If there’s one thing we love here at The Honey POP! It’s sharing all of our favorite artists, new and old, with our honeybees! Which is why today we’re buzzing to tell you all about Winona Fighter’s brand new single ‘Swear To God That I’m (FINE).’ In case you haven’t yet heard of Winona Fighter – let us be the first to introduce you!
Stream ‘Swear To God That I’m (FINE)’ here or watch the video below!
Nashville based rising punk rock act Winona Fighter has just unleashed their new single, ‘Swear To God That I’m (FINE),’ a dynamic blend of candid vulnerability and electrifying punk energy. The track is an honest reflection on the complexities of balancing personal struggles with professional success, and the challenges of trying to navigate these issues.
“’Swear To God That I’m (FINE)’ is a song that comes from a place of just pure honesty. When you spend years GRINDING as a musician and it starts to actually work out, you feel so much gratitude you could explode…or at least that’s my experience”
Frontwoman Coco Kinnon on the release
Bringing it to Life
In addition to the single, Winona Fighter has also released an accompanying music video for ‘Swear To God That I’m (FINE).’ The visualization offers a poignant juxtaposition between Winona Fighter’s current dynamic presence and the struggles of a young aspiring musician. Frontwoman Coco Kinnon describes the inspiration behind the video as a heartfelt monologue and serves as an ode to her younger self – capturing the feelings of self-doubt and the pressure to conform to societal expectations.
The video beautifully illustrates the journey of artists grappling with the fear of not measuring up while celebrating the courage to pursue unconventional paths. It resonates with all of us navigating the challenges of their artistic dreams.
Trigger warning for flashing lights
Our Favorite Lyrics
“I’m grateful, I swear I’m happy to be here But hope I die before the pretty girls God knows I can’t compare, I swear”
Want More Winona Fighter?
Just in case ‘Swear To God That I’m (FINE)’ wasn’t enough to get you absolutely hooked on Winona Fighter (or you’re obsessed and looking for more recs) – Here are three more WF essentials!
‘I’M IN THE MARKET TO PLEASE NO ONE’
“Must be insane, got no brain, I’ve got no doubt The more you f#ck around The more sh*t you’ll find out”
‘HAMMS IN A GLASS’
“Woke up lame I need a break ’cause I’m drowning in the things That I can’t control Send me overboard, everything just stings”
‘Nyc’
“Everybody’s scared to death Everybody’s still in debt Everybody lost something”
Winona Fighter continues to prove that they’re a force to be reckoned with in the pop-punk scene. Each release continues to get better and better and leaves us starving for more. The band is heading out on a string of festivals this fall, including Riot Fest, Aftershock, and Louder than Life. A full list of tour dates can be found here.
Have you already been on the Winona Fighter train? Or have we just introduced you to your new favorite band? Let us know in the comments, or tweet us at @thehoneypop! You can also find us on Facebook,Instagram, and Discord.
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?
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.
SEVENTEEN continues to make history this year, and we’re just super proud of them. We also got some news on Jeonghan, Jun, and Seungkwan, as well as sneak peeks at their upcoming album!👀
Lollapalooza Berlin
Photo courtesy: Lollapalooza Berlin
The crowd was packed with excited Carats waiting to see what kind of stage SEVENTEEN was going to put on, and we can confidently say that everyone left the show as excited as when they got there. They not only blew us away but everyone in Berlin as well!
Setlist
‘Super’
‘Don Quixote’
‘Darl+ing’
‘Ready to Love’
‘Rock with you’
‘Left & Right’
BSS – ‘Fighting’
Vocal Unit – ‘Cheers to youth’
Performance Unit ‘Spell’
HipHop Unit ‘Fire’
Leader Line – ‘Cheers’
‘Clap’
‘Maestro’
‘SOS’
‘HOT’
‘Headliner’
‘Together’ (Eng Ver.)
‘God of Music’
‘Aju Nice’
If you’ve ever been to a SEVENTEEN show, then you’ve heard a handful of these tracks live and know how well they can perform. So, we expected some of these tracks because they do like to pull out their top hits for moments like this. Some of our favorite track performances had to be ‘Headliner,’ ‘Cheers,’ ‘Hot,’ ‘Maestro,’ and, of course, the never-ending ‘Aju Nice.’ We know you have been seeing the fancams from that day 😉
You can watch the full performance on their official YouTube channel. The boys always put on one hell of a show, but this one is just different, making history; while it was Jeonghan’s last performance for a little while, sadly, we were missing Jun.
It Will Always Be 13
Okay, so we got the news about Jun and Jeonghan around the same time; PLEDIS let Carats know that neither will be going on their upcoming tour nor will they be participating in album promotions, but they did film some stuff for the album beforehand, which is good! So Jun is currently in China diving into more acting, and Jeonghan will be starting his Military Service on September 26th. We also want to mention that Seungkwan has been appointed public relations ambassador for Jeju Island, which we know is a big deal for him as he is a Jeju Native. And a possible collab between Vernon and DJ Khaled? We’re proud of all the boys!
12th Mini Album
So we got our first teaser of the upcoming 12th mini-album, pictures, and the album name! Pledis first tweeted the 12th mini-album teaser, and we were shown a subway with the words “I Felt Helpless” as the standout. We can also see the words, labeled from one to three, “SEVENTEEN,” “HELPLESS,” and “BLUE” on a sign in the subway, with “M12,” “1014,” and “1800” right beside them. If you’ve been here long, you know everything in a teaser is a clue, so we know most, if not all, of the words are important.
Soon after that, we got the teaser pictures where all 13 guys are basically floating or submerged under the water, and honestly, just from these first pics, we know they’re gonna eat up the concept. And now, onto the most important part. Drumroll, please! The upcoming mini-album will be called Spill The Feels. From that name alone, we know we will most definitely also be in our own feels. We also got the title track, which is called ‘Speak Up,’ its release date, which is 10.14.24, as well as the teaser, which you can watch below!
