insider continued:

    “Taylor is an artist who knows the power of visual storytelling. But in this business, influence and homage walk a fine line. Britney and Pamela just want that line to include recognition for their influences.”

    There is no doubt that Pamela and Britney are legends in the business. And take the report with a grain of salt, of course. The pair haven’t come out and said they were pissed at Taylor. But if the claims are true, does Tay really need to give them credit? We mean, the Cruel Summer artist is paying homage to the showgirl aesthetic — just like Pamela and Britney did. The two didn’t start something totally new, you know?

    But what are your thoughts, Perezcious readers? Do you feel Britney and Pamela deserve credit for the look of Taylor’s new era? Sound OFF in the comments!

    [Image via MEGA/Judy Eddy/WENN]

    Perez Hilton

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  • Exclusive Interview: Elizabeth Nichols Talks All Things ‘I Got A New One,’ and More!

    When we look at the bright new class of country music, one of the stars shining the brightest is undoubtedly Elizabeth Nichols! From her breakout hit ‘I Got A New One’ to her newest track ‘Daughter,’ we are getting to watch an artist fully come into her own, discover her sound, and get better with each song.

    We were lucky enough to chat with Elizabeth Nichols all about her success so far, new music, and receiving the coveted Kelly Clarkson treatment.

    Listen to ‘Daughter’ here!

    Hi Elizabeth! Thank you so much for chatting with us! To start us off, how would you describe your music to someone who is tuning in for the first time? 
    I’d say probably clever and honest. Those are two elements that I see in all my favorite songs. I try to balance the two. I don’t want to be too clever that I’m not honest, or too straightforward that it kills the clever.

    ‘Tough Love’ is officially out! This acts as your debut multi-track project! What emotions have been going through your head as these seven tracks now live out in the world?
    I am so grateful. If you had told me one year ago that this is where I would be, I would have never believed you. The idea that some group of girls in another state is in the car with their friends, singing one of my songs, is the most surreal part of it all. Music is such a beautiful part of life, and I am honored to be given the opportunity to make it.

    The video for ‘I Got A New One’ perfectly encapsulates each lyric of the track! Can you tell us a bit about that creative process and crafting the visuals?
    I grew up on Taylor Swift music videos. I love when a video really tells a story in the same way a song does, so it was important to me to really bring that visual side to life. We got to work with amazing creative directors, and it was so fulfilling to see the story turn from words on a page to a scene I got to be a part of.

    What has it been like for you to see the way people have latched onto ‘I Got A New One’? Did you have any inkling that this song would be one that people took to? 
    ‘I Got A New One’ was the first single I’d ever released, so I had no idea what to expect at all. I am so grateful that people like it and it’s connected the way that it has—that song truly changed my life.

    We know that ‘Ain’t Country’ was your first jump into writing a country track. What changes about the songwriting process when you’re writing with a genre in mind? 
    I was about 10 years old the last time I had written any kind of song, so ‘Ain’t Country’ was the first song I’ve written as an adult, and I think that country sound just kind of naturally came out of me because that’s what I grew up listening to. I also love storytelling and lyricism, and country music is a genre that really celebrates those things and makes space for that part of the craft.

    Ahead of the release of Tough Love, was there a song you were most looking forward to seeing fans’ reactions to? 
    I was most excited for fans to hear ‘Tough Love’ because it was the one song that I hadn’t teased at all before its release, so nobody had heard a single note of it. It was also the newest song out of the seven—I wrote it only a few weeks before the EP came out. There is something about how honest it is that I hoped fans would connect with.

    We have to ask, ‘I Got A New One’ has officially received the Kelly Clarkson treatment! What was that like for you? 
    I was and am extremely grateful. Kelly Clarkson is literally an American icon. She is so unbelievably talented, so the fact that she liked a song I wrote enough to cover it is a huge compliment—my family and I were so excited when it happened.

    Once again, thank you so much for chatting with us! Before we let you go, what can fans look forward to as we round out the last few months of 2025? 
    Some more music! I have a new single coming out in August. I’m also playing some shows throughout the end of this year, which I’m really excited about. I love meeting people out on the road.

    Check out more of our exclusive interviews here!

    We would love to hear from you! What is your favorite song off of Tough Love by Elizabeth Nichols? Let us know by commenting below or by tweeting @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ELIZABETH NICHOLS:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK

    Hailey Hastings

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  • Which TXT The Star Chapter: SANCTUARY Song Are You Based On Your Zodiac Sign?

    Which TXT The Star Chapter: SANCTUARY Song Are You Based On Your Zodiac Sign?

    Listen, when TXT begins a new era called The Star Chapter, what are astrology-obsessed MOAs meant to do? Obviously, our brains immediately started whirring, and now here we are. If TXT want to be stars in the night sky, we’ll let them! Here’s which track from TXT’s The Star Chapter: SANCTUARY you should stream based on your zodiac sign.

    ‘Heaven’ – Pisces, Libra

    ‘Heaven’ is for the romantics, so naturally, we had to give it to Pisces and Libra. These two signs are well-known for being the most starry-eyed among us, and with lyrics like “From 1 to 10 you’re like an 11,” ‘Heaven’ simply had to be for them.

    ‘Over The Moon’ – Cancer, Leo

    Next up is TXT’s title track from The Star Chapter: SANCTUARY, ‘Over The Moon,’ and these song choices were easy; the clue is in the title (track). The Cancer zodiac is ruled by the moon, so we had to pair them up! As for Leos, they love the spotlight, so they obviously have lead single energy. Combine that with the bright and intense rock energy of ‘Over The Moon,’ and you have a match made in heaven. Oh no wait, that was the last song…

    ‘Danger’ – Gemini, Sagittarius

    These two star signs matching with TXT’s ‘Danger’ was a no-brainer. Geminis and Sagittarians are known for their spontaneity and curiosity. They’re not afraid and will say “Give me some of that danger,” any day.

    ‘Resist (Not Gonna Run Away)’ – Taurus, Virgo

    From the two of the most curious zodiacs to two of the most stubborn. ‘Resist’ is passionate and committed, just like these two earth placements. From TXT’s dreamy falsettos to the reggaeton production, we’d be honored to have this one matched with our star signs.

    ‘Forty One Winks’ – Scorpio, Aquarius

    ‘Forty One Winks’ is for the quirky cool kids, AKA Scorpio and Aquarius. The romantic R&B energy is a perfect match for a sensual Scorpio. As for Aquarians? They play by their own rules, and so does ‘Forty One Winks’ with its play on words and imbued confidence.

    ‘Higher Than Heaven’ – Aries, Capricorn

    Last, but definitely not least, we have Aries and Capricorn. Both are cardinal signs, which means they’re known to be trendsetters and march towards their goals. With ‘Higher Than Heaven,’ that’s exactly what TXT do too! The track is quintessential rock TXT, but they’re still pushing themselves and their music to evolve and reach “higher!”

    Which TXT track did your zodiac get get? Does it match up with your favorite track on The Star Chapter: SANCTUARY? Let us know on Twitter @TheHoneyPOP! You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram!

    Want more TXT? Luckily for you, we’ve got that covered.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TXT:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE

    Anna Marie

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  • Summer Walker Triumphly Returns With ‘Heart Of A Woman’

    Summer Walker Triumphly Returns With ‘Heart Of A Woman’

    The only thing that’s saving us? New Summer Walker music.

    She keeps a pretty low profile but continues to dominate the music industry at every turn. After the release of Still Over It, Walker gained major success, performed at Dreamville, collaborated with SZA, and went mainstream. Did we ever get over it? No, no, we did not. Since then, we’ve really been missing Summer’s music here in the hive. Seemingly out of nowhere, Summer announced the release of ‘Heart Of A Woman’, and the world went wild.

    Image Source: Single Artwork, courtesy of Interscope

    Here’s what we thought about the new track and what we’re looking forward to next from Summer!

    ‘Heart Of A Woman’

    This track is a prime example of why fans flock to Summer’s music now more than ever. ‘Heart of A Woman’ opens slowly with that whimsical, alluring vocal style that Summer is known for. Listeners are immediately drawn to her dreamy vocals and stylized lyrics.