You can pre-order and pre-save the album here. We can also expect these songs to be performed at their upcoming U.S. Tour; you can get more info about that from our coverage here.
Carats, we all know when an album is around the corner, we should expect more news and announcements leading up to it. So keep your eyes peeled and ears open, and we’ll do the same!
How excited are you for Spill The Feels? Which SEVENTEEN news was your favorite? Let us know in the comments down below or over on Twitter @thehoneypop, and don’t forget to talk to us on Facebook and Instagram!
And if you want more SEVENTEEN content while waiting for Spill The Feels, we gotchu!
The LEGO franchise making a movie about Pharrell Williams’ life story was not on our 2024 Bingo card. Luckily, we have nothing to sweat because we are avid LEGO builders here in the hive and avid Pharrell Williams listeners as well. As Miley Cyrus once said, “it’s the best of both worlds!”
To celebrate Pharrell Williams’ new collaboration with LEGO, we’re dropping the list of all our favorite LEGO sets – ones we already own and ones on our dream build list! We’ve also chosen the best Pharrell songs to go along with them. Get to building, honeybees!
Image Source: Courtesy of Sony Music
Over The Moon With Pharrell Williams Set 🌙
Pharrell’s official collaboration with LEGO starts with the Over The Moon set. Build this amazing rocket ship and stream Pharrell’s latest song, ‘Piece By Piece’ for the most out-of-this-world craft experience. If you have yet to get into the world of LEGO building, we recommend starting with this new set. And if you have yet to listen to Pharrell’s music (what planet are you on?!), then we also recommend ‘Piece By Piece.’ We promise you’ll love it as much as we do!
You can also hear the new song in the upcoming LEGO-inspired bio-pic about Pharrell Williams’ career, PIECE BY PIECE. Check out the trailer below 👇 Did you catch your fave on the screen?
Brick-Built Minions And Gru Set 💛
The minions and Gru will forever be iconic movie characters if you ask us. We’re pairing this adorable Despicable Me set with Pharrell’s song ‘Double Life’ – stream the hit song here! If you’re like us, you’ve been hearing this song non-stop on your FYP the past few weeks. It’s a great song; what can we say! In fact, every time Pharrell produces a song for this movie franchise, it’s a hit.
We’re pairing this gorgeous set with the song ‘Safari’ – stream the song here! This set is the perfect gift for that one animal lover in your life or just for yourself, if you’ve been needing a little pick-me-up.
This gorgeous set is the perfect gift for any gardener in your life! As the honeybees, we definitely have a preference for any LEGO set with flowers. We’re pairing it with the track ‘WATER’ – stream the song here! Anytime Beyoncé and Pharrell hop on a track together, we are one happy hive!
Who doesn’t wish money grew on trees? If that was the case, we’d be able to afford every single concert we’ve every wanted to go to. And that’s a lot. We’re pairing this gorgeous Money Tree Set with Pharrell’s ‘Money Maker’ – stream the song here!
We’re true Disney adults at heart. Sorry, not sorry! This LEGO set is on our dream build list, so we had to add it here. We’re pairing this old-school camera with ‘Movie Star’ – stream the song here!
The wee-woo wagon is fast approaching! This is a classic LEGO set that we would have owned as kids and played with on the daily. The nostalgia is too much! We’re pairing it with ‘Doctor (Work It Out)’ – stream the song here!
Our final set is owned by every LEGO fanatic. Naturally, we are pairing this with one of our favorite Pharrell songs, ‘Airplane Tickets’ – stream the song here!
Those are all our favorite LEGO sets here in the hive! Now every time we build a new one, we will be playing these Pharrell songs to go along with it. What did you think about Pharrell’s new drop, ‘Piece By Piece?’ Let us know in the comments below or by buzzing with us on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook 🐝
Happy Friday, everyone! Not gonna lie, this week felt about a billion years long — and as I’m looking forward to Sea.Hear.Now, I’m ready to listen to a bunch of music. The good news: each week a ton of artists release new music each Friday…so we have a lot to look forward to.
This week, like every week, I made a fresh playlist filled with fresher new tracks for you to show your friends. Now that we’ve all settled in for the fall, there’s nothing better than new music to listen to while you hang out and watch football with you friends and family, or while you’re getting ready to go to brunch with the girls, or really any plans you have.
Every week, I search through every playlist, press release, and email alike to find the best new music released. That way, you don’t have to struggle to find a good playlist when your friends put you on aux duty. And, it won’t be the same old playlist you listen to every weekend…because everything on this one is brand new!
If you’re as excited as I am to hear what we have in store for this weekend’s playlist…let’s get listening!
MEDUZA, HAYLA- “Another World”
HAYLA is quickly emerging as one of the biggest voices in house music right now. With tracks alongside John Summit like “Where You Are” and “Shiver,” and now this collab with MEDUZA, she’s established her vocal prowess and shown the world she’s a force to be reckoned with.
“Another World” has all the makings of the perfect dance track: a great, catchy beat by MEDUZA and a dance-worthy hook and chorus from HAYLA. “Another World” was definitely made to be performed live, for audiences and crowds coming together and having the time of their lives.
Dayglow- “Mindless Creatures”
Dayglow has released his “debut” album, DAYGLOW, and with it comes lead single “Mindless Creatures.” The song itself captures Dayglow as an artist perfectly: with elements of surf rock, indie touches, and captivating choruses. “Mindless Creatures” is saturated in fun, a true sign that Dayglow knows who he is as a singer-songwriter-producer extraordinaire.
The album itself deserves its own listen, but “Mindless Creatures” is a great start for those who want to get to know Dayglow. It’s feel good, introspective, and nostalgic music. A great response to his mega-hits like “Can I Call You Tonight” and “Hot Rod.”
INJI, Nile Rodgers- “SEXY 4EVER”
Breakout star INJI is here to make hit songs that combine pop and dance with her sassy lyricism and hard-hitting vocals. Her real vocal power is like her secret weapon to those who may not know she can belt it out with the best of them. In her new EP, WE GOOD, INJI produces five flawless records that build off her success from TikTok viral hit, “GASLIGHT.”
Not only does “SEXY 4EVER” highlight how important it is to let loose no matter what your age is, icon Nile Rodgers hopped on the track to work with INJI. From current icon Rodgers to budding icon INJI, “SEXY 4EVER” shows INJI is ready to take a step into superstardom.
Tate McRae- “It’s ok I’m ok”
If you were missing old school pop princess vibes, then Tate McRae is here to save you. Think Danity Kane, The Pussycat Dolls, Britney Spears…that’s what we’re talking: big dance numbers, Y2K nostalgia, and sexy lyrics. It’s about female empowerment, ear-wormy radio hits that will continue to catapult McRae into the popstar category she so deserves.
Whether it’s her viral live performances, insane dance routines, or pure pop songs, Tate McRae is at the forefront of our minds for a reason. She may have been snubbed by the Grammy’s, but she will get her flowers soon enough. Especially with “It’s ok I’m ok” and it’s already viral accompanying video.
Suki Waterhouse- “Model, Actress, Whatever”
One of my favorite crooning indie artists out there is actually well-known model, actress, whatever Suki Waterhouse. She perfectly embodies the moody, yearning, pining starlet we all need in the music industry. Similar to what Lana Del Rey provides, Suki Waterhouse is equally serving.
In new album, Memoir of a Sparklemuffin, her single “Model, Actress, Whatever” is a commentary on her life right now. As a new mother alongside Robert Pattinson, a talented actress, model, and singer, Waterhouse seems to have it all going on. But she warns you to F*** what you heard.
Cloonee, Andruss- “Pegao”
Collaborators Andruss and Cloonee hit the mark with “Pegao,” a high energy, exciting track that stays dynamic throughout its entirety. Rising star Andruss is keeping the momentum strong with another single with the potential to be a major club hit…and of course, Cloonee, with his signature ability to make any track of his an EDM hit.
The pair make sense while working together: with Andruss’ explosive vocals and lyricism, and Cloonee’s solidified approach to making a banger. “Pegao” just continues another big year for both Andruss and Cloonee alike.
JVKE, Nick Jonas- “this is what forever feels like”
The playlist needed an ethereal love song to end it on a strong note. Who better than unlikely pairing, JVKE and Nick Jonas, to deliver just what we needed? A passionate devotion to their loved ones that they want to love them for the rest of their lives.
The production is what launches this song from just another love song to something entirely unique. A strong backing and two voices who perfectly meld together, “this is what forever feels like” transcends you into a different planet…one of love and futuristic vibes.
Most likely stuffed into a TikTok frame, Bryant Barnes, with his dreadlocked hair and a cross necklace framing the silhouette of his neckline, isn’t a stranger to the term “viral sensation.” Within just a year, he’s gone from pulling requests from the comments section, each piano cover reminding others that his parents enrolled him into classical lessons when he was six, to racking up 3.5M monthly listeners on Spotify with his own soulful notes. (Even when we don’t counter that he only achieved this with a single EP, it’s impressive enough.)
We chatted with Bryant about ‘I’d Rather Pretend,’ one of those original tunes. This time, his mother joined him in the frame, returning to the first time it exploded. He also spoke about the transition from collaborators to gaming buds with Andrew Luce and Jon Castelli, his EP VANITY, a word currently hiding in a speech bubble and its various meanings floating around, anchored by associated lines.
Image Source: Paige Powell
VANITY
VANITY is often a word we associate with having an overindulgence of love toward our appearance. By naming the EP such and having various tracks tied toward the insecurity of love, you’ve almost caused your listeners to speculate how they view the word in that emotional field. What does the word mean for you regarding relationships? To start off, VANITY did mean to have too much pride over your looks. I remember I was on the phone with my dad, telling him that I was going to get earrings, and he told me that was a sign of vanity. So that’s when I first was introduced to the word. Then I looked it up and saw that it also just meant pride in general. I felt like that connected to my relationships because the majority of them do end due to me having too much pride or my significant other having too much pride. I feel like a lot of relationships, in general, end because one person or the other, or even both, are unable to lower their ego and pride.
Say we were to backtrack a bit, the word “vanity” also represents a negative, though often faux, assumption about another world you love outside of music: fashion! Notably, one of your favorite designers is Rick Owens. As your career evolves, how do you see fashion as a medium through which you can express your music? Whenever I create my music, I have a vision of what I want it to look like visually. Even with my lyrics, I sort of paint a picture in my head. Then I translate that to the music videos and the stuff that I wear inside them. But what I’ve been doing recently is just wearing all black. Even with more colors in my videos, the constant is black. It just represents the absence of love, or whatever it is I’m talking about in the song. I feel like that’s also a good piece that connects with the word VANITY too. Because it is constant, and having that continuity just makes sense. Fashion plays a part in how I portray things visually.