    “Question is, why I do the things I do?
    Answer I may never find, but I’ll always choose you
    Wanna give up on you but, damn, I know I can’t
    I put the blame on me for giving you chance after chance”

    Summer seems to find herself stuck in a tough situation where she keeps going back to the one person who is seemingly bad for her. Don’t worry Summer, we’ve all been there. But when we find ourselves there, we often ask ourselves, “Why?.” There might not ever be an answer, but we know we must look inward to try to find answers. As usual, Summer’s music is quite therapeutic and per usual, we find ourselves relating to every word.

    Finally Over It

    If this track is any indication of what is to come on Finally Over It, we are super excited! The new album does not have a release date yet, but we are hoping it’ll be ours by the time 2024 is over. We just can’t wait any longer than that!

    What did you think about ‘Heart Of A Woman?’ Are you excited for Summer Walker’s new album? Let us know all your thoughts in the comments below or by buzzing with us on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook 🐝

    Looking to read more song and album reviews? Look no further!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SUMMER WALKER:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE

    ableimann

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  • Leddra Chapman Is Telling Truths In Her Latest Album

    Leddra Chapman Is Telling Truths In Her Latest Album

    If you haven’t heard of Leddra Chapman, you can bet one of your faves definitely has. Much like our girl Chappell Roan, Leddra could be considered “your favorite artist’s favorite artist.” For example, her debut album, Telling Tales (2009) was highlighted as one of Ed Sheeran‘s favorite albums of the year in an interview and she even guest vocaled on some of his work, including the album +, which we love dearly. Do you now see why we’re so hyped to talk about her third studio album, Telling Truths?

    As the name suggests, Telling Truths is a super honest and vulnerable album which features 11 tracks of heartfelt lyrics that make you want to scream along during a long drive by yourself to get your feelings in order. Yeah, we may or may not have done that already 👀. But either way, we totally recommend doing that whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed.

    Telling Truths album artwork | Image Source: Kartel Music Group

    We could sit here and talk for hours about each of the 11 songs on Telling Truths, but we won’t. We want to give you the highlight reel and let you find out the rest for yourself when you listen to the full album and tell us your thoughts on it afterward. But just know this: you are going to relate to at least one of the songs. Each of them looks at a different aspect of human existence in such a beautifully poetic way that just speaks to our hearts.

    We couldn’t start with any song other than ‘What If I,’ one of the lead singles and the first track of the album. The song starts slow and with lyrics full of insecurities, like “What if I fall?” and “What if I hurt myself?” but then it builds up to a more confident “What if I make it on my own? What if I prove myself and everybody wrong?,” turning it into a confidence boost anthem for anyone who needs a pick me up.

    On to one of our personal favorites, the “don’t mess with me” song of Telling Truths, ‘Type Of Monster.’ This song is a little heavier on the instrumentals and Leddra’s vocals match it perfectly (as usual). In the lyrics, Leddra Chapman gives us some insight into how her family made her the person she is today, and in the chorus, she calls out the “snake in sheep’s clothing” directly by asking “don’t you know who you’re dealing with?” And boy did Ledda answer it beautifully. As we’ve said, one of our faves from the album.

    Lastly, we have to highlight ‘Inside Out.’ If you asked us to describe this song in a single word, it would be “healing.” In this super upbeat pop song, Leddra Chapman uses her powerful yet angelic voice to tell us about a fire that’s being reignited in her and how good it is to feel alive again. Special shout out to the lyrics “Been lost for ages, finding myself again and it feels like my heart is beating inside out.”

    If you’re curious to see what else awaits you in Leddra Chapman’s Telling Truths, be sure to check out the full album here.

    And if you’ve fallen in love with Leddra Chapman’s music like we did and you live in the UK, you’re in luck because our girl has just started a UK headline run this month. The first show happened on October 10 in Camberley, at the Login Lounge, but you can catch her at any of the dates below:

    • 27 Oct – London, OMEARA (Album Launch)
    • 29 Oct – Nottingham, The Bodega
    • 30 Oct – Sheffield, The Greystones
    • 16 Nov – Milton Keynes, The Stables

    What do you think of Leddra Chapman’s Telling Truths? Let us know your thoughts by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or chatting with us on Facebook and Instagram!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LEDDRA CHAPMAN:
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    Anna Bastos

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  • Styling Each Song On aespa’s Whiplash Mini-Album

    Styling Each Song On aespa’s Whiplash Mini-Album

    After taking over our playlists with their debut full-length album, Armageddon, earlier this year, aespa are back with their latest EP! Whiplash is a masterclass in creating the perfect mini-album, drawing from aespa’s greatest strengths and taking them a step further to remind us all why they’re already titans of the K-Pop industry. It brings their signature “aespacore” sound and aesthetic into a new, polished dimension full of possibility and intrigue. The girls know their power and are sharp as whips in executing every detail! 

    Let’s take a look at the songs on the Whiplash mini-album and style outfits inspired by each track! You can interpret it as being outfits we’d choose for aespa performances or imagining each song as a person (or ae) with its own unique fashion sense. 

    Image Source: SM Entertainment

    ‘Whiplash’

    It’s safe to say that aespa have officially locked in their signature sound, and we’re so here for it! ‘Whiplash’ is a bold, confident track with an addictive bassline and lines like Giselle’s “day one, know I been bad” that we know will go viral. It feels like a crossover between ‘Supernova’ and ‘Savage,’ notably two of their most beloved title tracks, with some fun dance elements that bring it to a new corner of the aespa multiverse. aespa know their power and impact, and the only way is up as they stay true to themselves and their unique concept!

    The styling for the ‘Whiplash’ music video and teasers is already pretty perfect, so we’d go in a similar direction with cool silhouettes and a mainly black and silver color palette. Inspired by its similarities to ‘Supernova’ and the electrifying house influence, we would add some colorful, metallic accessories for a little extra fun. 

    “Wherever I am can’t stop me, I’m the coldest
    I’m the only game changer bringing the new era…”

    ‘Kill It’

    ‘Kill It’ is right alongside ‘Illusion’ as one of the most aespacore songs to ever aespacore, and we already know it’s gonna absolutely dominate our Spotify Wrapped stats. If ‘Whiplash’ is ‘Supernova,’ then ‘Kill It’ is the assured, effortlessly confident ‘Armageddon,’ complementing its powerful theme while standing in a league of its own as a sci-fi-ready, edgy pop track that fills listeners with adrenaline. Meanwhile, Winter’s gorgeous airy vocals in the first verse highlight aespa’s versatility and duality, never confining themselves to the box people want to pack them into. It’s the aespa song that MYs everywhere have been craving! 

    We highkey wish ‘Kill It’ could be a double title track with ‘Whiplash,’ but fingers crossed that they’ll still promote it! We could definitely see it having some kind of action-filled music video that sees aespa on a high-stakes mission like in ‘Girls,’ so our styling would definitely have action movie vibes. Think moto jackets, sleek pleather, and fingerless gloves, and maybe even some battle-ready accessories that tie into their Rocket Puncher, Armamenter, Xenoglossy, and Hacker powers. 

    “Break the wall, ruin all the boundaries that confine me
    I’ll show you a wider world, my area will grow…” 

    ‘Flights, Not Feelings’

    ‘Flights, Not Feelings’ is even more stunning than we could have expected! It’s a dreamy, yet trippy, song that feels like waking up from an in-flight nap only to realize your plane has finally arrived in paradise. Between the distorted harp sample and hazy drums, we feel a SZA influence that really lets Ningning’s soulful vocals shine and shows us a new side of aespa that will definitely soundtrack our future travels. There’s truly nothing like R&B aespa, between this ethereal song and the fan-favorite ‘Lucid Dream.’ 

    Throughout the song, aespa choose to catch flights rather than catching feelings for someone who might hurt them, choosing their personal growth and discovery instead of making room for heartbreak. Given the vacation vibes, we’d style this song with a cute halter top and wrap skirt in a rich orange color, like an eye-catching sunset you’d see on the beach. Add some floral or leaf patterns, pretty gold sandals, and a hibiscus flower hairpin for the perfect vacay fit!