Andrew Luce and Jon Castelli, known for Kesha’s ‘Praying,’ were your partners in crafting this EP. What was the emotional journey like working with them to bring your vision to life? Which artists did you have on your inspiration board in terms of sound? I feel like it was really smooth because Andrew and I were able to connect as friends. He’s really the homie now. We play video games and stuff like that, so whenever I have an idea, it’s really easy to run some stuff with him. I feel like my best music has been made with Andrew because it’s just so fluid, and it’s just on some chill sh*t. And Jon is an amazing mixer. I feel like I was able to get exactly the sound that I wanted. The main artists that I had on my inspiration board were XXXTentacion and Shiloh Dynasty because I would read a lot of my comments, and the people wanted that sound from me. They think I sound similar to Shiloh and Joji, so those were definitely my inspirations. Just giving the people what they want to hear and implementing my skills musically to make something entirely new. Those were the main artists, but I think I definitely took inspiration from artists like D4vd, Joji, Giveon, Ecstasy, Omar Apollo, and all of those. Those are just people that I listen to in general.
‘Adore You’
‘Adore You’ delves into feelings of relationship anxiety and questioning if you’ve become a burden to your significant other. If we turn it around, when has there been a moment in your career where you’ve been a bit hard on yourself but wish you could’ve adored yourself in the moment instead? I feel like every time I make a song, it’s like that. I want to get the best song possible, so I don’t really think of things like I’m neglecting myself. I discipline myself more when I know I have this amount of work to do, and I push myself to get it done. Maybe if I’m late to something, that’s when I’m hard on myself, but being hard on yourself really means you just need to get stuff done. It’s when you want to do better for yourself. So, I wouldn’t say I needed to adore myself, but maybe I shouldn’t be as hard on myself. But I don’t know if there’s a point at which I need to do that because I feel like I need to go at everything that I’ve done 100%.
We’re obsessed with the music video for ‘Adore You’ and how various yous come into the frame with different instruments. It’s very much giving the musical version of Inside Out. Then there’s also the keyboard crescendo. Each of you is looking over at you playing with the instrument. How do you decipher the times when you’d let the guitar version of you emote a song compared to the piano? Just whatever sounds better, I guess, whenever I make music, not only the piano and guitar are a factor. I also think about how fast the tempo is, what key it’s in, and whatever is inspiring me at the time. For ‘I’d Rather Pretend,’ we started off with the guitar, and it was a bossanova feel, but when I switched to the piano, it was a ballad feel. That felt much better than the guitar, so it’s really just experimenting, and whichever one sounds the best, that’s the one I choose.
‘I’d Rather Pretend’
‘I’d Rather Pretend’ went viral recently through a TikTok of your mom listening to you play the pre-chorus and chorus on the piano. She adorably complimented with a “good.” Are your parents the first people you usually share your music with? Are they involved in the creative process in other ways? Usually, I send my songs to my dad because my mom doesn’t really know how to save files on her phone. But I usually send them to my dad, and he just plays them for my mom. I think the first people I send them to are usually my friends, though. I have a friend who graphic designs the cover art for all of my stuff. And I always send it to him first to see what he thinks because he always gives me an honest opinion. Then I have my other friend who just helps me put things together visually and brainstorm ideas, so I always send things to him, too. My friends play a part in my creative process because a lot of times, I pull from their experiences and relationships that are similar to mine. Because I know if they relate to it and I relate to it, then everyone will relate to it. It takes me out of this box of only writing about my experiences and helps me write about the people around me. So, I would say that’s how they play a part in my creative processes.
Moreover, “But my head is holding up my heart” is a beautiful lyric in ‘I’d Rather Pretend,’ emoting the overthinking trap many of us get into when we’re afraid to love. What helps you drop into your heart space? Music, probably just listening to sad music, I guess. But I feel like I’m always tapping into my emotions. It’s just picking and choosing whether to express them. But music definitely keeps me thinking a lot.
Musical Notes Dipping Into Other Mediums
It must be a fantastic feeling to see other artists sing covers of your songs compared to being the opposite. We’re peeping your rendition of Shiloh’s ‘So Low.’ If it could happen, which all-time favorite artist would you choose to recite a particular song on your EP? D4vd or Adele or SZA on ‘I’d Rather Pretend’ would be crazy. When I sent ‘I’d Rather Pretend’ to one of my friends, he said it was some Adele sh*t, so that would be cool.
Finally, since we know you’re an avid gamer, which game would you love to see use a song from the EP on their soundtrack? Fortnite! That would be insane, for sure! I feel like that’s the main one because they always use artist songs in the game.
Always one to be on the ball, the ‘I’d Rather Pretend (with d4vd)’ is newly out! D4vd (yes, we know. Bryant’s supplying Easter eggs through his answers to us!) proved we can shake our feelings away by head-bopping to the cry-dance tune. We find little else as dope as working with our favorite artists. But if an answer springs into your mind, let us know, and then hit the notification button on social media, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook so we can rave about the remix together!
We don’t mean to be shady bees today, honey, but the title is true. If you haven’t fallen head-over-heels, down-on-your-knees in love with Qwynn, her new single, ‘Blame Yourself,’ and the rest of her music, then consider us mindblown! Not only has she got that alt-pop coating that we adore, but she’s also got the talents to boot. The evidence is in her music, honey!
Qwynn shines, dazzles, and tells it to us straight in her new single, ‘Blame Yourself,’ from her upcoming debut EP, which is arriving early next year. Something about her voice delights and captures us, making us cherish the moment while we listen to her.
Image Source: Courtesy of DRPR
Exploring the meaning behind Qwynn’s ‘Blame Yourself,’ it’s about the end of a relationship, be it romantic or platonic. They’re the cause of the end, and it’s a shame when the very best was always wished for.
And can we just take a moment to appreciate Qwynn’s music video for ‘Blame Yourself?’ If this doesn’t make you want to see her live, we’re not sure what will. We absolutely adore her energy!
Want To Hear More Songs By Qwynn?
If you love ‘Blame Yourself’ and have become desperate to hear more music from the wonderful Qwynn, then get excited because her debut EP is on the way! Rumor has it that we’ll be able to get our hands and ears on it early next year, and we’re so ready!
For now, to quench your thirst, we highly recommend checking out ‘This Moment’ by Qwynn next!
And if you’re feeling a little extra thirsty to listen to even more, then you won’t want to miss out on her cover of ‘Wonderwall’ by Oasis!
What do you think of Qwynn and her new single, ‘Blame Yourself?’ Do you love her and the song as much as we do? Let us know by tweeting us @thehoneypop! You can also find us on Discord, Facebook, and Instagram.
I’m sure by now you were worrying if there would ever be another Weekend Playlist again. After a brief hiatus, we’re back with a week’s worth of fresh new music wrapped into one cute playlist that will get you through the weekend! And, personally, I couldn’t be more excited than I am now.
After obsessing over Sabrina Carpenter’s new album, Short n’ Sweet, for the past few weeks…it’s time to look for some fresh tunes. There’s no better feeling than when you’re playing a song and someone asks you what the name is because they love it so much. It means, as the DJ, you’re doing your job.
And maybe it’s because my name is 50% of the word “DJ,” but I love to be on the aux. I have a constant stream of playlists going that fit every mood and situation. Want to be hyped up? I’ve got you. Want to be sad and weep your eyes out? I have a playlist for you. Sad the summer is over? Check my End of Summer playlist.
Since there’s new music released every Friday, I like to comb through press releases, Spotify playlists, and more to find the best new songs released that day. Whether it’s a big artist like Taylor Swift, or a more indie sound, I’m looking everywhere for music you’ll actually want to listen to.
Now that we’re all equally excited, there’s no more time to waste! Here are my picks for the best new tracks released the week of September 6, 2024! Let’s get listening.
Joe Jonas, Alan Walker, Julia Michaels- “Thick Of It All”
What I love about this collaboration is that it bands together three titans in the music industry. Joe Jonas, the childhood heartthrob who made headlines as one of The Jonas Brothers. Alan Walker, the mastermind behind some of the biggest dance tracks in the world. And Julia Michaels, one of the most prolific singer-songwriter-producer combinations in the game right now.
“Thick Of It All” combines what each artist does best in one smooth track. With a dreamy back beat, Julia Michaels’ rings in the chorus as she croons “all the way in the thick of it all.” It’s a great mix of Jonas and Michaels’ complementary vocals with an iconic backing from Walker. You can’t lose.
Sabrina Sterling- “take a shot”
If you need a silky, synthy pop song that details what it feels like to be in a toxic relationship, then come listen to Sabrina Sterling’s new song. With lyrics like “my boy hates who I’m out with/says it’s not allowed if/I do things for me I know he’ll tell his friends about it,” Sterling sums up the pain and confusion of not being able to leave.
We all need a song that puts our feelings into words, which is exactly how Sterling steals our hearts with this introspective, honest single. An easy pick for this week’s playlist. This one’s for the heartbroken, yearning listener who likes a melancholic, upbeat track.
The Chainsmokers, Kim Petras- “Don’t Lie”
We already know that Kim Petras and The Chainsmokers can make a radio hit with their eyes closed. A bouncy, sexy house track that I can already hear being played in New York City clubs…”Don’t Lie” is yet another reason why Petras and The Chainsmokers are so highly reveled in the industry. They understand their audience, and they make music everyone can enjoy.
The summer of house music continues into fall, and who better than The Chainsmokers to remind us they still have it?
Fred again…, SOAK- “just stand there”
Fred again… keeps pushing boundaries with his progressive house music that has stolen the hearts of millions. He’s become one of the most innovative DJ’s in the game right now, whose music may be unconventional at times but equally thrilling. “just stand there” is another example of how Fred again… is akin to RUFUS DU SOL in terms of groundbreaking dance music.
“just stand there” may not be your most typical dance song, but it’s classic Fred again…calm in the right places, nostalgic in others, and an overall good time.
A$AP Rocky, J.Cole- “Ruby Rosary”
A$AP has finally put his time in in the studio and he’s coming in hot. Linking up with another big name in the rap game, J. Cole, proves A$AP Rocky can reclaim the crown at any time. This melancholic rap song is quintessential for those who like to keep it old school.
“Ruby Rosary” is classic and familiar in a good way. Not unoriginal by any means, but a reminder that real rap still exists.
BENEE- “sad boiii”
BENEE has a sexy, synthy, dreamy voice that has captivated listeners. She has the ability to slam a catchy hook into a fun chorus, and that’s exactly what she’s done again with “Sad Boiii.” BENEE is every bit the jazzy popstar that we needed in the world.
This song is a reminder that she doesn’t need another sad boy, someone who’s going to disappoint her. It’s the bad bitch energy this playlist needed.
Rex Orange County- “2008”
On a more relaxing note, Rex Orange County reminds us how he’s going to prioritize mental health, take life slow, and enjoy. It’s a sweet, calming number that shows Rex Orange County’s maturation as an artist, and as a person. The song is delicate, lighthearted, and feels like the beginning of a new era for the singer.
It’s a confident approach to a song that is much needed for many. A great end to our Weekend Playlist.
Emily Armstrong, from left, Colin Brittain, and Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park perform Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Los Angeles. It was announced on Thursday that Dead Sara’s Emily Armstrong would join as the band’s new co-singer and songwriter/producer Colin Brittain would join on drums. Linkin Park will release the album “From Zero” on Nov. 15, marking their first new record since former frontman Chester Bennington died in 2017. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
NEW YORK (AP) — Linkin Park is back with a new lineup and debuting their first new music since the 2017 death of lead singer Chester Bennington.
On Thursday, the band kicked off a livestream showcasing new singer Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain, who will join members Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Phoenix and Joe Hahn in a new lineup.
The band debuted a new single, “The Emptiness Machine.”