    “I want to be honest with my heart
    I wanna get out, I wanna try, I wanna escape…” 

    ‘Pink Hoodie’

    If you loved Karina and Winter in GOT The Beat, there’s a good chance that the buzzy ‘Pink Hoodie’ will be your favorite song on Whiplash. Maybe it’s about the aes finally getting new clothes? We’re joking… kind of. aespa make a fun statement on being confident in your own skin as they toss aside the idea that glamorous clothes are what make you stand out. They shrug off little black dresses and more conventionally “pretty” clothes in favor of their favorite hoodie, not caring what others might think of them in the process.

    Of course, the outfit for this song would have to center around a pink hoodie for obvious reasons. We’d choose an oversized one for maximum comfort, and pair it with baggy jeans inspired by the lyrics! You could even dress it up a bit by clipping chains to the jeans, adding rhinestones to the hoodie, and layering necklaces. 

    “Full of confidence, maybe unbalanced in the eyes of others
    Going aye, aye, aye, aye, don’t worry…”

    ‘Flowers’

    ‘Flowers’ is definitely a standout track on Whiplash, and in aespa’s discography as a whole, from the moment that distorted string sample starts in the intro. Karina’s voice sounds like honey that draws us in even more, and the member’s harmonies absolutely steal our hearts throughout the song. Words can’t describe how ethereal this song is! It compares love to a garden as the girls beckon, “show me your flowers.” 

    It feels like a siren song from an evil garden fairy, so we’d go with a beautifully sinister aesthetic for this look. We’re envisioning a floor-length gown with layers of black tulle and maybe even some pale green. There would be deep purple flowers all over the dress, while twisting vines create some sort of sleeves. Eerily powerful while still feeling pretty and feminine! Bonus detail: some dark lipstick and dramatic eyeliner, paired with contrasting white eyeshadow. Can you tell we’re obsessed with this song and can’t stop thinking about it?

    “​​You’re my dahlia, tulips, and daisies
    A slowly-spreading fragrance
    Violet sunset, it seems like it doesn’t exist in this world…”

    ‘Just Another Girl’

    We like to think that ‘Just Another Girl’ is another song by the girl band version of aespa that created ‘Live My Life!’ It’s a post-breakup anthem where the girls admit they’re not doing well, but know their worth and won’t change their view of themselves based on what their ex thinks. We all need a reminder not to let others’ opinions affect our view of ourselves sometimes! This track feels like it’d fit perfectly on a nostalgic 2000s playlist next to Avril Lavigne on some cool indie girl’s old iPod. 

    Speaking of nostalgia, this outfit would totally be a throwback moment to the golden days of alt fashion! We’d start with one of those baseball-style shirts with a white torso and black sleeves, then add a dark plaid skirt and matching necktie. Fishnet tights, a studded belt, and chunky black boots would finish it off perfectly. A little chaotic, but didn’t we all dream of dressing like that during our emo phases?

    “​​In the end, you’ll be a loser and regret it
    Make me crazy, just another girl?
    Stop, I’ll warn you, go away…”

    Which of these looks would you ​​wear? Which track on Whiplash is your favorite, if you can pick one yet? Let us know in the comments below or hit us up on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

    Check out more sweet aespa content! 

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT AESPA:
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    Madison Murray

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  • Ben Bohmer Blooms To Life In New Album

    Ben Bohmer Blooms To Life In New Album

    In a world filled with dance music, it’s hard to stand out. However, what’s so special about Ben Bohmer is that his music sets him apart without him seeming to be trying. By blending house beats and sensational dance sounds into mesmerizing tracks, often featuring hot collaborations, Bohmer has established himself as a dynamo in the industry.

    As his third album, Bloom, is released for the world to hear, we can see how Bohmer continues to push himself as a producer and creator of music. He has those classic collabs with artists like Lykke Li and Oh Wonder, which play to the listener’s emotions and transports them to a completely different realm…one that’s calm, groovy, and completely Ben Bohmer.

    He’s not afraid to blend genres to forge music that’s fully his own, and that’s exactly what Bloom showcases. By combining indie and ambient sounds with his classic dance tracks that just make perfect sense, Bloom does a terrific job of transcending any specific genre. You can listen to the album here:

    After taking a much-needed break post-COVID, Bohmer looked at Bloom with fresh eyes. It’s viewedas a full reset for him, something he hadn’t done with his music in a long time. Now, as the album is finally here, fans and new listeners alike can enjoy Ben Bohmer’s new body of work knowing it’s authentic to himself as an artist and person.

    With so much on the horizon for Bohmer, it’s hard not to be excited for what comes next. We spoke to him about his new album and what’s next…check it out below!

    PD: Your new single “Rust” marks a return to the dreamy, melodic house sound that your fans love. How does this track reflect your evolution and artistic journey since your previous albums?

    “Rust” has deep roots in my earlier albums, and even traces back to a time before those albums. It’s one of the few tracks on the album that carries that “old vibe.” What’s new, however, is my love for classic songwriting, even though the song structure is quite unconventional.

    PD: When creating your new single, “Faithless,” what was the inspiration?

    My friend Anna Leyne, who I’ve often collaborated with, sent me a demo of the chorus for “Faithless.” I was immediately captivated and wrote a new instrumental, then finished the song with Erin Le Count.

    PD: With “Rust,” “Faithless,” “Hiding,” and “Best Life,” you’ve showcased a range of sounds and collaborations. Can you discuss the creative process behind these tracks and how they fit into the broader concept of your upcoming album, Bloom?

    I have a deep love for dance music, ambient music, and indie music. With this album, I’ve taken a step further by blending these genres. This album has given me the freedom to fully express myself and let all these diverse influences bloom. Collaborating with artists from the indie world has been a significant part of this journey.

    PD: The new album, Bloom, is described as a reset for you. What prompted this desire to reset, and how does Bloom differ from your previous works in terms of theme and musical direction?

    After extensive touring and countless shows in the post-COVID years, I found myself physically, mentally, and musically drained. I had to take a long pause, retreat into nature, and focus on doing what I genuinely enjoyed. That really inspired this Album.

    PD: Your collaboration with Lykke Li on “Hiding” and with JONAH on “Best Life” have been a highlight of this year. What do you look for in a collaborator, and how have these collaborations added to your album as a whole?

    It’s crucial for me to be on the same musical wavelength with my collaborators. In any collaboration, it’s important that everyone involved is passionate and excited about writing the song. Musically, I find contrasts intriguing, which is why I enjoy working with indie acts.

    PD: With a sold-out Australian tour and major fall shows in Europe on the horizon, how do you approach preparing for and performing at such large-scale events?

    I’m really excited to expand my live set and bring a piano on stage. The piano has always been an important foundation and companion in the studio, and now it will be a permanent part of the live show. The festival season has also been great for preparing for these shows

    PD: As someone who has achieved significant success in the electronic music scene, what advice would you give to emerging artists trying to make their mark in the industry today?

    Authenticity, fun, and an unstoppable love for music might bring you far.

    Jai Phillips

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  • You Need To Sink Your Teeth Into Neon Trees’ New Album

    You Need To Sink Your Teeth Into Neon Trees’ New Album

    The day finally came. We have been waiting patiently, and finally, it’s here. The new Neon Trees album, Sink Your Teeth, is ours to love, adore, and blast on repeat for days to come, and wow, these songs are unbelievable. We’re huge Neon Trees fans around here and have been well-fed with this release!

    Image Source: Courtesy of Ashley White PR

    If you’re a fan of alt-rock songs that evoke thought between the darkest corners and shed light on the best of life, Neon Trees’ Sink Your Teeth album is for you. We’re in a digital age where we’re all almost entirely online, and that can bring forth anxiety in this modern era. Containing a mix of songs that broaden our thoughts about the current phase of the world, the songs on this album will spark intrigue while feeding your ears with the best sound around. 

    The question was, how do I capture that energy and that feeling of anxiety, but not make it solely about a period of time in our lives or make people only reflect on that when they listen? The songs do contain some of the anxiety and existential crisis I was feeling at the start of the decade, but there’s also a thread of hope. It’s not wrapped neatly in a bow at the end, but there’s still a hopefulness.

    Tyler Glenn of Neon Trees on their Sink Your Teeth album via a press release

    If you’ve loved Neon Trees’ songs as much as we have over the years, then there’s no doubt you’ll love everything about Sink Your Teeth. Trust us, honey.