They also announced a new album, “From Zero,” that will be released Nov. 15.
They also announced six shows around the world.
The rock-rap band is one of the most commercially successful acts of the 2000s, aided by Bennington’s vocals.
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!
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 2soundtrack 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!
Rumors began to swirl online yesterday that the American Royal Couple, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, were heading for Splitsville.
It began with a Reddit post with an alleged contract, providing an exact date when Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift would break up. This fueled even more gossip that the iconic couple — who have made debuts together on-stage at Swift’s Era’s Tour — were a so-called PR relationship.
Online forum and social media users began to speculate whether or not Swift and Kelce’s relationship has merely been a ploy for popularity — or not. However, Travis Kelce shut down those rumors immediately by having his PR firm, Full Stop, call lawyers to confirm these documents are falsified and they will be taking action.
image C/O Daily Mail
It’s a sigh of relief for many as The Tortured Poet’s Department singer and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end haven’t called it quits. But it’s also an important sign not to believe everything you see on a Reddit thread…and luckily, this couple will never go out of style.
A spokesman from Full Scope told The Daily Mail that the document is “entirely false and fabricated and were not created, issued or authorized by this agency.”
‘We have engaged our legal team to initiate proceedings against the individuals or entities responsible for the unlawful and injurious forgery of documents,’ Full Scope added.
It’s been a busy week for Travis Kelce, who spent the summer following Taylor on tour, as he prepares for the start of NFL season on Thursday. He also just revealed the trailer for Ryan Murphy’s latest show, Grotesquerie,starring Kelce and Niecy Nash. While the trailer is sure to turn heads, we can’t help but still fear for his acting abilities— or lack thereof!
Regardless, we can all relax now knowing Taylor and Travis are still going strong. And I will wait patiently for the engagement rumors to ensue.
When we say we’ve been waiting for this collaboration, we mean we’ve been waiting. There’s truly nothing better than when a powerhouse vocalist and an EDM god team up to create the most insane song you’ve ever heard. Who better to accept the challenge than Swedish House Mafia and Alicia Keys?!
The dance music crossover you’ve been waiting for is ‘Finally’ here.
Image Source: Courtesy of Full Coverage Communications
The new track is Swedish House Mafia at their finest. Of course, all of their songs are amazing, but ‘Finally’ really stands out to us. We know the group for mega-hits like ‘Moth To A Flame’ and ‘Don’t You Worry Child,’ but ‘Finally’ creates a name all of its own. SHM is known for collaborating with big names like The Weeknd, but you can’t really get any more iconic than Alicia Keys. We’ve been listening to her since the early 2000s and each new release gets us more and more excited about being a fan!
After our first listen of ‘Finally’ we could see ourselves, and the rest of our buzzing hive, hitting the dance floor. We love dance music because it makes us forget about all our problems and lets us just live in the moment. What other collaborations would you like to see from SHM?
Swedish House Mafia On The Road
Hear ‘Finally’ plus all your other SHM favorites live this fall! The group is heading out on a short tour, and who knows, maybe Alicia herself will show up to a stop (or two?). Grab tickets – we’ll see you there!
Tour Dates
08.31.24 Las Vegas, NV at XS Nightclub 09.14.24 Las Vegas, NV at XS Nightclub 10.26.24 Chicago, IL at Wintrust Arena
Image Source: Courtesy of Full Coverage Communications
What did you think of the new SHM collaboration? Let us know all your thoughts in the comments below or find us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook 🐝
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.
Will Clark releasnes new album ‘Doo Wop for the Digital Age’
The rising tide of AI has flooded the public discourse of late to much anxiety from those awake enough to be concerned about human autonomy. But one local artist is surfing it with stylish insouciance by turning the technology on itself.
While Orlando’s Will Clark is a genre vagabond whose musical work ranges wide on a spectrum that includes synthwave, video game music, anime music and dance pop, among many more, what more tidily sums him up as an artist is a specialist interest in niche digital culture. Although Clark’s work frequently uses AI, his latest album is perhaps his best, most direct parody of it to date.
Stylistically, Doo Wop for the Digital Age is a batch of 1950s-style pop whose retro charm belies its modern slyness. Thematically, Clark says,“I wanted to create something that captures the nostalgic essence of doo-wop while addressing contemporary topics like social media apps, incels, and NFTs.” Indeed, the collection is packed with song titles like “OnlyFans Angel,” “TikTok Tick Tock,”“Snapchat Pics”and“Insta Filter Girl.” Beyond simply addressing the idea of AI, Doo Wop for the Digital Age wields its very capabilities.
The songs were actually crafted using AI music generator Udio. The lyrics, however, are Clark’s original work and personal thoughts. The sole exception is album opener “Groovin’ With AI,” a song about ChatGPT that he felt should, (un)naturally, be written with ChatGPT. It’s a suite of songs that sound straight out of a Boomer’s record collection but that could only come from a millennial.
Whether Doo Wop for the Digital Age is more social commentary or musical art is debatable. What’s not, however, is that it’s a whimsical work of post-modernism with a sense of both satire and irony. Doo Wop for the Digital Age is currently available on Bandcamp and YouTube. Subscribe to Orlando Weekly newsletters.
We’ve fallen in love. Hard and fast. Ever since discovering PLAVE, we’ve become so besotted with them! The five-piece virtual idol group has made their long-awaited comeback, and PLLI are truly thrilled. The digital single follows their latest mini album, Asterum: 134-1,which released in February and took the group’s success and popularity to new heights.
‘Pump Up The Volume’
‘Pump Up The Volume’ feels more personal to fans as the group’s producer line, Yejun, Noah, and Eunho, began working on the song during a live stream as they showed Plli the behind-the-scenes of creating music. We witnessed the song’s early stages, a really exciting and intimate experience shared between fans and artists. We even see them feature Yejun’s lighthearted rap, which became an inside joke for fans, giving it that extra personal feel.
Heavy on band sounds, ‘Pump Up The Volume’ has a zesty retro feel and truly highlights the group’s strengths as a self-producing group. It’s a captivating bop that feels reminiscent of the golden days of summer, soundtracking core memories. And the accompanying music video truly encapsulates the vibes of the single to perfection. Featuring GOT7‘s Youngjae as a radio host introducing the track, we see our fave aliens from Asterum as they embark on a camping trip on their home planet, using a radio broadcast to try to communicate with PLLI on Terra (Earth) as they confess their feelings across the airwaves and the universe. Honestly, us and who?
So Proud Of PLAVE!
PLAVE’s unique concept has, without a doubt, made them a major talking point in the K-POP scene. The curiosity has captured the hearts of many as they keep racking up achievements, including being the first virtual idol group to place first on a music show and becoming the second boy group, joining SEVENTEEN as the only boy group to debut in the Top 10 on MelOn Top 100 in 2024.
The quintet is set to hold their Hello, Asterum! Encore fan concert on October 5-6 at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul. The dates follow their first fan concert, Hello, Asterum!, which took place at the Olympic Hall, Seoul, in April this year.
2024 has truly seen PLAVE cement a place in the K-POP industry and prove they are a force to be reckoned with as they become one of the biggest 5th gen groups. We love them and can’t wait to see what’s next. LASSGO, PLAVE!
Do you stan PLAVE? Are you loving ‘Pump Up The Volume?’ Let us know by tweeting us at @TheHoneyPOP or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.
Honey Bees, we think we found our newest obsession, and yours too! We have an exclusive premiere of ‘City Boys x Pretty Girls’ by Haunter, a Pop-Rock/Alternative band. What are we going to do with that inside scoop? We’re giving you a rundown of the band, song, and lyrics, of course!
Who Is Haunter?
As we stated before, Haunter is a Pop-Rock/Alternative band based in Houston, Texas that has been on the scene since 2020 when they released their debut single ‘Love You Better’. Haunter consists of four members that include vocalist Lucy Lenoir, guitarist Enoma Asowata, bassist Mark Schroeder, and guitarist and synthist Mike Ray. And Haunter has had quite some success since stepping onto the scene, but we might be a bit biased.
In March of 2024, SiriusXM Octane featured their song ‘Paralyze’ nationwide and when it comes to streaming, the band has obtained over 1 Million streams on all streaming platforms. Multiple official Pandora stations, including DECIBEL!, Today’s Hard Rock, Pop-Punk, and New Rock have also featured them.
“City Boys x Pretty Girls” is a tongue-in-cheek, candy coated pop-punk “diss track”.
Enoma Asowata
‘City Boys x Pretty Girls,’ a song co-written with Tyler Smyth, is a pop-punk anthem. The song is based on a true story about a run-in the band had with a couple of influencers while attending a party. While it’s technically a “diss track,” Haunter also reminds everyone to stay authentic through their lyrics. Being famous is cool, but staying true to who you are and what you believe in is better.
Behind The Lyrics
Staring at a screen again Pretending all these likes are friends Drunk on adrenaline, 'cause we don't want this rush to end
Haunter grabs our attention with the first few lines of the song. Some people focus too much on their devices, particularly social media, and that’s only half of what these lyrics highlight. It doesn’t take the band too long to call out the people who focus too much on likes. People pretend that having lots of likes equals having friends on social media; however, this is not the case.
Not everyone on social media is your friend, especially not everyone who likes your latest post. Some do it to show support for others, but unless you’ve built the connection, it’s good to remember that the people who liked your post aren’t automatically your friends because you want them to be. That’s not to say that one can’t make that happen because one can. However, you have to put in the effort first.
You're high on yourself, you might lose control Chasing glitter never gold
Here’s one example of where Haunter lets people know to be themselves. While trying to be famous, whether it’s internet famous or offline, many people often lose themselves to the spotlight. This is why the first line of the lyric above is followed by “chasing glitter, never gold.” We’ve all heard the aphorism, “All that glitters is not gold.” Glitter, in that case, and the lyrics symbolize something fake. Instead of chasing something that isn’t valuable or meaningful in the long run, Haunter wants listeners to focus on what’s real and important while staying true to who they are and what they believe in.
City boys and pretty girls around the world Yeah, it isn't that serious Only doing things when you can serve yourself Same as everybody else
Haunter reminds everyone that being internet famous isn’t that serious. One may find it cool and nice, but it means nothing if it is solely done to please others. They suggest that instead of trying to benefit others, one should focus on their well-being and ignore others’ opinions. It’s an important message for those who might want to chase internet stardom and others.
Another party more fake friends But they won't be there in the end
Here’s another instance where Haunter sings about friends. While singing about fake friends, they could also be singing about the party that inspired “City Boys x Pretty Girls.” In the influencer world, some people may appear to be friends, but in actuality, their friendship is merely for show or, to put it another way, for social media. When push comes to shove, nine out of ten times, having those people around will benefit someone. But when one needs them, they won’t be found.
Watch the premiere of ‘City Boys x Pretty Girls’ below!
We don’t know about you, but we think Haunter has a hit song on their hands with ‘City Boys x Pretty Girls.’ Do you agree? What do you think about the song?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Feel free to contact us via @thehoneypop, Facebook, or Instagram if you prefer that route.
This year has been full of musical blessings, and one of our favorites has been Yung Gravy entering his country era. His exploration into a new genre is another example of the ways Gravy isn’t afraid to push his boundaries or step into new terrain. “It’s actually good. It’s fire.” were his words exactly when it came to why he made the decision to dabble with country music. And honestly, we couldn’t put it better ourselves!