    Enough Talk! Let’s Listen!

    When we tell you we’ve had this album on repeat since its’ release, we’re not telling any lies. We’ve been hooked, but that’s nothing new regarding Neon Trees’ music, and Sink Your Teeth is everything to us. Claiming every song as a favorite on this album would be cheating, even if it’s true! 

    To give you a taste of everything Sink Your Teeth has to offer, how about listening to Neon Trees’ ‘Bad Dreams’ first? Not only are the track’s themes of escapism and fantasy super relatable, but the take they took with the music video has us wholly enthralled! You’ll get what we mean when you watch it!

    And once you’re done with ‘Bad Dreams,’ how about checking out ‘El Diablo?’ The future is uncertain, and there’ll always be wonders when it comes to what comes next, but the hope is that tomorrow will always be there to embrace, take charge of, and thrive within.

    We won’t spoil it all for you. Because we just know you’re eager to listen from start to finish! Once you have, we know that Neon Trees’ Sink Your Teeth will be known as a favorite album of yours for sure!

    sink your teeth neon trees album release party
    Image Source: Ilya S. Savenok | Getty Images for Paramount Hotel

    What do you think of Neon Trees and their new album, Sink Your Teeth? Let us know by tweeting us @thehoneypop! You can also find us on Discord, Facebook, and Instagram. 

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NEON TREES:
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    Alycia Pritchard

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  • Telos Is Zedd’s Musical Playground

    Telos Is Zedd’s Musical Playground

    Multiple Grammy award-winning Zedd sits on a plush cream armchair when he answers the Zoom call. A dozen other journalists from several media outlets (including those buzzing in our hive with us) stuffed across tiny square windows for the press conference. He has a yellow shirt and matching hat, a scruffy beard etched across his jawline. Because the chair looks a little futuristic, much like everything else he does, his motion camera webcam follows every minuscule movement he makes. It’s as if he’s contacting us from the USS Enterprise rather than the Hollywood Hills. And the Star Trek reference somehow worms itself in. It makes sense, considering he urges a space movie when asked what sort of movie or television show he’d prefer his cinematically acclaimed album Telos to be in.

    ‘1685’

    Notably, ‘1685.’ The last track on the album is split into two parts. It starts with this tuning of a nineties-sixties radio. In context with what he’s said, we’re assuming it has been picked up by an astronaut long after Earth has crapped itself. It then unfurls into this lullaby, ticking timebomb, him believing that it’d be best used during “something grand and spacey.” He’s correct, by the way! It might yet be overlaid into a sci-fi flick. But at some point, the techno-flickering collaboration with Muse just dies out. Then, it beats back to life like a hidden track. He credits this to the albums he loved back in the day.

    We pay thanks to his dreams of being an audio engineer for a long-form game, even if it was a seven-year undertaking. The entire track seems like an elevator pitch as it accurately engages with his belief that sound can guide one’s emotions during a game. Or, in this case, it can make us believe we’re in a space movie. Er, game—it can be many things!

    Whatever the music really needs, it gets.

    Zedd on the press conference

    The Making Of Telos

    ‘1685’ isn’t the first time he’s acquainted himself with Muse. It’s more learning the lyrics ‘Plug in Baby’ than shaking the hand of lead vocalist Matt Bellamy. Zedd’s band, Dioramic, made that song the first they ever played live. And even he believes he’s grown immensely since then! Maybe there’s some Russian dialect still wavering in his accent, but if that wasn’t made clear, he lets us know that he once had some insecurity around singing because English wasn’t his first language. Then you’re thinking of Zedd singing? What an odd match, primarily when he’s known for syncing up his EDM brilliance with other artists’ vocal abilities. There’s Maren Morris for ‘The Middle,’ which has made Spotify’s Billions Club, and then Alessia Cara’s ‘Stay.’ 

    Telos isn’t like that! He esteems it to be a giant playground, usually having sat on the swings with Lady Gaga, writing ten songs for her. Then, he decides to jump off to go make his own: Clarity. This time, he was the first to head up to the slides. He built off the childhood play area into a concept album. He states that subconsciously, it followed the same pattern (something which he realizes while on the call) yet required a lot out of him, gelling computerized sounds with those of contemporary jazz. Unlike albums that feel like playlists, clicking on the elusive green heart until it’s sent like a repetitive package that you’re going to unwrap again and again to your favorite section, he brought out maps and wanted to curate energy structures. “Playlists can’t intelligently morph into songs,” he notes.

    Emotional Weight

    As he and we said, it was a massive undertaking, and burnout quickly became a topic on the call! “Call a sickie,” many would proclaim, and it took some time for Zedd to agree. His idea of one is looking at houses, fangirling over architecture, his mansion having appeared in Architectural Digest six years ago—skittle machine intact. But it’s more strenuous than that. He recalls his lost weight and endless sleepless nights when ideas about Telos appeared like counting sheep. 

    If I had to remake Telos, I never would.

    Zedd on the press conference

    He also starts on a new topic with an “I don’t like collaborating.” Understanding the irony, he enlargens the statement further by saying that it’s more about people’s expectations, that while there are two people involved, there’s still the same number of chords, verses, and such. One’s imagination is often more calculative of the mindblowing emoji than the result itself. But he does love it when it’s done right! One of those examples is his reimagination of Jeff Buckley’s ‘Dream Brother,’ which you can tell by his adoring facial expressions mean a lot to him. He had sent the track to Zane Lowe before the album release as he had interviewed him back in the day. Both he and his wife approved of the track. 

    TELOS TOUR

    That only really leaves the TELOS TOUR. His motion camera kicks in again upon describing a particularly loved part of the show. He’s tiptoeing the lines of not wanting to spoil us but also unable to give his own five-star review. “If you can hear it, I want you to see it,” he states, illustrating that it’s better described as being at the theater than a concert. 

    There are still a bunch of dates for the tour, wrapping up at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre on October 15! If you haven’t already, swipe a ticket and let us know our social media, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, which show you’re going to (or have already been to). What are you most looking forward to hearing? 

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ZEDD:
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    Rachel Finucane

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  • Baekhyun Is Back, And He Says HELLO WORLD, Here’s A ‘Pineapple Slice’

    Baekhyun Is Back, And He Says HELLO WORLD, Here’s A ‘Pineapple Slice’

    The K-Pop industry has been reset and balance has been restored, AKA Baekhyun has finally returned. After a three-year wait since 2021’s Bambi, one of the greatest vocalists of all time, Baekhyun, has released new mini album, Hello World. He’s also dropped a music video for the title track, ‘Pineapple Slice,’ a deliciously sweet R&B pop track.

    We couldn’t be happier to be living through a new Baekhyun era, especially with all the ‘Pineapple Slice’ performances we’ve been treated to! Here are three you absolutely need to catch up on…

    Dance Practice

    Sometimes Baekhyun’s dance skills can get overlooked, as he’s so infamous for his vocals. But allow us, and the ‘Pineapple Slice’ dance practice, to remind you what a great performer Baekhyun is. His movements are as smooth and nonchalant as his voice can be.

    It’s LIVE Band Version

    We’ve already mentioned it twice, but give us the grace to mention it again: there’s no vocalist in the world quite like Baekhyun. Any opportunity to hear his vocals in full force is one we will take, and the live band version of ‘Pineapple Slice’ just multiplied our love for it tenfold.

    Music Bank 240906

    We don’t know about you, but we’ve missed seeing Baekhyun on music shows more than we could ever say. Of course, we adored every stage from EXO’s ‘Cream Soda’ comeback, but solo comebacks are just something entirely different. Every performance of ‘Pineapple Slice’ is golden, but we’re deeply obsessed with the cowboy aesthetic that K-Pop just can’t cast aside.

    What’s your favorite track on Hello World? Which is your favorite ‘Pineapple Slice’ performance from Baekhyun? Drop a comment below, tweet us @TheHoneyPop, or hit us up on our Instagram and Facebook.