Serving Country
Yung Gravy has found a way to ensure his sound rings through his music regardless of whatever genre it is. Part of this is accomplished by working with producers he trusts and who understand him on a deeper level. That’s why the majority of Serving Countrywas produced with Diamond Pistols. Gravy said this is actually the most he’s ever worked with one producer on an album. Which we think is a beautiful testament to their musical dynamic.
His last album, Baby Gravy 3, the album was split into sections. Each one correlating to the producer who worked on those tracks. But Serving Country was originally supposed to be just an EP, and it became what it is today because the creative process was flowing that well.
I started with idea and thought it would be fun to drop and EP but I kept droppin’ em and everyone liked ‘em so I was like “Let’s just make a whole album.”
Yung Gravy
We came to this conversation with Yung Gravy with our own burning questions, though. We can’t get enough of his BookTok content lately, and the need for a full Yung Gravy audiobook is insane. Thankfully, he let us know he has some offers in the works that even though he can’t discuss yet, we should all be really excited about. And you can count on us to report back on this as soon as we learn more!
Our Favorite ‘Lone Ranger’
So what’s the vibe for Serving Country? Well, if Yung Gravy could cater every listeners first full album experience, he would set you up in a crazy backyard party in the South. And honestly, we might have to put that together for our first listen because it sounds too good to miss out on! Let us know what song on Serving Country is your favorite in the comments below! And to make sure you don’t miss a thing, check us out on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook!
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!
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!
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!
And we’re back with another Weekend Playlist! Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever grow tired of making cute little playlists for everyone to enjoy, but truly it never gets old. Especially when each week there’s new music released by artists everywhere.
Instead of searching through countless Spotify and Apple Music New Music Friday playlists and checking social media for the hottest new tracks, I collect the best of the best to make it easy on you. Yes, I do all the hard work and you just sit back and enjoy.
As we soak up the last few weeks of sunshine and Summer Fridays, there’s nothing you need more than new music to get you through. And, as promised, we have a whole playlist’s worth of new music released today, August 16.
So, if you’re ready for the weekend already like I am…here’s a new playlist filled with new music! As always, let’s get listening.
Hozier- “Nobody’s Soldier”
There isn’t much to say about Hozier’s angelic vocals that hasn’t been said already. He’s lyrically complex, weaving tales and transcendentalism into his music with every new single. Now, he’s here with a trilogy of singles and each is more delicious than the next. My personal favorite, however, is “Nobody’s Soldier.”
Almost gospel, Hozier builds this dynamic track into a crescendo of vocals, heightening beats, and an orchestral backing that makes this perfect. It’s equal parts stomp-and-holler and indie folk, everything you love about Hozier…but refined, mature, and a little bit rock ‘n’ roll.
Tiesto, AFROJACK, MC Ambush- “Light It Up”
We needed a huge EDM song for the playlist this week, and a few major names in house music stepped up for us. “Light It Up” is high energy from the very start, perfect for your pregames or when you need to get amped up. Seriously, this song is made for the club.
Tiesto and AFROJACK are two of the biggest DJ’s out there right now, which is why this collaboration is all the more exciting. They know what they’re doing, and it shows with this track.
Duke Dumont, Clemintine Douglas- “Ain’t Giving Up”
High energy and house driven, Duke Dumont has always made bangers. However, by adding Clemintine Douglas’ strong, electrifying vocals makes this track all the better. It’s great for clubs or intense workouts, getting your heart pumping as Douglas reiterates that she isn’t giving up on her lover.
Duke Dumont is a titan in the electronic dance industry for a reason, and they’ve remained relevant by creating refreshing, yet consistent music. “Ain’t Giving Up” reminds us the summer isn’t truly over, and we can’t get enough of this track already.
Post Malone, Jelly Roll- “Losers”
And so the summer of country music continues with Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion album out today. He’s got collabs with major country hitters on this album like Chris Stapleton, Luke Combs, and more. But specifically, we’re here to talk about “Losers” featuring Jelly Roll.
A feel good song, “Losers” blends the voices of the two and melds them into one silky song. It’s reminiscent of slow summer days spent with friends and family, and the perfect addition to this playlist.
Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars- “Die With A Smile”
They’re baaaaaack. Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars are household names when it comes to music, we’ve basically grown up listening to them. Any song they have is guaranteed to be a hit, so when they come together…it’s magic. “Die With A Smile” is a sign of the times for the duo…both a culmination of their vocal power and ability to write a hit track no matter what.
Expect this one to be a radio favorite, as both musicians are giving us all they have. It’s a mellow, yet hard-hitting ballad that brings out the best in both of them. It’s ethereal the way they can work with each other’s voices so well, but that’s what you get when you’ve conquered your respective sides of the industry.
Elle Darlington- “summer crush”
Fun-loving, an easy listen, bubblegum bedroom pop. That’s what Elle Darlington delivers with “summer crush”- it’s a catchy song about a summer fling…and every time I hear an Elle Darlington song, I’m reminded we’re in good hands when it comes to pop music. Darlington is like a breath of fresh air, and “summer crush” is reminiscent of a young Ariana Grande.
You’ll find yourself easily dancing along to “summer crush”, singing “I don’t wanna be alone” over and over with her. Again, summer isn’t over until we say it is. This song was made for the sunshine and good vibes.
Foster the People- “Paradise State of Mind”
In their first album in three years, Foster the People hasn’t missed a beat (literally.) “Paradise State of Mind” leans heavy on the synthy, indie sound that we know and love, while transporting us throughout a groovy, well-produced track. It’s one of my favorites on the album for a reason.
The eponymous track is a statement: they’re back and they’re better than ever. It’s a mixture of 70’s sounds with extremely modern twists. A thrilling listen til the very end.