    Head this way if you need more EXO in your life…

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BAEKHYUN:
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    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EXO:
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    Anna Marie

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  • 10 New Albums That Deserve Your Attention

    10 New Albums That Deserve Your Attention

    What’s your day looking like, honey? Because ours has been a mix of coffee, positive procrastination from responsibilities, and listening to music. Sounds like the best kind of day, right? While we sipped on our second and third coffees of the day, we found some of the best new albums released this week. There’s a new album on this list for everyone from unbelievable artists, including keshi, WhoMadeWho, Ginger Root, Taylor Acorn, and more! Aren’t we just the sweetest sharing them with you? You can thank us by telling us your favorite new album on this list on Twitter!

    Requiem By keshi

    If you’re looking for a multitude of songs that span across different emotions and colorful spectrums and blend genres together, then keshi’s new album, Requiem, has everything you need. Not only do these songs evoke undeniable energy within us, but the pure world encompassed within the music throughout Requiem also has keshi, inviting us to breathe deep and live in the moment.

    To give you a taste of what you can expect from the no-skip Requiem, we recommend listening to keshi’s soul-igniting ‘Soft Spot’ first!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KESHI:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE

    Kiss & Forget By WhoMadeWho

    Have you ever listened to the type of music that makes the world seem more vivid, brighter, and energetic? If you love that vibe, you won’t want to miss out on any of the songs on WhoMadeWho’s 8th studio album, Kiss & Forget. With the perfect blend of genres seamlessly tangling together to create a beautiful soundscape, including house, disco, pop, and more, there isn’t a song on this album that’ll keep you sitting still. 

    Let the songs on Kiss & Forget bounce into your hearts and start your love for WhoMadeWho with ‘You Belong To No One.’

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHOMADEWHO:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | WEBSITE

    SHINBANGUMI By Ginger Root

    Storytelling in music is an unbelievably powerful tool, and Ginger Root proves he’s a mastermind at that craft with his new album, SHINBANGUMI. With a flourishing mix of the 80s and present-day elements, this collection of songs will enhance your day and have you feeling like you’ve floated into another reality for a while. 

    Take your first step into Ginger Root’s story by listening to ‘No Problems’ and get excited to be a part of the SHINBANGUMI world.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GINGER ROOT:
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    Survival in Motion By Taylor Acorn

    We always love it when an artist’s debut album blows us away, and that is exactly what happened with us and Taylor Acorn’s Survival in Motion. Dedicated to her craft and undeniably talented at proving she’s bringing her unique sound to her songs, this album will undoubtedly be a favorite among those who love the flavor of pop-punk in their playlists.

    Fall in love with Taylor Acorn and her songs in Survival in Motion by starting with ‘Nervous System,’ a song we can’t wait to hear live one day!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TAYLOR ACORN:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE

    A Long Year By Temme Scott

    There’s something about songs that evoke healing and introspection, and Temme Scott has those and more on her new album, A Long Year. Mental health is a crucial topic these days, and the exploration of that subject Temme does throughout these songs is something to be appreciated and praised. 

    Start your healing journey with Temme Scott and A Long Year today by starting with the beautiful ‘Copilot.’

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TEMME SCOTT:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM |TIKTOK | SPOTIFY

    PLAYLIST of DOOM By Robert DeLong

    Music can evoke so much energy within us that we feel we could accomplish anything. That’s exactly how we feel after listening to Robert DeLong’s new album, PLAYLIST of DOOM. Not only does Robert have a way of crafting songs that are unbelievably catchy, but they’re also ones to keep us happily dancing until the early hours.

    Skip your morning coffee if you like. The songs on Robert DeLong’s PLAYLIST of DOOM have all the caffeine you need, and you can see why by listening to ‘SLOWLY’ first.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ROBERT DELONG:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER

    Afterglow By The Wild Things

    Are you a fan of stories that explore paranormal phenomena? Because it’s time to step into the fictional town of Valentine by listening to The Wild Things’ new album, Afterglow! Inspired by their rock heroes and heartfelt 80s adventure films, this ambitious album brings you an unbelievable experience. The tracklist is just a suggestion: the story can travel even deeper depending on the order of the songs.

    Explore all The Wild Things offers on Afterglow, and maybe try starting with ‘Valentine’ like we did.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WILD THINGS:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | WEBSITE

    Everything Matters, Everything’s Fire By Lunar Vacation

    It’s incredible what childhood friends can create after going through the ebbs and flows of life while living together as adults. Lunar Vacation explores the premise that every idea could be good if given the chance with the songs on their new album, Everything Matters, Everything’s Fire. Born from friendship and life’s emotional troubles, this album has a song everyone can relate to. 

    Start your adoration for Lunar Vacation and Everything Matters, Everything’s Fire by listening to ‘Tom.’

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LUNAR VACATION:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE

    Indoor Safari By Nick Lowe

    Fancy taking a trip back in time? Because we love doing that with music. Nick Lowe does just that, transporting us to the golden era of retro-rock and rockabilly with the songs on his new album in over a decade, Indoor Safari. There’s no denying that when you listen to these songs, you’ll truly feel his passion for music and what it offers.

    Take a rocking trip down memory lane with Nick Lowe’s Indoor Safari, and fall quickly in love with songs like ‘Jet Pac Boomerang.’

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NICK LOWE:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

    A Place For Lovers By RGB

    Indie-pop songs will always have a special place in our hearts and ears, and that’s no different with RGB’s new album, A Place For Lovers. Keeping things fresh in the genre with their own unique sound, the songs on this album explore being able to embrace the sadder, darker parts of life. It’s all a part of the journey, one that the band paints perfectly in their songs while bringing the light back into our hearts.

    Close your eyes and appreciate A Place For Lovers by RGB, starting with the sensational ‘Green.’

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RGB:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | WEBSITE

    Which of these new albums is your favorite? Let us know by tweeting us @thehoneypop! You can also find us on Discord, Facebook, and Instagram. 

    Alycia Pritchard

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  • Exclusive Interview: Abigail Barlow Is Mastering The Pop Music World And Crafting The Moana 2 Soundtrack All At Once

    Exclusive Interview: Abigail Barlow Is Mastering The Pop Music World And Crafting The Moana 2 Soundtrack All At Once

    If you’re having a conversation about the hardest-working and most talented people in the industry, Abigail Barlow simply has to be in that conversation! From making some of our favorite pop music, including her newest track, ‘Strike Out,’ to crafting the soundtrack for Moana 2, there is truly nothing Abigail can’t do! We simply had to pick her brain and get all the details about everything she is up to!

    Stream ‘Strike Out’ here!

    Hi Abigail! Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us! To start us off, how would you describe the music you’re making to someone who is tuning in for the first time?
    Absurdly fun, flirty, fierce, and unserious!

    We have not been able to turn off ‘Please Me!’ What was the inspiration behind this song and the visuals behind it displayed in the lyric video?
    Aw, I’m glad you love it! ‘Please Me’ started as a verse and chorus I posted to TikTok in 2020 about nothing and no one in particular. Until this past year, the idea was sitting on a shelf. That is until I met a handsome stranger in NYC… We went on a date in the city, and the next day, I was baking sweets in his kitchen. Classic 50s housewife behavior! I tried to emulate that energy in the visuals for this song, as it’s secretly a fantasy of mine to time travel.

    One thing about ‘Please Me’ that immediately stuck out to us is that it sounded like you had taken all the best parts of tried and true pop music and combined them all into one song. When crafting the track, were you always planning for the track to be fun, upbeat, and reminiscent of the early 2000s pop songs? 
    Honestly, the production of this song started with me using any producer girl trick I had to make the demo sound somewhat fun and listenable. It wasn’t until I collaborated with Michael Dunaief that the production really came to life in that bubblegum 2000s way.

    We know you spend a lot of time creating with a partner as Barlow & Bear, so with that in mind, what do you find is the biggest advantage to working solo on your music, and on the same note, the biggest advantage to working with Emily on Barlow & Bear projects? 
    Being part of a collaboration is so incredibly sacred to my life these days. It grounds me, enlightens me, and fulfills me in ways working alone just doesn’t compare to. In the same breath, it’s so important that both of us have balance with personal endeavors. It keeps our partnership healthy and ever-evolving, together and separately. 

    Moana 2 is officially a go! What is it like jumping in on the soundtrack to a sequel of such a treasured movie? 
    Literally a DREAM. I can’t even put into words how honored I am to be a part of the world of Moana. She is my girl, and I can’t wait for everyone else to experience the masterpiece we’ve been working on for two years!

    Something that we can’t just glide over is that you have a Grammy! As a musician, we know what a huge accomplishment that is. What can you tell us about finding out you’d won? 
    We were at the ceremony, and it was surreal. Walking onstage and actually giving the speech we prepared *just in case* was an out-of-body experience. Best moment of my life so far!

    Songwriting is a huge part of you as an artist. When you’re writing a track, how do you know if it’s something you are going to work on for your catalog or offer to another artist? 
    Honestly, I’m not married to anything I write because I write a LOT of songs. A cut is a cut! If a big pop star wants it, I have no qualms with giving it away. My songs are like my children. I just want them to be heard. And loved. :’)

    We have to ask, with The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical soundtrack and the soon-to-be Moana 2 soundtrack in your back pocket, if you could go back in time and put ‘Please Me’ on any soundtrack, which one would it be? 
    LOL! I think it could be in some 2000s rom-com getting-ready montage for sure. 

    ‘Strike Out’ is the newest track! The song is a full-on pop dream. Where did the inspiration for the track come from? 
    ‘Strike Out’ is my bi-girl anthem. It’s inspired by my yearning for love and how I’m in search of it literally everywhere, from a club in Santa Monica to a bar in Hollywood. 

    ‘Strike Out’ follows ‘Please Me,’ do you think there is an invisible string connecting these two tracks? 
    Definitely! If ‘Please Me‘ is the fantasy of being a wife and mother, ‘Strike Out’ is my reality as a 25-year-old girl just doing her BEST to find love. Either way, I’m just having fun being a songwriter. It’s never too serious. 😉

    The cover art for ‘Strike Out’ dawns on the infamous Barbie font. If you could have had this track play during a scene in the Barbie movie, what scene would that have been? 
    I love this Q! I guess when they start deprogramming all the Barbies from the Kendom. Honestly one of my fav parts of the movie.

    Once again, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! We like to end these interviews by asking what is on the horizon. What can fans look forward to as we venture into the last half of 2024?
    I’m doing my darndest to release *one more pop song* before the release of Moana 2 in theaters on November 27th! After that, who knows? A tour? An album? I guess you’ll have to follow me to find out 😉

    We would love to hear from you! What is your favorite Abigail Barlow release between ‘Please Me’ and ‘Strike Out?’ Let us know by commenting down below or by tweeting us @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!

    Check out more of our exclusive interviews here!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ABIGAIL BARLOW:
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    Hailey Hastings

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  • Our Favorite Lyrics From MOTHICA’s New Album Kissing Death

    Our Favorite Lyrics From MOTHICA’s New Album Kissing Death

    Everybody stop what you’re doing because it’s finally here! We’ve been eagerly waiting for MOTHICA’s new album, Kissing Death, and it’s safe to say that we cannot get enough of every single song. This is going to be on a loop for days. Mark our words! And since we’ve already blasted every song on Kissing Death, we need to compliment and appreciate MOTHICA’s talents even more because the lyrics in these songs have us blown away.

    With that in mind, we wanted to showcase some of them for you today! Whether you’re an avid MOTHICA stan or just learning about her now, thanks to her Kissing Death album, we know you’ll appreciate and adore these lyrics as much as we do.

    ‘Exit Plan’

    One of the first tracks from the album, ‘Exit Plan,’ sees MOTHICA explore the realms of the darker side of the mind and a low perspective on being. Not only does she portray a haunted mind so vividly, but her expression of comparing the mind to home has us applauding her. Because it’s true, our minds can be our homes, and sometimes, our homes can become a mess.

    “My head is a house with long halls
    Red lights, no doors
    How to make it a home all by myself
    Always something to fix, dark thoughts”

    ‘Curiosity Killed The Moth’

    There’s something about the lyrics in ‘Curiosity Killed The Moth’ from MOTHICA’s Kissing Death album that screams wanting to live to the best of your ability. In another light, it also showcases that pursuing the wilder avenues can lead to chaos and consequences. Sometimes, risk can present opportunity, but sometimes, things can be too enticing, and you’ll be drawn into the wrong light.

    “I could sit and wither idly
    Clip my wings, instead I’m soaring
    Even if it ends up violently
    At least you’d never call me boring”

    ‘Mirage’

    When we first listened to MOTHICA’s Kissing Death album, the lyrics in ‘Mirage’ and the meaning we took from them got a hold of us. It’s written in a way that shines light on the idea that money, fame, and objects don’t always equal happiness. Life and our being is far more complex than that at times, and sometimes, it’ll feel like we’re always running and chasing opportunities to find that true happiness.

    “Swear I’d be happy in the red Mercedes-Benz
    One day I’ll wake up and my old ripped jeans still fit
    Star on the pavement, standing ovation, more validation,
    Cash in my sleeve, let’s take a vacation, maybe I’d feel alright”

    These are just a few standout lyrics on MOTHICA’s Kissing Death album, and there are far more songs to explore and adore. If you haven’t had the chance to listen to this no-skip sensation of an album, now is the time! You don’t want to miss out on this.

    What do you think of MOTHICA, her new album, Kissing Death, and the lyrics in the songs? Let us know by tweeting us @thehoneypop! You can also find us on Discord, Facebook, and Instagram. 

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MOTHICA:
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    Alycia Pritchard

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  • Revisiting Our Favorite Stomachaches Lyrics While We Wait For Frank Iero’s XNauseousX

    Revisiting Our Favorite Stomachaches Lyrics While We Wait For Frank Iero’s XNauseousX

    Can you believe it’s been a decade since Frank Iero released his first solo album, Stomachaches, in August 2014? The album, which he released as Frnkiero andthe cellabration, explores Frank’s mental health and some of his more negative views on life as he works through the healing process and addresses pains he didn’t properly address earlier. He already helped define the soundtrack of our lives as one of the guitarists of My Chemical Romance, but Stomachaches showed us a whole new side of Frank’s artistic talent and the way he views the world. 

    Even though this album has been in our lives for such a long time, we’re absolutely buzzing because Frank is releasing a deluxe album for this special anniversary, called XNauseousX! This new edition includes his first solo track, ‘This Song Is A Curse…,’ unreleased songs we can’t wait to check out, past favorites like ‘B.F.F.,’ and even some covers. The world of Stomachaches was already pretty great considering it’s one of our all-time favorite records, but we’re very excited to see how Frank expands on it. The album comes out on August 30th, so not too far away!

    It’s pretty wild having to sit down and think about putting together a 10-year anniversary edition of a record that you originally had zero intentions of releasing. First off, I can’t believe it’s been 10 years, damn time really does fly by. And second, I’m still shocked anyone cares… but I suppose if my original plan was to make a time capsule for my kids to discover, funnily enough, it all kind of worked out. I’ve had a fun time digging through old hard drives, finding recordings, photos, and videos of that time and place. I suppose, in a lot of ways, I’m still that person, but in many cases, I am not. I truly believe that everything we have gone through and experienced gets us to the place where we currently reside, and I honestly wouldn’t change one second of it.

    Frank Iero

    To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Stomachaches, the upcoming release of XNauseousX, and Frank’s incredible talent, we’re breaking down five of our favorite Stomachaches lyrics and why they stick out to us! Make sure you pre-order and pre-save XNauseousX, then let’s discuss.

    “Let’s learn to laugh at ourselves again…”

    When you’re dealing with mental health challenges or even just the stress of life, it can be hard to let loose and not take yourself so seriously. This line from ‘.weighted.’ reminds us that it’s okay to lower your standards for yourself a bit! The world is already so tough on us and we don’t need to add more to that weight. Sure, trying to be more positive won’t undo any of our past mistakes or bad memories, but it’ll help us move forward to a better future with fewer burdens.

    “I still remember how I made you feel once upon a time…”

    This lyric from ‘.tragician.’ has always stood out to us because of how nostalgically melancholic it is. The song dissects how Frank feels like he’s negatively impacted someone he loves, and we think this line has two possible interpretations that complement the story. First, since he’s reflecting on some of his mistakes and doubts upon himself, you can see it as being about a time he hurt this person. Second, this memory might be about a time he was really good for this person, that he wants to get back to now that they’ve lost their way.

    “They see the world through tired eyes and we refuse to live in black and white…”

    When we look at the world around us, we usually see two things: a lot of potential to grow and evolve together, but also a lot of negativity and hatred. Throughout ‘Neverenders,’ Frank expresses his disappointment about how pessimistic so many people are, while also cellabrating his empathetic side rather than trying to push it away. Your life is yours to create, and you shouldn’t let other people’s opinions stop you from doing the things you want to do! Make sure your life is filled with as many colors as you want and don’t force yourself into grayscale because of what others might say about you.

    “At night, we face what lies hidden in our hearts…”

    Speaking of shaping our lives, we love this line from ‘.smoke rings.’ because it’s a subtle reminder to keep your mindset in check as much as you can. If you know you went about your day with the best intentions for yourself and the people around you, it’ll be much easier to sleep than if you carried around negativity all day and took it out on someone else. It’s important to make sure you’re not carrying the weight of anger or cruelty, towards other people or yourself! Try your best to be compassionate and see the good in the world. 

    “I’ve felt this bad for so long I’m scared I’m fine…”

    If you’ve dealt with anxiety, depression, or another condition, you’re probably all too familiar with the feeling that it will be your “normal” forever. They don’t seem like bad days, they just seem like your average days that you’ll keep experiencing for a very long time, if not the rest of your life. This line on ‘Guilt Tripping’ puts that horrible feeling into words so well and it has comforted us so many times over the years while reminding us we’re not alone in getting down about it!

    For better or worse this is a time capsule, now fully complete and unearthed. I hope it finds you well, and makes you smile more than it makes you frown.

    Frank Iero

    What are your favorite lyrics from the Stomachaches album? Which track are you claiming from XNauseousX? Let us know in the comments below or hit us up on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! 

    Check out more sweet music recs! 

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FRANK IERO:
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    Madison Murray

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  • Exclusive Interview: Amy Shark Is Here To Indulge Your Sunday Sadness

    Exclusive Interview: Amy Shark Is Here To Indulge Your Sunday Sadness

    The rumors are true, we haven’t stopped listening to Amy Shark’s new album Sunday Sadness since our first listen-through. From songs like ‘Can I Shower At Yours,’ to ‘I’m Sorry,’ we are simply hooked. We were lucky enough to chat with Amy Shark about the in’s and out’s of this record, as well as her time coaching The Voice, her past work, and more! Let’s jump in!

    Listen to Sunday Sadness here!

    Hi Amy! Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us! To start us off, if someone was diving into your music for the first time, how would you describe your sound? 
    I think I would describe it as honest, gritty, indie pop.

    ‘My Only Friend’ has just come out! What can you tell us about working with Tom DeLonge and how that partnership came about?
    The whole blink collaboration was never a part of the plan. They just happen to be my favourite band but I never in a million years did I think that I would be able to do a song with even one of them let alone all of them. Tom was the hardest to lockdown just because he’s so busy with other commitments, movies, aliens, etc but after I sent him the song he made it very easy. He loved the verse I wrote and he tracked his vocals in San Diego and sent them over to me. I worked on it with my producer and the rest is history. It’s one of the coolest songs I have in my entire catalog.

    Upon listening to ‘My Only Friend’ we thought back to a track you released last month ‘Two Friends,’ to us, it seemed like ‘My Only Friend’ was ‘Two Friends’ softer counterpart, is there an intentional string between the two? 
    I feel like I have unintentionally written an album about two friends haha. Every song can kinda hold hands with the next. It’s kinda cool.

    As we are writing these questions Sunday Sadness comes out in twenty days, how are you feeling? What are the emotions leading up to your first album release since 2021?
    I’m quietly confident, but I’m still a little nervous. I really want people to love it as much as I do. But then again, it is my third album so by this time I really know what my fans love. They’re going to love this album and hopefully, it’s good enough to grab more Amy Shark fans along the way.

    When talking about Sunday Sadness you said that this record was specifically written on Sundays, what do you think it is about Sundays that allows you to create so freely? And when did you realize that a creative pattern was forming? 
    There was one specific Sunday where I was finishing a song, it was the last song on the album ‘Our Time Together.’ It’s a pretty emotional song full of memories. I think that’s when I realized that Sundays have always been the emotional day that I can’t escape. Even when I try and work on a Sunday by finishing songs the songs end up emotional. 

    We were lucky enough to be able to listen to Sunday Sadness a bit early to prep for this interview, and it’s incredible. What really struck us is the range of emotions that the listener is taken through with these tracks, it really feels like getting an inside look at your diary. With that range in mind, are there two lyrics on the record that you think perfectly represent two opposite ends of the emotional spectrum? 
    Yeah, totally! I’m so glad you picked that up. I love the very opening line to the record in ‘Slide Down The Wall’,“ doesn’t matter what I do. I always get emotional with you”. But then you hear the line “tell everyone you’re dead to me” in the song ‘Gone’ and I love how this album feels like a series of mini-movies! So many ups and downs but a lot of love throughout.

    For us, eleven tracks is such a sweet spot for an album, but we know that the number of songs that could have been on the record was probably a much higher number, was there a song that you wrote during the process of making Sunday Sadness, but that didn’t make the album that you hope still sees the light of day in some capacity? 
    Yes, this always happens to me. It’s very sad. But it’s like sport. Only the strongest get picked for the team, unfortunately. But it doesn’t mean I don’t care about those on the bench.

    We know that crafting an album takes a village, and there are so many thank you’s that could be said to the people involved, but something that is often hard for people to do is to pat themselves on the back. What is something that you accomplished during the process of crafting Sunday Sadness that you are proud of yourself for? 
    I explored every single avenue for every single song on this record. I wasn’t lazy. I worked really hard to make sure every song could stand strong on its own. Even if I had to heavily compromise or lose a guitar riff that I was attached to. I did everything I could to make this album as strong as I believe it is. I’m proud of that.

    We have to take a minute to ask about Australian Idol, was there a piece of advice that you were able to give a constant on that show that you wish someone would have given you when you were starting out? 
    Music isn’t a sport, no one can tap you on the shoulder and tell you to retire because you’re not strong enough or fast enough. You can keep making art all day every day for the rest of your life! There’s no age to making music. So just because it’s a ‘no’ today. Just get up and get after it again tomorrow.

    Once again, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! Before we let you go, what is the rest of 2024 shaping up to look like for you once the record is out? 
    I plan on promoting this album to every part of the world!

    Check out more of our exclusive interviews here!

    We would love to hear from you! What is your favorite song off of the new Amy Shark album Sunday Sadness? Let us know by commenting down below or by tweeting us @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!

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    Hailey Hastings

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  • Designing Our Dream LE SSERAFIM Comeback While We Wait For CRAZY

    Designing Our Dream LE SSERAFIM Comeback While We Wait For CRAZY

    Honeybees, are you ready for LE SSERAFIM Season to take full effect? CHAEWON, SAKURA, YUNJIN, KAZUHA, and EUNCHAE are officially making their comeback with the CRAZY mini-album on August 30th, and we can’t wait to see what they have in store for us! The title track of their last comeback, ‘EASY,’ was their first-ever song to make it onto the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., so you already know they’re ready to take on the world this time around.

    While we wait for CRAZY to come out, we’ve been reflecting on LE SSERAFIM’s past comebacks and the beautiful albums and visuals they’ve given us over the years. And naturally, we’re daydreaming about what the perfect LSF comeback would be like. Press play on your favorite song they’ve released so far, and join us as we do a little creative directing! 

    The Aesthetic

    We got our first taste of the CRAZY era with the logo motion video, which shows LE SSERAFIM’s logo being struck by lightning. Is this our first taste of the aesthetic for CRAZY? The main things that jumped out to us in the clip are the halftone, comic-like effect that’s over their logo, the lightning and glitches, the hearts, and the bright colors. It’s kind of giving superhero, so that will be the vibe we go for with our comeback concept.

    The Sound

    The CRAZY logo motion video ends with what might be our first teaser of this era’s sound, specifically with a little “da, da, da, da” vocal clip. There’s so much potential there! LE SSERAFIM has played with quite a few sounds throughout their career, from the pop-punk jam ‘No Celestial’ to the Afrobeats-influenced ‘Smart,’ so there’s a lot of room to grow with this comeback. But we need a really powerful energy for a superhero theme, so we’d probably go in a pop-rock direction! 

    The Styling

    We think a superhero concept would need bold styling, maybe something like LE SSERAFIM did for the Balmy Flex version of EASY! Think of bright colors, unique hairstyles, and flashy accessories that help them channel their superpowers. They’d also have a set of more casual chic outfits for when they need to blend into a crowd, probably in black and white, to draw less attention. 

    Image Source: SOURCE MUSIC

    The Album Inclusions

    Let’s be real: the best part of having one of your favorite groups make their comeback is finally getting your hands on a physical album and seeing what cool inclusions you have inside! The hero theme we imagine would have so much potential for a physical CRAZY album, starting with a comic-themed photobook. Inclusion-wise, we’re thinking of your typical gorgeous LE SSERAFIM photo cards with some unique extras: first, a special ID trading card with one of the members that highlights her superpower. Next, a lenticular photocard that goes back and forth between showing one member in normal clothes and showing off her superhero outfit!

    The Title Track Music Video

    Finally, it’s time to imagine the music video for our pop-rock ‘CRAZY’ title track! We think it’d be a pretty epic introduction to the superhero storyline, following LE SSERAFIM as they work together on a mission. The opening frames would show a comic book. Then, as the camera zoomed into one of the pages, it’d take us into the book and LSF’s crazy world! They’d battle enemies on rooftops, fly over busy streets, and make it look ‘EASY’ while doing it.

    What do you think of our concept for the CRAZY mini-album? Do you think we’re on the right track for what LE SSERAFIM’s new era will bring? Let us know in the comments below or hit us up on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! 

    Check out more sweet K-Pop content! 

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LE SSERAFIM:
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    Madison Murray

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  • Exclusive Interview: Andrew McMahon Talks All Things Something Corporate Comeback And More!

    Exclusive Interview: Andrew McMahon Talks All Things Something Corporate Comeback And More!

    If you’re anything like us, then the name Andrew McMahon is a staple when you think of the music that has soundtracked your life. From Something Corporate to Jack’s Mannequin to Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, Andrew has quite the discography in his back pocket. We were lucky enough to get to chat with Andrew all about Something Corporate reuniting, releasing ‘Death Grip,’ and now ‘Happy,’ as well as going on tour!

    Stream ‘Happy’ now!

    Hi Andrew! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us today! To start us off, how would you sum up who you are as an artist to anyone who is going to dive into your music for the first time?
    First and foremost, I’m a lyric-focused songwriter. I’m trying to tell stories with my songs and to tackle the conflicts and questions that arise in my daily life. I get a lot of joy from experimenting with sounds in a studio setting. While there is a pretty clear, pop-minded approach to my writing, you’ll hopefully identify a diverse palate of sounds and arrangements throughout my recordings.

    You’ve been a part of so many projects over the course of your career (Something Corporate, Jack’s Mannequin, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness). How has your creative process changed as you move between projects?
    I think my process has become a lot more collaborative. The more time you spend making things, the easier it is to articulate what you want and the more fun it is to translate everyone’s ideas into the work.  I’m far less obsessed with the outcome these days and so much more interested in digging deep with collaborators and going on an adventure in the studio and on the stage. 

    Something Corporate is officially back! What made you want to reach out to your old bandmates and get the ball rolling working together again?
    I had the band out for a surprise set during my birthday show a couple of years back, and the vibe was so good we decided to get back together properly for the When We Were Young fest. There was such a beautiful energy at those shows and, for the five of us, there was palpable joy being back in practice and hanging out in dressing rooms and laughing together. The shows were such a pure connection between us as band members and the audiences we were playing for that we decided to book more and keep the party rolling.

    Working with Something Corporate this time around comes about a bit differently, as you’re working as Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. What has coming from the mindset of the art you’ve been making brought to working with the band again?
    Working with other projects has made me a better collaborator and it’s given me a real appreciation of the unique chemistry of Something Corporate. There is something magical about the bond we share, having grown up learning to play music together as kids. I am able to fully appreciate and celebrate the rarity of that connection now and it’s made this reunion a really peaceful and joyful moment in my life and I think the other guys’ as well.

    ‘Death Grip’ is the first single back! Were there other songs that were completed that you chose between to get to this track? What was it about this track that made you guys want it to be your comeback?
    ‘Death Grip‘ happened really organically. I wrote it in Nashville a month or two before we left for tour. I loved the song and wanted it out into the world. The decision wasn’t made through the lens of this is your comeback track. It was made out of love for the song and the band being excited to be back in the studio together. The song itself is about letting go, receiving life as it comes, and giving back what the universe gives to you. It gave us this song, and we gave it back. 

    Upon crafting ‘Death Grip’ could you automatically tell what you wanted the live performance of that song to look like?
    Not necessarily. I think the biggest shift for me post-Something Corporate has been letting the music evolve in the studio first and then crafting the show separately. ‘Death Grip‘ was very much created through that process. Hence, the Wilderness/SoCo Collab. The production of the next single that’s coming out was approached a little more like a traditional Something Corporate song, and on that one, we will flip the collaboration order to SoCo/Wilderness to reflect that. 

    You guys just kicked off the Out Of Office Tour. What can fans expect from these shows? Are we going to be getting unreleased music played?
    The show itself has a beautiful production incorporating video that weaves in moments from the early days and I think does a beautiful job of connecting fans to the band’s history while creating beautiful new memories to hang on to once you leave. The nearly two-hour set manages to cover the majority of our catalog with some deep cuts from night to night. We also have two new songs that will be out by the time we get to the second leg of the tour, and we will be throwing one of those in per night going forward. We’re really proud of both of them. 

    The Out Of Office Tour isn’t a typical tour since you’ve said that you’re all having to work around your current jobs. What’s been the hardest and most rewarding parts of touring now compared to back when you only had to focus on SoCo?
    Honestly, I’ve been hoping to reimagine the way I live, work, and tour for some time now. The way we structured these dates has afforded me and the band the opportunity to play for lots of fans and have incredible weekends together while still making it home to take care of our families and the careers we’ve built since moving on from Something Corporate in ‘05. The other guys would be able to speak more to the challenges, I’m sure, as some of them are definitely juggling work fields outside of music.

    Let’s talk about your partnership with Big Loud Rock! How did that come about? And how has that unfolded for you thus far?
    The truth is I’m pretty cagey when it comes to record deals these days. After Tilt came out, I was pretty hell-bent on stepping back from music for a bit and seeing where the wind blew. The day I wrote ‘Death Grip’ I was so excited by it. I started sending music around, and the Big Loud guys were so genuinely stoked about the song and the potential of releasing more that they made me a really fair deal based on mutual trust, and the rest is history. It’s early still but working with them has been a breath of fresh air. So many labels these days simply obsess over data and TikTok and make all their decisions based on fear. These guys love music and building artful campaigns around their releases. It has really been a joy to work with them.

    The Holiday From Real cruise kicks off this fall! Obviously, we and all the other fans are so excited. But what aspects are you most excited about?
    Playing shows with all of my favorite musicians and friends on a single weekend is going to be incredible. I know people look at these projects as separate entities, and, in many ways, they are, but for me, it’s my life and my music. Bringing that all together in one place, especially a vacation setting, just feels right to me. 

    Now that the single is out and the tour is underway, what does the rest of 2024 look like for you? What can fans expect?
    We’ll be dropping our next single, ‘Happy,’ on July 26, and I have high hopes for that song. It’s about to get busy with more regular shows and lots of travel, but I’m ready for it. We built this show to celebrate the magic that found me and my bandmates in my parent’s garage back in 1998 and the beautiful years of music that followed. I just want people to feel alive at these shows, to use this music as a time machine and make contact with the moments in their lives when this music was the soundtrack. Most importantly, I want fans to walk away with a new formative memory of all of us doing what we love most. Giving ourselves over completely to music for a couple of hours and singing these songs together. I want it to be visceral. 

    Check out more of our exclusive interview coverage here!

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    Hailey Hastings

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